Terrestrial Terror Round 1: Insect wars

Editor’s note: Great Lakes SmackDown Terrestrial Terror is an ongoing Great Lakes Echo series. Brackets can be filled out until Friday, March 18. Find more information here. By Alice Rossignol and Rachael Gleason
They stink, they sting and bore holes — it’s time for the insects to fight the battle of the bug. EMERALD ASH BORER vs.

Terrestrial Terror Round 1: Bird battles

Editor’s note: Great Lakes SmackDown! Terrestrial Terror is an ongoing Great Lakes Echo series. Brackets can be filled out until Friday, March 18. Find more information here. By Alice Rossignol and Rachael Gleason

Now, the avian competitors take to the ring to fight for the title of most destructive in the Great Lakes region!

Growers welcome, critics leery of GE beets

Farmers are upbeat about a federal decision to permit the continued use of the Roundup Ready sugar beets, a genetically engineered crop.

GE crops are associated with lower production costs and higher yields. Critics say that they could cause environmental and health risks.

Criticism, money, doubts stall biomass

Optimistic plans for biomass plants in the state are largely on hold, leaving the expansion of a highly publicized renewable energy source up in the air.

Proposals to add to the existing seven commercial biomass plants have faced problems ranging from public backlash to funding to concerns about fuel supplies.

No U.S. levees for Hurricane Carp

Commentary: Canada levies major fines on carp importers. But the glacial pace of U.S. action on carp control is like convincing federal authorities to build stronger levees before Hurricane Katrina hit. And if hearings instead of action really are required, how about holding one in the region with most at stake?