Plus, a look at warm December temperatures
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024 |
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In today's newsletter, what's floating on Manistee Lake, Michigan to face off against Washington in national championship and Michigan hospitals welcome 2024 babies. |
January is off to a lucky start for one Michigander who won a Powerball ticket worth $842 million. This marks the fifth-largest Powerball prize ever and the 10th-largest in U.S history. Owners of the Food Castle in Grand Blanc where the ticket was purchased say they are "thrilled" for the winner and glad it happened to someone local. A winner has has yet to come forward. To cash in on their earning, they must contact the Michigan Lottery and will have up to one year claim their prize. |
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Parents Courtney and Rocky Babcock hold their daughter, Vera Noelle, at University of Michigan Health West Hospital on Monday, Jan. 1. Vera was the hospital's first baby born in 2024. (Provided by University of Michigan Health West) |
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Something is floating on Manistee Lake and no one knows where it originated |
Exploring: More track chairs are coming to Michigan state parks to increase trail and beach accessibility for wheelchair users. Track chairs are designed to easily handle off-road conditions, including snow, sand, and even up to 8 inches of water. Mystery: City officials have reported an “oil sheen” discovered floating on Manistee Lake on Sunday, Dec. 31. The issue? No one knows where it came from. Pollutant responders from the United States Coast Guard couldn't determine the source and officials will continue to monitor the sheen, according to a statement from the City of Manistee.
Also in the environment: Michigan environmental regulators said they plugged about 200 orphan oil and gas wells in 2023 to help reduce methane emissions and address climate change.
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Oh baby! Grand Rapids area hospitals welcome first 2024 babies |
New addition: Two Grand Rapids area families rang in 2024 with bundles of joy on New Year's Day. At Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, a set of parents welcomed a baby boy at 2:17 a.m. Another family celebrated the birth of their daughter at the University of Michigan Health-West, Byron Center. A Kalamazoo family welcomed a healthy baby girl at 12:09 a.m., according to Bronson. Two parents from Castleberry, Alabama, also delivered a baby boy in Battle Creek. In Saginaw, two parents ushered in the new year along with their new baby boy. |
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Temps were very warm in December, see the ranking for your Michigan area |
Warming up: December was almost an historically warm across Michigan, and one section of the state had the warmest December on record. Take a look at the temperature rankings for December by climate division. Change on the way: Despite the December's warmer temps, our weather pattern is going to change and will almost resemble a winter pattern. It’s still going to take a week for the upper-air pattern to gradually take on a more wintry look, and eventually a more wintry feel for Michigan. Looking at the sky: Stargazers, mark your calendars: 2024′s night-sky highlights include four full supermoons in a row, plus a rare blue moon. |
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Michigan to face Washington in College Football Playoff national championship |
Next steps: After beating Alabama to win the Rose Bowl, Michigan will now face Washington next Monday for the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Houston on Jan. 8. Tuning in: The high-stakes matchup between Michigan and Alabama on Monday drew an average audience of 27.2 million viewers for ESPN, making it the most-watched College Football Playoff semifinal since the 2014-15 season. Best facility: A Sparta Area Schools athletic complex was recognized as the Top Outdoor Tennis Facility of the Year during the 2023 American Sports Builders Association Technical Meeting in Dallas, Texas in December. |
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2 Northern Michigan cheesemakers win big at ‘Super Bowl’ of cheeses |
Award winning: Leelanau Cheese Co. and Idyll Farms received high honors at the 2023 World Cheese Awards held in Trondheim, Norway. It’s the world’s largest cheese-only competition with 4,202 cheeses from 40 countries. Speaking of competition: 13-year old Leland Jackson, from Ann Arbor, is picking up his apron and competing for one of 12 youngsters competing for $25,000 on season 12 of Food Network's “Kids Baking Championship.” Lucky find: A couple from the Coldwater area bought the last drive-thru sign from Hot ‘n Now. The couple, who loves "nostalgic restaurant and fast food collectibles," is planning to place the sign in their dining room next to their 80s-esque Pizza Hut hanging lamp. |
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Let's get the day started. |
I hope your day is off to a great start. Thanks for spending part of your day with the Morning Briefing. Stay up to date on the latest news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a great Wednesday! — Cara Hackett |
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