Severe storms rolled across the state on Tuesday

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Morning Briefing

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2024

In today's newsletter, no ballot initiatives this fall for Michigan voters, the latest scam involving QR codes and Grand Rapids named one of America’s 10 best towns to visit.

Any Sabrina Carpenter fans out there?

You may have heard Carpenter's latest single, "Please Please Please." After yesterday, this is my version: 🎶 "Please, please, please don't prove I'm righttt turn the power back onnnn" 🎶 

 

I was one of the thousands of Michiganders who lost power after severe thunderstorms tore through the area yesterday morning, knocking out power lines and uprooting trees.

 

I probably looked a little silly sitting in my car with a headlamp on, charging up my laptop and typing away. Despite my circumstances, below you'll find a complete newsletter. 

Curated by Jamie Rewerts

An uprooted tree knocks down a power line in front of a car

A down tree on Ball Avenue NE south of Leonard Street in Grand Rapids, Mich. after early morning thunderstorms on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

(Photo provided by Kent County Emergency Management)

What caused these ominous shelf clouds to stretch across Michigan skies

Long, low hanging clouds: As the severe storms rolled across Michigan Tuesday, there was some ominous beauty in the sky. When storms are as strong as they were yesterday morning, the atmosphere can have some spectacular cloud formations due to how turbulent the conditions are.

 

Another question answered: Early yesterday morning, the tornado sirens sounded in Kent County, including the Grand Rapids area. Why are “tornado sirens” set off when there isn’t a tornado? Severe wind gusts were measured at 70 mph near Muskegon. The storms remained quite severe as they moved southeast. Kent County set off the warning sirens, which most people mistakenly think are used solely for tornado warnings.

 

Looking into the future: The long-range forecast for July has a pretty confident call on our Michigan weather. The maps and discussions point toward a strong summer feel.

Read more

From minimum wage to FOIA expansion: No ballot initiatives this fall for Michigan voters

The latest: Voters won’t be deciding any ballot initiatives this fall, including one that would’ve raised the minimum wage and another allowing people to request the governor’s communications.

 

For a small group of electric customers, DTE Energy wants to sidestep state rules requiring utilities award automatic power outage credits, and Michigan’s attorney general is pushing back.

 

‘Taylor Swift’ bills: People using bots or other means to scoop up concert and sporting event tickets in excess of a purchase limit could face thousands of dollars in fines under a proposed law.

Read more

What is quishing? Latest scam should make you think twice about which QR codes you scan

Be aware: As if there aren’t enough scams out there to be aware of, you may want to start being careful the next time you scan a QR code. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service says a scam known as “quishing” is making the rounds and can lead victims to giving away personal information.

 

Top spot: The University of Michigan’s College of Engineering is the state’s best engineering school, as well as No. 9 nationally, according to the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings released on June 18. 

 

More in public interest: The childhood home of 14-time Major League Baseball All-Star Derek Jeter has hit the market. Built in 1966, the five-bedroom, three-bath home in Kalamazoo is listed for $299,900.

Read more

 

Advertisement

 

Michigan ethanol, biofuel plants spew toxic pollution despite green image, report says

Plants making ethanol, biodiesel and other biofuels, including some in Michigan, are major emitters of toxic air pollution despite their image as purveyors of a green alternative to gasoline and diesel, according to a new report from a Washington, D.C.-based environmental group.

 

Get out of here: An invasive pest that likes to feast on the vines of fruit crops has been found near the Ohio border two years after it first landed in Michigan. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that an infestation found June 14 at the Whiteford Union Cemetery in Lambertville is the state’s second encounter with live spotted lanternflies.

 

An update: A Michigan judge has sided with the Four Lakes Task Force in a legal battle stemming from its request that residents pay a part of the cost of rebuilding and restoration efforts after a catastrophic 2020 flood.

Read more

Grand Rapids named one of America’s 10 best towns to visit by CNN

CNN has named Grand Rapids one of the 10 best U.S. towns to visit in 2024, a list that highlights destinations with “loads of personality and plenty to see and do without the elbow-to-elbow crowds of the big tourist cities.”

 

Seeing double: The Detroit Zoo announced the birth of twin red pandas on Monday. Ravi, a 7-year-old male red panda, and Ginger, a 3-year-old first-time mom, welcomed the twins on June 17.

 

In travel: The Copper Harbor Trails Club has debuted its new Berry Picker Trail on Brockway Mountain at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Read more

 
 

We're halfway through the week

Thank you for joining me on today's edition of the Morning Briefing. 

 

As always, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber.

 

See you tomorrow!

 

— Jamie Rewerts

 

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