Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2022

In today's newsletter, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs a record-breaking state budget, experts say you shouldn't worry about heat-related blackouts and did Michigan's minimum wage just jump to $12?

Summertime is all about the fruits and veggies, Michigan.

We mentioned blueberries in yesterday's newsletter, but since they are such a big deal during the summer, we have more juicy blueberry content here that will have your mouth watering.

Not to be outdone by the fruits of Michigan, July is a big time for the veggies. In fact, our friend and weather expert Mark Torregrossa says this is really the perfect time to finally start your vegetable garden.

I wish you a full garden, a huge hall at the local U-pick farm and a magical stop at a roadside farmstand. Long live fruits and veggies!

Curated by Jessica Shepherd

Jane Riddle of Grand Haven shows off some of the blueberries she picked at Crossroads Blueberry Farm u-pick field in West Olive, Michigan, on July 15, 2022. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

Will demons make a difference in Michigan's secretary of state race?

Sexually transmitted demons:Many Americans believe in demons, generally. But Kristina Karamo holds a belief in demonic possession that can be passed from person to person through sexual contact.

The question: Karamo is the the Republican candidate for Michigan secretary of state, running against incumbent Jocelyn Benson. Could this rare belief in "sexually transmitted demons" impact the election?

Elsewhere in politics: Michigan House Democratic lawmakers want the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate 11 Michigan Republican lawmakers for the crime of seditious conspiracy.

Read more

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs a record $76 billion state budget as tax talks are ongoing.

Record-breaking budget: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave the final OK Wednesday to Michigan’s largest ever state budget, totaling nearly $76 billion overall, which allots record funding for students and places an emphasis on infrastructure spending.

Tax relief still being discussed: Whitmer indicated that an “open dialogue” was ongoing regarding potential tax relief for Michiganders connected to the roughly $7 billion in funding that still sits on the proverbial table as a result of a surplus from budget negotiations.

Speaking of taxes: An unborn baby could be claimed as a dependent in Michigan come tax season under this House bill.

Read more

Don't sweat blackout risk in Michigan's summer heat waves, experts say.

Risk of rolling blackouts?Summertime power outages across Michigan are more likely to happen because of severe storms than from rolling blackouts during heat waves, experts say.

Energy analyst James Gignac says: "Michigan is in a good place for the summer. You know, while there’s challenges, and maybe a little bit higher level of challenges this summer both with climate change and more severe weather, and the regional power situation, the utilities are well-positioned to provide reliable power this summer."

Here's one thing that's not hot:We might be seeing summer heat here on land, but Lake Superior is downright cold. The Great Lake is seeing its third coldest summer on record since 1995.

Read more

Did Michigan's minimum wage just rise to $12-an-hour because of a court ruling?

More money for workers? A Tuesday evening Michigan Court of Claims decision ruled the state legislature unlawfully softened a 2018 ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage and require earned paid sick leave when it enacted the proposal with smaller pay bumps.

The big question: Does that really mean Michigan’s minimum wage increased from $9.87 to $12 – and the tipped wage from $3.75 to $9.60 – literally overnight? The state’s labor agency says not yet.

In case you missed it: Michigan's workforce earns a C, but state ranks in top 20 for Best States for Business.

Read more

Everything you should know about the extremely popular Ann Arbor Art Fair.

Your guide for 2022: The annual Ann Arbor Art Fair opens downtown at 10 a.m. today. It continues through Saturday. If you plan to go, we have all the details you should know in this handy dandy guide.

Where should I eat? Walking around in the downtown Ann Arbor streets, checking out art and live music, you are bound to work up an appetite (or two). Here we answer the all-important question of where to grab some grub.

A photo history: We have a look at 100 photos from the Ann Arbor Art Fair, from the 1960s through today.

Read more

You're all caught up.

Thanks for joining us this morning. And keep coming back all day long to MLive.com for the latest updates.

Have you checked out our YouTube channel? Tons of great videos there by our hardworking journalists. If you appreciate the work of our reporters, photojournalists and even yours truly, maybe it is time to become an MLive subscriber.

I'm off to satiate this intense blueberry craving. See you tomorrow!

— 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