200+ Michigan-owned dams are old and failing
In today's newsletter, Michigan will update old home building codes, Lions 2025 NFL draft grades and wrong turns lead to ‘secret detentions’ at Ambassador Bridge. |
Prom season is officially underway 💃 |
While eating dinner Friday night in downtown Grand Rapids, I watched from the window as high schoolers dressed in shimmering dresses and sharp suits took their prom photos. It had me reminiscing about my own prom adventure. I decided last minute that I was going to go to the dance. Within two days, I found a hairstylist (my cheer coach), a dress (my cousin’s from the year before) and a date. Turned out the boy who had given me his number when I took his order at Little Caesars months earlier was available. Simpler times. It’s almost paralyzing to think if I hadn’t made that eleventh hour decision, I may not have ever met my fiancé (spoiler alert: not prom boy). Of course, that invisible string story is for another day. You can catch all of our prom coverage from various schools around the state here. |
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Protesters wave across the Detroit River to a concurrent rally in Windsor, Ontario as they gather in support of US - Canada relations and in protest of the Trump administration at Hart Plaza in Detroit on Saturday, April 26 2025. (Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com) |
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A big dam problem: 200+ Michigan-owned dams are old and failing |
With roughly 210 under its care, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the largest single dam owner in Michigan. And most of those structures would qualify for a senior discount, already years past their expected design life and deteriorating by the day. Dozens have failed, per a state database. Officials estimate bringing the dams up with the times could run $300 to $500 million. Removing many of them is the goal, but that comes with its own hefty price tag and consequences. An update: Work on four mid-Michigan dams damaged or destroyed during historic 2020 flooding is expected to be completed over the course of the next two years, here's a timeline. More from the DNR: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be selling timber damaged in the March ice storm. |
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Michigan will finally update old home building codes. See you in court, builders say |
Michigan is poised to implement building codes requiring new homes make significant jumps in energy efficiency and finally modernizing rules that date back a decade — if they survive a legal attack from builders. The new residential building and energy codes advanced automatically on April 22, after a committee of lawmakers missed a deadline to intervene. But the codes face one last hurdle as they near the finish line of the bureaucratic adoption process that has already dragged on for more than three years. Homebuilders have pledged to sue the state to block them before they go into effect this summer, teeing up the potential of even more delays. To know: DTE Energy, Michigan’s largest electric utility, wants to raise electric rates by $574.1 million — the second biggest ask in more than two decades. |
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Trump threat to withhold K-12 funds over DEI leads Michigan, other states to file suit |
Michigan joined nearly 20 other states in filing a lawsuit against federal education authorities on Friday, April 25. The latest lawsuit from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel stems from Trump administration threats to withhold funding from state and local education agencies not agreeing to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. An attempt to encourage: More than 9,000 Michigan students have already entered a sweepstakes to win up to $50,000 by filling out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Also in education: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is raising its tuition prices by 4.7% ahead of the 2025-26 academic year. |
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Final Detroit Lions 2025 NFL draft grades: Hard-nosed picks draw mixed reviews |
The 2025 NFL draft is officially in the books, and per usual under general manager Brad Holmes, the Detroit Lions prioritized what they felt was important — even if it went against public perception. Here’s a roundup of draft grades from writers across the country and their opinions on the Lions’ 2025 draft class. Throughout most pre-NFL draft process, Michigan’s football program appeared to have three locks to go in the first round, and another considered to be a fringe first-round prospect. The Wolverines tied a program record with three players selected in the first 32 picks, but it wasn’t the same trio most experts originally expected. Representing the Broncos: Bilhal Kone is taking his talents to one of the most historically reputable defenses in the NFL. The Western Michigan defensive back was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday (No. 178 overall). |
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Wrong turns lead to ‘secret detentions’ at Ambassador Bridge, immigration advocates say |
A Guatemalan immigrant was heading to Costco with her two kids last month when she mistakenly followed directions to a store in Canada instead of Detroit. This wrong move landed Sarahi, who lawyers only identified with her first name, on the Ambassador Bridge where she was detained by immigration officials. Advocates say Sarahi’s experience reveals a new practice of Customs and Border Protection holding families, including those with children who are U.S. citizens, at bridge crossings for days at a time. And during these extended stays, they claim people are not listed in ICE’s detainee locator system and are unable to get legal counsel. More in public interest: The Michigan Supreme Court won’t settle a dispute over who gets a frozen embryo in a divorce. |
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Thank you for joining me on today's edition of the Morning Briefing. As always, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a good day! - Jamie Rewerts |
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