Morning Briefing: Michigan is ranked disrespectfully low on list of best states for 2023

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Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023

In today's newsletter, hands-free driving bills pass Michigan House after penalty changes, historic May snowstorm breaks records in Upper Peninsula, and how you can hunt for vintage treasures at one of Michigan’s largest antique festivals.

Michigan is ranked disrespectfully low on list of best states for 2023

We might think of Michigan as the best place in the country, but according to U.S. News, we have some stiff competition.

Released by U.S. News on Tuesday, the ranking of the best states for 2023 puts the Great Lakes State near the bottom at No. 41. Yes, you read that right. States like Utah, Washington, Idaho, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Iowa, Wisconsin, Vermont and Florida ranked inside the Top 10.

While we're talking about things that make Michigan great, check out our Michigan's Best guide.

Curated by Cara Hackett

In the 1970's, the Kirtland's warbler toed the brink of extinction. (MLive file photo)

Hands-free driving bills pass Michigan House after penalty changes

No distracted driving: Members of the state House Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to approve a trio of bills modernizing a ban on texting and driving. A bipartisan three-bill package – House Bill 4250, HB 4251 and HB 4252 – would update Michigan’s existing anti-texting and driving laws to also include using any electronic device for things like streaming, using social media sites or making video calls.

500 new jobs: Norwegian company Nel Hydrogen will build a $400 million “gigafactory” in Michigan to manufacture equipment that produces hydrogen fuel, the company and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday. The investment will reportedly also create more than 500 “good-paying clean energy manufacturing jobs.”

One more public interest story: Former President Donald Trump is set to return to Michigan for a GOP event in Oakland County this summer.

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Preventable infections rise within Michigan hospitals, per report

In Michigan hospitals: A healthcare-associated bacterial infection has been on the rise in Michigan hospitals in recent years, according to a hospital safety analysis published Wednesday, May 3.

The average infection ratios for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, increased in Michigan hospitals by more than 45% between spring 2021 and spring 2023. Of the Michigan hospitals that reported MRSA data, 30 had worse-than-average MRSA rates during this data cycle.

More health news: Safety grades dipped for 19 Michigan hospitals this spring in comparison to last fall, according to The Leapfrog Group. Grades are based on more than 30 measures, including how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, accidents, injuries, and infections.

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Historic May snowstorm breaks records in Upper Peninsula

Snow makes a comeback: A record-breaking snowstorm occurred in parts of the Upper Peninsula over the last few days. The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Marquette, recorded an astounding 19.8 inches of snow on May 1 and 6.4 inches on May 2. In Herman, up to 48 inches fell within 72 hours.

What's an Omega Block?: Michigan is going to wind up in the nice weather part of a weather pattern that has two storms on the ends and a sunny area in the middle. This upper-air pattern of a storm, a sunnier sky area and another storm is called an Omega Block.

A rare sighting: It’s not every day you get the opportunity to see an incredibly rare bird, but in Michigan, that chance does briefly return every spring. To help people experience the wonder of witnessing the Kirtland's warbler, several organizations offer birdwatching tours.

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Looking ahead to a potential historic 2024 NFL draft for Michigan football

Making football history: With several Michigan draft prospects opting to return for a senior or fifth season, along with a talented 2022 sophomore class that will be draft-eligible after next year, the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit could be a historic one for the Wolverines.

A different type of sibling rivalry: Scott Forrester stood flabbergasted at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix’s girls soccer media day, conceptualizing the reality of what his 2023 team consisted of – not one, not two, not three … but four sets of sisters on one team.

Some baseball news: Eric Haase hit another home run and the Detroit Tigers knocked Max Scherzer out of the game in the fourth inning en route to a 8-1 victory over the New York Mets in the nightcap of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Comerica Park.

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How you can hunt for vintage treasures at one of Michigan’s largest antique festivals

Treasure hunting: A whopping 400 antique dealers are gearing up for one of Michigan’s largest antique events, the Michigan Antique Festival in Davisburg. Happening this Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7, at Springfield Oaks County Park, antique items will be showcased throughout eight indoor buildings, including the famous Ellis Barn.

Bon appétit: Michiganders will be the first in the world to see a big exhibition featuring American culinary pioneer, Julia Child. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn will be the premiere venue for “Julia Child: A Recipe for Life.” The new traveling exhibition debuts on May 20th (May 19 for museum members) and runs through September 10th.

End of an era: Festival founder and Oscar-winning filmmakerMichael Moore has announced the end of Traverse City Film Festival after nearly

20 years.

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That's all for now.

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I'll see you back here tomorrow!

— Cara Hackett

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