New criminal laws aim to combat ethnic intimidation

LANSING Due to Michigan’s constant increase in hate crimes, the Legislature has updated state laws on hate crimes for the first time since 1988. Students, families and religious groups remain threatened by ethnic intimidation all over the state, experts say.

Partnering to enrich our community

Excitement and enthusiasm is building around the concept of this new group in the county called The Gladwin County Community Builders, but who and what are they?

A new life insurance program

The Department of Veterans Affairs has started a new life insurance program for the first time in 50 years, and the details are worth noting. Called VALife, it’s different from (and much better than) the previous insurance program. In fact, within the first year, over 30,000 veterans have signed up.

Steep challenges face homeless students, experts say

LANSING Most students can live on campus or nearby without much worry, and the years spent attending college are supposed to be filled with new experiences and opportunities. That might seem like a given, but some students are severely impacted by their lack of stable housing.

Bills would boost state funding to townships, address Great Recession cuts

LANSING Pending bills in Michigan’s Senate would boost state funding to townships, allowing them to pay for services they otherwise couldn’t afford, advocates say. The legislation would also create a trust fund to protect the increased state aid from cuts during future recessions.

Environmental journalism danger commentary

LANSING Reporting on environmental problems and controversies remains a perilous endeavor, as demonstrated by a series of incidents around the globe.

Psychedelics for our military

The $883.7 billion National Defense Authorization Act for 2024 makes for some interesting reading, not only for what it left out, but what it included.

Looking back at 2023

To the Editor: With 2023 squarely in the rearview mirror it is time to look at some of the predictions for the economy and how those things turned out. In January 2023 leading economists, across the country, predicted a recession.

Christmas Kindness Kudos 5

To the Editor: There’s a song that, if we could, we would sing over our Gladwin County communities. It starts like this: “All my words fall short, I got nothing new. How could I express…all my gratitude?

A LOOK BACK IN TIME | GIB LANE