Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023

In today's newsletter, marijuana plants thrive in Michigan soil but it doesn't always count as agriculture, Michigan’s October heat wave broke multiple 101-year-old daily temperature records and a pending NCAA rule change could impact a second Jim Harbaugh suspension.

Grab your bowl: it's soup season!

With fall's cooler temperatures around the corner, it's almost time to bring out the Crockpot and trusted soup recipes. Few things can beat the comforting warmth of a steaming cup of chicken noodle.

We have a roundup of 10 great spots in Grand Rapids to grab a bowl of hot soup. Pair a grilled cheese and ham sandwich with tomato basil soup at the Green Well. Grab a quick bite to eat at Express Café and try one of the eight soup options.

Speaking of foods to try, visit the Muskegon area for these five restaurants known for flavorful wet burritos.

Curated by Cara Hackett

A rendering of a concert venue with rows of people in front of the partly covered stage

A skeleton is dressed up like legendary rockstar Prince as part of the Metro Toyota Skeletour in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, Oct. 3. The monthlong event involves 40 Kalamazoo businesses as well as Kalamazoo College putting up decorated skeletons throughout downtown Kalamazoo. (Nate Pappas | MLive.com)

Marijuana plants thrive in Michigan soil. But is it agriculture?

Growing like a weed: Cannabis plants grow thick and tall in Michigan’s rich sandy soil. But the state doesn’t always consider growing weed agriculture – at least when it comes to property taxes.

That could change after a judge sided with a southwest Michigan marijuana grower who recently challenged the state over its tax classification as commercial property instead of agricultural.

Other marijuana news: A judge in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula last week ordered Menominee officials to stop issuing business licenses to marijuana shops while a related lawsuit is resolved.

Read more

LG Energy investing $3B in Michigan to build batteries for Toyota

Big bucks: LG Energy Solution will manufacture lithium-ion batteries for Toyota electric vehicles at its Michigan facility, both companies announced Wednesday, Oct. 4. The supply agreement will bring a $3 billion investment to Michigan.

Less workers: Ford Motor Co. is laying off workers at two Michigan plants as the United Auto Workers strike continues to impact production. About 400 total employees have been asked not to work including 350 at the Livonia Transmission Plant and 50 at the Sterling Axle Plant.

State economics: Business leaders in Michigan are worried some of the Democratic majority’s economic proposals could hurt businesses as the state tries to curb population decline.

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Michigan’s October heat wave broke multiple 101-year-old daily temperature records

Historic heat: Several communities across Michigan set record high temperatures on Tuesday, Oct. 3, according to the National Weather Service. Some of the mid-to-high-80s temps in much of the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan broke records set as far back as the 1920s while others broke records set on Monday.

Speaking of warmth: A dwindling harmful algae bloom came back to life on western Lake Erie this week following several days of sun and unseasonably warm temperatures.

Smelly: It’s the part of the year where pesky stink bugs start crawling their way into our homes and invading our gardens. But these tips from the Farmers’ Almanac can help keep them away.

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Pending NCAA rule change could impact a second Jim Harbaugh suspension

New changes: The NCAA is mulling expanded penalties for rules violators, and the result could impact a second Jim Harbaugh suspension. Under the changes, the Michigan coach could face a full game-week ban if he’s slapped with an additional suspension by the NCAA.

Pushed back: Race weekend will be two weeks later in 2024 at Michigan International Speedway, as NASCAR will have a two-week break at the beginning of August because of the Summer Olympics.

Getting an upgrade: Western Michigan University women’s golf program received a $1.5 million donation from the Jeff and Stephanie Bergeron family to elevate facilities.

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Peak fall color arriving in U.P.’s Keweenaw Peninsula, 6 unforgettable ways to see it

Sightseeing: Fall color is reaching its peak in the Keweenaw Peninsula. If you’ve been considering an autumn adventure in Michigan’s Copper Country, check out these six places for an unique adventure.

Spooky season is in full swing, as the streets of downtown Kalamazoo are being adorned with 41 dressed up skeletons this week for the start of the Metro Toyota SkeleTour.

Get outside: Horseback riding along the Lake Michigan shoreline is set to return to for $10 at Silver Lake State Park in Mears. A designated riding route takes riders through the dunes to the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Read more

You're all caught up.

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Have a great day!

— Cara Hackett

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