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As Trump’s policies threaten to raise utility bills, a new poll finds broad concern over costs — and little knowledge of the regulators that control rates.

It took 174 years to clean up the mess made by extractive industries at Chequamegon Bay, a place of cultural importance for the Ojibwe-Anishinaabeg.

Great Lakes Now host Anna Sysling moderated a panel discussion of avian researchers and regional experts about conservation efforts to protect a variety of bird species across the Great Lakes.

Some researchers are proposing a naturally sourced solution to the issue of coastal erosion.

Indigenous people have regained control of a sacred burial mound at Historic Fort Wayne dating back more than 1,000 years.

For International Dark Sky Week, learn about the health benefits of a night sky unobstructed by artificial light.

More PFAS news as a chemical disaster tracking tool goes dark and updated fish advisories are announced in Michigan and Minnesota.

For National Park week, Ian Solomon recounts his time visiting Isle Royale for a much-loved episode of Great Lakes Now.

Prescribed burns, intense rainfall and a look at the snow mobile industry.

A senator from Wisconsin was so inspired by his love of the Great Lakes region, that he became an advocate for the environment.

Invasive phragmites are taking over Ontario’s wetlands, choking out native plants and wildlife.‪ But a team of dedicated experts and community members are fighting back.

Filming freshwater fish takes a unique skill set and a lot of patience but offers photographers the rare opportunity of being the first in a world where seemingly everything has already been done.

Halima Afi Cassells is an award-winning interdisciplinary community-engaged artist, mom of three and avid gardener with deep roots in Waawiiyaataanong also known as Detroit, Michigan.

“We’ve never had this many fires in January and February ever in the state of Wisconsin.”

The federal review of the Line 5 tunnel project will be sped up through new emergency procedures under an executive order from President Donald Trump.

Jeffrey McNaught, owner of Edgewater Surf, hopes to reduce the amount of expanded polystyrene foam that ends up in landfills each year by converting it into surfboards.

More energy news as Trump orders galvanize coal supporters and Michigan reels from historic ice storm.

This spring break, transform your usual holiday into an educational excursion that connects your family with the natural world.

Researchers at ‪Michigan Technological University’s Great Lakes Research Center are mapping the lakebeds using cutting-edge technology.

When not writing for Planet Detroit, Ethan Bakuli is probably getting his hands dirty. Not long ago, that was the furthest thing from his mind.

With more ice storms expected in the decades ahead as the climate changes, utilities are trying to figure out how to be ready for the next ice storm.

Establishing the Robinson Treaties, covering land around Lake Huron and Lake Superior, created a mess of jurisdiction and rights for First Nations — both signed and unsigned.

Multimedia artist and fly fishing guide combines multiple areas of life to tackle multi-faceted environmental crises.

A notable proportion of the U.S. population relies on public forests for food and medicine, but the forest products industry is “not well served by institutions that set forest management policies.”

More PFAS news with bills in Illinois and Michigan that aim to protect residents from “forever chemicals.”

Cultural connection to the region allows EPA staff to bring value to the Great Lakes, former EPA executive Dave Ullrich says.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has funded thousands of projects to combat pollution and invasive species, receiving bipartisan support since its creation. But the future of the GLRI is uncertain.

Fifty-five years ago, autoworkers played a major role in the first Earth Day. Today, they remain committed to protecting the environment and supporting a just transition to clean, electric vehicles.

Inside cabins and yurts at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park there are log books. For more than 70 years, visitors have written in them. We went into this time capsule to see if people’s experiences had changed over the decades.

New York State Rep. Burke recently introduced the Great Lakes and State Waters Bill of Rights.

To aid in restoration across the state, the Michigan Wild Rice Initiative, comprising tribes indigenous to the Great Lakes region, state officials, and academic experts, created a stewardship plan.

Test your knowledge of aquatic species by taking this lighthearted quiz and tell us how you did in the comments!

More energy news with tribal nations quitting Line 5 talks and an oil spill near Lake Huron reportedly under control.

Great Lakes farms have become a hot spot for bird flu, killing millions of birds and raising fears of a human pandemic.

Ellie Hagen is a scientist at the Environmental Protection Agency. She worries proposed cuts at EPA will put people’s health at risk.

Political tensions are threatening the future of the largest freshwater ecosystem on Earth.

The 1854 Treaty Authority is asking tribal sap harvesters to share the details of their 2025 season in an effort to examine climate impacts on sugar maples.

