Morning Briefing

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2023

In today's newsletter, the auto industry could ‘cushion’ Michigan’s economy in a coming recession, see which books are banned in Michigan schools, and Michigan football staffer Shemy Schembechler resigns amid social media controversy.

Why a downtown Kalamazoo park has nearly 1,000 giant portraits of kids

Not all art has to be displayed in a gallery. Kalamazoo's young artists have taken over Bronson Park to showcase portraits of nearly 1,000 students along the sidewalk.

Portraits of artists in Kalamazoo Public Schools and other organizations have been pasted on the sidewalk through an “Inside Out” art instillation. The instillation, which is part of the global “Inside Out Project” that allows individuals to share their stories with public art, is part of the district’s annual Bronson Park Outdoor Art Show running from May 19 to May 31.

“We want our community members to see how diverse and unique and amazing our student artists are,” Mandy Clearwaters, lead art teacher for KPS and organizer of the instillation said.

Curated by Cara Hackett

An aerial image of the Inside Out art installation at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Almost a thousand portraits feature local students, artists and teachers. The Kalamazoo Public Schools outdoor art show partnered with the global Inside Out Project. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

Auto industry could ‘cushion’ Michigan’s economy in a coming recession, experts say

Looking ahead: The state economy is expected to slow toward the end of 2023, but blue-collar industries will help, economists told state financial officials Friday.

Trimming draft budgets: On paper, the numbers looked concerning. Economists and fiscal wonks convened in the Capitol Friday and agreed Michigan’s government would take in more than $1 billion less this fiscal year than they estimated just four months ago.

Political roundup: From library wars to budget predictions to common sense, here's your guide to Michigan politics.

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See which books are banned in Michigan schools

Banned book list: Data from PEN America spanning from July to December 2022 found there were 1,477 instances of individual books banned, affecting 874 unique titles. Here's what that means in Michigan.

Not an exhaustive list: The data does not include banning decisions from 2023, including the decision to ban “Gender Queer: A Memoir” from Kalamazoo County’s Galesburg-Augusta Schools and remove “Jarhead” – a memoir from a Marine who fought in the Gulf War – from Hudsonville Public Schools in Ottawa County.

Community expresses concern: Grand Rapids parents and teachers call for more security and mental health experts in the aftermath of four incidents where students brought guns into school.

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Scars linger one year after deadly tornado struck Gaylord

"Long term recovery": A devastating tornado struck Gaylord a year ago on May 20, 2022, killing two people and injuring 44 others. It also shattered houses, tore through businesses and left a lasting mark on the northern Michigan community of nearly 4,300 people. The recovery is still ongoing at Nottingham Forest, where nearly half the park’s 74 homes are gone.

It won't be too hot: NOAA’s long-range forecasters have lowered the chances of a warmer-than-normal summer for Michigan. In the latest forecast, the chances of a warmer-than-normal summer have been lowered to 33% for June, July and August.

Lake Superior’s water level rose significantly last month, and continues a larger than average rise this month. There is a scenario that could put Lake Superior very near a record water level sometime this summer.

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Michigan football staffer Shemy Schembechler resigns amid social media controversy

Wolverines news: Shemy Schembechler resigned Saturday after controversy over his Twitter account. While his social media page has been deleted, screengrabs of his account have surfaced liking racially insensitive posts. Schembechler, a former NFL scout, was hired last week as assistant director of recruiting on Jim Harbaugh’s staff.

More than a mascot: Grand Blanc grad, Caeden Hunter, who played Michigan State University’s Sparty says the mascot is more than just a hype man.

Over in hockey: Detroit Red Wings center Joe Veleno has been suspended for five games by the IIHF World Championship Disciplinary Panel for stomping on the calf of Nino Niederreiter during Canada’s 3-2 loss to Switzerland on Saturday.

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Closing after almost 70 years, Angelo’s Restaurant stirs up a mix of emotions in Ann Arbor

End of an era: After nearly seven decades, the restaurant at 1100 Catherine St. will close in December as owner Stephen Vangelatos agreed to sell it for $4.5 million to the University of Michigan. He calls it a bittersweet decision, both closing a chapter of his family’s history while also giving him more time for his wife Jennifer.

Michigan's Best Local Eats: Flint's Maria Mia offers a huge, 12-inch signature California burrito stuffed with French fries (try it covered with their signature cheese sauce). The Mexican style restaurant also offers tacos, burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, enchilada, churros, Mexican taco pizza and shredded beef birria.

Speaking of Ann Arbor: Here are five great places to enjoy a glass of whiskey in and around Ann Arbor.

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Let's start this week off strong.

Mondays don't have to be bad. You're already off to a great start.

Stay up to date with the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you are there, consider becoming a MLive subscriber.

It's going to be a great day.

— Cara Hackett

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