FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025 |
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In today's newsletter, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says requiring proof of citizenship to vote would disenfranchise Michiganders, fun-filled Saturday events return to Crystal Mountain and activists call for "economic blackout" this Friday. |
Winter fun isn't over just yet |
Spring might be on the way but there's still plenty of time for winter activities in Michigan before the weather warms up. If a stay in a cozy cabin surrounded by snow and wilderness sounds like a dream, consider camping at the Pines Camper Cabin in Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The Rivermouth Campground at the park is open for the first time ever this winter amid ongoing construction at its Lower Falls campgrounds. For those who want to spend time in nature while offering up a bit of free time, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is looking for volunteer campground hosts at two rustic campgrounds. |
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MLive reporter Lindsay Moore pulls a sled with her gear for a winter stay at the Pines Camper Cabin at Rivermouth Pines Campground at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Paradise, Mich. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) |
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Activists boycotting Amazon, Walmart and more as part of ‘economic blackout’ on Feb. 28 |
Not shopping: A series of nationwide boycotts of major corporations, like Amazaon and Walmart starts Friday with organizers calling for an “economic blackout.” The boycott is being organized by The People’s Union USA, which describes itself as a non-partisan, “grassroots movement dedicated to economic resistance, government accountability, and corporate reform,” according to its website. On the rise: Grocery shopping is likely to become more expensive this year, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The latest report found that prices for food in general are expected to increase by 3.4 percent this year. Depending on the type of food, those increases could be higher or lower than the anticipated 3.4 percent overall. The cost of beef, pork, fresh fruit, sugar, and of course eggs are all expected to increase this year. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its 2025 Food Price Outlook and as expected, the forecast sees egg prices skyrocketing. While the USDA anticipates rising costs in most categories, the forecasted increase in egg prices came in at a staggering 41.1 percent—pushing the average cost of a dozen eggs to $6.98. |
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Winter Storm Watches issued, Clipper systems to bring up to 10 inches of snow for parts of Michigan |
Weekend weather: We are heading into a cold weekend with a couple storm system waves bringing heavy snow to some areas of Michigan. Much of West Michigan and Southeast Michigan will just feel sharply colder weather and see some wintry-mix periods of rain and a little snow. Gusty winds are also on tap for Friday. Winter Storm Watches have been issued for a handful of counties both at the top of the Lower Peninsula and across the Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula. The details: The heaviest snow forecast we’ve seen is for up to 12 inches of snow falling along the Lake Superior shoreline areas like Sault Ste. Marie in the eastern U.P. But lots of areas across Northern Michigan and the U.P. are in line for a good 6 to 10 inches of snow by Saturday morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. Get ready for snow: The NWS forecast looking at the U.S. heading into the weekend has hardly any snow to be seen. Except, of course, for Michigan (and parts of the East Coast). |
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Jocelyn Benson: Requiring proof of citizenship to vote would disenfranchise Michiganders |
Impacting voters: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is warning that a proposed federal law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote could disenfranchise many Michiganders. Benson said Thursday the restrictions outlined in the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act would create barriers to voting access for married women, college students, low-income residents, rural residents and Black residents. At the mic: Less than two months after she was sworn into office, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, will deliver the Democratic Party response to President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. The Republican president’s joint address is scheduled for 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 4. In court: A brother of ex-state House Speaker Lee Chatfield testified that he and others, including lobbyists, lawmakers and campaign workers, took vacations in the Bahamas and other places but said he had no knowledge of who covered the costs. Aaron Chatfield testified Thursday, Feb. 27, in East Lansing District Court where Lee Chatfield, and his wife, Stephanie, are accused of misusing funds from nonprofits for personal expenses. |
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Chilling 911 call adds details to adventurous teen’s tragic death allegedly at hands of his mom |
911 call: A memorial service is being planned next week for the Holland teen who was allegedly killed by his mother. Austin Pikaart, 17, is described as adventurous and a “kind-hearted soul” who will be missed by family and friends. The celebration of life for Pikaart, scheduled for Monday, will come 10 days after his tragic death inside the apartment he shared with his mother. Pikaart’s mother, Katie Austin Lee, has since been charged with open murder. Behind bars: The leader of a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison. The drug trafficking ring distributed cocaine and methamphetamine in and around Detroit, Lansing and Kalamazoo between August 2022 and July 2024, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Charges upgraded: A Bay City man is facing steeper charges for allegedly stabbing two police officers and using his infant son as a human shield. |
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Let's get the weekend started. |
Another week is in the books. We'll be back on Monday 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 safe and fun weekend! - Cara Hackett |
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