Morning Briefing: Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban is formally repealed

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Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023

In today's newsletter, Michigan officially repeals its 1931 abortion ban, Portage high schoolers protest gun violence, and a new trail system is coming to Northern Michigan.

Let's hope that today's weather is a little better.

Wednesday's weather held a mixed bag of hail, thunderstorms, rain and chances of tornadoes for much of the Lower Peninsula and even an ice storm and high winds for the Upper Peninsula.

Yesterday's tornado watch had some recalling the most devastating twister to hit Washtenaw County in recent years. The EF-3 tornado cut a 7.2-mile swath of destruction through the Dexter area, northwest of Ann Arbor, on March 15, 2012.

While we're talking about severe weather, it's a perfect time to refresh yourself on a few safety tips. The National Weather Service created a guide for the best places to shelter in your home during a tornado.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Over 200 Portage Northern students walk out of school and march to protest gun violence in Portage, Michigan on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)

Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban, defeated by voters in 2022, is formally repealed

For the first time A near-total ban on abortions from 1931 was stricken from Michigan law Wednesday, further protecting access to abortion after voters placed that right in the state constitution last November.

Reviving the base: The 1931 law had made any abortion, except in a life-threatening situation, a crime for health care workers to perform. The repeal earned two Republican votes in the House but passed the Senate along party lines.

There's more: The other two bills Whitmer signed repealed a law criminalizing publication of recipes for contraceptives or abortion-inducing drugs and another that details the sentencing guidelines for those now-former crimes.

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‘We’re pleading for help’: Portage high schoolers stage walkout to protest gun violence

Making their voices heard: Pouring rain and a tornado watch didn’t deter Portage high schoolers from walking out in protest of gun violence on Wednesday morning. More than 500 students between Portage Central High School and Portage Northern High School walked out as apart of national walk out day, organized by Students Demand Action.

Over in public interest: A Michigan township is hosting a panel to discuss a $2.4 billion Gotion electric vehicle battery plant that has faced pushback over its ties to China.

Time drags on: For some unions in Michigan, the benefits of the “right-to-work” repeal signed into law last month may be years away. Repealing right-to-work means unions can again require non-members in unionized workplaces to pay fees — but only if it's in their collective bargaining agreement.

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How about a local news roundup?

Grand Rapids: The annual Mel Trotter Easter Community Meal for those experiencing homelessness returned this year to a massive turnout. This is the first time the Easter meal was held since being paused in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Dexter: Dexter Community Schools wants to bring solar power to its campus to provide sustainable energy to surrounding schools, while also serving as a teaching tool.

A little odd: An angry customer has been charged after he allegedly assaulted a market employee with a four-pound frozen fish. The bizarre incident occurred at Desi Fruit Market on Nine Mile Road in Warren on April 2.

Read more

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Dungeon of Doom: Should the Detroit Lions roll the dice on Jalen Carter?

What's going on with Jalen Carter: It’s time to try and cut through some of the noise regarding one of the top prospects and fits for the Detroit Lions in Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. MLive’s Dungeon of Doom podcast is back with an attempt to try and do that, with help from Georgia beat writer Seth Emerson of The Athletic.

Baseball fans, dig in: Thursday marks Opening Day, and we’re giving you a sneak peek at most of the new food choices you’ll be able to indulge in during Detroit Tigers games this upcoming season at Comerica Park .

Making the investment: Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan football team won the Big Ten Conference for a second straight season in 2022, and records show the Wolverines paid more than any other school in recruiting expenses. Michigan spent $2,240,064 last year on recruiting, topping the league’s 13 other football teams for the first time since 2018, according to a report from USA Today on college football recruiting expenses.

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New Northern Michigan trail system to boast big views for hikers, mountain bikers

Happy trails: A scenic hiking and mountain biking trail system with views of Burt Lake and Mullett Lake is coming to Northern Michigan later this year. The non-profit Little Traverse Conservancy is developing the trails on a hilly new 150-acre forest reserve in Cheboygan County.

Family fun in Jackson: Many museums across Jackson County will be open to the public for free during the 2023 Free Museum Day on Saturday, May 13. Each of the 10 museums will offer different activities, including an open-house style reception, self-guided tours or historical demonstrations.

The great outdoors: All-season tree houses with bedrooms, living rooms, kitchenettes and more are expected to open for overnight visitors at Ottawa Sands County Park in spring 2024. And while they’re called tree houses, the rentable cabins will actually be lofted on their own supports more than 8 feet off the ground but among the trees.

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That's all for today.

Thanks for joining me here this Thursday for another round of Morning Briefing.

As always, you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a MLive subscriber.
Be safe and find a little bit of joy today!

— Cara Hackett

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