Fewer people died in Michigan traffic crashes in 2023 than the previous two years

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Morning Briefing

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2024

In today's newsletter, judge has teen girl handcuffed for falling asleep in court, the weekend weather and the deal with those $3,000 rescues at Sleeping Bear Dunes. 

Happy Friday!

There's a lot happening in Michigan as we enter into the weekend. Looking for plans? Michigan’s largest free festival is happening. 

 

In Midland, you can sample drinks from over 70 craft breweries at the Great Lakes Beer Festival. On the west side of the state, the 11th annual Slip N’ Slide will be set up on Saturday in Jenison. Here is what's planned around Washtenaw County this weekend. And in the Thumb, Caseville's annual Cheeseburger Festival is underway.

 

Did you plan on participating in the Port Huron Float Down? The U.S. Coast Guard doesn't recommend it. 

Curated by Jamie Rewerts

Two people fight with swords

Scenes from the Michigan Renaissance Festival on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 in Groveland Township near Holly. The festival celebrates its 45th anniversary this year and invites the public to take a step out of reality to experience the land of lore and fantasy over the next seven weekends. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Where fatal crashes are up and down across Michigan

The numbers: Fewer people died in Michigan traffic crashes in 2023 than the previous two years. The 1,095 fatalities marked a 1.5% decline from the previous three years, according to an annual report published by Michigan State Police. Still, last year was deadlier than pre-pandemic levels. Of Michigan’s 83 counties, 38 reported an increase in deadly crashes compared to the previous three years. Thirty-one counties saw declining rates and 14 had no change. 

 

More in transportation: Michigan is eligible for new federal funding to help small- and medium-sized automotive suppliers adapt their manufacturing facilities for electric vehicles production.

 

Be aware: Construction and maintenance work on some of Michigan’s major roadways will bring new closures this weekend throughout the state.

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Michigan AG launches ‘Operation Survivor Justice’ to nab, extradite sex abusers

The Michigan Attorney General’s Office has launched a new initiative geared toward locating and nabbing wanted sexual offenders who have fled the state. Dubbed “Operation Survivor Justice,” AG Dana Nessel announced the program at a Wednesday, Aug. 14, press conference. The initiative is a partnership between the AG’s Office, local county prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Its goal is to locate, apprehend, and return to Michigan fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants.

 

4 takeaways from JD Vance’s latest stop: From “fake dances” to day one deportations, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance on Wednesday took aim at his running mate’s opponent and offered a vision of what a second Donald Trump presidency would look like.

 

Letter from the Editor: Don't accuse us of doctoring photos just because an image challenges your beliefs.

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Michigan judge has teen girl handcuffed for falling asleep in court during field trip

The latest: A judge had a teenager handcuffed and placed in jail clothes after the girl fell asleep in his courtroom during a field trip this week. According to the Associated Press, Judge Kenneth King also threatened to have the 16-year-old placed in juvenile detention because he was not happy with her behavior in his courtroom during Tuesday’s visit. The incident took place during a field trip organized by The Greening of Detroit, a nonprofit environmental group. At some point during proceedings, King noticed the girl falling asleep while she was in the gallery.

 

In sports: Michigan and Ohio State’s hockey programs are taking their rivalry outside…again. The Wolverines and Buckeyes will face off at Wrigley Field on Jan. 3 as part of the “The Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series,” the conference announced Thursday.

 

In health: Here are the 10 drugs seeing price reductions after Medicare negotiations. 

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Michigan’s weekend weather: It really doesn’t look great. Here’s rain forecast

To know: We'd like to tell you this weekend looks like a shower here and there. It’s looking more like numerous showers at any one spot. It also looks like Sunday will have several areas of showers. Here’s the forecast showing the rain amount every hour from Friday evening to Sunday evening. There are a lot of areas of showers Saturday, especially in the unstable part of the day- the afternoon. The showers shrink to just hit-or-miss Saturday night and then flare back up Sunday through the afternoon.

 

Looking forward to fall?: Did you know that certain weather favors more vibrant fall foliage? Similarly, different weather can cut back on the amount of fall colors seen during a season. As we approach the second half of August, we can start to look at a few different resources to determine what the foliage may look like this year.

 

Apple season: Sweater weather may not have arrived yet, but Michigan’s apple season is heating up. Several mitten-grown varieties are already ready for picking, with more expected in the coming weeks, according to the Michigan Apple Committee’s predicted harvest dates for 2024.

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So what's the deal with those $3,000 rescues at Sleeping Bear Dunes?

The expansive Lake Michigan view from the top of Sleeping Bear Dunes is priceless, but what if you need a rescue trip up from the bottom? Well, that may cost you $3,000. Why? The cost of the equipment needed for a rescue adds to the nearly $3,000 fee. For example, rescue rope is routinely left in disrepair following a complex sand dune operation.

 

Guided night walk: A moonlight walk on Mackinac Island sounds wonderful. But to do it on a night when the state park’s staff is leading a stroll up to the highest point on the island - and throw in a supermoon that’s also a Blue Moon? Well, then it’s just plain magical.

 

A piece of history: Separated from civilization by 12 miles of sand dunes, Michigan’s Au Sable lighthouse was one of the most isolated stations when it was built in 1874.

Read more

 
 

Into the weekend we go...

Thank you for joining me on today's edition of 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 on Monday! 

 

— Jamie Rewerts

 

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