Last month’s federal staffing cuts and hiring freezes threatened the sea lamprey control program. Now, it has permission to rehire the staff it originally planned to.

Vivek Ramaswamy jokingly suggested renaming Lake Erie to Lake Ohio, sparking discussions on the history and impact of renaming places.

The tribes already had concerns about the process, but news that the Army Corps will likely fast-track the federal permit for the pipeline tunnel was “the final straw.”

More PFAS news on New York’s Plastic Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, and how septic systems might be responsible for “forever chemicals” in private wells.

Exploring how high speed rail could transform the Great Lakes region.

Michigan will retain more water quality protections than many states but could still be impacted by pollution from other states or changes to state law.

Fighting phragmites, lakebed mapping and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Penn State scientists found microplastics dating back to the 1950s buried in the sediments of a river, two creeks and a lake.

Rural residents are left holding the bills for everything from solar panels to grain dryers.

Two Minnesota nature enthusiasts have spent years chasing the state’s most elusive wildflowers. Their journey is now captured in their upcoming book.

How Africa’s Lake Victoria offers a glimpse of Lake Erie’s future.

Stone Temple Baptist Church was counting on the funds to plant trees in its community garden, which provides healthy options for the majority-Black community it serves.

A new program developed by The Ohio State University is working to put farmers first in agricultural research and practices.

More energy news with solar projects moving ahead in Illinois and Michigan, as Cleveland airport takes aim at emissions.

Nonprofit group that hunts for Great Lakes shipwrecks discovers the find of a lifetime.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians began an appeal of the decree in the fall of 2023.

All steelhead start life as rainbow trout, but not all rainbow trout will become steelhead. Confused? You’re not alone.

The Michigan DNR verified the existence of two cougar cubs on private land in Ontonagon County.

When a black bear in Minnesota woke up from hibernation in the middle of winter and attacked three people and a dog, researchers were left with one question: Why?

The airport wants to achieve a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, aligning with standards set by Cleveland’s Climate Action Plan

More PFAS news with Illinois looking to pass more legislation protecting firefighters from astronomical cancer rates, and conflict continues in Wisconsin over cleanup.

The Great Lakes Compact, along with other binational agreements that protect the lakes, are at risk as Trump expands pressure on Canada beyond tariffs.

With the Trump administration prioritizing fossil fuels, cities and states will have to lead the way on clean energy.

Growing demand at parks comes as Trump administration looks to cut staff to manage them.

Research unveils a new theory about the origin of the Great Lakes, challenging what we know about their age and formation.

In a narrow 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled to limit the EPA’s authority to issue broad water pollution permits under the Clean Water Act.

Bipartisan lawmakers want to incentivize nuclear energy research and development, arguing investments would make the state “ground zero” for the industry’s growth.

Ian Solomon travels to the north woods and experiences the charm of community events that embrace the winter season.

Northern states are depending on imported Canadian hydropower to clean up their grids. What happens now?

More energy news with Amazon requesting diesel generators for its Minnesota data center and updates on Michigan’s Palisades nuclear power plant.

As winter lingers with its blanket of snow, a subtle shift signals the coming of spring — maple syrup season has arrived.

Scientists in an Ann Arbor research office were among hundreds fired nationally as the Trump administration slashes staff within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Known for their aerial acrobatics, common terns are designated as a threatened species in Michigan.

This year’s winter has been a breath of fresh air for ice fishing enthusiasts and businesses around Lake Erie.

Learn about how the creation of the U.S.-Canada border divided Ojibwe communities, creating issues around citizenship and land rights.

When a sacred site is damaged after decades of pollution, who bears the responsibility for cleaning it up? And how do we know when the process is complete?

“We are losing an entire generation of talent and passion.”

Enbridge’s Line 5 and a Superior power plant are among projects deemed eligible for expedited review.

An update on the latest PFAS news, along with bills to watch in the Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania state legislatures.

The emerald ash borer has devastated North America’s ash trees, but some are fighting back.

Learn more about control efforts for sea lampreys, crucial to lake trout recovery, which face setbacks as federal cuts threaten progress, despite GLFC’s announcement of lake trout’s full rebound.

Many winter sports need heavy, wet snow to help build trails.That kind of snowfall has been largely missing from the Rhinelander area this winter.

The Department of Natural Resources is funding Nature Awaits, a program dedicated to hosting outdoor learning sessions for fourth grade classes at state parks.

Carl Gawboy, a Minnesota artist and Ojibwe scholar, explores the rich history of the fur trade in his book “Fur Trade Nation: An Ojibwe’s Graphic History.”

