In today's newsletter, a snowstorm is coming to Michigan this weekend, mental health patient complaints go nowhere in Michigan and NCAA adjusts transgender policy in wake of Trump executive order. |
Check out these fun things to do this weekend |
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Crowds line Washington Street to cheer on a musher and dog team as they take off for the start of the UP 200 in downtown Marquette, Michigan on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. (Joel Bissell | MLive) |
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Weekend snowstorm? 3 things to know |
Get prepared: We do have a widespread weather-maker heading toward Michigan, and especially Lower Michigan, for Saturday and Saturday night. Northern Lower Michigan might have light snow starting in the morning with snow waiting until afternoon to start in southern Lower Michigan. Eventually by late afternoon and early evening the snow will be falling steadily and at a light-to-moderate clip across our state. The more you know: There is a method to evaluating how severe the combined winter weather has been so far. The Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index takes into account the cumulative cold, snow amounts and snow on the ground in an attempt to quantify the whole winter experience. In Michigan, we’ve all heard of Thunder Snow—those muffled winter thunderstorms we sometimes experience while we are getting snow. But what about Thunder Ice? It turns out several Midwest states—including Michigan—reported witnessing Thunder Ice early Thursday as a freezing rain system made its way across the southern part of the state and points south of us, according to the Associated Press. |
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‘A broken system.’ Mental health patient complaints go nowhere in Michigan |
Getting a complaint to stick in Michigan’s mental health system isn’t easy, an MLive investigation revealed. In 2023, 73% of complaints were found to be unsubstantiated and never investigated any further – usually by the same provider or hospital the complaint was lodged against. Attempts to change the system over the last 20 years have not gained any traction. It’s left people already struggling to access mental health care for themselves and loved ones hopeless and demoralized. The state’s patient complaint process, named the recipient rights system by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is intended to protect vulnerable mental health patients. But an MLive investigation shows that people filing complaints rarely win. Also in health: Patients visiting Michigan emergency rooms should expect longer wait times as hospitals respond to an influx in sick and injured patients. About 8% of health care visits in late January were for flu-like illness, which was an increase from 5.4% the previous week. The rate of flu tests coming back positive has surpassed 30% in some regions. |
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Michigan health system halts gender-affirming care for minors after Trump order |
On pause: At least one Michigan health system is halting gender-affirming services for young patients, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. Shortly after the issuance, Corewell Health—formerly Spectrum and Beaumont—said it would stop beginning any new hormone therapy regimens for minor patients seeking gender-affirming care. The system did not previously perform gender-affirming surgeries on minors, according to a system spokesperson. A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to push out federal workers by offering them financial incentives, the latest twist in a chaotic and distressing saga playing out for millions of government employees. Withholding funds: Michigan House Republicans are planning to withhold earmark funding for cities and counties if their law enforcement agencies don’t enforce or uphold federal immigration law. Republican leadership wants all Michigan communities to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). |
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NCAA adjusts transgender policy in wake of Trump executive order |
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It’s back! UP200 dog sled race returns after two years of bad conditions |
Get ready to race: Excitement is building in the Upper Peninsula as trail conditions are looking promising for the UP200 dog sled races. The last two years, all three races that are part of this event were cancelled due to poor trail conditions. February rains caused the cancellation in 2023 and above-average warm temperatures halted the 2024 races. With promising trail conditions, organizers are in full swing with race preparations for the kickoff on Friday, Feb. 14. Getting icy: Old Man Winter is making his presence known in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and that includes creating some natural ice sculptures. Munising Falls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has completely frozen over as of Thursday, Feb. 6, according to the National Parks Service. This Up North town is celebrating yesteryear with the revival of its winter carnival that drew people from across the state from the 1930s to the 1960s. The fourth annual Alpena Ice Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15. |
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Let's get ready for the weekend. |
That's a wrap for this week's Morning Briefing, but we'll be back on Monday to start your day with top news from around the state. In the meantime, you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a safe and fun weekend! — Cara Hackett |
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