For Friday, Aug. 6, 2026

1 – A Michigan study funded by NASA aims to help people better protect themselves from wildfire smoke. 

Researchers from the University of Michigan and Michigan Tech are looking at air pollutants from extreme wildfires in the Western United States over the past three decades, and conducting interviews and surveys. Wildfires outside Michigan sparked air quality alerts in July. 

The NASA-funded study will focus on vulnerable populations like children, outdoor workers and rural communities. 

Researchers say wildfire smoke has been studied for decades, but there’s more to learn about how well people understand its risks and what they can do to mitigate the risks. 

The $1.6 million study began in 2023 and is expected to wrap up in the fall of 2027.

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2 – Changes are coming to managed hunting operations at state wildlife game areas. 

The Department of Natural Resources is scaling back services at four managed waterfowl areas in Bay, Saginaw, Tuscola and St. Clair counties. Officials say there are staff challenges due to decreasing revenues, increasing costs, and deferred maintenance.

As a result, there will be fewer daily draw opportunities for hunters. 

The waterfowl areas have traditionally held daily morning and afternoon draws for free waterfowl hunting permits. For the 2026 season, draw opportunities will be reduced to five days per week, Tuesday through Saturday, with one draw per day. 

More info is online at Michigan.gov/WetlandWonders.

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3 – The eastern prairie fringed orchid is rare. But locally, there are 10 times more orchids out there than previously known.

The flowering plant is on the state endangered list and the federal threatened list, mostly due to habitat loss. 

Staff and volunteers for the nonprofit Michigan Nature Association did a count last month at a Saginaw Bay sanctuary. They found more than 240 prairie fringed orchids. As of 2023, there were only 20 to 30 of the orchids documented in the area. 

The eastern prairie fringed orchid grows in a unique wetland habitat known as lakeplain prairie. Michigan used to have about 160,000 acres of the habitat. That’s now down to less than 0.5 percent.

– 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