6/16/2026

VILAS COUNTY - The Vilas County Land and Water Department will host boat decontamination events through August to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, including the spiny water flea, in western Vilas County lakes. Free hot-pressure boat washes are scheduled at Big Muskellunge, Trout, Star, and Plum lakes, with a full summer schedule available through the department. The county will also offer Clean Boats Clean Waters training on the 26th at Big St. Germain Lake and a Shorelines 101 seminar on the 29th in Boulder Junction on shoreline regulations and restoration.

6/16/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - Michigan legislators from both the House and the Senate presented the director of the MDOC with two letters showing support for the Michigan Corrections Organization, urging them to extend pay increases for new recruits to all state correctional facilities, rather than only five in the U.P.  The MDOC previously said in a June release that the facilities were selected based on current staff vacancy rates and their designation as being hard-to-recruit facilities.  The starting hourly pay for new officers in the U.P. will increase from $23.45 to $28.24, a rate typically seen after two years of service at the facilities.

6/16/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - From utility rates to local development projects, supporters of a proposed Michigan ballot initiative say voters - not corporate money - should drive decisions affecting rural communities and the entire state. The proposal would place new limits on campaign contributions from utilities and major government contractors while expanding political advertising disclosure requirements. Kalvin Carter, director of Up North Advocacy, says this is a pressing issue that crosses party lines.

                    0:12  "In this time of hyper-partisanship and the political divide that exists, I've not seen another issue that brings people together like the idea of getting money out of politics."

Those backing the measure say it would prohibit campaign contributions from electric and gas utilities, as well as contractors receiving more than 250 thousand dollars annually in government contracts, and certain affiliated individuals and organizations.