Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023

In today's newsletter, Michigan grants $410M to electric vehicle projects, Dre Bly is back in Detroit, and see which Michigan cities get the most cold lake breezes.

Let's get Thursday started with some furry faces.

If you need something to evoke a long "awwwww" sound effect this morning, boy, do I have some stories for you. And yes, they all involve animals.

Kela, a Great Dane mix, was already pregnant when she arrived at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Despite birthing 10 puppies, that didn't stop her from adopting a stray kitten into her litter. Speaking of rescuing animals, Ricco the pit bull still needs a home. The 8-year-old pit bull terrier mix has spent 730 days in Michigan shelters and currently lives at the Humane Society of Genesee County in Burton.

Over in Detroit, police officers had their own rescue story after receiving an odd call about a horse wandering the streets. According to WXYZ-Detroit, the horse was picked up in the area of Joy and Roselawn by officers who lassoed the animal and tied it to the patrol vehicle. They still haven't found who owns the horse.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Kela, 3, nurses her 10 puppies and one kitten at Jackson County Animal Shelter on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. After hearing its cries from the hallway, Kela scratched at her door wanting to rescue the stray kitten that had just been brought in. (Photo: Sydney Verlinde | MLive.com)

Michigan grants $410M to electric vehicle projects, delays Gotion funding

On the move: Michigan lawmakers gave the final approval Wednesday, April 12 to award two electric vehicle battery projects $410 million in state funding. The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 15-4 to transfer grants to Ford Motor Company and Our Next Energy. A third project from Gotion, Inc., which has been shrouded in controversy for its ties to China, was not approved.

Medical abortions are still legal in Michigan for now, but recent headlines have raised questions as to the fate of mifepristone, which has been on the market for more than two decades. Here's what to know about efforts to suspend the abortion pill, what’s happened so far, what it means, and what’s next.

"Michigan has the momentum ": Environmental leaders and activists gathered this week in downtown Detroit to energize their collective climate action agenda for Michigan. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Michigan has the momentum to secure energy independence and build a safe, reliable grid, while also protecting water and air from pollution in her keynote address.

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State initiatives aim to address high death rates among Black Michigan mothers

Saving more lives: “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies” would make progress on this issue by tackling racial disparities that have led to high maternal mortality rates amongst Black women, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist told MLive.

Funding more programs: Black mothers in the U.S. are more likely to die at three times the rate than white mothers, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are various factors that contribute to these disparities, like access to quality healthcare, underlying medical conditions, systemic racism and bias.

Inflation is cooling: March’s 5% inflation rate is the lowest it's been since May 2021. But consumers are likely still seeing higher prices at the gas tank and in housing.

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These Michigan cities get the most cold lake breezes

Behind the wheel: Keep a winter coat, winter hat and gloves in your car if you are making an April exploration in these Michigan lake breeze towns. Some Michigan cities are positioned just right for the wicked cold afternoon lake breeze and MLive's Mark Torregrossa has a breakdown of some of the chilliest spots.

Not out of the woods yet: While the weather is warm until Saturday, there is still a somewhat cold pocket of air in southern Canada. That cold pocket will be yanked down into Michigan late Sunday and will last through Monday and into Tuesday. The air will be cold enough for snow showers to develop Monday, and especially in the colder time of Monday night.

Burning bushes: A burn ban has been issued across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula due to warm temperatures and winds coupled with the winter buildup of dry grasses and leaves, resulting in very high fire danger, officials said.

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Dre Bly is back in Detroit, and his swagger is too

Making a return: Dre Bly made the Pro Bowl after arriving in Detroit as a player in 2003. Now, the former Lions cornerback has returned to lead a new generation of defensive backs in Detroit—and a new generation of rebuild that is in the precipice of the kind of success that always escaped him here.

Off to a slow start: The Detroit Tigers have a lost a lot of games already this year, but Wednesday’s defeat seemed especially cruel. The team has now lost six in a row, continuing their worst start since 2008.

Some MSU news: Michigan State will likely be making another trip to Southern California, this time to play on solid land. The Spartans will likely play a game against Arizona near Palm Springs, California as part of their 2023-24 non-conference schedule, Spartans coach Tom Izzo said on Wednesday during a season-ending press conference.

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First-ever Pink-footed Goose sighting has birders flocking to Traverse City

In the wrong flock: A European migratory goose found itself on the wrong side of the Atlantic Ocean this week, to the surprise of Michigan birdwatchers. A local birder first spotted the Pink-footed Goose with a flock of Canada Geese on Monday in a field in Kingsley, just south of Traverse City. The ID was soon confirmed by birding experts, marking the first time this species has ever been recorded in Michigan.

The American woodcock will soon begin its annual courtship rituals in Michigan, which includes a dramatic spiraling aerial courtship dance. To see the dance, the DNR, Ruffed Grouse Society and MI Birds will host the Woodcock Walk, a guided hike, on Thursday, April 20, at the Lame Duck Foot Access Area Grouse Enhanced Management Site in Gladwin County.

For the film lovers: The historic Wealthy Theatre is officially relaunching the Grand Rapids Film Society. The film society will host the Titanic: An Evening At Sea” event on Friday, April 14, a screening of “Singin’ in the Rain” on April 16 and an open projector night on May 24.

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You're all caught up.

Thanks for starting your day off with the Morning Briefing. Only one more day stands between us and the weekend. Let's finish this week on a strong note.

Stay up to date with the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. If you value the work of our journalists, consider becoming a MLive subscriber.

See you back here tomorrow!

— Cara Hackett

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