| FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024 |
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In today's newsletter, thousands of Michiganders see medical debt erased, Thursday's snow is expected to continue throughout Friday and Democratic control over Michigan House to end in disarray. |
Where to have festive fun this weekend |
It's the last weekend before Christmas, meaning Santa will soon be barreling down our chimneys and dropping of gifts (or lumps of coal) under the tree on Wednesday. If your holiday shopping is complete and you're looking for something festive to do this weekend, check out these events around Michigan. Create gift boxes full of treats for Poe, a rescued raven at the Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids, on Saturday. For another nature-friendly event on Saturday, head to Midland’s Chippewa Nature Center for its Winter Solstice Celebration. Enjoy a drink from the cozy comfort of Hop Lot Brewing Co.'s Igloo Village in Sutton's Bay. In Washtenaw County, snap a photo with Santa, visit the Winter Festival Artists Market or have a laugh during the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase this weekend. |
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Igloo Village at Hop Lot Brewing Co. in Suttons Bay, Mich. (Photo courtesy of Chris Andresen/ Hop Lot) |
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$27M in medical debt eliminated for 46K Michigan residents |
Getting debt relief: Thousands of Wayne County’s poorest residents will have their medical debt forgiven this holiday season thanks to the charitable efforts of a national nonprofit. Debt totaling $27 million is being forgiven for more than 46,000 people who live in Wayne County, the county health department announced Wednesday, Dec. 18. Twenty-two Michigan foster care service agencies have sued the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, alleging that it illegally cut their compensation and “threatened said providers with contract termination if they refused to accept the lesser pay.” Trinity Health is running out of time to negotiate a new contract, with the sides “far apart” on their respective agreements as the Dec. 31 deadline approaches. If no new contract is reached for 2025, Trinity’s providers would fall out of network and thus could come with increased costs for people with Medicare Advantage or commercial insurance plans. |
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Slick travel conditions expected for Friday morning commute across Michigan |
Staying safe on the roads: The National Weather Service teams are cautioning motorists that Friday morning’s commute could be a little tricky from Thursday night's snowfall. If you’re headed out on the roads, you’ll want to leave yourself some extra time. The NWS office in Detroit is forecasting 1 to 3 inches through Friday night, with 4 inches or more possible across portions of The Thumb. Some spots closer to the Lake Huron shoreline could see up to 8 inches of snow by Friday. The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere. Starting Sunday, days will get a little bit longer in the Northern Hemisphere every single day until late June. Watching the skies: The last meteor shower of the year — the Ursids — peaks Sunday, a few days before Christmas. |
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Democratic control over Michigan House to end in disarray |
In Lansing: Amid infighting and Republican boycotting, Democrats’ final days of control over the state House will end in disarray, with dozens of bills now set to die on the floor. The Michigan House will convene one last time this year, at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 31, only to adjourn the session. No bills will be taken up, Michigan House Democratic Caucus spokesperson Jess Travers said Thursday, Dec. 19. Also in politics: A day before a potential government shutdown, the House resoundingly rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s new plan Thursday to fund operations and suspend the debt ceiling, as Democrats and dozens of Republicans refused to accommodate his sudden demands. Local residents say: Improved bathrooms and handicap-accessible facilities were among the top priorities identified by Muskegon residents for the county’s next five-year recreation plan. |
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AI tech to help Michigan scientists recover critical minerals from old batteries |
Researchers at Michigan universities want to find the best ways to extract critical minerals from old batteries and just got millions in state support to do so. A nearly $2.3 million state grant – the largest of three recently awarded – went to Lawrence Technological University in Southfield to help create automated systems to disassemble, sort and process both post-consumer batteries and electric vehicle batteries at their end of life. The world’s largest hornet, an invasive breed dubbed the “murder hornet” for its dangerous sting and ability to slaughter a honey bee hive in a matter of hours, has been declared eradicated in the U.S., five years after being spotted for the first time in Washington state near the Canadian border. Beware of the birds: A dead bald eagle was recovered from the side of a highway in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula last week. It’s an example of the worst outcome in a vehicle-eagle collision, but even those that survive these crashes have a slim chance of recovery, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. As the collisions become more common, here's how to avoid them. |
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Another week is in the books |
I hope that you have fun plans lined up for this weekend. We'll be back on Monday with more top stories from around Michigan. Until then, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a great weekend! — Cara Hackett |
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