Bad air, heat in western Michigan; nervous farmers want rain

Experts are predicting unhealthy levels of ozone Thursday for certain areas in western Michigan.

State regulators say children and people with respiratory ailments should limit their exertion outside. A plume of Chicago air will be hitting counties along Lake Michigan, from Holland to Ludington.

Temperatures will be in the 90s in parts of Michigan through the weekend.

Some farmers say the combination of heat and scarce rain is hurting their crops. In the Lansing area, corn and soybean plants look stressed and may not catch up, even with normal rainfall.

George Silva of Michigan State University Extension tells the Lansing State Journal that crops “should be much bigger” at this time of year. Bob Gardner, who grows corn and soybeans in the Holt area, says he’s “nervous and distressed.”  (AP)