Business & Economy
Electronics contain critical minerals such as copper, nickel, gold, lithium and cobalt needed to make batteries for electric vehicles and to electrify Michigan’s energy grid.

The electric energy future could be wasting away in a junk drawer

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ELECTRONIC WASTE: Michigan’s electric vehicle future will require millions of batteries, hundreds of thousands of charging stations and moving the state to renewable sources of energy. One important source of some critical minerals needed for that future remains under-tapped: recycled old electronic waste. Delhi Township collects e-waste. Experts from Michigan Tech phe Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the Argonne National Laboratory explain. By Gabrielle Nelson. FOR ALL POINTS.

Agriculture
A Department of Natural Resources technician collects a red swamp crayfish from a retention pond in Novi in August 2022

Michigan trying new approaches against invasive crayfish 

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INVASIVE CRAYFISH: – Researchers are exploring new techniques to remove an invasive crayfish from Michigan waters. The DNR has been fighting an invasion of red swamp crayfish since they first appeared in the state in 2017 but aggressive attempts to trap and remove the crustacean haven’t worked. By Elinor Epperson. FOR ALL POINTS.

Education
Volunteers on a Moosewatch Expedition search for bones of moose that died in Isle Royale National Park.

Moose lessons: What they can teach us about human aging

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AGING MOOSE: Getting old can be rough. Osteoporosis. Osteoarthritis. Periodontitis – a trio of chronic diseases that make bones fragile, make joints degenerate and make teeth become loose. That triple-whammy also besets moose, say Michigan Technological University and Duke University researchers who’ve studied the bones of 180 moose that died of natural causes in Isle Royale National Park. By Eric Freedman. FOR ALL POINTS.

Construction & Development
The Peninsular Paper Co. powerhouse and its sign are symbols of Ypsilanti’s heritage.

Dam removal could improve environment, recreation and storm protection

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DAM REMOVAL: Removal of a 148-year-old dam on the Huron River in Ypsilanti could improve fish habitat, create more green space for recreation and avert the possibility of a damaging dam failure, removal advocates say. But some area residents prefer to have the dam rehabilitated to produce hydropower and preserve its heritage, including the site of an historic paper mill. The Huron River Watershed Council, a city council member and a dam safety expert explain the proposal. DNR and DEGLE support its removal. By Elinor Epperson. FOR ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy

Historic Preservation Tax Credit seeks $100 million to provide ‘more equitable’ restoration across Michigan

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The Michigan Historic Preservation tax credit, signed into law in 2020, currently allows renovators of historic buildings across the state to apply to receive a portion of a $5 million pool of tax credits. But now, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN) says that Michigan’s rehabilitation needs are 20 times that amount. 

Representative Joey Andrews (D-38) sponsored House Bill 54390, a resolution to expand the Michigan State Historic Preservation Tax Credits pool from $5 million to $100 million.