In today's newsletter, spring weather is coming to Michigan this week, Detroit Pistons snap NBA-record 15-game playoff losing streak, and eight Michigan drive-in theaters still operating this summer. |
Whether it's running a few errands by bike instead driving, learning how to compost kitchen scraps, or recycling more, there are plenty of ways to recognize Earth Day today. Communities around Michigan are celebrating the day with gardening events, volunteering opportunities, recycling drives, and more. Here are a few Earth Day activities in Jackson, Saginaw, Holly, and West Michigan. Arbor Day also falls this week on Friday, April 25. To honor the day, the City of Ypsilanti is giving away 200 trees to residents. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is highlighting 10 benefits of planting trees in recognition of Arbor Day. |
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Pictured are residents on the city of Grand Rapids' West Side volunteering to clean streets, parks, and full neighborhoods. (MLive File Photo) |
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Hummingbird tracker: Map shows where tiny birds have been spotted in Michigan |
Birds of a feather: Hummingbird Central keeps a map of spring migration sightings as tiny, jewel-toned hummingbirds fly north from January to May. Ruby-throated hummingbirds were first spotted in Michigan over the weekend. As of Monday, April 21, sightings have been reported in Galien and Bridgman near the Michigan-Indiana border; Trenton and Livonia near Detroit; and Hudsonville near Grand Rapids, the map shows. Bundles of joy: Two fuzzy, gray eaglets have been given Michigan-inspired names. Bald eagles Harry and Harriet welcomed this year’s eaglets on April 3 and 5 at their nest along the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay near Traverse City. The older chick is named Stormy and the younger is Mitten. Animal rescue: The Jackson County Animal Shelter is housing 15 of about 60 rabbits rescued from a Saginaw County basement, Mitchell Kukulka reports. They include nine adults and six newborns, and the animals are in “rough shape.” Almost all of them have scabs and pieces of their ears missing, said Animal Shelter Director Lydia Sattler. |
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Who was Patrick Lyoya, the Black immigrant killed by a Grand Rapids police officer? |
Patrick Lyoya murder trial: As jury selection begins in the second-degree murder trial of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr, John Tunison reports on the complex life of Patrick Lyoya, the 26-year-old Black immigrant killed during a 2022 traffic stop. Lyoya, who fled war in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014, was described by family as a supportive firstborn son who helped them financially despite his own struggles with the law. His father says only a murder conviction will bring justice for his son. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr in a civil lawsuit filed by Patrick Lyoya's family. Attorneys for Schurr’s civil legal team filed a petition earlier this year, asking the Supreme Court to decide whether a lower appeals court made a wrong decision. The attorneys wanted the high court to rule that the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals had jurisdiction to decide if Schurr had qualified immunity. Home invasion: A couple returned from vacation to find a woman had changed their locks, moved in, and claimed the house was hers. The bizarre case involved Carler Scales, who falsely claimed she inherited the home from a previous owner and even registered to vote using the address, reports Nathan Clark. Scales now faces multiple felony charges including home invasion and voter fraud while awaiting a mental health evaluation. |
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Weather this week turns mighty fine here in Michigan |
Feeling like spring: A strong warming trend will kick in for the second half of the week. We will also only have a couple of hours of rain total this week at most Michigan cities. Thursday and Friday will warm well into the 70s. The next widespread storm system is going to move through Lower Michigan Friday and Friday night, likely leaving us with a dry weekend. More resources needed: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has asked for more time to submit a major disaster declaration request that could unlock millions of dollars in federal aid for northern Michigan communities recovering from crippling ice storms last month. Helping the herds: Northern Michigan’s state forests took on extensive damage during the ice storm but, experts say some animals may actually benefit from this environmental reset. While this devastation may have negative impacts on nesting birds like eagles and owls, it could bring more food for animals on the ground like Michigan’s wild elk herds. |
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Cade Cunningham steps up and Pistons even series with Knicks |
Pistons even series with Knicks: Cade Cunningham scored 33 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as Detroit defeated New York 100-94 in Game 2, snapping an NBA-record 15-game playoff losing streak. Dennis Schroder hit a clutch 3-pointer in the final minute to secure the win. Ansar Khan reports the series now stands at 1-1 with Game 3 set for Thursday at Little Caesars Arena. Tigers defeat MLB-leading Padres: The Detroit Tigers scored six runs in the first three innings to beat the San Diego Padres 6-4 at Comerica Park. Zach McKinstry had a standout performance with a single, double, walk, and his league-leading third triple. The Tigers have now won 14 of 20 games since their season-opening series and improved to 9-2 at home, reports Evan Woodbery. Happy ending: Michigan gymnast Paul Juda capped his national championship victory Saturday by proposing to girlfriend Reyna Guggino at Crisler Center. Juda, who won bronze with Team USA at last summer's Olympics, finally secured the team title that had eluded him in his six-year career. Andrew Kahn reports both are Michigan gymnasts, with Guggino already owning a 2021 national championship ring that Juda said motivated him to earn his own. |
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Two of Motown’s biggest groups to co-headline a concert in the heart of Motown |
Save the date: Two of the biggest groups in the history of Berry Gordy’s music label, Motown, will co-headline a concert this year in the Motor City. The Temptations and The Four Tops will perform at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on Sunday, October 19. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m. Special screening: Fans of The Office have a chance to meet Dwight Schrute this summer in Grand Rapids. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 25, for A Live Conversation with Rainn Wilson, the man behind Dunder Mifflin’s eccentric assistant to the regional manager. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m., Aug. 14, at DeVos Performance Hall in downtown Grand Rapids. Showtime: Memory Lane Drive-In Theater, in Monroe, is closing but there are still eight drive-in theaters across the state that are preparing to welcome moviegoers this spring and summer. |
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Let's get the day started. |
You're all caught up this morning with the top news from around the state. We'll be back tomorrow. In the the meantime, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Make today a great day! - Cara Hackett |
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