5/06/2026

MICHIGAN - The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) is seeking nominations for the 2026 state Christmas tree. Acting Director Kyle Guerrant noted that now is the ideal time to spot a candidate before foliage fully returns. To qualify, a spruce or fir must be at least 60 feet tall with a 24-foot maximum crown, a 30-inch maximum trunk diameter, and easy road access without wire interference. Nominations, including photos and location details, are due by Aug. 17 to ChristmasTree@michigan.gov. The selected tree will be harvested in October and lit on Nov. 20 during the 42nd Annual Silver Bells in the City in Lansing.

5/05/2026

LAC DU FLAMBEAU – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Friday indicated the walleye, and musky season will proceed as normal on Wisconsin’s lakes including in Lac Du Flambeau.  The federal Western District of Wisconsin issued a temporary restraining order that prevents the enforcement of recent attempts from the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to restrict fishing of walleye and musky on certain lakes on their reservation. Over the past month, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians has passed resolutions and made public statements that attempt to prohibit non-tribal members from fishing walleye and musky on nineteen lakes and from using forward trolling and forward-facing sonar on all lakes within the Band’s reservation. The State of Wisconsin filed a federal complaint in the Western District of Wisconsin to prevent the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians from enforcing these resolutions against Wisconsin-licensed anglers.  The federal court issued a restraining order against the tribe, which means that non-tribal anglers may cast their lines as normal within the Reservation. The State of Wisconsin says they remain committed to collaborating with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians on important conservation work to protect the walleye and musky fisheries.  The State reminds all anglers to follow all fishing regulations and bag limits for lakes across Wisconsin and encourages everyone to be respectful of all Tribal harvesters and other anglers.

5/05/2026

HAYWARD — A Hayward man is headed to prison in the wake of a child’s death.  29-year-old Domenic Falkner, and the child’s mother, 30-year-old Samantha Smith, were first charged in connection with the 4-year-old’s death in 2022.  According to court documents, an autopsy of the 4-year-old determined a lethal amount of alcohol was detected in the child’s bloodstream.  Falkner pleaded no contest to the abuse and neglect charges he faced, and as part of an agreement, his murder charge had been dismissed.  Falkner will spend the next 15 years in prison and five more years of supervised release.  Smith pleaded guilty to neglect and abuse and received the same sentence back in March.