Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023

In today's newsletter, a Michigan city bans Pride flags and other symbols on city property, quicker results next presidential election could stop ‘chaos,’ and this Mackinac Island restaurant and bar has an absolutely stunning waterfront view.

Michigan’s ‘fast and furious’ U-pick strawberry season kicks off

Strawberry shortcake, strawberry lemonade, strawberry jam...there's endless ways to slice and dice this summertime fruit that's plentiful in Michigan.

The state grows 43,000 tons of fresh strawberries annually, according to the Michigan Ag Council. But U-pick customers pluck most of the state’s strawberries. That’s why for many Michiganders, June means going to a strawberry patch and filling a bucket with plump berries.

If berry picking is on your to-do list this summer, act fast. The Michigan strawberry season only lasts a couple of weeks, and the first day is hard to predict.

Curated by Cara Hackett

The famous Budweiser Clydesdales made an appearance during the Love Ludington Street Party

Freshly picked strawberries during the first day of u-pick at Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm in Kent County, Michigan on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

Michigan city bans Pride flags, other symbols on city property

A unanimous decision: The Hamtramck City Council voted Tuesday night to ban Pride flags and other symbols from being flown on city property, which includes City Hall, parks, libraries, schools and other city buildings.

That's not all: According to WDIV-Detroit, the council approved the resolution—which also bans any religious, ethnic, racial, political, or sexual orientation group flags—following a lengthy public comment session.

Speaking of politics: Lawmakers in control of Michigan’s House want the state to be completely done burning fossil fuels for energy by 2035 as the effects of climate change continue.

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Quicker results next presidential election could stop ‘chaos,’ misinformation

Easing the "chaos": In a new addition to a package of bills that will make historic changes to Michigan’s voting processes, notoriously slow election-night results may come sooner for the upcoming presidential election.

Time's up: The Department of Education confirmed this week that student loan payment will resume for millions of borrowers starting in October, according to Politico. Payments on student loans have been suspended since March 2020 thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bird drama resurfaces: More than a month after one of the world’s oldest common loons was injured and vanished from a wildlife refuge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the bird was spotted back in the refuge this week - and he might not be swimming alone.

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Michigan’s temps are on the rise: 80s expected, but could we hit 90?

Here comes the sun: Our weather pattern is set to shift again, with potential high temperatures flirting with the 90-degree mark toward by the start of next week. Some showers are possible today, and we stay completely dry on Friday.

Let it burn: Saginaw officials have lifted a week-long ban on outdoor burning following recent rainfall in the region.

On the rise: The effort to rebuild wolf packs on Michigan’s remote Isle Royale National Park continues to gain momentum. The 2023 Winter Study released by Michigan Technological University puts the rising wolf population at 31—three more than 2022.

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Small, Michigan school has top college ‘Call of Duty’ team for second-straight year

Esports fanatics: “Call of Duty” is a worldwide phenomenon. And some of the best players in the United States can be found at a small, Mid-Michigan college. That’s because the Esports team at Northwood University recently won the Collegiate Call of Duty National Championship for the second consecutive year.

Buzzer beater: JordanDuby stepped down as Bay City Central boys basketball coach this spring, ending a five-year stint with the program that often battled some of the best teams in Michigan. And the fact that his Wolves were often overmatched didn’t dampen his outlook on the game.

Another defeat: The Detroit Tigers homered three times in each game of Wednesday’s doubleheader but still left Comerica Park without a victory. The Braves (42-26) beat the Tigers in the opener, 10-7. The Tigers (27-39) finished the homestand with a 1-5 record. They’ve lost 11 of their last 12.

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This Mackinac Island restaurant and bar has an absolutely stunning waterfront view

Dinner with a view: While there are a handful of waterfront restaurants on Mackinac, only one makes you feel like you’re sitting right on the edge of the Straits. Mission Point Resort’s newly renovated Round Island Kitchen offers an up-close view like no other.

Soaring heights: An adventure at treetop levels awaits visitors of Whiting Forest. Billed as the largest canopy walk in the United States, the Midland-based outdoors attraction provides patrons with a 1,400-foot-long trek on elevated walkways that hang up to 40 feet above woodlands, ponds, apple orchards, meadows and streams.

In the spotlight: Simon Cowell says "AGT" has never seen an act like hers before. Brynn Cummings, a 12-year-old girl from Paw Paw Middle School in Michigan, just shocked the judges with her magic ventriloquism act on “America’s Got Talent.”

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It's going to be a great Thursday.

Friday is right around the corner, folks. Focus on those silver-lining moments today.

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

Start making those weekend plans!

— Cara Hackett

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