Opinion

Time to hate wolves - again?

In the September 21 Daily Mining Gazette (Houghton) I read of legislation proposed in the State House to require hunting and trapping of gray wolves in Michigan if and when the species is removed from the federal list of endangered species. This is not the first time, and probably not the last, for such a proposal. What is new, of course, is that voters go to the polls in another month and will see the names of the sponsor and co-sponsor, respectively, of the proposed bill - state Representatives Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River, and Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock. Prestin’s news release implies ...

Trillionaires

How much money should any one person have? When Elon Musk became the world's first trillionaire, people got mad. "He will own everything!" claims a popular YouTuber. "He will own your house ... your country ... your government." Comedian Bill Maher, lately a voice of reason, asked, "Would ...

Editorial cartoon for Oct. 9

Almanac for Oct. 9, 2026

Today is Friday, Oct. 9, the 282nd day of 2026. There are 83 days left in the year. Today in history: On Oct. 9, 2009, President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for what the Norwegian Nobel Committee called "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Also on this date: In 1910, a coal dust explosion at the Starkville Mine in Colorado killed 56 miners. In 1962, Uganda won independence from British rule. In 1963, a mega-tsunami triggered by a huge landslide at Vajont Dam in northern Italy destroyed villages and ...

Editorial cartoon for Oct. 8, 2026

AAA: Fall’s the time of year to beware of deer

Fall is the most dangerous time of year for deer-related crashes, AAA warns. Deer-vehicle collisions peak between October and December during mating season, with more than 1.5 million crashes occurring annually, resulting in roughly $1 billion in vehicle damage and about 150 human fatalities, AAA advises. In fact, deaths from collisions with animals -- mostly deer -- increased from 89 in 1975 to 210 in 2024, according to AAA. Drivers face the greatest risk at dawn and dusk, particularly on rural roads near wooded areas, waterways and farmland, AAA advises. All of which the Upper ...