Morning Briefing

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

In today's newsletter, Gov. Whitmer signs a $19.6 billion education budget, we check out Jim Harbaugh's family vacation via TikTok and Michigan bars can now offer self-serve alcohol taps.

A deep connection to a local community is really a special thing.

Since 1986, Lynn Moore has been writing about the Muskegon area. When a community has local journalists who have chronicled the local area for decades, they get special coverage.

A perfect example is this week's series on Muskegon Lake, expertly crafted by Moore. You can read the whole series by using the links below. And I recommend that you do read it all. She captures the importance of this Michigan lake and tells a decades-long story about Muskegon. She does it so well because she really knows this community.

The Muskegon Lake project was so well-done and thorough that I couldn't link everything below. I also suggest checking out the videos photojournalist Cory Morse contributed. They add another special element.

Curated by Jessica Shepherd

Boats at Hartshorn Marina at Adelaide Pointe on Muskegon Lake in Muskegon on Thursday, June 23, 2022. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)

How Muskegon Lake transformed from an industrial dump to a recreational treasure.

Great Lakes resurrection: A lake once crowded with industry, belching black smoke and stink is now a serene expanse of blue dotted with sailboats. How did this Muskegon treasure turn it all around?

$80 million and decades of effort: Heritage Landing stands today as a testament to the comeback of one of Lake Michigan’s most busy and now, beautiful inlet lakes. It was the site chosen for a press conference by federal and state officials in May who declared that more than $80 million in cleanup efforts had for the most part concluded.

Tourist mecca? The Muskegon Lake cleanup has given the community a new lease on life.

Read more

Whitmer signs a 'historic' $19.6 billion education budget with the highest ever per-pupil investment.

It's official: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave the final OK to a $19.6 billion education spending bill on Thursday, signing into law what she praised was a historic, once in lifetime investment in students, teachers and schools.

Whitmer said: "We’ve come together to invest in our students, in our children and in our future. This historic education budget is a testament to what we are capable of when we collaborate, and I’m proud that we got it done on time. I can’t wait to see the impact that this is going to have on our students and on our schools and on our teachers for years and years to come."

Meanwhile, in Congress: The U.S. House passed a bill to aid veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.

Read more

6 of Michigan's 7 most popular petition drives since 1978 failed in the election.

Historically speaking: Reproductive Freedom for All turned in a record-breaking number of signatures to get abortion rights on the ballot. But history tells us that doesn't mean it's a shoo-in to be approved.

A look at the numbers: About 37% of citizen-initiated proposals to make the ballot have passed in the last 44 years. And ironically, the proposals that submitted the most signatures are among the least successful. We have a look at all the data here from our data expert Taylor DesOrmeau.

Speaking of elections:A lawsuit alleges GOP gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley "engaged in insurrection" and is ineligible for the August ballot.

Read more

Jim Harbaugh's family vacation videos go viral on his daughter's TikTok.

Coach turned TikTok star: Harbaugh was able to take a break from the coaching grind with a summer vacation with his family, and several parts were documented on social media, thanks to his daughter Grace.

Among the highlights? Jim laying on the floor at the airport, swimming in a t-shirt, rapping an Eminem song, working out in the hallway of a hotel, carrying as many bags as possible at the airport and excursion Jim. Really, you have to see this.

More Michigan football talk:Where Michigan football ranks among other top programs at landing blue-chip prospects

Read more

Michigan bars and restaurants can now offer self-serve taps for beer, wine and cocktails.

Serve yourself: Customers at Michigan bars and restaurants may soon see self-serving alcohol taps thanks to legislation signed into law this week by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The law amends the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow tabletop and wall-mounted tabs to be installed at licensed Michigan establishments.

How does it work? The new law allows customers to activate these taps through prepaid key cards provided by the establishment that must be secured to the individual at all times, either as a necklace or bracelet. There is a limit on ounces and no straight liquor can be dispensed.

If you are craving a cold beer: We really can't think of a better place to grab one than Art's Tavern in Glen Arbor.

Read more

Another week in the books.

We made it to Friday. Time to celebrate!

If you miss us over the weekend, be sure to visit MLive.com for the latest Michigan news. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter. You might also want to take a minute this weekend to become an MLive subscriber.

Make the most of your Saturday and Sunday. We will see you back here, refreshed and energized, on Monday.

— Jessica Shepherd

OTHER TOP STORIES

GAMES & COMICS

Today’s Crossword
More free puzzles & games
Today’s Comics

TODAY'S OBITUARIES

Click here to for access to Michigan obituaries.

DAILY AUDIO BRIEFING

Want the top headlines but don't have time to read? Listen to MLive’s daily news briefing on Spotify, Google or Apple Podcasts.

NOT ENOUGH NEWS?

The Daily Digital Edition is included with both print and digital subscriptions to MLive.com. You can also choose from our selection of local news, sports or lifestyle newsletters and apps.

WANT TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH A FRIEND?

Did someone share this newsletter with you? Click here to never miss a day!

CONTACT THE NEWSROOM

To contact the newsrooms for any of our publications regarding technical support, news tips, classified ads and other inquiries, please click here.

Your news. Your way.

New Custom Email Alerts let you select your favorite topics happening in your town. Choose the topics you love, we'll do the rest!

Choose your alerts

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING
OR SPONSORING OUR NEWSLETTERS?

Contact advertising@mlive.com

GET YOUR LOCAL NEWS 24/7

Ann Arbor | Bay City | Flint | Grand Rapids

Jackson | Kalamazoo | Muskegon | Saginaw

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