WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023 |
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In today's newsletter, five Michigan schools recognized for their work with underserved students, when cold air will return to Michigan and what to know about those holiday gift cards. |
It's almost time to ring in 2024. |
Now that Christmas is in the rearview mirror, you might be penning your resolutions for 2024. Before kicking off your newfound goals, ring in the new year with these events across Michigan. Traverse City is dropping a glowing red cherry Sunday night at the stroke of midnight. In case you missed the news, Houghton is bringing in the new year with its first ever "chook drop". Chook is the U.P. term for a beanie. Here's a roundup of New Years Eve events throughout Grand Rapids. Over in Ann Arbor, check out these five events to close out the year. Mid-Michigan is getting ready for its annual Midnight on Main New Year’s Eve Party. |
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More than 8,000 people typically come downtown Traverse City on NYE for the cherry-themed ball drop to ring in the New Year. (Photo provided by Traverse City Tourism.) |
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Holiday gift cards: Americans are holding on to $23 billion in unspent cards |
Cashing in: Americans are expected to spend nearly $30 billion on gift cards this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. While many cards will be redeemed, tens of billions of dollars’ worth of gift cards wind up forgotten or otherwise unused. Also in spending: The federal government awarded the Michigan Unemployment Agency a $2.6 million grant this month to pursue cases of pandemic fraud. The funding will pay for 30 new unemployment agents in the state’s fraud and investigative division.
Grinch: While families enjoyed holiday festivities, someone was going home to home in Southwest Michigan, stealing from mailboxes in search of holiday cash. Police have not identified a suspect.
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5 Michigan schools recognized for ‘post-pandemic academic progress’ among underserved students |
Ahead of the class: Education Trust-Midwest, a nonpartisan group that advocates for student achievement, named five Michigan schools this fall as the 2023 “Building the Hope” schools for helping underserved students excel during the worst years of the pandemic. New job: Public school employees in Washtenaw County schools can now earn a degree and become a special education teacher through a new Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Certification Pilot Program. Wheels on the bus: More autonomous buses could be on the way to Michigan State University as the tech company that first brought the bus to campus plans to move its headquarters to East Lansing. |
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Warm stretch winding down, when cold air will return to Michigan |
Cool breeze: More seasonably cool temperatures are expected to move back into the state by the end of the week, with daytime high temperatures in the 30s returning to southern Michigan. Also this week: A few rain showers will move through different parts of the state this week—here's a look at the precipitation forecast.
Tale of two Christmases: This year’s Christmas was a balmy 180-degree turn from last year’s snowy end to a windy, freezing pre-Christmas blizzard that dumped nearly 4 feet of snow in some parts of the state.
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A cheerleader, an ex-Wolverine, and a fan from ‘97 are off to the Rose Bowl |
Fanbase: When the Wolverines take the field on Jan. 1 against Alabama in the Rose Bowl, they’ll be celebrated by countless fans who feel an emotional connection to their school and the game. From one of Michigan's first female cheerleaders to a former football player, take a look at some of the fans attending next week's game. Roundup: Before the Wolverines take the field in Pasadena, California, for the Rose Bowl, here are 10 stories that you might have missed during the team’s memorable season. Record-breaker: With Tuesday’s loss against the Brooklyn Nets, the Pistons now own the NBA’s all-time single season losing streak record at 27 games. The record was previously held by the Cleveland Cavaliers (2010-11) and the Philadelphia 76ers (2013-14). |
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A Michigan woman hiked 3 volcanoes to show what’s possible with 1 kidney |
Limitless: Erin Saotome isn't letting her only kidney stop her from experiencing life. The Howell woman and nearly 20 other kidney donors hiked the volcanoes during an event organized by the Colorado-based organization Kidney Donor Athletes, in hopes to prove to others anything is possible after donating. Hit the slopes: The longest consecutively running ski jumping tournament in the United States is set to return to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for its 137th year from Jan.19 to Jan. 21. Last bite: After 13 years in business, the 84th Street Pub & Grille in Byron Center is closing its doors on Saturday, Dec. 30. |
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Christmas might be over, but I hope your week is still full of holiday cheer. Catch up on the latest news at MLive.com. If you value the work of our journalists, consider becoming a subscriber. See you tomorrow! — Cara Hackett |
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