In today's newsletter, 2M voted in Michigan primary election, a disastrous cherry season and a wild Up North state park. |
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The Lake Michigan overlook at Lake Bluff Farms provides a view of the freshwater sea from atop a 100-foot bluff. Lake Bluff Farms is at 2890 Lakeshore Road in Manistee Township, Mich. (Justine Lofton | MLive.com) |
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Students are struggling. Can Michigan schools meet their mental health needs? |
Youth mental health crisis: Thousands of Michigan students are struggling with mental health issues like depression and anxiety. For many, it stems from time spent on social media. While some families can afford private therapists, most cannot and have no other support. Schools have been working to fill the treatment gap, but face deep state funding cuts and staffing shortages, making it hard to meet growing needs. More in education: Through the state’s Clean School Bus grant program, 29 school districts will receive nearly $30 million from the Michigan Department of Education to replace old diesel school buses. Speaking of transportation: There’s plenty more road construction coming our way, some of which could affect your travel plans or commute. Here is a summary of closures to watch out for this week. |
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2M voted in Michigan primary election. See which counties had best, worst turnout |
Data: A little more than 2 million Michigan voters cast a ballot in the Aug. 6 primary election — and 1.2 million of that came from early or absentee voting, according to the Michigan Secretary of State office. Unofficial results for the Aug. 6 state primary reported 2,004,309 ballots cast, which is 23.9% of all registered voters. In the August 2022 state primary, featuring the governor’s race, 26.5% of registered voters turned out. Also in politics: Former President Donald Trump says he will debate Vice President Kamala Harris in Grand Rapids next month. The announcement was made by Trump on Sunday, Aug. 11, in a post on Truth Social. While we're in town: What’s next after voters approve hotel tax hike for Grand Rapids venues. |
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Cherry season such a ‘disaster’ in Michigan that Whitmer urges federal action |
Cherry harvest turned sour: Michigan’s cherry growers are facing an unusually abysmal harvest turnout, starting with their sweet varieties and now also extending into the tarts. Experts say extreme weather variability caused by climate change is entirely to blame for this season’s spoiled cherry crops. Things are so bad that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is urging the federal government to declare a natural disaster for Michigan’s cherry growers. Help has never been needed more, state officials said. Yuk: Photographers have captured evidence of a persistent harmful algae bloom that’s plagued Muskegon Lake spilling into Lake Michigan. To know: The decision to make the annual liberty and independence hunts antlerless deer-only beginning in 2025 has rankled accessibility advocates who go to great lengths to ensure hunters in wheelchairs or those without the ability to hold a bow or rifle make it into the woods each fall. |
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Tornado Tracker: How many twisters have touched down in Michigan so far this year |
In weather: The number of tornadoes touching down in Michigan this year is really starting to add up. With the Aug. 6 tornado in St. Joseph County, Michigan has now experienced 13 tornadoes in 2024. The 13 tornadoes have occurred on seven different days. Out of the water: In an attempt at a solo swim across Lake Michigan, Jim Dreyer lost GPS navigation, fought wild hallucinations and spent a night essentially swimming in circles. He can’t help but think his planned 83-mile swim would have been successful if he hadn’t inadvertently dropped a bag of AA batteries – that power the GPS – into the water. Share your work: If you’ve got some artistic talent, a love for stargazing, and you’ve always wanted to see your work displayed in public, the “Under a Dark Sky” Art Contest might be for you. |
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Wild Up North state park has 14 miles of connected trails, 10 lakes, dozens of campsites |
Highlighting some beauty: Rifle River State Recreation Area is a practically untouched piece of wilderness in Northern Michigan. It's a recreational playground for those who love the outdoors and all the natural beauty it has to offer. Year-round recreational opportunities include fishing, paddling, camping, swimming, hiking, mountain biking and more. Tunnel Park: Sometimes you need tunnel vision to remind yourself how large the Great Lakes are. Walking through a sand dune and watching Lake Michigan expand before you is part of the draw of Tunnel Park in Holland. Saugatuck’s Interurban: Save on parking and try this $2 shuttle service between two Lake Michigan beach towns. |
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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. Have a good day! — Jamie Rewerts |
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