Morning Briefing: Child marriage is still legal in Michigan. Why?

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Morning Briefing

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2022

In today's newsletter, we take a look at how Michigan towns are spending stimulus funds, signatures are submitted for a 2024 ballot initiative that would raise the minimum wage to $15 and it's fireball season, Michigan.

Torregrossa is trying to bum us out with talk of snow. But embrace summer while it's still here.

For some reason, MLive Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa decided to remind us that Christmas is about 150 days away. That's not really the despicable part. He followed that with "our first snow is even closer." Ugh. Way to snow on my summer parade, Mark.

I am still embracing summer and I will until its very last moments. If you want to take it all in during these special months, heed this advice — head to Lake Huron very early on a summer morning to experience a stunning sunrise. It is totally worth getting out of bed when it's still dark out.

And I forgive you, Mark. You are just trying to keep us all in the weather loop.

Curated by Jessica Shepherd

A view of the sunrise at the marina in Port Austin on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)

Child marriage is still legal in Michigan. Why?

Child marriage is legal in Michigan:The state requires 16 and 17-year-olds to get a parent’s permission to marry, but younger children can marry with the permission of a judge. There is no minimum age.

How often does it happen? Between 2000 and 2021, more than 5,400 minors have been married in the state of Michigan, according to state data compiled by the nonprofit Unchained at Last. The vast majority of them, 91 percent, were girls.

Bills to stop it go nowhere: Michigan legislators have proposed bills to change the laws around child marriage in each of the last three legislative sessions. None of them have come up for a vote.

Read more

See how your Michigan town is spending its stimulus money.

Show me the money: Michigan governments are getting a combined $10.3 billion in ARPA stimulus dollars. The money can be used on a variety of things. But how is it being used in your Michigan community? We have answers here.
Funding for all: All counties, cities, townships, villages and the state were eligible for money, unless they declined it (only a few did). They’re required to report to the U.S. Treasury how the money is being spent.

Speaking of money: The U.S. Department of Energy announced Monday it will lend $2.5 billion to General Motors and LG to construct new electric vehicle battery plants in Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.

Read more

A $15 minimum wage initiative has submitted signatures for the 2024 ballot.

Looking ahead:Yes, we have a primary election next week to think about, and then the mid-term election this November. But an initiative to raise the state minimum wage to $15 per hour has already submitted signatures for the 2024 ballot.
What it would do: Backed by One Fair Wage, the proposed ballot measure would raise Michigan’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027 and phase out a lower-than-minimum wage for tipped, disabled and youth workers.
Speaking of ballots:MLive's political team went live on Facebook yesterday to give a rundown on the Aug. 2 ballot, including the GOP gubernatorial candidates. If you missed it, watch it here.

Read more

Advertisement

'We want to know what happened,' says uncle of man killed by police 5 weeks ago.

A fatal police shooting in West Michigan: On June 16, 22-year-old Joseph Nagle was fatally shot by police in Allegan County. Now more than five weeks after his death, Nagle’s family members say they’re still waiting to learn exactly what happened.

Nagle's uncle, Jamie Nagle, said during a recent vigil: "They won’t say anything. We want proof. We want facts. We want to know what happened. We want to know why my nephew isn’t here anymore." Here's a video of Jamie Nagle speaking during the vigil, held Sunday.

In other public safety news: A man died at this year's Faster Horses Festival. Police say there is no foul play suspected.

Read more

Here are three things you should see this morning.

Summer 'fireball season' is here: As we enter the best weeks of summer meteor shower season in the Northern Hemisphere, the conditions are right for witnessing fireballs — a meteor that is larger and brighter than normal. Read more and watch a video of this magnificent occurence here.
This is the is the worst seat at Comerica Park: Why would you want to see the very worst seat? Well, aren't you curious what makes it land at the bottom of the list? And if you are a Tigers fan, you'll want to see it in order to avoid it during games. Ed Pevos had some fun checking it out.

Have you seen this bug? OK, this one isn't really something you "should" see. But if you have seen the destructive spotted lanternfly, you should report it.

Read more

You're all caught up.

Unless you want to read the latest on Jim Harbaugh.
Make sure to visit us at MLive.com for the latest headlines. If you appreciate the work we do to keep you informed, consider becoming an MLive subscriber.
I hope you enjoy this lovely summer day. See you tomorrow.

— Jessica Shepherd

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