by orionontv | Feb 21, 2025 | Recreation
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DNR News
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Feb. 20, 2025
Contact: Edward Baker, 906-235-6114 or Jeffrey Jolley, 989-686-2678
Help protect sturgeon while ice fishing this season
DNR reminds anglers of lake sturgeon fishing regulations and rehabilitation efforts
Ice fishing has been good this season, but anglers on the ice targeting walleye or other fish may unexpectedly find themselves with a lake sturgeon on the line. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that regulations on the targeting and harvest of lake sturgeon are in effect, and that on most waters of the state, fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited and any lake sturgeon caught must be released immediately.
What is a lake sturgeon?
 Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), the only sturgeon species found in the Great Lakes, are unique in appearance and characteristics. They have five rows of bony plates, called scutes, on their backs and sides, as well as whisker-like barbels near their mouths. Often referred to as “living fossils” or “dinosaur fish,” lake sturgeon first appeared in the fossil record in the Mesozoic Era, 100 million to 150 million years ago. These fish are long-lived, with some documented at more than 100 years old.
Lake sturgeon are freshwater fish native to Michigan and found in North America throughout the Great Lakes, Mississippi and Hudson River basins. The species is an important cultural resource in the region, in addition to its ecological significance. But due to overfishing and habitat loss and degradation, lake sturgeon populations in Michigan began to decline in the 1800s. |
Why are lake sturgeon protected?
As a result of declines in lake sturgeon populations, in 1994 the State of Michigan listed lake sturgeon as a threatened species. Since then, the DNR has partnered with state, federal and tribal agencies to rehabilitate lake sturgeon in the state. The goals of these efforts are to conserve lake sturgeon populations that are currently self-sustaining and to rehabilitate depressed or declining populations to self-sustaining levels so that lake sturgeon can be removed from the threatened species list.
As part of this rehabilitation strategy, the DNR and partners stock lake sturgeon in several rivers and lakes in Michigan. Lake sturgeon are raised in streamside rearing facilities. At these facilities, naturally produced eggs or larval lake sturgeon are captured in their natal (birthplace) streams and brought into the rearing facilities, where they are protected from predators while still “imprinting” on the stream or river. This increases their survival and the chances that the sturgeon will return to the stream or river as mature adults to reproduce.
Where can anglers target sturgeon?
 Anglers can target lake sturgeon in Michigan only in designated waters during designated seasons. In some of these waters, lake sturgeon may be targeted, but must be released immediately; in others, a possession season with size restrictions is in effect.
Waters with sturgeon possession seasons include:
- Lake St. Clair and St. Clair River.
- Otsego Lake.
- Menominee River.
- Black Lake.
Waters with sturgeon fishing seasons (catch-and-release only) include:
- Detroit River.
- St. Marys River.
- Portage Lake and Torch Lake.
- Ontonagon River.
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In all other waters in the state of Michigan, it is unlawful to fish for lake sturgeon. Sturgeon are frequently caught incidentally in Saginaw Bay, the Saginaw River, the Kalamazoo River, the Grand River, Muskegon Lake, the Muskegon River, Manistee Lake and the Manistee River, but cannot be targeted in those waters — anglers should be aware of the possibility of incidental lake sturgeon catch and of these regulations.
Any lake sturgeon caught incidentally while targeting other species must be released immediately. When temperatures are below freezing, fish gills can freeze quickly, making it important to release sturgeon into the water as quickly as possible to increase their chances of survival.
“We know that encountering a fish as iconic as the lake sturgeon is a memorable moment for most anglers, but even the time you take to snap a photo can be extremely detrimental to the fish’s health and survival,” said Jeffrey Jolley, Southern Lake Huron unit manager with the DNR Fisheries Division. “A prompt release ensures a healthy sturgeon.”
See page 15 of the 2024 Michigan Fishing Regulations, which remain in effect through March 31, 2025, for detailed information on lake sturgeon fishing regulations, fishing and possession season dates and size requirements.
How do I report a sturgeon harvest?
