-The focus for the Democratic race for the White House is now on South Carolina. Bernie Sanders celebrated a victory in the Nevada caucuses over the weekend. Candidates are now setting their sights on South Carolina, where they’ll be debating Tuesday night. Seven hopefuls will take the stage in Charleston. Super Tuesday is set on March 3rd where a number of states will hold a Primary. The Michigan Primary will take place Tuesday, March 10.

-Gas prices in Michigan are up about 6 cents compared to last week. We are paying an average $2.47 a gallon. The most expensive gas price averages were found in Marquette and the least expensive  in Traverse City. Meanwhile spring weight limits are going into effect on seasonal roads today in parts of the state, including West Michigan. Projects that involve heavy loads will need to be postponed until after the weight restrictions or “frost laws” end. As frost melts beneath a paved road, the roadbed turns spongy because water is trapped between the pavement and the remaining ice layer […]

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports they are monitoring 325 people for a medium or low risk for the Coronavirus. All of the people being monitored have been to mainland China within the past two weeks or were passengers on a cruise ship with a confirmed Coronavirus case. No one is being quarantined because the state says that is because they were not deemed at high risk during the screening process.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan legislator has introduced a bill that, if eventually passed and signed, would prohibit the declawing of cats unless it is for a clear medical or therapeutic reason. The Detroit News reported Friday that House Bill No. 5508 could make Michigan the second state to ban declawing cats, following New York. State Rep. Nate Shannon, a Sterling Heights Democrat, introduced the proposal on Thursday with the backing of at least 20 other lawmakers. Under the proposed bill, those who break the declawing law could be fined up to $1,000. Some pet owners declaw their cats […]

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan panel is preparing to consider proposed limits on some nonstick, water-resistant chemicals in drinking water. An oversight committee is expected to vote Thursday on regulations developed by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. They would set maximum levels of seven types of chemicals known as PFAS. The chemicals are used in a wide variety of industrial and consumer products and have been linked to numerous health problems. They’re called “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment. The Environmental Rules Review Committee could approve or reject the proposed regulations or make changes. […]

VANDERBILT, Mich. (AP) — Michigan officials say the state’s 108,000-acre Pigeon River Country State Forest is getting a nearly 600-acre addition. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced a land deal valued at more than $2 million that was finalized last month. It adds the Elk Forest at Black River, which is in Montmorency County, to the state’s public lands. The area is surrounded on three sides by existing state-managed land and includes public access to Walled Lake. The money for the property purchase came from matching funds from the state agency’s Land Exchange Facilitation Fund and a donation […]

(Mlive) – An adult female has died from a vaping-related lung injury, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported on Thursday. It’s the fourth vaping-related death in Michigan. The state isn’t releasing further information about the death, citing confidentiality. “Although reports of new cases related to this outbreak have decreased in Michigan and across the country, new cases continue to be reported,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS. “We urge Michigan residents to refrain from vaping until a definite source or sources have been identified. Health care providers should remain […]

(Mlive) – The satellite images show a big difference in ice cover from year to year. It’s been a warmer than average winter so far. It’s no surprise that ice cover on the Great Lakes should be lower than average. Right now there is only 15.5 percent of the entire Great Lakes water surface covered with ice. The long-term average ice cover on the Great Lakes is 55 percent. This winter will go down as one of the top ten lowest total ice cover winters. Right now it looks like it will come in around number 4 in low ice […]

DETROIT (AP) — Kia is joining its affiliate Hyundai in recalling thousands of vehicles in the U.S. because water can get into a brake computer, cause an electrical short and possibly a fire. The Kia recall covers nearly 229,000 Sedona minivans from the 2006 through 2010 model years. Also covered are Sorento SUVs from 2007 through 2009. Kia is telling owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the problem can be fixed. The company says in government documents that moisture can get into the antilock brake control computer and cause an electrical short […]

ROCKFORD, MI — A federal judge has approved a $69.5 million settlement in the lawsuit between the government and Wolverine World Wide to pay for public water extensions in areas affected by PFAS contamination. Judge Janet Neff with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan signed an order Wednesday, Feb. 19 that approves a consent decree between the Rockford global footwear company and state and local governments. “I am pleased that the Court acted so quickly to enter the Consent Decree – this enables a push for construction to begin this spring to bring relief to residents […]

