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Morning Briefing

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2022

In today's newsletter, jurors will continue deliberations today in the Gov. Whitmer kidnapping trial, a look at why food costs are so high and the reason dark orange is a great color for the fall weather map.

Welcome back to the classroom, students.

This week has been a big one for some Michigan students and teachers — it's back-to-school week for many. Yesterday, we headed to some of those schools that welcomed back kids for the big first day. For instance, here's a look at Explorer Elementary School in Kentwood.

If you have a vested interest in the goings on during the school year, we have an education newsletter you might be interested in. Find it on our newsletter page. It's a weekly newsletter called "Michigan Schools." 

I hope this is the start of a wonderful school year for all teachers, students, parents, coaches and support staff. Oh, and if that list doesn't include you, I hope you have a fantastic year as well.

Curated by Jessica Shepherd

Adam Fox, front row on left, and Barry Croft Jr., back row, third from left, are on trial in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids for allegedly conspiring to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The jury is now in deliberations. (Illustration by Forrest Miller)

Need a new career? These 50 high-paying jobs are expected to grow the most by 2030 in Michigan.

The 'Hot 50' list: Michigan compiles a list every other year, showing which 50 high-paying jobs are expected to grow most over the next decade in Michigan. This year, officials say the list spans many industries – math, science, health, the skilled trades and more.

These are two very high-paying jobs: Two university presidents in Michigan are among the highest paid in the nation for 2021.

Jobs lost: Ford notified employees on Monday that it will eliminate 3,000 jobs as part of the automaker’s restructuring. The majority of the eliminated jobs will be within Michigan.

Read more

Jurors in the Gov. Whitmer kidnapping case started deliberations yesterday.

Monday was day one of deliberations: The jury deliberated about five hours Monday in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids without reaching a verdict. Jurors said in a 5 p.m. note to the court that they wanted to recess for the day.

Deliberations continue today:Barry Croft Jr., 46, of Bear, Delaware, and Adam Fox, 38, of Wyoming, Michigan, are on trial accused of conspiring to kidnap the governor and use a weapon of mass destruction. It's the second trial for the two defendants after a different jury deadlocked on a decision for Croft and Fox.

In other courts news: A man convicted of manslaughter in a Grand Rapids parking lot shooting is headed to prison.

Read more

Why are food costs still high? It starts in the ground.

Bread budget: The increased cost of food might have you changing up your grocery shopping habits. Bread, milk, coffee — it's all more expensive these days. Groceries costs 13.1% more than they did last summer.

It all starts at the farm: "We need to think holistically about food costs and what’s happening on the farm plus a lot of other processing costs, energy costs and so forth," said Loren Koeman, lead economist for the Michigan Farm Bureau.

Speaking of groceries:Some shoppers are very excited by West Michigan's first Whole Foods, which recently opened in Kentwood. We talked to a few first-time visitors.

Read more

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We are getting pumped up for the new episode of 'Hard Knocks' tonight! Here are 3 Lions stories.

Calvin Johnson likes Dan Campbell: Though he says he hasn't been watching the Detroit Lions on "Hard Knocks," former team star Calvin "Megatron" Johnson says he is rooting for head coach Dan Campbell.

A practice without coaches? The Detroit Lions opened their week in strange fashion, with players leading practice and Dan Campbell quietly patrolling the sidelines. And while that doesn’t sound too strange, Campbell was the only coach on the field, and he wasn’t leading the show.

Starters to play against Steelers: Campbell has decided to play almost all of his starters, with the obvious exception of Jared Goff, when the Lions wrap up the exhibition slate on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Read more

The fall forecast has been updated and the temperature map is dark orange.

Warmer than normal: If you like a fall forecast with temps in the 60s, you will like what NOAA released last week. Their updated forecast map shows a dark orange color (how autumnal!) that means we should have higher-than-average temperatures.

Looking further ahead: If you didn't see it in yesterday's newsletter, Mark Torregrossa has a look way ahead to the winter forecast. He says it looks like a snowy one, particularly for the southeast corner of Michigan.

But don't worry, it's still summer right now: And what a beautiful summer week we have one our hands! It doesn't get much better than this, so we hope you get to enjoy the comfortable warmth, light breezes and seldom showers.

Read more

You're all caught up.

Thanks for taking the time this morning to get informed with me. 

You can always find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. And here's a link to become an MLive subscriber.

I'm taking off to head to the U.P. and check out the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival later this week. But you'll be in good hands while I'm gone.

— Jessica Shepherd

OTHER TOP STORIES

• After Huron River chemical spill, this bill would make polluters pay for cleanup
  
  
• At least 30 dogs dead of mysterious parvo-like illness in one Northern Michigan county
  
  
• More consumers are relying on credit cards. Interest rates will 'bite them' later
  
  
• Luxury treehouse resort opens in mid-Michigan
  
  
• Man, 36, dies drowns while trying to rescue fiancée’s dog from Michigan river

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