Where harvest is allowed, lake sturgeon harvest is limited to one (1) lake sturgeon per angler, per license year (April 1-March 31). If you harvest a lake sturgeon, you are required to report the harvest within 24 hours. Lake sturgeon harvest can be reported online at Michigan.gov/RegisterFish, by phone at 888-636-7778 or in person at any DNR customer service center. To report a harvest in person, visit a customer service center during normal business hours and provide advance notice of your arrival by calling ahead.
Anglers can also report catch and release of lake sturgeon using the lake sturgeon form at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField.
To report illegal harvest or targeting of lake sturgeon, call or text the Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800 or complete the Report All Poaching form at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField.
For more information on lake sturgeon visit Michigan.gov/Sturgeon or visit the DNR’s Lake Sturgeon Management page for details on management and restoration efforts in Michigan.
Note to editors: The accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
- Close-up sturgeon: The Michigan DNR has partnered with state, federal and tribal agencies to rehabilitate lake sturgeon in the state.
- Harvested sturgeon: Anglers can target and harvest lake sturgeon in Michigan only in designated waters during designated seasons.
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by orionontv | Feb 21, 2025 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 20, 2025
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Attorney General Nessel Calls for Action Against Counterfeit Weight Loss Drug Makers
LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a 38-state and territory bipartisan coalition requesting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take swift action against bad actors who are endangering consumers with counterfeit forms of the weight loss and diabetes drugs Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy (GLP-1 drugs).
“As weight loss and diabetes medications grow in popularity, scammers are taking advantage of the demand,” Nessel said. “To ensure you receive the medication you need and avoid counterfeit products, always get your medications prescribed by your doctor and the prescription filled at a licensed pharmacy. I urge the FDA to take action against counterfeiters to protect Michigan consumers.”
The letter declares that the Food and Drug Administration has the expertise and resources to stop the bad conduct and deceptive practices by counterfeit drug manufacturers and that they should increase enforcement actions against compounding pharmacies illegally participating in this market. It also encourages the FDA to partner with state pharmacy boards to ensure compounded GLP-1 drugs are produced safely and in sanitary environments.
Attorney General Nessel joined this bipartisan letter, co-led by South Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, and Tennessee and joined by Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
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by orionontv | Feb 20, 2025 | Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2025
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MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Frezell
517-281-6519
[email protected] |
Michigan airports to receive $4 million in grants
for airport improvement projects
Fast facts:
- $4 million in one-time airport development grants have been awarded to 33 Michigan airports for 44 improvement projects.
- Funds will help airports with clearing obstructions, repairing runways, upgrading lighting, building hangars, and acquiring operations equipment.
- MDOT’s State/Local Program provides critical funding that helps meet the department’s mission of developing and preserving a safe, high-quality statewide air transportation system.
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have announced $4 million in one-time Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 airport development grants to be awarded to 33 Michigan airports for 44 improvement projects. These funds will help airports with clearing obstructions, repairing runways, upgrading lighting, building hangars, and acquiring operations equipment.
“Gov. Whitmer and I are committed to investing in infrastructure that serves communities across Michigan, and our airports are no exception,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II. “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made bringing home millions in federal funding to improve airports, and these new awards will help airports improve safety, security and infrastructure. Let’s keep working together to improve infrastructure in Michigan and better connect our small business owners, people and families.”
MDOT initially received applications from 54 airports for 97 projects, totaling $10.5 million. Selection criteria was based on airport license status, use of COVID-19 pandemic funding, project timelines, zoning protections, project justification, community support, and alignment with the Michigan Airport System Plan (MASP).
“This important State/Local Program provides essential funding, ensuring airport infrastructure investment for safe, efficient and reliable travel for businesses and communities alike, at airports large and small across our state,” MAC Chair Ben Carter said.
“Hillsdale Municipal Airport is thrilled to have been chosen as a recipient of the FY 2025 State/Local Program funding,” said Hillsdale Airport Manager Ginger Moore. “We received funding to purchase a much-needed John Deere 5095M utility tractor for snow removal purposes. The airport also received funding for crack sealing and pavement markings. Hillsdale Airport has been working hard improving the airport and staying in good standing for general utility license.”
