| FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025 |
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In today's newsletter, getting ready for Michigan's next snowstorm, lame duck bills would be harder to pass under proposal to change Michigan Constitution and viral Gilmore Girls event returns to small Michigan town. |
Roses are red, violets are blue...we love Morning Briefing readers like you! 📰💗 |
It's officially Valentine's Day! I hope your Friday is full of love, kindness and appreciation. Today doesn't have to be reserved only for couples—take a moment to share a word of kindness to friends, family and coworkers. From a delicious charcuterie and cocktail pairing experience at 205 Coffee Bar in Holland to a Prohibition-era murder mystery event at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum in Muskegon, here's a round up of Galentine's Day activities in West Michigan. The Department of Natural Resources' Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is also hosting a Galentine’s Day Archery Games. If you're in Flint, celebrate the day with the latest edition of Flint’s Artwalk. There's still time to put together Valentine's Day date—these spots in Jackson County are serving steak, pasta, chocolate, specialty wines and more. Find a unique gift, whether it's antique jewelry or floral bouquet for that special someone, in Washtenaw County or check out these area events. |
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A variety of Valentine’s Day boxes are offered at Gilbert Chocolates, 233 N. Jackson St., on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. The chocolate shop prepares for Valentine’s Day, its busiest time of year. (Sydney Verlinde | MLive.com) |
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A migrant worker died after picking Michigan asparagus. His death fell through the cracks. |
Emilio Lopez Lopez sketched a house on a piece of paper. This is the home I’m going to build for our family, he told his wife in April 2020. The next morning, Lopez, 37, grabbed his bags and traveled 2,000 miles north to work in the United States. Four weeks later, Lopez started vomiting in a Michigan asparagus field. Three months after that, he died, presumably of kidney failure. What happened next: A state agency originally investigated Lopez’s sickness as possible pesticide exposure, but it couldn’t prove dangerous chemicals were to blame, according to a 453-page case report obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. A Michigan State University doctor who reviewed the case believes the death may have been heat related, but his opinion isn’t definitive either. Advocates say the death of Emilio Lopez fell through the cracks of a system with weak protections for farmworkers. In Michigan, an estimated 49,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers keep the state’s $104 billion agriculture industry humming. Lopez’s case offers a glimpse at the underbelly of this food system that relies on migrant workers to harvest produce and keep grocery shelves stocked. |
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Next snowstorm: 2-part storm, with wind this time |
Round two: The next round of accumulating snow for Lower Michigan starts as soon as late Friday. This coming storm will be a bit more complex and eventually turn into a windy, blowing snow situation Sunday. A light, steady, will spread across all of Lower Michigan Friday night into Saturday morning. The northern half of Lower Michigan will have an inch more snow than the southern half. Saturday will have off and on snow across the state. Take a look: MLive photographers braved the winter conditions around the state to document the snowfall in their communities from this week's snowstorm. Check out this gallery to see all photos. The snow system that blanketed Michigan Wednesday afternoon to that night behaved as planned. Here's a look at Wednesday's snowfall amounts. |
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Lame duck bills would be harder to pass under proposal to change Michigan Constitution |
In politics: It would be harder to pass partisan legislation during lame duck under a new proposal from House Republicans to change the state Constitution. The bill advanced Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the House would require a supermajority, a two-thirds vote, to pass any legislation during lame duck. By requiring a two-thirds vote during lame duck, the bill would prevent “rushed, politically motivated legislation from being pushed through by outgoing lawmakers who are no longer accountable to voters,” said bill sponsor state Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton Township. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has suggested a wholesale tax on marijuana products, similar to an existing tax on tobacco products, as a means to raise another $470 million to help fund road repairs. Sales and job numbers painted a picture of success for Michigan’s cannabis industry in recent years. But representatives say the market is oversaturated and prices are persistently low, resulting in revenue that can’t keep up with costs. Facing scrutiny: Both the city of Grand Rapids and Kent County could stand to lose state dollars if their current policies for cooperating with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement remain unchanged, according to new rules from Michigan House Republicans. |
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Police in Michigan tout more than 800 illegal guns seized through statewide initiative |
Off of the street: A statewide policing initiative involving the Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan State Police and local police agencies has led to the confiscation of more than 800 illegal guns. Efforts employed through Operation Safe Neighborhoods have led to more than 7,700 check-ins with felony offenders, leading to more than 800 illegal guns being taken off the street since the program’s inception in 2022, officials said. A judge ordered a competency exam for a mother charged with murder in a house fire she allegedly set that killed one of her three daughters. Roconda Singleton, stood quietly between her defense attorneys on Tuesday, Feb. 11, during a brief court proceeding. She is charged with felony murder after her 12-year-old daughter was killed in a house fire the mother allegedly set. A Michigan man has been charged after his wife died at a hospital days after being admitted with injuries caused by suspected domestic abuse. Michigan State Police in Gaylord say 74-year-old John Dominick Bromley attempted to gain access to the morgue where his wife was being held by impersonating a trooper but was unsuccessful. Bromley has been charged with domestic violence and vulnerable adult abuse. |
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Viral Gilmore Girls event returns to small Michigan town, this time for 3 days |
Save the date: The viral sensation that brought 40,000 Gilmore Girls fans to a small Michigan town is back and even bigger. Last September two megafans organized Destination Stars Hollow in Brighton. Event co-founders Kathleen London and Laura Boote announced the event will return this fall, this time stretched out over an entire weekend. Brighton will transform into Stars Hollow 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 and 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. On stage: The artists have been revealed for one of the biggest music festivals in the country, just a short road trip from Michigan. Hundreds of performers will play on 12 different stages at Summerfest 2025 in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin over three consecutive weekends: June 19-21, June 26-28, and July 3-5. Summerfest is an independent festival which takes place at a 75-acre park along Lake Michigan. On sale soon: Halsey is going on tour this year with one stop in Michigan. The Grammy nominated, multi-platinum recording artist will be at Pine Knob Music Theatre on Wednesday, June 11. Royal Otis and Sir Chloe will open for her. Tickets go on-sale Friday, February 21 at 10 a.m. |
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Thanks for starting your day with the Morning Briefing. I'm glad you're here. Stay in the know with the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a happy Valentine's Day! — Cara Hackett |
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