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Morning Briefing

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025

In today's newsletter, four things to know about road funding proposal that cleared House committee, March Madness basketball courts were made in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Howell has the chance to be crowned Best Main Street in America again.

Add these Michigan spring break activities to your vacation itinerary

Spring break will soon be in full swing for students across Michigan. For parents looking for an educational twist to their child's break from the classroom, here are five spring break camps and activities in West Michigan. 

If you're planning a quick getaway to the Windy City, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has extended spring break hours from March 22 to March 30. The aquarium also offers plan-ahead-pricing for non-Chicago residents looking to save money on tickets. 

For a bit of Up North fun, Crystal Mountain is rolling out a series of activities and deals for spring break. Spring Break at Crystal runs from Saturday, March 22 to Saturday, April 5. 

Curated by Cara Hackett

Children view dolphins at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. (Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez)

Republican Tudor Dixon considers run for Michigan governor or U.S. Senate

In the running: Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon is considering running for office again. Dixon, who ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the 2022 midterms, announced on Tuesday, March 18, that she is weighing another potential bid for governor or a new run for U.S. Senate.

President Trump took aim at the Institute of Museum and Library Services in a March 14 executive order titled “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” identifying it as one of several federal agencies to be eliminated to the maximum extent possible under the law, deeming services it provides “unnecessary.” The Michigan Library Association took to social media on March 15 to explain what’s at stake from a Michigan perspective if the IMLS is defunded and dismantled.

A Michigan Republican is the latest U.S. House lawmaker to face a growing outcry from constituents demanding in-person town hall meetings with federal lawmakers. An organized group of citizens announced plans later this week to deliver a petition signed by 1,500 town hall-demanding citizens to the Lansing office of Tom Barrett, a first-year Congressman representing Michigan’s District 7 in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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4 things to know about road funding proposal that cleared House committee

On the road: A nine-bill road funding package is heading to the Michigan House after clearing a committee Tuesday, March 18. Officially introduced by House Republicans on March 6, the bills seek to shift $3.14 billion in annual revenue toward roads, with an emphasis on local routes. Here are four things to know about where things stand with Michigan’s search for a long-term road funding solution. 

Drivers will soon be able to use the new Flex Route lanes on I-96 in Oakland County. The extra lane during peak traffic periods opens Wednesday, March 19, converting the left shoulder into a usable travel lane between Kent Lake Road and the I-237/I-696/M-5 interchange.

Water rates: Flint could use $2 million in federal stimulus funds to cover the cost of higher water rates that start in July from the Great Lakes Water Authority. Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley is asking the City Council to approve a plan to reallocate American Rescue Plan Act funds to a water rate stabilization fund that would be used to offset a 5.9% increase in the wholesale price of GLWA water.

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Piping plovers ‘will die’ at Sleeping Bear because of Trump cuts, experts say

Endangered Great Lakes piping plovers will probably die this year in Michigan because of hiring struggles and spending limits at national parks, conservation experts warn. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the heart of migratory piping plover habitat in the upper Great Lakes. But experts worry recent Trump administration spending cuts may leave gaps in protections for the birds across the national park’s 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

At Sleeping Bear: It can be difficult to maintain trails, clean bathrooms, check-in campers and protect endangered species without adequate staff or supplies. That’s the situation at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and other national parks due to struggles with seasonal hiring and a 30-day $1 spending limit on government credit cards that’s preventing staff from buying routine supplies.

While the investigation into the cause of a fire at a Consumers Energy plant in Bay County continues, officials said the ramifications of a mineral oil spill that occurred during the blaze would not be significant. Authorities reviewing the mineral oil spill at Consumers Energy’s Dan E. Karn Generating Plant in Essexville determined the spillage did not reach or impact waterways.

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March Madness basketball courts were made in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

The Spartans and Wolverines will play on Michigan-made courts when March Madness tips off this week. Connor Sports, a production mill in the small Upper Peninsula town of Amasa, will once again provide custom hardwood courts for the 2025 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.

Maybe next time: Michigan State football fans will have to wait to get a glimpse of the 2025 team. Second-year coach Jonathan Smith on Tuesday announced the program won’t have a spring game or any showcase open to the public this year.

Western Michigan football, much like the rest of the college football world, was struck with plenty of attrition this offseason –– both in staff and player form. Yet, that’s allowed the Broncos to shift gears and take a different approach entering Year 3 of the Lance Taylor era. And just two spring practices in, the change of emphasis is evident.

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This Michigan city has the chance to be crowned Best Main Street in America again

Best of the best: Howell is in the running to take home the title for having the Best Main Street in the America again. The city in Livingston Country is among 20 others competing for USA Today’s 10Best Readers' Choice Award. All the cities in the list were nominated by an expert panel and will be voted on by readers in the United States.

Beach trip: South Haven is investing in a new grant program and equipment donations to make its Lake Michigan waterfront more accessible. Two new beach wheelchairs will be available to rent when visiting city beaches. Wheelchairs can be reserved for free through SOHA Surf Shop. 

This beloved Lake Michigan lighthouse has been standing on shoreline for 150 years. The history of the White River Light Station and Museum will be celebrated on Saturday, June 21, with an afternoon of festivities, including music, food and drinks, a silent auction, raffle, tower climbs and lawn games, the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association announced.

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That's all for now.

We'll be back tomorrow with more top stories from around Michigan. 

In the meantime, you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber.

See you tomorrow! 

- Cara Hackett

OTHER TOP STORIES

• Could the Tigers extend Tarik Skubal? It would take a lot just to start the conversation.
  
  
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• Postal service set to work with DOGE, announces plan to cut 10,000 jobs in next 30 days
  
  
• Snowstorm may have slight shift southeast, putting Traverse City, northwest Lower Michigan in little more snow
  
  
• Previously classified files related to JFK assassination released

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