Quinton M. Allen, 32, was shot by police after attacking a bank employee and holding her captive

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Morning Briefing

TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025

In today's newsletter, Siena Heights University to close, WNBA returning to Detroit and 'world’s largest bounce park’ opening at West Michigan mall.

Welcome to July!

Another year of Pride is in the books with June behind us. The month brought Pride festivals that allowed individuals to shine. Here's a photo gallery of the best of Pride across Michigan.

 

Now, we look forward to celebrating the Fourth of July on Friday. Our meteorologist has given us a look ahead as to what we can expect for weather. Spoiler alert, it's looking promising!

 

Speaking of the holiday, an old saying claims your corn should be “knee high by the Fourth of July.” Is this true? We look into that on our latest edition of Garden Talk.

Curated by Jamie Rewerts

A drag performer dances on stage in front of a crowd

A scene from the Kalamazoo Pride Festival at Arcadia Creek Festival Place on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

Faygo Red Pop used as lure in fatal Saginaw Township bank hostage standoff

It was a Faygo Red Pop that hastened the end of a multi-hour hostage situation inside a Saginaw Township bank branch. The beverage dangled from a drone and, as the would-be robber stood in front of a window to retrieve it, a police trooper fired a shot from a nearby rooftop, mortally wounding the suspect and bringing the standoff to a close.

 

Rebuilding his life: Horace Peterson is taking life one day at a time after spending more than five decades in prison for a crime he did not commit. Since his release, Peterson is discovering a changed Flint while planning to work with troubled youth after his incarceration. 

 

‘She was their protector’: Sariah Robinson’s nine children are among those mourning after she was killed at home earlier this month. Robinson, 47, was “a devoted mother” who lost her life under heartbreaking circumstances, a GoFundMe page states. 

Read more

Small, private university in southern Michigan to close in 2026 after 105 years

Siena Heights University, a small Catholic college in southern Michigan,  is slated to close its doors after the next school year, according to an announcement. The university will maintain normal operations through spring 2026 while helping non-graduating students transfer elsewhere.

 

The latest: Local advocacy groups are calling for a boycott of Avelo Airlines and asking airports in three Michigan cities to take action against the airline's new contract with federal immigration authorities.

 

In environmental news: The U.S. Supreme Court announced it will review whether a lawsuit to shut down a leg of the Line 5 oil and gas pipeline should be argued in state or federal court.

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Michiganders dying from drug 10,000 times more potent than morphine

To know: Michigan is seeing a resurgence in overdose deaths associated with a potent fentanyl alteration meant for large animals.

 

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid considered 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more than fentanyl. This year, 11 people have died after overdosing on carfentanil, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said Monday, June 30.

 

Be aware: The Federal Bureau of Investigation says a new scam is targeting the public in hopes of stealing private medical data. A warning issued on June 27 says the criminals are sending emails and text messages to patients and health care providers. The messages are disguised to look like legitimate communications from trusted health care authorities. 

Read more

WNBA returning to Detroit with 2029 expansion franchise

Welcome back: After more than a decade away, professional women’s basketball is returning to Detroit. The Motor City will receive an expansion team in 2029 as part of the next wave of growth in the WNBA. Detroit was home to the Shock from 1998-2009, playing in The Palace of Auburn Hills and winning three championships under coach Bill Laimbeer.

 

Get ready: March Madness is returning to your favorite gaming console. After more than 16 years away, EA Sports appeared to announce Monday that it is bringing back a college basketball video game.

 

The Detroit Pistons anticipated a quiet offseason, but after the news emerged Sunday that guard Malik Beasley is being investigated by the U.S. District Attorney’s office, plans may have changed. Reports surfaced the Pistons were close to re-signing Beasley — set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason — on a three-year deal, but those talks have paused and Detroit may have a new target to fill the role.

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‘World’s largest bounce park’ opening at West Michigan mall

Funbox is opening what it says is the ‘world’s largest bounce park’ in the parking lot of Woodland Mall in Kentwood on July 4. The bounce park, which spans 25,000 square feet and includes an obstacle course, slides, battle beams, a ninja wall and more, will operate at the mall on weekends from Independence Day through Aug. 10, according to the mall.

 

In Battle Creek: “Wild Wednesdays” are back at Binder Park Zoo for the month of July. The event includes an extension of park hours, to 8 p.m., setting the stage for summer evening strolls and special performances throughout the month.

 

A sight to see: A once-in-a-lifetime lakefront estate recently landed on the market, featuring over 500 feet of private Lake Michigan shoreline and 6,000+ square feet of inspired living space with stunning lake views.

Read more

 

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You're all caught up.

Thank you for joining me on today's edition of the Morning Briefing. 

 

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Have a good day!

 

- Jamie Rewerts

 

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