Latest news with #MSUExtension
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists haven't seen this Michigan plant in years. What to know about monkeyflower
This spring, keep an eye out for endangered Michigan monkeyflowers — rare, aquatic wildflowers — if you're heading to northern Michigan. Michigan's only fully endemic, or native, plant, the Michigan monkeyflower is a federally recognized endangered species, according to Michigan State University Extension. Limited numbers of the plant, a member of the figwort family, have been reported in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula and southern Upper Peninsula in recent years. Here's what to know. What is the Michigan monkeyflower? The Michigan monkeyflower is an aquatic to semi-aquatic wildflower, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. When does the Michigan monkeyflower bloom? The perennial typically flowers between mid-June and August and sometimes lasts until October, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service says. A monkeyflower plant in bloom. Where has monkeyflower been found in Michigan? The Michigan monkeyflower is only found in northern Michigan, around the Straits of Mackinac and Grand Traverse areas along the Great Lakes shorelines, said the Michigan Natural Features Inventory of Michigan State University Extension. In the Lower Peninsula, Leelanau County along Lake Michigan in the northwest, there were three reported occurrences of plants, with the plant last observed in 2022. Nearby Benzie County has one reported occurrence, last observed in 2018. Farther north, Charlevoix County reported five occurrences, last observed in 2023. The nearby Emmet County saw four occurrences, with the plant last observed in 2022. Adjacent to the east, Cheboygan County had five occurrences, last observed in 2022. In the Upper Peninsula, Mackinac County reported four occurrences, with the plant last observed in 2023. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed, the MSU Extension said. A 2012 report from the USFWS found the plant growing in 23 sites. What does the Michigan monkeyflower look like? The Michigan monkeyflower has rounded, opposite leaves with course and toothed edges, and tubular flowers with yellow petals and a red-spotted lower lip, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said. Dark green shaded areas show where Michigan monkeyflower has been located. In what habitat does the Michigan monkeyflower grow? The aquatic to semi-aquatic plant lives in cold, calcareous (containing calcium carbonate or chalky) springs, seeps and streams water among northern white-cedar trees and at the base of bluffs near the Great Lakes shorelines, MSU Extension said. The Michigan monkeyflower grows in sand and mucky soil amid cold, flowing spring water, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website says. More: It's tulip time in Holland. What to know before you visit How did the Michigan monkeyflower become endangered? The Michigan monkeyflower is a federally recognized endangered plant species in the U.S., according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The plant joined the federal list of endangered species in 1990, the University of Michigan Herbarium said. Threats to the Michigan monkeyflower include road construction and development that could disrupt the plant's habitat, the Michigan Nature Association said. Other threats include groundwater pumping, diversion, storms and high lake levels, iNaturalist noted. The Michigan monkeyflower's small population and many of the plants being on private property can complicate conservation efforts, the Michigan Nature Association said. In addition to Michigan and U.S. designations, the plant's global rank is critically imperiled. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Monkeyflower is endangered. Where it might be found in 2025
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Thompson Falls to host May 15 meeting on wild, domestic sheep
May 2—BOZEMAN — A series of free, public meetings will be held in Montana communities in May to discuss the Wild and Domestic Sheep Comingling Project. The initiative studies the risks of contact between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep and goats and explores tools to maintain effective separation between species to mitigate or prevent disease- related issues. The meetings will be hosted by Montana State University Extension in collaboration with biologists from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. In Northwest Montana, the Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls will host a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15. The lodge is located at 2519 Industrial Way. All meetings are free and open to the public, and registration is not required. "Our meetings embrace a participatory, transparent research model, inviting all stakeholders to co-produce solutions," said Jared Beaver, MSU Extension wildlife specialist. Beaver said project managers are seeking to build broad support and participation in the initiative across Montana's sheep community. They are recruiting producers to participate. "Wild and domestic sheep interactions and respiratory disease affect lamb growers, wool producers, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike," Beaver said. "True co-production and community engagement are essential to meet the needs of our study." Managing wild and domestic sheep interactions creates unique biological, social and cultural challenges, he added. Project managers look to capture the full story by partnering with communities. "Our project will generate innovative management strategies that benefit producers, wildlife managers and sheep, both domestic and wild," said Beaver. Additional support for these meetings is provided by the Montana Wool Growers Association and the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As 23andMe files for bankruptcy, what to know about protecting your data in Michigan
