2/05/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - As Michigan lawmakers begin the 2026 legislative session, cancer prevention advocates are urging the state to take stronger action against tobacco use, noting that nearly a third of cancer deaths in Michigan are caused by smoking. Molly Medenblik with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network says while lawmakers recently increased funding for tobacco prevention programs, Michigan still lags far behind most states.

                    0:13  "We spent about $1.8 million. The legislators increased that to $4.6 million, is how much we spend on these prevention cessation programs in the state – but we still rank 44th in the country for how much we spend."

She adds the stakes are high, with more than 68-thousand Michiganders expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year. In its latest State of Tobacco Control report, the American Lung Association said Michigan must do more to reduce tobacco use, including stronger oversight of tobacco and e-cigarette retailers.

2/05/2026

HOUGHTON - Michigan Tech University’s Winter Carnival has kicked off last night in Houghton with its annual all-nighter snow statue competition.  The theme this year is ‘Through Ice and Snow, To Space We Go,’ Students worked on both the all-nighter statues and added final touches to the monthlong statues overnight while taking part in a variety of overnight activities on campus.    The statue building ended at 9 a.m. Eastern Time this morning.

2/04/2026

ODANAH – Snowmobile trails to Odanah and the Bad River Casino in Northern Ashland County are now open for the season.  From Ashland riders can exit the main trail at Jolma Rd, head east to Government Rd, then north ~13.8 miles to Dock Rd. Take Dock Rd east to the railroad grade and follow it to the casino. From Iron County riders can travel west from Frontier Rd on the Northern Lights Trail, cross the highway, then follow Fire Lane Rd to Graveyard Creek Rd. Head north ~2 miles, continue through the forest to the powerline, then west to US-2. Riders are to stay south of the highway until the casino crossing.  Riders say snowmobile trails conditions in Northern Wisconsin and the Western U.P. are the best in years.