The Michigan Office of the Auditor General recently released its review of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of Family Advocate
In today's newsletter, the weather forecast, tense town halls have lawmakers rethinking communication and could Michigan’s clean energy future be buried underground? |
Returning to Kalamazoo as champions |
As a former Central Michigan student, I don't often find myself cheering for the Western Michigan Broncos. Saturday was an exception as I joined the rest of the state in watching Western Michigan hockey compete for the NCAA championship title. The Broncos defeated Boston University 6-2. With the win, WMU won its first athletic national title since 1965, when the men’s cross country team won back-to-back titles. WMU (34-7-1) capped its magical season not only with its first national title, but also its first NCHC regular-season and NCHC Tournament titles. It was truly a record-setting and unforgettable season for the team. Go Broncos! |
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Lambda Chi Alpha members celebrate with a burning couch on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Fraternity Village Drive in Kalamazoo after Western Michigan University beat Boston for the NCAA championship title. (Arthur H. Trickett-Wile | MLive.com) |
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Michigan failed to properly review 150 child deaths, audit finds |
To know: The state office responsible for reviewing child deaths to evaluate the child welfare system failed to screen dozens of cases and needs improvement, according to the Michigan Auditor General. A recent audit found 150 child deaths between January 2023 and June 2024 weren’t properly investigated to determine if their circumstances warranted a further systemic review by the state’s Office of Family Advocate, located within the Department of Health and Human Services. More from the DHHS: Michigan has reported its seventh pediatric flu death of the 2024-25 season. A child in the city of Detroit died after being infected with influenza A (H3N2). Until recently, Michigan’s laws didn’t allow for paid surrogacy and made the process difficult and costly for the intended parents. That changed this month when updates made to the parental law in 2024 took effect, which enabled a mom of 4 to help a cancer-affected couple. |
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‘A new gold rush’: Could Michigan’s clean energy future be buried underground? |
Across the globe, a small group of scientists and startups are racing to find what might be a holy grail of clean energy right under our feet. Widespread use of hydrogen remains limited, but new research indicates Michigan might be sitting on reserves of the gas underground. The latest: Schilling Family Farms and other Michigan agricultural operations were awarded grants through a $50 million USDA program to help with rising labor costs and improve conditions for foreign workers, but the funding has been frozen as part of broader government spending cuts. Farmers are now legally obligated to spend the promised money on contracted improvements without any guarantee of reimbursement, leaving many "on the precipice of bankruptcy" according to industry advocates. In politics: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has formally asked President Donald Trump to issue a Presidential Emergency Declaration (EM) for the State of Michigan following the recent devastating ice storms in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. |
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Is Michigan done with snow? |
We'll see: There are two more weather systems that could bring at least some spurts of snow to parts of Michigan this week. The data is showing Monday night/Tuesday morning and then Friday are the two periods when snow showers are likely. The farther north you are in Michigan, the greater your chance of seeing snow, and even seeing some accumulation. That time of year: The Great Lakes water levels have started their seasonal rise as the snow has melted and spring rains begin. The typical Great Lakes water cycle has water levels going down through fall and winter on limited moisture in the cold air. The water levels typically bottom out in early March and then begin to rise. Look up: One of the oldest-known meteor showers is set to kick off this week and deliver a night sky show through the end of this month. The Lyrid meteor shower is visible from roughly April 16 to April 26. It will peak in the pre-dawn hours of April 22 this month. |
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Tense town halls have Michigan lawmakers rethinking communication strategies |
Survey: As citizens demand town halls from oft-absent members of Congress, MLive surveyed the U.S. House of Representatives’ Michigan delegation about the strength — or frailty — of their channels of communications with constituents. The outreach from MLive inspired response from some representatives, while other offices failed to acknowledge the communications. An update: Four international students from the University of Michigan and Wayne State University have sued the Trump administration, challenging its termination of their right to remain in the country legally. In court: Police experts clash over Patrick Lyoya’s killing as ex-officer’s trial nears. |
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These two commutes outside Detroit are Michigan’s most enjoyable, survey says |
Road trip: While many dread their morning commutes to work, a new survey found which suburban-to-city routes drivers actually look forward to across the country. Three Michigan commutes rank in the top 150 nationwide: #63: Grand Rapids to Holland via US-31 and I-196, #88: Ann Arbor to Detroit via I-94 and #116 Troy to Detroit via I-75. It’s officially orange barrel season: Nearly 100 road projects will begin between Sunday, April 13, and Saturday, April 19, requiring various levels of closures on the state’s primary roads, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Wings flapping faster than the eye can see: Hummingbirds are getting closer, watch them arrive with this tracker. Michiganders might see up to six hummingbird species, but most are rare visitors. |
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Thank you for joining me on today's edition of the Morning Briefing. As always, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a good day! - Jamie Rewerts |
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