In today's newsletter, Mighty Mac contributes $193M to Michigan’s economy, Measles cases in the US are rising, and the Coast Guard no longer needs this historic U.P. lighthouse. |
All aboard Southwest Michigan's new trolley |
Visit Southwest Michigan is making summer days at the beach a bit easier by launching a free trolley. in St. Joseph that whisks riders from shopping and dining to the shore. The trolley runs 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Monday until Labor Day. Nothing beats a sweet treat after spending a few hours along the lakeshore. Check out these five ice cream shops that are within walking distance of Lake Michigan during your next beach day. Speaking of a refreshing treat, swing by Semifreddo in Grand Rapids to try the Italian-style frozen dessert this summer. Unlike traditional ice cream or gelato, semifreddo has a mousse-like texture and is served at a warmer temperature. |
|
|
St. Joseph's new Shop & Shore trolley drops visitors off for free at the resort town's beach and downtown. Each one-hour loop will stop at four places near attractions, shopping, dining, lodging and parking. (Photo Courtesy of Visit Southwest Michigan) |
|
|
Lake Michigan has had 18 drownings so far in 2025, 3 of them have been in Michigan |
Rough waters: In the first half of 2025, there have been 18 drownings in Lake Michigan. Of those, three have occurred in the waters off Michigan’s shoreline, according to the most recent statistics being shared by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. All the rest of the deaths have occurred in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, the data shows. The majority of the drownings have occurred in the waters off Chicago’s beaches. A father and son were playing catch on a Lake Michigan sandbar over the Fourth of July holiday weekend when everything went wrong, CBS News Chicago reports. David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, Ill., and Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport, Ill. were playing catch off the shores of Boater’s Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park before they both drowned. First responders did CPR for 30 minutes but neither man could be saved. David and Jameson Meneou are among 10 people who drowned in Lake Michigan and Michigan’s inland lakes and ponds over the holiday weekend. Police are investigating the death of an 11-month-old girl after she was found unresponsive after drowning at a residence in Mount Pleasant, according to officials with the Mount Pleasant Police Department. |
|
|
Mighty Mac is a tourist attraction all its own, contributing $193M to Michigan’s economy |
Bringing in money: A new study found the Mackinac Island Bridge is more than its good looks, it’s an economic engine for the Great Lakes State. The bridge’s operation, tourism and events contributed $193 million annually to the state’s economy in direct, indirect and induced spending, supporting 1,449 jobs, according to the economic outlook performed under a contract with Public Sector Consultants. Fixing the roads: County road agencies say progress in fixing local infrastructure has stalled as available state funding has forced them to shift to more short-term asset preservation. Class action lawsuit: The Michigan Court of Claims has approved class certification for residents and businesses affected by the 2020 dam collapse in mid-Michigan that led to flooding across the region and forced 10,000 people to evacuate their homes. A single trial—set for January 2026—will now replace what would have been thousands of separate cases. |
|
|
Measles cases in the US are higher now than they’ve been since the 1990s |
Measles on the rise: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the U.S. is currently experiencing its worst measles outbreak in more than 30 years, according to the Associated Press. Cases have been spreading in several states, including Michigan for months now. In 2000, the World Health Organization declared the disease had been eliminated in the U.S. That status could be revoked if the virus spreads nonstop for 12 months. Catherine’s Health Center, a Grand Rapids-based federally qualified health center is now offering full-time medical care at Mel Trotter Ministries, a rescue mission in downtown Grand Rapids that provides food, shelter and workforce development training for people experiencing homelessness. New hospital: McKenzie Health System has taken a major step toward building a new hospital in Sanilac County, receiving a letter of conditions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Program. |
|
|
Teen dead after homeowner shoots at group breaking into garage |
Fatal shooting: A 17-year-old is dead and another injured after a White Lake Township homeowner shot at seven people allegedly breaking into his detached garage around 1 a.m. Tuesday. The homeowner, alerted by a security system, fired several shots at the group, who then fled on foot. Justine Lofton reports Michigan law permits deadly force in self-defense when someone reasonably believes they face imminent danger of death or great harm. A Michigan State Police sergeant who accidentally shot herself while shopping at Costco was found not guilty of reckless use of a firearm. A jury acquitted Sgt. Kellie Gillam-Shaffer after her department-issued handgun discharged through her holster, purse, and hand when she was placing her wallet in her purse. Her attorney argued it was simply an accidental discharge, not recklessness, as Brad Devereaux reports. Prison mold lawsuit: A federal judge has ruled that Michigan's prison system is not protected by qualified immunity in a class action lawsuit over toxic mold at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility. The suit claims inadequate ventilation has created unhealthy conditions in the state's only women's prison, with inmates developing rashes and respiratory problems. Nathan Clark reports the Michigan Department of Corrections is appealing the decision to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. |
|
|
Free: Coast Guard no longer needs this historic U.P. lighthouse |
Free to a good home: The Keweenaw Waterway Upper Entrance Light is no longer needed by the U.S. Coast Guard, according to a notice from the U.S. General Services Administration. Under the federal disposal program authorized by the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, the lighthouse is available for park, recreational, educational, cultural or historic preservation purposes. Eligible entities – government agencies, nonprofits, and educational and community organizations – can apply for ownership transfer. Donations needed: A renovated trailhead and new bike park are in the works in the Upper Peninsula. Hancock, situated in Michigan’s northernmost peninsula, could be celebrating the opening of the new Creekside Trailhead and Bike Park in 2026, WLUC reports. For that to happen, the Hancock Trails Club is fundraising. The group needs to raise $50,000 by Aug. 6 to get a $50,000 match from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Coming soon: Vernors is about to come out with a new flavor of soda which won’t require you to add vanilla ice cream to its ginger ale to make a popular treat. The Michigan brand is releasing a limited-edition Boston Cooler flavor pop. |
|
|
Thank you for starting your day with the Morning Briefing. We will be back tomorrow with more news from around Michigan. In the meantime, you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. If you value the work of our journalists, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a great day! - 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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
Premium Access • 8 Reginal Online Newspapers Family Sharing • Ad Lite and more... |
|
|
$1 for 3 months (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
$1 for 3 months (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 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Contact us | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy |
|
|
|
