In today's newsletter, 5 Michigan colleges rank in the top-300 nationally, pay-per-mile pilot ‘not off the table’ for Michigan and Detroit businesses reeling from economic blow. |
Diving into some of Michigan's local eats |
The latest from our Best Local Eats series has been served. Here are the businesses we covered in or near Ann Arbor, Jackson, Flint, Grand Haven, Cedar Springs, Bay City, and Kalamazoo. To see more, visit this page. Speaking of food, a well-known Ann Arbor chef and restaurant are once again being considered for the prestigious honor of the James Beard Awards. Miss Kim’s Chef Ji Hye Kim and Spencerare just two of the 10 other Michigan restaurants and chefs to be a part of the semifinalists for the award. Nearby in Detroit, Lafayette Coney Island, one of the most well-known restaurants in Michigan, has been forced to temporarily close due to a rat infestation. |
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A scene from the cardboard sled races at Mulligan’s Hollow ski bowl during Winterfest in Grand Haven, Mich. on Saturday, January 25, 2025. (Arthur H. Trickett-Wile | MLive.com) |
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Michigan abruptly stopped burning millions of old tires. What’s next? |
Environmental deep dive: Michigan produces heaps of old tires each year. By a commonly cited estimate, there’s one scrap tire for each person every year. That’s some 10 million hunks of rubber, steel and synthetic components in search of a final resting place annually. Millions of scrap tires have ended up incinerated at power plants and paper mills. With the practice declining, how will the state keep them out of landfills? Reintroducing: It’s been 89 years since Arctic grayling have been self-sustaining in Michigan’s waters. That could soon change. The DNR will soon provide about 400,000 grayling eggs to local tribes, which will plant them in coldwater streams. Just a joke: Enough people took seriously a Michigan-set satirical publication’s online story that the farce led a real-life mayor to issue a statement, attempting to separate fact from fiction. That mayor’s message: No, people, the Saginaw Bay was not renamed as the “Bay Bay.” |
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These 5 Michigan colleges rank in the top-300 nationally, Research.com says |
List: Five Michigan colleges and universities rank in the top-300 of online publication Research.com’s “Best Colleges in 2024-25 in America” list. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor topped the list for state institutions, ranking No. 48 overall. Private liberal arts college Hillsdale College ranked one slot below the Ann Arbor university at No. 49 overall. Wayne State University in Detroit ranked No. 110 overall. Kettering University, the Flint engineering and technology university, ranked No. 206 overall. Andrew University in Berrien Springs ranked No. 291. School leader: Kalamazoo Public Schools Superintendent Darrin Slade was named a “Superintendent to watch” for the 2024-25 school year. The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) recognizes 25 superintendents every year with less than five years of experience. Slade was the only Michigan superintendent on this year’s list. National award recipient: Frankenmuth’s E.F. Rittmueller Middle School teacher Luke Kanine was honored with an annual distinction presented this year to 45 of the nation’s most outstanding educators. |
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Pay-per-mile pilot ‘not off the table’ for Michigan |
To know: Michigan has not closed the door on a future road usage charge (RUC) pilot. The state’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) would still be interested in a pay-per-mile road funding trial program if the money for such a project becomes available, according to Michael Frezell, MDOT’s deputy communications director. Frezell previously told MLive MDOT didn’t see the need to ‘reinvent the wheel,’ adding it could still adopt a RUC system down the road using the experience of other states. The Michigan County Road Association (MCRA) disagreed. They said Michigan’s program would need to be unique to other states, and a pilot would help answer many outstanding questions, like how to track and report mileage, or how much to charge per mile. The latest: Attorneys Ben Crump and Ven Johnson announced Friday, Jan. 24 the filing of two federal lawsuits by the families of men struck and killed by police cruisers in Kent County in 2024. |
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Detroit businesses reeling from economic blow of Lions’ playoff exit |
Local impact: David Cowan of the Downtown Detroit Partnership told MLive that businesses near Ford Field were expected to generate close to $40 million during each playoff game this postseason — double the $20 million per game earned during the 2024 playoff run. For the Lions-Commanders game alone, revenue was projected to exceed $64 million. While Detroiters may still frequent these establishments this weekend, sales will fall short of what they would have been if the Lions had hosted the NFC Championship game at Ford Field for the first time in team history. Moving up: Kelvin Sheppard is the new defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. Sheppard, 37, has been a rising assistant coach to watch on Dan Campbell’s staff. Now, after spending the last four seasons as linebackers coach with a growing role, he’ll take over for Aaron Glenn. In basketball: No. 8 Michigan State rode its bench to an 81-74 victory against Rutgers on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York to extend its winning streak to 12. |
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The cheapest place to retire in the U.S. is in a city which borders Michigan |
A new study finds the cheapest place to retire in the entire country is in a city located just across the Michigan border. Coming in at No. 1 is Toledo, Ohio, located just across Michigan’s southeast border. There was only one Michigan city on this list with Detroit coming in at No. 23. Unique experience: A candle-lit, cross-country ski and hiking event was hosted by Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area on Saturday, Jan. 25. Another outdoor excursion is planned for Feb. 15. Now hiring: If you’re looking for a summer gig with perks, like a sun tan, check out the Michigan Department of Natural Resources job listing. The DNR is seeking 1,300 seasonal employees to work from April to October. |
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Thank you for joining me on today's edition of the Morning Briefing. As always, you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a great day! — Jamie Rewerts |
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