MICHIGAN (WLUC) – A new program will help Michigan organizations apply for environmental grants.

The Climate Justice Challenge sets aside up to $11 million to help communities apply for federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency.

If successful, community organizations could see $10 to $12 million in EPA funding.

Governor Whitmer’s chief infrastructure officer said the program allows Michiganders to take the lead in fighting climate change.

“As Michiganders living our lives every day, the opportunity is to not only meet our own climate goals, but to lead the world and help export our technology and create jobs right here in our home,” Chief Infrastructure Officer Zach Kolodin said.

Applications close July 1.

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LOWELL, Mass. — Jess Healey scored from the point late in the second period to lift Boston to a 4-3 win over Minnesota on Sunday night in the first game of the inaugural Walter Cup, the championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

The best-of-five series continues Tuesday. Game 1 drew 4,508 fans.

Healey, a defenseman who had one goal during the regular season, got her first playoff goal just 15 seconds after Minnesota’s Taylor Heise scored her second goal, tying it 3-3 with 2:50 left in the second period.

Boston goalie Aerin Frankel survived two power plays, 1 minute and 35 seconds of Minnesota pulling goalie Maddie Rooney for an extra attacker. and 13 shots in the third period. Frankel finished with 30 saves, and Minnesota came up empty on the only three power plays of the game.

Healy got the puck at the left point and she sent a high wrist shot through traffic over Rooney’s glove into the far, top corner.

“We’re just absolutely relentless,” Haley said. “This whole playoff stretch we’ve really shown that, we never gave up. We had a good response every time they got a goal.”

It was the fourth straight playoff win by one goal for third-seeded Boston, which swept second-seeded Montreal 3-0 with all three games decided in overtime.

Minnesota went on the power play just 10 seconds into the game and although that didn’t produce a goal, it set a tone for pressure that resulted in Michela Cava’s goal less than five minutes in.

Susanna Tapani, who had two of the overtime winners in the semifinals, scored the equalizer for Boston 2 1/2 minutes later.

That set the stage for a wild second period that featured five goals.

After Heise scored for Minnesota at 8:04, Taylor Wenczkowski and Hannah Brandt connected 2:21 apart, and Boston led 3-2 with 4:49 remaining in the period.

Heise tied it again about two minutes later but that just set the stage for Healey.

Rooney had 18 saves for Minnesota.

Both teams finished with 35 points in the regular season and didn’t secure a playoff berth until the closing days. Boston beat Minnesota three times in five games and had the tiebreaker for the third seed.

Minnesota won three straight to beat top-seeded Toronto 3-2 in the semifinals.

COLUMBIA, Missouri. (WOWT) – Omaha softball’s historic NCAA tournament run came to an end Sunday after two losses to regional hosts Missouri. The Mavericks entered the first regional final undefeated on the weekend, having defeated Mizzou on Friday and Washington on Saturday.

UNO all-time leader in strikeouts Kamryn Meyer started in the circle for Omaha for her third game in three days. The Mavericks took the lead in the bottom of the sixth after an overthrow to third by Missouri sent Marra Cramer home for the first run of the game.

With their season on the line, the Tigers surged back in the top of the seventh. Shortstop Jenna Laird grounded out but sent the tying run home. Missouri immediately followed up with a two-run home run off the bat of Alex Honnold. Missouri plated two more in the frame and went on to win the game, 5-1, forcing a winner-take-all game two.

Elkhorn native Sydney Nuismer stepped into the circle for Omaha with the program’s first-ever trip to a super regional on the line. The senior tossed eight scoreless innings with the Mavs’ dominant defense backing her up. Finally, in the bottom of the ninth, the game still scoreless, Missouri’s Madison Walker made contact and sent Honnold home from third to walk it off, 1-0.

UNO finished the program’s most successful season of the Division I era with an overall record of 43-15. The Mavs’ two NCAA Tournament wins in Columbia were also a program best.

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