MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025 |
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In today's newsletter, AI boom could inflate Michigan power bills, Michigan State basketball floored Michigan and the Frostbite Trail. |
A winning weekend for the Tigers |
Kenta Maeda struck out four batters in two perfect innings of work in the spring opener Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Tigers trailed 5-0 in the fifth inning but rallied to win 7-6. On Sunday, Casey Mize threw two scoreless innings, striking out three, in the Tigers' 4-0 victory over the New York Yankees at George Steinbrenner Field. Though it's unrelated to sports, I wanted to start your day with an update: The dog who was abandoned in a Meijer parking lot with a heartbreaking note has found her forever home. |
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Twin brothers, Colin and Ethan Engel tap the firkin for the 19th Michigan Winter Beer Festival at LMCU Ballpark in Grand Rapids on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. This year the firkin was a 4.8 percent Czech Swing, a dark Czech lager, from The Mitten Brewing Co. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) |
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Michigan’s new minimum wage, tipped wage – and what they could have been |
The tipped minimum wage went up in Michigan on Friday, Feb. 21 — although not as high as originally planned. Michigan workers who receive tips as part of their income will receive $4.74 per hour (in addition to their tips), up from $4.01 per hour. It was set to jump to $5.99 per hour, but a last-minute bill signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reduced the hike. Still, this is the largest tipped wage increase on record for Michigan. The minimum wage also increased on Friday, as part of the same bill. Michigan’s minimum wage jumped from $10.56 per hour to $12.48 per hour. For 2025, the tipped minimum wage is 38% of the standard minimum wage. More in politics: Michigan may spend $7.8M to test pay-per-mile road funding system. |
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AI boom could inflate Michigan power bills. Consumers Energy is proposing safeguards |
To know: Data centers powering cloud computing and artificial intelligence can use as much power as a city. Watchdogs say they want to make sure tech companies pay their fair share in Michigan. Michigan Public Service Commission Chair Dan Scripps said he’ll be examining how utilities charge data centers so Michigan isn’t left “holding the bag.” He’s got an opportunity already this year. On Feb. 7, Consumers Energy, one of the state’s largest utilities, asked regulators for permission to tweak an electric rate it proposes to use for new data centers, in part to address those concerns. Microsoft has purchased 316 acres in a Grand Rapids suburb for a potential data center. In a filing, Consumers said it had inquiries from more than 30 prospective data center developers, representing a total of over 15 gigawatts in demand. Those aren’t done deals. But to put the number in perspective, Consumers' J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in Ottawa County, closing this year, is rated at 1.45 gigawatts, capable of serving a million people. |
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Trump purge hits EPA workers responding to Michigan emergencies, fighting polluters |
Concerns: The Trump administration’s purge of federal workers at an Environmental Protection Agency office in Chicago included a half dozen attorneys who bring enforcement cases against polluters and staff who mobilize rapidly to respond to hazardous spills and environmental disasters, according to labor leaders. The cuts may imperil the EPA’s ability to protect drinking water, safeguard air quality and clean up toxic sites in Michigan, part of a five-state region headquartered in Illinois, some current and former agency employees say. Related: Nonprofit managers worry that a large federal grant to help Michigan farm and forest owners preserve their lands may fall victim to a vast Trump administration funding freeze that’s being litigated in federal court. In health news: Two cats that belonged to Michigan dairy workers died after being infected with bird flu. But it’s still not clear how the animals got sick or whether they spread the virus to people in the household, a new study shows. |
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Michigan State basketball floored Michigan, took lead in Big Ten |
Rivals meet again: With first place in the Big Ten on the line, Michigan State took down Michigan 75-62 on Friday night at a sold-out, maize-covered Crisler Center. The Spartans hung around in the first half despite poor shooting, took the lead early in the second half, and led for the final 14:48. The Wolverines got within three with 5.5 minutes to go but never closer the rest of the way, seeing their six-game win streak end. Engaged: About an hour after the game, Michigan’s starting center Vladislav Goldin went to midcourt at Crisler Center and proposed to his girlfriend, Camryn Vogler. She said yes. During the game, Goldin scored a team-high 21 points. 2025 NFL mock draft 1.0: The NFL combine takes place next week in Indianapolis, marking the time to evaluate potential prospects who could be wearing the Detroit Lions' Honolulu Blue and Silver next season. It also signals the official arrival of mock draft season. Here is MLive Lions beat writer Kory Woods' first attempt at projecting the big board. |
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Follow the Frostbite Trail on winter weekends for gourmet bites and sips |
What we need on a winter weekend: A little adventure with stops for some tasty food and drinks. You’ll want to make time to hop on the Frostbite Trail this winter. Think of it as a progressive-style snack & sip fest. You take a self-guided tour through some of Northern Michigan’s prettiest wine country and stop for little food and drink breaks along the way. In the U.P.: Winter weather hasn't stopped construction of an accessible boardwalk at Upper Tahquamenon Falls. Project Manager Alex Kish from Holland describes it as "the project of a lifetime." The tulip bulbs may still slumbering underground but Tulip Time Festival is ready for spring. This week, the nonprofit announced its poster winner. |
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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. See you tomorrow! - Jamie Rewerts |
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