Morning Briefing

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2023

In today's newsletter, Michigan is home to the top-ranked public square in the entire US, Kristina Karamo is now driving the Michigan GOP, and the tallest lighthouse on the Great Lakes to offer overnight stays this summer.

Where you can donate to support Michigan State University and students after mass shooting

MSU set up a donation fund called Spartan Strong to support the needs of the community. There are also fundraisers collecting donations for victims.

One has been started for Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez, an MSU junior wounded by gunfire. Another for twenty-year-old John Hao an international student from China who was shot in the back and critically injured.

A Brian Fraser Presidential Memorial Scholarship has been set up, all donations will support Michigan Beta fraternity. Another fundraiser was set up through the Alliance Catholic Credit Union to support Alexandria Verner’s family. Arielle Anderson’s family also launched a GoFundMe that raised more than $25,000 in less than 24 hours.

Curated by Jamie Rewerts

Michigan students hold up a ‘Spartan Strong’ flag during a moment of silence at the Michigan vs Michigan State basketball game in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. (Sydney Verlinde | MLive.com)

Michigan State students will return to classes one week after mass shooting, university says

Michigan State University students and faculty will return to classes on campus today. MSU administrators made the announcement during a Feb. 19 news conference, but noted classes will not be taking place in the buildings where horror unfolded on Monday, Feb. 13. MSU police presence will be increased for the return.

Condition of 2 students upgraded: Sparrow Hospital officials have updated the condition of two Michigan State University students injured in the mass shooting. One MSU student, who was previously listed as critical, has been upgraded to serious, but stable condition. Another MSU student was moved from stable to fair condition.

Multiple funerals: Hundreds gathered to celebrate the lives of Michigan State University shooting victims Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner at two separate funeral services Saturday morning, Feb. 18. A funeral for the third MSU shooting victim, Arielle Diamond Anderson, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Zion Hope Baptist Church in Detroit.

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Michigan is home to the top-ranked public square in the entire US

Beating places in New York and California: It’s home to an urban beach surrounded by skyscrapers in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter. Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit just took home the top-ranking for best public square in the country in the 2023 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards contest.

But that's not all: Another win in this same contest for Michigan and the city of Detroit is the Detroit Riverwalk. It was voted the Top Riverwalk in the country by USA Today for a third year in a row.

Also in public interest: There is a burst of solar energy heading toward Earth that should produce some northern lights. Michigan has a fairly good chance to see northern lights because of a combination of three conditions.

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Kristina Karamo, ultra-conservative election denier, is new Michigan GOP chair

Then and now: At more than 600,000 votes, former secretary of state candidate Kristina Karamo’s loss last November was Michigan’s worst of the midterms. Local Republicans, however, think she’s the best pick to revitalize fundraising, unite the GOP and lead it back to victory in 2024.

Now at the helm: Karamo was elected by delegates Saturday, Feb. 18, from every corner of the state to be the Michigan Republican Party’s new chairperson, besting 10 challengers in a passionate – yet, often chaotic – 11-hour convention in Lansing.

Not everyone is excited: Depending on who you ask, it’s either the best or worst case scenario for the future of the GOP. Read more about this week in politics here.

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Green joins Maize and Blue as Michigan basketball honors Spartan rivals after MSU mass shooting

Coming together: The Feb. 18 game between the Wolverines and Spartans began with a moment of silence before the Michigan Band played the Spartan’s alma mater ‘MSU Shadows’. Michigan students wore T-shirts that read ‘Michigan Basketball Stands with MSU,’ along with green ribbons pinned to their chests.

Who won: Michigan beat Michigan State 84-72 on Saturday night. Michigan State led for 25 minutes and by as many as eight points but ultimately fell apart in the final minutes. Despite the result, Izzo said he was proud of how his team competed in unprecedented circumstances.

Overheard outside the Michigan State locker room: Here are some notable quotes following Michigan State’s rivalry loss.

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Tallest lighthouse on Great Lakes to offer overnight stays this summer

Check this off your bucket list: White Shoal Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse on the Great Lakes, will be welcoming overnight guests for multi-day stays beginning later this year.

A big debate: To build the bridge, or not build the bridge? That’s been the question in Traverse City for about 30 years. At long last, there’s an answer. Yes. Build the bridge.

Wanted camper: If you love the outdoors, would enjoy staying in a camp trailer for the summer and don't mind earning a little bit of extra cash, check out the job listing for a caretaker at Muskegon County’s Blue Lake Park.

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Welcome to a new week.

Thank you for joining me on this edition of the Morning Briefing.

You can always find the latest at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming an MLive subscriber.

Jessica and Cara have you covered for the rest of the week. See you next time!

— Jamie Rewerts

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