Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2023

In today's newsletter, a winter storm watch is in effect for the southern half of Lower Michigan, Michigan Capitol grounds may soon become a gun-free zone and a Michigan camping spot ranked the No. 1 Best Campground in America.

Meteorological spring has sprung!

Yes, we know another snow storm is headed to Lower Michigan this week. But the promise of warmer days and the blooming flowers of springtime is exciting. Yesterday marked the beginning of the meteorological spring—which different from this year's spring equinox on March 20. The meteorological seasons are based on months, while the astronomical seasons are based on the earth’s position relative to the sun. The more you know!

Need another sign spring is on the way? More than 7,000 butterflies have arrived at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park for the 28th annual butterfly exhibit. The “Butterflies are Blooming” exhibit runs until April 30.

If you need a break from winter's frigid grip, the 15,000-square-foot conservatory is kept at 85 degrees and 70% humidity.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Post-it notes with positive messages are stuck to a wall at Michigan State University

Scenes from “Fred and Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming” exhibition at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

Winter Storm Watch posted; Heavy snow for all of Michigan’s biggest cities

More snow on the way: A winter storm watch has been issued for the entire southern half of Lower Michigan. The winter storm watch goes into effect at noon on Friday for all of the far southern counties and at 3:00 p.m. Friday for the rest of southern Lower from the entire Grand Rapids region to the Saginaw Valley region. The entire winter storm watch area continues through Friday evening and ends at 2:00 a.m. Saturday.

Friday's snow storm stretches from southwest to northeast, including Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Bay City, possibly Kalamazoo, possibly Lansing, and possibly Flint. The heaviest swaths of this storm could produce 6 to 10 inches of snow. Here's a timeline for what could be major winter storm for Lower Michigan.

Still recovering: ‘We slept in the cold:’ Kalamazoo residents describe how a 5-day power outage affected them.

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Michigan Capitol grounds may soon become a gun-free zone.

The Michigan Capitol may become the state’s latest gun-free zone, with an anticipated total firearm ban expected in the coming months. Members of the Capitol Commission voted unanimously on Monday, Feb. 27, to develop a plan for enhanced security measures that would, among other things, result in a total firearm ban on Capitol grounds.

Working out the details: Rob Blackshaw, executive director of the Michigan State Capitol Commission, is responsible for putting together the report. He noted metal detectors, x-ray machines, secondary screening points and pass through weapons detections systems were all being considered as part of the Capitol upgrades.

Speaking of politics: Rooms overflowed as members of the House Judiciary Committee heard extensive testimony from gun violence survivors, researchers and community organizers about American gun culture and the dire need for change during the first of several committee hearings on the legislation.

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Long-lost ship found in Lake Huron, confirming its tragic story.

Under the sea: Searchers have found a long-lost Great Lakes ship that came to a tragic end. Officials with the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, Michigan, say they've located the Ironton, a freight schooner that plunged to the bottom of Lake Huron in 1894.

Next generation of EV workforce: Michigan is offering scholarships up to $10,000 to students who join the state's electric vehicle sector. The Michigander EV Scholars program will be award up to 350 top technology students at University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Michigan Technology University as its latest incentive to boost its electric vehicle workforce.

More in public interest: Three Michigan coffee shops have temporarily closed their doors after the owners received 10-page letters that included hate speech and threats of potential harm, including several dates.

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DTE Energy’s new time-of-day rates take effect. Here’s what they mean for customers.

Power on: DTE Energy’s new time-of-date rates are taking effect and for residential power customers that means electricity will cost more at peak times. The new rate structure began Wednesday, March 1, for the first wave of DTE customers and about 2 million customers will transition to the new rates over the next month or so based on their billing cycles.

Here's the breakdown: From 3-7 p.m. weekdays, the new peak-hour rates are 16.75 cents per kilowatt hour during cooler months from October through May, and then 20.98 cents per kWh during warmer months from June through September. At all other times, including weekends, the new off-peak rate is 15.45 cents per kWh.

'Money back in people's pockets': Michiganders shouldn't count on getting a $180 check, but a tax plan passed Tuesday has relief for retirees and lower income residents.

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Michigan camping spot ranked the No. 1 Best Campground in America.

The great outdoors: Campspot has Indian River RV Resort in the top spot on its list of the 10 Best Campgrounds in America. The resort, which is located at 561 N. Straits Hwy. in Indian River, about a 30 miles north of Gaylord, beat out camp sites in places like Montana, Utah and Maine, just to name a few.

For the beer lovers: The Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival is back in Jackson for 2023 with drink samples, live music and food. The 12th annual festival kicks off at noon on Saturday, March 11, at the American 1 Credit Union Event Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds/Keeley Park. The event features more than 100 craft beers, ciders, meads and wines to try.

We all scream for ice cream: Blank Slate Creamery opened its doors for its tenth season of serving up sweet frozen treats Wednesday, ushering in Ann Arbor’s first sign of spring.

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This is going to be a great month.

Let's make today a great day.

Start your day with the latest Michigan news by visiting MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a MLive subscriber.

Stay safe, stay warm and stay kind!

— Cara Hackett

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