Fish and wildlife officials tasked with holding back a species that would otherwise decimate the Great Lakes fishery were among those caught up in a mass purge of federal workers.

The vice president once pushed for restoration funding. Advocates hope he hasn’t forgotten.

An assessment found that reopening the plant would have “no significant impact” on the local environment, but locals want a more thorough review.

A 54-inch water main rupture flooded streets and several hundred homes in Southwest Detroit, displacing families and causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure.

More energy news as federal funding for climate science faces cuts under Trump, while Ohio wrestles with “a supply and demand imbalance” on the electric grid.

Residents of Detroit’s Southwest neighborhood are facing flooded streets, basements and possibly lengthy stays in temporary shelters after a 54-inch water transmission main broke.

How trees are fighting back against the emerald ash borer and restoring a sacred lake.

Michigan advocate Laura Rubin reacts to the EPA’s five “pillars” plan that includes making the United States the “Artificial Intelligence Capital of the World.”

Erik Grams has been taking trips to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota for over 30 years. It’s his favorite place in the world. But last year, during a fishing trip, there was a fatal accident that left Erik wrestling with his feelings about the place he loved.

Hornyhead chubs have an interesting reproductive strategy which includes constructing stone nests with the precision of seasoned bricklayers.

We spent a day underwater to see how biological collection specialists are saving freshwater mussels one dive at a time.

How Trump’s trade policies might impact the automotive, energy and agricultural industries in the region.

After facing decades of pollution from industry in Sarnia, Ontario, Aamjiwnaang First Nation and the federal government are moving ahead with a plan to address the toxic legacy.

“Telling this story through something visual that beautifies a community is a great way to educate Toledo residents and reconnect them to nature in the place they call home.”

The DNR said daily high temperatures during 2024’s early hunt were consistently above 70 degrees, which hampered hunting.

More PFAS news with an update on Wisconsin’s frozen funding, and how federal freezes are impacting pollution grants.

Abdullatif Ahmed recalls his journey from Yemen to working on the icy waters of the Great Lakes, where Yemeni sailors shaped the region’s maritime history.

Michigan has spent $2.2 million out of $110 million it was promised for EV chargers under a program the Trump administration is now attempting to prevent more spending through.

Ice fishing anglers could help fill in a data gap on how thick the ice is.

Gov. Tony Evers is proposing more funding to clean up the persistent chemicals, while offering farmers more protections.

New grants to Great Lakes states to measure harmful chemicals in marginalized communities are facing uncertainty.

We took a look at efforts to manage the overpopulation of Canada geese.

From electric vehicles to renewable energy, Illinois is lagging — and it faces even more challenges.

Meta’s decision could open the floodgates to more climate misinformation on its apps, including misleading or out-of-context claims during disasters.

More energy news with updates on the Palisades nuclear plant, and a letter penned by executives at several Great Lakes power companies asks the EPA to loosen regulations on coal ash.

A proposed development in Indianapolis threatens to upend life for residents and the wildlife that call those thickets home by cutting down about 13 acres of trees in order to build 43 upscale houses.

Northwestern Michigan College officials say the challenge is essentially a pitch competition for those working on environmental and infrastructure issues facing the region.

Learn about Ojibwe culture’s deep connection to the bizhiw, or lynx, an important animal relative in the clan system, while exploring efforts by wildlife biologists to monitor and protect these animals.

Nearly extinct in the mid-20th century due to over-hunting, a whopping 280,000 Canada geese now live in Michigan.

The oxbow’s natural shoreline along the Rouge River, once eliminated for flood control, has been restored and transformed into a vital ecological and educational resource at The Henry Ford.

JustAir is a Detroit-based organization whose mission is to use data, technology and analysis to protect the 20,000 breaths each person takes every day.

Microplastics are everywhere. But after accidentally combining materials in a lab, scientists at the University of Michigan are on the cusp of discovering a new method to capture and remove microplastics from water.

After years of preparation, state officials have identified three river systems where they’ll reintroduce Arctic grayling to Michigan.

More PFAS news as Trump withdraws proposed limits on effluent pollution and remediation is underway in North Bay, Ontario.

Since 1937, Ducks Unlimited has led North America’s wetland conservation, driving one of history’s most impactful environmental conservation movements.

Mayor Joe Hogsett once targeted 2025 for universal curbside recycling.

The outgoing Democrat’s climate agenda was a surprising success — and a cautionary tale.

Discover how the button industry contributed to their decline, leaving these vital species critically endangered today.

