| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024 |
|
|
In today's newsletter, Kelly Clarkson surprises Michigan veteran family who lost their home twice, Gov. Whitmer endorses candidate to lead Michigan Democratic Party and Consumers Energy seeks to hike natural gas rates for Michigan customers by $248M. |
A winter warm up is on the way |
If you have been hoping for Mother Nature to deliver slightly warmer weather soon, you might be in luck. Right after Christmas, many Michiganders will experience afternoon temperatures in the 40s and even in the 50s. This would be up to 20 degrees warmer than normal. Speaking of the great outdoors, keep your eyes peeled for a snowy owl sighting. The Artic birds are making an "early-season push" as they travel south to the Great Lakes region this winter. The owls can typically be found in the Upper and Northern Lower Peninsulas but have also been spotted further south. Bird watchers can experience a special treat this season thanks to several species of finches flocking into Michigan this winter. Michiganders could see several species, including the purple finch, redpoll and evening grosbeak, according to the Department of Natural Resources. |
|
|
Warren, Michigan family surprised on "The Kelly Clarkson Show." (l-r) Treger Strasberg, Bella, Will Turner, Mya, Solomon, Andraya Turner, Kelly Clarkson. (Photo by Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal) |
|
|
19 Michigan hospitals are ‘best-in-state’ for 2025, per Newsweek |
Gaining recognition: Nineteen Michigan hospitals have made the cut for Newsweek’s 2025 list for America’s Best In-State Hospitals. Newsweek recently shared its 2025 list as way to help people find quality healthcare facilities across the country. Newsweek and Statista worked together to highlight 700 leading hospitals at the state level. Here are the hospitals that made Michigan’s list. Helping families: City funding will help provide $7,500 to 200 Kalamazoo families with new babies though a program called Rx Kids. All pregnant families in Kalamazoo will be eligible to receive a one-time $1,500 payment. Once the child is born, they’ll receive $500 a month through the infant’s first year, no strings attached. In public interest: A West Michigan office furniture manufacturer has committed to eliminating PFAS from most of its products by next year. MillerKnoll last week said all North American products will be free of any added per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances beginning in May 2025. |
|
|
Gov. Whitmer endorses candidate to lead Michigan Democratic Party |
| Gaining recognition: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has endorsed former state Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. in his bid to take the reins of the Michigan Democratic Party next year. Hertel officially announced Monday he was seeking to become chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, a position currently held by Chair Lavora Barnes. "We do not know what is coming": Ann Arbor officials are setting aside a $1 million contingency fund as they brace for potential negative impacts from Donald Trump becoming president again. The city is bracing for everything from possible cuts in federal funding to impacts on community organizations and social services and immigrant community members being targeted for deportation and in need of legal help. In court: A man arrested for threats he allegedly made outside a rally for Donald Trump was found competent to stand trial. Steve William Nauta faces four felony charges after he was denied entry to a Trump rally Sept. 27 at a metal panel manufacturer in Walker. Once he was turned away, Nauta allegedly showed police officers a bottle – he called it the “real deal” – and claimed it was C4. |
|
|
Consumers Energy seeks to hike natural gas rates for Michigan customers by $248M |
Raising bills: Michigan’s largest natural gas provider is seeking to hike customer rates by $248 million, a request that some consumer watchdogs say stands out in the context of recently approved bill increases. The ask would inflate residential bills some 12% over current levels if granted in full. After a “Herculean” fundraising effort, 35 acres of land on the shores of Lake Michigan and Betsie Bay have been purchased by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. The project in Elberta will result in a nature preserve, an expanded municipal park, a trail extension and economic development – and save this shoreline area from commercial development, officials said. Getting an upgrade: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently awarded an Ottawa County town two grants totaling $826,700 to fund improvements. The grants will be used at Park Township’s Winstrom Park and the new Community Park. Park Township is located on the Lake Michigan shoreline near Holland. |
|
|
Michigan man pleads guilty to hate crime after feds say he planned mass shooting of gay community |
In crime: A Michigan man has admitted to committing a hate crime after federal authorities accused him of attempting to carry out mass shootings at a political party headquarters as well as a gay bar in the Eastern District of Michigan. Mack Davis, 22, of Owosso, had obtained two guns, magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a crossbow and arrows and assorted bomb-making parts, according to the indictment. He inscribed one of the knives with an anti-gay slur. In court: A Saginaw man accused of torturing a woman, then keeping her body for days in a local hotel is to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before the case against him can proceed. Meanwhile, prosecutors are preparing to charge him with murder in the woman’s mysterious death. Sniffing it out: The Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools district has brought in two safety dogs, Rooster and Oakley, to frequent the halls of the district’s buildings for safety and emotional wellness. The dogs can detect narcotics, vapes, firearms and explosives. The Waterford-based safety dog company Zebra K9, has also partnered with seven other Michigan school districts. |
|
|
Kelly Clarkson surprises Michigan veteran family who lost their home twice |
Restored: Tragedy struck a Michigan veteran family after they lost their home not once, but twice in the span of four years. Kelly Clarkson helped surprise the parents and their three kids from Warren in Metro Detroit with an entire home makeover on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” The U.S. military also provided Will Turner, a combat veteran whose entire service records were also lost, with replacement medals and a flag. When T.I. dropped out of the 2024 National Cherry Festival lineup, it was accompanied by a promise to be part of the 2025 celebration. Now, it’s official. The rapper known for “Bring’Em Out” and other hits will perform Wednesday, July 2, on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage in Traverse City. One last time: Barry Manilow is returning to Michigan for two final concerts. The Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning musician has announced a handful of concerts for 2025. He is set to perform, what he says, will be his last concerts ever in both Grand Rapids and Detroit in June 2025. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 20 at 10 a.m. |
|
|
We will be back bright and early tomorrow with another round of the Morning Briefing. Until then, stay in the know with recent stories by catching the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. See you tomorrow! — Cara Hackett |
|
|
Ready for positive, feel-good coverage of life in the Mitten? Curated from our best travel, outdoor, food, entertainment, photos and videos - immerse yourself in the place we love and the place we call home. Explore new dining, cabin rentals or how to view the next meteor shower. Join MLive․com's Tanda Gmiter and the Life & Culture team every week. Your next adventure is waiting! Sign up here. There's one caveat: This is an exclusive newsletter for MLive.com's loyal subscribers. Not a subscriber? That's OK. You can receive a few weeks of the newsletter as a free trial. Click here to sign up. |
|
|
Subscribe today to get exclusive insights and bonus content from Detroit Lions writers Kyle Meinke, Benjamin Raven and Kory Woods. Dungeon of Doom is your home for entertaining and informative analysis and discussion of the Lions. Get your 14-day free trial and then keep the conversation going for only $4.99 per month. |
|
|
WANT TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH A FRIEND? |
Did someone share this newsletter with you? Click here to never miss a day! |
|
|
To contact the newsrooms for any of our publications regarding technical support, news tips, classified ads and other inquiries, please click here. |
|
|
Unlimited Digital Access. |
|
|
$5 for first month (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
$5 for first month (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING
OR SPONSORING OUR NEWSLETTERS? |
|
|
You received this email because you opted in to the newsletter. To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive.com to your address book or safe sender list. MLive Media Group 169 Monroe NW #100Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Contact us | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy |
|
|
|
