The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was wrong to determine Michigan met federal health and environmental standards for ozone pollution or smog in the Detroit area in 2023, a federal appeals court judge has ruled.

U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Helene White on Dec. 5 issued a split decision in a case about how environmental regulators measured Detroit air quality in 2022, when wildfire smoke drifted over Detroit and affected the air quality monitor readings for a few days in June.

Michigan considered those days “exceptional events” because of the wildfire smoke and didn’t include the high ozone pollution readings in its calculation to the EPA.

With those days tossed, the state was able to argue in 2023 that Michigan met federal air quality standards for ground-level ozone pollution. The seven-county Metro Detroit region had previously been out of compliance with the ozone standards.

MILWAUKEE – Ryan Ufko and David Edstrom scored goals for the Admirals, but they dropped a 4-2 decision to the Chicago Wolves on Saturday night at historic Panther Arena.

Big picture view:

The loss extended the Ads losing streak to five games.

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By the numbers:

The Wolves grabbed an early lead when Bradley Nadeau potted his ninth goal of the season 8:21 into the game.

David Edstrom and the Admirals league-leading power-play knotted the score at one with just under seven minutes to play in the frame. With the penalty winding down, Cole Hara’s shot from between the wheels was deflected in by Edstrom for his fifth tally of the year.

However, the Wolves would score two more to close out the frame, including one by Domonic Fensore with just 0.7 seconds left in the first.

Milwaukee would get one back during the second period courtesy of a Ryan Ufko power-play marker. Stationed in the high slot, Ufko took a feed from Daniel Carr and ripped a one-timer over the shoulder of Chicago netminder Amir Miftakhov.  

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The Ads pressed for the tying goal and had a 6-on-4 advantage late in the third period, but Chicago’s Justin Robidas scored an empty-netter to seal the deal for the Wolves.  

What’s next:

The Admirals will hit the road for their final three games before the Christmas break, beginning Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. against the Wolves. The Ads’ next home contest will be on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 6 p.m. against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Catholic Charities’ Minneapolis-based shelter is operating as a 24-hour warming center this weekend, in an effort to keep more people out of dangerously cold temperatures.

The Higher Ground Minneapolis shelter plans to stay open 24 hours a day until Monday or longer if temperatures remain low, according to Keith Kozerski, chief program officer at Catholic Charities Twin Cities, during an interview on Saturday.

“Starting yesterday afternoon, through the end of the weekend, we’ll be open 24/7 to make sure that our most vulnerable neighbors have someplace safe to be. That means we stay open, provide extra meals, and just support in social activities for people who otherwise would need to be out on the street,” Kozerski said.

Resident Maurice Harmon was among those seeking warmth and food on Saturday, and he emphasized the widespread need for assistance.

“From St. Paul to Minneapolis, there’s individuals that need the help, need the shelter, food, clean water, etc.,” said Harmon.

The more than 200-bed Higher Ground shelter has been operating above capacity well before the cold set in, Kozerski said.

“So last night, we were at our full, even over-capacity capacity, which was 10 mats on the floor… which isn’t the normal dignity we’d like to provide people, but it keeps them alive,” he said.

Catholic Charities also operates two day centers and the Dorothy Day Place shelter in St. Paul. All are experiencing similar capacity challenges, Kozerski said.

“They are. Everybody’s bursting at the seams.”

Asked what’s behind the influx in need, Kozerski said, “You know, I think it’s about really complex stuff. It’s about people that have chronically been homeless. It’s about people who are hitting this tough job market and are laid off and are experiencing homelessness for the first time … and we know that seniors are the fastest growing population within the homeless community.”

Harmon shared his perspective on the situation. “Different reasons that have brought us here, ” he said. “Others, mental health. It’s really bad. I see it a lot. … Some individuals don’t have family, like myself.”

Harmon also expressed concern about public perception of homelessness. “No. It’s, it’s gotten worse, in my opinion. But, like I said, there’s always room for improvement … Open hearts, open minds. Seriously. The world needs more of it,” he said.