As government sensors fall short, people are buying their own to protect against particulate pollution linked to heart and lung disease, cancer and a higher overall risk of premature death.

Beaver-inspired structures could limit flooding and benefit wildlife habitat, but state permitting is arduous.

The Great Lakes have lost an average of 14 days each decade between 1995-2023.

Recreational fishing is worth billions of dollars, but fewer billions than the amount cited for years.

The Trump administration promises to roll back clean energy incentives while the nuclear sector hangs on to its tenuous bipartisan support.

Love them or hate them, mudpuppies are critical to the survival of an unlikely federally endangered species.

Managing Canada geese, saving freshwater mussels, and an Ojibwe lens on the fur trade.

Are the Great Lakes truly saltwater and shark-free? Is Abe Lincoln responsible for Asian Carp?

The Doug Ford government is pushing for a prospecting rush across northern Ontario, leaving a blanket of mineral claims on land where First Nations are still fighting for title.

One calm September day, Big Abe LeBlanc set his fishing net in Lake Superior. Then he called law enforcement and turned himself in. What happened next changed fishing in the Great Lakes forever.

Following power plant closures and EPA intervention, Detroit and Downriver are seeing lower levels of SO2 pollution.

More PFAS news as study detects PFAS in wristbands, another correlates prescription drugs with “forever chemicals” in drinking water.

Wastewater industry rattled by toxic chemical contaminants in biosolids.

Political uncertainty in Canada and an unpredictable U.S. president could challenge Canada’s water sovereignty, says policy expert.

Twisters and other severe weather events are becoming more common in the Midwest due to climate change, and seniors are more at risk.

DNR pans to clear a little over half a square mile of forest for solar panels in Otsego County sparked a firestorm of criticism from lawmakers.

Spurred by industrial development, nations collaborating on testing, data collection and stewardship.

The amount of cargo moving through ports on the Great Lakes is trailing behind shipments at the same time last year as the shipping season nears its end.

Chicago to use 100% renewable energy for city-owned buildings, while the Pentagon blacklists a Chinese company working with Ford on EV batteries.

Ten years ago, scientists discovered ancient hunting camps beneath the lake. Now, DNA samples could produce more revelations about the prehistoric Great Lakes.

The report includes a number of accomplishments and jobs still ahead for improving the well-being of the people who drink, fish, and swim in the waters.

Creating a necklace of greenways and water trails throughout southeast Michigan.

In the middle of the total solar eclipse over Lake Ontario, something else kept grabbing Meghan Hetfield and her partner’s attention: the mystery of the squeaky sand all around them.

How a forager plans for sickness during the viral season — and her secret sauces for health.

Researchers detected increased radioactivity in mussels downstream of oil and gas wastewater discharge points, raising concerns about effects up the food chain.

To achieve its climate goals, the city helped finance the largest solar farm east of the Mississippi.

Michigan’s environment and energy future faced significant challenges in 2024, including Project 2025, potential data center expansion, DTE rate hikes, wildfires and campaign finance violations.

Northeast Ohio’s national park turned 50, but festivities will continue through the end of next year.

Kenny Pheasant first became a teacher of Anishinaabemowin at 14 years old. Now, it’s his life mission to get more people speaking the Great Lakes’ original and endangered language.

On the 134th Anniversary of Wounded Knee, columnist Staci Lola Drouillard reflects on all that’s happened and all that’s been lost, as it’s being recaptured through the vision of Anishinaabe painter, Rabbett Before Horses Strickland.

In partnership with Grist, a look at how northern Michigan’s famous industry is coping with a changing climate.

Numbers for walleye are down but up for perch with steelhead fishing soon in Cleveland — according to Ohio Division of Wildlife 2024 trawl survey.

As someone who has been working in environmental justice for almost 10 years, Cosme said it all began with trying to stop the water shutoffs in Detroit. 

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news.

Gray wolves could thrive in the eastern United States well beyond their current range in the Great Lakes region, but they might have a hard time reaching other suitable habitats.

An excerpt from the newly published book Beyond the Sea: The Hidden Life in Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands.

If federal streamgages were bolstered by networks of cheaper monitors run by communities, the results could save lives.

Enbridge Energy says it is working with state DNR on remediation of contaminated soil.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, I Speak for the Fish columnist Kathy Johnson creates a whimsical remix of the classic holiday jingle.

Landmark law encounters new problems, enduring challenges.

Democrats want to raise some fees by 50% or more and switch to an “opt-out” model for recreation passports.

