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Morning Briefing

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022

In today’s newsletter, car inventory is so tight that new vehicles "never really touch the lot," Michigan is preparing to send out absentee ballots and a look at some great vacation rentals in the northern Lower Peninsula.

A set of twin sisters are the valedictorian and salutatorian for this Michigan school.

It's graduation season, so you've probably seen plenty of cap-and-gown photos. Perhaps you've been invited to some open houses or grad parties. But unless you know Ava and Holly Hoskey, you probably haven't seen a graduation announcement like this.

The Hoskey twins are graduating at the very top of their Kearsley High School class, with Holly named the class valedictorian and Ava snagging the title of salutatorian. The duo are the first set of twins to accomplish such a feat at the school. It's a fun, seasonally appropriate story to start off your Wednesday.

Congratulations to Holly, Ava and all of the grads across Michigan. Best wishes on what's to come.

Curated by Jessica Shepherd

If you are looking for a lovely Michigan rental property like this one, you'll find some further down in today's newsletter.

Michigan Republicans step in to defend the state's 1931 abortion ban.

Republican legislators want to have a say in a court case debating the merits of Michigan’s abortion ban. The 1931 ban criminalizes abortion in all cases except to preserve the life of the mother. If the Supreme Court does overturn Roe v. Wade, as a leak indicated it will, the century-old law could potentially go into effect.

Abortion-rights advocates scored an early victory in the case – Planned Parenthood of Michigan v. Attorney General Dana Nessel – in May, when a state court agreed to temporarily block the abortion ban from going into effect.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has filed a separate state lawsuit seeking to dismantle the abortion ban. The Michigan Supreme Court asked the governor to answer a few questions before moving forward.

Read more

Car inventory is so tight that new vehicles 'never really touch the lot.'

In the market for a car?Well, you might not have much luck just waltzing onto the car lot and finding your perfect ride. Pre-ordering has become the norm. And it doesn't matter whether you are looking new or used, you'll probably need some patience in the current climate.

A new normal: Ordering a vehicle in advance is no longer just for those looking to customize. The relationship between salesperson and customer is changing from walking around the lot and doing test drives to customers calling in with a request and reserving a car that might not even be in Michigan yet.

Speaking of vehicles: A Canadian electric vehicle charging company is investing $3 million in Michigan for its first U.S. facility.

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Michigan sends out absentee ballots soon. Here's how to get one.

August primary election: Michigan's primary is less than two months away. Soon, absentee voters will get to make their choices. The state is preparing to send out the ballots later this month.

How to get one: Any voter, with no excuse required, can request an absentee ballot online at the link here or submit a paper application, letter or postcard to their local clerk. Requests “may be returned by hand, via postal mail, fax or email, as long as a signature is visible,” the Secretary of State’s office says.

Tax proposals on the ballot: Curious to learn more about what's on your local ballot? Here's a rundown of tax proposals on Jackson-area primary ballots. And here's a look for voters in Washtenaw County.

Read more

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Four Ann Arbor Starbucks stores vote to unionize.

Four in, one out: On Tuesday, five Starbucks stores in Ann Arbor took a vote on whether to unionize. Four of the stores voted in favor of unionization, with the fifth store voting down the idea.

A nationwide shift: The Michigan stores represent a growing national movement, with 10 stores around the country holding votes this week. There are currently more than 120 unionized Starbucks stores in the U.S. The wave started with workers forming the first union in Buffalo, New York in December.

In Grand Rapids, employees at a single Starbucks location voted to unionize last month. They were the first crew of Michigan Starbucks workers to join a union. 

Read more

We found 12 perfect vacation rentals in the Petoskey area.

Visiting Petoskey?Even if you weren't planning on it, you might want to put it on the summer trips list. There's a ton to do: biking the Little Traverse Wheelway, hiking Bear River Valley Recreation Area, golfing, skiing, boating, paddling, and shopping.

Where to stay: We have a dozen options here for you, if you are a fan of vacation rentals. From cabins to cottages and condos, each is highly rated among guests. You might even be able to stay right on Lake Michigan.

More vacation ideas: Heading to Traverse City? We also have a helpful list of welcoming vacation rentals there. Check it out.

Read more

You're all caught up.

Thanks for spending some of your morning moments with us.

Remember, you can find the latest Michigan news any time of day by visiting MLive.com. If you haven't done so yet, maybe you would like to consider becoming an MLive subscriber.

Have a lovely Wednesday.

— Jessica Shepherd

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