San Francisco-based genetic testing firm 23andMe on Sunday announced that it has filed for bankruptcy, leaving customers wondering what will happen to their data and whether they can protect it — or even delete it. The company explained Sunday in a press release that it has entered a voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring and sale process, saying it intends to continue operations as normal, with no changes to how it stores, manages or protects customer data. The company also addressed data concerns in an open letter to customers posted Sunday on its blog. 'We remain committed to our users' privacy and to being transparent with our customers about how their data is managed,' the company said. 'Any buyer of 23andMe will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to the treatment of customer data.' 23andMe conducted ancestry DNR tests for customers, but MSU Extension notes DNA can be used for such things as paternity, genetic disease detection and other reasons. The company has been dealing with a wave of lawsuits after the personal data of about 7 million customers was accessed by hackers in 2023, compromising data in nearly 6.9 million DNA Relatives and Family Tree profiles. Leaked data included users' account information, location, ancestry reports, DNA matches, family names, profile pictures, birthdates and more. The company's privacy statement covers personal information transferred to a new owner after the sale, but "the new entity could simply change the terms of service, including the privacy statement, and people might agree to it without reading these lengthy documents," said Sara Gerke, associate professor of law at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and lead author of the Journal article. "Customers need to be proactive now and be aware of this issue until Congress intervenes to address this problem at the federal level." The company's consumer agreements offer little comfort, the authors wrote, as the company reserves the right to transfer customer data in the event of sale or bankruptcy, and customers can't fully protect their data from being 'accessed, sold or transferred as part of that transaction.' The genetic and self-reported data, including saliva samples and questionnaires, held by such companies represent some of people's most guarded information, including family history and health-related data. But such companies aren't covered under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requirements, the authors of the Journal article said. 'From a legal standpoint, people therefore interact with the company as 'consumers,' not 'patients,'' they wrote. While the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prevents discriminatory use of such information by employers and health insurers, it doesn't cover uses by other parties, nor does it prevent companies like 23andMe from selling people's data. On March 21, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert to the state's 23andMe customers given the company's financial distress, reminding them of their right to have their genetic data deleted. 'California has robust privacy laws that allow consumers to take control and request that a company delete their genetic data,' Bonta said. 'Given 23andMe's reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company.' 23andme said it is "committed to continuing to safeguard customer dataand being transparent about the management of user data going forward, and data privacy will be an important consideration in any potential transaction.' Bonta, who sent out a "consumer alertfor 23andme customers," outlined these steps to delete your genetic data from 23andme: Log into your 23andMe account on its website. Go to the 'Settings' section of your profile. Scroll to a section labeled '23andMe Data' at the bottom of the page. Click 'View' next to '23andMe Data' Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding. Scroll to the 'Delete Data' section. Click 'Permanently Delete Data.' Confirm your request: You'll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request. The company said the data is deleted once a user submits and confirms the request. According to the 23andme's website, while users can remove their personal information anytime by opting out of the 23andMe data section of account settings, the company is legally required to retain certain information. "23andMe and/or our contracted genotyping laboratory will retain your Genetic Information, date of birth and sex as required for compliance with applicable legal obligations... even if you chose to delete your account," the company's privacy statement said. "If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under 'Preferences," according to California's attorney general. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 23andMe bankruptcy: Is customer genetic data safe in Michigan?
