Morning Briefing

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

In today's newsletter, the new Ottawa County board is facing pushback, we have an update on this week's snow forecast and the outlook for the 2023 Michigan Wolverines football team is looking good.

I'm planning my day of service for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Celebrated each year to honor the civil rights leader, the third Monday in January is designated as a day of service. I try to do something each year to help my community. Here in Kalamazoo, it's easy because a list of volunteer opportunities is compiled to mark the day.

The volunteer work is just part of how Michigan communities will celebrate King's legacy. In Grand Rapids, community celebrations will be held. Saginaw offers its annual MLK Day unity event and march. In Ann Arbor, Michigan Theater will offer a free double feature to reflect on the "principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change." And in Midland, there's a food giveaway.

I'll make sure to share other Martin Luther King Jr. Day events and volunteer opportunities from across the state as the in the coming days so you can plan for the holiday.

Curated by Jessica Shepherd

A look at the lineup of nonalcoholic cocktails — from left, the Brooklyn 75, Rosemary’s garden, hibiscus pom spritz, blueberry mint lemonade and Thompson & Co. mule — at Mash, 400 N. River St. in Ypsilanti. (Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com)

Alcohol-free drinks are flowing in Michigan as more businesses enter the market.

Booze-free beverages booming: Nonalcoholic beer, wine and spirits are becoming more popular as some consumers cut back on booze. Although nonalcoholic drinks account for only a small chunk of total alcohol sales in the United States, the market has been booming for the past five years, prompting some Michigan businesses to join the scene.

Sales are up: Sales of no-alcohol drinks in the United States jumped 20% in a year, hitting $395 million in August 2022, according to market research firm NielsenIQ. And the global no- and low-alcohol market in 2021 reached $10 billion, up from $7.8 billion five years ago, an analysis from beverage market data firm IWSR Research found last year.

Sample some NA sips:If you are in Ann Arbor looking for Dry January options (or yearround dry options), there are plenty of establishments mixing up yummy zero-proof beverages.

Read more

The new Ottawa County board is facing pushback from residents after sweeping changes.

'This board needs to be recalled:' After a warm reception at its first meeting, the new Ottawa County Board of Commissioners is facing pushback for the sweeping changes it made that upended the county government’s leadership.

Residents sound off: From one county resident saying the criticism new commissioners are facing is analogous to how Jewish people were treated during the Holocaust to other residents claiming the commissioners’ actions are those of dirty politicians, comments at the 2023 Ottawa County Board of Commissioners second meeting of the year ran the political gamut.

New corporate counsel approved: A law firm best known for championing conservative causes will be taking over as Ottawa County government’s attorney. In a divided vote by the new board, Kallman Legal Group was chosen as the county’s corporate counsel.

Read more

The forecast for this week's snowstorm is shifting and Mark has all the info.

Snowstorm trend: If you are in southeast Michigan and are interested in what weather you will encounter this week, you should check out this update from MLive Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa. Will it be rain? Will it be snow? Will it accumulate? Mark is keeping an eye on it.

What it looks like for other parts of Michigan: Mark didn't just focus on southeast Lower Michigan. If you are in West Michigan or the Saginaw area, there is an update for you too. See how the storm is expected to impact you here.

Snow now, summer later: If you want to daydream about non-snowy times, check out this amazing opportunity to be a state park or harbor host this summer. It means a free extended stay while you lend a hand. Applications are being accepted now.

Read more

Wolverines are expected to keep up the pace in 2023, but will Jim Harbaugh be their coach?

Broncos eyeing Harbaugh: Jim Harbaugh interviewed with the Denver Broncos earlier this week and has reportedly emerged as "a top candidate" for their head-coaching vacancy. The interview comes days after Harbaugh issued a statement saying, "I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023."

Michigan expected to keep rolling: Following the national championship, many prognosticators looked ahead to next season. Several outlets released their “too-early rankings,” acknowledging that much will change before the games begin. Michigan ranked no worse than third in the sampling of major outlets, and as high as second.

Blake is back: In a week full of uncertainty with Michigan and the future of its head coach, the Wolverines got a shot of good news in the form of a welcomed return by All-American Blake Corum. Oh, and Blake is one of the topics on the latest episode of Wolverine Confidential.

Read more

Michigan students lost ground during COVID. An education nonprofit has a way to close the gap.

Falling behind: Michigan students fell behind during the pandemic, but some fell behind faster, according to a new report. The losses fell disproportionately on poor students, non-white students and rural students, on students with disabilities and students who were still learning English.

What can fix it?The most urgent step? Spend the federal COVID money to help students catch up. At least, that's according to The Education Trust. But, more broadly, their report says, the state needs to fix its school funding system.

Speaking of education: The White House is moving forward with a proposal that would lower student debt payments for millions of Americans now and in the future, offering a new route to repay federal loans under far more generous terms.

Read more

That's all for now.

We've made it to the halfway mark already, friends!

No matter what day it is, you can always find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. Maybe today is the day you become an MLive subscriber.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

— Jessica Shepherd

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