5/04/2026

MICHIGAN - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Friday that a $7.4 billion settlement has been reached with Purdue Pharma and its owner, the Sackler family.  The settlement stems from a 2016 multi-state investigation into Purdue’s role in the opioid crisis.  The Sacklers paid $1.5 billion on Friday, to be followed by approximately $500 million in May 2027, $500 million in May 2028, and $400 million in May 2029. Additionally, Purdue paid approximately $900 million on Friday.  Michigan’s state and local governments are expected to receive $154 million from the settlement. Specifics on how that money will be distributed are not immediately clear.  Nessel was joined by the AGs of several other states including Wisconsin. 

5/01/2026

LAC DU FLAMBEAU - The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa declared a State of Emergency and closed nearly 20 lakes on tribal lands to outside fishing on Wednesday, citing a severe decline in walleye and musky populations. On Thursday, the State of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit to block those restrictions. The Tribe maintains its actions are consistent with federal law and tribal sovereignty, with tribal President John D. Johnson, Sr. stating the move is necessary to protect fisheries for future generations. Governor Evers criticized the decision, questioning a Tribal Nation's authority to prohibit Wisconsinites from fishing on certain lakes. He stated the Tribe moved forward without prior communication or transparency, leading the state to intervene legally to address safety concerns and regional tension.

5/01/2026

ONTONAGON — The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District (GOISD) announcing the official start of a major renovation and addition project at its Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center located on the Ontonagon Area School District campus. The School District says, “this milestone marks a significant investment in the future of career and technical education for students across Ontonagon County.” The GOISD Board of Education has approved a $4 million funding plan to support the renovation and addition project, The project follows GOISD’s purchase of the CTE facility in December 2024.  Construction is expected to begin at the end of May and be completed by November 2026, with updates to follow as the project progresses.  Currently, the CTE Center serves high school students from the Ontonagon, Ewen-Trout Creek, and Watersmeet Township School Districts.