TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025 |
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In today's newsletter, foster families fear triple shooting may exacerbate shortage, Whitmer signs final bills to ban landlords from refusing renters’ income source and Boyne Mountain clashes with anglers over hydro dam licensing. |
As we all know, the Detroit Lions fell to the Washington Commanders 45-31 on Saturday night, ending their playoff run in the divisional round. Heartbreaking. Although it was the ending none of us wanted, this season is one we will all remember. Accomplishments include a second consecutive division title, a team-record 15 wins, being undefeated on the road and breaking the franchise record for total points scored. As for the future, Dan Campbell is operating under the assumption that defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will leave for new opportunities. The Chicago Bears are finalizing a deal with Johnson to make him head coach and Glenn has scheduled a second-round interview with the Jets. Is the Lions’ Super Bowl window still open? Campbell says it is. |
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Lions fans react as they watch the team take on the Commanders from the Old Shillelagh in downtown Detroit on Jan. 18, 2025. (Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com) |
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Which Michigan communities had the most births, deaths in 2023 |
The Detroit and Grand Rapids metropolitan areas had considerably more Michiganders born than died in 2023, bucking the statewide trend. Statewide, there were more deaths (101,985) than live births (99,178) for the fourth consecutive year, as new babies dropped to their lowest since the 1940s. Forty-three counties had births outweigh deaths, while 39 counties had more deaths, and one county maintained perfect balance. In health: Fewer than one in four Michigan residents have gotten a flu shot this year, and closer to one in 10 have received the latest COVID-19 booster. Health officials are urging people to get vaccinated, even in mid-January, and be aware of rising rates of respiratory illnesses, including the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). |
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‘Worse than worst case’: Foster families fear triple shooting may exacerbate shortage |
Reaction: It was heartbreaking when Robert Kellar learned two members of a fellow foster family were shot and killed not far from him in Washtenaw County. Kellar, a foster parent since 2018, didn’t know Jennifer Bernhard, 48, and her father, Stevie Ray Smith, 74, personally, but he said it’s devastating for the family and the foster care community. “We are thousands of families short on having (enough) foster parents. So the worst outcome of any of this would be for people not to become foster parents,” he said. “There are so many kids out there, so many kids who need a home and especially older kids.” Kathy and Gary Graves, parents of Kevin Graves who disappeared at the Electric Forest music festival in 2018, express a mix of grief and relief after their son's remains were found near the festival site on Dec. 30, 2024. The Lansing Police Department has opened an internal investigation into an incident where an officer fatally shot a dog during a man’s arrest. |
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Whitmer signs final bills to ban landlords from refusing renters’ income source |
To know: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the final bills Thursday, Jan. 16 of a new housing discrimination law that offers more protections to renters. The two House Bills, 4062 and 4063, are part of tie-barred package that prevent landlords from denying a renter housing based on their source of income, like housing vouchers. Whitmer previously signed the complementary Senate Bills 205, 206 and 207 at the end of December. Save the date: Gov. Whitmer will outline proposals for creating jobs, lowering costs and continuing investments in education during her seventh State of the State Address. Whitmer’s annual address is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Michigan Capitol Building. New: The popularity of a small casino about to open in Northern Michigan will determine whether or not a bigger one could be built. |
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Boyne Mountain clashes with anglers over hydro dam licensing |
Murky waters: Boyne Mountain owns the Boyne River hydroelectric dam. The company is attempting to relicense the dam, which has upset local angler groups who say that Boyne Resorts has harmed the river downstream by releasing excessive sediment from the dam’s impoundment. Last year, the Michigan DNR did not stock fish in the river, which is popular with salmon anglers each fall, due to ecological impacts from the dam. Affected location under quarantine: A deadly, contagious bird flu has infected a backyard flock in Wayne County — the first detection in the county since the virus was first found in Michigan nearly three years ago. Michigan’s 2024 elk hunting season saw a challenging early period with more success during the snowy December. More than 250 licenses were issued across both periods and a total of 180 elk were harvested. |
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Find a lantern-lit snowshoe hike on these 8 Michigan trails |
Michigan winter is in full effect, meaning it’s time to strap on some snowshoes and get out there. Across the state, parks are illuminating their trails to encourage snowshoers to take in winter’s nighttime beauty. Here’s a round-up of where and when to head up north for some snowy fun. The 2025 Tawas Lighthouse Keeper program is now open for applications, offering teams of four a chance to step into the past and live in the keeper’s dwelling at Tawas Point State Park in East Tawas. Yum: Hudsonville Ice Cream is looking for the ultimate ice cream fan who will be tasked with taste-testing its new and improved flavors. |
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Thank you for joining me on today's edition of the Morning Briefing. As always, you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a good day! — Jamie Rewerts |
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