Morning Briefing: Gov. Whitmer joins Biden’s reelection team to win battleground Michigan

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Morning Briefing

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2023

In today's newsletter, Gov. Whitmer joins Biden’s reelection team to win battleground Michigan, U.P. fungal disease outbreak grows to over 100 cases, and a charming Michigan city was named one of the 16 Best Small Beach Towns in entire U.S.

‘It’s something to laugh about,’ says Bay County mom after deer barges into house

A Bay County family had an unexpected guest crash their dinner plans on Monday, and, no, it wasn't a friendly neighbor dropping by for dessert.

At about 4:50 p.m. on Monday, April 24, Jessica Digby was finishing up dinner for her three children when she heard a sudden clamor from her living room. She ran into the room and found a deer surrounded by broken glass. It was like the deer looked at me like, ‘Oh, you’re not supposed to be home.’”

Digby, her husband and Bay County Sherriff deputies to coaxed the animal out of their home by creating a makeshift barricade and guiding the deer toward the living room. There, it fled out of the front door. In all, the deer was in her house for about a half-hour or less, Digby said. She added she’s maintaining her sense of humor over the unusual home invasion.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Grand Haven has been named one of the 16 Best Small Beach Towns in the U.S. (Photo by Neil Blake | MLive)

Gov. Whitmer joins Biden’s reelection team to win battleground Michigan

In political news : President Joe Biden announced Tuesday he will run for reelection, and Michigan — a key battleground state that has picked the winner of the past four elections — is already finding the spotlight. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a rising Democratic star and potential 2028 presidential contender, will be one of Biden’s national co-chairs.

Former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to accepting more than $110,000 in bribes when he chaired a state board that granted the state’s first medical marijuana business licenses.

Gun control in Livingston County: Republicans leaders in Livingston County are vowing not to put any public resources behind enforcing restrictions on firearm ownership, declaring themselves a “constitutional county” as Michigan Democrats advance statewide gun safety reforms in the wake of mass shootings.

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U.P. fungal disease outbreak grows to over 100 cases, 13 hospitalizations

Cases on the rise: The number of fungal disease cases associated with Billerud Paper Mill in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has grown to 104, health officials said. Of the 104 cases of blastomycosis, 13 people have been hospitalized and one person died, officials said.

"Arrogance of billionaires": The Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $615 million tax break to boost a $1.5 billion investment in a development dubbed District Detroit. Many Detroit residents who attended the public meeting in Lansing, accused the project of “driving a wedge” between downtown and neighborhoods and contributing to the displacement of generational Black Detroit residents.

"Profanity against the President": A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday against a West Michigan school district hinges on the question of whether the phrase “Let’s go Brandon” is obscene.

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6 ways to feed the bees and butterflies in cities, suburbs

It’s all about the pollen: Researcher Kevin Matteson spent years studying pollinator insects in metropolitan areas such as New York City and Chicago. He recently spoke with native plant advocates from across Michigan about how important small gardens and well-placed flowerpots in urban settings are to supporting bees and butterflies.

More snow on the way: Next week has another cold storm system that will likely spew some snow over Michigan. Would early May be the latest date accumulating snow has fallen on Michigan? With snow talk next week, let’s look at latest 1 inch of snow for Michigan cities.

Speaking of gardens: You might want to hold off on planting anything in ground once you see how many freezing days are ahead.

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2023 NFL draft: 3 Michigan State players expected to be picked

Making the team: The Spartans had four players picked last year and are now looking to continue a new streak in the 2023 NFL draft, which is Thursday through Saturday. Here’s an outlook for former Spartans in the NFL draft.

Michigan has 13 NFL draft prospects this year, but how many of them will hear their name called during the draft? On the latest episode of “Wolverine Confidential” podcast, MLive’s Ryan Zuke, Aaron McMann and Andrew Kahn predict how many Wolverines will be selected during the 2023 draft in Kansas City.

Katelyn Jernigan may only be a teenager but her skills on the soccer field reflect that of a standout playing well beyond their years. The 14-year-old Dexter native was one of 18 U.S. girls soccer players in her age group to compete for the U.S. Club Soccer’s id2 National Selection team in England earlier this month.

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Charming Michigan city named one of the 16 Best Small Beach Towns in entire US

For the summer bucket list: Grand Haven was named one of the best small beach towns in the country by Trips to Discover. It’s 48-acre state park boasts a half-mile soft, sandy beach along Lake Michigan, complete with scenic views of the Grand Haven pier and two lighthouses.

Slugg’s Bluff: An 80-foot quartzite climbing cliff in the Upper Peninsula was recently donated to a local nonprofit that plans to keep it open to the public “in perpetuity.”

Heads up, concert fans: Are you into good music and beautiful locations?Then the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival is the event for you. Organizers of the 17th annual festival in the Upper Peninsula announced the lineup for the event scheduled to take place Aug. 25 and Aug. 26.

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We're halfway through the week.

Another great week is almost in the books. Let's keep the momentum going, Michiganders.

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

— Cara Hackett

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