In today's newsletter, Michigan will likely strike hundreds from sex-offender registry due to Supreme Court decision, a Northern Lights sightseeing forecast and Lions' fans head to Allen Park for training camp. |
A Michigan zoo is welcoming new additions |
Lansing's Potter Park Zoo announced the birth of two Magellanic penguins. The chicks hatched on July 16 and 19 to parents Jayde and Skipper. It’s the pair’s second consecutive successful breeding, making it a significant moment that they hatched two eggs in one year. The zoo is also celebrating the addition of a tiny, red panda cub born last month. The cub was born to mother Maliha and father Degan-Reid on June 19. Blandford Nature Center’s longest tenant, Katherine the great horned owl, has passed away. The nature refuge near downtown Grand Rapids has been home to the owl for more than 30 years. Katherine was one of seven wildlife ambassadors and represented an owl species native to Michigan. |
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Two Magellanic penguin chicks recently hatched at Potter Park Zoo. The chicks hatched on July 16 and 19, 2024. (Potter Park Zoo) |
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Michigan Supreme Court decision will likely strike hundreds from sex-offender registry |
New decision: Michigan’s policy of putting people on a sex-offender registry even if their crime was nonsexual is unconstitutional, the state Supreme Court said Monday. In a 5-2 decision, the court said a portion of a 2021 law is “cruel or unusual punishment” barred by the Michigan Constitution. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan estimates there are roughly 300 people on the registry for nonsexual crimes. Prisoners in Michigan deemed medically frail now have a better chance of leaving prison sooner to get the care they need while also taking the burden of their care out off the state prison system. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on July 23 signed into law Senate Bill 599, that broadens a 2019 statute to allow the parole board to grant the release of prisoners currently incarcerated whose declining health has reduced the threat they pose. Also in law enforcement: Five candidates are vying to become the next St. Joseph County sheriff, filling the shoes of embattled current Sheriff Mark Lillywhite, who decided not to run for reelection. |
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Whitmer vetoes Michigan ethanol sales incentive, drawing criticism from farming groups |
Michigan tax dollars won’t subsidize the sale of some ethanol-blended fuel after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed a proposed incentive program from the state budget. The move drew criticism from a biofuels industry group and Michigan agricultural interests that backed the rebate for sales of E15, gasoline blended with up to 15% ethanol that can be used to fuel most modern vehicles put in service after 2001. Three Higgins Lake property owners are suing in federal court to overturn a new state law allowing counties more leeway in regulating inland lake levels. The owners are asking a judge to void parts of a new law allowing temporary lake level fluctuations based on weather, natural events or construction. More in environmental news: A Holland developer attempting to build a marina and high-end housing at the Kalamazoo River mouth has sued the leader of an opposition group which has fought Lake Michigan coastal dune development there for 20 years. |
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New northern lights forecast gives several chances for Michigan under clear skies |
Seeing the lights: NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center gave us an updated forecast of when the strongest geomagnetic energy is expected to hit the top of Earth’s atmosphere, increasing our chances of seeing the Northern Lights this week. One of the peak viewing times is 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. on August 1. The more you know: During the summer when wildfire smoke takes over the skies, you’ll often notice the haze during the day. But at night, the sun seems to display extra vibrant colors, making for breathtaking sunsets. Why is that? It has to do with how sunlight interacts with the atmosphere. Drenched: It was a fairly widespread rain over Michigan in the last 24 hours. A few cities from Battle Creek to the Lansing area to Flint and Frankenmuth had over an inch and a half of rain. Northern Michigan was drenched even more than southern Lower Michigan. Areas around West Branch and Houghton Lake had over three inches of rain. |
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Lions fans flock to Allen Park for upgraded training camp experience |
In football: Almost 2,500 Detroit Lions fans flocked into town Tuesday, as the team continues training camp in preparation for the 2024 season. The Lions opened practice to the public for the first time Saturday and donned pads for the first time Monday, welcoming fans to the facility to watch players run through drills. On the practice field: The first practice of fall camp is a familiar routine for Jonathan Smith but the surroundings are different heading into his first season at Michigan State. The former Oregon State head coach inherited a MSU program coming off back-to-back losing years and hungry to rebound from a 4-8 record. In baseball: The Detroit Tigers traded starting pitcher Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two prospects on Tuesday night. The Tigers will receive 21-year-old catcher Thayron Liranzo and 24-year-old shortstop Trey Sweeney. |
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Where are Michigan tourists coming from? See beachside rental data |
Vacation time: The Great Lakes draw visitors internationally, but some of the most frequent vacationers are from our Midwest neighbors, according to software company AirDNA. An estimated 36% of guests on the west side are from Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis, according to AirDNA. Up north, travelers are most likely to be from Detroit area, Chicago and Grand Rapids, according to AirDNA. On your next stay: The Beach Bar at Hampton Inn & Suites Manistee Waterfront is a stone’s throw away from the Manistee’s award-winning beach. In fact, the hotel is on a small parcel of land in the middle of First Street Beach/Douglas Park, which recently won the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice award for best beach in Michigan. Plan a trip: Venture to Traverse City for your next Michigan vacation. Stay downtown in one of the waterfront hotels with views of Grand Traverse Bay or check out the beautiful B&B inns tucked into vineyards. There’s a horse ranch just outside of town and big resorts like Crystal Mountain and Grand Traverse Resort that are a draw for golfers. |
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Thanks for starting your day off with the Morning Briefing. You can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a wonderful Wednesday! — Cara Hackett |
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