In today's newsletter, flu season has kids sicker, Whitmer tries to deter Canadian trash with big hike in landfill fees and the Soo Locks will open early. |
Same fantastic coverage, different platform |
Starting today, MLive’s Morning Weather Update live broadcasts will move to the MLive weather page. It will have the same format that you’ve seen for the morning weather updates on Facebook, providing you with what you need to know about Michigan’s weather that day and a look out into the future at any weather situations. Mark Torregrossa is one of the most talented and valued meteorologists in the Midwest. Putting his forecast on Facebook brings back zero value and support to Mark and to MLive.com, while giving free content to Meta. Especially considering the fragile state of the NWS and other meteorologists in our state, it is critical that weather broadcasts are supported in ways that allow us to continue to invest in Mark and in vital, expert weather coverage. |
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Chris Reinsch and Anna Spitzley perform an Irish jig during Irish Off Ionia on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids. (Ayrton Breckenridge | MLive.com) |
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What the USDA’s $1B cut means for Michigan food banks, schools, farms |
Michigan will no longer be getting millions in federal dollars that enabled food banks and schools to purchase fresh food from local farms. Michigan was set to receive $18 million from the Local Food for Schools program, according to the Michigan Department of Education, and it previously got $5.8 million. This supported 816 school programs that purchased fruits, vegetables, proteins, legumes, dairy and grains from small farms throughout the state. These cuts have created uncertainty, frustration and large gaps for food banks that rely on federal grant dollars and programs to feed hungry communities. Michigan farms, that are already facing frozen USDA grants and a brewing trade war, will also take a hit. More in public interest: First-of-its-kind homelessness program in Michigan sees success after one year. |
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Flu season has Michigan kids sicker with ‘many, many’ needing ventilation |
The typical patient in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital this March is an infant battling respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This year, however, hasn’t been typical. RSV is still a threat, but Corewell Health’s downtown Grand Rapids children’s hospital is feeling the effects of one of Michigan’s worst influenza seasons in more than a decade. Kids are coming in sicker; more of them have co-infections, and more of them need help breathing. On top of that, more parents are rolling the dice, choosing the risks that come with vaccine-preventable diseases over the risks of a rare adverse reaction to a vaccine. This year, flu shot uptake for Michigan children 5 to 17 years old is down almost 41% from this time during the 2019-20 flu season. Almost 43% fewer children 6 months to 4 years old have been vaccinated as well. |
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Whitmer tries to deter Canadian trash with big hike in Michigan landfill fees |
To know: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to use a hefty hike in landfill tipping fees to stem the flow of imported trash coming into Michigan and pay for pollution cleanups. Under the Democrat governor’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal, the state fee levied on waste disposal at landfills would increase from 36 cents to an even $5 per ton, phased in over five years. The latest: Former Secretary of Education and Michigander Betsy DeVos is making the rounds to push President Donald Trump’s promise to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. A year after shortening Michigan’s coyote hunting season to avoid months where pups are dependent on their parents to survive, state game regulators are mulling a proposal that would reverse the change. |
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Michigan grinds out Big Ten Tournament championship win over Wisconsin |
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Soo Locks to open early, kick off 2025 shipping season next week |
Open for spectators: The Soo Locks will open a few days early this season, kicking off the 2025 Great Lakes shipping season at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 21. The locks have been closed since Jan. 16 after the last vessel of the 2024 season passed through. Critical repairs and maintenance were conducted during the 10-week winter shutdown. Watch: A rare Blood Moon eclipse played out Thursday, peaking in the middle of night. If you opted not to stay up, or want another look, we have you covered. MLive multimedia specialist Santino Mattioli used a telescope to capture an incredible video of the astrological event. Where is it now?: It’s been nearly 10 years since a man lugged a giant Petoskey stone from Lake Michigan only to have it confiscated by the state months later. Today, it can be seen at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit. |
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Thank you for joining me on today's edition of the Morning Briefing. As always, you can catch the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber. Have a good day! - Jamie Rewerts |
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