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Three court cases (and an appeal) we're still watching in Ottawa County
OTTAWA COUNTY — Several cases filed against the Ottawa County Board in 2023 and 2024 have been settled or dismissed, but at least three remain; plus an appeal from The Holland Sentinel seeking the unsealing of a transcript in the controversial case of Health Officer Adeline Hambley. Here's where those ongoing cases stand, as of Friday, March 7: Chris Kleinjans is suing members of the Michigan State University Extension after he was fired from his job there in June 2024, shortly after being sworn-in to represent District 2 on the Ottawa County Board. More: Kleinjans claims 'political pressure' from Ottawa Impact left him unemployed In the suit, Kleinjans claims the MSU Extension bowed to 'political pressure' from Ottawa Impact Founder and Commissioner Joe Moss. The extension, for its part, cited the Incompatible Public Offices Act 556 of 1978, arguing a clear conflict of interest exists because commissioners approve funding for the organization's services. U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou denied a preliminary request to have Kleinjans reinstated to his position on Aug. 15, 2024. Jarbou didn't dispute that Ottawa Impact sought 'political retribution," but said the MSU Extension seemed to rebuff those efforts. Kleinjans issued a statement Aug. 16, 2024. 'This is, of course, disappointing,' he wrote. 'But I'm confident that, as the litigation process moves forward, a more complete picture will be revealed. That image will prove that my dismissal was simply an attempt by the MSU Extension to avoid further pressure from certain members of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.' An amended filing by attorney Sarah Riley Howard, dated Aug. 20, 2024, added Moss as a defendant alongside MSU's M. Scott Korpak, Matthew Shane and Erin Moore. In a filing on Nov. 18, 2024, Moss wrote he "has never had any supervisory authority over (Kleinjans); has never been (Kleinjans') employer; and has no ability to alter (Kleinjans') working conditions or the status of his employment with MSU." He also claims he's "never advocated, recommended, demanded, or communicated in any way to MSU that (Kleinjans) should be terminated from his employment." Kleinjans is now a community impact officer for the Allegan County Community Foundation. He lost his seat on the board in November 2024 to Republican Jordan Jorritsma. A early settlement conference is scheduled for the case at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22. Plaintiffs Adrea Hill and Luke Sanner filed their complaint Oct. 30, 2024, in 20th Circuit Court. They, too, are represented by Howard. In their lawsuit, Hill and Sanner claim Ottawa County refused to produce required communications "pursuant to FOIA for a reasonable fee and within the time required under statute." Hill said she requested text messages and emails related to county business sent or received by Lynn Janson on Thursday, May 2, between 12 and 5 p.m. She filed the FOIA in May 2024. In the lawsuit, Howard said Jack Jordan, former county corporation counsel, responded to the request with an estimated fee of $352.79, including a good faith deposit of $176.40. Jordan claimed the request required a search of communications for all 1,120 employees as of May 2. Hill appealed the estimated fee, noting the only required search was related to county business sent from or received by Janson. Jordan denied the fees were inflated in a response to Hill on July 9. In further communications, corporation counsel allegedly refused to produce the records because Janson isn't a county employee. Howard, however, says the county failed to "address the fact that Lynn Janson is a member of the Ottawa County Compensation Commission, and as such, is a public official in that capacity." According to state law, all compensation commissions must comply with Michigan's Open Meetings Act. According to Michigan FOIA Law, all public records are subject to possible disclosure unless specifically exempted by statute. A 'public record' is a writing that's prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function, from the time it's created. Sanner filed a separate FOIA request on Nov. 5, 2023, seeking instant messaging communications between Ottawa Impact-aligned commissioners on Oct. 24-25, during the failed termination hearing for Health Officer Adeline Hambley. Sanner specifically asked for communications between Gretchen Cosby, Lucy Ebel, Joe Moss, Kyle Terpstra, Rebekah Curran, Sylvia Rhodea, Roger Belknap and Allison Miedema. Terpstra has never been affiliated with Ottawa Impact, but was endorsed in 2022 by the group. Curran hasn't been affiliated with the group since well before taking office in 2023. (She did not run for re-election in 2024.) Sanner, in his request, said communications should include those found on personal devices used for county-related business. The county denied the request on Nov. 29, 2023, claiming personal devices don't fall under the county's purview. Sanner appealed the denial on Dec. 6, 2023, but the county didn't respond within 10 business days, a requirement under state law. After two follow-ups from Sanner in February and May, the county denied his appeal and