Department of Defense

The Alpena community was mourning the loss of a federally-funded STEM education center that abruptly closed in February. But the program is now opening its doors, thanks to WCMU's coverage and a donation from a local organization.

The STARBASE program entered its fiscal year in October without a budget after the U.S. House and Senate could not agree on a funding plan. Now, the four-person staff in Alpena is furloughed indefinitely, and it's uncertain whether the center will reopen.

STARBASE is a program run by the Department of Defense that hosts sessions for students to learn about science, math and engineering through applied practice.

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) recently sent a letter to the Department of Defense, demanding a detailed plan to address contaminated military sites.

A plane crash in 1952 resulted in 52 servicemen losing their lives. 70 years later, military honors have been given to Air Force Cpt. William Coombs.

At a recent public meeting, Oscoda residents expressed their frustration that a cleanup system to reduce contamination in the Au Sable River is still years away from being built.

Locations in Oscoda, Grayling and Mount Clemens have made the list of nearly 40 communities where the DOD will implement PFAS cleanup actions this year.

The Air Force has announced plans to expand its PFAS cleanup in Oscoda to stop contaminated water from bleeding into the community.

The systems will be installed with the intent of reducing the spread of an underground PFAS plume from reaching the nearby Van Etten Lake.

The DOD is looking at two Michigan communities, for feedback on the military’s “restoration advisory boards” – which field questions and keep the public updated on clean-up.