Great Lakes Now Host Anna Sysling moderated a panel of clean energy researchers, journalists and industry experts.

Catch the latest Great Lakes PFAS news.

Researchers, companies and farmers are developing systems to control the flow of fertilizer chemicals in groundwater.

New book explores how the Great Lake’s ecosystem has shifted over the years, and how anthropogenic climate change is shattering its defenses.

Army Corps announces first construction contract for $1.15B project in Joliet, Illinois.

This is a tale of two cyclists, one legendary race, and an unlikely rivalry.

Great Lakes Now spoke with activists and experts on the legal and environmental justice concerns related to bottled water.

Industrial agriculture in the Upper Midwest has been a driving force behind wetland loss. The farm bill might hold a solution.

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, plans for a solar array on a closed mine were approved without much controversy

Oak trees in Michigan are being killed by oak wilt, a fungal infection that’s spread by a beetle in the spring and summer. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources advises pruning or trimming oaks in the fall and winter.

The search for a site to store toxic waste has ended just north of Lake Superior near Ignace, Ontario. With the town and local First Nation’s support, it now moves ahead to various stages of review.

As climate change increasingly shapes the region’s ecology, scientists plan to use underwater robots to gather previously inaccessible data they say will help communities adapt.

How a port that receives about 2.5 million tons of cargo is also a haven for birds at the intersection of the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways.

As a source of drinking water for millions of people, responding to freshwater spills requires confronting consequences beyond those in marine environments.

In Marquette County, a $145 million project promises to turn dangerous mining waste into valuable metals. Proponents hope it signals a new era of cleaner mining, but some are skeptical.

A look at “ghost streams” — the invisible buried rivers that flow beneath our feet.

Supporters say the billion-dollar federal investment will create green jobs and slash emissions, but opponents see a fossil fuel shell game.

The Minnesota Supreme Court will decide whether a mining company is required to examine how their proposed expansion will impact Lake Superior.

Detroit’s Poletown East residents turned a vacant lot into Circle Forest, a tree park offering a peaceful city retreat and encouraging nature enjoyment.

One minute David Holtfreter was kayaking on Lake Michigan, the next he was fighting for his life. A fisherman swam out to rescue him, but David wasn’t able to thank him in the commotion that followed.

Building a frog pond offers a variety of benefits and is a great way to connect with your local environment.

Michigan and other battleground states might have swung for Trump, but they elected environmentalists to U.S. Senate seats, too.

Assessments show as many or more fish as there were prior to an invasion of sea lamprey.

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news.

A lawsuit is challenging how the State of Michigan plans to approve big renewable energy projects.

We spoke with Tom Grotewohl, a resident of Wakefield Township in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and founder of the Protect the Porkies campaign.

As winter sets in, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your year of foraging, plan for the coming seasons, and ensure your pantry is stocked and your health fortified.

Preparing for a Great Lakes oil spill and a look at buried rivers beneath our feet.

Canada and the U.S. are working together to stop a massive fish from gobbling up Great Lakes greenery.

Both states are working toward a 40% reduction goal set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. So far, the efforts are not meeting the goals.

Tribal communities have played a critical role in lake sturgeon restoration efforts in the Great Lakes, yet their efforts are often overlooked and undervalued.

Residents can view proposed trails connecting county parks and leave thoughts and concerns.

The Energy Permitting Reform Act would make it easier to construct fossil fuel plants and electric transmission lines. Here’s what to know about the contentious energy bill.

As part of a waste diversion effort, more than 3 tons of pumpkin waste are being composted in Traverse City.

Wisconsin ski areas say they’re investing more in snowmaking to remain viable.

Catch the latest Great Lakes PFAS news.

Four states in the Midwest will share more than $200 million in grants, which officials say will help improve air quality in communities long burdened by environmental harms.

The cost of renewables is plummeting, heat pumps are selling like crazy, and red states are raking in cash from the IRA.

To gain a better understanding of how environmental law has evolved, Great Lakes Now spoke with three environmental law attorneys.

Water pollution found in in three counties in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

As the U.S. prepares for another Trump administration, one area unambiguously in the incoming president’s crosshairs is climate policy.

One family’s visit to a famous Indiana sand dune turns into a wild tale of a missing boy and mysterious tunnels.

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news.

The new order codifies existing policies while expanding the National Park Service’s Tribal engagement.

Ontario’s highest court says seven youth have a right to challenge the province in cutting its emissions targets.

