Opinion

DNR notes crucial role of dispatchers

This week’s Bouquet marks National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week — From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: Ever wonder who officers are talking to on those radios clipped to their chests? Or what happens when they go back to their vehicles, with your license and registration in hand, while you ponder whether you’re going to get a ticket? Conservation officers are communicating with emergency dispatchers or, more specifically, the dispatchers behind the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Report All Poaching line. These valued team members are the eyes ...

What are these politicians thinking?

Democrat Eric Swalwell and Republican Tony Gonzales were both accused of sexual misconduct involving staffers. Californian Swalwell said he'd resign from his House seat after giving up on his run for governor. Texan Gonzales said he was withdrawing from the 2026 reelection race. Back in the ...

Editorial cartoon for April 18, 2026

Editorial cartoon for April 17, 2026

Almanac for April 17, 2026

Today is Friday, April 17, the 107th day of 2026. There are 258 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1961, about 1,400 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in a failed bid to topple Fidel Castro. Cuban forces crushed the incursion within three days. Also on this date: In 1964, Geraldine "Jerrie" Mock completed the first solo around-the-world flight by a woman, landing her single-engine Cessna plane in Columbus, Ohio, after a 29-day journey. In 1969, a jury in Los Angeles convicted Sirhan Sirhan of assassinating Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. ...

Little kids, big government

Child care got expensive — more than $13,000 per child, per year. So many people want government to pay for it. My state just agreed. New York will fund free child care. Yay! But wait ... what government does isn't free. Taxpayers pay. And taxpayers pay more because "government rules have ...