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Great Lakes Echo (https://greatlakesecho.org/)

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A heavy infestation of tar spot on a corn plant

Corn season means return of farmers’ worries about tar spot fungus

By Great Lakes Echo | April 17, 2025

By Victoria Witke
Jacob Faist of Jackson County is among the state’s farmers worried about tar spot, an emerging disease in corn and silage fed to dairy cows. It can lower crop yield, reduce the nutritional value of the corn and reduce milk production. According to a study, Michigan and the Great Lakes region are particularly vulnerable. Researchers did the study in Branch, Ottawa, Ingham and Barry counties. Top producing counties include Lenawee and Ionia.

Water

What to expect with the start of 2025’s fishing season

A weir holds in fish at a hatchery at the Platte River

By Dylan Engels
Fishing licenses for the year are available, and DNR has changed a few requirements. We talk to experts from the Platte River Hatchery in Beulah, DNR and Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

Wildlife

Law students, attorneys could advocate for animals in cruelty cases under new proposal

Attorney Ginny Mikita poses for a photo with her two farm animals

By Emilio Perez Ibarguen
Legislation would let law students and lawyers represent the interests of abused animals in criminal prosecutions related to the animal’s welfare or custody. The idea is rooted in a massive 1995 animal abuse case in Ottawa County.

Water

Wisconsin grant to help spread the news on eating safe amount of fish

By Isabella Figueroa
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been granted $1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to better reach Spanish, Hmong and rural populations.

More Headlines

Chasing thundersnow: Students join scientists in electrifying lake-effect storm research
Tradition meets technology: Illinois report says future of farming includes AI and robots
In debate over protecting large or small natural areas, answer may be both

Climate

  • A piping plover rest on top of sand and rocks
    Climate change is making Great Lakes water birds sick, research shows

    By Clara Lincolnhol Climate change is making it easier for Great Lakes water birds to get sick, according to a recent University of Illinois study. Data from the last 50 years shows an increase in avian disease as climate change worsens, said study co-author Nathan Alexander.

    • More climate

Water quality

  • A group of birds on a beach are examined by researchers
    Great Lakes water bird health suffers at polluted sites despite cleanup efforts

    By Joshua Kim Despite decades-long efforts to clean up toxic hot spots along Michigan’s Great Lakes shores, a recent study shows that the health of water birds in some areas continues to suffer. Researchers examined ten years of data on fish-eating birds living near Saginaw Bay, the River Raisin, and Grand Traverse Bay.

    • More water quality

Invaders

  • Oaks under threat from invading insects, warming temperatures, disease 

    By Eric Freedman Capital News Service The mighty oak may be in trouble in the Great Lakes region – and climate change is largely to blame. A mix of factors is in play, including rising temperatures, more severe and intense rainstorms, increasing susceptibility to plant-eating animals and vulnerability to disease-causing microorganisms, a new study from […]

    • More invaders

Wildlife

  • Farmer Lynn Henning poses for a portrait photo
    Farmers claim state overregulates, but perspectives differ across the industry

    By Emilio Perez Ibarguen An Ottawa County legislator, who is also a dairy farmer, says the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy regulations of animal waste are too strict and harm businesses. The Michigan Environmental Council says strict rules are necessary, as does a Lenawee County farmer-activist who provides water testing training to rural communities.

    • More wildlife

Energy

  • Rep. Mike McFall poses for a portrait photo
    Proposal would give aid to students planning to work in nuclear and hydrogen energy fields

    By Finn Mills Lawmakers say the state should give scholarships and grants to students committed to work in Michigan’s nuclear and hydrogen. The lead sponsor is from Hazel Park. Cosponsors include legislators from Antrim Township, Negaunee, Grand Rapids, Brownstown and Midland.

    • More energy

Art

  • Detroit group reduces waste and improves education by merging art and science 

    The organization teaches kids at its brick and mortar building or travels to communities with a bus filled with recycled materials.

