A coalition of business, school, philanthropy and labor groups came together in 2019 to try and solve decades of mediocrity in Michigan public education. But major school groups, including the department of education, have bailed, leaving the effort in question.

Beech leaf disease was recently detected in St. Clair County, which can kill the trees in roughly six to ten years. There is currently no known treatment for it. State officials warn against transporting wood from the trees.

A literal last-day state infusion of $11-million is keeping the doors open at Sturgis Hospital, keeping it from completing its planned shutdown later in July. But red ink continues to pressure independent and other hospitals that small, rural communities depend upon.

The state’s higher-education budgets do not include a large expansion of Michigan Reconnect, the tuition-free community college program, but does set aside funding for a to-be-determined scholarship program.

From kayak launches to track chairs to hunting blinds, the disabled are gaining more access to Pure Michigan.

A Democrat-led bill package would require all children to receive two tests for lead poisoning by age 4 — something now required only for children on Medicaid. Doctors worry it could hold them responsible if parents don’t follow through.

Rising interest rates are meant to stem inflation, but the results can be “painful” as the economy shrinks, state business leaders say. Michigan has recorded three straight months of job losses, a sensitive topic for the state.

Fueled in part by COVID, 33 of the state’s 83 counties lost residents in 2020 and 2021, including population centers Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw.

Vets and pet owners are turning to pills for pet behavior issues. One warning: CBD won’t help your dog tolerate fireworks on the Fourth.

It’s been five years since Sleeping Bear launched its Preventative Search and Rescue Program. In that time they’ve seen dramatic results.

In approving the state’s education budget early Friday morning, the GOP legislature and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also added investment in school safety measures and the teacher pension system, thanks to unexpectedly high state revenues this year.

Although marijuana is legal, many companies require drug screening for employment. Michigan would join 18 other states in banning the sale of synthetic urine designed beat the tests.