With control of the White House and the Senate, Republicans are poised to upend U.S. climate policy.

In Gogebic County, on the western end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, towering old-growth evergreens carpet the landscape as it rolls down toward the deep blue of Lake Superior.

A couple hundred overlooked public officials control the U.S. power grid — and some of them are on your ballots.

Students from Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin are among the winners of a contest for innovations in sustainability.

State awards financial aid to 86 communities for projects to address lead pipes, PFAS contamination.

Restoring habitats and supporting green infrastructure with houses of worship in Detroit.

Rebeka Ndosi — founder of Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary — is a healer, teacher, public speaker and community coach.

“The outcome of the election can have a very significant impact on the potential growth rate of EVs in the U.S. market.”

With lots of domestic well users and plenty of polluting industries, Michiganders are among the nation’s most likely to have ‘forever chemicals’ in their well water, according to a landmark federal study.

Advocates say Democrats and Republicans are leagues apart on climate change, so when looking for a climate-minded candidate, it’s best to turn to past actions and statements.

New research suggests pollution from Chicago-area waterways might be creating an invisible barrier, deterring migration. But for how long?

As the season shifts and the air chills, the warmth and sustenance that the wild foods of fall offer become evermore appealing, among these appealing concoctions is Woodland Chai Tea.

See how Minnesota and New York stack up against other states across the nation with water on the ballot.

Just in time for Halloween, learn about the SS Kamloops — an eerie story about a shipwreck in Lake Superior, and “Old Whitey” who seems to follow divers around the wreck.

In 1998, a hunter named Mitch Rompola claimed he’d shot the biggest whitetail in North America. It was all over the news, but instead of becoming a famous hunter, he became an infamous one.

The biochemical benefits of manoomin, or wild rice, according to collaborative research being done at the University of Minnesota.

Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in the Great Lakes region.

In polls, climate change ranks near the bottom of voters’ list of concerns.

Researchers make sense of the extensive variety and effects of invasive species.

From public health to public lands, here are 15 ways the next president could affect the climate and your life.

Freighter food, mail delivery, and the life of a Great Lakes freighter pilot.

The leaks occurred at an ADM well in Decatur that’s part of a booming industry that promises to capture planet-warming carbon dioxide underground. ADM insists the well is safe, but locals are worried.

Great Lakes Now Host Anna Sysling moderated a panel of journalists as they spoke about the big topics they’re covering in advance of voting day.

Netting, tagging, shocking, sampling — a lot of things are done to fish in the name of science. So, it begs the question, who decides what can be done to Great Lakes fish?

A study in the journal Science outlines the many consequences of the loss of ice on lakes because of climate change. Fishing, cultural activities, transportation, water quality, and greenhouse gas releases are all consequences of the loss of lake ice coverage.

If elected, Trump has vowed to revoke unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, a climate spending law that has heavily benefitted Michigan governments and industry. But experts say it wouldn’t be easy.

Federal aid is coming to Michigan’s sweet cherry farmers, who lost much of their crops this year due to erratic weather patterns and subsequent pest infestations.

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news.

Using trackers to follow the path of plastic bottles in rivers around the Greater Toronto Area, the students found hot spots for garbage before it enters Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

Organizations from northern Michigan have been sending people to assist with relief efforts on the ground. Here are some ways to help from home.

Ontario’s southernmost herd illustrates how hard it is to bring a species back from the brink — and why we need to recognize tipping points before we reach them.

Environmentalists say the plan doesn’t go far enough while industry says no action is needed.

Michigan and Ohio are key for continued Great Lakes restoration support. Line 5, groundwater and an emphasis on science make experts list.

Owners of the S.S. Badger, one of the last coal-fired ships in the world, are trying to decarbonize. They recently received government funding that would help.

When Theresa Eischen heard about the original Star Wars film being translated into Anishinaabemowin, she auditioned for Princess Leia. She had zero voice acting experience, so it was a long shot.

Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in the Great Lakes region.

The state’s dairy industry is suing towns over denied permits and environmental regulations.

For decades, presidential candidates from both major parties have committed to cleaning up and protecting the Great Lakes. Here’s why.

With spotted lanternfly populations on the rise in Ohio, experts are weighing their response. 12 counties are under quarantine on the transportation of plant material.

A rule finalized Tuesday gives water providers across the country 10 years to get lead pipes out of their drinking water systems.

Next time you are on the Detroit River, keep an eye peeled for a mink! This keystone species is now thriving along this once-polluted river.

