Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI)

"MUSKEGON, Mich. — Scientists say an invasive European snail that carries parasites fatal to some aquatic birds is spreading across the Great Lakes region."

"Road salt is a big help to roads and sidewalks in the winter, but it wreaks havoc in many streams in the northern United States, including Milwaukee."

"Environmental groups in Wisconsin are suing the state’s Department of Natural Resources, claiming that the agency hasn’t done its job in implementing recent federal air pollution regulations."

"The federal government’s big-money commitment to restoring the Great Lakes is now almost certain to continue another five years thanks to House passage Tuesday of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative of 2014."

"Iron Range miners show higher than expected rates of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and a rare cancer known as mesothelioma — but it's not clear if taconite ore is what's making them sick."

"SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. -- A fine layer of gray dust coats nearly every surface in the parts of this Southwest Indiana town nearest the Bear Run Mine, the largest surface coal mine east of the Mississippi."

"Western New York state braced for a fresh wave of heavy snow on Wednesday after a freakish storm swept off the Great Lakes and deposited 5 feet (1.5 meters) of powder in parts of the region, killing at least six people and stranding motorists overnight."

"The 'beneficial reuse' of coal ash, often touted as a way to keep the material out of landfills, is potentially causing serious contamination of drinking water in southeast Wisconsin and possibly across the state, according to a report released today by Clean Wisconsin."

"Creepy critters are leaching onto the gills of Wisconsin's brook trout and choking off their oxygen, stoking fears in anglers that the iconic fish may be on the outs in many streams."