| September 8, 2021 
 Great Lakes beach towns are awash in plastic. Broken down bits of bottle caps, wrappers, beach toys — as well as non-consumer items like pre-manufactured “nurdle” pellets — have become a staple of shorelines; accumulating at popular beaches where people come on holiday, daytrips or just to catch a sunset. But researchers who are tracking plastic pollution in the Great Lakes say the problem goes deeper than beach litter. Humans and animals are ingesting plastic particles released into the environment. Studies are finding microscopic plastic fibers in drinking water, beer, and fish. Meanwhile, studies show the volume of plastic in the lakes is getting worse. READ MORE ►Plastic pollution in the Great Lakes: Researchers, advocates say fixes begin 'upstream'  Most of Michigan’s non-white residents live in the state’s more densely populated areas, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The once-every-decade census counted 10 million Michigan residents, including just under 2 million people who identified as being part of a minority group. The data shows non-white residents are largely absent from rural areas, while highly-populated urban and suburban communities in Southeast Michigan are home to most of the state’s Black, Asian American and multiracial residents. We have maps and an in-depth look at the numbers here: READ MORE  Veterans of the 20-year Afghanistan War are reaching out for help to work through conflicting feelings spurred by the conflict’s end. Taliban fighters celebrated the departure of the final U.S. plane from Afghanistan last week, leaving Michigan veterans discouraged by what seemed like the inevitable but disheartening conclusion to America’s longest war. Veterans support organizations are facing a surge in requests for counseling and other mental health services. Some just want to talk with other veterans who understand what they’re feeling. READ MORE ►Army veteran with 7 fused vertebrae to walk nearly 500 miles in honor of lives lost on 9/11
 Michigan parents were largely divided along political party lines in a poll asking them if masks should be required in the classroom, while the majority of parents believe it should be their choice to decide if their child wears one. The poll showed that 49.5% of Michigan public school parents believe all students and staff should be required to wear masks in the classroom, while 45.3% were opposed to a mask mandate. Polling was conducted by Glengariff Group and commissioned by the K-12 Alliance of Michigan, with a 4% plus or minus margin of error. READ MORE  Nope, that structure isn't part of some medieval theme park. It's a private home, for sale in Michigan, listed at $2.29 million. The 10,790-square-foot castle in Rochester sits on more than 6 acres and is surrounded by a wrought iron fence and two gated towers. Inside, there are 26 rooms, some of which are hidden. There’s even secret passageways and a hidden tower with a 50-foot-tall spiral staircase. To enter the home, you must cross the drawbridge above the moat and waterfall before walking through the portcullis at the front entrance. Yes, really. CHECK IT OUT ►You could actually own these 4 entire Michigan islands for true off-the-grid living Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive
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