SooLeader.com

Erika Laitinen-Odbert is a teacher for Ojibwe Language and Life Skills 7 & 8, a lifelong resident of Sault Ste. Marie, and a proud graduate of Sault High, Bay Mills Community College, and Northern Michigan University. She is in her sixth year with Sault Area Public Schools and third year as a classroom teacher. Outside the classroom, she teaches dance at Allure Dance Company. When she's not teaching, she stays busy as a proud sports mom to two wonderful children.

NEWS RELEASE MICHIGAN STATE POLICE ************************ As communities across the state continue to recover from historic spring severe weather, tornadoes, and flooding, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared September as Preparedness Month in Michigan and the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is encouraging residents to take steps to prepare for emergencies by completing an emergency preparedness plan.

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — Lindsay Clancy's trial judge declared a mistrial Friday after an emergency defense appeal was denied. Judge William Sullivan ended the trial after jurors on Friday sent a note for a third time saying they couldn't unanimously decide whether to hold her criminally responsible for killing her three young children in 2023.

The U.S. Treasury announced Friday it has imposed sanctions on the Turkish bank Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi, as part of the Trump administration’s latest effort to sever “critical financial lifelines” for the Iranian government.

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — A judge declared a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial on Friday after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict on whether she was criminally responsible for killing her three young children. The mistrial, on the seventh day of deliberations, leaves the case unresolved and allows prosecutors to take the 36-year-old former labor and delivery nurse to trial again. Neither Clancy, her family nor the jury showed any emotion as the judge announced the mistrial.

The Chippewa County Fair in Kinross continues through this weekend with several events scheduled, including Stock Car racing tonight and the Dafter Mud Runs Saturday night. Click here for all the events. On Thursday, the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) held its annual Uniquely Able Day (formerly Special Needs Day), where special needs participants and their families rode several Skerbeck amusement rides from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for free with no lights or music.

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer was ordered released from federal custody Friday after pleading not guilty to lying to investigators about the circumstances that led to the shooting of a Venezuelan man during the Minnesota immigration crackdown last winter. The federal indictment accuses Christian Castro of falsely telling investigators that he was attacked with a broom and shovel before he opened fire, injuring Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in January.

Jerry Lee Murdick Sr., age, 80, of DeTour Village, Michigan, died on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital. He was born on December 30, 1945, in Port Huron, Michigan, to Issac James and Iva Jesse (Fisher) Murdick. Jerry entered the United States Navy at the age of 17 and proudly served his country. He married Lillian Pritzkow on October 8, 1966, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — Lindsay Clancy's trial judge said he was going to declare a mistrial Friday before suddenly changing course and allowing an emergency defense appeal. Judge William Sullivan’s stunning move came after he announced in court that jurors on Friday sent a note for a third time saying they couldn't unanimously decide whether to hold her criminally responsible for killing her three young children in 2023.

NEWS RELEASE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS *********************** Update on Upcoming Outflows and Expected Conditions – September 2026 The Board expects the total St. Marys River flow in September to be 2,340 m3/s (82,600 ft3/s) as prescribed by Regulation Plan 2012. This flow is near the long-term average for the month of September.