Air quality warning for 14 Michigan counties – and more news

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of the stories we think you should know to start your day. So let’s get to the news.

An air quality warning is issued for 14 Michigan counties as smoke from wildfires returns

An air quality warning has been issued for 14 Michigan counties, including metro Detroit, as smoke from Canadian wildfires returns to the area this weekend.

Find out more here.

Gypsy moth caterpillars still a nuisance in Michigan: What you should know

Although their population has declined, gypsy moth caterpillars continue to be a nuisance.

Gypsy moth caterpillars frequent oaks and other deciduous trees and eat their leaves, making the trees susceptible to disease and other pests. During large outbreaks of these caterpillars, debris and the BB-sized pellets of feces they leave behind can be a nuisance.

Read the report here.

Why Michigan has designated two testing areas for bovine tuberculosis

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been detected in wild deer in some Michigan counties, prompting authorities to designate two testing areas for bovine tuberculosis.

During the 2023 season, bovine tuberculosis was detected in wild deer in Benzie, Crawford and Otsego counties. For this reason, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has designated two test areas.

Read more here.

The steps Metro Detroit homeowners should take to combat luxury home thefts

Thieves continue to target luxury homes in the Detroit area, stealing valuable items while homeowners are away.

Authorities in Oakland County say the teams of thieves are actually from Chile and are targeting homes across the United States. Here in Michigan, high-value homes have been targeted in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, and the problem continues.

You can find the lists here.