Lester Graham

The Michigan House of Representatives is considering legislation that would take local government control away when it comes to rock, sand, and gravel mine permits.

Another tree-damaging pest has been found in Michigan.

The heat and lack of rain are starting to stress trees in some parts of Michigan.

Wildlife biologists are finding whole colonies of birds dead or dying on islands in Lake Michigan.

Piping plover chicks are scurrying along some Great Lakes beaches right now.

Researchers say Lake Erie’s cyanobacteria problems could get worse if the only goal is to reduce phosphorus.The harmful cyanobacterial blooms that produce toxins are fed by phosphorus, primarily from agricultural runoff.

Some cities are struggling to maintain their drinking water systems.

Many of Michigan’s rural communities are struggling with aging drinking water systems and less money to fix them. As part of a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative, Michigan Radio’s Lester Graham reports it’s a result of fewer state and federal dollars and putting off tough decisions at the local level.

Lake communities are starting to see disturbing changes that might be connected to failing septic systems.

There’s been so much news coverage about urban gardening in Detroit, that people have a distorted view of how much land is being used for gardens.