Morning Briefing

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

In today's newsletter, Senate OKs red flag gun package aimed at disarming Michiganders in crisis, alcohol in football stadiums could be new reality for Michigan universities, and the oldest Great Lakes piping plover returns to nest at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Just get back together already!

Some people's determination to overcome traumatic circumstances never ceases to amaze me. RJ Myler's story

Well friends, there's an update, and it's again filled with drama. The couple briefly reconnected on their old stomping grounds in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula last week — but the reunion didn’t last long.

These birds give me a headache with the on and off. Let me turn the attention to these Michigan polar bear twin sisters who were reunited at the Detroit Zoo after being separated at birth.

Curated by Cara Hackett

Grand Rapids siblings (from left) Chase, 11, Blake, 6, and Easton Vriezema, 8, explore the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. The festival features 55 lantern installations that span a 1-mile path. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)

Senate OKs red flag gun package aimed at disarming Michiganders in crisis

One step closer: The ability to temporarily remove firearms from at-risk individuals will soon land on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk after Senate Democrats voted to pass perhaps the most contentious piece of their gun-policy wish list: red flag laws.

Senators on Wednesday, April 19 passed SB 83, alongside House Bills 4146, 4147 and 4148. Together, the four will create the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, more commonly known as red flag laws. Under the act, courts could issue an order to temporarily remove firearms from a person who poses a safety risk either to themselves or others if there is sufficient evidence.

An animal tranquilizer mixed with fentanyl can have “hideous effects” on people who use it, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is warning Michiganders. Xylazine, a strong animal tranquilizer, has been found in the illegal fentanyl supply in Michigan, along with 48 of the 50 states.

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College athletes, student researchers could form unions if Michigan Senate bill passes

Seeing an issue: A proposed Michigan Senate bill would classify college athletes and research assistants as public employees, paving the way for both to seek union protections. If passed, athletes and research assistants could enter collective bargaining agreements with their universities.

Another chance: Newly introduced legislation in the Michigan legislature would allow courts to re-evaluate sentencing after incarcerated persons serve a certain amount of time in prison and no longer pose a risk to the community.

Smart intersections: Detroit was awarded nearly $2 million for a new program to use artificial intelligence software on top of existing traffic cameras to eventually predict and prevent traffic incidents.

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Thursday keeps creeping hotter over southern half of Michigan, now indicating 80s temps

Bring out the shorts and sunglasses: We're several weeks away from summer, but southern Michigan's weather feels like a jump start. Very warm air is surging through southern Michigan Thursday afternoon, bringing a wave of temperatures that reach into the low 80s for many areas.

Rain, rain go away: Snowmelt related flooding has caused millions of dollars of damage in several U.P. counties. Between snowmelt caused by warmer temperatures, showers and a few thunderstorms this week, additional rain could increase flooding throughout the region.

One more U.P. story: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is extending their search for the source of water in an unusual old roadside well in the western Upper Peninsula.

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Alcohol in football stadiums could be new reality for Michigan universities

Drink it down: Michigan’s universities could soon be selling alcohol during their basketball, football or hockey games under two bills making their way through the state legislature. Lawmakers hope the bills would help curb alcohol-related injuries by reducing the urge to binge-drink while tailgating.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and women’s world middleweight champion Claressa Shields was on the verge of tears when she saw her name and image on the videoboards at Little Caesars Arena, where she will fight Hanna Gabriels of Costa Rica.

In the high school sports: After winning its first district championship in 13 years, Allendale recently added another achievement to its unforgettable 2022-23 girls basketball season. The Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan recognized Allendale as the state’s top team in the classroom, with the Falcons’ collective GPA of 3.9636 ranking No. 1 among all boys and girls hoops squads this season.

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Oldest Great Lakes piping plover returns to nest at Sleeping Bear Dunes

Home sweet home: A female Great Lakes piping plover with the distinction of being current oldest living individual of her species has been spotted at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

"Totally new experience": The first of its kind in Michigan, the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is now open to the public at John Ball Zoo. The lantern festival features 55 lantern installations, ranging from a giant butterfly-filled tree to a crab with moving claws. Some of the lantern sculptures are interactive, with blowing bubbles and blinking eyeballs.

Survey says: A Michigan family dethroned the current “Family Feud” champions in an intense match before having a nail-biting Fast Money round for the $20,000 prize. Here’s how the game played out.

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Let's get the day started.

Thanks for joining me today on this edition of the Morning Briefing.

See the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a MLive subscriber.

Enjoy today's warm weather if you can!

— Cara Hackett

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