Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2022

In today's newsletter, homelessness declined in Michigan during the pandemic, 3M has vowed to stop manufacturing PFAS within 3 years and the Michigan women's basketball team is really, really good.

Both a winter storm and Christmas are approaching.

Usually last-minute shopping and worries about family disagreements are what causes anxiety before the holidays. But now we are also worrying about an incoming storm. We have plenty of weather coverage in today's newsletter.

But I do have a few reminders that I want to really hammer home. If you need to drive for any reason, all signs point to today (and early in the day) being the most safe. Keep an eye on MLive.com/weather to get the latest updates. And if you do drive, take a look at this list of 15 emergency items you should have in your vehicle.

I hope the forecast isn't causing you too much stress during this holiday week. And I have my fingers crossed for zero power outages with the storm.

Curated by Jessica Shepherd

If you know Grand Rapids, you know the historic Flat Iron building. It's been sold. Read more here. (Photo Joel Hawksley | The Grand Rapids Press)

A blizzard warning has been issued. The forecast shows up to 2 feet of snow. Here's the latest.

Dozens of Michigan counties under blizzard warning:Later today, a good chunk of the state will be under a blizzard warning. We have all the info on which counties are under the warning and what forecasters anticipate will happen during this pre-Christmas storm.

Forecast shows up to 2 feet: MLive Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa is keeping an eye on the incoming storm. So far, it looks like the forecast is for as many as 24 inches of snow in southwest Michigan. Here's a full rundown of what different parts of Michigan are looking at for snow totals.

Still need to get supplies or travel?With the start of the storm coming tonight, the recommendation is to get out as early as you can today to do any last-minute shopping or if you need to travel for the holiday.

Read more

Homelessness in Michigan declined during the pandemic.

The numbers:The latest state report shows the number of Michiganders experiencing homelessness dipped by 2% in 2021 following a record 19% plunge in 2020. Put another way, Michigan reported 38,247 people experienced homelessness in 2019, but within two years, that fell by more than 8,000 people.

Here's why: State officials point to the ban on evictions and a pot of rental assistance as the biggest drivers of these declines. The biggest resource: a $1.1 billion COVID Emergency Rental Assistance program.

Speaking of housing: Our Wallet Watch this week addresses creative housing solutions, along with tipping workers and the holiday traditions of Michigan businesses.

Read more

3M will stop manufacturing toxic PFAS chemicals within 3 years.

Eliminating PFAS: Manufacturing giant 3M says it will stop making a class of toxic fluorochemicals which pose serious health risks and have polluted water supplies, food systems and other natural environments across the globe.

In August, the Biden administration announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would list PFOS and PFOA, the two most well-known PFAS compounds, as hazardous substances under federal cleanup law, increasing liability for chemical makers and users.

More from environment reporter Garret Ellison: An $858 billion national defense bill that President Biden is expected to sign this week contains funding authorizations for a new Great Lakes icebreaker and increased spending on the Soo Locks shipping complex.

Read more

It's time the Michigan women's basketball team is viewed as a national force.

Michigan is really, really good: With 2023 closing in and Big Ten play set to resume, the Wolverines have proven they are (still) a national force. They are 11-1 with wins over then-No. 21 Baylor and No. 6 North Carolina. They ambushed North Carolina with a 35-point first quarter.

Continued success: Michigan reached the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight last season after getting to the Sweet 16 the year before. The question entering this year: Could Michigan sustain it without Naz Hillmon? The answer appears to be, Hail yes.

In other sports news: Yesterday was a big day for many Michigan athletes — early signing day. We have a full roundup of announcements from football players across the state.

Read more

A top Democrat says a House ethics investigation into Chatfield was a missed opportunity.

Outgoing lawmaker speaks:Though the Department of the AG asked House Republicans to not undertake an investigation into former House Speaker Lee Chatfield over myriad allegations stemming from his time in office, the legislature was wrong to not launch at least an ethical probe into the ex-lawmaker, says Outgoing House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski.

Lasinski said:"I believe there is a strong difference between criminality and ethical violations, and it is a purview of this institution … to look into potential ethical violations and a failure to uphold your oath of office. Those are two different things."

ICYMI: We have a look at then-President Donald Trump's White House meeting with Chatfield and then-Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey.

Read more

You're all caught up.

But make sure to keep an eye on the forecast as the storm approaches today and into the weekend.

All day long, you can find the latest Michigan weather news at MLive.com. And if you appreciate the hard work of our reporters to keep you informed, consider becoming an MLive subscriber.

Stay safe out there!

— Jessica Shepherd

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