Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2022

In today's newsletter, Democrats might try to move up Michigan's presidential primary, Michigan surpasses 40,000 COVID-19 deaths and budget flights are in high demand in Michigan.

It's December. Let's get festive.

December is a festive month, and now that we have arrived, I figured it's time to share some appropriately merry content. For instance, here's a look at an impressive Christmas village tucked inside Holland's Dutch Colonial Inn.

And what could be more joyous than a winter visit to Mackinac Island? But you might want to check on what exactly is open up there this time of year. Luckily, some additional businesses have agreed to stay open this winter.

If you are in the Grand Rapids area, ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle starts today. It will put a smile on your face whether you are participating or just watching. I used to work across the street from the rink and looking out on the skaters navigating their way across the ice was good for my soul.

Curated by Jessica Shepherd

It was a wild day at work for sheriff's deputies in Kalamazoo County Wednesday, as their work included capturing five emus. Read all about it here. (Body camera footage provided by Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department)

Where and when are deer crashes most common in Michigan?

Stats for 2021: Michigan had 52,218 deer traffic crashes in 2021, the fifth consecutive year the state has topped the 50,000 mark. There were 282,640 total traffic crashes last year, meaning 18.5% were deer related. See all the stats here.

County percentages vary widely: The small county of Presque Isle in northeast Lower Michigan may not have the most overall deer crashes. But it does lead Michigan in terms of the percentage of its traffic crashes that involved a deer – 76.1%. Conversely, only 1% of all crashes in Wayne County were deer related – the lowest rate in Michigan.

More animal-related news: A bat species native to the Great Lakes is on the brink of extinction.

Read more

Dems think Michigan's presidential primary could be moved up. What does that mean for the GOP?

Reorganizing the primaries:The Democratic National Committee is meeting this week to consider changing the order of the presidential primary calendar for Democrats. Michigan is considered a leading contender for the top slot. But in Michigan, both parties must hold their primaries on the same day. And the RNC isn't on board.

While we are talking about the GOP: Kristina Karamo, who lost the Michigan Secretary of State race by more than 600,000 votes after staking her short political career on denying the legitimacy of the 2020 election, wants to lead the state Republican Party.

And one more political headline for you: The head of Republican House leadership in Michigan appeared to blame Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for a lack of forward progress during lame duck.

Read more

Michigan surpasses 40,000 COVID-19 deaths.

Another milestone: As of Tuesday, Nov. 29, the state health department had identified 40,085 individuals whose deaths have been linked to coronavirus infection. That total dates back to March 2020 when the first cases of COVID were identified within state lines.

Compared to other states: Nationally, Michigan ranks eighth in COVID deaths per 100,000 residents. The state trails Mississippi, Arizona, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Tennessee. It also ranks eighth in total COVID deaths despite being home to the 10th largest population.

In other health news: Formerly known as monkeypox, the newly named infectious disease that caused an unprecedented outbreak in the U.S. earlier this year appears to be on the decline. It is now known as mpox.

Read more

Michigan has flagged 112 low-performing schools for intensive intervention.

Intervention required: Michigan’s Department of Education is requiring 112 low-performing public schools in 54 districts around the state to enter into agreements with the state to improve students’ academic performance.

Where are the schools? The list includes 25 schools from the Detroit Public Schools Community District, 10 from the Lansing Public Schools, seven from Flint Community Schools, five from the Saginaw School District, five from Benton Harbor Area Schools, three from Grand Rapids Public Schools, two from Ypsilanti Community Schools.

More education news: Michigan State University Trustee Pat O’Keefe has resigned from the university’s Board, saying he can no longer serve on a Board that "purports to promote cultural change yet struggles itself to be transparent."

Read more

Demand has grown for Michigan budget flights as airfare soars to a five-year high.

Price increase: The travel app Hopper predicts the average ticket will cost $463 for a domestic flight around Christmas time. That’s a jump from what the app estimated for Thanksgiving prices at $350.

Cheap flights in high demand:The saving grace for Michigan’s regional airports has been budget airlines. Flint became home base for Allegiant Air in February and in less than a year the airline has 70% of the airport’s traffic. Not only is demand high, but flights are full, airports report.

Wallet watch:Don't let inflation dampen your holiday spirit. We have some insight on holiday shopping in this week's wallet watch.

Read more

One in the books for December.

Let's enjoy the last month of 2022, shall we?

All month long, you can find the latest headlines at MLive.com. And perhaps you should give yourself the gift of becoming an MLive subscriber.

I'll see you back here tomorrow for December: Part 2.

— Jessica Shepherd

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