| FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 |
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In today's newsletter, what's happening to Michigan's worst nursing homes, vehicle thefts are on the rise and a preview of this Sunday's Lions-Rams game. |
Finding fall fun this weekend |
This weekend will usher in a touch of fall temperatures, making it the perfect time to grab a pumpkin flavored treat from a local bakery or going to an apple cider mill. If you need help choosing a cider mill to visit, check out these options in mid Michigan, Washtenaw County and Grand Rapids. For an adult beverage option, save the date for Milan's beer tasting event on Friday, Sept. 27. If one of your weekend activities includes riding through one of Michigan's scenic fall routes, keep your eyes open for more than a dozen road closures starting this weekend. |
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An aerial image showing fall colors surrounding the Cut River Bridge in Mackinac County, Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. (Drone Image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com) |
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Michigan used to shut down its worst nursing homes. Then it stopped. |
Shutting down: Michigan regulators revoked the licenses of a dozen of the state’s worst nursing homes between 1998 and 2007. An MLive investigation has found that Michigan isn't shutting down the facilities, despite the fact that the state is home to some of the worst nursing homes in the country. Though the federal government has the final say on most penalties imposed on poorly performing nursing homes, the state has the power to shut down dangerous facilities by revoking their licenses. Why not?: At least one former state official said that, after Rick Snyder became governor in 2011, his administration “dismantled” the previous the regulatory apparatus. Others who served in Snyder’s administration said they were encouraged to take a softer approach to nursing home operators, to help violators fix the conditions that endangered patients’ lives rather than pursuing immediate penalties. Due to a funding shortfall, federal rental assistance provided through a Michigan State Housing Development Authority program won’t reach as many lower-income peoples and families facing homelessness. |
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West Michigan wage growth declining amid economic uncertainty |
In the economy: The rapid wage growth spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic is showing signs of slowing down, according to a Michigan employer survey. The American Society of Employers West Michigan recently released the findings of a survey of nearly 200 Michigan employers, showing the average effective total increase budgets for 2024 was 3.5%, a 0.6% decrease from last year. Eat more chicken: Chick-fil-a has announced plans to double its presence around the “Mitten State” with 25 to 30 new locations by the end of 2028. 2,500 jobs will be created with the restaurant additions which will go up in Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Jackson, Saginaw and Benton Harbor. Last chapter: Sherman’s Dairy Bar, known for its sweet ice cream cones and the crowds of people lining up to get them in South Haven, is saying farewell after 66 years in business.The company announced on Facebook that the 2024 season will be its last. |
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Vehicle thefts are on the rise. Here’s what you should know. |
Lock your doors: Vehicle thefts are on the rise in Michigan and around the country, prompting state leaders to update laws to reflect evolving technology. In 2023, auto insurers reported 25,272 stolen vehicles, which was a 45% increase, or 7,854 more thefts than the state reported in 2018. This summer, Michigan strengthened its existing law prohibiting possession of technology designed to unlock or start a motor vehicle, with the intent to steal the vehicle. In Saginaw: Days after a woman’s body was found in a Saginaw Township hotel room, authorities are working to determine what caused her death. The police have since charged her companion with torturing her in the weeks leading up to her death and concealing her body. A 68-year-old Flint woman will pay $500,000 in restitution and forfeit six cars after pleading no contest to stealing money from a man she was in a long-term relationship with who began experiencing cognitive decline. |
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Michigan utilities ordered to issue higher bill credits for extended power outages |
In environment: For major Michigan utilities, long or repeated power outages just got $2 more expensive. On Thursday, Sept. 5, regulators with the Michigan Public Service Commission ordered power companies to automatically credit customers $40 — an increase from the bill credits’ previous $38 level — when they allow customers to stay in the dark for days, or fail to provide reliable service. Voice your opinion: As Michigan regulators consider DTE Energy’s pending request to raise electric rates some $456 million, they’re offering an in-person opportunity on Wednesday, Sept. 18 in Detroit for the utility’s customers to have their say. Related: Federal plans to dump lightly-radioactive soil and rubble leftover from the Manhattan Project site in a Michigan landfill ran into a wall of outraged residents during a town hall meeting in Wayne County. |
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Lions-Rams preview: Plenty of new faces around Matthew Stafford this season |
Game day: The last time we saw the Los Angeles Rams was at Ford Field, when the Lions ended their season in the first round of the playoffs back in January. The next time we see them will again be at Ford Field when they return to open the 2024 season on Sunday. But there will be some key differences compared to the last Rams team we saw. Answering your questions: MLive’s Dungeon of Doom podcast is back with a meaty mailbag episode, tackling reader-submitted questions from our Subtext subscribers. Hosts Kyle Meinke and Ben Raven open the mailbag for questions about breakout players, biggest concerns and why they think this team has legit Super Bowl potential. Champion: After guiding Western Michigan to a sensational 5-1 home victory over Villanova on Monday, Chad Wiseman struck a new career crescendo by becoming the Broncos’ all-time winningest coach in its history. |
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Thanks for starting your day with the Morning Briefing. We'll be back on Monday with more top stories on Monday. Until then, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a safe and fun weekend! — Cara Hackett |
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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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Subscribe today to get exclusive insights and bonus content from Detroit Lions writers Kyle Meinke, Benjamin Raven and Kory Woods. Dungeon of Doom is your home for entertaining and informative analysis and discussion of the Lions. Get your 14-day free trial and then keep the conversation going for only $4.99 per month. |
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