Breaking News

Homeland Security officials voice concerns about shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — A disruption in reimbursements to states for disaster relief costs. Delays in cybersecurity response and training. And missed paychecks for the agents who screen passengers and bags at the nation's airports, which could lead to unscheduled absences and longer wait times for ...

Almanac for Feb. 12, 2026

Today is Thursday, Feb. 12, the 43rd day of 2026. There are 322 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1999, the Senate voted to acquit President Bill Clinton in his impeachment trial on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Also on this date: In 1554, Lady Jane Grey, who had claimed the throne of England for nine days, and her husband, Guildford Dudley, were beheaded after being condemned for high treason. In 1809, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was born in a log cabin at Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky. In 1909, the ...

Those perplexing pines

Pines are the second largest taxonomic group of trees in Michigan, by volume, exceeded only by the maples. However, what makes a “pine” a pine? All that is “evergreen” is not a pine, or even evergreen. “Pines” belong to the genus Pinus. Michigan forestlands boast three ...

Has there been voter fraud?

When President Trump claims there has been “voter fraud” in previous elections, what usually comes to my mind is non-U.S. citizens casting ballots. That is against the law. There have been a few such instances, but no credible proof they were enough to change the outcome of an ...

Governors’ gathering at WH unraveling after Dems excluded

WASHINGTON (AP) — An annual meeting of the nation's governors that has long served as a rare bipartisan gathering is unraveling after President Donald Trump excluded Democratic governors from White House events. The National Governors Association said it will no longer hold a formal ...

Almanac for Feb. 11, 2026

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 11, the 42nd day of 2026. There are 323 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1990, South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in prison. (Mandela would be elected president of South Africa four years later.) Also on this date: In 1847, American inventor Thomas Alva Edison was born in Milan, Ohio. In 1937, a six-week-old sit-down strike against General Motors ended, with the company agreeing to recognize and negotiate with the United Auto Workers union. In 1945, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British ...