In today's newsletter, a look at safety grades for Michigan hospitals, Michigan State fires athletic director Alan Haller, and Huron River polluter Tribar fined $200k for 2022 hexchrome spill. |
Tulip Time is finally here🌷 |
Holland's 96th annual Tulip Time kicks off today and runs through Sunday, May 11. From celebrating Dutch culture to taking photos with millions of tulips as a backdrop, there are plenty of things experience throughout the festival. Grab your wooden clogs, Dutch Dancing is back for its 90th year as a hallmark event of Tulip Time. The lineup for the 2025 festival includes traditional Dutch Dance performances, Dutch Dance Lessons, a Dutch Lunch and Style show. A new De Familiedans or family dance will happen this year for parents with young children. The Tulip City Open pickleball tournament returns this year as a newer addition to festival lineup. Nearly 300 players are expected to play in the competition that benefits Gateway Missions. |
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Scenes from the 95th Tulip Time Festival in downtown Holland on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) |
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Safety grades: 24 Michigan hospitals earn ‘A’ while 3 get failing marks |
Patient safety ratings: Michigan moved up five spots nationally with nearly 30% of its hospitals earning an “A” grade for patient safety in the latest round of assessments. Twenty-four hospitals earned the top grade during The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2025 evaluations. That was good for 24th in the nation, according to a report published Thursday, May 1, by the nonprofit hospital watchdog. Earning the state’s only failing grades were three Detroit Medical Center hospitals, which join the nation’s bottom 1% of assessed health centers. Three Detroit-area hospitals were among the lowest 1% of U.S hospitals in patient safety this spring. Detroit Medical Center’s Detroit Receiving and Sinai-Grace hospitals each received their second consecutive “F” for patient safety, according to the report. DMC’s Harper University Hospital flipped from a “C” last spring, to a “D” in the fall, before picking up an “F” on its spring 2025 report card. Also in healthcare: Three Planned Parenthood locations in Jackson, Petoskey, and Marquette are now permanently closed, according to an announcement from the Planned Parenthood of Michigan. Two clinics in Ann Arbor will be consolidated by May 5. |
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25% pay raise for Michigan governor, lawmakers recommended. Here’s what they make now |
Pay bump: A state commission has recommended the governor, lawmakers and other elected state officials get a 25% pay raise, but they’re not likely to get it. For the raises to go into effect, the House and Senate must approve them. House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said that isn’t going to happen. Here’s what the state’s elected leaders currently make each year and how much they’d make if the increases were approved as recommended. In the auto industry: The impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs could cost General Motors up to $5 billion this year. In a letter issued to shareholders Thursday, the Detroit-based automaker lowered its 2025 profit projections to reflect the anticipated impact of the tariffs. Unprecedented lawsuit: The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday filed lawsuits against Hawaii and Michigan over their planned legal action against fossil fuel companies for harms caused by climate change, claiming the state actions conflict with federal government authority and President Donald Trump’s energy dominance agenda. |
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Michigan State fires athletic director Alan Haller after short tenure |
MSU Athletic Director fired: Michigan State University has dismissed Athletic Director Alan Haller after less than four years in the position. University President Kevin Guskiewicz announced the change, with Haller's last day set for May 11. Basketball coach Tom Izzo and deputy AD Jennifer Smith will serve as co-interim directors while a search is conducted, reports Matt Wenzel. In recovery: A Northern Michigan community has rallied around high school golf team members who were injured in a head-on crash with a stolen vehicle last weekend. A GoFundMe campaign has so far raised more than $213,000. The funds will help with medical costs related to injuries sustained in the crash by seven student-athletes and their coach, the campaign said. Moving on: Veteran left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin opted out of his minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers and signed a big-league deal with the Washington Nationals on Thursday, Evan Woodbery reports. |
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Huron River polluter Tribar fined $200k for 2022 hexchrome spill |
Huron River pollution fine: Auto supplier Tribar Technologies has been sentenced to pay a $200,000 federal criminal fine for releasing 10,000 gallons of toxic wastewater containing hexavalent chromium into the Huron River system in 2022. Garret Ellison reports the company must also pay restitution to Ann Arbor, serve probation, and implement new environmental protocols. Local watershed advocates criticized the penalty as "incredibly low" compared to the lasting damage caused to communities and businesses that rely on the river. Vandalism at nature preserve: "Misguided environmentalists" spray-painted slogans and damaged equipment at Bow in the Clouds preserve in Kalamazoo, delaying a trail improvement project. The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy must now pay for security while the contractor repairs equipment. Audrey Whitaker reports the project aims to create accessible trails while protecting old oak trees. Aging dams: Michigan's Department of Natural Resources owns over 200 dams that are deteriorating, with an average age of 62 years and a potential $500 million price tag to fix them. The agency lacks resources to maintain these structures, which are increasingly failing during severe storms. Lucas Smolcic Larson reports that while Governor Whitmer has proposed $15 million to address the issue, officials call it "a drop in the bucket" compared to the need. |
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Looking for hidden treasures? Find 70 miles of deals at this Michigan garage sale |
Finding a deal: Thrifters and bargain hunters are invited to the M-15 corridor this weekend as residents from Bay City to Clarkston prepare to offer deals. Spanning a total of approximately 70 miles, this year’s M-15 Garage Sale will take place on Saturday, May 3, and thousands of shoppers are expected to participate in this year’s event. Go fish: With several prime fishing seasons underway, now is the perfect time to cast a line at your favorite Michigan fishing hole. The Farmer’s Almanac has predictions about the best days to get out on the water. Coming to Michigan: Ahmed Best, who voiced and performed motion capture for the controversial character Jar Jar Binks in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy, will appear at Motor City Comic Con in Novi on May 16-18. Best will join other notable guests including Martin Sheen, Jeremy Renner, and Christina Ricci, reports Edward Pevos. |
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Let's get the weekend started. |
Thanks for starting your day with the Morning Briefing. I'm glad you're here. As always, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. See you on Monday! - Cara Hackett |
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