In today's newsletter, VP Kamala Harris sets Aug. 7 for Detroit rally, Michigan’s biggest cities are having the last 9 p.m. sunsets for the year and 200 drones to hover over St. Ignace |
Let's get ready for the weekend |
From a beer festival to an annual LEGO contest, there are plenty of fun things happening this weekend as we kick off August. Head to Washtenaw County to enjoy Ann Arbor's 19th annual LEGO contest, Ann Arbor Pride, Vet Fest and more. Flint's Family Fun Fest kicks off at 10 a.m. today, Aug. 2, with a food distribution, games, bicycle giveaways and facepainting. For the beer fans, be sure to check out these 10 pours on Sunday at Beer Fest in Flint. If you plan on hitting the road, be aware of construction projects. The Michigan Department of Transportation has another 24 road closures scheduled for Friday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 4, on top of several other ongoing projects. |
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The sunset at the Lake Michigan overlook along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan, photo taken in June of 2022. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) |
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Endangered butterflies filling Michigan’s skies again with zoo’s breeding efforts |
Saving the butterflies: Conservation scientists at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids are part of a multi-state team working to repopulate the endangered Poweshiek skipperling, a dark brown and orange butterfly that lives in prairie fens and moist meadows. The captive-breeding and rearing team is credited with successfully growing wild populations. More than 1,200 of the endangered Poweshiek skipperlings bred at the Michigan zoo were already released into the wild this year. Now caterpillar rearing season is kicking off. This year scientists were able to breed more than 45 pairs of the endangered butterflies. Speaking of insects: An invasive pest which kills eastern hemlock trees is continuing to spread up the Lake Michigan coast. On Thursday, Aug. 1, state officials announced that a hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) infestation had been confirmed confirmed near Northport in Leelanau County. |
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So long, late sunsets: Michigan’s biggest cities are having last 9 p.m. sunsets for the year |
Summer sunsets: A dreaded day for summer lovers is approaching this weekend. Our last sunset after 9 p.m. will occur on Saturday for many locations in Southern Michigan. Areas farther north get to hold onto them for a few more days. We’ll continue to lose daylight at a faster rate each day until the Autumn Equinox on September 22. Before you go: If your plan to escape the heat includes a beach trip this weekend, check this list of 14 beaches that are closed or under contamination advisories for water quality that’s unsafe or questionable for human contact. Weekend forecast: There will be a line of scattered thunderstorms over the weekend that leads the slow change to less humid weather. Saturday night an area of thunderstorms will move across the Upper Peninsula and then drift south into northern Lower Michigan Sunday. We can expect the southern half of Michigan to be dry, steamy and hot. |
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Lions re-sign former draft pick to fill void on D-line |
On the team: The Detroit Lions have turned to a familiar face to restock their defensive line, signing Pat O’Connor before practice on Thursday morning. They also signed offensive lineman Jake Burton, while moving another offensive lineman, Netane Muti, to injured reserve. On the practice field: The Detroit Lions already lost two players to long-term injuries since the pads came on this week. They’ll hope to avoid a similar fate for rookie running back Sione Vaki, who left Thursday’s practice because of a shoulder injury. A 5-foot-6 running back who burst onto the NFL scene with the Chicago Bears has retired. ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini confirmed Thursday that running back Tarik Cohen has decided to retire, a source tells ESPN. The news was considered a surprise as Cohen had worked his way back from multiple serious injuries. |
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200 drones to hover over U.P. destination for ‘dazzling display’ this Friday |
Something to see: St. Ignace will have a laser light show, featuring 200 drones over Lake Huron at dusk on Friday, officials announced on Facebook. The drones will launch from Shepler’s Dock and DJ Mile Williford will be spinning tunes at St. Ignace Marina. Check it out: The Little Traverse Conservancy announced this week that more than five miles of bike trails now wind through a nature preserve. They were designed in partnership with the well-known Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association, whose members had reached out to the conservancy shortly after its $2 million purchase of the old course. Take a sip: National Root Beer Float Day falls on Tuesday, Aug. 6, this year. Here are five great destinations to check out if you’re looking for a way to celebrate the marriage of pop and ice cream in Jackson County. |
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Another week is in the books. You can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. We'll see you bright and early Monday morning. — Cara Hackett |
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