WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025 |
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In today's newsletter, President Trump visits Michigan to mark his 100 days in office, Michigan teachers would see higher pay under Senate Democrats’ $21.8B education budget and the world’s oldest loon returns to Northern Michigan. |
Getting into a summer state of mind☀️ |
We are several weeks away from the official start of summer and I'm already dreaming about long days at the beach, cookouts without friends, and quick getaways. Grand Rapids will kick off its free summer fitness classes next week on May 12. The city will offer 16 classes that include yoga, Zumba, glute aerobics, dance, strength, barre and more until Aug. 22. As officials continue to cleanup damage from last month's storm, three Northern Michigan campgrounds are slated to reopen just in time for summer activities. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources anticipates that Clear Lake State Park, Otsego Lake State Park and Petoskey State Park campgrounds will open on May 15. |
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Fe has returned to the Seney wildlife refuge for the season. In this 2020 photo, a week-old chick rides on Fe's back while ABJ displays the colored plastic leg bands that allow for the identification and long-term monitoring of individual loons. |
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Trump highlights ‘revolution of common sense’ at Michigan rally |
Back in Michigan: President Donald Trump returned to Michigan Tuesday to mark his first 100 days in office, declaring it "the best 100-day start of any president in history" at a Macomb Community College rally. He touted border security efforts, announced tariff adjustments for auto parts, and responded to impeachment articles filed by Rep. Shri Thanedar. Justin Engel reports Trump called his early term policies "a revolution of common sense" while criticizing judges who ruled against his initiatives. Also at the rally: Warren was anything but quiet Tuesday afternoon. A large crowd—some supporting Trump, others protesting him—gathered outside the Macomb Community College facility where he held a rally highlight his first 100 days during his second presidential term. The protesters held signs and chanted such things as “lock him up,” while Trump’s supporters donned red MAGA hats. On the road: Commercial truck drivers in the U.S. will soon be required to be proficient in English. An executive order signed by President Donald Trump Monday called the requirement “nonnegotiable for professional drivers," reports Matt Durr. |
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Police officer’s deadly force not justified in Patrick Lyoya’s killing, expert says |
Police shooting trial: A policing expert testified that ex-Grand Rapids officer Christopher Schurr was not justified in using deadly force when he shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head during a 2022 traffic stop. The expert said Schurr made tactical errors that put both himself and Lyoya at risk, reports John Agar. Police reform: As Schurr stands trial, the ACLU of Michigan is calling for systemic police reforms, including no-chase policies for nonviolent offenses and diversifying police personnel with mental health professionals. Danielle James reports that ACLU attorney Mark Fancher believes these changes could prevent officers from entering situations with "high likelihood for violence to occur." Expert says: A Taser that missed Patrick Lyoya during a deadly 2022 traffic stop could still have posed a threat, an expert testified Tuesday. Bryan Chiles of Axon told jurors the weapon could incapacitate someone even after both cartridges were fired. Bradley Massman reports former Grand Rapids officer Christopher Schurr is charged with second-degree murder for shooting Lyoya in the head during a struggle. |
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Michigan teachers would see higher pay under Senate Democrats’ $21.8B education budget |
Senate Democrats unveiled a $21.8 billion education budget proposal Tuesday that calls for smaller class sizes, higher teacher pay and more money for school building upgrades, “at-risk” students and mental health and safety resources. The proposed prekindergarten through 12th grade education budget plan represents a roughly $1 billion increase over the current budget. The budget would also fully restore funding cut from the state’s safety and mental health grants for schools, increasing funding from the current $150 million to $350 million. Youth substance abuse prevention: Holland Hospital has partnered with TalkSooner to provide parents with free resources to help them talk to their children about drugs and substance use. Ehren Wynder reports the materials are now displayed at the hospital's Outpatient Behavioral Health Services and on digital monitors throughout the network, reaching over 12,000 students across six school districts. Student artists: Over 2,000 works of art created by students at Grand Rapids Public Schools will be on display through May 1, part of the largest student art show in the state. |
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These Michigan companies announced plans to cut over 1,300 jobs in April |
Cutting jobs: Eight Michigan companies put 1,349 jobs on the chopping block in April amid plant closures and restructuring efforts. The Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requires businesses to provide advance notice - at least 60 days - in cases of qualified plant closings and mass layoffs. Here is the list of Michigan employers that reported plans to lay off employees this month. More layoffs: Food service provider Aramark Campus, LLC will lay off more than 100 employees assigned to work at Wayne State University. The company was not retained to continue services past June 30, 2025. Some of the displaced workers may be able to continue working at Wayne State University with the incoming provider, according to the notice. Check your vehicle: General Motors has recalled approximately 721,000 full-size trucks and SUVs while also ordering a stop-sale on remaining inventory for vehicles in the recall group. According to Car and Driver, the recall impacts the these vehicles from the 2021-2024 model years, equipped with the 6.2-liter V-8 engine. |
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World’s oldest loon returns to Northern Michigan, will her soap opera love story continue? |
Welcome back: The world’s oldest common loon—and the most productive documented loon mother—touched down last week in the Upper Peninsula nature preserve that she calls her seasonal home. The loon, known as Fe, is at least 39 years old this year. She has raised a record 42 chicks during her decades at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Michigan. DIY hummingbird nectar: Hummingbird feeders are a popular way to help these mighty little migratory birds keep up their energy – and to catch a glimpse of them. But they don’t eat seeds like other birds. With ruby-throated hummingbirds making their way across Michigan during the past week, it’s not too late to hang your feeder and fill it with a quick and cheap nectar substitute that the tiny, jewel-toned birds love. Closed for now: A big spring melt followed by heavy rain has washed out one of Michigan’s iconic waterfall trails. The Munising Falls trail in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is temporarily closed as of April 29, according to the park. Typically visitors traverse a paved 800-foot trail up a cool shaded canyon along Munising Creek to the base of the falls. This washout will make that hike temporarily inaccessible. |
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I'm glad you decided to start your day with the Morning Briefing. As always, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. See you tomorrow! - Cara Hackett |
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