Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023

In today's newsletter, after telling trans customers to use ‘pet groomer,’ a Michigan salon could face legal trouble, don't fear scary-looking cicada killer wasps and the 65th Mackinac Bridge Walk offers chance to set foot on Michigan landmark.

Festival season is in full swing across Michigan

Get ready to enjoy Lebanese music, food, belly dancing and singing during Mid-East Festival at the Our Lady of Lebanon, a Maronite Catholic church in Flint Township. The festival is held from Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 16.

If you're feeling hungry in Jackson, check out these tasty meals from 20 food trucks at the second annual Food Truck Festival.

Speaking of festivals, it's almost time for the Ann Arbor Art Fair. The annual art fair that draws close to half million people to downtown Ann Arbor is Thursday, July 20, to Saturday, July 22.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Pedestrians on the Mackinac Bridge for the annual Labor Day walk, Sept. 5, 2022. The Mackinac Bridge Authority estimated 26,000 people walked the bridge for the 64th annual event, which began in 1958. (Garret Ellison | MLive)

After telling trans customers to use ‘pet groomer,’ Michigan salon could face legal trouble, experts say

In hot water: A Traverse City hair salon has come under fire this week for posts its owner made to Facebook, saying transgender customers are not welcome and should instead “seek services at a local pet groomer.”

Legal experts say that not only is the business misinterpreting a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the topic to refuse service, but that it may be running afoul of discrimination protections in Michigan.

A step forward: After facing backlash for cutting ties with the district's health center over a mural with LGBTQ imagery, the Grant school board has decided to reenter contract negotiations.

Read more

Judge clears way for charges in voting machine tampering case involving sheriff, ex-state rep

The final hurdle for a decision on whether to charge nine individuals who allegedly obtained and tampered with voting machines in the aftermath of the 2020 election appears to have been cleared after Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Phyllis McMillen ruled “undue possession” of the machines is broadly illegal under Michigan law.

Restructuring: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to announce a major executive branch reorganization forming a department covering early and higher education, splitting up the duties of the Michigan Department of Education.

Possibly on hold: A Calhoun County judge is considering whether plans to construct a $3.5 billion Ford battery plant can keep moving forward after an opposition group filed a lawsuit to pause the development.

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Michigan residents shouldn’t fear scary-looking cicada killer wasps, DNR says

They still sting: The one-inch cicada killer wasps should be welcomed, not feared, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. They're built to capture and subdue large, and sometimes troublesome, adult cicadas. Don't worry, they won't be around for long— the wasps die as summer wanes.

Oh, deer: An up north road commission will resume collection of large roadkill carcasses after months-long policy confusion about what to do when deer are killed by traffic in subdivisions and other residential areas.

Under construction: A $530,000 project is set to begin at a well-traveled channel in a Charlevoix.

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Claressa Shields becomes first woman to win ‘Best Boxer’ ESPYs title

Champion: Claressa Shields, the Flint native boxer who is coming off of a dominant title defense in her home state, recently became the first woman to win the “Best Boxer” ESPY award.

Going free: An assault charge stemming from the postgame tunnel incident at Michigan last season was officially dropped against Michigan State defensive end Brandon Wright.

Start your engine: The gates are set to reopen at Berlin Raceway with a two-for, as the International Supermodified Association and Midwest Supermodied Series get ready for two nights of action in the second annual Great Lakes Classic.

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65th Mackinac Bridge Walk offers chance to set foot on Michigan landmark

A long walk: The 65th Mackinac Bridge Walk will welcome tens of thousands of people to step onto Michigan’s famous 5-mile-long suspension bridge on Labor Day, Sept. 4.

Communal rides: After an inaugural ride in 2015 that featured 10 people, the Counter Cruise-organized weekly bicycle rides across Saginaw have picked up momentum — and hundreds of new participants over the years.

Pet friendly: There are 36 shorelines at Michigan’s state parks and recreation areas that are open to your furry family members. If you plan trips around your furbabies, these spots are for you.

Read more

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— Cara Hackett

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