Opinion

Protect yourself, family: Get a flu vaccine today

As flu season returns to Michigan, residents are being urged to get their annual flu vaccinations to protect themselves, their families and their communities. Declining vaccination rates across the state have become a growing public health concern, leaving more people vulnerable to serious illness, hospitalization and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 42% of Michigan residents ages 6 months and older received a flu vaccine during the 2024-25 flu season. This means that fewer than half of eligible residents were vaccinated, increasing ...

Guilty of wasting our time

I shouldn't get so angry. It isn't healthy. Last week, New York state summoned me to jury duty. I went, of course. It's the law, and my duty. A jury may protect the innocent from government abuse. Ordinary citizens, not officials, decide if you are guilty. But doing our patriotic duty ...

Almanac for Oct. 23, 2026

Today is Friday, Oct. 23, the 296th day of 2026. There are 69 days left in the year. Today in history: On Oct. 23, 1983, 241 U.S. service members, most of them Marines, were killed in a suicide truck-bombing at the U.S. Marine Corps barracks at Beirut International Airport in Lebanon, while a near-simultaneous attack on French barracks in Beirut killed 58 paratroopers. Also on this date: In 1864, Northern forces won the three-day Battle of Westport on the border between Missouri and Kansas, the largest Civil War engagement fought west of the Mississippi River, smashing ...

Editorial cartoon for Oct. 23, 2026

National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday

The Michigan State Police is once again taking part in a national initiative that encourages residents to dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription pills. All of MSP's 31 posts will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. That includes the MSP Iron Mountain post, 1916 N. Stephenson Ave. on the city's North Side. This is one of two annual events held in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration and other police agencies, MSP advises in a news release. "Safely disposing of unused and expired medications is a simple ...

Almanac for Oct. 22, 2026

Today is Thursday, Oct. 22, the 295th day of 2026. There are 70 days left in the year. Today in history: On Oct. 22, 2012, cyclist Lance Armstrong was formally stripped of his seven Tour de France victories and received a lifetime ban from Olympic sports after the International Cycling Union chose not to appeal doping charges against Armstrong by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Also on this date: In 1797, André-Jacques Garnerin of France made the first successful parachute drop, descending about 3,000 feet to the ground from a balloon over Paris. He was hailed as the first ...