Environment

Invasive mussels clear water, coat wrecks at Thunder Bay

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Huron is now the clearest of the Great Lakes, and that’s good news for scuba divers enjoying the 100+ shipwrecks in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Give credit to the invasive quagga mussels that filter plankton and to reduced levels of phosphorus We talk to a diver from Alpena and experts from Thunder Bay, Michigan Tech and NOAA. By Kurt Williams.

Environment

Study finds health risk from Pine River fish

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A new study finds a risk that anglers on the Pine River may become sickened by the bacteria E. coli from agricultural runoff. Researchers are from Alma College and the University of Toronto. We hear from the Mid-Michigan District Health Department, a member of the Montcalm County Board of commissioners and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. By Kyle Davidson.

Environment

Pooch poop poses perils

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Your doggy’s poop may be polluting waterways and beaches, posing health threats and leading to closures for swimming and fishing. We hear from experts at Michigan State and from other Great Lakes states. By Ri’An Jackson.

Environment

Rising waters threaten wells, drinking water systems

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Rising water levels, including the Great Lakes, inland waters and groundwater, could threaten the safety of drinking water from wells and damage septic and sanitary sewage systems. We talk to a well driller in Traverse City, a Grand Traverse County environmental health expert and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. By Katrianna Ray.

Environment

Water sensors, data collaboration make Great Lakes smarter

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The Great Lakes Observing System has created “Smart Great Lakes,” starting with Lake Erie, by making it easy for the public and policy makers to access data from buoys and underwater probes. Communities that rely on the lake for drinking water can get an early warning of incoming algae blooms. Organizers have a five-year strategic plan to extend the system to all the Great Lakes. By Indri Maulidor.

Ballot Issues

WATCH: President Trump’s Impeachment Acquittal, Turkey Plane Crash, and the Super Bowl Parade

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President Trump spoke at the White House following his impeachment acquittal. He stated it was hard to like those who voted to impeach him and praised his supporters. House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi expressed her concerns on the President. In Turkey, a plane crash took the lives of three people and injured 180 more. The crash is being investigated and new information has yet to be released.

Capital News Service

More beach litter means fewer tourists

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More litter means fewer Great Lakes tourists, according to a recent federal study. And that means less jobs and less money for the local economy. The study found that doubling the litter along Lake Erie would discourage more than a third of visitors from coming back. By Indri Mauladar.

Conservation

Fish guts show changes on the Lake Huron menu

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A bird leg, a Coke label and hundreds of pounds of gobies and alewives are among the contents of more than 3,000 fish stomachs examined by Michigan State University researchers. The study was done with the help of the anglers who caught the fish and donated their stomachs. Editors note: lots of images for a possible photo spread accompany this story. By Michaela Kratofil.