For Friday, Oct. 23, 2026

1 – New research tied to the Great Lakes suggests microplastics may be ending up in the parts of fish that people eat.

According to reporting by the Chicago Tribune, scientists at Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area have spent the last three years adding measured amounts of microplastics to a test lake and tracking where those particles go.

Researchers say fish collected from the lake show signs that some plastic particles move beyond the stomach and into fish filets.

Scientists hope the findings will pressure governments in the United States and Canada to take stronger action on plastic pollution in the Great Lakes, which supply drinking water to roughly 40 million people.

Researchers see the work as part of a growing effort to understand the long-term impacts of microplastics on wildlife and human health.

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2 – Michigan is investing in what some see as the next generation of carbon-free electricity.

The University of Michigan has received a $2 million state grant to expand nuclear workforce training through a regional partnership of universities, community colleges, utilities and labor organizations.

Federal officials say the nuclear industry will need to fill 375,000 jobs nationwide by 2050.

The initiative includes DTE Energy and is designed to create new pathways from high school and community college programs into careers in the nuclear energy sector.

Supporters say nuclear power will play an important role in providing reliable, carbon-free electricity as energy demand continues to grow.

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3 – Forecasters say this winter will be strongly influenced by El Niño.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s winter outlook, covering December through February, gives Michigan a 50-60 percent chance of above-normal temperatures.

Conditions also are expected to be drier than normal across parts of the state. Saginaw typically receives about 5 inches of precipitation during those three months.

NOAA does not forecast seasonal snowfall totals this far in advance. But historically, strong El Niño winters have tended to favor less snowfall in Michigan.

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– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM WUCX in University Center, Michigan, near Bay City (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter or even Bluesky #MrGreatLakes

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