Many dams in the Midwest do not meet grant eligibility requirements, leaving safety officials and residents worried about how they’ll prevent future collapses as flood risks increase.

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news.

State is a center of manure biodigester development.

As aquifers dry up, some Midwest communities are looking to the region’s greatest natural resources for a solution.

Existing Great Lakes vessels are exempt from installing treatment systems to control the spread of invasive species.

Ashley Williams is committed to realizing a just and equitable transition for her community.

The Chicago River’s hardened shorelines, stormwater pollution events and limited habitat would seem inhospitable to fish. Yet, native species are finding ways to call the city home.

Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in the Great Lakes region.

Lake Michigan’s surface temperature has been above average nearly every day this year so far. All five Great Lakes are heating up.

The rice harvest — manoominike — has officially started across Ojibwe country. Columnist Staci Lola Drouillard talks with her cousin about harvesting and processing wild rice, as well as the importance of water quality for growing “the good berry.”

A researcher in Ohio was surrounded by hundreds of dead ash trees. They had been wiped out by the emerald ash borer. But in that same forest, she found a lone tree thriving. Could this be the key to saving ash from extinction?

Chris Bzdok has argued to state regulators that utility customers shouldn’t have to pay for coal infrastructure, because the investment isn’t worth it in the long run.

As groundwater resources are increasingly under threat in the U.S. — including the Great Lakes region — regulation, oversight and planning for the long-term are diffused and often lacking.

The future of rising lake levels, Great Lakes shipwrecks, and the secret lives of fish.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is banking on public oversight to help gauge the threat of algal blooms.

The new recovery strategy isn’t likely to tip the scales in the fish’s favor.

Baby boomers are part of a “silver tsunami” of retirements sweeping across the nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems.

Data collected by weather balloons in various Chicago neighborhoods should help scientists better understand extreme heat in the city.

Extreme heat and precipitation events are becoming more frequent and intense in Chicago. It’s the city’s preparation efforts that will determine climate resiliency.

As plastic items dominate beach littering, Alliance for the Great Lakes’ says we need to ramp up reusable items and sustainable packaging. What about personal responsibility?

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news.

Most Michigan wetlands have been destroyed, even as climate change means we need their benefits. Here’s how groups are working to change that.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear a case that could have sweeping effects on state environmental regulators’ authority to force businesses to clean up PFAS pollution under the state’s spills law.

Akron-based organizations are working to reduce food waste, and greenhouse gas emissions, by diverting food scraps from landfills to compost piles.

An elaborate system for tracking fish movements is rewriting our understanding of how fish use the Great Lakes.

For more than 20 years, Nic Theisen has spent his days on his hands and knees in the dirt farming. It’s a tough way to make a living, and for years Nic didn’t always know if the farm would make it. Until something big changed.

A rural electric cooperative that serves Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin is getting more than $570 million to develop four wind solar installations and four wind power installations.

Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in the Great Lakes region.

The Great Lakes are home to three of these sanctuaries, with a fourth potentially on the way. 

Natural gas power plants put in place just five years ago to replace coal in the state’s Upper Peninsula are now a conundrum for regulators.

The federal government will provide more than $600 million to help two rural electricity cooperatives buy money from the nuclear plant. While proponents celebrate, anti-nuclear activists say the money could be better spent elsewhere.

A couple hundred people gathered to witness the release of the sturgeon, known as nmé to the Potawatomi, with many children participating by helping to release the fish by hand.

The U.S. EPA announced four tribes in Michigan would receive grants to install renewable energy infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Residents want more soil testing to prevent future harm from contamination that’s plagued their neighborhood for decades.

Go inside the Aquarium of Niagara’s new expansion dedicated to wildlife that calls the Great Lakes home.

So far, no wolves have killed livestock within the fences on farms where they’ve been installed.

With 28 years of experience in the water sector, Cheryl Porter shares her inspiring journey from junior chemist in Detroit to leading the American Water Works Association.

New requirements to consider cumulative impacts in hazardous waste facility licensing could represent a shift in state permitting practices.

Autumn brings with it a bounty of fruits and nuts that often go unnoticed in our modern culinary landscape. Among the most abundant and overlooked are acorns and wild apples.

Get your bicycle or kayak ready and consider adding these close-to-home natural wonders to your Great Lakes adventure bucket list.

Peter Quakenbush’s dream is to create a conservation burial forest – a place that would both preserve the woods and give people the option to be buried in nature. But not everyone is on board with that idea.

Indigenous communities in Ontario are flooded with mining claims that chip away at their territories. It’s a “racist, colonialist” system, the lawyer leading a new court case said.

