In today's newsletter, tornado and damaging wind chances doubled for coming storm, three Michigan universities are in the top 1,000 in a new ranking and five things to know about the former landfill that could become a $370M aquarium. |
Celebrating Juneteenth in Michigan |
From parades and festivities to an educational tour of Underground Railroad stops, cities across Michigan are gearing up to commemorate Juneteenth on Thursday. The national holiday honors the June 19, 1865 emancipation of more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas—two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. To celebrate the day, check out these Juneteenth events happening this week in Flint, Kalamazoo, Washtenaw County and Saginaw. |
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The first ever Juneteenth parade/festival held in Saginaw can be seen in this MLive photo. (File photo by Marc Hall | The Saginaw News) |
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New ICE detention center, largest in Michigan, ready to house detainees |
New detention center: North Lake Correctional Facility, a former northern Michigan prison that’s now the largest immigration detention center in the Midwest, has opened. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed Monday, June 16, that the 1,800-bed facility in Baldwin is ready to house immigrants who have been detained. Owned and operated by private prison company GEO Group, the facility is expected to create 500 jobs and generate $70 million in its first year. Governor candidate: Former state House Speaker Tom Leonard announced Tuesday he is running for Michigan governor in 2026. In his Tuesday, June 17, campaign announcement, the Republican candidate said he wants to make Michigan a place where kids can build their future. He also aims to make the state more affordable by lowering taxes, cutting regulations and enacting “freedom to work policies.” Nearly all members of Michigan’s Democratic congressional delegation were named in documents allegedly possessed by the man charged with killing a Minnesota state lawmaker and injuring another over the weekend. |
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Tornado, damaging wind chances doubled for coming storm |
Severe weather forecasters at NOAA have increased the odds of severe thunderstorms in Michigan Wednesday. A circulating low-pressure system is going to move across the center of Lower Michigan in the afternoon and evening, putting the southern half of Lower Michigan in the hot, humid sector of the storm system. There’s a chance of tornadoes from Saginaw to Mount Pleasant and southward. This includes Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Jackson and Ann Arbor. Northern Lower and the eastern U.P. will have a steady soaking rain tomorrow. Grab the umbrella: The heaviest rain is coming to Saginaw, Bay City, Mount Pleasant and Alma. This area could have over two inches of rain. There should be some spots that record three to four inches of rain from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. The heaviest rain will be in areas hit by the strongest thunderstorms. Heating up: The first significant heat wave of the summer is taking aim at a huge chunk of the United States later this week, and Michigan and the Great Lakes region will be included in the swelter zone. |
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Trails, campgrounds open as FBI investigates 2 deaths at Isle Royale National Park |
Despite recent deaths and an ongoing federal investigation, Isle Royale National Park is open for visitors. Two campers were found dead nine days ago at the South Lake Desor Campground. Since then, the FBI has become involved in the investigation. Very few details have been released. The causes of death and identities of the deceased are not among them. Officials say there is no threat to the public. Bye-bye beavers: Efforts to clear out beavers along a creek at Ann Arbor’s Leslie Park Golf Course have involved using a lethal type of trap the city banned four years ago. As of June 12, five beavers were taken from the golf course using a conibear trap, said Harry Sheehan, the water resources chief deputy, maintaining state regulations allow them. Getting an upgrade: Rock hunters, lighthouse lovers and Aurora chasers should book their Yooper campsites now, before a popular Lake Superior campground closes its shoreline sites for renovations. The McLain State Park will be closing starting Oct. 1 for electrical upgrades. |
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5 things to know about the former landfill that could become a $370M aquarium |
What to know: John Ball Zoo is considering a 190-acre former landfill along the Grand River for its ambitious aquarium project, which promises to rival major attractions like Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. The site has a history of industrial pollution requiring remediation, but could generate $3.4 billion in economic impact if developed. Ehren Wynder reports the project would need 15-30 acres for the aquarium and parking, with a targeted opening date of 2031. Going green: Ann Arbor City Council unanimously approved a new ordinance requiring rental properties to meet minimum energy efficiency standards, despite landlord concerns about costs. Ryan Stanton reports the law establishes a point system for features like smart thermostats and renewable energy sources. While city officials maintain most properties can comply without major upgrades and financial assistance is available, some landlords warn the requirements could lead to rent increases. Medical manufacturing expansion: Kentwood-based Autocam Medical plans to build a $70 million factory in Warsaw, Indiana, creating up to 300 jobs for engineers, machinists, and skilled workers. The medical device manufacturer chose the location for its expertise in orthopedic manufacturing and proximity to key customers. Construction is expected to begin this summer, reports Brian McVicar. |
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These 3 Michigan universities are top-1000 in the world, U.S. News ranking says |
Best in class: A trio of Michigan universities rank in the top-1000 of all universities in the world, according to a new U.S. News and World Report ranking. The University of Michigan ranked first in the state, slotting in at No. 21 in the world. Michigan State University was tied at No. 133 overall, tied with University of California-Santa Cruz, Seoul National University in South Korea and University of Leeds in England. The last top-1000 university was Michigan Technological University at No. 901 with six other schools. New builds: Flint Community Schools is taking significant steps to rebuild and revitalize education in the city with plans to redevelop the historic Flint Central High School campus that closed in 2009. The district announced a $750,000 planning grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to begin designing a new high school at the vacant site located at 601 Crapo St. Rising costs: Michigan State University will raise tuition by $798 annually for most undergraduate students for the 2025-26 academic year. That translates to an increase of 5% percent for in-state freshman, 4.8% for in-state sophomores, 4.3% for in-state upperclassmen and 1.8 percent for out-of-state and international students. |
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Thursday's edition of the Morning Briefing will be paused in honor of Juneteenth. Don't worry, we will be back in your inbox bright and early Friday morning. In the meantime, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. If you value the work of our journalists, consider becoming a subscriber. See you then! - Cara Hackett |
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