Morning Briefing

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

In today's newsletter, "Gender Queer" and the attack on Michigan libraries, parent worries escalate as state confirms health hazards in Kalamazoo, and Michigan’s biggest urban beach is set to open with bar surrounded by skyscrapers.

Here's a roundup of weekend events across Michigan.

We made it to Friday, Michiganders! If you're headed to Frankenmuth for the 2023 World Expo of Beer this weekend, here's your guide to one of the state’s largest beer-sampling events.

Want to hit the water and partake in a bit of history at the same time? The S.S. Badger set sail yesterday to embark on its 70th season. The historic 410-foot long vessel departs from its home port in Ludington daily until October, so start planning!

Huge kites will take over the skies this weekend at Grand Haven State Park beach for the Grand Haven Kite Fest. "Star Wars: Mandalorian" star Carl Weathers is one of the big celebrity guests coming to Motor City Comic Con this weekend in Novi.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Grand Rapids Public Schools 8th graders paddle on a Grand River lagoon in a nine-passenger canoe as part of Canoemobile at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Wilderness Inquiry, a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization, travels the country with the goal of bringing hands-on, water-based learning opportunities to urban students through the Canoemobile program. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)

‘Outright war’: ‘Gender Queer’ and the attack on Michigan libraries

Who would've thought?: Nobody could predict a little library in Ottawa County, just southwest of Grand Rapids, would ignite a literary culture war across Michigan when it chose not to pull a handful of LGBTQ books from its shelves in 2022.

At the heart of the issue was “Gender Queer: A Memoir,” by Maia Kobabe, which made waves within the community serviced by Patmos Library in west Michigan.The book was named the most challenged book in America in 2021 and again in 2022 by the American Library Association.

Take a look: MLive created a documentary project on Gender Queer and the Culture Wars in Michigan’s Libraries. We explore these issues and speak with the author Maia Kobabe in the video.

Read more

2 schools, a day care and toxic gas: Parent worries escalate as state confirms health hazards

Where's the safe air?: In the shadows of a Kalamazoo paper mill and wastewater plant, parents are concerned about the effects pollution is having on their kids.

Too close for comfort: A report from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirms air pollution levels around Kalamazoo’s Northside are hazardous. A daycare is 300 feet away from Graphic Packaging International, one of the biggest offenders. A public elementary school also sits in the shadows of the paper mill.

Out in the field: The Grand Rapids School District and City of Grand Rapids are hosting nearly 1,000 students this week to experience a "floating classroom". Canoemobile brings students out on local waterways to learn about science, history, geography, and culture, according to Wilderness Inquiry.

Read More

Michigan’s weekend forecast: This one depends on where you will be

Pack an umbrella: This weekend’s weather in Michigan will have an occasionally wet Saturday and a dry Sunday. Temperatures are going to vary quite a bit from north to south across Michigan.

A sight for sore eyes: The last few days the sunrises and sunsets here in Michigan have been fabulous. It looks like these dawn and dusk delights are going to continue off and on for quite some time.

Grab your camera: Keweenaw Dark Sky Park is hosting night photography workshops this summer and fall to help people capture the beauty of

the U.P.

Read more

Wolverine recruiting report: The battle for 2024 four-star edge Elias Rudolph

One of the Wolverines’ top targets is Elias Rudolph, who played his first three years of high school in Cincinnati, Ohio before transferring to Deerfield Beach, Fla. for his senior season. He's No. 229 overall prospect nationally and No. 36 in Florida. At the edge position, he ranks No. 20 overall, per the 247Sports Composite.

Checking in with the Lions: It’s always an uphill battle for a late seventh-round rookie to make the roster. Lions rookie wide receiver Antoine Green’s speed and downfield ability could give him a leg up on the quest to make the cut ahead of the regular season.

Making softball history: Concordia defeated Trinity Christian, 8-1, on Thursday to win the program’s first NCCAA World Series National Championship since 1999 and the program’s third overall.

Read more

Michigan’s biggest urban beach set to open with bar surrounded by skyscrapers

Sand between your toes: 400,000 pounds of sand are brought in along with plenty of chairs, umbrellas and trees to create Michigan's biggest urban beach in downtown Detroit. “The Beach” opens today for the season at 11:00 a.m. at Campus Martius Park, which was voted the top public square in America.

Stepping back in time: Michigan’s Colonial Michilimackinac garrison is open for the season and has opportunities for guests to fire the daily opening cannon or full complement of weapons.

Among the best: Grand Rapids is the second-best place to live in Michigan and the 20th best in America, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

Read more

We finally made it to Friday!

It's going to be a great day! Let's make it count.

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

Have a blast this weekend and be safe.

— Cara Hackett

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