Michigan has 215 airports statewide, with 18 being commercial airports. Aviation contributes more than $22 billion annually to the Michigan economy according to data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). MDOT’s State/Local Program provides critical funding that helps meet the department’s mission of developing and preserving a safe, high-quality statewide air transportation system.for airport improvement projects
Fast facts:
- $4 million in one-time airport development grants have been awarded to 33 Michigan airports for 44 improvement projects.
- Funds will help airports with clearing obstructions, repairing runways, upgrading lighting, building hangars, and acquiring operations equipment.
- MDOT’s State/Local Program provides critical funding that helps meet the department’s mission of developing and preserving a safe, high-quality statewide air transportation system.
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have announced $4 million in one-time Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 airport development grants to be awarded to 33 Michigan airports for 44 improvement projects. These funds will help airports with clearing obstructions, repairing runways, upgrading lighting, building hangars, and acquiring operations equipment.
“Gov. Whitmer and I are committed to investing in infrastructure that serves communities across Michigan, and our airports are no exception,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II. “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made bringing home millions in federal funding to improve airports, and these new awards will help airports improve safety, security and infrastructure. Let’s keep working together to improve infrastructure in Michigan and better connect our small business owners, people and families.”
MDOT initially received applications from 54 airports for 97 projects, totaling $10.5 million. Selection criteria was based on airport license status, use of COVID-19 pandemic funding, project timelines, zoning protections, project justification, community support, and alignment with the Michigan Airport System Plan (MASP).
“This important State/Local Program provides essential funding, ensuring airport infrastructure investment for safe, efficient and reliable travel for businesses and communities alike, at airports large and small across our state,” MAC Chair Ben Carter said.
“Hillsdale Municipal Airport is thrilled to have been chosen as a recipient of the FY 2025 State/Local Program funding,” said Hillsdale Airport Manager Ginger Moore. “We received funding to purchase a much-needed John Deere 5095M utility tractor for snow removal purposes. The airport also received funding for crack sealing and pavement markings. Hillsdale Airport has been working hard improving the airport and staying in good standing for general utility license.”
Michigan has 215 airports statewide, with 18 being commercial airports. Aviation contributes more than $22 billion annually to the Michigan economy according to data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). MDOT’s State/Local Program provides critical funding that helps meet the department’s mission of developing and preserving a safe, high-quality statewide air transportation system.
by orionontv | Feb 20, 2025 | Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT
February 20, 2025 Diane Cross
[email protected]
Southbound I-75 resurfacing from M-15 (Ortonville Road) to Oakland/Genesee county line begins in early March
VILLAGE OF CLARKSTON, Mich. – Bridge and road work along I-75 in northern Oakland County is expected to resume in early March. The Michigan Department of Transportation is investing approximately $160 million to resurface and repair I-75 from M-15 (Ortonville Road) to the Oakland/Genesee county line. This project includes resurfacing I-75, repairing 11 bridges, drainage improvements, culvert replacements, signs, and guardrail. Various work will be performed in different locations with different schedules throughout the 15 miles over four years.
This year, southbound I-75 will be milled and resurfaced from M-15 to the county line, with two lanes of northbound and southbound traffic sharing the northbound side of the freeway. Bridge repairs will be performed throughout the project limits along southbound I-75. Work is expected to be completed for the year in late fall.
In 2026, crews will remove the temporary crossovers and perform remaining miscellaneous activities.
Funding for this project is made possible by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improve the condition of the state’s infrastructure.
Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 1,936 jobs.
by orionontv | Feb 20, 2025 | Recreation
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DNR News
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Feb. 20, 2025
Contact: Shelby Laupp (Michigan History Center), 517-930-8493
$2 million available for local projects commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
The first round of applications for the America250MI History Grant Program, awarding $2 million to history organizations and their partners across the state between 2025 and 2026, opens Saturday, March 1. It’s an opportunity to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States of America and the American Revolution’s role in Michigan’s history; examine the impact of these and other historic events on the people of Michigan’s past, present and future; and strengthen efforts to protect, interpret and share this vital history.
 The grant funds, appropriated to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by the state Legislature, represent a key element of the state’s commemoration of the USA’s 250th anniversary.
In 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed the Historical Society of Michigan and the Michigan History Center to lead Michigan’s commemoration of this semiquincentennial. The two organizations oversee the statewide program, America250MI, part of the national America250 program. America250MI shares and supports efforts to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through programming, education and statewide outreach with support from a committee of historians, educators and community leaders.
