In today's newsletter, we want to hear from you about President Trump's first 100 days in office, University of Michigan breaks record for law school applications for fall 2025 and how Michigan parents can get a free car seat this weekend. |
Adventure is on tap this weekend |
The work week is coming to an end and it's time to plan out your weekend itinerary. For the foodies looking for a unique tasting experience, the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is hosting its "Wine with a Twist" event Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4. The event pairs wine with creative craft cocktails at participating wineries along the Leelanau coast. Want to mix in a bit of adventure soon? Head to Traverse City for the popular Kayak, Bike & Brew tours. These excursions combine riding scenic bike trails, paddling on the Boardman River or West Grand Traverse Bay, with stops at local bars and restaurants along the way. |
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The Mesick Jeep Blessing in Cadillac will feature five Jeep courses, a mud pit, miles of trails and live entertainment. (Photo Courtesy of Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau) |
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Millions of birds are flying across Michigan. When is peak migration? |
Flocking together: Birds are singing across Michigan and we’re not even at peak migration yet. Peak migration typically hits Michigan in May. That’s when the most birds make their way across the state each night – making for a birdwatcher’s delight in the early mornings. This year, migration is expected to peak in the Lower Peninsula from May 6-9, and in the Upper Peninsula from May 9-12, according to BirdCast from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Speaking of migration: One of Lake Michigan’s most famous residents has returned home to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Gabby, the oldest Great Lakes piping plover, returned to her shoreline home this month, just in time for breeding season. Gabby, or Of,gb:X,Y, is a 16-year-old female plover. She hatched in 2009 on North Manitou Island. Breeding like rabbits: A Saginaw County woman's home became overrun with more than 65 rabbits after her children's pets bred uncontrollably. The animals chewed through walls to continue mating, with many requiring medical treatment for infections and injuries. Cole Waterman reports that several rabbits were transferred to Jackson County Animal Shelter, where they're being treated for rabbit-specific syphilis before they can be adopted. |
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Trump calls first 100 days a ‘revolution of common sense.’ What do you think? |
We want to hear from you: President Donald Trump marked his first 100 days in office Tuesday with a rally in Macomb County, Michigan. While the first 100 days don’t necessarily determine what a president’s entire term will hold, they may hint at future priorities, achievements and difficulties. Given Michigan’s position as a border state, a swing state, an auto industry hub and the location Trump chose to celebrate his first 100 days in office, we decided to ask readers about their thoughts. With nearly unanimous bipartisan support, the Michigan House has passed bills that would criminalize the sharing or creation of “deepfake” porn of a person without their consent. If signed into law, a person could face up to three years in prison and a civil lawsuit if they create or distribute nonconsensual deepfake porn. Cutting funding: The Trump administration has revoked $1.9 million in federal funds for a community development financial institution that planned to use the dollars to help socially and economically disadvantaged businesses access capital. |
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University of Michigan breaks record for law school applications for fall 2025 |
UM Law School applications: The University of Michigan Law School received a record-breaking 9,000 applications this year, nearly 50% more than their typical 5,500-6,000 annual applications. Despite the surge, the school plans to maintain its class size of 300-320 students. Makayla Coffee reports that economic concerns and pandemic-related career reassessment may be driving the increase at Michigan, which ranks 8th on U.S. News' 2025 Best Law Schools list. College accreditation: President Trump signed an executive order targeting the college accreditation system, which controls access to $120 billion in federal student aid. The order threatens to suspend accreditors that require diversity, equity and inclusion policies, which Trump claims "must be permanently eradicated." Danielle James reports critics view this as an attempt to dictate what's taught at universities, while supporters say it will lower costs and foster innovation. Cybersecurity degree: Northwood University in Midland has launched one of the nation's first three-year bachelor's programs in cybersecurity, cutting time to graduation while addressing workforce demands. The 90-credit Bachelor of Applied Science program aims to reduce student debt and improve educational access, reports Joey Oliver. With cybersecurity jobs projected to grow 33% over the next decade, the accelerated program positions students for a high-demand market. |
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Takeaways from Day 3 of police officer’s murder trial for Patrick Lyoya’s death |
Recap: The prosecution has rested its case and defense attorneys have begun calling their witnesses in the murder trial of Christopher Schurr, the former Grand Rapids police officer charged with Patrick Lyoya’s killing. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker called his final witness – a policing expert – to the stand Wednesday, April 30, during Day 3 of the high-profile case unfolding in Kent County Circuit Court, reports Bradley Massman. MSP Flint Post: Five Michigan State Police troopers are suing the department over a promotion scandal that rigged the merit-based promotion system in favor of pre-selected candidates. The five MSP troopers claim they were overlooked for promotions because others were given questions for the interview process in advance, Attorney Kevin Kelly, who represents the five troopers. Seeking answers: What led 28-year-old Kevin Graves to die at the Electric Forest music festival on July 1, 2018, may remain an eternal mystery. The cause of death was ruled “undetermined after investigation and anthropology studies,” reads the death certificate filed April 7. |
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How Michigan parents can get a free car seat this weekend |
Car safety: Michiganders with young children have the chance to get a lesson in vehicle safety, and potentially take home a new car seat. Certified technicians will be on hand from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Specialty Center in Detroit. They’ll assess if your kid is in the proper car seat for their size, and that the seat has been properly installed. The no-cost, no-appointment event will offer free car seat replacements for damaged or expired seats. Start your engines: Mud season is revving up this weekend in Cadillac as thousands of Jeep enthusiasts head Up North for the annual Mesick Jeep Blessing. The event starts 8 a.m. Saturday, May 3 with Jeeps gathering at the intersection of M-115 and M-37 in Mesick. The event features obstacle courses and a mud pit as well as vendors, live music and kid’s activities. Outdoor fun for everyone: Summer is around the corner at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and park volunteers are gearing up to be guides for visitors of all abilities. Reservations for both Track Chairs and wheelchair bikes are now open. Volunteers will give an orientation and accompany guests on their rides and hikes. |
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You're all caught up on Michigan's top news. We'll be back tomorrow for another edition of Morning Briefing. In the meantime, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Take care! - Cara Hackett |
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