We’ve made it to that time of year when the temperatures nosedive, and that blistering cold makes it all too easy to retreat under a blanket until spring comes around.

But as The ’Gander’s Chaunie Brusie reminds us, there’s actually a ton to do out there in the wintertime, and you don’t even need to be outside.

From private igloo dinners and puzzle tournaments to indoor ice rinks, saunas, chalets, and cozy day trips across the state, today we’re looking at 24 ways to make this season not just bearable, but something to actually look forward to.

Plus: We’ll hear from the people of Saline, where hundreds packed a public meeting this week to sound off on DTE’s plan to power a massive new AI data center.

MDHHS: Suicide rates highest in Northern Michigan (AP News): New state data shows suicide rates are far higher in northern Michigan’s rural counties, in some cases double those of urban areas, due to limited mental-health access, isolation, poverty, and higher gun availability. More than 1,500 Michiganders died by suicide in 2023, exceeding deaths from car crashes or homicides. Experts say telehealth and stronger support networks could help, but many rural residents still lack the resources they need.

Hmong community leader released by ICE after push by lawmakers (MI Advance): Lansing-area Hmong community leader Lue Yang has been released from ICE detention after bipartisan pressure from Michigan lawmakers, though his immigration case is still unresolved. Yang, who was pardoned by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this fall, was detained over a decades-old conviction that had been expunged. Advocates say his return offers hope to other immigrant families facing detention.

Detroit unveils RoboCop statue (MLive): Detroit’s long-delayed 11-foot, 2.5-ton RoboCop statue is finally on public display at Eastern Market after nearly 15 years of legal, financial, and construction hurdles. The fan-funded project, built without RoboCop’s weapon to keep it “neighbor-friendly,” is already drawing steady crowds despite the cold weather. A formal celebration is planned for spring, with actor Peter Weller expected to be invited.

A private dining igloo available for rental at the historic White Horse Inn in Metamora. (White Horse Inn)

By Chaunie Brusie

Here in Michigan, cold weather is officially upon us. In fact, last weekend’s storm dumped a foot of snow in parts of the state. And even though I prepped by purchasing my first-ever electric blanket, I’m also making a vow not to hole up in my house all winter long, because there is truly so much beauty to enjoy about Michigan in the winter.

Whether it’s a winter festival or a simple walk outside, here are some activity ideas to get you started on enjoying another Michigan winter, even when it’s freezing out. We’ve included ideas from all around the state, so no matter where you are in the Mitten—or where you’ll be visiting over the holidays—you’ll find a winter activity to enjoy, like:

1. Spending a day in Frankenmuth

2. Renting a private igloo for a meal out with loved ones

3. Chillin’ in a chalet in downtown Detroit

4. Participating in a puzzle tournament

5. Banishing the winter blues with a book club

Despite overwhelming opposition, a data center in Saline Township could still get fast-tracked with no sworn testimony, no fact-finding, and no real public accountability. (The ‘Gander/Canva Graphic)

By Kyle Kaminski

By 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, about 90 people had logged into the Michigan Public Service Commission’s virtual hearing on DTE Energy’s plans to power a massive new data center in Saline Township. By 7 p.m., the number of attendees had exploded past 850. 

And for the next two hours, several dozen Michiganders took over the Microsoft Teams call with a level of engagement that’s rarely ever seen at state regulatory meetings. 

Residents, engineers, farmers, environmental advocates, union workers, and a long line of deeply frustrated DTE customers waited—some for more than an hour—to make their case. 

At least 40 people eventually got the microphone before the commission ended the meeting at 9 p.m. with more than 100 people still waiting to speak. The vast majority of them opposed the data center. Only those with a financial stake in the project spoke in favor.

Not that any of this guarantees their concerns will matter.

(The ’Gander TikTok)

After receiving multiple reports of tourists with fake tickets trying to access Mackinac Island, Attorney General Dana Nessel and her team discovered an online scam that was set to do more than just ruin vacations.

The ’Gander’s Lucas Henkel reports.

Earlier this week, we shared news of a recent effort by Michiganders in the Upper Peninsula to increase access to mail-order abortion pills.

The effort comes as a lack of federal funding has left reproductive health clinics few and far between.

So, we asked Michiganders:

What are your thoughts on abortion pills by mail, and how do you think they support people with limited access to care?

Here are highlights of what you said:

“This medication has been proven to be safe & effective! Therefore, it is NONE of anyone’s business as to who chooses to use it! Mind Your Own Darn Business!!!” — Lyn Matheson

“I’m a native Michigander but I moved to Texas for a job and ended up spending 41 years there, the last 11 in Austin, where I attended many protests and hearings and often testified. The insanity of attacking / demeaning / controlling women is both shocking and not unexpected. I’m glad to be back home and both my kids have fled Texas as well. I just had a conversation with a long time friend who was able to get Canadian citizenship because his Dad was Canadian. He said that if the midterms don’t go well, he’s leaving. I wish I could as well.“ — Sheila Sorvari

“Doesn’t really matter. If the doctor writes a prescription, mail order or brick and mortar pharmacies should both be available for filling the script. And if it’s an over the counter drug in this state, why can’t it be delivered? Our lawmakers aren’t elected to make moral judgments on our purchases. What is the reason that the little blue pill can be delivered by mail to men, but a pregnancy ending drug cannot be delivered to women?” — Susan Diehl

“I’m all in on mail-accessible abortion pills. I’ve had 8 pregnancies spread over more than 20 years (we did not know that I had a mitochondrial disease which made pregnancy more prone to fail) with 6 ending in miscarriage and only two surviving kids, now both adults. I learned the hard way that a pregnancy is a potential child, a potential life, not a child, and when I discovered that the only Biblical reference to abortion anywhere in scripture describes the role of the priest in Numbers 5:11-31 actually acting as abortionist for a jealous husband, my theological hesitations about abortion were removed. Thanks for posing the question.” — Linda Nafziger-Meiser

“Yes I believe in letting people especially teens and young adults have access by mail. In my 20s I had to fly to New York alone with no one with me and fly home the same night. And go to college the next am. I’m tired of men making the decisions over a female’s body.” — Wendy Stanley

“Absolutely YES! Abortion pills should be accessible by all via USPS or other delivery means.” — Dianne Phillips

“As a Christian, I believe in the God-given right to life from conception through natural death. I cannot support abortion in any way. At-home, do-if-yourself, mail-order abortion pills are the worst sort of so-called ‘reproductive health care.’” — Larry Doyle

“I believe it is up to Almighty God to decide when we die so I’m against any type of abortion for any reason. I’m against any way to abort a baby. It should not be used as a form of birth control. I believe it is a living baby at the moment of conception.” — Leigh Cory

“Restrictions on abortion are foolish and dangerous and also quite pompous. The only person who knows what is best for a person is that person! Plus, doctors should never be forbidden to make life-saving decisions!” — Carol Steele

“As we keep saying : Abortion is health care. No one wants one. Life is full of curve balls and hard decisions are often needed. We do not need politicians to force decisions on us. Especially now!!” — Vicki Rosenbluth

Want to hear more on this subject? Reply to this email and let me know. I might make a web story with more reader comments.

And if you have a question you’d like me to ask our community, send it my way. I might feature it in a future newsletter.

The landscape for local news is shifting fast. At The ’Gander, our commitment to you—and to Michigan—hasn’t changed.

To keep this work strong, we’re working toward a $3,500 goal by Dec. 16 as part of our final fundraising campaign this year.

Your support helps us shine a light on the decisions, debates, and leaders shaping Michigan’s future. We can’t do this work without you.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories by Chaunie Brusie and Lucas Henkel. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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