| TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025 |
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In today's newsletter, active weather pattern settling in, West Michigan businesses shut down for "Day without Immigrants" protest and lawmakers taking a look at law to keep lottery winners anonymous. |
Spreading the love on Valentine's Day |
Valentine's Day is right around the corner and I couldn't be more excited for Feb. 14 to arrive. Between celebrations of love, heart-shaped sweet treats, and Galentine's Day parties, I find joy in seeing people express adoration for the ones who mean the most. For an adventurous Galentine's Day activity, the Department of Natural Resources' Outdoor Adventure Center is hosting an archery themed girl's night out Feb. 14 in Detroit. And here's a roundup of romantic Valentine's Day ideas across Ann Arbor. If your sweetheart is a coffee lover, Starbucks is rolling out their Valentine’s Day-inspired menu today featuring a Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Crème Frappuccino and Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cold Brew. Speaking of chocolate, MLive is on the hunt to find the tastiest cup of hot cocoa Michigan has to offer. Submit your nominations here and we will reveal Michigan’s most delicious cup later this month. |
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MLive is asking readers to help us find the most delicious cup of hot chocolate in Michigan. Pictured is a cup of hot cocoa from the Union Market & Gallery in Tuckerton, N.J.Photo by Jim Lowney | NJ.com |
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From cars to corn: Michigan industries brace for Trump’s tariff impact |
President Donald Trump’s executive orders planning for stiff tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China could hurt Michigan’s top industries and bolster overseas competitors, experts say. The orders would mean an additional 25% tariff on imports from Canada, with a lower 10% charge on the oil, natural gas, electricity and other energy products. Mexican imports would face an additional 25% tax. China would face an additional 10% tariff. Auto manufacturing — a staple of the Michigan economy for generations — represents one of the industries most vulnerable to international competition during U.S.-imposed tariffs, experts say. The governor says: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said President Donald Trump’s impending tariffs on goods from Canada, China and Mexico increase prices for working Michiganders and “cripple our economy.” |
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Active weather pattern settling in, 2 snow or freezing rain periods this week |
Weather update: The weather-makers this week come Wednesday night into Thursday morning and sometime Saturday into Saturday night. Both storm systems have a meaningful amount of moisture, but wouldn’t be considered super major winter storms. They have the general look of a three to six inch snow in the heaviest snow band and a one-tenth to one-quarter of an inch of ice accumulation in the freezing rain zone. That ice accumulation will cause dangerous travel conditions Thursday morning and possibly Saturday. Looking up: February’s night sky gives us the bright trio of Mars, Jupiter and Venus, according to NASA skywatch experts. Mars will be almost amber-colored this month. You’ll find it high in the eastern sky each night. Then as night progresses, it’s the last planet to set in the west, a couple hours before sunrise. Jupiter will be high overhead each night, a bright spot in our sky. Venus will be shining bright in the western sky after sunset. In case you missed it: Expect a temperature rollercoaster in the first half of February. Here's a look at the upper-air forecast out to mid-February. |
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West Michigan businesses shut down for ‘Day without Immigrants’ protest |
Showing solidarity: Dozens of small businesses across West Michigan shut down on Monday, Feb. 3, as part of a national protest to raise awareness about the role immigrants play in the American economy. The campaign, which circulated on social media accounts and with immigrant rights groups in California, Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota and Washington D.C., also made it to Michigan on Monday. Immigrant rights activists in Washtenaw County say tensions are high in their circles after President Donald Trump promised mass deportations. This tension has advocacy groups preparing through many different organizations and congregations to stand with immigrants and do whatever they can to accompany, protect or lessen the burdens of those affected, Mary Anne Perrone of the Washtenaw Congregational Sanctuary, said. A Bay City commissioner is looking to ensure city personnel aren’t used to enforce federal actions regarding illegal immigration and other immigration policies. Chris Runberg, the city’s 7th Ward commissioner, is proposing a resolution that would affirm the city as a welcoming city for all people regardless of immigration status and prohibit local immigration enforcement. |
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Should Michigan let lottery winners stay anonymous? Lawmakers taking look at law |
Michigan residents who win big multi-state lottery games like Powerball and Mega Millions are required to have their name released publicly along with the dollar amount they won. But releasing a person’s identity can increase the risk for lottery winners to be targeted by scams, threats and potential violence, said state Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes. That’s why Outman the past two sessions has proposed legislation to allow multistate lottery game winners in Michigan to remain anonymous. Tax season is underway, and the IRS expects 140 million people will file returns by April 15. The agency has also debuted a new online tool to help taxpayers check the status of any refund they may be entitled to. The IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills. Here's what to know about this tax season. Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has agreed to pay $59.7 million plus interest to settle bribery allegations against a company it bought in 2022. Michigan has joined the U.S. Department of Justice and 37 other states in the settlement, per a release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. |
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Inspired by U.P. wilderness? Porkies open 2025 artist residency |
Getting creative: Artists inspired by the wild of the Upper Peninsula can apply to spend several weeks dropped into some of the Great Lakes' oldest forests. Within the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Parks sits a backcountry cabin where artists can live and work for free through a residency sponsored by Friends of the Porkies since 2007. Book a stay: If you love the outdoors but don’t want to give up all your creature comforts, Michigan’s state parks have lodging that walk the line between rustic and glamping. Among the lodging options are deluxe stays which include a bathroom within the cabin or cottage, whereas other lodging still uses the public facilities. Winter fun: An outdoor ice rink near the shore of Lake Huron is open for the second year in a row. Mich-e-ke-wis Park in Alpena was home to a historic ice rink, according to Visit Alpena, which posted a photo of it from the 1940s. That tradition was revived just last year with the help of the city’s fire and public works departments. The rink is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Concessions, a warming shelter and the Alpena Farmers Market are open on Saturdays. |
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I'm glad you started your day with the Morning Briefing. We'll be back tomorrow with more news from across Michigan. Until then, you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. See you tomorrow! — Cara Hackett |
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