Opinion

Income tax returns due in a month

The Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding taxpayers they have about a month to file their state individual income tax return. State individual income tax returns must be filed electronically or postmarked through the U.S. Postal Service by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, April 15. For more information about e-filing, go to www.mifastfile.org. "We are just about at the halfway point of the filing season," said Deputy State Treasurer Kavita Kale, who oversees Treasury’s Revenue Services programs. “Taxpayers still have plenty of time to file their state individual income ...

Michigan sets tornado drill for Wednesday

While winter today might be demonstrating it's still firmly in charge of the weather, the state is reminding residents a change in seasons will bring different threats. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared this to be Michigan’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, and the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division are calling on communities and residents to act by participating in a voluntary statewide tornado drill at 1 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday. “As we enter severe weather season, it’s important for every Michigander to prepare,” Whitmer said in a ...

Judge blocks slimmed-down vaccine recommendations

A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked federal health officials from cutting the number of vaccines recommended for every child, and said U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likely violated federal procedures in revamping a key vaccine advisory committee. The decision halts an ...

Silent attacks on personal freedom

During the first Trump administration, the FBI quietly spent $5 million on Pegasus, an Israeli-developed software product known generically as zero click. Zero click permits the user to download the contents of another mobile or desktop device without tricking the user of that device into ...

Editorial cartoon for March 16, 2026

Ovation for Bay and Players’ ‘The Producers’

This week’s Bouquet goes to Players de Noc and Bay College — From Cathy Uhazie, Escanaba: The Players de Noc production of "The Producers" was hilarious! Thank you all for sharing your talents, putting it all out there and living your best lives. There were so many scenes full of pure joy, it’s hard to be specific. So many new faces, so many community members who participated and so many thespians tapping and dancing in sync. Wundabar! And thank you, Bay College, for allowing this longstanding community group a venue to strut their stuff!