Gov. Whitmer proposes $150M in federal relief funds to improve local parks, trails

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to invest $150 million in federal pandemic relief funds toward local parks and recreation facilities throughout the state. Whitmer announced the proposal Tuesday in front of a small crowd at Connor Bayou Park in Grand Haven. She said investing in state and local parks and trails would mark a “once-in-a-generation chance” to improve quality of life for residents, support local economies and bring people back to Michigan. The state legislature would need to approve the governor’s proposal. READ MORE
►Whitmer signs bills broadening emergency insulin coverage, college scholarship eligibility

Come on in, the water's fine! (Of course, only when conditions are deemed safe for swimming.) From MLive Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa: "Great Lakes’ waters are warming up. At least Lake Superior has warmed well past its normal temperatures. We have had up and down temperatures since May, with a few weeks of hot weather, followed by a week of cooler than normal temperatures. In this past week, temperatures have started to shoot up above the normal mark again. Most of this year, the water temperatures have been warmer than average." READ MORE

►Michigan has four rains this week, spreading out the rain across the state

Work remains to end disparities caused by K-12 funding gap, advocates say

Education advocates last week applauded the work of the Michigan Legislature, which passed a K-12 spending bill lawmakers have called a historic step toward closing the funding gap across Michigan schools. While the $17 billion spending plan, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, aims to bring equitable funding between districts, advocates say there is still work left to remedy the disparities caused by the decades-long funding gap. “We’ve been underfunding education for two decades in this state,” said Doug Pratt, MEA spokesperson. READ MORE
►5 things to know about special education students' lawsuit against Ann Arbor schools

Eleven Michigan residents are now facing federal charges for their alleged involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot after the arrest of two men who publicized their activities on Facebook. Trevor Brown, of Novi, and Steven Thurlow, of St. Clair Shores, were identified by the FBI through surveillance video footage, social media posts and information provided by tipsters. Thurlow is a retired U.S. Army veteran who wore bulletproof armor during the riot, while Brown was identified at the front of a mob that assaulted police and pushed their way inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to investigators. READ
►Man charged in dollar store sex crimes, torture against workers