Good morning, Marquette.

Operating Engineers Local 324 members demonstrated Wednesday across from Billerud’s Escanaba mill, saying the company switched from longtime VanDamme Trucking to a contractor that pays below area-standard wages and urging Billerud to restore fair pay.

The 5th annual Stand U.P.

Comedy Festival will run Wednesday through Saturday at Ore Dock Brewing Company, featuring more than a dozen national stand-up comics and headliner Dave Landau on Saturday night.

The Baraga County Chamber has launched Baraga County Cash, a countywide gift check program to keep dollars local that is available now at the chamber office, 1 N.

Main St. in L'Anse, Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., or online, by phone, or email.

Five third-year Michigan State medical students — Ava Adler, Sophia Aque, Jenny Haely, Ted Hoenke and Laura Lyons — received the Mazzuchi Scholarship to support their final two years of study in Marquette and other rural Upper Peninsula sites.

Recipients are chosen for intent to practice in the Upper Peninsula after residency, interest in primary or specialty fields, and financial need.

Northern Michigan University held Open Lab Day (4th edition) on Wednesday, giving Upper Peninsula high school students, NMU students, and the public hands-on experience at stations including radiology, surgical technology, and nursing, and NMU plans to hold the event again next fall.

Northern Michigan University students told WZMQ Wednesday that the busy midterm ballot, led by the U.S. Senate race between Abdul El‑Sayed and Mike Rogers, has drawn the most attention, and many say mail-in voting will help those who live off campus make their votes count (especially first-time voters).

Michigan drivers are entering the most dangerous stretch for deer crashes from October through December, with 2024 showing 58,324 crashes statewide and peaks in November with 10,017 and October with 9,428.

Officials say most occur after dark and urge drivers to slow down and use controlled braking at dawn + dusk.