    • More art

Law

  • Feds mum about yellow-faced grassquit trafficker

    The grassquit is a small bird that lives in grassy and weedy subtropical and tropical areas.

    • More law

Nearshore

  • A pair of research vans sit in a road filled with snow as more snow fall from the clouds above
    Chasing thundersnow: Students join scientists in electrifying lake-effect storm research

    By Julia Belden From November 2022 to February 2023, scientists – and a small army of undergraduate research assistants – braved frigid temperatures and deep snow to document winter lightning along the easternmost shores of Lake Ontario as part of a National Science Foundation-funded study.

    • More nearshore

Urban

  • Great Lakes region is resource rich, so why aren’t cities ‘greener’?

    A recent report from WalletHub, “2022’s Greenest Cities in America,” ranked Buffalo, Madison, Cincinnati and Milwaukee among the Great Lakes region’s best for engaging in cleaner, more sustainable habits.

    • More urban

Farm

  • Minnesota farmer accused of multimillion dollar organic grain scam

    A federal grand jury has indicted a Minnesota farmer for allegedly cheating buyers of more than $46 million by falsely labeling non-GMO soybeans and corn as organic.

    • More farm

Waste

  • EPA restricts use of chemicals used in dry cleaning, brake cleaners 

    By Elinor Epperson The Environmental Protection Agency has banned the use of perchloroethylene in dry cleaning processes. The chemical will be phased out over a 10-year period.  The EPA has banned all uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) and most uses of perchloroethylene (PCE). Those are cancer-causing chemicals used in a variety of consumer products and industrial […]

    • More waste

Recreation

  • The cover for the book "Picnics and Porcupines" by Candice Goucher
    Picnics and Porcupines: Book explores history of eating outside in the U.P.

    By Isabella Figueroa A new book explores how picnics in Michigan's Upper Peninsula have brought communities together, connecting the past through nature with a shared meal outdoors.

    • More recreation

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Catch of the Day

  • Michigan Press Association honors Echo reporters

    Ten Great Lakes Echo reporters recently scored honors in the 2023 Michigan Press Association’s College Better Newspaper Contest.  “Our bench is deep, but it has to be to cover the world’s most important beat,” said Echo Editor David Poulson

    • More Catch of the Day

Commentary

  • GUEST COMMENTARY: Speak up to stop the spotted lanternfly and other invaders

    By David Strayer If you’ve driven Michigan’s highways lately, you’ve probably seen the billboards: a big picture of a lanternfly, with the message, “See it. Squish it. Report it.” This is good advice, as far as it goes, but it should go further. The spotted lanternfly is a serious pest that is poised to cause […]

    • More Photo Friday

Podcasts

  • Four electric buses will hit University of Michigan’s campus next summer

    Power is supplied to the electric motor very quickly which gives the electric bus high performance and rapid acceleration.

    • More podcasts

Climate Stories

Climate News: Great Lakes Region
planetdetroit.org
Experts say updating Michigan’s building code may be key for meeting climate goals. Here’s why.
Experts say updating Michigan’s building code may be key for meeting climate goals. Here’s why.
Read more
wbez.org
Everything you need to know about Illinois’ $4,000 electric vehicle rebate
Everything you need to know about Illinois’ $4,000 electric vehicle rebate
Read more
planetdetroit.org
These 3 Detroit restaurants are tackling climate change in the kitchen
These 3 Detroit restaurants are tackling climate change in the kitchen
Read more
clickondetroit.com
How changing climate is impacting Michigan’s fall colors
How changing climate is impacting Michigan’s fall colors
Read more

COVID-19

  • Communities welcome return of winter festivals

    By Sammy Schuck Most people may know that festivals attract people to Michigan communities. What most may not know is that festivals and events in the state are an annual $1 billion industry, according to Michigan Festivals and Events Association CEO Mike Szukhent. According to Szukhent, the lack of winter festivals last year “hit hard.” […]

    • More COVID-19 stories

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