FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025 |
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In today's newsletter, enrollment decline in public schools continues, police officer to deliver ‘Flame of Hope’ for Special Olympics and a 1989 cold case update. |
I have a confession to make - I've lived in Grand Rapids for over three years and have not been to a Griffins hockey game yet. That will change tonight as my fiancé and I were gifted tickets. This only puts a slight dent in my Grand Rapids bucket list - a list that seems to only grow with new businesses and sports teams coming into town so often. Sadly, some do get erased as things shut down. For example, Beacon Corner Bar & Coastal Fare announced yesterday they closed for good before I made it in. Are you looking for weekend plans? Comstock Park will host the 2025 Winter Beer Festival on Saturday. Chippewa Nature Center in Midland is hosting a free snowshoeing event. And there are a few things happening around Ann Arbor. |
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Massive piles of snow in front of Saunders Sunrise Cabins along Lake Superior in Paradise, Mich. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. The small village along Lake Superior had close to 200 inches of snow for the season. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) |
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Appeals court upholds Michigan permit for Enbridge Line 5 tunnel |
The latest: The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a state permit that allows Canadian pipeline giant Enbridge to build a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac to house a rebuilt section of its controversial Line 5 oil pipeline. Appellate judges ruled Wednesday that the Michigan Public Service Commission properly issued permits for the project, rejecting legal challenges brought by a coalition of Indigenous tribes and environmental groups which oppose the project. In politics: Two Democratic U.S. lawmakers are “sounding the alarm bell” about how Medicaid cuts proposed by House Republicans could jeopardize care for Michiganders. Locally: Experts along Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile are sounding the alarm on the Trump Administration’s proposal to slash “indirect” funding for life-saving research. |
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Enrollment decline in Michigan public schools continues, except in these areas |
Enrollment is again down in K-12 public schools across Michigan, but according to the latest statewide data, the difference is slim — and it’s not across the board. Fewer than 1.37 million public school students, excluding preschoolers, were counted statewide last fall in numbers released earlier this month by the Michigan Department of Education. That’s a half-percent fall from K-12 enrollment listed for 2023-24, 5.4% fewer than five years ago before the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged through local districts and 15.3% fewer than two decades ago. See enrollment changes for each district here. More in education: Lawmakers are calling on Eastern Michigan University and other Michigan colleges to end their schools’ partnerships with Chinese universities. New: A German aircraft manufacturer is making a $12 million investment in Southwest Michigan. The Dimor Group is adding a 45,000-square-foot facility to the Battle Creek Executive Airport, 15551 S. Airport Road. There, it’ll assemble Junkers Aircraft models. |
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Suspect in 1989 cold case murder allegedly killed woman after ‘casual encounter’ |
To know: Steven Gary Koon, 63, of Leelanau County was charged with open murder in Grand Traverse County on Wednesday. The news comes some 36 years after the body of Linda Marie Meteer of the Traverse City area was found in Hoosier Valley in April of 1989. Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea said Koon had been identified as a person of interest way back in 1989, but that evidence at that time did not lead to an arrest. Still seeking justice: Five years after a Buena Vista Township father-son duo were killed by gunfire, investigators are offering a reward for information that will lead them to a suspect. An update: The woman accused of abandoning her three children for several years at a Pontiac townhouse had her bond set at $250 million cash Thursday. Judge Ronda M. Fowlkes Gross levied the staggering bond during the arraignment of Kelli Bryant, 34. |
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Only one Michigan coach has had Tom Izzo’s number. Next up, Dusty May. |
MSU vs UM: Tom Izzo recorded a career milestone last week. Next up is a new box to check for the 30-year coach of the Spartans. No. 14 Michigan State plays at No. 12 Michigan on Friday as Izzo marks his rivalry debut against Dusty May, the first-year coach of the Wolverines. May will be the sixth Michigan coach to square off against Izzo. Of the last five, only one Michigan coach owned a winning record against Izzo. 2025 NFL mock draft 1.0: We’re headed to the NFL combine next week to hear what hundreds of prospects have to say while getting a better feel for the direction that the Detroit Lions are headed this offseason. That means it’s mocking season. See here for MLive Lions beat writer Ben Raven’s first crack at projecting the picks. Entering his 20th major league season, Justin Verlander has seen the game change plenty for starting pitchers like himself during his time in major league baseball. And now he’s using his influence as one of the game’s elder statesman to try to slow down some of those changes. |
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Michigan police officer running across Italy to deliver ‘Flame of Hope’ for Special Olympics |
Cheer him on: Michigan will have a key role when the world gathers to honor Special Olympics athletes later this month. The Michigan State Police announced this week that trooper Jacob Lewis is one of eight team leaders selected to help deliver the Flame of Hope to the opening ceremonies for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Coming to Michigan: Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer Tate McRae will perform at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Oct. 22 as part of her Miss Progressive Tour. She will be joined by special guest Alessi Rose. Best Local Eats: Lake Michigan is one reason to visit South Haven. This ‘small plate’ restaurant is another. |
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I'll see you on the flip side |
Aka, on Monday. All weekend long you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Thanks for reading! - Jamie Rewerts |
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