Environment

Slotkin invites new U.S. secretary of Defense to visit communities impacted by PFAS

BY: - August 12, 2019

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) has invited newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to Michigan in order to “see and hear directly from people impacted by” the toxic chemicals known as PFAS. Slotkin, a former Pentagon official, herself, pointed out in a letter dated July 25, the specific impacts that PFAS have had […]

Whitmer directs state agencies on environmental initiatives

BY: - August 8, 2019

A series of new directives from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer aims to ramp up the sustainability efforts of multiple state departments.  Whitmer on Thursday announced that departments such as Management, Technology and Budget (DTMB), Corrections (DOC) and Health and Human Services (DHHS) will work towards implementing more sustainable practices for state-owned buildings and to reduce energy […]

Enbridge announces 81-foot gap beneath Line 5

BY: - August 8, 2019

A spokesperson for Enbridge said Wednesday that the Canadian oil company is working to remedy a potential hazard to its Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. The gap between the pipeline and the floor of the straits is not allowed to exceed 75 feet according to the original agreement between the state and […]

Michigan PFAS panel seeks workgroup members

BY: - August 6, 2019

The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) is looking for members of the public to join a new Citizen Advisory Workgroup (CAW) to advise the state. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are found in a variety of household items and are known as “forever chemicals.” PFAS contamination poses risks to drinking water and public […]

Peters and motorcycle riders

Up for reelection in 2020, Peters declares he’s a ‘workhorse, not a show horse’ during motorcycle tour

BY: - August 5, 2019

Freshman U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) may be relatively unknown to the casual Michigan news consumer, especially compared to some of his peers from the state who have been near-ubiquitous on cable news as of late. As he kicked off his fourth annual motorcycle tour across the state Monday, however, it was apparent he […]

Nessel, 21 AGs prod Congress on PFAS funding

BY: - August 3, 2019

As PFAS has dominated several congressional hearings this month, 21 attorneys general sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to pass legislation helping states in fighting PFAS, known as toxic “forever” chemicals. Michigan has the most identified sites of  PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The chemicals, found in everyday items like nonstick cookware, […]

Michigan Dems to White House contenders after debates: Don’t take state for granted 

BY: - August 2, 2019

After watching this week’s Democratic debates in Detroit, Michigan’s Democratic members of Congress want their party’s presidential candidates to give more attention to the bread-and-butter issues that are key for Michigan voters — which they say will be central in the effort to seize the White House in 2020. Democratic lawmakers desperately want to push […]

Enbridge-owned Kentucky pipeline has lethal rupture

BY: - August 1, 2019

Updated, 6:44 a.m. 8/2/19 As several Democratic elected officials continue to seek a shut down of Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac, the company that owns it has had yet another rupture in a different oil pipeline.  A pipeline owned by Canadian energy firm Enbridge ruptured in eastern Kentucky on Thursday, reportedly leaving one […]

Night 2: Every time candidates brought up Michigan in the debate

BY: - August 1, 2019

“All politics is local” is one of the biggest maxims in the business — and it remained true on Wednesday evening as the second set of 10 Democratic presidential candidates took to the debate stage at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. The contenders were: Former Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), U.S. Sen. Cory […]

With Biden at center of 2nd Detroit Dem debate, the conflict wasn’t right vs. left, but past vs. future

BY: - August 1, 2019

The Democratic Party brought its two night of debates in downtown Detroit to a close Wednesday, as frontrunner former Vice President Joe Biden fended off challengers trying to gain a foothold in what has so far been a mostly static primary since his entrance in April. Tuesday’s debate with the 10 other qualifying candidates in […]

Harris, Biden, Castro and more: Where round 2 debate candidates have been in Michigan

BY: - July 31, 2019

Updated, 9:23 p.m. with new events Thursday from Harris and Biden It’s round two of the Democratic presidential debates in Detroit, so the Advance has rounded up all the contenders’ previous trips to Michigan. The lineup Wednesday night is: Vice President Joe Biden, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), […]

Every time Michigan was mentioned in the 1st Democratic debate in Detroit

BY: - July 31, 2019

Given the Democratic Party’s fall from grace in the Upper Midwest in 2016, when they lost the crucial electoral votes of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, you’d imagine there would have been plenty of talk about policies affecting the region during the first night of this week’s debates in Detroit. And you’d be right. The contenders […]