Plus, JD Vance criticizes Gotion battery during Mid-Michigan visit

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Morning Briefing

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024

In today's newsletter, child vaccination rates are improving, three former Wolverines cut by Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers and a popular Up North state park is set to close after Labor Day for 10 months.

Labor Day weekend is almost here

Our three day, holiday weekend is quickly approaching. Many people treat Labor Day as a marker of summer's end but that doesn't mean the seasonal fun is over. 

 

Tens of thousands of people will cross the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. Now in its 66th year, the Mackinac Bridge Walk kicks off at 7 a.m. For more family-friendly fun, enjoy the farm themed splash pad at the Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo in Oceana County before its summer season ends on Monday, Sept. 2. 

 

If you want to enjoy the great outdoors this weekend, here are four tips from Michigan's Department of Natural Resources on how you can be a "good egg" while birdwatching.  

Curated by Cara Hackett

Two people walk toward the beach shoreline

People walk along a trail to the beach at Meinert Park, which spans 182 acres of forested dune and beach along Lake Michigan in Northern Muskegon County, Michigan. (Joel Bissell | MLive)

Child vaccinations are improving, but Michigan remains vulnerable

In childhood health: Michigan parents made progress vaccinating their kids over the last year. As of this summer, more than 70% of children 19 months to 3 years old were up to date on recommended vaccines against diseases like measles, mumps, pertussis, and chickenpox. It is the highest rate for the age group since before the coronavirus pandemic, and ends four consecutive years of decline.

 

Still, health officials say rates are too low and open the door for dangerous but preventable diseases to spread. Reduced vaccinations have led to a resurgence of measles cases in the U.S. So far this year, there have been 188 cases, including seven in Michigan. Half of the cases have required hospitalization.

 

No human cases confirmed: Health officials confirmed Monday that a dead falcon found in Detroit has tested positive for the West Nile Virus. The bird was found in the area near 7 Mile and the Southfield Freeway.

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JD Vance criticizes Gotion battery plant’s ties to China at Big Rapids rally

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance blasted a planned $2.36 billion battery parts plant in mid-Michigan for its ties to China, speaking near the factory’s Big Rapids site in a campaign rally on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Vance was joined by Michigan GOP lawmakers where they stirred up criticism linking Chinese battery maker Gotion Inc. to the Chinese Communist Party, calling the Gotion plant “a threat to America’s national security.”

 

Back in Michigan: Vice President Kamala Harris plans to return to Michigan for her second Detroit campaign stop in less than one month. The 2024 Democratic nominee for president will travel to Motor City on Monday, Sept. 2, as part of what her campaign described as a “Labor Day blitz.”

 

In West Michigan business: A Greenville-based company that makes refrigerators received a $1.3 million state grant Tuesday as part of an expansion that will see the company add up to 200 new jobs and make a $21.4 million capital investment. 

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Michigan eyes brownfields for renewables with $129M in federal cash

Clean energy: Michigan’s environmental regulators intend to help communities build renewable energy like wind and solar on old brownfield sites with $129 million in federal funding. Regulators will also need to create a brownfield renewable energy pilot program, as well as support worker training and strategic planning for Michigan communities.

 

Also in the environment: Michigan’s environmental regulators intend to help communities build renewable energy like wind and solar on old brownfield sites with $129 million in federal funding. 

 

Be aware: Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss is calling on fall anglers to be cautious and give a 100-foot radius to divers relocating 14,000 to 15,000 endangered mussels as part of the city’s Grand River rapids restoration.

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Three former Wolverines cut by Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers

Maybe next time: Receiver Cornelius Johnson, offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart and defensive lineman Christopher Hinton all helped Jim Harbaugh win at least one Big Ten title during their Michigan careers. But the trio won't play for their former Michigan coach under the Los Angeles Rams, at least not to begin the 2024 season. They were cut on Tuesday to get down the team to the mandated 53-man roster limit. 

 

Making the team: The Detroit Lions have improved their outlook at wide receiver, specifically on the outside, with the reported signing of veteran pass-catcher Tim Patrick.

 

Take a look around: Want to see the Big House from beyond your game day seat? Tours of Michigan Stadium are available upon request at this link from the University of Michigan athletic department. Access costs $20 per person or $10 per person for nonprofit groups and schools. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.

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Popular Up North state park to close after Labor Day for 10 months 

Closed for now: Michigan’s most popular state park will close after Labor Day for construction and remain closed into next summer. The planned 10-month closure at Ludington State Park is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3, to July 1. The closure affects the main areas of the park, including all three campgrounds, the main beach area, the Hamlin day-use areas, the Big Sable Light, trails and other amenities north of the entry booth. 

 

Sights and sounds: Take in more than just panoramic views at Boyne Mountain's Skybridge. The attraction is hosting its Strings in the Sky summer and fall music series until October 20. If you need plans this weekend, the next performance date in the series is Friday, Aug. 30. 

 

Your next trip: If you’re looking for that “Up North” getaway but don’t want to put the miles on your car, consider this visiting the Lake Michigan beach of Meinert Park. Surrounded by pines, the park is part of Muskegon County parks system and sits on 182 acres of forested dunes stretching along 2,000 feet of lakeshore.

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That's all for now. 

Thanks for starting your day with the Morning Briefing. 

 

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Have a fantastic day. 

 

— Cara Hackett

 

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