Plus, President Trump just declared May 8 as ‘Victory Day’

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Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025

In today's newsletter, a frosty morning coming to unexpected part of Michigan, President Trump is declaring May 8 as "Victory Day" and four Michigan cities make accessible vacation destination list. 

These butterflies and birds are back in Michigan

Monarch butterflies have officially returned to the Mitten. According to user submitted data on Journey North, the state’s first sighting was recorded on Monday in Flat Rock, south of Detroit.

 

Butterflies aren't the only species making its way back north. Michigan's only native hummingbird, the ruby-throated hummingbird, are being spotted across the state after wintering down south.

 

If you want to attract these birds to your yard, try adding these Department of Natural Resources recommended plants in your garden.

Curated by Cara Hackett

A monarch butterfly lands on a flower

A monarch butterfly lands on a flower. Monarchs have reached Michigan in their spring migration. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

‘We’re not hunting anyone.’ Michigan police department joins ICE program

Working with ICE: After a Michigan police agency entered a controversial U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreement, the police chief has insisted it will change “absolutely nothing in our department.” Taylor Police Department, in southwest metro Detroit, became the second law enforcement agency in the state to join the 287g program and the first to adopt a “task force” agreement, a model that enables local police to stop people and make arrests solely for immigration violations.

 

How the program works: Broadly, the 287g program allows local police – normally prohibited from doing federal immigration enforcement – to partner with ICE. But it’s faced criticism for instilling fear, eroding trust, diverting local resources and turning police into a “deportation army.” But Taylor Police Chief John Blair says, under normal procedure, if officers identify anyone committing a crime as an undocumented immigrant, they will contact ICE.

 

In Washtenaw County: An immigrant rights group and at least one Washtenaw County official are unhappy the county is complying with federal immigration officials’ demand for county employee I-9 forms. People are also pushing for answers about whether the county will fight a separate demand for information on a county-issued ID program. The photo ID program serves people regardless of their immigration status.

Read more

Trump just declared Thursday, May 8 as ‘Victory Day’: What this means

It's Victory Day: President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation designating Thursday, May 8, as a day for the United States to celebrate victory in World War II as countries in Europe already do. He’s expected to issue a similar proclamation for World War I later this year. 

 

Pricing on the rise: Ford Motor Company says it is increasing the price of three of its most popular vehicles thanks to tariffs instituted by President Trump. According to Reuters, the automaker informed dealerships this week that prices for the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV, Maverick pickup and Bronco Sport will increase in the coming weeks. 

 

Also in politics: The Michigan House passed a package of bills Tuesday aimed at curbing “hostile foreign influence” in Michigan. The eight-bill package would limit how Chinese and Russian companies could do business in Michigan, forbidding them from purchasing farmland and property near military installations along with making them ineligible for state economic incentives and more.

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Gardeners beware, frosty morning coming to unexpected part of Michigan

Starting off chilly: The cold northeast wind off Lake Huron is going to set a large part of Michigan up for a frosty morning. Thursday is going to be a chilly day for Lower Michigan. A stiff northeast wind gusting over 20 mph throughout Thursday will funnel cold air hovering over Lake Huron into Lower Michigan. Temperatures will only warm into the 50s Thursday afternoon. The wind will diminish Thursday night and allow temperatures to plummet.

 

Feeling summery: A warm-up is going to start Friday and last into next week. So does this mean summer starts next week here in Michigan? We are generally looking at afternoons that are five degrees warmer each day from Friday to next Tuesday. After that temperatures are expected to level off to at least May 20. The leveled-off temperatures should be well into the 70s and even some 80-degree days.

 

One year has passed since an EF2 tornado tore through Portage and the surrounding townships on May 7, 2024. The tornado devastated homes, businesses, trees and more. These photos show side-by-side comparisons in locations across Kalamazoo County, taken a year apart. 

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Ford employee among 4 accused in large-scale operation involving stolen car parts

Auto parts theft ring: Four men, including a Ford employee, were arrested in Dearborn for a large-scale operation involving stolen vehicle parts. The employee allegedly stole new parts and provided them to a Detroit business for resale. The arrests followed a months-long investigation and searches at homes and businesses, reports Brandon Champion.

 

In court: After 19 hours of deliberations, jurors in former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr's murder trial remain unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Schurr faces second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter charges for fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya, a Black motorist, during a 2022 traffic stop. Michael Kransz reports deliberations will enter a fourth day Thursday, with the possibility of a mistrial if the jury remains deadlocked.

 

Missing persons case: The human remains found in a Michigan cornfield could be connected to a report of a missing person from Clare County, WPBN/WGTU reports. The Gratiot County Sheriff’s Department originally suggested the remains could belong to a woman who went missing after walking out of Alma Hospital but later clarified that she may have been the subject of a missing person’s report from Clare County, reports Dylan Goetz.

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4 Michigan cities make accessible vacation destination list by international travel group

Accessible vacation spots: Four Michigan cities have been given the “accessibility seal of approval” by international travel group, Wheel the World. Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and Lansing all earned the “Destination Verified” badge from the travel group. Wheel the World visits cities across the globe verifying accommodations throughout the trip like measuring hotel rooms, mapping out cityscapes and testing routes at restaurants and entertainment venues.

 

Gone fishing: A popular state park with a one-mile stretch of river will host a beginner fishing event this month. Get in on the action from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, at Ludington State Park, just north of Ludington. All participants 17 and older are required to have a Michigan fishing license.

 

Jeepers have a new Michigan spot to gather for the national Go Topless Day event. For the first time Cadillac is hosting the annual charity meet-up. From 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17, Jeepers can come by to enjoy food, drinks and friendly competition to show off their rides. 

Read more

 

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- Cara Hackett

 

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