In today's newsletter, DOGE claims to have saved $630M in Michigan, Fourth of July travel is expected to be record-setting and the most popular campground in the state. |
When the Polar Vortex comes knocking with its icy knuckles in late January, we power through. So why does the heat make us feel so awful and wimpy? Tanda Gmiter tells us there's a reason for that. It turns out, us Michiganders have a tough time in high heat precisely because our bodies are so used to the cold weather, a Corewell Health doctor explained in an earlier interview. Braving the weekend heat, MLive photographer Joel Bissell covered Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 of Electric Forest. He also gave us a look inside some of the most magical elements of the forest, including the whimsical ‘Dream Emporium’ and the traditional 'Giving Tree.' |
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Lasers fill the sky as Sub Focus performs at Sherwood Court during the first day of the Electric Forest music festival at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Mich. on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) |
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How many households live paycheck to paycheck in each Michigan county? |
The minimum cost for basic living in Michigan in 2023 was just shy of $29,000 for a single adult, or about $74,500 for a family of four. Using that threshold -- calculated by the ALICE Household Survival Budget -- 1.67 million Michigan households (41%) were living paycheck to paycheck in 2023, according to the latest data published this spring by United for ALICE. Here is the latest ALICE data broken down by county. ‘This is getting outrageous’: Michigan’s residential power rates are the highest in the Midwest and among the steepest in the nation. Though residents might plead for relief, advocates say there are big obstacles standing in the way. Power companies benefit from utility-friendly oversight and wield big clout with lawmakers in Lansing. Meanwhile, the state’s largest utilities, DTE and Consumers Energy, say they’re committed to affordability and argue rates don’t tell the whole story. In health news: A second case of measles has been confirmed in Grand Traverse County. |
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DOGE claims to have saved $630M in Michigan. Some say the numbers don’t add up |
The federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “Wall of Receipts” lists approximately $630 million in savings from cuts to Michigan agencies, education institutions, nonprofits and consulting firms. But the numbers detailed by DOGE aren’t always accurate. Line items are frequently added and deleted from the website without notice, and it’s not yet always clear how the reported savings are being determined. For those reasons, it’s difficult to determine what the final dollar figure impact on the state could be. Despite the uncertainty, numerous Michigan programs confirmed the money has indeed stopped flowing. President Donald Trump launched airstrikes against Iran this weekend in an effort to neutralize the country’s nuclear program, a move that drew mixed reactions from Michigan lawmakers. |
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Fourth of July travel in Michigan is expected to be record-setting |
Be aware: Record travel volume is projected for the upcoming Independence Day holiday period. Michigan is expected to have more than 2.6 million people traveling around the holiday, according AAA projections. That would be nearly a 3% increase from 2024. While we're on the road: There will be more than 90 road projects and special events between now and Saturday, June 28, requiring various levels of closures on the state’s primary roads. Here is a summary of 12 closures to watch out for this week. To know: Engineers Day is known for its unique access to the Soo Locks. That won’t be part of the 2025 event, federal officials announced. |
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Why Michigan lights wildland fires on purpose in its rarest natural habitats |
Several rare Michigan natural habitats require fire not just to thrive, but to survive. Conservation experts are increasingly using controlled burns to recover and preserve ecosystems such as prairies, pine barrens, and oak savannas where they can still be found across the Great Lakes State. But at this point, it’s a matter of saving mere remnants of these special, fire-dependent habitats. In the water: Researchers are interested in the fish populations and patterns in Lake Superior and they’re asking anglers to help this summer. Isle Royale National Park is partnering with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to conduct a creel survey of the Isle Royale-Lake Superior fishery. The last Isle Royale creel survey was conducted in 1998. Speaking of fish: Wildlife officials have revealed a milestone fish caught on Lake Michigan. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an angler from Sheboygan caught a 35-inch, 16-pound lake trout in 2023, and while its size is noteworthy, the real story here is its age. |
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Do you have a go-to campsite? This Lake Michigan spot is the most popular |
The numbers: Each year the Michigan Department of Natural Resources tracks the data on its most popular campgrounds and campsites. It’s no surprise that the winner from 2024 is a year-round spot with Lake Michigan beach access. Last year, campers stayed at Muskegon State Park’s campsite A36 for 217 nights. Listed at $1,999,900: If you love history, here is your chance to live in it and keep its legacy alive and thriving. The personal mansion of renowned architect Louis Kamper is coming to market in Detroit’s historic Indian Village — a truly rare opportunity. A win for everyone: A school playground in Sturgis has been honored as one of the top 10 playgrounds for accessibility in the United States. |
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Thank you for joining me on today's edition of the Morning Briefing. As always, you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. If you value the work of our journalists, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a great day! - Jamie Rewerts |
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Ready for positive, feel-good coverage of life in the Mitten? Curated from our best travel, outdoor, food, entertainment, photos and videos - immerse yourself in the place we love and the place we call home. Explore new dining, cabin rentals or how to view the next meteor shower. Join MLive․com's Tanda Gmiter and the Life & Culture team every week. Your next adventure is waiting! Sign up here. There's one caveat: This is an exclusive newsletter for MLive.com's loyal subscribers. Not a subscriber? That's OK. You can receive a few weeks of the newsletter as a free trial. Click here to sign up. |
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