August 28, 2020 Michigan is a battleground state in this year's presidential election. How Michiganders vote could play a crucial role in deciding who is in the White House come 2021. Four years ago, Michigan went red for President Donald Trump in a somewhat surprising election outcome. After all, Michigan hadn't voted for a Republican in a presidential election since 1988. Will the state double down on Trump and cast ballots in his favor this November? We spoke with some loyal Trump supporters in Michigan who attended events coordinated around the Republican National Convention this week. Supporters expressed varying levels of concern about the direction the country is headed in, but all said Trump is better suited at the helm than Democratic nominee Joe Biden. MORE Speaking of the November election, clerks across Michigan are thinking about how they will count all of the absentee ballots they expect to receive up to and on Nov. 3. Currently, they are not allowed to start counting the absentee ballots until Election Day. But clerks across Michigan are expressing a need for additional time to count ballots for the general election. After a record number of absentee voters participated in the August primary, experts anticipate receiving a huge number of absentee ballots for the general election. And that will take a lot of time and a lot of resources, they say. MORE ►Facing criticism over primary, Flint city clerk says election workers to get more training Are you getting sick of hot summer weather? If so, this weekend has some good news in store for you -- there's a cool down coming. It will be a switch to temperatures that most people find quite comfortable and it will provide a reminder that fall is on the way. But watch out for some early morning coldness that will feel unfamiliar. The northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula could see temperatures in the low 50s. Though, the days should be at least in the 60s for all, and in a summery mid-70s range for southern Michigan. MORE ►Love chatting about the forecast? Join our Michigan Weather group on Facebook The apples are coming! Yes, if you are awaiting the Michigan apple harvest, it's almost that time. Reports indicate it might come slightly later than usual but good things come to those who wait, right? Everyone has a favorite apple variety and we have put together harvest dates for all the beloved varieties. That way, you can mark your calendar for the freshest fruit possible. One variety is actually expected to peak today! Now all you have to do is wait for your favorite orchard to roll out the cider and doughnuts. As we explained above, autumn isn't very far now. MORE Michigan's unemployment rate is continuing to drop, based on the number of active federal claims. While Michigan's rate is still slightly above the national average, it has dropped significantly in recent weeks. The hardest-hit sector remains leisure and hospitality, a segment that currently has nearly 38% fewer people employed than in 2019. This marks the first week after federal unemployment insurance supplemental pay dropped from $600 to $300. The federal money is added to Michigan unemployment insurance pay, which is capped at $362 per week. MORE ►Small Michigan businesses 'on bring of destruction,' ask Gov. Whitmer for plan to reopen Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive to your address book or safe sender list. |