claimed they responded on Dec. 21, 2023, but sent the response to an incorrect email address. Hill and Sanner are requesting a declaration that Ottawa County violated Michigan's FOIA Law, a court-ordered injunction requiring the county to produce the requested documents within 14 days, attorney fees and a complete accounting under oath by a corporate witness as to whether any of the affected documents have potentially and/or likely been destroyed. In an order issued Feb. 21, 48th Circuit Court Judge Margaret Bakker declined summary dispositions from plaintiffs and defense, saying the case must move forward with discovery. The county has 28 days, from Feb. 21, to show evidence the county's FOIA coordinator has complied with Bakker's instructions to contact officials and ex-officials who might still hold pertinent records, that the officials acknowledged and responded to those requests, and that the material has been identified and given to the county for review. The documents being located by the county does not guarantee they'll be released to the requestors under FOIA, pending a decision on whether personal devices are subject to the law and other considerations. A hearing date is set for 3 p.m. Monday, April 14, in Allegan's 48th Circuit Court. In his recently filed lawsuit, Dan Zimmer, also represented by Howard, argues the original vote to approve separation agreements with Administrative Aide Jordan Epperson and Interim Administration Benjamin Wetmore on Dec. 10 violated OMA because the discussion that preceded them took place during a closed session that didn't meet the necessary requirements for privacy. More: In final meeting of 2024, Ottawa County approves $454K grant for anti-abortion nonprofit The lawsuit also addresses a vote to give more than $500,000 in funding over the next several years to Chester Township for remediation efforts at Crockery Lake. In her filing, Howard argues the board doesn't have the legal authority to carry it out. A judge declined an emergency request from Howard to stop the payments to Epperson, Wetmore and Chester Township on Wednesday, Dec. 18, and an appeals judge upheld that decision. However, the Ottawa County Board has already made moves to walk back the Crockery Lake agreement, referencing a separate legal opinion that also finds it lacks the authority to uphold it. On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the board voted 7-3 to request a ruling from a judge on the legality of the agreement. The next hearing in the lawsuit is scheduled for Friday, March 14. The hearing expected to include a motion to amend the complaint by Howard. The Michigan Court of Appeals granted a motion filed in February 2024 by The Sentinel to consider arguments in an effort to unseal testimony from a hearing in November 2023. The testimony, made by County Clerk Justin Roebuck, regarded a closed session earlier that month, during which the Ottawa County Board allegedly agreed to give a $4 million payout to Health Officer Hambley in exchange for her resignation. The hearing came after months of litigation between Hambley and the Ottawa County Board, which voted unsuccessfully to replace her in January 2023 without following the steps required by state law. Commissioners denied the settlement amount after extreme public backlash in the wake of The Sentinel's reporting, claiming an agreement was never reached and a vote by the board to "accept counsel's recommendation" in regards to the settlement was simply meant to signify they wanted to continue conversations — not that they'd come to an agreement. Fourteenth Circuit Court Judge Jenny McNeill ultimately found, because the terms of the settlement weren't part of the motion to approve, it couldn't be enforced, even though she, too, believed the $4 million payout to be the board's intention. In the evidentiary hearing that took place before that order, McNeill closed the courtroom to the public and media. She heard only from Roebuck before adjourning. Joseph Richotte, attorney for The Sentinel, wrote in a filing Feb. 7, 2024, that McNeill erred when she closed the courtroom. "Courtroom[s] cannot be closed and records cannot be sealed except on a written motion showing that a party's protectable interest outweighs the public's right of access," Richotte wrote. Ottawa County Attorney David Kallman argued it was inappropriate for the public and media to be privy to discussions that took place during a closed session. McNeill ultimately approved his request to close the courtroom because "that bell can't be unrung." McNeill denied The Sentinel's request for the hearing transcript to be unsealed. The Sentinel sought leave to appeal from the Michigan Court of Appeals, which was granted Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. In January, a request from Kallman was filed and approved to substitute Michael S. Bogren as legal representation for Ottawa County in the case. The county separated from Kallman Legal Group in February. Bogren was required to file an appellee brief by March 7. It was filed March 5. A hearing date has not yet been scheduled. — Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at ckavathas@ Follow her on Twitter @cassideykava. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Here's where lawsuits against Ottawa County stand
