In today's newsletter, see which Michigan county has the highest percentage of ‘poor’ roads, Michigan has a severe weather threat today, and Lions unveil 2025 NFL schedule with tribute to Detroit. |
It's time to have a fun filled weekend |
Between jumping around in the world's biggest bounce house to seeing a sky full of kites, there are plenty of family friendly events happening this weekend in Michigan. Big Bounce America is bringing seven huge inflatables, including the newly expanded 24,000 sq. ft. World’s Largest Bounce House, to Fraser starting Saturday, May 17. Ticket start at $22 and include a three hour pass to the event. Grand Haven’s annual kite festival returns to the shores of Lake Michigan this weekend. The free event, starting on Saturday, May 17, features individuals and teams showing off their colorful kites and synchronized aerial performances. The Cinetopia Film Fest kicks off in downtown Ann Arbor today for a four-day run from Thursday, May 15 to Sunday, May 18. |
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Scenes from Grand Haven Kite Festival at Grand Haven State Park on Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Joel Bissell | MLive) |
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Which Michigan county has the highest percentage of ‘poor’ roads? Ranking 1 to 81 |
Rating the roads: More than 70% of assessed roads in two Michigan counties were in poor condition in 2024. The state has used the PASER system for more than 20 years to evaluate its roads. The system ratings help identify what type of work is needed (routine or preventative maintenance, rehabilitation or reconstruction). Here is the ranking of 81 of 83 counties based on percentage of roads in poor condition, according to Michigan’s 2024 Roads & Bridges Annual Report. Be aware: Ford is recalling nearly 273,789 SUVs over the possible loss of brake function. The recall impacts certain 2022-2024 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models, according to Reuters. Job cuts: One of Saginaw County’s top employers announced a reduction in its workforce. Nexteer Automotive officials said the company shed about 80 people from its plant operations in Buena Vista Township and global headquarters in Auburn Hills. |
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Former Michigan House speaker’s aide charged with embezzlement in $25M earmark case |
A former legislative aide for prior Michigan House Speaker Jason Wentworth (R-Farwell) was charged with seven felonies Wednesday. David Wayne Coker Jr., 51, faces charges of acquiring or maintaining a criminal enterprise, three counts of false pretenses of $100,000 or more and two counts of embezzlement of $100,000 or more, 54A District Court records state. The charges are related to a $25 million legislative earmark sponsored by Wentworth and awarded through the 2022 state budget, Bridge Michigan reported earlier Wednesday. Technical difficulties: Michigan’s new campaign finance portal isn’t just less transparent, it’s hindering lawmakers from disclosing their personal finances as required by the state Constitution. Because of technical hiccups with the site, lawmakers in the House and Senate on Tuesday, May 13, approved giving themselves a one-month deadline extension to file their financial disclosures this year. Bridge details revealed: Emails between the company leasing two of Bay City’s drawbridges and Bay County officials reveal further details about an agreement proposed by the company that would have provided the county a discount in toll costs but with the caveat they act as stewards for the bridges and not provide any communications to the public about the arrangement. |
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Large hail, tornadoes possible with Thursday’s severe weather threat |
Severe weather on the way: Damaging wind gusts, large hail and even tornadoes are on the table Thursday as forecasters are trying to determine how this late-night storm risk is going to come together. On the southeast side of the state, National Weather Service staff in Detroit put the timing for severe weather at 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. The west side of the state is in a Level 3 risk area on a 5-point scale. In the Upper Peninsula, the storm timing is forecast for 8 p.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday. More details: Our best severe weather forecasting model called the High Resolution Rapid Refresh Model is forecasting a swirling vortex over the very southwest corner of Michigan. It shows a powerful thunderstorm hitting southwest Michigan in the first half of Thursday evening and then traveling east along the I-94 corridor. Possibility of hail and tornadoes: Southwest, west-central and south-central Lower Michigan could have very damaging two inch diameter or larger hail. Park the cars in your garage by 6 p.m. Thursday to ride out the line of storms in safety. The tornado risk forecast also shows there is enough wind twist, or wind shear, to produce tornadoes. |
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Lions unveil 2025 NFL schedule with tribute to Detroit |
It's game time: The Lions have officially unveiled their 2025 schedule to fans Wednesday night. Key home games for the reigning NFC North champions this season include a Thanksgiving matchup against the Minnesota Vikings and visits from 2024 playoff teams the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here’s the full 2025 schedule. Tigers news: Gage Workman is coming back to the Detroit Tigers organization—and with big-league experience under his belt. Workman was returned to the Tigers by the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday after he cleared waivers. He will be assigned to Triple-A Toledo. What's next: Jase Richardson might rep the Spartans for life, but his time as a Michigan State basketball player may have lasted just one season. Richardson, who declared for the draft after standout freshman campaign, is continuing to test the waters at this week’s combine. |
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Tower climbs start soon at 115-foot lighthouse on Lake Michigan shoreline |
Opening soon: The 115-foot lighthouse nestled among sand dune and evergreen forests on the Lake Michigan shoreline will soon be open for tower climbs. Little Sable Point Lighthouse opens for the 2025 season on Tuesday, May 20, the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association announced. It will be open daily through Sept. 7. Summer savings: You could save big time on concert tickets this summer with Live Nation’s $30 Ticket to Summer promotion. The deal is for thousands of shows across the U.S. and Canada, including dozens of concerts in Michigan. The $30 ticket promotion begins on Wednesday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m. while tickets last. Speaking of concerts: With over 30 major concert tours coming to Michigan this year, we’ve compiled a list of top artists like AC/DC, Zach Bryan, and Kendrick Lamar at Pine Knob Music Theatre, Ford Field, Little Caesars Arena, and more. |
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Thanks for starting your day with the Morning Briefing. We'll be back in your inbox bright and early tomorrow morning. In the meantime, you can catch up on the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. If you value the work of our journalists, consider becoming a subscriber. I hope you find joy today! - Cara Hackett |
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