Tuesday

East Lansing, Mich. - Mariah Meek, a conservation biologist and molecular ecologist at Michigan State University, in collaboration with Karrigan Börk, a professor of law at the University of California, Davis, explained how the Trump administration’s proposed changes will impact the Endangered Species Act.  

Answers are excerpts from an article originally published in The Conversation.  

What is the Endangered Species Act?  

The Endangered Species Act, passed in 1973, bans the ‘take’ of ‘any endangered species of fish or wildlife,’ which includes harming protected species. 

For 50 years, the U.S. government has interpreted the Endangered Species Act as protecting threatened and endangered species from actions that either directly kill them or eliminate their habitat. Most species on the brink of extinction are on the list because there is almost no place left for them to live. Their habitats have been paved over, burned or transformed. Habitat protection is essential for their survival. 

Since 1975, regulations have defined ‘harm’ to include habitat destruction that kills or injures wildlife. 

In short, the law says ‘take’ includes harm, and under the existing regulatory definition, harm includes indirect harm through habitat destruction. 

Why does habitat protection matter? 

Habitat protection is the single most important factor in the recovery of endangered species in the United States — far more consequential than curbing direct killing alone. 

Globally, a 2022 study found that habitat loss threatened more species than all other causes combined. 

A 2019 study examining the reasons species were listed as endangered between 1975 and 2017 found that only 17% were primarily threatened by direct killing, such as hunting or poaching. In contrast, a staggering 81% were listed because of habitat loss and degradation. 

As natural landscapes are converted to agriculture or taken over by urban sprawl, logging operations and oil and gas exploration, ecosystems become fragmented and the space that species need to survive and reproduce disappears. Currently, more than 107 million acres of land in the U.S. are designated as critical habitat for Endangered Species Act-listed species. 

What are the proposed changes? 

The Trump administration is seeking to change that definition of ‘harm’ in a way that leaves out habitat modification. 

This narrowed definition would undo the most significant protections granted by the Endangered Species Act. The rule change the Trump administration quietly proposed could green-light the destruction of protected species’ habitats, making it nearly impossible to protect those endangered species. 

The administration has also refused to conduct the required analysis of the environmental impact that changing the definition could have. That means the American people won’t even know the significance of this change to threatened and endangered species until it’s too late — though, if approved, it will certainly end up in court.

-courtesy story

LANSING, Mich. —  Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin road and bridge repair projects this week in several counties across the state, including Mackinac, Iosco, Presque Isle, and Alpena. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to directly and indirectly support 46 jobs. 

"Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to grow our economy, helping Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school and run errands safely," said Governor Whitmer. "By the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired or replaced nearly 24,500 lane miles of roads and 1,900 bridges, supporting thousands of good-paying, local jobs without raising taxes by a dime. This year, let's build on our momentum to pass a bipartisan local road funding plan so we can keep fixing our damn roads and creating good-paying, local jobs."

M-123 Bridge Repairs in Mackinac County 

MDOT is investing about $2.5 million for bridge and roadway rebuilding on M-123 over Bissel Creek in Mackinac County. Work includes culvert replacement, scour countermeasures, drainage, shoulder widening and guardrail work. Work on this project previously announced to begin May 12 will now begin Tuesday, May 27. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 24 jobs.   

County: Mackinac 

Highway:  M-123 

Closest city:  Moran 

Start date:  Tuesday, May 27, 2025 

Estimated end date:  Late October 2025 

Traffic restrictions: One lane of alternating traffic   will be open on M-123 using traffic signals and concrete barrier wall. A lane   width restriction of 10 feet will be in effect during the project.   

Safety benefit:  This work will extend the   lifespan of the structure and increase safety for motorists.   

M-65 resurfacing in Iosco County 

MDOT will invest $900,020 to resurface 3.5 miles of M-65 from north of Pine Acres Road to south of Kings Corner Road in Iosco County. The work will include a mix of repairs, including pavement milling, asphalt paving, crack treatment, chip seal, and fog seal.  Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support eight jobs.    

County: Iosco  

Highway:  M-65 

Closest city:  Hale 

Start date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 

Estimated end date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 

Traffic restrictions: This work will include single-lane closures with traffic regulators during daylight hours. 

Safety benefit: This project includes new pavement markings and extends the roadway service life.    

M-68 and M-211 Resurfacing in Presque Isle County 

MDOT will invest $825,773 to resurface 9.8 miles of two state highways in Presque Isle County: M-211 from north of Cedar Street to Bonz Beach Highway and M-68 from east of Glasier Road to east of Schnepp Road. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support about eight jobs.    

County: Presque Isle 

Highway: M-68, M-211 

Closest city: Onaway 

Start date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 

Estimated end date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 

Traffic restrictions: This work will require shoulder   and single-lane closures with traffic regulators during daylight hours.   

Safety benefit: This project will include new pavement markings and will extend the roadway service life.    

M-32 resurfacing in Alpena County 

MDOT will invest $665,394 to chip seal and fog seal 3.7 miles of M-32 in Alpena County in two sections: from Salina Road to M-65 and from Herron Road to King Settlement Road. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support six jobs.    

County: Alpena 

Highway:  M-32 

Closest city:  Lachine 

Start date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 

Estimated end date:  Wednesday, July 16, 2025 

Traffic restrictions:  This work will require shoulder   closures and single-lane closures with traffic regulators during daylight hours.   

Safety benefit:  This project will include new   pavement markings and will extend the roadway service life.    

-courtesy story

LANSING, Mich -  Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) was joined at the Michigan Senate’s 30th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony by her distinguished guests, Richard and Emily Hansen, parents of fallen service member, Senior Airman James A. Hansen.

“The sacrifice made by Senior Airman James Hansen— and the continued burden his family bears — is unimaginable. His courage and the strength of those who loved him remind us of the true cost of freedom,” said Sen. Anthony. “I am deeply honored that his parents could join me as my special guests. This ceremony is a heartfelt yet somber reminder of those who gave their lives in service, and an opportunity to honor their memory and the ultimate sacrifice they paid for all of us. Thank you to all of our veterans, active service members, and their families.”

James grew up in Athens, MI, where he graduated from Athens High School in 2003. Before his military career, James attended Kellogg Community College and later enrolled in Central Michigan University’s College of Extended Learning after enlisting in the Air Force.

Following in his father’s military footsteps, SrA Hansen began serving in the U.S. Air Force in May 2008 as a Senior Airman specializing in airfield management. In 2009, he was named the 46th Test Wing Airfield Management Airman of the Year.

SrA Hansen was deployed to Iraq in 2010 and died on September 15, 2010, from wounds suffered while assisting with controlled detonations of captured bombs on Joint Base Balad. He was laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Kalamazoo, MI.  

James’ parents joined Sen. Anthony at the Senate’s 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony to honor his legacy and sacrifice. He is also survived by his brother, Richard A. Hansen, Jr.; his fiancée, Megan Bottomlee; and his grandmother, Dee Dee Aiello.

Since 1995, the Michigan Senate has held a special session to commemorate Memorial Day and recognize Michigan veterans, active military servicemembers, and their families, including Michigan’s Blue Star Mothers. The ceremony also recognizes the Michigan soldiers who lost their lives and their Gold Star Families they left behind.  

-courtesy story