Plus, Halloween weather in Michigan is just a touch scary

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Morning Briefing

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2024

In today's newsletter, a look at early voting turnout in Michigan, a storm system moves in this week and Michigan utilities get high marks for cutting energy use, saving customers $1.4B.

It's never too early to start getting ready for the holidays 

October is still holding strong with two days left but some folks are already getting into the holiday spirit. During last night's grocery run, I noticed my local store shelves fully stocked with DIY gingerbread houses and snowflake shaped Ritz crackers. Back at home, my mom was readying her army of Santa Claus themed nutcrackers along the fireplace. 

 

For those getting a jump start on making their lists and checking it twice for seasonal events, consider visiting Holland. Sinterklaas, the Dutch figure based on Saint Nick, will return to downtown Holland on  Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 to bring in the Christmas season. 

 

The Junior League of Ann Arbor is also getting into the holiday spirit with the return of their annual poinsettia fundraiser that runs until November 13. Proceeds will go toward funding civic leadership training for women and continuing community projects throughout Washtenaw County.

Curated by Cara Hackett

A sign promoting early voting outside Ann Arbor's city hall.

A sign promoting early voting outside Ann Arbor's city hall at the start of early voting for the 2024 presidential election on Oct. 26, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) 

 

Early voting surges across Michigan as presidential election approaches

Votes are rolling in: As of Monday, Oct. 28, nearly 25% (1.77 million) of Michigan’s registered voters have already cast an in-person or absentee ballot for the Nov. 5 election, per the state voting dashboard. Absentee voting began Sept. 26. Take a look at early voting numbers in Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. 

 

Donors: Seven members of the billionaire DeVos family contributed $2 million to America PAC – a political action committee started by Elon Musk to support Donald Trump’s Republican presidential campaign. 

 

Making an appearance: Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz spoke at an Ann Arbor rally Monday night, along with a performance by musician Maggie Rogers.

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Halloween weather in Michigan just a touch scary

A storm system is going to move through Michigan Wednesday night through Halloween. It currently looks like the brunt of the wet weather with this storm system will occur during the first half of Thursday, possibly leaving the trick-or-treat time mostly dry for Lower Michigan. Northern Michigan will have steady rain in the morning that tapers off in the afternoon. The Upper Peninsula will be fairly wet into Halloween evening.

 

On the warmer side: Get your tropical shirts back out for a few days. It looks like a majority of Lower Michigan cities will have record heat for Tuesday and Wednesday with temps nearing 80 degrees. Some Upper Peninsula cities will also have record warmth. 

 

Drying out: With the long-lasting dry weather, now almost all of Michigan is in some level of abnormal dryness or drought. Every county in Michigan except for Muskegon County—thanks to a historic 4.43 inch rainfall in the county on Sept. 24—has some ranked level of dryness. Here’s the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map.

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Man who posed as DTE worker in alleged murder extradited to Michigan, denied bond

One of the two men accused of killing Rochester Hills resident Hussein Murray has been extradited back to Michigan and arraigned on multiple charges. Carlos Hernandez, 37, of Dearborn, appeared in court Friday and was formally charged with one count of felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment.

 

Doctor charged: A Michigan doctor is accused of taking part in a multi-million-dollar scheme to illegally sell and divert expensive prescription cancer drugs. Dr. Naveed Aslam, 51, of West Bloomfield allegedly acquired and sold more than $17 million in prescription cancer drugs, and personally profited more than $2.5 million. 

 

Also in crime: A Saginaw Township man has received a probationary term and been ordered to pay $1,035 in fines and costs for threatening gun violence on those who would remove his errantly placed political signs.

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Michigan utilities get high marks for cutting energy use, saving customers $1.4B

Cutting costs: Michigan's utilities are earning praise after implementing energy conservations programs for residents. Utilities spent more than a half-billion dollars on measures aimed at cutting Michigander's electricity and natural gas use in 2023. The crackdown on energy waste is expected to net customers $1.4 billion in savings, according to a new report released by Michigan regulators. For every dollar spent on efficiency, customers see $2.54 in benefits, it found.

 

Upwards of 4,000 acres of forest and farmland in Southeast Michigan are expected to be preserved under conservation easements that will be purchased with nearly $25 million in coming federal cash. 

 

Cost burdened: Almost half of Kalamazoo County renters and 20% of homeowners with a mortgage are spending too much on housing costs, according to recently released 2023 Census figures. Home price hikes are outpacing income gains in Kalamazoo County, making housing more unaffordable each year.

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Dan Campbell offers Aidan Hutchinson update after Lions star spotted at game

On the mend: Aidan Hutchinson is in the early stages of his rehabilitation from a broken tibia and fibula. But the star Detroit Lions pass rusher was spotted in a box at Ford Field during the team’s 52-14 win over the Tennessee Titans, drawing a massive roar after pumping up the crowd. Dan Campbell said Hutchinson is around the team and the players while he rehabs from his injury.

 

Off the field: Jack Tuttle, after seven seasons and multiple injuries, says he’s done playing football. The journeyman quarterback who spent the last two seasons at Michigan announced his plans to retire Monday, revealing that he recently suffered his fifth concussion and continues to struggle in his recovery from elbow surgery.

 

Aftermath: Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller asked the Big Ten to review what happened in the postgame altercation on the field at the end of Saturday’s loss at Michigan. The incident was the latest example of bad blood and second straight postgame altercation between the teams in

Ann Arbor.

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That's all for now.

We'll be back tomorrow with more top stories from around Michigan. 

 

Until then, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber.

 

See you later!

 

— Cara Hackett

 

OTHER TOP STORIES

 

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  • You can actually watch ‘Halloween’ with Michael Myers actor on Halloween night
 

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