In today's newsletter, what's going on with Michigan's minimum wage increase, a look at where distracted driving got worse across the state and Sports Illustrated picks the Detroit Lions to win the 2025 Super Bowl. |
Another week is in the books. |
There are plenty of fun things happening this weekend like the Chelsea Fair in Washtenaw County, Return to the River festival in Grand Rapids and Flint's Crim Festival of Races. As we wrap up the week, here's a look at the weather and road conditions. The temperatures are warming up as we get ready for the weekend. Saturday and Sunday will both start on the cooler side before temps rise into the high 80s. Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula will experience a few quick showers before Sunday ends. If you are hitting the road, be mindful of more than 60 lane, road, and ramp closures that might impact your plans. |
|
|
People picket on Monday, Aug. 19, outside the Chippewa Correctional Facility to raise awareness of staffing shortages in state prisons. (Photo provided by Adam Earley | Michigan Corrections Organization) |
|
|
State asks Michigan Supreme Court for clarity on minimum wage increases |
Unclear guidelines: Michigan's Departments of Treasury and Labor and Economic Opportunity asked the Michigan Supreme Court for clarity on how to implement minimum wage increases mandated by a ruling handed down last month. Michigan's minimum wage is set to increase to $12 next February. But restaurant owners say they would have to raise prices or cut staff hours to offset the higher labor costs — leaving some workers uncertain about the future. Tipped workers currently earn $3.93 an hour. That amount would gradually increase until it reaches the standard minimum wage under the new law. In politics: Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, threw their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 bid for the White House during the final night of the Democratic National Convention. |
|
|
Here’s where Michigan’s distracted driving got better, worse in 2023 |
Behind the wheel: Distracted driving officially contributed to about 5% of Michigan’s vehicle crashes in 2023. Last year’s 15,136 crashes that involved distracted driving declined 2% from 2022. That's the lowest total since 2016, excluding 2020 for pandemic inconsistencies. The Upper Peninsula’s Menominee County had the highest distraction rate at 10.3% of its crashes, followed by Keweenaw County at 9.1%. In case you missed it: Owners of older Ford vehicles are being warned not to drive their car or truck if they haven’t replaced the Takata air bags that have been recalled three times since 2015. For the cyclists: Experience Jackson and the nonprofit People for the Parks and Trails have donated a new bike repair station to the city of Jackson for use on the MLK Equality Trail. |
|
|
‘Fix the damn staffing crisis’: Michigan corrections officers protest |
Corrections officers are picketing this week outside Upper Peninsula state prisons to call attention to “critical” staffing shortages that they say are endangering themselves and prisoners. What's going on?: The informational picketing is meant to bring attention to the forced 16-hour overtime shifts being worked by corrections officers to compensate for staffing shortages as high as 30% in some prisons, said Cary Johnson, a corrections officer and vice president of the Michigan Corrections Organization. Update: Human remains found this week on Dale Warner's property have been identified as his wife Dee Warner, who has been missing since 2021, the Michigan State Police reports. |
|
|
Lions grace cover of Sports Illustrated’s season preview, picked to win Super Bowl |
"Drive to Revive": Sports Illustrated is boldly predicting that the Detroit Lions will win the Super Bowl 59, set to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The prediction was revealed in the publication's annual “Football Preview” issue, with Lions stars Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell gracing the cover. On the mend: Breathe a sigh of relief, Detroit Lions fans. ESPN reports Penei Sewell has been deemed “fine” and that there are “no issues” after rolling his ankle in Wednesday’s scrimmage-style practice. Changes coming: Injury reports are coming to the Mid-American Conference. The MAC announced Thursday that it will introduce game day student-athlete availability reports for all football games during the 2024 season. The SEC is also considering implementing the policy in 2024, according to a report from CBS Sports. |
|
|
Michigan has the No. 1 historic bed and breakfast in America, Newsweek readers say |
Best of the best: Cartier Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Ludington took America's No. 1 spot in Newsweek Readers’ Choice for Best Historical B&B, the magazine announced yesterday. Laurium Manor Inn, near Calumet in the Upper Peninsula, earned the No. 3 spot. In West Michigan: A new, 36-room boutique hotel owned by the DeVos family has opened in downtown Ada. Officials are calling the attraction the “capstone” of a large-scale redevelopment that has brought new restaurants, retailers, office space and more to the community. Save the date: Kalamazoo's Donuts and Beer festival will return to its roots after five years of touring across the Midwest. The family-friendly festival with more than 200 vendors will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Kalamazoo’s Homer Stryker Field. |
|
|
We've made it to the end of another week. Let's get ready to have a fun weekend. In the meantime, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a great weekend! — Cara Hackett |
|
|
Ready for positive, feel-good coverage of life in the Mitten? Curated from our best travel, outdoor, food, entertainment, photos and videos - immerse yourself in the place we love and the place we call home. Explore new dining, cabin rentals or how to view the next meteor shower. Join MLive․com's Tanda Gmiter and the Life & Culture team every week. Your next adventure is waiting! Sign up here. There's one caveat: This is an exclusive newsletter for MLive.com's loyal subscribers. Not a subscriber? That's OK. You can receive a few weeks of the newsletter as a free trial. Click here to sign up. |
|
|
Subscribe today to get exclusive insights and bonus content from Detroit Lions writers Kyle Meinke, Benjamin Raven and Kory Woods. Dungeon of Doom is your home for entertaining and informative analysis and discussion of the Lions. Get your 14-day free trial and then keep the conversation going for only $4.99 per month. |
|
|
WANT TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH A FRIEND? |
Did someone share this newsletter with you? Click here to never miss a day! |
|
|
To contact the newsrooms for any of our publications regarding technical support, news tips, classified ads and other inquiries, please click here. |
|
|
Unlimited Digital Access. |
|
|
Start today for $1 (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
Start today for $1 (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING
OR SPONSORING OUR NEWSLETTERS? |
|
|
You received this email because you opted in to the newsletter. To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive.com to your address book or safe sender list. MLive Media Group 169 Monroe NW #100Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Contact us | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy |
|
|
|
