Oktober Fest bringing fall fun to West Branch this weekend
Inaugural Pumpkin Roll at Irons Park, ‘Witches & Warlocks’ returning downtown
News
Read MoreOktober Fest bringing fall fun to West Branch this weekend
Firefighters contain wildfire near Houghton Lake
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported just after noon on Wednesday, Oct. 8, that a wildfire in Roscommon County that burned between 80-100 acres was 100% contained.
Federal government shuts down
The United States Federal Government shut down last week on Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. after failing to pass a spending bill or continuing resolution. Then on Thursday night, the State of Michigan Legislature, which had passed its own temporary plan Oct. 1 in order to avoid shutting down, passed a budget through the House shortly before midnight, and through the Senate after midnight.
Peters co-sponsors legislation to exempt small businesses from tariffs
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) cosponsored the Small Business RELIEF Act to exempt small businesses in Michigan and across the country from President Trump’s global baseline reciprocal tariffs and provide refunds to the small businesses that were forced to pay them. Small businesses make up 99.6 percent of all businesses in Michigan and employ nearly 50 percent of our state’s workforce. This legislation would protect more than 900,000 Michigan small businesses that are already having to make devastating choices to keep their business afloat, such as cutting jobs, canceling expansion plans, and absorbing input costs.
Bergman announces 2025 congressional app challenge for 1st district students
WASHINGTON — Rep. Jack Bergman announced that middle and high school students in Michigan’s First Congressional District are invited to participate in the 2025 Congressional App Challenge, a nationwide competition designed to inspire students to explore coding, computer science, and app development.
Michigan legislature votes and adoptions
Votes and adoptions from late September 2025
US Justice Department sues 6 more states, including Michigan, in its quest for voter data
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department sued six more states on Thursday, saying the states are illegally blocking the agency’s wide-ranging effort to scrutinize detailed voter data in a brewing court fight over what states say is the private, protected information of residents.
Beneficent bikers
Members of the Masonic Lodge in West Branch and the Iron Bandogs Motorcycle Club organized a group ride Sunday to benefit the Rayola nonprofit organization.
Senator Peters introduces bipartisan bills to bolster Great Lakes Fishery Research and Management
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, introduced two bipartisan bills to bolster Great Lakes fishery research and management efforts that are critical to both the Great Lakes ecosystem and Michigan’s robust fishing industry, according to a statement released by the Senator’s office Sept. 18.
Michigan legislature updates
Recent Michigan Legislature Adoptions and Votes