In today's newsletter, 59% of Michigan towns grew in population last year, severe storms pound the state, and Michigan has the deadliest flu season for kids in more than 20 years. |
What's on your summer bucket list? |
As we inch closer to summer's official start next month, it's time to start planning a season full of outdoor fun and adventure across Michigan. Mac Wood’s Dune Rides along Silver Lake opens for its 95th season today. The iconic dune buggy rides, where riders can see both Silver Lake and Lake Michigan beaches, last about 40 minutes. Speaking of joyriding, here are three Lakeshore Jeep events to add to your summer lineup. Enjoy riding through wineries in Suttons Bay with “E-Bike the Vines Tour", led by Grand Traverse Bike Tours. See |
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A home damaged near Stadium Drive and 9th Street in Oshtemo Twp., Mich on Thursday May 15, 2025. (Ryan Boldrey | MLive.com) |
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59% of Michigan towns grew in population last year. See how yours fared |
Population growth: Springdale Township in Manistee County had the state’s largest estimated population increase between 2023 and 2024, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Among 1,535 Michigan communities with available data, nearly 59% had estimated population increases in 2024. The largest growth last year could be found in communities in Manistee, Washtenaw, Wexford, Eaton, Wayne and Calhoun counties. Michigan had a total net gain of 57,103 residents in 2024. ICCF Community Homes has launched a $12 million fundraising campaign to create 200 affordable homes over the next two to five years in Kent County.The campaign, known as Building with Faith, would develop 100 affordable rental homes on church-owned land and help another 100 families become first-time homeowners, according to a release. Discrimination lawsuit: Seven Black women have sued a West Michigan landlord in federal court, alleging he called them racial slurs, charged them thousands of dollars to repair things they did not break, attempted to prohibit them from having guests in their homes and trumped up reasons to threaten them with eviction. |
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As student loan garnishments begin, many older Americans are at risk |
As President Donald Trump’s administration continues efforts to garnish wages of borrowers in default on student loan debt, older Americans are finding themselves in a dangerous situation, according to the Associated Press. Earlier this month, the Department of Education announced it is resuming collections through the Treasury Offset Program for those in default on student loans. That program allows for the federal benefits such as Social Security payments, tax returns and wages to be garnished in order to settle the debt. At-risk elders: For the 452,000 people aged 62 and older who are in default on their student loans, garnishments could make it difficult to afford essentials like food and shelter. While federal law protects $750 a month in Social Security benefits from being garnished, that number is still well below the federal poverty line. We want to hear from you: Given the number of Michiganders with student loan debt—just over 13% of state residents—and the potential for borrowers in default to be impacted, MLive wants to interview readers who would like to share their story. |
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Tornado or ‘gustnado’? Flipped semis, downed trees as severe storms pound Michigan |
A huge line of severe storms marched across much of Michigan late Thursday and into early this morning, sparking a rolling wave of Tornado Warnings. While the National Weather Service has not confirmed any official tornadoes as of early this morning, there were several reports of funnel clouds seen and possible tornado touchdowns, with rotation and accompanying “debris balls” seen on radar. Gustnado winds: Powerful wind gusts topping 70 mph raked across Michigan as a line of severe storms swept the state late Thursday and into early this morning. These “gustnado” winds caused mounting power outages across the state as the storms moved through the state. More than 160,000 homes and businesses were without power early today. The majority of these early outages were Consumers Energy customers. "Lucky" capture video: A dense fog gave the appearance of a huge, rolling wave as it approached the Lake Michigan shoreline in South Haven on Wednesday evening. A timelapse drone video captured by Scott Johnson of Radiant Landscapes Photography looks like a “fog tsunami,” the photographer told WOOD TV8’s Ellen Bacca. |
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Michigan has deadliest flu season for kids in 20+ years |
Pediatric flu deaths: Michigan has recorded 10 pediatric flu deaths this season, the highest since the state began tracking such deaths. This marks a deadly trend as the previous two seasons each had eight deaths, with the latest fatalities reported in Berrien, Muskegon and Genesee counties. Doctors from Helen DeVos Children's Hospital noted that children were arriving "sicker than usual" with more requiring ventilation during the current flu season, reports Justin P. Hicks. Nursing home shakeup: A dozen facilities from the troubled Mission Point Healthcare chain have rebranded as Intersect Healthcare, though some of the worst-performing homes remain under the original name. Two of the rebranded facilities are candidates for a federal program targeting the nation's worst nursing homes. Matthew Miller reports that the ownership change remains unclear, with representatives declining to comment. Weight loss drugs: In the first head-to-head study of blockbuster obesity medications, Eli Lilly's Zepbound outperformed Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, with patients losing nearly 50% more weight over 72 weeks. JoNel Aleccia reports that Zepbound users lost an average of 50 pounds compared to Wegovy's 33 pounds. Both drugs mimic hormones that regulate appetite, but Zepbound targets two hormones while Wegovy targets just one. |
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‘The entire process has failed‘: Michigan corrections officers rally for stalled pension bills |
More than 100 Michigan corrections officers gathered Thursday afternoon in Lansing demanding one thing: their pensions. The officers voiced their anger and frustration at lawmakers for approving a pension program, but failing to advance the legislation to the governor. Serving a life sentence: Shanda Vander Ark, the woman convicted of murder for torturing her teen son to death, is asking for a new trial in one of Muskegon County’s most horrific child abuse cases. The request comes nearly three years after 15-year-old Timothy Ferguson was found dead—merely skin and bones—inside a closet. Left unattended: Seven inmates were found roaming after exiting a court transport van, but they did not escape a secured garage area where the vehicle was, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office reports. Additionally, an inmate unrelated to the incident died as police were responding to the inmates exiting the van. |
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Thanks for starting your day with the Morning Briefing. We'll be back on Monday 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. Have a great weekend! - Cara Hackett |
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