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Great Lakes Daily News is a collection of news articles of interest to the Great Lakes community, curated by Great Lakes Commission staff. This valuable service provides a selection of recent coverage of Great Lakes issues from professional media outlets in the United States and Canada. Subscribers receive a email digest, making it easy and convenient to keep up with important regional news. Sign up now to get Great Lakes Daily News in your inbox!
All views and opinions presented are solely those of the author or attributed source, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Great Lakes Commission or its party states and provinces.
Latest Daily News
Lake Michigan, Lake Huron levels surging: You won’t believe the gallons of water added during this flooding
Fast-melting snowpack across Northern Michigan and days of excessive rain across the state have caused flooding issues and a 17-inch rise in lakes Michigan and Huron. Read the full story by MLive.
Why Ohio is urging Congress to renew Great Lakes funding before this critical September deadline
Ohio officials have urged Congress to reauthorize the soon-to-expire Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, describing it as a crucial tool for protecting drinking water, fighting invasive species and supporting a regional economy worth trillions. Read the full story by the Plain Dealer.
‘Absolute tank’ of a snapping turtle rescued from Lake Michigan surf after wandering shoreline for days
The 33-pound, 30(ish)-year-old snapper who is now known as Doug the Tank was lethargic and nearly unresponsive when a rescuer pulled him from a Lake Michigan beach. He is now recovering from his misadventure at the Michigan Amphibian & Reptile Sanctuary in Kalamazoo. Read the full story by MLive.
Funding cuts hamper conservation groups’ invasive species efforts
In the state of Michigan, a $1.2 million decline in grant funding to combat invasive species is challenging conservation organizations to rethink how they protect forests, waterways and communities. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.
National Museum of the Great Lakes to debut new exhibit on Earth Day
The National Museum of the Great Lakes is debuting a temporary exhibit focused on the environmental stories of the Great Lakes region, all in time for Earth Day. The exhibit, “Currents of Change: The Living History of the Great Lakes,” will be on display April-October of this year. Read the full story by the WTOL-TV – Toledo, OH.
As floodwaters rise, Michigan infrastructure on brink: Dams need $1B in repairs
In Cheboygan, Michigan, federal officials ordered repairs to the dam last year that would have helped the 104-year-old Cheboygan Lock and Dam complex pass more water, but granted repeated extensions that have left the undersized structure with less capacity to endure what may be record-breaking floods this spring. Read the full story by Bridge Michigan.
Welland Canal bridge closed after incident with ship in Port Colborne
A ship moving through the Welland Canal in Port Colborne, Ontario, made contact with the bridge this week. As a precaution, the bridge has been closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic making for a long, re-routed drive home for some. Read the full story by CKTB – St. Catherines, ON.
New Pure Michigan campaign shows off refreshing Great Lakes summer to Texans and New Yorkers
Pure Michigan advertising influenced 1.5 million vacations in Michigan from national, regional, and in-state markets targeted by the iconic campaign last year. In its 20th year, Pure Michigan is expanding the guest list to many more cities across the nation. Read the full story by MLive.
Army Corps says Manistee work will ‘harden’ structures against weather
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is beginning nearly $2 million in upgrades along Michigan’s Manistee River channel this month. The agency will harden structures with major stonework to lowers erosion risk and provide protection against unpredictable Great Lakes weather events. Read the full story by the Lansing State Journal.
Report assesses Lake Erie ecosystem. How you can help the Great Lake
Lake Erie earned the lowest assessment of the five Great Lakes in a report looking at the Great Lakes’ progress and challenges. While progress has been made, legacy phosphorus, invasive mussels, climate-driven warming and shifting agricultural practices make improving water quality in Lake Erie a persistent challenge. Read the full story by the Evening Sun.