Agriculture
As much as a third of the topsoil in the corn belt may be gone
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Conventional farming practices have eroded much of the topsoil from a region of the Midwest known as the corn belt, according to a recent study.
Land
Chicago could adopt garden registry soon
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Chicago environmental groups are pushing to protect urban gardens from fines levied for having too many weeds.
Transportation
Full steam ahead: Amtrak focused on resuming regular service to Michigan routes
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By Samuel Blatchford
Capital News Service
Amtrak is trying to get back on track after ridership dropped on Michigan routes over 40% since the pandemic started last March. Amtrak operates three routes in Michigan: The Wolverine, which runs between Detroit and Chicago; the Pere Marquette, which runs between Grand Rapids and Chicago; and the Blue Water, which runs between Port Huron and Chicago. Ridership on Michigan Amtrak routes between 20015 and 2020. Source: Amtrak
Amtrak said it changed the frequency of some Michigan routes due to reduced travel demand. The Wolverine route dropped from three daily roundtrip trains to just one daily roundtrip.
Land
Farmworkers need more off-site housing, Michigan task force says
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As farmworkers from other states and countries come to work in Michigan, the need for safe and affordable off-farm housing options is becoming increasingly important, a recent task force report said.
Climate
Extreme weather threatens aging water infrastructure
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With extreme weather across the nation and the failure of water infrastructure systems in Texas, Michigan residents may be wondering if the state is up to dealing with extreme and unexpected weather conditions such as floods and tornadoes.
airports
Small airports suffer big hits amidst pandemic
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Large airports in Michigan such as those in Detroit and Grand Rapids have seen a loss in revenue and passengers since the pandemic began. Small airports in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are confronting those same problems, but the negative effects are bigger.
Fishing
Conservation experts wary of legalizing trotlines and juglines
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Some anglers and conservationists oppose a controversial catfishing bill introduced in the Michigan Legislature.
Catch of the Day
Deadly infectious disease causes concern for rabbit owners
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The rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2, or RHDV2, is highly contagious and almost always fatal. Although humans cannot contract the virus, it can still be spread through human-to-rabbit contact.
fisheries
Virtual walleyes fight new threats to real ones
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Scientists are simulating Great Lakes walleye on computers to find out how contaminants harm the fish.
Agriculture
Higher prices, pandemic payments help Michigan farms stay afloat in 2020
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In 2020, Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy filings fell by 7 percent.