In today's newsletter, what to know about Michigan's measles cases, how the COVID-19 pandemic turned Michigan parents into school activists and the Detroit Lions expect to host international game in 2026. |
Plan your perfect weekend with these events |
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A papier-mâché sea creature puppet parades in the annual FestiFools puppet parade in downtown Ann Arbor on Sunday, April 7, 2024. (Julian Leshay Guadalupe | MLive.com) |
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When and where Michiganders may have been exposed to measles |
First case in 13 years: An adult with measles visited a Kentwood restaurant, an East Grand Rapids clinic, and two of the state’s largest airports in late March, possibly exposing others to the virus. Health officials shared the person’s recent travel history Tuesday, April 1, but not their age or gender. People at these listed locations should monitor for symptoms for at least 21 days, according to the Kent County Health Department. Nationally, the U.S. has identified more than 483 cases across 20 states—a 70% increase from the total cases documented in all of 2024, and the highest total since 2019. Have questions about measles? Check out these answers from doctors, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. A mid-Michigan community has reported that it is at risk for the spread of measles due to low vaccination numbers. Midland County measles vaccination rates are well below the 95% target for community immunity and continue to trend downward, according to information provided by the Midland County Department of Public Health. |
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Trump launches tariffs, saying global trade has ‘looted, pillaged, raped, plundered’ US economy |
President Donald Trump announced plans for sweeping tariffs Wednesday as he showed a willingness to dismantle a global economic system that the United States helped to build after World War II. Trump held up a chart while speaking, showing the United States would charge a 34% tax on imports from China, a 20% tax on imports from the European Union, 25% on South Korea, 24% on Japan and 32% on Taiwan. The major car companies say sales rose sharply in March, with most reporting double-digit gains. Automakers sold nearly 1.6 million vehicles in the U.S. in March, up 13.6%. That brought total sales for the first quarter to more than 3.9 million vehicles, Motorintelligence.com said Tuesday. Almost all automakers saw a surge in sales of electric vehicles. Speaking of cars: Spring in Michigan can be a costly time for residents navigating fresh potholes. Luckily for some drivers, there’s an opportunity for financial relief. The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association is selecting five residents per month, through June, to receive up to $758 for damages caused by Michigan’s poor road conditions. |
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5 years after COVID: How the pandemic turned Michigan parents into school activists |
Education news: The initial onset of COVID in March 2020 only kept kids home for a few weeks. It was on April 2 that year when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order that ended K-12 in-person learning for the remainder of the school year. Now, five years later, many parents are deeply entrenched in the school community in a way they never were before — and may never have been without the pandemic. Members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus are condemning the University of Michigan’s recent cuts to its DEI programs, according to a statement sent Tuesday, April 1. State Rep. Amos O’Neal, D-Saginaw, chair of the caucus, describes the university’s decision as a “disheartening situation,” and went on to criticize the Trump administration, which, he said, is “working its hardest to whitewash” institutions, culture and history. One more thing: Republicans in the Michigan legislature have proposed stripping away one of the key powers of state Board of Education and giving it to the governor. A joint resolution under consideration in the state House would put a ballot measure before voters to allow the governor to appoint the state superintendent rather than the eight members of the elected education board. |
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Detroit Lions expect to host international game in 2026 |
Lions' International Game: The Detroit Lions will "highly likely" host an international game in 2026 when the team has nine home games, according to team president Rod Wood. The Lions have global marketing rights in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, and now Brazil, with Germany being a potential location due to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown's popularity there. Benjamin Raven reports the team is building international fan bases through watch parties and sponsorships, capitalizing on Detroit's auto industry connections abroad. WMU women's basketball: Western Michigan University introduced Kate Achter as its new women's basketball coach with a celebratory event at University Arena. The former Bowling Green All-American, known for turning around struggling programs at Detroit Mercy and Loyola-Chicago, signed a five-year, $275,000 per year contract, making her the highest-paid mid-major women's basketball coach in Michigan. "Winning will be the standard," Achter declared, promising a "gritty and hard-nosed brand of basketball," reports Patrick Nothaft. Women's Golf Championship: The U.S. Senior Women's Open is coming to Michigan in 2026, with Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor hosting the prestigious event from August 20-23. The Donald Ross-designed course, located near the University of Michigan campus, previously hosted the 1998 U.S. Women's Amateur and 2008 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur. Brandon Champion reports this will be the 8th edition of the championship, which features the world's best female golfers aged 50 and over. |
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Michigan’s most remote state park closed to new reservations during cabin, road repair |
Under construction: Michigan’s most remote state park is getting some “much-needed” road repairs and cabin renovations. This spring, Craig Lake State Park is getting an upgrade with help from the Michigan Army National Guard. The Michigan Army National Guard (107th Engineer Battalion) will be onsite May 29-June 17. During construction, the park will remain open for those with existing lodging reservations, but no new reservations will be accepted during this time. Transportation woes: Isle Royale National Park may be even harder to reach this summer if its public ferry is stuck at the dock without a crew. The ferry makes the six-and-half-hour journey between the island and Houghton four days a week in the summer and is set to resume passenger trips after Memorial Day Weekend. However, a former park superintendent is concerned the ferry does not have a crew due to recent federal buyouts. Closed for now: Sunrise chasers will need to find a new Lake Huron campsite this season as P.H. Hoeft State Park undergoes renovations. The campground nestled between shoreline and woods is closed for the entirety of the 2025 season after construction was moved back. |
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