Morning Briefing

MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2022

In today’s newsletter, we go over the continued gun violence in our state, the workforce supply and demand, and a roadside park considered the "Grand Canyon" of Michigan.

The calendar and weather forecast says summer is still a few weeks away.

What do you like to do on a hot summer day?

Maybe it's sitting poolside sipping a cool drink, or walking around to see what Michigan's nature has to offer.

Either way, it may be a few weeks until that's in sight. The extended forecast predicts there's no 90-degree days in the first half of June. Take it as an opportunity to stock up on summer essentials.

Curated by Jamie Rewerts

A gas station in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Thursday, June 2, 2022 shows prices are nearing $5 a gallon.

In this economy? Michigan experts say uncertainty is the name of the game.

Inflation is inescapable: Prices are up 8.3%, the highest annual hike in four decades, with food and gasoline seeing some of the biggest gains. In the past two years several blows to the economy have put a strain on American pocketbooks.

When will it get better?: The short answer: To be determined. With supply disrupted and demand stimulated on items, it puts an upward pressure on prices. Worries of stagflation are starting to loom.

A good sign: One sign of a healthy economy is a healthy labor market. Unemployment, which peaked at 14.7% two years ago, has rebounded to 3.6%. Meanwhile job gains swung back adding 428,000 jobs in April as the number of openings steadily surpassed 11 million for the past seven months.

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Gun violence continues around Michigan.

Recent events:In downtown Grand Rapids, a shooting occurred leaving 1 dead and 3 injured. Saginaw had a shooting leaving three people dead. A 12-year-old fired gun during gas station robbery in Hartford.

Playing dead to live: A young man was killed and another critically injured when they were shot while riding bicycles in Holland. The survivor said he played dead to avoid being shot again.

Learning to break gun violence: Three camps designed for teens and preteens will work to help break the cycle of gun violence. The three Life Camps in Kalamazoo run by Urban Alliance, Inc, are designed for people ages 11 to 16 to help guide kids away from gun violence.

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Michigan faces a disconnect between workforce supply and demand. Are community colleges the key?

A gap: Michigan is facing a skills gap between the supply of workers and the needs of employers. State leaders say community colleges have an important role to play in helping bridging that divide.

Expanding tuition-free college programs: A possible solution in the works is expanding The Michigan Reconnect program to adults 21 and up. The program allows adult residents to apply for scholarships to cover community college tuition or skilled trades training costs.

Gov. Whitmer looks into the future: After getting 60% of Michiganders to have a degree or certificate by 2030, Whitmer suggested the next goal could be to get to 90% by 2060.

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Plane makes emergency landing on U.S. 23

Make some room: A small airplane made an emergency landing, coming to rest on a stretch of highway near Brighton.

What happened: The pilot had been flying a 1946 single-engine plane out of an airport in Plymouth when the plane’s engine failed, necessitating an emergency landing. This wasn’t his first emergency landing for that reason.

More in sky news: Ten military airplanes will land on an Upper Peninsula highway later this month to practice operating in austere environments. Plus, a 59-year-old Flint man has been arrested for allegedly shining a laser at a police helicopter.

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This roadside park is home to the ‘Grand Canyon’ of Michigan.

A natural wonder:It’s easy to cruise right past the roadside park sign on the side of U.S. 41 just south of L’Anse. But if you stop and follow the pathway into the woods here, you’ll be treated to one of Michigan’s natural wonders: Canyon Falls and Gorge.

The history behind: This Upper Peninsula treasure was created over thousands of years as the Sturgeon River carved its way into the earth, forming a narrow canyon with steep walls of exposed rock — leading to the nickname “The Grand Canyon of Michigan.”

Focusing on the Upper Peninsula: New Keweenaw Boat Tours takes passengers on scenic U.P. waterway adventures.

Read more

You're all caught up.

And that wraps up another edition of Morning Briefing.

You can find the latest Michigan news by visiting MLive.com. And take a moment to consider becoming an MLive subscriber.

Have a great week!

— Jamie Rewerts

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