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Morning Briefing

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025

In today's newsletter, millions of married women voters could be disenfranchised under proposed federal law, owner of idled Michigan prison sees ‘unprecedented opportunity’ in mass deportations and Michigan’s largest festival adds 40+ artists to already stacked lineup.

Have you grabbed a paczki yet?

Now that we are in March, the countdown is on to the official start of spring, which is only 16 days away. Today, March 4, also marks Fat Tuesday, or  Paczki Day here in Michigan. 

Here's a look at a few bakeries that will be selling the tasty Polish jelly and cream filled pastry in West Michigan, Washtenaw County, mid-Michigan, and the Jackson area.

Be mindful of the weather today if you plan on venturing out. Part of Michigan will get a taste of an early spring today while the other half experiences a snowstorm, thanks to a classic March storm system. The Upper Peninsula will experience heavy snow, as Munising, Marquette and the western U.P. are slated to have 5 to 10 inches of snow by Wednesday night. All of Lower Michigan can expect rain until Wednesday night and light snow showers. 

Curated by Cara Hackett

Paczki in a display case at Dom Bakeries, 1305 Washtenaw Ave. in Ypsilanti on Monday, March 3 2025. 

Michigan marijuana strain boasts 41% THC. Skeptics say that’s impossible.

A new Michigan marijuana strain named "Frogurt" is potentially breaking records by for its potency. Lab tests shared with MLive show the strain surpassed 41% THC potency, a threshold previously thought impossible to surpass. The strain has garnered a large amount of attention on social media, including from skeptics, who question the validity of the test results.

Seeing green: Over $4 million in state marijuana tax money will be coming to communities in Kent County this year as part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act. The state treasury is paying out a total of nearly $100 million in marijuana excise tax disbursements to 298 municipalities and four tribal governments across the state. 

In other news: Egg producers blame the bird flu outbreak for driving prices to record highs, but critics believe giant companies are taking advantage of their market dominance to profit handsomely at the expense of budget-conscious egg buyers.

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Millions of married women voters could be disenfranchised under proposed federal law, opponents say

Impacting voters: Experts warn a proposed federal law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote would disenfranchise some populations, including married women who adopt their spouses’ last names. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is among the election officials sounding the alarm over the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Under the SAVE Act, married women who changed their surname would still be able to vote, but they would need to provide additional documentation if their ID name doesn’t match their birth certificate. The specific requirements for this documentation would be determined by each state, according to the bill sponsor. 

If the President Trump goes ahead with 25% taxes on imports from Canada and Mexico today, he will disrupt more than $300 billion in annual U.S. automotive trade with its two neighbors, wreck supply chains that have been operating for decades and likely drive up the price of new cars.

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Owner of idled Michigan prison sees ‘unprecedented opportunity’ in mass deportations

A private prison company is gearing up to rapidly expand its detention capacity under President Donald Trump’s pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants in the “largest deportation operation in the history of our country.” GEO Group, the largest private contractor to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, expects to more than double its detention beds, invest millions in immigration detention capacity and could reopen its idle facilities – including one in Michigan – company leadership said during a Feb. 27 investor call.

Wanting a new trial: Following their convictions on four counts each of manslaughter, both parents of a Michigan school shooter have filed motions for new trials. The latest request comes from James Crumbley, 48, whose attorneys filed their motion in Oakland County District Court on Feb. 28.

Seeking info: A cash reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to a felony arrest in a Genesee County hit-and-run that left Nicholas Giem, 35, dead in 2023. 

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DOGE closing 6 more federal offices in Michigan, claims $480K in ‘savings’

Government agencies: More federal office buildings appear to be closing in Michigan according to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Data posted to the agency’s “Wall of Receipts” claims six leases have been terminated for offices located throughout Michigan.

Over the weekend, DOGE added six Michigan locations to its list of leases that have been canceled as part of cost-cutting measures. However, details on what agencies or facilities are being impacted by the cuts were not released. Monday’s update now indicates the cuts will impact these agencies or facilities across Michigan. In total, DOGE claims closing the facilities will save $480,214.

In case you missed it: The Trump administration’s aggressive moves to slash the federal workforce are going to make basic operations at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and other national parks very difficult this year, say former park managers.

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Michigan’s largest festival adds 40+ artists to already stacked lineup

For the music lovers: Festival fans are rejoicing across the nation, as Electric Forest, the largest festival in the state dropped more names on an already stacked lineup. Over 40 additional artists have been added to the big summer event that is set to feature just over 100 artists. Tickets went on sale to the general public on Friday, Dec. 6. There are still tickets available at the festival’s official website.

Save the date: The Offspring just announced the North American leg of their 2025 world tour. The tour will bring them to Michigan for one concert. The 34-date run will kick off on Friday, July 11, in West Palm Beach with a stop at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston on Sunday, July 27.

Have a laugh: Two comedy legends are coming to Grand Rapids this year. “Only Murders in the Building” stars, Steve Martin and Martin Short, will bring their live show, “The Dukes of Funnytown” to DeVos Performance Hall on Saturday, September 6. Special guests will include Jeff Babko and Alison Brown. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 7.

Read more

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That's all for now. 

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. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber.

See you tomorrow! 

- Jamie Rewerts

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