10/20/2025

IRONWOOD – City of Ironwood water main flushing started overnight last night in Ironwood.  Area One was flushed overnight including areas north of US-2 from the Montreal River to Roosevelt Street.  Area two will be flushed overnight tonight which includes all areas south of US-2 from Frederick Street from Norrie Street to North Lake Street, and all areas north of East Ayer Street from Lake Street to Country Club Road.  During the flushing residents may notice lower than normal water pressure and dirty water.  The city suggests taking a water meter reading, running your cold water until discoloration clears and then taking another water meter reading for a proper credit on your water bill.  Bottled water is available for Ironwood residents that feel they need it. 

10/20/2025

LANSING - The state of Michigan has announced that unemployment benefits and resources for federal workers impacted by government shutdowns, are available.

Unemployment Insurance Agency Director Jason Palmer assures support for those facing layoffs. Furloughed workers receiving back pay must repay benefits. Those in the deferred resignation program must show good cause for voluntary separation to avoid disqualification. The UIA Claimant Roadmap on the webpage guides users through filing claims via the 24/7 online MiWAM system, which also allows for work search certification and eligibility confirmation.

www.Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp

10/17/2025

IRONWOOD - Nurses at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital voted unanimously to reject a contract proposal from the health system after MNA nurses filed a federal labor charge last month to “force Aspirus back to the bargaining table” — a move Aspirus called “meritless.” Now, the MNA says nurses rejected Aspirus’s proposal, in part, because it eliminates the wage structure that rewards nurses’ experience and provides lower wages than the MNA proposal for nearly half the nurses.  According to the MNA, Aspirus’s proposal bases future wage increases on “market value” rather than a guaranteed percentage after this contract. Nurses say that it fails to deliver the competitive wages needed to attract and retain nurses at the hospital, which is essential to always staffing the hospital safely.  Nurses on the bargaining team also accused Aspirus of showing very little interest in saving the OB unit at Aspirus Ironwood or mitigating the effects of the closure, despite Michigan legislators offering state funding to save it.  Both sides are expected to return to the bargaining table a week from today on Oct. 24th.