Michigan News Group

Thirty six state senators and 10 state representatives signed letters on June 10 and 11 asking the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) to expand pay raises for starting correction officers to all correction facilities in the state. This comes after MDOC announced that it would increase the starting pay to $10,000 yearly for five corrections facilities in the Upper Peninsula.

Michigan is spending more than $42 million on drone development as the market for unmanned aerial systems grows nationwide.

Two months after historic floods wiped through northern Michigan, the small, privately-owned Bucks Pond Dam that failed in April received several violations from Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

The facility is nearing its centennial anniversary. Officials say renovations will cost $400 million, about $100 million less than it would take to build a new one.

Road commissioners across Northern Michigan are deciding whether to join a new organization that wants to give rural roads more of a voice in Lansing. The alliance was created by road commissioners from Isabella, Mackinac and Houghton counties.

After April showers brought river levels across the city 92% higher than ever, infrastructure protected the city from millions in damage.

Saginaw County Emergency Management reported 30-40 homes were damaged by the tornado, and over 2,200 people were without power as of Tuesday night.

Green energy developers can bypass local governments and get approval through the state. However, opposition from communities remains a hurdle.

No injuries were reported and the Bay City fire chief told WCMU the incident remains under investigation.

Partner organizations, Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region and New Waves United Church of Christ, welcomed the families Wednesday with a ceremony for new homeowners and gifts of quilts, embroidery and Bibles.