In today's newsletter, a look at the 2025 NBA Draft, Michigan faces criticism for ‘mismanagement’ of juvenile facility closure and politicians push for Michigan tribe to get federal recognition. |
Where to celebrate Independence Day in Michigan |
We are officially one week away from recognizing America's Independence Day on July 4. From firework shows to parades, cities around Michigan are gearing up to celebrate one of the biggest holidays of the year. Manistee's 80th annual Fourth of July festival is bringing five days of family friendly fun to the award-winning First Street Beach/Douglas Park. Kicking off on Wednesday, July 2, participants can enjoy a marketplace, arts and crafts show, carnival, parade, fireworks, petting zoo and music and more. Check out these other Independence Day celebrations in mid-Michigan, Bay City, Flint, and Kalamazoo. |
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Builders sue to block Michigan’s first new home construction codes in 10 years |
Building industry groups are suing the state of Michigan to block new requirements making new homes significantly more energy efficient, saving homeowners thousands on utility bills in the long run, before the standards take effect later this summer. Homebuilders say the upfront costs of new building codes are too much. Cost breakdown: Requirements in the new codes would increase the cost of a 2,000-square-foot home by $16,000, according to an expert analysis commissioned by the builders and included with their lawsuit. Healthcare and housing duo: Low-income housing and health care will come together at a new, 56-unit apartment development being built in the Grand Rapids' suburb of Wyoming. Cherry Health, a federally qualified health center that predominately serves low-income patients, has partnered with Woda Cooper Companies to build the housing adjacent to Cherry Health’s Wyoming Community Health Center. |
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Will Michigan tribe finally get federal recognition? Peters, Slotkin renew push |
Push for federal recognition: U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin have reintroduced legislation to federally recognize the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, a designation that would make the tribe’s members eligible for benefits such as health care and housing assistance. The tribe is based in Grand Rapids and has just under 500 members, primarily in Kent, Muskegon and Oceana counties. The Grand River Bands, which is chaired by Ron Yob, has been seeking federal recognition since 1994 but has hit numerous road blocks along the way. Tell us what you think: President Donald Trump has maneuvered the U.S. to the forefront of negotiations between Iran and Israel, striking Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend and then hammering out a tentative ceasefire. Given public officials’ varying responses regarding U.S. involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran, we wanted to seek reader feedback. Using this survey, let us know your thoughts on U.S. involvement as the conflict - and ceasefire - continue to play out. What voters have to say: While more than three quarters of voters in Michigan say the November 2024 election was fair and accurate, just over half of voters are not satisfied with the condition of democracy, according to a poll released Thursday. |
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Michigan faces criticism for ‘mismanagement’ of juvenile facility closure |
Backlash: Michigan closed its lone male-only juvenile treatment center in February after announcing plans to transfer care of the Shawono Center residents to a more modern facility in Macomb County. As of late June, the new Michigan Youth Treatment Center in Mount Clemens remains unopen. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says its plan remains on track, but legislators and mid-Michigan community members have voiced their concerns about the move and its effect on the state’s over-burdened child welfare system. Decriminalizing magic mushrooms: Some Michigan lawmakers want to decriminalize possession of psychedelic mushrooms statewide for people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Advocates for the legislation introduced Wednesday, June 25, say psychedelic mushrooms, sometimes called “magic mushrooms,” have shown promising results in helping manage or treat PTSD and its symptoms. Behind bars: A Michigan doctor will serve four years in prison after being convicted in a $6.3 million Medicare fraud scheme in which she sent nearly 8,000 orthotic braces to more than 2,600 patients over a six-month period. Sophie Toya, 56, solicited patients through “deceptive” television commercials that offered free back braces, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. |
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Detroit Pistons 2025 NBA Draft: Meet Chaz Lanier, a sharpshooter whose patience paid off |
Pistons draft Tennessee sharpshooter: The Detroit Pistons selected Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier with the 37th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-3 guard won the Jerry West Award as the nation's best shooting guard after averaging 18 points per game while shooting 39.5% from three-point range. Lanier's path included four seasons at North Florida and nearly quitting basketball as an undersized high schooler. Jacob Richman reports the selection occurred during a commercial break, reminiscent of three-time MVP Nikola Jokić's draft moment. Making the Magic: Former Michigan State guard Jase Richardson was drafted 25th overall by the Orlando Magic, the same team where his father Jason played during his NBA career. Despite measuring just over 6 feet at the combine, Richardson's draft selection earned high marks from analysts who praised his midrange game and pick-and-roll abilities. Matt Wenzel reports that Richardson watched the draft with family in Florida, where he'll now begin his professional career. Michigan basketball's frontcourt duo is headed to the NBA, with different paths forward. Danny Wolf was selected 27th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. Meanwhile, center Vlad Goldin went undrafted but quickly signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat, reports Andrew Kahn. The first-team All-Big Ten selection who averaged 16.6 points per game will split time between the NBA and G League. Both players were key contributors to Michigan's 27-10 season that included a Big Ten Tournament championship and Sweet 16 appearance. |
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This Michigan music venue that hosted Bob Seger and Stevie Wonder is for sale at $649K |
On the market: The iconic Sherwood Forest property in Genesee County’s Richfield Township and once a booming cultural hotspot that hosted some of the biggest names in rock - has been listed for sale at $649,000. Spanning 73.38 acres, the parcel offers natural beauty and development potential, including a spring-fed pond, rolling topography, and mature trees harkening back to its heyday in the 1960s and ’70s. Getting spooky: A new haunted attraction is coming to the biggest city in the Midwest. Universal Destinations & Experiences announced Thursday that it is bringing Universal Horror Unleashed, the company’s year-round, immersive horror entertainment experience, to Chicago. Have a laugh: Just ahead of the release of “Happy Gilmore 2″ on Netflix, Adam Sandler has announced he is going on a comedy tour this fall. The comedian and actor will bring his “You’re My Best Friend” tour to 30 cities across North America, including to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, October 14. |
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