Michigan environmentalists are disappointed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new rules on coal ash. Continue Reading →
Michigan environmentalist criticizes new federal coal ash standards
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Podcasts
Recent Stories
Great Lakes Year in Review: algae blooms, pipelines, and federal funding
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Current State looks back at the biggest Great Lakes environmental stories of 2014. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Water, Commentary, Current State, Podcasts
Great Lakes in review: mayors on algae, restoration update
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For today’s Great Lakes Month in Review, we talk about a summit on water resources led by the region’s mayors and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s update to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Water, Algae, Commentary, Podcasts, Water quality
Native plants promote environmental health
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It’s a value increasingly recognized by the public. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Land, plants, Podcasts
How do mosquitoes target a meal?
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As summer winds down and people try to make the most out of the beautiful Michigan environment, many may be fighting off nature’s age-old enemy: the mosquito. But what makes mosquitoes more attracted to some people than others? Many myths have circulated about the cause of this rather annoying phenomenon, but scientific research is also out there about what factors make mosquitoes swarm to certain people (Hint: It has to do with a lot more than blood). Ned Walker, is a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and the Department of Entomology at MSU. He joins us to discuss the dining preferences of mosquitoes. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Wildlife, Catch of the Day, Current State, Insects, Podcasts
Magazine highlights the best of Lake Superior
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Lake Superior Magazine’s September issue will includes its annual Best of the Lake list. The article highlights reader favorites in dozens of categories, from best spectacular views to best boat ride to best fish sandwich. All winners are chosen from the Lake Superior states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, plus Ontario, Canada. Current State’s Peter Whorf spoke with editor Konnie LeMay, who explains that certain categories are voted on every year because Michigan residents are interested to know about those particular hidden Michigan treasures. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Water, Catch of the Day, Current State, Podcasts
Mr. Great Lakes on meteors and meters
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The latest annual net metering and solar pilot program report from the Michigan Public Service Commission shows an 18 percent increase in the program’s size compared to 2012. One of the biggest and most-visible astronomical events of the year is happening this month. Kids in Nature events are planned for the Discovery Preserve at Euclid Park in coming months. Click the audio for details and Mr. Great Lakes for the text. Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 9 a.m. Fridays in Bay City, Mich., on Delta College Q-90.1 FM NPR and is rebroadcast on Great Lakes Echo with permission. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Energy, Catch of the Day, Mr. Great Lakes, Podcasts
Michigan farmers adjusting to climate change
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If you’ve found yourself putting on a sweater or light jacket on cool evenings this summer, you’ve probably wondered what’s going on with the weather. The polar vortex that visited us so harshly last winter made a return visit a few weeks ago, dropping temperatures below normal. It turns out that there’s at least one upside to climate change; one that could help our farm economy. At the end of June, the US Department of Agriculture published its crop acreage report. It showed a record number of acres of corn, soybeans and wheat were planted this spring in Michigan. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Land, Agriculture, Catch of the Day, Climate change, Current State, Podcasts
Month in review: Detroit water shut-offs, carp and pipelines
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At the end of each month we check in with Echo commentator and journalist Gary Wilson for updates on environmental stories from around the basin. For today’s Great Lakes Month in Review, Gary discusses Detroit water shutoffs and the latest legal news on the Asian Carp situation. This segment is a feature of a partnership between Great Lakes Echo and WKAR’s Current State public affairs program. supported by Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Water, Catch of the Day, Current State, Gary Wilson, Podcasts, Water privatization, Water quantity
Mosquitoes triple
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If you live in Michigan it seems like every summer is a time to complain about the mosquitoes being really bad this year, but how bad are they, really? Current State talked with Ned Walker about this year’s mosquito crop and some of the issues connected to mosquito-borne illness. He’s a professor in MSU’s Department of Entomology and the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Continue Reading →