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Morning Briefing

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023

In today's newsletter, Michigan high school with all 10th graders taking unique AP course to get visit from College Board, Michigan projects $9.2 billion surplus, and Lions notch best attendance since Pontiac Silverdome days – thanks to extra game.

Where's the snow been?

It depends on where you're at. Snowfall amounts in Michigan so far this winter have been all over the board. Some cities have significantly higher amounts than average, and some cities are way below normal on snowfall. See how much snow has fallen in your area here.

Now let's get to another winter factor - ice. The warm January has kept ice from growing on the Great Lakes. The charts show each lake is near the record lowest ice amount for mid-January.

Speaking of ice, if you're looking to to witness the magic of frozen waterfalls in the U.P, these are 8 places to check out.

Curated by Jamie Rewerts

From left, Ralph Abernathy, James Forman, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Jesse Douglas and John Lewis are seen in Aaron Liepman’s ‘Selma to Montgomery’ at the Downtown Ann Arbor District Library. Using over 16,000 LEGO bricks, the mosaic depicts the march that led to the development of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. (Sydney Verlinde | MLive.com)

The real estate rager is over. Prepare for a housing hangover.

Ending the era: The housing market is cleaning up its wildest party in decades. Prices saw double-digit increases while days on the market were reduced to hours. But now we’re flipping on the lights and ending this rager. It’s time to go back to normal — whatever that is.

What we're seeing:The slow down began months before the ball dropped in Times Square. Home sales fell 35.1% year over year in November, according to Redfin data. The real estate brokerage company notes this is the largest decline in its records dating back to 2012.

The Midwest is standing out:According to the National Realtor’s Association’s affordability index, housing affordability hit record lows in 2022. However, in comparison to the rest of the nation, the Midwest is significantly more affordable.

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Michigan high school with all 10th graders taking unique AP course to get visit from College Board

Everyone's enrolled: A Michigan high school has received the attention of the College Board for its implementation of a unique, school-wide Advanced Placement (AP) program that’s meant to build academic confidence in all of its students.

The only one: Northview High School is the only high school in the country where all 10th grade students take AP Seminar, a hybrid English course meant to help students build skills for future success in high school, college and their career, said Northview Principal Mark Thomas.

More in public interest: More people are turning to food pantries as grocery costs skyrocketed in the past year, and Michigan food banks, which distribute to local pantries, are straining to meet the growing need despite a drop in the food supply.

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Michigan projects $9.2 billion surplus, possible income tax cut

State treasury officials estimate Michigan government will see a $9.2 billion surplus at the end of this fiscal year, increasing the likelihood that all that cash could trigger a permanent cut in the state income tax. It's estimated Michigan will bring in $32.4 billion in revenue for 2022-2023 year, a 1.9% decline from revenue in 2021-22.

A fiercely partisan fight: With Democrats driving the conversation in Lansing for the first time in decades, it’s no surprise they’ve come out swinging on one of their long-sought policy wishes: repealing Michigan’s “right-to-work” laws.

Also happening in the Capitol: In their first days with control of the Michigan Legislature, Democrats targeted a major campaign promise: repealing the state’s abortion ban.

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Lions notch best attendance since Pontiac Silverdome days – thanks to extra game

The numbers: The Lions had 570,809 fans at home during the 2022 season – the most since 2001. But there’s a big caveat. Detroit played nine games at home this season instead of eight (for the first time), thanks to the NFL’s recent expansion to a 17-game season.

An expensive celebration: The NFL fined Jamaal Williams $18,566 for his hip-thrusting touchdown dance during the team’s season-finale win against the Green Bay Packers. That’s $31,827 for dancing, for those keeping track at home.

In college football: Wolverines' wide receiver Cornelius Johnson, linebacker Michael Barrett, and defensive linemen Kris Jenkins all said they plan to return in 2023. For Jim Harbaugh, the latest saga involving him and the NFL appears over, with the Michigan coach telling the school president that he plans to stay on.

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Riverwalk in Michigan listed among the top in the entire country

More than three and a half million people take strolls up and down this Michigan riverwalk each year and it is now once again in the running for the best in the entire country. After winning in 2021 and 2022, the Detroit Riverfront could make it a three-peat as it is nominated as part of the 2023 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards contest. It's up to the voters now!

Let's slide the news up north:Want to escape the winter blues? Check out this Traverse City waterfront hotel that offers a Snow Days Pass for their outdoor heated pool and cozy cabanas.

Even further up north: Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is embracing the season with plenty of opportunities to hike, cross-country ski, and snowshoe through the park’s wintry beauty.

Read more

A short week is ahead of us.

Thank you for joining me today on the Morning Briefing.

You can always find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. If you value the hard work of our journalists, consider becoming an MLive subscriber.

Have a great day!

— Jamie Rewerts

OTHER TOP STORIES

• Great Lakes region could be a world leader in carbon offset market, research shows
  
  
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• Coast Guard flies out to Great Lakes’ tallest lighthouse to make repairs after storm
  
  
• Soo Locks is closing for the winter, which big freighter will be the last one through?

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