Michigan
‘Banished’ words of 2024 released by Michigan university, continuing tradition
- Earlier this week, Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie continued its decades-long tradition of banishing a list of popular words from the previous year.
- LSSU says it received more than 2,000 suggestions from 20 different countries.
- Landing at the top of the list this year is ‘hack.’
SAULTE STE. MARIE, Mich. (WJMN) – Certain words or phrases make their way into the modern vernacular. When used with high frequency, as iconic as some of the lingo may be, it can make your vocabulary seem a bit limited.
Regardless of how obsessed you are with today’s language, at the end of the day, one Michigan university would like you to stop using the cringe-worthy words and phrases on its latest annual list.
Earlier this week, Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie continued its decades-long tradition of banishing a list of popular words from the previous year.
To determine the words to be cut, nominations pour in. For the newest list, LSSU says it received more than 2,000 suggestions from 20 different countries. That is at least 500 more submissions than the previous year.
School officials previously explained the process to Nexstar’s WJMN. Anyone can submit a word or term they’d like to see banned. Then, the school’s English department decides which words will be banished.
Since 1976, more than 1,000 everyday terms have been banished – some more than once.
Last year, ‘GOAT’ topped the list. Before that, it was ‘Wait, what?’ To no real surprise, ‘COVID-19’ was banished in 2021. Kicking off 2020, ‘jelly’ was the top banished word — not the fruit spread, but the abbreviation of ‘jealous.’
Landing at the top of the list this year is ‘hack,’ which has become common-place to describe easy money-making methods (like side hustles, another word on the list this year), ways to order off ‘secret’ fast food menus, and, unfortunately, scammers. LSSU warns overusing hack in 2024 “could make it lose its magic.”
Here is LSSU’s full list of banished words for 2024. If you have to look up what any of them mean, you likely haven’t been using them too much.
- Hack
- Impact
- At the end of the day
- Rizz
- Slay
- Iconic
- Cringe-worthy
- Obsessed
- Side hustle
- Wait for it
The list of words and phrases, along with their explanations for banishment are available here.
‘At the end of the day’ was previously banished in 2022, as was ‘iconic’ in 2009.
Not everyone hates these words, though. Oxford University Press declared ‘rizz’ as its word of the year for 2023.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Michigan
117th annual Race to Mackinac takes off from Chicago’s Monroe Harbor
Saturday, July 11, 2026 2:48PM
CHICAGO (WLS) — Sailors are making their way from Chicago to Mackinac Island on Saturday morning.
The racing division of the Race to Mackinac took off from Monroe Harbor. The first sailors began their journey at 9 a.m.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The race, spanning over 300 miles into Michigan, brings sailors from all over the world to compete. The event is considered the longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world.
The Race to Mackinac is now on its 117th year and is the Chicago Yacht Club’s signature sailing event. This year, there are 2,000 sailors competing on 252 boats total.
The race’s unpredictable weather and shifting winds on Lake Michigan serve as a challenge for sailors. The event goes on, rain or shine.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Michigan
Michigan State Police rule out suspect in Electric Forest baby death investigation
ROTHBURY, Mich. — Michigan State Police (MSP) detectives shared some more information Friday about their investigation of the infant death at this year’s Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury.
Troopers recently received a tip about a Muskegon woman who was said to have information about the incident, but after interviewing her and completing other necessary investigative steps, MSP said they ruled her out as a suspect.
A restroom vending company employee at the festival found the body of a neonate, a newborn infant who is four weeks old or younger, in a portable restroom in the festival camping area on June 28, according to troopers.
The festival is hosted at the Double JJ Resort, which was locked down to anyone entering the following day as police surrounded the scene.
Troopers are asking for tips from the public at michigan.gov/michtip.
Michigan
Harmful algal blooms reported on 2 large West Michigan lakes
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Harmful algal blooms have been reported on two notable lakes in West Michigan: Gun Lake and Muskegon Lake.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy says cyanobacteria was reported on Muskegon Lake July 3, but no tests have confirmed it.
The Barry-Eaton District Health Department says a harmful algal bloom was confirmed Thursday on Gun Lake. The lake remains open, but the BEDHD is encouraging visitors to use caution and avoid water that has “visible algae.”
Visitors are encouraged to avoid any contact with water that appears bright green, blue-green, brown or red or has “floating mats of scum.”
Pets should also avoid the water. If they come into contact with the algae, pets should be rinsed off as soon as possible with clean, fresh water.
Exposure to algae can cause a rash or irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throat. It can also cause stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever and trouble breathing.
“If you become sick, contact your healthcare provider. Seek medical care right away if you have trouble breathing, severe vomiting, or other serious symptoms,” the BEDHD said in a statement. “If your pet was exposed, rinse them well with clean water and do not let them lick their fur until they have been washed. Contact your veterinarian right away if your pet has vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, trouble walking, excessive drooling, shaking, or seizures.”
Harmful algal blooms are powered by the sudden growth of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria occur naturally in lakes, rivers and ponds but is often boosted by a sudden excess of nutrients, often caused by fertilizer runoff from farms or failed septic systems.
They can last for several days and sometimes even months. The water will look “scummy” or like “spilled paint or pea soup.” They are typically found in the summer and fall — usually peaking in August or September and dying off by the end of October.
You can report a suspected harmful algal bloom to EGLE at AlgaeBloom@Michigan.gov or 1.800.662.9278.
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