KALAMAZOO, MI — (Mlive) – District leaders named the new superintendent for Kalamazoo Public Schools. Rita Raichoudhuri, 39, was chosen as superintendent unanimously by the Board of Education Wednesday, Feb. 19, after a six-month search process. Raichoudhuri is currently the executive director of early college and career education at Chicago Public Schools. The board said Raichoudhuri was detail-oriented and is an advocate for children. They applauded her work in career and technical education and experience in teaching. During her interview Monday, Raichoudhuri spoke about strengthening career and technical education programs, making decisions collaboratively with the board and other leaders, her […]

BATTLE CREEK, MI –(Mlive) –  A boil-water advisory has been lifted for customers of Battle Creek’s water system. The advisory affected the cities of Battle Creek and Springfield and townships of Bedford, Emmett, Leroy and Pennfield. Battle Creek officials said early Thursday, Feb. 20, that it was safe to drink city water. The advisory was issued after a 16-inch water main broke Tuesday, Feb. 18, near McCamly Street and Dickman Road. A short-term loss in water pressure raised concerns of possible contamination. Tests showed no bacteria in the water system. The city said that discolored water, caused by sediments being […]

-Battle Creek water customers are under a boil water advisory notice due to a water main break. A significant leak impacted the water main behind the former Kmart near Capital Avenue. The break caused water pressure to decrease to levels that could allow contamination to enter the water system. As a safeguard,  the City of Battle Creek is advising customers to boil water before consuming it.  This includes the entire city of Battle Creek, Springfield and the townships of Bedford, Emmett, Leroy and Pennfield.

DETROIT (AP) — Former presidential advisers and officials are expected to gather in Detroit next week to discuss the foreign policy challenges that will face whomever wins this year’s U.S. presidential election. The Election 2020 U.S. Foreign Policy Forum is scheduled for next Monday at Wayne State University. The panel is being presented by the school and Council on Foreign Relations. Confirmed attendees include former advisers or cabinet members during the Obama and both Bush administrations. Issues expected to be hashed out during what’s billed as a nonpartisan conversation include the new North American trade agreement and the U.S. trade […]

(AP) – Owen Bieber, who led the United Auto Workers union from the auto industry’s dark days of the early 1980s to the prosperity of the mid-1990s, has died. He was 90. Bieber shepherded the UAW through a recession, the Reagan era, industry downsizing and rapidly expanding global competition. Under Bieber, the UAW also actively supported the Solidarity labor movement, which challenged Poland’s Communist government, and the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Bieber is survived by his wife, five children, 19 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

(AP) – The Boy Scouts of America has filed for bankruptcy protection as it faces a barrage of new abuse lawsuits. The filing Tuesday in Wilmington, Delaware, is an attempt to work out a potentially mammoth compensation plan for abuse victims that will allow the 110-year-old organization to carry on. It could be one of the biggest, most complex bankruptcies ever seen. Scores of lawyers are seeking settlements on behalf of several thousand men . The organization could be forced to sell off some of its vast property holdings to raise money for a compensation fund that could surpass $1 […]

(AP) – Home goods retailer Pier 1 Imports Inc. is filing for bankruptcy protection. The Fort Worth, Texas-based company, which was founded in 1962, has recently struggled with increased competition from online retailers such as Wayfair. Pier 1 said Monday it will pursue a sale, with a March 23 deadline to submit bids. In the meantime, the company says lenders have committed approximately $256 million in debtor-in-possession financing so it can still operate during the Chapter 11 proceedings. Last month, Pier 1 announced it would close 450 stores, including all its stores in Canada. The company is also closing two […]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., – The tenth Annual Gilda’s LaughFest announced their hours for LaughFest Central.  Opening Monday, Febrary 17 at 10 a.m. at 120 Ionia Ave. SW, Suite 102, this site will serve as the LaughFest headquarters for all LaughFest information, including purchase of tickets and merchandise. During the 10-day festival, LaughFest 2020 will include more than 150 free and ticketed shows.  Over 100 artists will be featured at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids, Holland, Lowell and Wayland’s Gun Lake Casino. LaughFest is also bringing back another World Record attempt and this time for the largest gathering of […]