In today's newsletter, scientists are trying to save the state's rarest butterfly, thunderstorms and hail are expected on Friday and a once condemned senior center has reopened. |
Taking in the great outdoors this weekend |
Many of us will still enjoy firework shows, cookouts and other celebrations over the long holiday weekend. If you're looking to add an outdoor adventure to your weekend lineup, here are a few things to check out. Spend the day exploring five Lake Huron lighthouses while visiting the Alpena area. The sightseeing tour begins at 40 Mile Point Lighthouse and ends at Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, a 38-minute drive from “Little Red.” Venture over to Muskegon and join nearly 10,000 visitors at the second largest outdoor farmers market in the state. For those looking to spend time on the water, be aware that these six beaches across Michigan are closed or under contamination advisories ahead of the holiday weekend. |
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An incredibly rare Mitchell's satyr butterfly lands on a thin-leafed sedge in a prairie fen on Monday, July 1, 2024, at Sarett Nature Center near Benton Harbor in southern Michigan. Scientists are trying to save the endangered species from extinction. (Sheri McWhirter | MLive.com) |
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Michigan’s rarest butterfly is going extinct. Scientists are trying to save it. |
Plight of the butterfly: Scientists are hoping to save what's considered one of the rarest butterflies in the world. Experts can currently only find the Mitchell’s satyr in six places in Michigan, down from 17 spots a decade ago. The butterfly is considered an indicator species, an organism which shows the overall wellbeing of an environment. It solely lives in prairie fen habitats, which are groundwater-fed wetlands also becoming increasingly rare because of disruptions to aquifers and loss of historical use of fire on the landscape. And as prairie fens disappear, as do these little brown butterflies with black spots and soft, orange lines. Great outdoors: A true sign of summer for astronomers is the Summer Triangle. While not a constellation, this pattern of stars is quite large and bright enough to be seen even in skies with some light pollution, like most of our urban areas. Here's how you can see it rising in the night sky. |
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Michigan set to become 20th state outlawing ‘gay panic’ defense |
| Legislation: It would be illegal to argue that someone’s sexual orientation justified assaulting them under a proposed law headed to the governor’s desk. If signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a person charged with a violent crime couldn’t seek to reduce or evade criminal liability on claims that they lost control and reacted violently because of the victim’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. More details: Michigan would be the 20th state in the U.S. to pass such a law banning the defense, according to the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. The defense is commonly referred to as “gay panic” or “LGBTQ+ panic.” Also in politics: First Lady Jill Biden toured a YMCA camp near Middleville Wednesday morning, speaking about federal investments in free summer meals for children and visiting with campers whose parents were wounded, disabled, or killed in military service. |
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Large hail, bursts of severe gusts finally placed in an area over Lower Michigan for Friday |
Be aware: A storm system that has all of the ingredients to produce some severe thunderstorms will be over Lower Michigan Friday. Thunderstorms are expected to form around midday over northwest and west-central Lower Michigan. They will move into northeast Lower, the Saginaw Valley and the Thumb Friday afternoon and evening. The Storm Prediction Center indicates large hail is the greatest severe weather threat. Weekend weather: These areas of thunderstorms will soak the entire state, not for the entire day, but for a couple of hours at a time. The rundown of the second half of the weekend goes like this: Numerous thunderstorms on Friday, a stray, quick shower Saturday and a dry Sunday. Up North: Showers and thunderstorms will likely continue throughout much of the day Friday in Northern Michigan. Severe weather is not expected. Friday will have highs near 70 degrees for northern Lower Michigan. Temperatures will only reach the mid-60s for the Upper Peninsula. |
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Once-condemned, now-repaired Michigan senior center cleared for move-in |
Home sweet home: It was almost exactly two years ago residents of Riverview Terrace Apartments were rushed out of the senior center in Adrian. The displaced residents, as well as new applicants, moved back into Riverview Terrace on Wednesday. The city issued a temporary certificate of occupancy for the repaired building, pending a few minor issues to correct, Adrian City Administrator Greg Elliott said. What happened: Adrian condemned the crumbling building, displacing dozens of seniors around Lenawee and Monroe counties before they settled into the abandoned Adrian Inn motel. The next two years saw fleas, spiders, bed bugs and 209 police calls to the building, according to Adrian police. The apartment complex received $7.4 million in Michigan State Housing Development Authority aid to fix the structural issues. MoTown Square: Two local housing developers, Linc Up and MoTown Square Development, are teaming up to build an apartment building for low-income, older adults in Grand Rapids. The building will have 54 one-bedroom apartments available to residents 55 and older whose annual income ranges from 30%-60% of Kent County’s Area Median Income. |
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Renovated bed and breakfast just a stroll from Lake Michigan, but hidden in the woods |
| Relaxation: Visitors looking for the cozier side of a beach vacation can find solace in a newly renovated bed and breakfast in the woods. The Forest Inn in sits among the trees, but its only a three-minute walk to Douglas Beach Park on Lake Michigan. The completely renovated property inspired by the lumbering history of the original owner who built the home in 1904. Online reservations are now open for a rustic cabin in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and near the Lake Superior shoreline for the first time. While the small cabin near the Twelvemile Beach Campground is not a new build, it’s the first time this building has been added to the reservable list for overnight campers, national park staff said this week. Sight to see: The underground hideaway of a cement tycoon who allegedly hosted the likes of Henry Ford and Al Capone is now open to the public at the heart of the art-filled McCourtie Park south of Jackson. |
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Another week is in the books |
Thanks for join us for today's Morning Briefing. As always, you can catch up on the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a fun and safe weekend! — Cara Hackett |
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