Lake Erie toxic algae blooms are not visable in stunning shot of the lake with an autumn landscape and sunset.
Lake Erie toxic algae blooms continue each summer, a decade after the City of Toledo issued a “do not drink” order due to toxic water quality. (Tarek Saddik, iStock Photo)

Here’s a weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse at some of the stories we’re following. Have a reading recommendation? Let us know at nina@planetdetroit.org.

Still toxic: Ten years after Toledo’s “do not drink” order, Lake Erie toxic algal blooms remain a significant issue due to agricultural runoff, and efforts to address the problem are complicated by climate change and regulatory limitations, with ongoing research into health risks and mitigation strategies. (Michigan Public)

Sludge incineration: Warren, Michigan, is planning to replace its 50-year-old wastewater treatment incinerator with a modern, energy-efficient system to handle sludge disposal, costing over $50 million, and requiring a new state air permit due to concerns over pollutants like PFAS. (Detroit News)

New national park in Windsor: Canada’s newest national park in Windsor, Ontario, aims to protect the Ojibway Prairie Complex, an area rich in biodiversity, while serving as a gesture of Indigenous reconciliation despite its industrial surroundings. (NYT)

Flooding in Metro Detroit: Heavy storms on Friday caused widespread flooding in parts of Wayne and southern Macomb counties, leading to road closures, basement flooding, and car accidents, with officials working throughout the day to address the issues and more rain expected over the weekend. (Detroit News)

Smoke killed 169 in Michigan: A new study estimates that smoke from last year’s wildfires caused 169 deaths in Michigan, particularly impacting those with asthma and respiratory issues in Detroit, highlighting the severe public health risks of wildfire smoke and the importance of timely information for community response. (Fox 2)

CAFO ruling: The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the state’s environmental regulators have full authority to require large livestock and poultry operations to improve manure management to reduce water pollution, marking a significant environmental protection measure and a rare defeat for industrial agriculture interests. (Michigan Public)

Pumping the Great Lakes: A NYT Opinion piece argues the U.S. must adopt a national water policy to address the accelerating depletion of groundwater, particularly in key agricultural regions, or risk facing the costly and politically challenging prospect of transporting water from the Great Lakes to drier areas like California to sustain food production. (NY Times)

Eco art: A new floral sculpture symbolizing “the abundance of nature,” created by Detroit artist Halima Cassells and Sidewalk Detroit with the help of local volunteers, is on display at Eliza Howell Park, made from recycled litter and serving as a trailhead for a path to the Rouge River. (BridgeDetroit)

Fuel economy fight: Michigan U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg is leading a Republican effort to overturn the Biden administration’s new vehicle fuel economy standards, which require automakers’ fleets to achieve an average of 53.5 miles per gallon by 2032, citing concerns about consumer choice and the push towards electric vehicles. (Detroit News)

MI nuclear restart: The Palisades Power Plant in Covert, Michigan, could become the first U.S. nuclear reactor to restart after being shut down, with plans to reopen in late 2025 and expand in 2030 with small modular reactors, positioning it as a model for future nuclear energy projects amid rising electricity demand and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. (CNBC)

Nina Misuraca Ignaczak is an award-winning Metro Detroit-based editor, journalist, and documentary filmmaker. She is the founder, publisher, and editor of Planet Detroit, a digital media startup focused on producing quality climate, equity, health, and environment journalism that centers grassroots voices, holds power accountable, and spotlights solutions. Planet Detroit has received awards and recognition from the Society for Professional Journalists Detroit, the Institute for Nonprofit News, and LION Publishers since its establishment in 2019. Prior to her journalism career, Nina worked in urban planning in local government and nonprofit sectors, holding a Master of Science in Natural Resource Ecology and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.