In today's newsletter, severe storms hit Southwest Michigan, a state deputy dives off of I-94 to before it hits his patrol car and where to see a real Ghostbuster in Michigan. |
Peacocks, okapis and otters, oh my! |
From the staff at Potter Park Zoo celebrating the birth of a ring-tailed lemur for a third year in a row to the Detroit Zoo mourning the loss of a beloved river otter, it's been an eventful time for zoos across Michigan. The Potter Park Zoo in Lansing is also welcoming the arrival of Elombe, a five-year-old male okapi. Often referred to as the “forest giraffe” due to its long neck and striped legs, the okapi is a close relative of the giraffe. It is native to the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. In Oak Park, residents spotted a peacock strutting around their neighborhood after it recently flew away from the Detroit Zoo. The zoo confirmed that the peacock has returned and is under observation. Zoo officials say that the peafowls are free-ranging and will occasionally fly outside of the property during breeding season. |
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The partially collapsed FedEx building in Portage after the reported tornado and thunderstorms from Tuesday, May 7. (Photo by Bradley Devereaux, MLive.com) |
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| Whitmer declares state of emergency for Southwest Michigan after likely tornadoes hit |
Aftermath: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for four Southwest Michigan counties after at least two confirmed tornadoes ripped through the area. Strong storms and reported tornadoes rolled across the area Tuesday evening, leaving thousands without electricity and some mobile homes destroyed. Initial damage reports from the storm show partially collapsed buildings, fallen trees and downed power lines, officials said. A reported tornado caused major damage at the FedEx facility in Portage, causing a partial collapse and sending debris flying. The collapse caused 50 people to be trapped in the building until downed power lines could be removed, officials said. Staying safe: Portage city leaders are asking residents in areas where suspected tornadoes caused damage to stay at home Wednesday. The Portage Public Schools will be closed. The Salvation Army has set up two shelters for displaced residents at First Assembly of God, 5550 Oakland Drive and at Radiant Church, 995 Romence Road. |
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Expansion of Michigander Scholars program to Flint, Detroit strives to keep graduates in state |
Staying in MI: The Michigander Scholars, a first-of-its-kind scholarship program by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, was designed to keep local talent in Michigan after graduation while also meeting a recruitment need for major industries. The program recently expanded to include Kettering University and Wayne State University. Students receive $5,000 to $10,000 scholarships if they complete a co-op or internship and accept a full-time position as a computer, electrical or process engineer or software developer at a Michigan company. Looking up: Jackson College’s new Astronomical Observatory will be open for public viewing nights from May and until the end of July, college officials said in a news release. Viewing parties will take place from 9 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday nights, weather permitting. |
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Michigan deputy dives off I-94 before teen driver crashes vehicle into his patrol car |
Move over: A sheriff’s deputy was forced to dive out of the path a vehicle before it smashed into his patrol car in Macomb County. Both occupants of the vehicle that crashed into the patrol car, an 18-year-old male and a 19-year-old male, both from Port Huron, were both transported to an area hospital.The driver did not show signs of impairment, deputies said. In court: Having rejected a plea offer, a controversial Michigan State Police trooper is two months away from trial on charges that he assaulted a Saginaw civilian for jaywalking. Yet before a jury will hear the case, the trooper’s alleged victim has filed a five-figure lawsuit against him and another trooper. In crime: A defendant convicted of shooting another man in the face, killing him instantly at a Flint apartment complex, said he didn’t mean to kill the man before being sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for second-degree murder. |
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Lions giving second chance to player suspended over gambling violations |
Another chance: After serving a yearlong suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy, safety C.J. Moore is getting a second chance in Detroit, signing a one-year deal with the Lions according to NFL Network. New team: Dusty May and his new Michigan men’s basketball coaching staff have assembled an (almost) complete roster from close to nothing. How did they do it? More than 1,000 players entered the transfer portal this spring. For the most part, May and his staff did not rely on statistics or analytics to help sort through the data. They leaned on prior relationships. More playing time: Rookie Wenceel Perez will get the “lion’s share” of playing time after Parker Meadows was demoted, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday. |
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‘Gothic Invasion’ coming to Michigan’s Adventure this summer |
Goth meet-up: A swarm of people dressed in their gothic best will be making their way to Michigan’s Adventure next month. The Darkness Underground, an Illinois-based gothic event group, is inviting people to participate in the inaugural Gothic Invasion at Michigan’s largest amusement park in Muskegon on Sunday, June 30. In Detroit: You can be among the first people in the world to see the restoration of one of Michigan’s most majestic buildings. Shuttered since 1988, the once-abandoned Michigan Central Station will reopen on Thursday, June 6, following a years-long restoration by Ford Motor Company. In theaters: One of the original Ghostbusters, Ernie Hudson, will return to his home state of Michigan for a screening of the 1984 movie. The “Ghostbusters” screening will feature a question and answer session with Hudson at the Emagine Novi on Friday, May 17. |
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Thank you for joining me on today's edition of the Morning Briefing. Find the latest Michigan news all day long at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. I hope you experience something positive today. — Cara Hackett |
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