Lester Graham reports for The Environment Report at Michigan Radio and previously hosted Stateside on Fridays. He has reported on public policy, politics, and issues regarding race and gender inequity. He was previously with The Environment Report at Michigan Radio from 1998-2010.

He has been a journalist since 1985. Graham has served as a board member of the Public Radio News Directors Inc., and also served as President of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association. He is a member of the Radio-Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), Society of Professional Journalists and other professional groups.

Legislation would restore a portion of Michigan’s environmental protection act

Almost two decades ago, a Republican-majority Legislature and Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm struck a deal. The state’s environment agency would...

Water filter systems for hundreds of schools and daycare centers to be funded by grants

Hundreds of schools and day care centers will receive grants for water filters. The filters are to protect children from...

After decades, lake trout restored to sustainable levels in Lake Superior

Lake Superior’s top predator fish is at a sustainable population. The lake trout population has recovered to the point it...

MI and OH: Different strategies to reduce Lake Erie nutrient pollution

Michigan and Ohio are both struggling to reduce the fertilizer runoff getting into Lake Erie which feeds cyanobacterial blooms, also...

Retirements by water and wastewater plant operators are leading to workforce shortages

Across the U.S., drinking water and wastewater utilities are losing experienced workers at an escalating rate. It’s part of the...

UM study suggests long term exposure to air pollution could affect how independently seniors can live

New research from the University of Michigan links long term exposure to air pollution to how independently you are able to live...

Why are mallard duck populations falling in the Great Lakes region?

Two major studies are underway to try to better understand why mallard duck populations are declining in the U.S. Researchers...

State lawmakers consider taking away local authority to issue gravel mining permits

The Great Lakes region is blessed with an abundance of water. But water quality, affordability, and aging water infrastructure are...

Will Michigan farmers voluntarily help reduce phosphorus loading into Lake Erie?

The Great Lakes region is blessed with an abundance of water. But water quality, affordability, and aging water infrastructure are...

There’s More Than One Reason Monarch Butterfly Populations Are Declining

The monarch butterfly population has plummeted to 20% of what it was in the early 1990s, according to a nonprofit...

“Water Is Life” Is Theme of Day 1 of Protests to Shut Down Enbridge Line 5

I’m standing next to this little two-lane road in the country, and on one side is the pumping station that...

Plastic Debris Is Getting Into the Great Lakes, Our Drinking Water, and Our Food

There’s been a lot of news about the amount of plastic debris in the oceans. But, plastic pollution is also affecting the Great...