Morning Briefing

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2023

In today's newsletter, Metal detectors, software eyed to help make Michigan Capitol gun-free zone, "never-ending winter" wallops Michiganders in May, and walk back in time with this new look at history in a Lake Michigan beach town

‘Just came out of the woods,’ says woman chased by 2 emus on rail trail

Well, this wasn't the typical Monday morning walk a Midland County woman expected as she was chased by two emus.

Kate M. Buning came upon the animal pair while walking her dog on the Pere Marquette Rail Trail in North Bradley, northwest of Midland. She snapped a photo before the birds became aggressive and chased her for an estimated one-half mile. Buning threw sticks, stones and even a small log, but the emus didn't stop following her until she reached a road access point.

“I have encountered some things, but never anything like that,” Buning said. Midland County Sheriff Mryon Greene on Tuesday morning said deputies were not able to locate the emus or a farm where they may have escaped.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park has been named as one of the 18 Best State Parks in the U.S. by Outside Magazine. (Photo by Lori Chapman | MLive)

Metal detectors, software eyed to help make Michigan Capitol gun-free zone

Gun-free Capitol: Metal detectors might become the latest feature at the state Capitol as members of the Michigan State Capitol Commission push for a gun-free building. The Commissioners, responsible for managing the statehouse, voted unanimously last week to solicit bids for metal and weapon detectors for the Capitol’s ground floor entrances.

The firearm ban is expected to take effect upon the installing the new metal detectors, magnetometers and software. There is an exception to the rule, as firearms held by certain individuals—like Michigan State Police and Capitol security officers—are still permitted on Capitol grounds.

Voting access boost: A new law giving military and overseas voters more time to return absentee ballots kicks off implementation of Michigan Prop 2.

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Michigan AG sues couple who filled wetlands with sugar beet waste

Cleaning up the mess: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is suing P&P Contracting and its managers, Paul and Prizza Satkowiak, claiming they filled about five wetland acres using agricultural waste from from Michigan Sugar Company that can kill plants and wildlife by depleting oxygen from the water.

Speaking of the environment: Michigan lawmakers are taking the first steps in forming a state budget for the next fiscal year. The most striking ambition for lawmakers would be to increase Michigan’s 2023-24 budget by nearly half for the environment department.

More in public interest: FlixBus, an intercity bus service that recently expanded its Midwest service, is adding another route from Chicago to Grand Rapids and East Lansing.

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Snow wallops Michiganders in May: ‘Feels like the never-ending winter’

Snow makes a comeback: Winter just won’t go away in parts of Michigan as some people were walloped on May 1st, more than a month after spring officially arrived. We’re talking a foot and a half of snow in the Upper Peninsula with even more on the way.

Bring out the flip-flops: We're not done with a frosty morning or two yet. But the overall weather pattern over the next two weeks should bring normal mid-May temperatures and even some days with temperatures a few degrees above normal. Here's an extended forecast for the next eight days.

The great outdoors: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park has been named one of the 18 Best State Parks in the entire country by Outside Magazine.

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Dungeon of Doom: Winners and losers after Detroit Lions add 8-man draft class

Tuning in: Hosts Kyle Meinke and Ben Raven were in Allen Park at team headquarters throughout the NFL draft. And they’re back from a quick rest with 10 big winners and losers around these parts in the latest Dungeon of Doom episode.

More Lions news: The ink wasn’t even dry on Jeff Okudah’s trade to the Atlanta Falcons before Jameson Williams was publicly clamoring to get the No. 1. Turns out, he’s not getting it. The Lions announced on Tuesday new cornerback Cam Sutton will wear that jersey next season.

"Gift from God": The Western Michigan Christian school community is mourning the sudden death of a high school student this week. Alia Zuidema, 15, was a freshman at WMC, where she played basketball, cross country and soccer.

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Walk back in time with this new look at history in a Lake Michigan beach town

For the history buffs: A newly designated historic district in Ludington features more than 40 historic homes within half a mile, including the well-known Cartier Mansion Bed & Breakfast. The district features mostly historic homes dating from 1872 to 1959 and is within a mile of Lake Michigan.

May stargazing: The month of May will feature a few night-sky delights for stargazers, including the Flower Moon, Venus reaching its highest heights, and several chances to peep planets in the pre-dawn darkness.

The Jo Bros: The Jonas Brothers are hitting the road for a third time just four years after reuniting for a tour in 2019. The trio will bring their “Five Albums, One Night” tour to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, August 24.

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Let's make today a great one.

Catching up on Michigan headlines first thing in the morning sounds like a great way to start the day. I'm glad you're here.

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Be kind to someone today!

— Cara Hackett

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