3/02/2026

GOGEBIC COUNTY - The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a large, decades-long plan in Michigan’s Ottawa National Forest that mixes logging, road work, and habitat projects. The agency says its review finds no significant environmental impact from the project. Critics say that claim makes no sense. Environmental groups warn logging and gravel work could spread invasive species and increase runoff. They also worry about damage to habitat for gray wolves and northern long-eared bats. They also oppose cutting some trees older than 100 years. The Forest Service says it uses buffers and best practices. A Michigan State forestry professor calls the plan routine. What’s being called the Silver Branch Vegetation Management Project would span about 40 miles from north to south on the eastern edge of the Ottawa National Forest. The project involves a mix of logging: about 1,500 acres of clear-cutting and around 24,000 acres of a kind of clear-cutting that leaves certain trees. There would also be around 57,000 acres of other kinds of more-targeted logging. The project is expected to last around 30 years, with periodic reviews. 

3/02/2026

IRONWOOD - Gas prices in the U.P. and Michigan are on the rise. The AAA-The Auto Club Group says prices are up an average of 14 cents per gallon and sit at an average price of $2.99 per gallon this price, 9 cents more than this time last month and 2 cents more than this time last year.  The least expensive gas price this morning in Michigan was in Marquette $2.83.  In Ironwood early this morning one gas station was at $3.37 a gallon while another gas station a few blocks away was $3.05 a gallon.  Meanwhile in Hurley gas prices are much lower at $2.76, a 61 cent per gallon swing in prices in just one mile between Ironwood and Hurley.    

3/02/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is expanding its eHarvest digital tagging system to include most species that require a kill tag, offering a modern and convenient alternative to traditional paper tags for hunters across the state. Effective with the 2026 license year, Michigan hunters can use optional digital eHarvest tags for deer, turkey, bear, bobcat, otter, fisher, and marten via the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. This modernization, which continues to allow paper tags, is expected to increase efficiency, lower administrative costs, and boost conservation funding. Digital tags offer simplicity, 24/7 convenience, immediate offline validation, and dependable enforcement. More information is available at Michigan.gov/DNRHuntFishApp.