Once a battleground, the working-class southern Michigan county has become a reliable vote for Republicans since 2016. Tariffs, high costs and general fatigue give Democrats some hope next week.
Rural Michigan
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan’s free community college shuts out rural universities. They want in
Four rural-based universities that offer associate degrees are lobbying for expansion of the Community College Guarantee, the state’s free tuition program. Some say it would be costly. Proponents say it would serve all students, especially those in community college “deserts.”
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Bernie Sanders in Michigan MAGA-land: Dems, GOP seek votes in unfamiliar areas
Bernie Sanders stumped for Abdul El-Sayed in deep-red Alpena, while Republicans seek inroads in true-blue Detroit. In a super-tight election, a few votes could make a big difference.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
A Michigan clerk tried to kick voters off rolls. How her county, state stopped her
The saga of Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop shows how lingering mistrust from 2020 still hangs over elections — not only on the national level, but even from the local officials who sit at the heart of the system.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
‘Please, I need a clerk!’ No candidates for almost 500 positions on Michigan ballots
Low pay and public criticism makes local government jobs less appealing than in the past, officials say.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Study claims Michigan’s high point has changed, but is it official?
For decades, Mount Arvon has been recognized as Michigan’s highest natural point. A study published in 2025 claims Mount Curwood is in fact taller but the lead researcher has struggled to get recognition for his finding.
Posted inBusiness Watch, Michigan Environment Watch
Fact check: What’s true and what’s not in Michigan’s data center debate
From noise pollution to job creation, experts weigh in on the biggest claims about the infrastructure that powers AI.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Michigan DNR to track fish stocking using 23andMe-style gene testing
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says it’s begun using genetic testing to track the success of its $11 million fish stocking program.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
A top Michigan clerk is quitting. She can’t take the voting lies anymore
This year, Sue Hartman was singled out by peers for excellence. But the Republican clerk says trying to convince her mostly Republican neighbors that elections are fair has taken its toll.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Year after reintroduction, no grayling seen in Michigan wild. Hope remains
Biologists with northern Michigan tribes said they expect to see better results as they continue to collect data over the next several years.
