Michigan news roundup

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FRIDAY, March 4 — A roundup of news from around the state, provided by our partners at Capital News Service. Follow the links for the full stories.

Bill would allow 18 year olds to be sentenced to juvenile institutions: Currently, 18 year olds who are convicted of crimes can be sentenced to prisons that house adults. But a bill pending in the Michigan House of Representatives would allow for sentencing them to juvenile institutions where treatment is available. The bill is in tandem with a juvenile reform package introduced in 2015.

Environmentalists frustrated with perceived lack of plans for carbon emissions reductions: Some Michigan environmental advocates are frustrated with a state delay in continued reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. But state officials say they’re waiting for clarity from the U.S. Supreme Court before going ahead.

Bill would ensure new firefighter training opportunities: Lawmakers are considering the expansion of the firefighter training allowed to be supported by a fee on fireworks.

Untapped — When your only potable water comes in a bottle: Media attention on the Flint water crisis has focused on how it happened and who was responsible. But what has it meant to the citizens of Flint who are directly affected? How they live day-to-day - from cooking to caring for pets - has changed dramatically since their water source became tainted.

Dark sky preserves could boost tourism: A new law formally designates dark sky preserves in parks and other state land in the Northern Lower Peninsula and Lenawee County. They are Wilderness State Park in Emmet County, Port Crescent State Park in Huron County, Rockport State Recreation Area in Alpena and Presque Isle counties, Negwegon State Park in Alcona and Alpena counties, Thompson’s Harbor State Park in Presque Isle County. Emmet County’s Headlands is the state’s only designation international dark sky park. The sponsor, from Presque Isle, says the change will help tourism.

Weather, water conditions pose threats to Isle Royale: The superintendent of Isle Royale National Park warns about the impacts of climate change and rising water temperatures on the island and on Lake Superior, including effects on wolves, moose, fish species and forests.

Michigan’s cougar controversy continues: Everybody knows there aren’t any cougars in Michigan. These big cats were hunted to extinction in the state in the early 1900s and, despite 34 recent sightings in the U.P., it’s safe to say that the cats aren’t back to stay yet. Right? The DNR and Michigan Wildlife Conservancy don’t see eye-to-eye on the answer. A dead cougar was found in a snare in Dickinson County in February.

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