For Friday, April 10, 2026

1 – It’s easier to burn yard debris.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds people to get a burn permit before they burn. A department website has been updated to make it easier. 

The site is at Michigan.gov/BurnPermit. 

Burn permits from the DNR are available only for counties in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. In the Lower Peninsula, that includes Midland and Bay counties and all counties north of them.

Officials remind you to follow safety practices. Nine out of 10 wildfires in Michigan are caused by people, stemming from activities like burning yard waste. Open burning also pollutes the air. Pollution created by open burning can irritate eyes and lungs, and pose other health threats.

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2 – Microplastics in drinking water may get a closer look. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to evaluate the tiny particles in public drinking water supplies. 

According to a Circle of Blue news bulletin, It’s the first time that microplastics have been placed on the Contaminant Candidate List. The EPA notes significant data gaps in understanding the health risk of microplastics, which are created when larger plastic pieces break down in the environment. 

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is one of seven who have called on the EPA to monitor microplastics in drinking water. 

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3 – Michiganders are banding together for solar energy discounts. 

The Associated Press reports that a grassroots solar installation trend is spreading across the state, in communities including Royal Oak, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo, along with Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. 

Under a Solarize program overseen by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association groups of residents can be matched with vetted vendors and receive a bulk discount of up to 15% on solar panel purchases.

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard Friday mornings in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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