In today’s newsletter, how abortion-rights uncertainty is creating worry for the LGBTQ community, avian flu wipes out 60 birds in a backyard flock and a celebration of flowers to brighten your day. |
It's Friday the 13th. Will the day bring bad fortune or good luck? |
OK, I'm not superstitious. I'm not even "a little stitious," as Michael Scott would say. So Friday the 13th is kind of just another day for me.
That's not the case for everyone. Some even see the day as an excuse for spooky fun, like the folks who run this haunted house in Saginaw. They are opening today for a one-off event to mark Friday the 13th.
I hope luck finds you today, even if you aren't especially partial to the number 13. |
|
|
Tracy and Tony Martin pose for a portrait in front of their home in the Eastown neighborhood of Grand Rapids. (Photo by Daniel Shular | MLive) |
|
|
As Grand Rapids is growing, the city's Black population is shrinking. Why? |
'The diversity is gone:' Tracy and Tony Martin have lived in Grand Rapids' Eastown neighborhood since 1999. As the area has grown in popularity, the Martins noticed their fellow Black residents were leaving. When they arrived nearly a quarter century ago, Black families were all around them. But that's no longer the case. In a time of growth, the Black population is shrinking: Citywide, the number of Black residents fell to 36,493 in 2020, down 4% from a decade ago. Besides Native Americans, it was the only racial or ethnic group to see a decline over the 10-year period. Grand Rapids isn't alone: Muskegon, Detroit, Ypsilanti, Flint, Saginaw, and Ann Arbor all saw declines in their Black populations. Statewide, Michigan’s black population fell 2%. |
|
|
With abortion rights at risk, Michigan's LGBTQ residents worry they may be next. |
|
|
A chicken started gasping for air. Three days later, more than 60 birds were dead. |
|
|
Republican gubernatorial candidates go head to head in first debate. |
|
|
After all that heavy news, here is a celebration of flowers to brighten your day. |
Celebrate a century of peonies: If you know Ann Arbor well, you know the peony garden is a big deal. And this year, the blooms are an especially celebrated part of spring, as the peonies mark 100 years. Wanna celebrate the beauty? Here's how.
Don't forget the tulips! If you have yet to head over for Tulip Time in Holland, you can still make it. The festival continues through Sunday. But even if you can't get there by the time the official events end, the tulips themselves will still be around. We highly recommend a stroll through town.
Plan for flower gazing with this forecast: If your weekend plans include time outdoors with the flowers, you might want to know what to expect out there. Mark Torregrossa has your weekend forecast here.
|
|
|
Another week is in the books and another weekend is upon us.
Don't forget, you can always find the latest Michigan news by visiting MLive.com. If you value the hard work of Michigan journalists, consider becoming an MLive subscriber.
May you enjoy your weekend before joining us back here on Monday morning. — Jessica Shepherd |
|
|
WANT TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH A FRIEND? |
Did someone share this newsletter with you? Click here to never miss a day! |
|
|
To contact the newsrooms for any of our publications regarding technical support, news tips, classified ads and other inquiries, please click here. |
|
|
Special Offer MLive.com Unlimited Digital Access. |
|
|
$1 /first 3 months (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
$1 /first 3 months (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING
OR SPONSORING OUR NEWSLETTERS? |
|
|
You received this email because you opted in to the newsletter. To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive.com to your address book or safe sender list. MLive Media Group 169 Monroe NW #100Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Contact us | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy |
|
|
|
