WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2025 |
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In today's newsletter, Michigan still gripped by drought, GM profit-sharing checks hit new record with worker payouts up to $14,500 and mother of murderer urges Gov. Whitmer to rescue son from Alabama’s death penalty. |
Save the date for these events coming to Michigan this year |
Concert lovers, its time to grab your calendar and pencil in dates—more musicians and entertainers are swinging by Michigan in 2025. In case you missed it, here's a rundown of the 25 biggest concerts happening this year. The Dave Matthews Band just announced a summer tour with one stop in Michigan at Pine Knob Theater on July 9. Actor and comedian Kevin Hart is coming to Grand Rapids on June 7 during the summer leg of his comedy tour. Actresses, writers and comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are also bringing their “Restless Leg Tour” to Detroit’s Fox Theatre on Friday, April 4. For a kid-friendly experience, Steve Burns, original host of “Blue’s Clues” is coming to Motor City Comic Con in Novi from Friday, May 16 - Sunday, May 18. Donovan Patton, who played host Joe from 2002-2006 and Josh Dela Cruz of “Blue’s Clues & You,” will also attend the comic con. |
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A guided snowshoe hike is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Ludington State Park in Hamlin Township, Mich. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com) |
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Trump’s executive orders and what they mean for Michigan |
President Donald Trump has issued several executive orders since returning to the White House, but how do his orders and actions affect Michigan? As a general rule, the federal government can’t force states to enforce federal law, including immigration laws, said Mike Steinberg, a University of Michigan law professor. But the Trump administration can make complying with certain requirements a condition for federal grant funding and that’s where the president may have some influence over states and local communities, David Kallman, a Michigan attorney with a conservative perspective, said. Pushing back: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said she plans to file litigation to protect programs and restore services potentially impacted by President Donald Trump’s plans to freeze federal funds. Changing careers?: A Super Bowl winning football coach might be making the jump from sports to politics. Al Weaver of The Hill reported Tuesday, citing a GOP source, that former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy is being considered as a potential candidate for a Michigan Senate seat. |
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Michigan still gripped by drought, even in snowy areas |
Still pretty dry: With some areas covered in snow it may surprise you that we still have a large area of severe drought in Michigan. From northeast Lower Michigan through the Saginaw Bay area, the Thumb and the Cadillac/Manistee area is ranked as severe drought. The southern border through Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Big Rapids and Clare is in moderate drought. Southeast Lower Michigan is termed abnormally dry and is not officially in drought. Here’s the latest drought status as of last week. Looking ahead: The weather flow is gradually changing now and as we head into early February. Our storm systems will come from the west and southwest. One weather change that brings Michigan is a very up-and-down temperature pattern. Take a look at the upper-air forecast out to mid-February. The end of the forecast indicates the polar vortex may be making another swipe at Michigan in mid-February. Save the date: The CopperDog 150 dog sled races are coming to Calumet and other Keweenaw Peninsula towns during a full weekend of festivities, Friday-Sunday, Feb. 28 to March 2. While the races were canceled in 2024 due to a lack of snow, there should be plenty of white stuff for this year’s contests. About 148.5 inches have already fallen this winter with 26 inches currently on the ground, according to data from Keweenaw County. |
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GM profit-sharing checks hit new record with worker payouts up to $14,500 |
Getting a boost: General Motors’ 2024 profits will net hourly workers up to $14,500—a new record for the annual profit-sharing checks. GM’s announcement came in a letter to shareholders from Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The announcement coincides with the release of GM’s fourth-quarter financial results, which topped profit and revenue expectations from Wall Street. Out of business: Some Michigan residents may have to find a new option for their banking needs as Comerica Bank closes locations in Washtenaw, Jackson and Lenawee counties. Comerica Bank is closing branches in Saline, Manchester, Grass Lake, Clinton and Brooklyn on April 24, said Matt Barnhart, vice president of corporate communications for Comerica Bank’s Michigan market. New jobs on the way: A $316 million project that aims to revitalize downtown Lansing with five apartment buildings – including 26-story skyscraper – has landed state support. The Michigan Strategic Fund awarded New Vision Lansing LLC a $202 million tax incentive during its Tuesday, Jan. 28 board meeting. |
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Mother of murderer urges Gov. Whitmer to rescue son from Alabama’s death penalty |
Despite abolishing the death penalty in 1963, a Michigan prisoner is scheduled to be executed next week. Demetrius Frazier, 52, originally from Detroit, is listed in Michigan Department of Corrections online records as serving a mandatory life sentence. But he’s not in Michigan. Due to an unusual agreement between former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and then-Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley in 2011, Frazier, whom officials deem a “sexual predator,” has for the last 14 years been imprisoned on Alabama’s Death Row. Calling her son a "changed man," Frazier's mother Carol Frazier, hopes her son will live the rest of his life behind bars in Michigan, rather than die while strapped down inside an Alabama prison. In Kent County: A woman has been charged with arson and child abuse for a house fire she allegedly set that killed one of her three daughters. Roconda Singleton, 46, appeared for a virtual arraignment Tuesday, Jan. 28, and was charged with first-degree arson and three counts of second-degree child abuse. |
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Cedar Point unveils CGI video of what it’ll be like to ride Siren’s Curse this summer |
For the thrill seekers: The grand opening for Cedar Point’s latest roller coaster may still be a few months away, but fans can now get an idea of what it will be like to ride Siren’s Curse once it opens. On Monday, Cedar Point released an animated video that showcases the point-of-view of someone riding in the front car of the ride. Once completed, Siren’s Curse will be the tallest, fastest and longest “tilt” roller coaster in North America, according to Cedar Point. On the road: Jeep the Mac will return this spring for the 10th annual event but missing a signature element. The event usually features a caravan of Jeeps parading across the Mackinac Bridge. However, this year, due to construction on the bridge, the group crossing won’t happen, organizers announced. The event is scheduled for May 9-11 in St. Ignace and on Drummond Island. Winter adventure: Guided snowshoe hikes at this Up North state park will take guests through snow-dusted woods and sand dunes swirled with white. Ludington State Park interpreter Brandon Griffith will lead two daytime hikes from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8, starting at the park’s amphitheater, accessible from the amphitheater/skyline trail parking lot. |
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Thank you for starting your day with the Morning Briefing. We'll be back tomorrow with more top stories from around Michigan. Until then, you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a great Wednesday! — Cara |
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