In today's newsletter, the presidential race for Michigan is a ‘toss-up’, federal disaster declared for this year’s ruined Michigan cherry harvest and Flint doctor who treated wounded civilians in Gaza honored as Physician of the Year. |
Are you ready for a change of scenery? |
Now that we are in the full swing of autumn and people are traveling across Michigan to see leaves transform into vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow, there's no time like the present to plan a trip. If you need a place to stay as you embark on your adventure, visit out the new michbnb.com website that lists over 70 bed and breakfasts across the state. For "a very special stay" check into one of the stylish rooms at the Shinola Hotel in downtown Detroit. The swanky spot recently earned the coveted Michelin Key, making it the first hotel in the city to receive the award. |
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Tart cherries on a tree at Husted's. A variety of Michigan-grown produce is available at Husted's market, including an array of seasonal fruits customers can pick themselves (James Buck | MLive.com) |
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| 19 Days to Election 2024: Presidential race for Michigan a ‘toss-up’ |
On the ballot: Many polls showed Michigan residents favored Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump in the weeks after she launched her campaign this summer, but the polling gap between the candidates has grown narrower as the Nov. 5 election nears. For more information about the general election, go to MLive’s 2024 General Election Preview page. With three weeks to go until the presidential election, more than 670,000 ballots have already been cast in Michigan. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said a total of 672,585 absentee ballots have been completed and returned to be counted as of Tuesday, Oct. 15. In all, 2,133,272 Michigan residents have requested an absentee ballot or received a ballot after joining the permanent absentee ballot list. See the top and bottom counties for absentee voting so far here. Take a look: The public can now see how many ballots have been cast each day across Michigan ahead of the presidential election. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson unveiled the new dashboard Wednesday, Oct. 16, that can be accessed by going to Michigan.gov/votingdashboard. |
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Federal disaster declared for this year’s ruined Michigan cherry harvest |
Rotten: Federal agriculture officials authorized disaster protections for Michigan’s cherry growers who lost most of their crop this year. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requested a disaster declaration in August from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which makes emergency funding available for northern Michigan’s cherry farmers. This week the USDA approved emergency resources for Antrim, Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties and the eight surrounding counties. What happened: Abnormally wet spring weather and a deluge of invasive pest insect infestations plagued the Traverse City area’s signature fruit crop. Tim Boring, director of the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the federal declaration is critical to Michigan’s cherry growers gaining access to low-interest federal loans after many lost upwards of 75% of their harvest this season. Birds of a feather: Wildlife regulators have instituted changes to the state’s longstanding Canada goose management program that ends the practice of rounding up and relocating the waterfowl. Beginning in 2025, property owners may hire federal crews to collect and kill the birds as a last-resort solution to human-goose conflicts, officials say. |
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Peak fall color racing across Michigan; See where colors pop the most now |
Sight to see: Michigan’s trees are boasting bright, beautiful colors across at least half of our state right now. All of the Upper Peninsula is currently at peak color. The color is also really good across most of northern Lower Michigan right now. The mix of good color has spread southward into central Lower Michigan over the past few days. Peak fall color over the southern third of Michigan will happen toward next weekend. Weekend ahead: We are heading into a great-looking weekend of weather here in Michigan, if you like dry weather, warm breezes and sunshine. Saturday and Sunday will both be warm and sunny by mid-October standards. At sunrise Saturday we will start quite chilly with temperatures in the 30s at most spots. Afternoon temperatures will hit around 70 degrees for all of Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula. Weather trends: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center says there is a 60% chance that a weak La Nina event will develop this fall and could last until March. |
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Flint doctor who treated wounded civilians in Gaza honored as Physician of the Year |
Recognition: Dr. Bara Zuhaili, a vascular surgeon with the Michigan Vascular Center in Flint, has made two trips to Gaza this year to perform emergency surgeries on civilian Palestinians during the Israel-Palestine war. For his efforts, Zuhaili was honored as “Physician of the Year” by the Arab American Heritage Council at its annual Ensure the Legacy Dinner and Awards Ceremony, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc Township. More healthcare options: A primary care clinic in Grand Rapids plans to bring more in-depth care with shorter wait times to Holland-area patients. Exponential Health of Grand Rapids plans to unveil its second medical center on Nov. 11 at 3299 N. Wellness Drive, Suite 230, in Holland. In case you missed it: A scheduled strike on Tuesday, Oct. 15, by Michigan Medicine workers was canceled after the union reached a tentative deal with the health system. The Service Employees International Union Healthcare Michigan reached a three-year tentative agreement with University of Michigan Health, according to an Oct. 15 announcement. |
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10,000 acres of Keweenaw Peninsula nature preserve to become part of state forest |
In the wild: The Keweenaw Point state-managed lands are about to double in size, and state officials are seeking public input on its future. A 10,000-acre portion of the Keweenaw Heartlands, owned by The Nature Conservancy, will soon be acquired by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. That land will be added to the current 10,000-acre Keweenaw Point state forest at the northern-most tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You can see the vibrant colors of Michigan’s fall leaves from a completely different perspective, while enjoying other fall festivities at Hidden Lake Gardens in Michigan’s Irish Hills. Visitors can witness them from 65 feet in the air on the Reach for the Sky Canopy Walk that opened in 2023. New record: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park announced record-breaking attendance for its 2024 fiscal year, solidifying its place as one of Michigan’s most-visited cultural destinations. Over the last year, over 785,250 visitors experienced art, culture, and nature, marking the highest annual atten dance in the organization’s nearly 30-year history. |
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Thanks for starting your day with the Morning Briefing. We'll be back next week with more top stories. In the meantime, find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a great weekend! — Cara Hackett |
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