Great Lakes Echo (https://greatlakesecho.org/author/guest-contributor/page/6/)
Michigan ranks No. 1 in the country for producing the most milk per cow — and has been for the past few years.
Although not the nation’s biggest overall milk producer, the state’s specialty in dairy has led farmers to find the most efficient way to get more milk from their herds.
Michigan’s population is less healthy than the national average, ranking below most other states, including its Midwestern neighbors, in premature death rates, infant mortality rates and access to health care.
Historical redlining of neighborhoods still poses health threats to present-day residents, such as increased risk of diabetes, hypertension and early death from heart disease, according to a recent study by the National Library of Medicine.
While redlining practices are not legal anymore, the effects still linger in historically redlined areas that typically have a high concentration of minority residents.
Early European settlers deemed Michigan’s wetlands a “dangerous wasteland.”
Little did they know the state’s wetlands were keeping their new home healthy.
The smell of cigar smoke lingers as visitors walk through the dark living quarters of Gulliver’s Seul Choix Point Lighthouse.
“There are so many public ghost towns,” Tedsen said. “But to me, paranormal is very important — it begs the question ‘is there life after death?’”
Feral cats have colonies across the state, and their inbreeding, overpopulation and constant pregnancies have caused these strays to multiply.
Some feral cats are born with defects due to inbreeding. Misshapen heads, extra toes or crossed eyes could be results of incest among them.
On Parman Road in Dansville, Michigan, is a hidden oasis of beauty called Along The Fence Daylilies. A flower farm run by Saundra Dunn and Mary Ann Cleary, this acre is home to around 12,000 plants.
Some state legislatures nationally are searching for ways to impose accountability for waste onto their manufacturing operations. Some environmental groups and lawmakers say Michigan should follow their lead.
As lakes and rivers cool with the arrival of fall, avid swimmers may be at risk for illnesses due to contact with contaminated water.
That’s because of a health threat from Escherichia coli – familiarly known as E. coli.
It’s a success story for the country’s national bird, which was nearly wiped off the map by the 1960s after generations of human interference.