On Carl Gawboy’s new book Fur Trade Nation: An Ojibwe’s Graphic History and how it’s “a field guide to the Ojibwe.”

New research shows that Americans have positive feelings toward nature but also detects strong undertones of longing, guilt and worry.

A southeast Michigan waste disposal site will soon be home to nuclear waste from the Manhattan Project, the World War II effort to develop an atomic bomb.

State Supreme Court strengthens authority to prevent mammoth tide of manure from contaminating water.

As part of the state’s energy transition, the Public Service Commission has to pay special attention to the Upper Peninsula and the natural gas plants that went online there just five years ago.

Michigan is removing some of its abandoned and obsolete dams. The benefits include cleaning up pollution and restoring nature.

Heritage sailing on Lake Huron and a historic passenger ship returns to its former glory.

The proposed 2025 city budget lacks funding to protect urban forests.

Author and hydrologist Bob Otwell calls for an end to “inertia” and “lip service” on climate change and expresses concern for Michigan’s groundwater.

Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in the Great Lakes region.

Lake trout are on life support in Lake Michigan. Every year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spends tens of millions of dollars raising and stocking them. But what if there was another way: genetic engineering. Could it be used for conservation?

Updated water testing technology needed to make Great Lakes safer.

Lessons and activities based on the monthly Great Lakes Now program.

A changing climate is causing psychological distress across the Great Lakes. From the loss of heritage crops, disappearing ice and record-breaking floods, residents across the region are looking for new forms of support.

To feed or not to feed is the question at hand. Kathy Johnson dives into the ethics of feeding fish.

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news.

It’s been ten years since Toledo issued a ‘don not drink’ order for its water system for three days due to cyanobacterial blooms near its water intake in Lake Erie. The blooms are not any worse, but they are not any less.

Seeds of Success, a federal program that conserves and restores native flora, has come to Michigan.

The community has more reports of sanitation code violations than any South Side neighborhood.

“That contract means nothing if our Earth is on fire.”

The Oberlin Food Hub facilitates a supportive network of Ohio’s small and midsized farmers to connect them with customers while delivering fresh produce to communities in need.

Michigan State’s Jason Rowntree is out to prove that ranching is an ecological asset.

Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in the Great Lakes region.

Lessons and activities based on the monthly Great Lakes Now program.

A biological cure for contaminants is being studied.

The new owner of a large dairy farm with a history of manure spills is seeking to build trust among residents who worry about water quality.

A provincial spill report details a list of issues that arose as crews responded to an oil spill in two Toronto creeks that eventually made its way to Lake Ontario.

Valuable critical materials are sitting in junk drawers. Michigan is working with electronics manufacturers and researchers to recirculate these products back into the state’s economy.

To reestablish the Potawatomi’s presence along the Detroit River, the local Indigenous group is interested in partnering on a project to restore wild rice in protected areas in and along the river.

Decision sets stage for stemming mammoth tide of farm pollution in Great Lakes State.

Efforts to cut nutrients in Lake Erie remain ineffective.

Two guys are hunting coyotes in Michigan, and say they lure in the biggest coyote they’ve ever seen. But it’s not a coyote at all — it’s a federally endangered gray wolf about 300 miles from its normal habitat. How did it get there?

For seven decades, the SS Badger has ferried people and goods across Lake Michigan while polluting the air with black smoke. The ship’s new owners are considering greener options.

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news.

Voters in the Traverse City area will choose whether to approve a $180 million bond for the school district to pay for what officials see as nuts and bolts upgrades to buildings. For some, it’s a chance for schools to become more energy efficient.

When released into the wild, koi compete against fish and damage native plant life. Preservation experts partnered with bowfishers to remove invasive koi to keep the ecosystem safe.

Lessons and activities based on the monthly Great Lakes Now program.

Last summer, contaminated sludge from a fire at a chemical plant reached Lake Ontario. The spill report raises questions about what the province told the public.

An effort to raise dozens of monarch butterfly caterpillars can not only teach summer campers about the insects, but is also an effort to call attention to the threats monarchs face.

A former Wisconsin state toxicologist who was involved in creating nitrate standards for drinking water alleges the science that has informed those standards for decades is flawed.

Formal water shutoff policies in some cities are ill-defined for extreme heat.

The history of the Chevron precedent and how advocates can work within this new legal landscape to protect the future of the Great Lakes.

On the complicated history of naming a place and the value of language.

Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in the Great Lakes region.