View in browser  |  Get our newsletters

Morning Briefing

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2023

In today's newsletter, Michigan invests $364M to address gaps in mental health services, August stargazing includes summer’s biggest meteor shower, and The Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival is back for its 44th year. 

Why the first week of August is historically the best week of weather in Michigan

The start of a new month can hold so much promise (and lower temperatures!).

Between lower humidity levels and slightly cooler days, MLive's meteorologist Mark Torregrossa has a full breakdown of what makes early August the ideal week of weather in Michigan. 

Speaking of outdoorsy things,  paddleboard yoga and “paddlefit” classes are continuing through early fall at Island Lake Recreation Area in Brighton and Pinckney Recreation Area in Pinckney.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Josh Houthoofd and his Greater Bay teammates earned a trip to the Little League state tournament for ages 10-and-under. (Lee Thompson | MLive.com)

Michigan invests $364M to address gaps in mental health services

Improving resources: State leaders are hoping $364 million in the upcoming state budget will help to expand access to mental health resources and make it easier for people in crisis to get the help without going to a hospital emergency department. 

Former Republican attorney general candidate Matt DePerno and ex-state Rep. Daire Rendon are facing criminal charges for their alleged role in a scheme to access voting machines following the 2020 presidential election.

More in politics: Mastercard is telling banks to stop allowing marijuana transactions on its debit cards – a move that highlights the rocky financial landscape for dispensaries.

Read more

Judge finds Michigan violates Constitution by keeping babies’ blood without parents’ consent

In the courtroom: Based on a federal judge’s ruling, the state of Michigan must no longer keep nine babies’ blood on file without their parents’ consent. The order sets a precedent that could have ramifications throughout the country.

The backstory: Since the 1960s, Michigan has collected drops of newborns’ blood for testing of various medical conditions. As a result, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has diagnosed about 0.2-0.25% of newborns with at least one of 58 disorders.

Top notch: The University of Michigan Health is one of 22 hospitals nationally to make U.S. News and World Report's “Honor Roll” that recognizes “America’s Best Hospitals.” 

Read more

August stargazing: ‘Super blue moon,’ summer’s biggest meteor shower

Spectacle : Stargazing this month is as good as it gets with the Perseids meteor shower dazzling in the dark sky, Saturn is putting on a great show, and a very rare “super blue moon” will cap it all off.

Green thumb: We are about two and a half months from a hard frost. While this will kill most of our vegetable plants, there are still a few veggies we can grow surprisingly well late in the year.

Speaking of sights to see: Shipwreck hunters in West Michigan say they have located a vessel in deep Lake Michigan waters they've been looking for during the past two years.

Read more

Advertisement

Going straight from chemo to ballfield, Little Leaguer emerges as hero in many ways

Resiliency: Josh Houthoofd is one of the smallest and youngest players on his baseball team, but he never lets that be a hindrance. He’s also battling acute lymphocytic leukemia, but he refuses to let cancer hold him back.

Hot wheels: In one of the most star-studded fields in the history of Berlin Raceway, some of the best drivers, both past and present, get set to do battle as the Superstar Racing Experience debuts at the track on Thursday, August 3.

Also in sports: Here's how Michigan State plans to rebound from a disappointing season.

Read more

This Michigan town is famous for its fish sandwiches, but you can only get them once a year

Fresh fish: The Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival is returning for its 44th year of delighting visitors with old-fashioned fried fish sandwiches. This year’s festival will take place on Friday, Aug. 4, and Saturday, Aug. 5.

Tasty:Those looking to get their burger-fix have plenty to choose from, whether they want something unique or something classic. Here are five great places to try when you’re craving a burger in Jackson County.

Get crafty: Professional and amateur artists from across the region and world will turn St. Joseph into their personal canvas from Friday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 6 during Chalk the Block.

Read more

That's all for now.

We'll see you here bright and early tomorrow morning. 

Check out the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a MLive subscriber. 

It's going to be a great Wednesday!

— Cara Hackett

OTHER TOP STORIES

• All he had to do was ‘unzip that backpack,’ Michigan school shooter’s psychologist testifies
  
  
• Tigers lose to Pirates on night of trade deadline
  
  
• Wolverines recruiting: Former Purdue CB commit flips to Michigan
  
  
• 20-year-old Ann Arbor man identified as victim of fatal motorcycle crash
  
  
• U.S. ban on popular lightbulb goes into effect Aug. 1

GAMES & COMICS

TODAY'S OBITUARIES

Click here to for access to Michigan obituaries.

DAILY AUDIO BRIEFING

Want the top headlines but don't have time to read? Listen to MLive’s daily news briefing on Spotify, Google or Apple Podcasts.

DUNGEON OF DOOM INSIDER TEXTS

Subscribe today to get exclusive insights and bonus content from Detroit Lions writers Kyle Meinke, Benjamin Raven and Kory Woods. Dungeon of Doom is your home for entertaining and informative analysis and discussion of the Lions. Get your 14-day free trial and then keep the conversation going for only $4.99 per month.

NOT ENOUGH NEWS?

The Daily Digital Edition is included with both print and digital subscriptions to MLive.com. You can also choose from our selection of local news, sports or lifestyle newsletters and apps.

WANT TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH A FRIEND?

Did someone share this newsletter with you? Click here to never miss a day!

CONTACT THE NEWSROOM

To contact the newsrooms for any of our publications regarding technical support, news tips, classified ads and other inquiries, please click here.

Unlimited Digital Access.

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING
OR SPONSORING OUR NEWSLETTERS?

Contact [email protected]

GET YOUR LOCAL NEWS 24/7

Ann Arbor | Bay City | Flint | Grand Rapids

Jackson | Kalamazoo | Muskegon | Saginaw

You received this email because you opted in to the newsletter. To ensure receipt of our emails, please add [email protected] to your address book or safe sender list.

MLive Media Group 169 Monroe NW #100Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Contact us | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy