In today's newsletter, more Michigan students are waiving required vaccines, sweaty corn makes the Midwest even more humid and two men are charged after nine police dog trainees die from being overheated in box truck. |
We've made it to the end of another week |
Now that another week is in the books, it's time to settle into the weekend plans. Whether you're catching the University of Michigan's home opener against Fresno State or crossing the Mackinac Bridge, there are plenty of fun activities to try this Labor Day weekend. Music lovers, this one is for you. Detroit kicks off the world's largest free jazz festival this Friday, Aug. 30. With more than 60 performances over spanning four days, here's the full event lineup. Before heading to your nearest shoreline, there are five Michigan beaches closed or under contamination advisories ahead of the long holiday weekend. |
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Sweet corn stalks grow in a field on July 19, 2022, at Eichelberg Farm, located at 11154 Linden Road in Linden. (Jake May | MLive.com) |
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| Trump labels 2024 election a choice between ‘communism and freedom’ in Michigan speech |
Stopping in Michigan: Former President Donald Trump said voters won’t be choosing between a Democrat or a Republican for president this fall but "communism and freedom." The 2024 presidential candidate visited Potterville, a town southwest of Lansing this week, marking his eighth stop in the state this year. Also in the Mitten: Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Hon. Gina Raimondo, former governor of Rhode Island, visited the Grand Rapids community of Kenwood Thursday morning to talk Vice President Kamala Harris’ plan to create an “Opportunity Economy.” The pair spoke to Harris' plan to bring down costs, cut taxes for the middle class and make it more affordable for middle-class Americans to own a home. In case you missed it: Vice President Kamala Harris is returning to Michigan on Monday in what her campaign is calling a "Labor Day blitz." |
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More Michigan students are waiving required vaccines. Check out your school’s rate. |
At school: Vaccines against certain infectious diseases like measles, mumps, pertussis, and chickenpox are required for students entering kindergarten and the seventh grade, as well as a new school district. However, Michigan is one of the most lenient states in allowing students to waive that requirement for medical, philosophical and religious reasons. The details: For the past three years the state has reported vaccine waiver rate increases, with the 2023-24 school year rate (5.7%) reaching the highest point since 2013. Among the waivers, 3.6% were for medical reasons, 40% were for religious reasons, and 56.4% were for philosophical reasons. The immunization completion rate was higher for public schools than private schools. Looking at the numbers: In 2017, eight Michigan counties had less than 70% of their children 1.5 to 3 years old caught up on their recommended vaccine series. This summer, the number of counties that fell below that threshold expanded to 51, including 11 counties below 60% vaccinated. |
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Sweaty corn makes the Midwest even more humid |
The more you know: We have more than just our regular summer weather contributing to higher humidity levels. We can also thank fields of sweaty corn. “Corn sweat” is when corn plants release moisture into the air to stay cool, collectively providing the American Midwest a substantial surge in humidity every summer. It’s a process called evapotranspiration. Not too humid: If you are ready for the humidity to go down then this forecast is right up your alley. Two sets of cold fronts are expected to move in Friday evening and on Sunday morning. Each one of these fronts will take the actual temperature down five degrees. More importantly each cold front will also have a wave of much lower humidity air. Be aware: As a result of the timing and set-up of the cold front Friday afternoon, the Storm Prediction Center has increased the severe weather threat forecast for the Saginaw Bay area, the Thumb, the Ann Arbor area and the Detroit area. |
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NASCAR races in Michigan will be moved to earlier weekend in 2025, won’t be on cable |
On the racetrack: Michigan racing fans won’t have to wait as long as normal to quench their need for speed. On Thursday, Aug. 29, NASCAR revealed its 2025 schedule. Many races have been moved around compared to 2024, including the annual weekend at Michigan International Speedway. After five years of racing in the Irish Hills solely in August, the NASCAR weekend is being moved back to early June. New dorms: Ferris State University students impatient for game days could soon be immersed in the football program seven days a week. The Division II university announced a new residence hall will be attached to the Bulldog’s Top Taggart Field. Back on the field: High school football is back in action. Here's your recap of scores and exciting highlights from Thursday night’s season openers. |
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Men charged after 9 police dog trainees die from being overheated in box truck |
Neglect: Two men who were transporting a truckload of dogs from Chicago to a Berrien Center, Mich. dog-training facility have been charged in connection to the deaths of several of the dogs. According to the Associated Press, the dogs were being transported on hot day in a box truck that had a “substandard cooling system” which led to the dogs becoming overheated during the trip. In Washtenaw County: A semitruck crashed into a historic Manchester-area church Wednesday morning after going through an intersection with a malfunctioning traffic signal, police said. There were only minor injuries following the crash, according to officials. On campus: University of Michigan police arrested four pro-Palestinian protesters Wednesday afternoon at a rally on the Diag. Of the four protesters, three were unaffiliated with the university, while a fourth was called “a temporary employee,” according to university police Deputy Chief Melissa Overton. |
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Thanks for tuning in this week for top stories around Michigan. We'll be back next week with more. 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 |
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