Morning Briefing

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023

In today's newsletter, more people are dying in traffic crashes, Senate OKs child marriage ban amid arguments pregnant teens should marry, and drought conditions deepen across Michigan.

Art aficionados, this one is for you.

From building a camera obscura at the Hands On Museum in Ann Arbor to outdoor galleries at the Grand Haven Art Festival, there's plenty of artsy events taking place across Michigan this weekend.

Arts and crafts lovers across West Michigan will have more than 250 juried art pieces and exhibitors to interact with at this year’s Lakeshore Art Festival in downtown Muskegon. Organizers of the annual event say two days of fine art, handcrafted goods, entertainment and local food options are on tap for Saturday, June 24 through Sunday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If food is your preferred medium, organizers of Calumet’s Pasty Fest just announced the world’s first Pasty Art Prize competition will be held in the Upper Peninsula on Aug. 19.

Curated by Cara Hackett

The famous Budweiser Clydesdales made an appearance during the Love Ludington Street Party

Mastro from New York body paints Jeremy Czarniak’s of Grand Haven head during the Good Life Village arrival party at Electric Forest Music Festival at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan on Wednesday, June 21, 2022. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

More people are dying in traffic crashes. Officials blame risky behavior.

Risky drivers: Michigan saw a rise in traffic fatalities last year despite fewer vehicles on the road. Traffic safety experts have indicated the increase in road deaths are likely a result of people taking greater risks including speeding, impaired and distracted driving, and reduced seatbelt and motorcycle helmet use.

Construction closures: Driving in and out of Southeast Michigan may take longer with a number of road projects reducing lanes of traffic on major highways.

Also in public interest: Michigan lawmakers have reintroduced legislation sparked by an ecological crisis on the Kalamazoo River which would allow the state to order a cleanup when natural resources are being damaged.

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Senate OKs child marriage ban amid arguments pregnant teens should marry

Child marriage in Michigan is closer to ending after a massive, 10-bill package passed both the House and the Senate this week. The legislation would, among other things, make 18 the legal age to marry in the state.

Cracking down: Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a total of 79 felony charges Thursday as part of an investigation into a petition signature gathering scandal that bumped five of 10 Republicans off the August primary ballot in Michigan's 2022 gubernatorial race.

Day in court: Ryan Kelley, who ran for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2022, will plead guilty to one of the four charges he faced stemming from his involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol, Kelley’s attorney confirmed Thursday.

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Drought conditions deepen across Michigan, one area now in severe drought

Feeling crispy: Sunny skies have been the theme of this week, with some areas making a run into the 90s over the past couple days. Unfortunately, this sunny stretch has only aggravated drought conditions in some areas of Michigan.

Going Up North: Clear skies and warm conditions proved to be the perfect atmosphere to tour what places like Mackinac Island and Traverse City have to offer. This stretch of weather is coming to an end however, with a chance of rain on Sunday.

Out on the water: A dry period this week has allowed for the perfect conditions to go boating. High pressure over the area meant that our inland lakes and often the Great Lakes saw clear skies and light winds. A change is coming however, making this weekend less than optimal for boating activities.

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Should Michigan high school athletes make money off their image?

Money moves: Lawmakers are considering allowing high school athletes to profit from their names, images and likenesses, along with an expansion of Michigan’s college NIL law.

NBA Draft: Ausar Thompson joins the Pistons as they enter a new era under the leadership of newly-hired head coach Monty Williams. This is the second consecutive year that the Pistons have chosen an athletic guard with the fifth overall pick.

A surprising move: The Pistons traded their No. 31 overall pick to the Boston Celtics to move up to No. 25 overall to select Houston guard Marcus Sasser.

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Tens of thousands pour into Rothbury as Electric Forest music festival kicks off

Dinner and a view: SkyBridge Michigan has quickly become a popular attraction at Boyne Mountain not only for the resort’s overnight guests, but for daytrip travelers looking for a new in-the-air experience. This summer, a new food and entertainment area created near one end of SkyBridge just might be a new Northern Michigan hotspot.

Turn up the volume: Electric Forest music festival goers have arrived from across the United States to the small rural community of Rothbury in Oceana County for the four-day event. The visually and musically extravagant festival kicked off Thursday, June 22 on the grounds of the Double JJ Resort and runs through Sunday, June 25.

Stretch it out: Outdoor yoga classes will be returning this summer to the beaches of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, offering a fresh way for visitors to immerse themselves in the region’s beauty and serenity.

Read more

We made it to the end of another week.

Happy Friday, Michiganders! Another week is in the books.

Stay up to date on the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a MLive subscriber.

Make someone feel loved today.

— Cara Hackett

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