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Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023

In today's newsletter, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposes largest budget in Michigan's history, a breakdown of Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit and three unusual pizza spots are getting national attention. 

Start your day with a touching story.

There aren't many stories that will make me misty-eyed in the morning, but this story of  Grayson Johnson, a 5-year-old boy who draws strength from wearing superhero costumes as he battles kidney cancer certainly does.

A November MRI at Ann Arbor’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital revealed a Wilms’ tumor, a form of pediatric kidney cancer. Since then, the kindergartener has gone to the hospital almost every Tuesday for testing and chemotherapy infusion treatments. Grayson initially wore a Spiderman suit to make him “feel strong for chemo day,” his mom said. His parents Alyssa and C.J. said the bigger motivation now is to entertain other children who are fellow patients at Mott.

When he returned to Schweitzer Elementary School in Westland last week for the first time in months, he was met with dozens of students dressed like superheroes and teachers wearing "Fight Like Grayson" shirts. Talk about a welcome back.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Grayson Johnson, 5, smiles as he’s weighed before chemotherapy infusion at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Grayson’s weight and vitals have been improving since he started treatment, and his doctors at Mott expect an “excellent outcome” after he completes his course of treatment in the summer (Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposes largest budget in Michigan history.

Facing a record budget surplus of nearly $9 billion, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out a recommendation for state government spending Wednesday that calls for significant funding increases in education and economic development alongside tax cuts and credits. 

Education boosts: Free universal preschool for four-year-olds. Free breakfast and lunch for students. Electric buses. Private tutoring. Tax credits for teachers. Whitmer’s budget proposes funding increases in every aspect of Michigan education.

Among that spending is a cumulative $450 million dedicated toward public safety, and is the first-time state funds sent to municipalities have been earmarked for that purpose. 

Read more

Check your gutters and sump pump: Widespread soaking rain for most of Lower Michigan.

Grab the umbrella: A storm system will bring us fairly heavy rain by February standards. For the southern two-thirds of Lower Michigan, the temperatures will be warm enough Thursday for all rain with possible thunderstorms along the the Indiana, Illinois and Ohio borders. MLive's Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa has a quick look at when, where and how much rain will fall. 

Look out for snow: Thursday's system will also bring the wintery white stuff to portions of the eastern Upper Peninsula and far northern Lower Michigan. The heaviest snow totals will be around 6 inches from Gaylord to Cheboygan to Rogers City. 

Spring has almost sprung: We know that February is flat out a winter month in Michigan, but there are some changes in the weather and sky that signal spring is on the way.

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What’s Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit all about?

The breakdown: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders are working toward a five-fold increase of Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC. The Michigan League for Public Policy estimates that the average credit EITC recipients in Michigan received from the state was $150 in 2019. A five-fold increase would bring that to $750, $600 more.

What's EITC?: The EITC is a federal policy where lower-income families are provided a tax credit, once a year, based on their income and family characteristics, including marital status and number of children. 

More in public interest: LGBTQ rights took a step forward in Michigan last year – but lawsuits followed. State officials have been sued three times since the Michigan Supreme Court ruled sexual orientation is protected from discrimination.

Read more

Advertisement

Sled dog races return to U.P. this month, here’s how to cheer them on.

Ready to race: Over the next few weeks, the UP200, Midnight Run, Jack Pine and CopperDog sled dog racing events will light up U.P. trails with hundreds of sled dog teams, while thousands of spectators from across the state and beyond cheer them on and enjoy the competition.

Violations were way up: The state stepped up its snowmobile patrols over the weekend during the 54th annual I-500 race in Sault Ste. Marie. Michigan's Department of Natural Resources issued 87 tickets and 178 warnings during 87 tickets during the race.

More U.P. news: The ‘Bad Luck Barquentine’ shipwreck from 1869 was discovered in Lake Superior. 

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3 top-ranked US pizza spots are in Michigan and they’re not the usual suspects

Three pizza spots in Michigan are now getting some national attention as we celebrate National Pizza Day on Thursday, February 9. Yelp’s Top 100 Pizza Spots in the U.S. ranked Patellie’s, located in southwest Michigan near New Buffalo and Michigan City at number 72. Spicy Slices in Novi came in at number 85.

Slice it up: Travel site, Trips to Discover, just came out with its list of 20 Best Pizza Joints in the United States and the Detroit-style pizza from Cloverleaf Pizza in Macomb, Michigan made the cut.

For the beer lovers: The 17th annualMichigan Winter Beer Festival is returning to Grand Rapids with over 700 unique beers and 124 breweries.

Read more

You're off to a great start.

Thanks for tuning back in with us this morning. 

Stay up to date with the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming an MLive subscriber.

Hang in there. We're one day closer to the weekend!  

— Cara Hackett

OTHER TOP STORIES

• Rappers found dead after Detroit concert was canceled were shot multiple times
  
  
• Taylor Lewan says Michigan sent cease and desist letter over T-shirt
  
  
• Valentine’s Ghost Hunt offered at Michigan’s abandoned Eloise Asylum
  
  
• Woman accused in fatal hit-and-run of MSU student fled to Thailand, feds say
  
  
• State-run marijuana testing lab included in Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s budget proposal

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