In today's newsletter, judge declares mistrial in Schurr murder trial, why Santa Ono is headed to Florida, and Lake Michigan’s ‘fast ferry’ is open for the season. |
Where to celebrate Mother's Day in Michigan |
Today kicks off Mother's Day weekend and there are several events happening across Michigan to honor the mother figure in your life. Get outside for a Flower Full Moon Hike, sing along to Taylor Swift’s hit songs during a laser show, or have a laugh at the Dave Dyer comedy show in Flint. If you’re planning to treat Mom to brunch this upcoming Sunday on Mother’s Day, don’t miss these brunch spots in Jackson County. From Bloom Fest in downtown Ann Arbor to Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance's Mother’s Day Time to Teal Run, here are a few Washtenaw County events to add to your weekend line up. |
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Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. He has ties to Michigan. (Photo: AP) |
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Will prosecutor retry Christopher Schurr for murder? He’s still considering it |
What's next: It’s unclear if former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr will face another murder trial for killing Patrick Lyoya after a jury failed to reach a verdict. Kent County Circuit Judge Christina Mims declared a mistrial Thursday morning, May 8, after jurors deadlocked on a second-degree murder charge against Schurr, who has since been fired from the police department. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker wasn’t immediately sure if his office will refile a murder charge against Schurr. A majority of deadlocked jurors in the murder trial favored acquitting the former Grand Rapids police officer in Lyoya’s killing, his attorney said. Attorney Matthew Borgula, a former federal prosecutor, tried the case with attorneys Mark Dodge and Mikayla Hamilton. Borgula said that Schurr should not be retried – and should not have been charged in the first place. Lyoya family speaks out: For the parents of Patrick Lyoya, the jury’s failure to reach a verdict in Schurr's murder trial was like reliving the pain of their son’s death. After three years of waiting, Peter Lyoya, Patrick's father, said he felt they were finally close to getting justice for their son, only to be left without a verdict. Q & A: We’re sure you have questions about the high-profile case that’s covered more than three years. It’s featured the tragic encounter itself, Schurr’s firing, the prosecutor’s charging decision, the defense attorney’s appeals and a nine-day trial. Using this survey, you can share any questions about the case and we will work to answer them in a follow-up story. |
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Santa Ono explains why he’s leaving University of Michigan for Florida |
Headed to Florida: Santa Ono sees the potential to make University of Florida the nation’s very best public university. Ono announced his intention on May 4 to step down as University of Michigan president to take the same job in Florida. He published a letter Thursday in Inside Higher Education explaining his choice. Ono, 62, announced Sunday expects to assume the Florida president’s role this summer. What to know: Domenico Grasso will be missed on the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus, its faculty leader said. The chancellor of the Dearborn campus was picked Thursday as the larger University of Michigan’s interim president, according to a May 8 announcement by the Board of Regents. Here are five things to know about Grasso and his tenure in Dearborn. Impacting benefits: Student loan borrowers who receive federal benefits can now have their payments garnished if they’re in default on their loans. On Monday, the Department of Education announced it has begun issuing 30 day notices to defaulted student loan borrowers warning them that federal benefits and wages are subject to the Treasury Offset Program. |
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As Michigan gas utilities spend big, customer bills could balloon, report finds |
Big money: The amount Michigan’s three largest natural gas utilities spend on pipelines, mains and other infrastructure rivals the cost of the state’s most recognizable civic landmarks. The key difference? They burn through that much every year. The eye-popping figures, now reaching a combined nearly $1.8 billion annually, have tripled over the past decade. Under a conservative projection, the three utilities — Consumers Energy, DTE Energy and SEMCO Energy Gas Co. — are on track to invest nearly $60 billion on gas infrastructure through 2050, according to projections in a new independent report. The hefty spending promises to more than double their customers’ bills, it finds. Improving structures: Nineteen dams across Michigan are set to split nearly $15 million in state dollars to fund critical maintenance or removal projects, part of an effort to lessen the risks posed by the aging structures. |
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New Pope Leo XIV is no stranger to Michigan: He went to high school here |
Historic papal election: Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff in the Catholic Church's 2,000-year history. The 69-year-old Chicago native, who also holds Peruvian citizenship after years as a missionary there, was chosen on the second day of the conclave. Nicole Winfield reports that Prevost, who Francis appointed to head the Vatican's office of bishops in 2023, emphasized peace and evangelization in his first address from St. Peter's Basilica. New leader: According to the Chicago Sun Times, Prevost went to high school in West Michigan at St. Augustine Seminary High School. The school has long been closed, and many West Michiganders may recognize it better by its current name, the Felt Estate. Bay City church closing: St. Hyacinth Church in Bay City will close on May 28 after a final Mass the day before, as announced by Fr. Nick Coffaro of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish. The parish faces over $1.1 million in debt, largely due to maintaining two aging church campuses, reports Joey Oliver. St. Stanislaus Kostka Church will remain as the sole worship site for the parish. |
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Lake Michigan’s ‘fast ferry’ is open for the season, zipping over to Wisconsin in under 3 hours |
The Lake Express, the high-speed catamaran car ferry that connects Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Muskegon, Michigan, has officially set off for the season. The Lake Express goes coast-to-coast in 2.5 hours, a fraction of the drive time from Muskegon to Milwaukee which is about 4.5 hours. The ferry brands itself as the fastest shortcut to avoid Chicago traffic frustrations. Setting sail: The 2025 cruise ship season is coming to Sault Ste. Marie. Some of the ships will even traverse the locks on their way to destinations in the northern Upper Peninsula, Minnesota and Canada. Sault Ste. Marie is expected to host 45 cruise ship calls through October, including five days when there will be two ships at port. Learn something new: The Port of Ludington Maritime Museum is now open for the 2025 season. Visitors can experience exploring shipwrecks, piloting a car ferry, testing your strength against a manpowered steamship wheel and hearing stories from long-passed ship captains. |
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Thanks for starting your day off with the Morning Briefing. Catch up on the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. If you value the work of our journalists, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a great weekend! - Cara Hackett |
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