HANCOCK – The state legislature adopted a 2026 budget Friday which cleared up confusion with school districts across the state regarding funding for the school lunch program. The budget will continue to make school meals free for all students, a top priority of Whitmer and Senate Democrats, ...

TWIN LAKES — Several area fire departments received help from downstate fire departments as part of the Our Firehouse to Yours nonprofit organization. More than $1 million worth of used firefighting equipment and supplies were made available at the Twin Lakes Fire Hall Friday and Saturday for ...

WAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Michigan legislature’s Friday morning 2026 budget passage did not include a $50 million infrastructure improvement grant for Wakefield Township. The bill, introduced in April by Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, would have allowed Wakefield Township to invest in ...

SOUTH RANGE — Winter preparations are underway in South Range. The Village of South Range’s DPW reported that their trucks, plows and other equipment are ready for snow removal to the village council during its meeting on Thursday. However, they have hit a snag when it comes to ...

WASHINGTON — Hopes for a quick end to the government shutdown were fading Friday as Republicans and Democrats dug in for a prolonged fight and President Donald Trump readied plans to unleash layoffs and cuts across the federal government. Senators were headed back to the Capitol for another ...

The leader of the Michigan House of Representatives said Thursday that he expects his Senate counterpart will deliver the votes needed to pass a proposed 24% wholesale tax on marijuana, and if not, he says the budget deal would fall apart at the seams. Such a scenario would also lead to a ...