Billboards popping up in Michigan slam national park cuts

• The billboards warn of the potential consequences of National Park Service layoffs, like longer waits, more trash and dirty bathrooms.

State of play: Some Michigan parks were hit by the Trump administration's purge of federal employees at national parks and forests, though we saw fewer cuts than other places like Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park.

• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore may not be able to handle its nearly 2 million visitors with less staff, and conservation projects could be compromised, a former park leader told Up North Live.

Zoom in: More than 20 of the group's 300 billboards are going up in Michigan.

• Locations include M-5 near the Grand River exit, I-75 near 14 Mile Road and by the intersection of Rochester and Wattles roads. The group is also targeting the Muskegon and Saginaw areas, and plans to keep its billboards up for about a month.

What they're saying: "Some elected officials and unelected billionaires would rather privatize or eliminate our public services," Faiz Shakir, executive director of More Perfect Union, said in a statement. Shakir, who ran Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, founded the pro-labor news outlet and its political advocacy arm shortly before the first Trump administration.

• "We believe strongly in the need for great public parks and outdoor spaces that all Americans can enjoy."

The other side: Interior Department spokesperson Katie Martin didn't address the DOGE cuts directly.

• "We are working hard to make this another great year for visitors so that everyone can enjoy the beauty and wonder of the treasured landscapes in our Parks across the country," says Martin. "Park employees nationwide are enthusiastically preparing for an exciting peak season, with a shared goal of delivering exceptional service and unforgettable park experiences."

Editor's note: This story was updated to include a statement from the Interior Department as well as a fuller description of More Perfect Union.