Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

In today's newsletter, MSU students demand action on gun violence, mixed winter weather is headed for Lower Michigan and the Grand Rapids zoo is saving Michigan's turtles.

Remembering the MSU shooting victims.

The Michigan State University community, their families and supporters across the state are continuing to mourn the loss of three students killed in Monday's mass shooting on campus.

Arielle Anderson was a 19-year-old sophomore from the Grosse Pointe area who was described as the "sweetest human being with the "most loving, kind and gentle spirit." Brian Fraser was a 20-year-old sophomore from Grosse Pointe whose "light shined bright with love, leadership, and kindness." Alexandria Verner was a junior from Clawson who "exemplified kindness every day of her life."

As countless people wade through a myriad of emotions following this week's events, here are the signs of trauma and how to navigate them.

Curated by Cara Hackett

A crowd gathers at the rock, a popular college landmark where a makeshift memorial continues to build with flowers and keepsakes on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Two days ago on the evening of Feb. 13, three students were killed and five others injured during a mass shooting on the campus. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Michigan State students protest, grieve and demand action on gun violence.

Demanding action: Even as Michigan State University students contend with the trauma and grief of Monday's mass shooting, more than 100 gathered on the Capitol steps Wednesday to demand changes to Michigan's gun laws.

The gathering and protest was arranged on the steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday morning in partnership with an organization of parents from the Oxford High School shooting, which occurred just 15 months ago. Some MSU students attended Oxford during that shooting and were subjected to another Monday.

“They don’t want our condolences. They do not want our thoughts and prayers – they want us to take action,” Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, said as Michigan lawmakers memorialized the shooting victims with House Resolution 36.

Read more

Thousands in Michigan State community come together to mourn after shooting.

Thousands wept, embraced and comforted one another during Wednesday night's candlelight vigil on the campus of Michigan State University as they honored the victims of the university’s deadly mass shooting earlier this week.

Spartan Strong: A resounding message in speeches from campus leaders and university officials echoed through the dense crowd gathered in central campus: They are Spartan Strong. The phrase can be seen on pictures around campus, posts on social media and apparel being sold—proceeds of which go to the families affected by the tragedy.

Showing solidarity: More than 1,000 people gathered on the University of Michigan Diag for a Wednesday night vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at MSU.

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5 Michigan State students remain in critical condition after deadly mass shooting.

The five injured Michigan State University students who survived a mass shooting on campus remain in critical condition, authorities said Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The family of Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez is asking for donations to help the MSU junior recover from injuries she sustained during the mass shooting on campus. Huapilla-Perez is one of the five victims injured during the shooting, which claimed the lives of three additional students on Monday, Feb. 13. The remaining four survivors have yet to be publicly named, though remain in critical condition as of Wednesday, Feb. 15.

'When will this end?': A Michigan State University freshman who survived the Oxford High School mass school shooting in 2021 said her sense of safety is shattered after facing her second school shooting in under two years.

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Weather slop update: This storm will be like 2 pans of brownies.

The weather system heading our way for today and tonight will make a mix of snow, sleet and light freezing rain. Mark is comparing this storm to two pans of brownies (yum!). The precipitation will be a mix of snow, ice pellets and light freezing rain from Grand Rapids to Saginaw and southward. North of that line should be mostly snow.

More on that: The precipitation starts late this morning over southwest Lower and spreads north and east this afternoon. Unfortunately the storm will be producing its most precipitation right during the evening commute. It will turn very hazardous with moderate rates of snow, sleet and ice pellets.

Taking safety precautions: The UP200, Midnight Run and Jack Pine 30 sled dog races set to take place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this weekend have been canceled due to deteriorating weather conditions, the Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association announced Wednesday. This marks the first time the races have been canceled in their 33 year history.

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Grand Rapids zoo working to save diminishing Michigan turtle population.

Save the turtles: Eastern box turtles can be found all over Michigan’s lower peninsula and are listed by the state of Michigan as a “species of special concern.” In a partnership with Grand Valley State University and the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, John Ball Zoo is working to give these turtles a head start to life in Grand Rapids.

Finding 'peace and solace': Potter Park Zoo is doing its part to help Michigan State students and staff heal from Monday’s tragic campus shooting. The Lansing-based zoo is offering free admission to all MSU students and staff for the rest throughout the rest of the week.

'Valentine's Day is everyday': Friendship, kindness, family: Michigan third-graders describe what love means.

Read more

You're all caught up.

We're almost to the end of the week. Echoing Jessica's sentiments from yesterday, there is a lot of news to process this week—it's OK to take a break from the headlines.

Get the latest Michigan news on at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming an MLive subscriber.

Stay connected. Stay kind.

— Cara Hackett

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