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Morning Briefing

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023

In today's newsletter, Michigan added 58 rare species to its list of threatened and endangered species, high-speed rail is a $100m conversation starter in early Michigan budget, and Live Nation offers $25 tickets for many Michigan concerts.

Get ready for springtime fun, Michiganders. 

Between slightly warmer temperatures and seasonal businesses opening soon, it's starting to feel like spring across parts of Michigan. 

Speaking of openings, the historic Applewood Estate is welcoming visitors  for the 2023 season. Guests are welcome to come stroll the 34-acre estate in Flint, which includes the Perennial Garden, Rose Garden, Demonstration Garden, Discovery Trail, and the namesake heirloom Apple Orchard.

If you have an affinity for water, the Lake Express ferry opens to the public today and offers daily trips across Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Muskegon.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Michigan listed the American bumble bee as an endangered species. (Judy Gallagher photo)

Bumblebees, bats, birds and more added to Michigan’s threatened, endangered species list

Saving the wildlife: A range of Michigan’s vast biodiversity is reflected in the state’s recent update to its list of threatened and endangered species – insects, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, and a whole bunch of wildflowers and other plants. Michigan added rare species to its list of threatened and endangered species and removed 36 species from the list.

Keeping it neat: Sixty-six community groups are pledging to handle grass-cutting and trash pickup at nearly 3,600 vacant properties in Flint this summer.

More in public interest: Dressed in white wedding gowns with chained wrists and taped mouths, women advocates rallied for legislation to end child marriage in Michigan on the steps of the state Capitol Thursday, May 4.

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High-speed rail a $100m conversation starter in early Michigan budget

Don’t plan your trip yet, but Michigan may be the tiniest step closer to realizing high-speed trains. The state Senate’s initial budget proposal for the Michigan Department of Transportation includes $100 million “to encourage high-speed rail development.”

Getting the ball rolling: The catch, however, is that this number, which represents more than 14% of MDOT’s proposed budget increase, is “just trying to start the conversation,” said Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe.

Sounding the alarm: Grand Rapids school and police leaders are pleading with the community for better gun safety at home after a 7-year-old boy brought an unloaded gun into his elementary school.

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Michigan certainly isn’t lacking precipitation so far this year; Some over 20 inches already

Raining cats and dogs: Some areas of Michigan are way ahead of normal on precipitation amounts for 2023. A few spots around Allegan County and the Holland area have already had 20 inches to 25 inches of precipitation in a state that usually averages 30-35 inches within a year. 

Weekend warmup: It’s not too shabby of a weekend with occasional sun, not super windy, a little rain and most importantly finally, no snow. The rain forecast from Friday evening to Saturday evening shows a dry scene across Lower Michigan and a wet story across the U.P. 

For the green thumbs: We are going from snow early this week to spring temperatures by the weekend. Looking at the future weather, here's a guide to what can be planted in your garden this weekend.

Read more

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Pistons, former assistant GM Rob Murphy sued for sexual harassment

A female former employee of the Detroit Pistons has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the team and its now-fired assistant general manager Rob Murphy. 

Save the date: The Detroit Lions know the teams they’re playing in 2023. Next week, they will learn when they’re playing them. According to ESPN, the NFL is targeting to announce the complete 2023 schedule on May 11, with the first game of the 2023 season planned for Thursday, Sept. 7.

Michigan's fastest runner: Shamar Heard of Clinton Township Chippewa Valley does not plan to defend his 100-meter state title this spring as he focuses on recovering and running his favorite event: the 400-meter dash.

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Get ‘em while they’re hot! Live Nation offers $25 tickets for many Michigan concerts

Scoring a deal: 313 Presents is once again teaming up with Live Nation to offer $25 tickets to dozens of concerts in Michigan at places like Pine Knob and Little Caesars Arena. The weeklong ticket deal runs from Wednesday, May 10th at 10:00 a.m. through Tuesday, May 16th on  Live Nation’s Concert Week promotion page.

Straight from the source: Participants of an interactive, cemetery-based tour at the  Midland Center for the Arts can engage with costumed actors stationed near the gravestones of the people whose stories they will relay in first-person detail.

Family friendly excursion: Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, opens for the 2023 season on Saturday, May 6. The centerpiece of the season is the park’s all-new midway area, dubbed The Boardwalk. 

Read more

We made it to Friday.

Give yourself a pat on the back—we've successfully reached the end of another week. I hope you find something fun to do this weekend!

Catch up on the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a MLive subscriber. 

Treat yourself this weekend!

— Cara Hackett

OTHER TOP STORIES

• Michigan man arrested after bag of cocaine falls from his pocket during checkout
  
  
• Fishing report: Early risers ‘rewarded with limits’ of walleye in one area of Michigan
  
  
• Lake Michigan beachfront hotel plans early summer opening, taking reservations
  
  
• Private peninsula estate for sale at $1.48M on chain of lakes near Jackson
  
  
• Feds uncover sextortion ring they say led to Michigan teen’s suicide

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