UP’s jobless rate dips to 4.3%

October 31, 2026

IRON MOUNTAIN -- The Upper Peninsula's not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.3% in September as data from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed 1,000 fewer workers unemployed than in August. "Michigan labor markets showed expected unemployment rate declines during September," said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. "Regional payroll job gains reflected seasonal hiring as schools resumed for the fall semester." The U.P.'s September jobless rate was down 0.7 percentage points from ...

Community Foundation for Delta County Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) awards grants

October 31, 2026

ESCANABA — The Community Foundation for Delta County Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) announces the recipients of their October 2026 grant round. The following organizations receiving grants are: — Delta County Non-motorized Trails — Gladstone Community Bike Trail — Dream Maker Children’s Museum — Safety & Security - Eyes in the Sky at the Dream Maker Children’s Museum — Eskymo Blue Line, Escanaba Eskymo High School Hockey Team — Ice Time for 2026-2027 Season, in support of Eskymo High School Hockey Program Community Foundation for Delta County President/CEO, Mrs. ...

Strong like a moose

October 31, 2026

MARQUETTE — A collaborative wildlife research project in the Upper Peninsula has documented an exceptionally strong first-year survival rate among regional moose calves, significantly outpacing studied populations in neighboring states and Canadian provinces. Recent reports from the ongoing ...

False shooting report prompts emergency response

October 30, 2026

ESCANABA — A report of a shooting — which was later determined to be false — prompted a response from multiple law enforcement agencies Thursday morning in Escanaba. At approximately 11 a.m., the Escanaba Department of Public Safety (EDPS) received a call reporting an individual had ...

Man arrested after M-35 incident

October 30, 2026

FORD RIVER — An incident that drew numerous law enforcement agencies to a residential area of M-35 on Wednesday and closed the highway resulted in the arrest of one individual. The "standoff," as people have been calling the situation, did not result in violence, but one person was injured ...

Former Soo Area Little League president sentenced for embezzling

October 30, 2026

SAULT STE. MARIE — The former president, treasurer and coach of the Soo Area Little League was sentenced on Tuesday after embezzling from the nonprofit youth organization. Matthew David Hudecek was sentenced in the Chippewa County 50th Circuit Court after pleading guilty in July to embezzlement by an agent/trustee of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, a felony punishable by up to five years in state prison. 50th Circuit Court Judge James P. Lambros sentenced Hudecek to 11 months in jail, the maximum term under his sentencing guidelines. In explaining the sentence, Lambros ...