Plus, ditching Michigan’s grade 3 reading retention law is a top priority for Democrats

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Morning Briefing

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

In today's newsletter, surplus savings are last symptom of pandemic overbuying, Michigan Science Center ranked among the top in the U.S. and a Jackson County woman loses 3 children and 2 grandchildren in one year.

Judge dismisses lawsuit against Michigan museum over van Gogh painting

If you haven't kept up with this story as it unfolded, good news, I'm recapping it all. A lawsuit came about claiming a $5 million van Gogh painting hanging at Detroit Institute of Arts was stolen art. The lawsuit did not allege wrongdoing by the museum, but wanted to secure possession for the art collector.

The painting, called “The Novel Reader” and also known as “The Reading Lady,” was loaned to the DIA for the much-celebrated van Gogh in America exhibition that showed 74 van Gogh works. On Friday, a judge dismissed the lawsuit saying the museum had followed the rules of the federal Immunity from Seizure Act.

Even though the exhibition is now over, here's an interesting read on what it took to bring the many priceless Van Goghs pieces to Michigan.

Curated by Jamie Rewerts

A trail at the Discovery Center at the Waterloo Recreation Area

Some of Michigan’s state parks are adding some winter magic to their trails this February by hosting special events like lantern-lit night hikes, guided snowshoeing, and even a stroll under the full Snow Moon. (Photo by Matthew Clara, provided by Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

These are Michigan’s busiest animal shelters – by intake, adoptions and euthanizations

Michigan animal shelters took in 131,000 cats and dogs, adopted out nearly 84,000 and euthanized more than 16,000 canines and felines in 2021. Animal shelters are required to report these statistics to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development each year. MDARD doesn’t compile statewide totals, so MLive analyzed the data from all 187 reporting shelters. The most recent data is from 2021.

Overall: Euthanizations have dropped dramatically at Michigan shelters. There were about 72,000 cats and dogs put down in 2012, about 29,000 in 2016 and about 16,000 in 2021. Most cats and dogs euthanized at shelters in 2021 weren’t shelter pets, however. Many shelters provide euthanasia services to pet owners. About 52% of euthanizations in 2021 were via these services, while the other 48% were shelter pets.

 

A factor: Michigan animal shelters aren’t taking in as many cats and dogs as they used to. Nearly 185,000 cats and dogs were taken to shelters in 2012, while only 131,000 came in 2021.

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Ditching Michigan’s grade 3 reading retention law a top priority for Democrats.

Senate Bill 12: Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, is focused on fixing Michigan’s grade three reading law which requires schools to retain students who don’t score high enough in the subject on a specific standardized test.

 

During the 2021-22 school year, approximately 5,680 of Michigan’s third-graders were flagged as eligible for retention after scoring below the state’s English language arts standards. Though parents can still opt to send their children on to fourth grade if they agree to an exemption, districts still held back 545 children for the 2022-23 school year, representing 0.6% of the state’s third grade enrollment.

 

More in political news: Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Matt DePerno to be the next state Republican Party chair.

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Surplus savings are last symptom of pandemic overbuying

Demand and supply: Extra inventory has been great news for bargain hunters trounced by high inflation. Consumers have enjoyed a second chance at returned, lightly damaged and brand new items that major retailers couldn’t offload fast enough through overstock retailers. But economists warn not to get accustom to overflowing clearance racks and deep discounts.

 

Something hard to find on shelves: The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the Abbott Laboratories baby formula plant in Sturgis that contributed to the nationwide formula shortage when it shut down for several months last year.

More in public interest: Bed bugs are everywhere in Michigan, with four cities across the state ranking among the worst in the country on Orkin’s Bed Bugs Cities List for 2023. Here's how to spot the stealthy blood-eaters.

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Michigan Science Center ranked among the top in the U.S.

Being recognized: The Michigan Science Center is ranked among the best of the best in the entire country as it is once again trying to win USA Today’s annual 10Best Competition for top science museum.

 

Up to the voters: Last year, the science museum finished in second place. This year it is one of 20 museums nominated. The top 10 science museums will be determined by a public vote which is taking place here through February 13. Voters can vote once a day until the contest closes.

 

More in the education world: Eastern Michigan University has received a rating for its sustainability efforts that less than 5% of all U.S. colleges receive. Also check out this Calvin University student who earned a national prize for research on former prisoners earning degrees.

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‘It’s just horrific.’ Jackson County woman loses 3 children, 2 grandchildren in one year

Her story: Patty Kerton has lost three children and two grandchildren in the past year, and the strain of those deaths, both emotionally and financially, has only gotten worse. “Financially, we’re drowning -- literally we’re drowning,” Kerton said.

 

Constant loss: The first in what would become a string of tragedies struck the family last February, with the sudden death of Kerton’s oldest daughter Debra Wilson, along with Debra’s unborn daughter, Giovanna. In the 11 months that followed, the family would see the deaths of their oldest son to a fatal shooting, a 15-month-old granddaughter to a suspected murder and another daughter to a car crash.

 

Where she is now:The situation has gotten so dire that Kerton -- someone who tries to avoid asking for help from others when possible -- recently started a GoFundMe to help offset the financial burden facing her family. “I’m by no means trying to get rich, I just want to get us caught back up,” Kerton said.

Read more

 

The beginning of the week is here.

Well technically the week started yesterday, but you know what I mean - a new week of Morning Briefings from Jessica and Cara to help keep you in the loop.

 

As always, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. And here's your reminder to consider becoming an an MLive subscriber.

Have a great day! 

— Jamie Rewerts

 

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