Morning Briefing: Year in review

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Morning Briefing

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022

In today's newsletter, we take a look back at the world of Michigan news in 2022 with top stories, videos and more.

To round out 2022, we are sharing the stories that made an impact on you this year.

This is the final Morning Briefing of 2022, so it seems appropriate to look back at the year in news. Below in today's newsletter, you will find an array of stories that spoke to MLive readers. Perhaps you will remember these stories as you scroll on.
When I think back on 2022, what comes to mind first is the heartbreaking story of Breanna Sharp. My colleague Gus Burns spent years trying to piece together what happened to the 13-year-old girl who was randomly found dead in a stairway months after she disappeared with seemingly no one looking for her. Gus allowed me to help tell Breanna's story this year in a four-part Michigan Crime Stories podcast. I will never forget his hard work to bring her story to light, and I will certainly never forget her name.
While it is a somber way to start this look back, this is the kind of impactful journalism that I know my MLive colleagues will continue to bring us in the new year. I'm honored to highlight their important work here each weekday in the Morning Briefing.

Curated by Jessica Shepherd

One of my favorite stories of the year just published yesterday. Reporter Rose White and photographer Joel Bissell visited one of Michigan's only remaining 24-hour diners to check out the crowd at 4:30 a.m. (Photo by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

These stories were MLive's most-read headlines in 2022.

19-hour Amtrak ride:Back in early October, passengers stuck on an Amtrak train said there was no electricity, heat, bathrooms or food during a roughly 19-hour journey from Pontiac to Chicago. Many of them fled the train before it even reached its destination.

Triple Dip La Niña: As we approached winter, MLive Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa told us that this winter would include a triple dip we hadn't seen since 2001. But what does that mean? Mark explained it all.

The best place to retire:Over the summer, Traverse City was listed number one in a ranking of the 10 best and most affordable places to retire in the United States. Realtor.com puts Traverse City at the top of the best places people should consider when looking to live out their golden years "without draining their savings."

Read more

Our subscribers gravitated toward education content this year.

Michigan vs. Michigan State: The most popular story of 2022 for MLive subscribers was a look at the differences between Wolverine fans and Spartan fans, from education to income and more.

SAT scores: Another top story for subscribers included the SAT scores for every school district in Michigan. A cluster of school districts in metro Detroit have some of the highest average SAT scores in Michigan, although there are strong districts sprinkled throughout the state. See the numbers for every district here.

Higher education enrollment: MLive's Matt Miller focused heavily on what is going on with Michigan's public universities in 2022. For instance, he shed light on how these schools are accepting almost everyone as enrollments have dropped.

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Michiganders are passionate about the great outdoors every year.

A very valuable mineral buried beneath Michigan: Readers could not get enough of this story about a deposit of potassium-rich salt now buried 8,000 feet deep. Underneath all that rock and soil could lie a billion-dollar industry for Michigan.

Animal sightings: Readers are really into stories on interesting wildlife spotted in the state. Many of you read this story on a one-in-a-million white "spirit bear" that popped up in the Upper Peninsula. Another sighting that got plenty of attention ended up being a case of mistaken identity.

We're No. 1! Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is the "most beautiful" state park in the United States – and the one that’s growing the most in popularity, according to a recent study.

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Let's look back at the year in sports, shall we?

Wolverine football: Yes, the team's trip to the College Football Playoff semifinal (looking forward to tomorrow's game!) has been big news. But it wasn't the most-read topic when it comes to team. Incidents in the tunnel at the Big House caught the attention of readers. First with Penn State and then with Michigan State.

Stafford gets a Super Bowl win: Veteran QB Matt Stafford finally got a trip to the Super Bowl — and a win — after leaving Detroit and heading to Los Angeles. Stafford got a bunch of support from Michiganders and was quick to thank those back in Detroit for their positivity.

Podcasts: It was a great year for sports podcasts here at MLive. Late in 2021 Kyle Meinke and Ben Raven started their Lions podcast Dungeon of Doom. In 2022, the podcast has really hit its stride with expert analysis and insightful interviews. Our Wolverine Confidential podcast, one of our longest-running podcasts, continues to provide the latest on all UM sports. And Spartan Confidential is still bringing you the latest on MSU.

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Here's what our award-winning video team created in 2022.

Rotten times for tart cherries: Michigan grows more tart cherries than anywhere else in the country. But over the last several years, farmers have faced a host of challenges, from extreme weather to competition from imports and labor shortages. Watch the doc here.
Space World: In the late 1970s, a Detroit-area aeronautical engineer dreamed up an amusement park called Space World. He hoped to build it on what was then farmland in Ypsilanti Township. He eventually broke ground on the park in nearby Huron Township, but down-to-earth troubles like high interest rates scrubbed the project. Check out the full story here.

Lovable Michigan:Our video team captured so many lovable moments in 2022. Visit this playlist to see a ton of positive Michigan content, from sledding at Sleeping Bear to drone footage of Tahquamenon Falls.

Read more

That's a wrap for 2022.

Wow! The year is (nearly) over. To celebrate, we are taking Monday off but the Morning Briefing will be back in your inbox on Tuesday.

During this holiday weekend, you can always find the latest news at MLive.com. For the new year, let's get some new MLive subscribers, eh?
We will see you back here in 2023!

— Jessica Shepherd

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