“The America250MI grants create a lot of possibilities for safeguarding and elevating Michigan history and making that history more tangible, understandable and impactful to all Michiganders,” said Larry J. Wagenaar, executive director and CEO of the Historical Society of Michigan. |
America250MI grant program details
Composed of two rounds, with $1 million available per round, the grant program will help fund projects of all sizes that interpret, preserve or explore Michigan’s history. Applicants can seek funding for a variety of projects, including but not limited to educational programming, capital improvements, exhibits, collections management and interpretive signs.
Projects may focus on any historical subject that has helped shape the Michigan of today.
“New equipment or storage materials to improve the long-term preservation of and access to collections; partnerships to co-create learning opportunities for under- and unrepresented communities; bricks-and-mortar and conservation work on significant artifacts and historic sites – there are a variety of ways to leverage this funding to make a powerful, lasting impact on Michigan history,” Wagenaar said.
Eligible applicants include tribal governments, 501(c)(3) nonprofit history organizations and local units of government. All applications must include at least one organization devoted to history.
“This is an incredible opportunity to invest in local history,” said Sandra Clark, director of the Michigan History Center. “We hope that communities and their governments take this opportunity to collaborate with and get to know their local or regional historical organizations and discover new ways to embrace their stories.”
Guiding themes
The grant program will prioritize impactful projects that encourage community collaboration and align with the America250MI Five Guiding Themes:
- Unfinished Revolutions. From the American Revolution through the Underground Railroad, Michigan has a history of people fighting for freedom, recognition and basic human rights. What revolutions continue to this day?
- Power of Place. It is human nature to identify ourselves by place, whether that is the geographic, geologic and physical environment or the political, economic, historic, cultural and emotional connections to it. How does “place” define us?
- We the People. Michigan is home to more than 10 million unique people of different races, cultures, languages, ethnicities, religions and points of view. What does “being American” mean today, and how do new generations discover belonging?
- American Experiment. Democracy is challenging. Through the lens of history we can see successes, mistakes and opportunities. How can we build on these to shed even more light on our government, democratic institutions and civic life?
- Doing History. As those who love, teach, preserve and make history, we must work together with our communities to interact with Michigan’s past. How can we best engage people in conversations about what history is and why it matters?
Learn more about the Five Guiding Themes in the America250MI Program Guide.
Application info, timeline
The first round opens March 1 and will accept grant applications until April 15. Round 2 opens Nov. 1 and closes Jan. 15, 2026.
Applicants must submit a detailed project description, timeline, communications plan and budget. The America250MI committee will evaluate all applications.
Award amounts are available in three tiers:
- Tier 1: $2,500-5,000.
- Tier 2: $5,001-25,000.
- Tier 3: $25,001-50,000.
Tier 1 projects have no match requirements. Applicants who are awarded an amount within Tier 2 will be required to match 15% of the grants. Tier 3 projects require a 30% match.
All grant details, including requirements, eligibility and scoring, are outlined in the grant booklet, which all prospective applicants should review before beginning the application process. Additional information about the grants and the statewide commemoration is available on America250MI’s website. Questions about the program? Email [email protected].
“These funds demonstrate a dedication not only to Michigan’s past, but also to its future,” said Clark. “Awarded projects will help preserve and share Michigan stories that can guide us over the next 250 years.”
Note to editors: High-res versions of the America250MI project logo are available below for download.
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| America250MI is Michigan’s statewide committee tasked with commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, the American Revolution’s role in Michigan’s history and the impact that these, and various historical events, have had on the people of Michigan’s past, present and future.
Established in 1828, the Historical Society of Michigan is Michigan’s oldest cultural organization and helps connect Michigan’s past to its residents and organizations through programs and events, publications, awards, workshops, networking opportunities and support for local history organizations. The society is a member-supported educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives zero state-appropriated funding.
The Michigan History Center discovers, preserves and shares the stories of Michigan through museums, historic sites, Michigan Historical Markers, heritage trails and programming. The center, a part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, manages 11 museums statewide, an extensive artifact collection and various educational programs. |
