1/06/2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of cutting the number of vaccines it recommends for every child — a move that leading medical groups said would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases.  The change is effective immediately, meaning that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will now recommend that all children get vaccinated against 11 diseases. What’s no longer broadly recommended is protection against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis or RSV. Instead, protections against those diseases are only recommended for certain groups deemed high risk, or when doctors recommend them in what’s called “shared decision-making.”

1/06/2026

EAGLE RIVER - A disappointing development despite having good snow and cold weather in the region, the annual Eagle River Ice Castle has been canceled due to unfavorable ice conditions on Silver Lake. Rain and warm weather before the recent major snowfall caused a layer of slush. Although it is now frozen, the Eagle River Fire Department determined shaving it off—necessary for structural integrity—would leave the ice blocks too small. The lake currently has about 10.5 inches of ice, short of the 14-15 inches required. 2025 was the first year in the last three that the weather was cold enough to build the ice castle. The castle is typically built in early January to coincide with the Snowmobile Derby World Championship. The department thanked volunteers and looks forward to next year.

1/05/2026

LANSING - Michigan lawmakers are reacting after President Donald Trump announced Saturday morning that the U.S. has conducted strikes in Venezuela and removed leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife from the country.  Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin like many Democrats, questioning the legality of the operation in Venezuela, while Republican Michigan Congressman Tim Walberg, and other Republicans have praised the operation.  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has not made any comment yet.  Maduro and his wife have been indicted on “narcoterrorism” charges in New York and are expected to appear in federal court in the coming days.  Trump said in a press conference the U.S. would “run Venezuela” and “fix” the country’s oil infrastructure and sell “large amounts” of oil to other countries.