The ruling sides with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration

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Morning Briefing

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2023

In today's newsletter, Michigan trust fund awards $27M for 53 recreation projects, drivers are picking phones back up and some of Michigan's Best Local Eats.

Welcome back!

I hope you all had a joyful Christmas surrounded by loved ones.

 

Did you get a special gift? Maybe the Detroit Lions defeating the Minnesota Vikings and clinching their first division title in 30 years was a big enough gift for us all. 

 

Let's get you caught up in the news world.

Curated by Jamie Rewerts

A large tree made out of poinsettias in a greenhouse

The annual poinsettia tree by the Michigan State University Department of Horticulture is on display now through early January 2024 in the Conservatory of the Plant and Soil Sciences Building. The 2023 tree is "classic red."

(Photo provided by Derrick L. Turner | Michigan State University)

Michigan’s income tax cut won’t be permanent in 2024, judge rules

Michigan Court of Claims Judge Elizabeth Gleicher ruled Thursday, Dec. 21 the income tax rate can revert back to a default 4.25% on Jan. 1, 2024 after it was lowered to 4.05% due to an increase in state revenue.

 

The ruling sides with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, arguing the tax cut was temporary in response to a lawsuit that claimed it should be permanent.


More in politics: Efforts to extend Michigan’s sex assault statute of limitations are stalling
.

Read more

Michigan trust fund awards $27M for 53 recreation projects

Getting a piece of the pie: More than $27.3 million in grant awards will enhance recreation across Michigan in 2024.

 

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund recently announced 53 grant winners. The projects include land acquisitions to add to or create recreational areas and developments at established recreational sites.

 

On top: Two major up-north land conservation efforts received the largest grant awards. Those big land preservation projects include new parkland in Grand Traverse County and more state forestland in Cheboygan County.

 

Checking in: Have you wondered what’s the status of the 3 multibillion-dollar EV projects in Michigan? We have some answers for you.

Read more

Michigan drivers picking phones back up 5 months after new law

This summer, Michigan made it illegal to hold and/or manually use mobile electronic devices while operating a vehicle


From the month before then, to the month after, Michigan’s phone motion per hour dropped from 1:48 to 1:35. Things improved again during the second month (1:33) before climbing each of the next three months back up to 1:40 five months later.

 

An update: A Flint man previously convicted of killing two boys in Lapeer County and who was improperly released from state prison earlier this month is eligible for parole but is not subject to immediate release, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections.


More in crime: Twelve-year-old saliva remnants on a Marlboro cigarette butt may help prosecutors convict 42-year-old Chadwick Mobley of murder.

Read more

 

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Michigan State shows potential with impressive December win streak

The Spartans achieved a season-long three-game win streak and the satisfaction of heading into an eight-day Christmas break playing their best basketball of the season after a 99-55 win over Stony Brook.

 

Over the weekend: Michigan State freshman guard Jeremy Fears. Jr suffered a non-life threatening injury to his leg after being shot on Friday night near his hometown of Joliet, Illinois.

 

For football: Here are MLive’s predictions for every bowl game, including Michigan-Alabama.

Read more

Diving into some of Michigan's Best Local Eats

Yum: Big sandwiches and soups make new Murphy’s Bistro a lunch go-to spot in downtown Jackson, Two Cups of Joe touts elevated American cuisine at a reasonable price in Muskegon and weighing a pound and a half, the Carrot Cake at Ann Arbor’s Village Kitchen fills you up.

 

Feeling hungry yet? The crab rangoon is made in-house at family-owned Pierce Road Bar & Grill in Saginaw. Ski’s Sub Shop offers the "best lunch deal" in Grand Rapids. Lastly, Boonzaaijer customers mourn end of an era, as 62-year-old Kalamazoo bakery closes its doors.

 

Wishing a happy retirement: After two decades of promoting Pure Michigan, it’s David Lorenz’s turn to enjoy it.

Read more

 
 

Welcome to a short week.

I appreciate you joining me today on this edition of the Morning Briefing.

 

Holiday or not, you can always catch the latest news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber.

 

Have a good week!

 

— Jamie Rewerts

 

OTHER TOP STORIES

 

  • Huge luxury suites with views of Lake Michigan now open for Up North vacationers

  • West Michigan school district decides to keep 8 books on library shelves after review

  • Trump pressured Wayne County canvassers to not certify 2020 election

  • Gas station near Detroit Metro Airport ordered to cease alleged price gouging

  • Michigan’s top 10 baby names of 2023
 

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