Morning Briefing

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2023

In today's newsletter, Ex-Michigan House speaker and 3 others plead guilty in marijuana bribery probe, Opening Day traditions run deep in Michigan, and a look ahead to this weekend's weather.

Michigan couple gets married at Lowe’s after colleagues plan surprise wedding.

When Nahren Hido, a home décor associate at Lowe’s in Warren, learned her family members in Iraq wouldn’t be able to attend her wedding, she and her fiancé planned to get married at the courthouse.

Without family nearby to celebrate, Hido told her colleagues she felt uninspired to plan her dream wedding. Her Lowe's family spent nearly two weeks planning a surprise in-store ceremony. The store was transformed into a wedding venue as outdoor furniture merchandise served as an altar, carpet samples covered the aisle and the lawn and garden section loaned florals and greenery. Instead of walking down the aisle of the courthouse, Hido would walk down aisle 25 at Lowe's.

“Lowe’s prides itself on taking care of the home,” the wedding officiant said. “And tonight, Lowe’s stood by that value as Nahren and Howard take this next step in their journey - creating their new home, as one.”

Curated by Cara Hackett

Pam and Tony Rinna of Southgate show off their roar alongside their face paint before the Detroit Tigers play against the Boston Red Sox during Opening Day on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Comerica Park in Detroit. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Ex-Michigan House speaker, 3 others plead guilty in marijuana bribery probe

In the hot seat: Rick Johnson, the former chair of Michigan’s now defunct Medical Marijuana Licensing Board, has plead guilty alongside three others as part of a public corruption probe surrounding the state’s system for regulating medical marijuana.

According to the Census: Michigan saw a decline in its population last year as deaths out-paced births and thousands of residents moved out of state. Between July 1, 2021 and July 1, 2022, Michigan reported 12,482 more deaths than births.

Crunching the numbers: Of the state’s 83 counties, 53 had year-over-year population increases, led by Ingham County with about 12,681 additional residents (4.7% increase). Of the remaining 30 counties that had declining populations, Branch, Houghton, and Wayne saw the largest dips, with Wayne losing about 16,030 residents.

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Ron DeSantis, eyeing presidency, tests campaign message in Michigan

Giving things a 'test run': Florida’s controversial governor Ron DeSantis pitched an anti-“woke” blueprint to Republicans in Midland as he closes in on a presidential run to challenge Donald Trump. The rising Republican star drew a standing ovation from a crowd of more than 600 that included a who’s-who of Michigan conservative politics during Midland County GOP’s annual spring fundraiser.

DeSantis’ visit to Michigan, which included time at conservative Hillsdale College, was his first stop in this key battleground state after emerging as possibly the best choice to dethrone former President Donald Trump as GOP nominee in 2024.

Michigan's Supreme Court: A lesbian couple had a child through IVF, but broke up before gay marriage was legalized. Michigan's top court will decide if the non-biological mother should get joint custody.

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Easter Weekend weather: One quick rain, otherwise turning very nice

The weekend ahead: We only have one relatively small area of rain on tap this weekend. Temperatures will also be inching upward after a chilly start on Saturday. A swath of light rain should develop Friday night over northern Lower Michigan. MLive's Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa has your forecast for Easter weekend.

A strong spring is on the way: We're starting to see a major upper-air pattern change that will bring strong spring weather and shouldn’t be just a tease of things to come. The pattern change will take hold gradually through the Easter weekend and lock in to spring by this coming Tuesday.

Watch the water: The National Weather Service issued a flood warning through Monday, April 10, for the Grand River at Grand Rapids, Lowell, Comstock Park and Ada, as well as the Thornapple River near Caledonia. These are some of the scenes from around the Grand Rapids area as the Grand River and its tributaries run over their banks this week.

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Born on Opening Day, Detroit Tigers traditions run deep in Michigan

Lifelong Tigers fans: The Tigers took on the Red Sox for this year’s home opener in front of a crowd of 44,650 fans. And the fans and fanfare are a spectacle to behold. From tiger face-paintings to being named after former pitcher Daniel Norris, Tiger fans shared their favorite Opening Day traditions.

'Mount Rushmore of Detroit Sports': Former Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Pistons big man Ben Wallace and Red Wings Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom were called out to the pitcher’s mound one by one to fans’ excitement. And then Miggy joined them.

A bit of hockey news: The Wolverines were welcomed to Amalie Arena in Tampa with a blue carpet arrival ahead of their Frozen Four semifinal matchup vs. Quinnipiac.

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17 essential Pure Michigan experiences for 2023

Something for your to-do list: The team over at Pure Michigan has come up with a list of “essential experiences” for 2023. The list includes four categories – culinary, culture, outdoor and wellness – with things to do all year round.

Saving the sturgeon: Volunteer guardians are needed in Cheboygan County for the Sturgeon Guarding Program now through early June to help protect lake sturgeon — one of the oldest species on Earth — as they head upstream along the Black River to spawn.

A pair of former Mackinac Island business owners plan to bring frozen margaritas, paddleboards and more to Manistee's First Street Beach this summer and beyond.

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You're all caught up.

Between the return of baseball and spring weather on the way, there's quite a bit to look forward to this weekend. Get out there and enjoy yourself!

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

Jamie will be here on Monday!

— Cara Hackett

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