Let me know if this scenario sounds familiar: It’s Friday, the family is back from work and school, and nobody feels like cooking. So, a restaurant it is! Unfortunately, what should make settling into the evening easier becomes a trial as a full-blown argument erupts over what restaurant to pick.

Luckily, there is a fix to this all-too-common issue: Michigan’s global food halls. From sushi and crepes to tacos and Himalayan comfort food, these markets bring together flavors from around the world under one roof.

Today, Sophie Boudreau takes you on a tasty tour of six of Michigan’s best food halls, where you can grab a bite, explore, and maybe even discover your new favorite dish.

Plus: Meet a dog helping to save Michigan’s threatened turtles.

P.S. Our newsletter will be taking a break on Monday in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. In the meantime, I invite you to read about Michigan’s Indigenous history.

National Guard deployment in MI a matter of time, says AG Nessel (CBS News): Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says she’s deeply concerned about the possibility of National Guard troops being deployed to Michigan, calling it a dangerous move that echoes authoritarian tactics. Nessel says she’s ready to take legal action if the federal government tries to send troops, arguing that Detroit needs more investment in community programs, not military presence.

Cannabis industry group sues against new tax (MI Advance): A major cannabis trade group is suing Michigan over the state’s new 24% wholesale marijuana tax, arguing it violates the state constitution. The group says lawmakers didn’t follow the rules for changing the 2018 voter-approved marijuana law, which already set a 10% excise tax. They’re asking the court to block the new tax entirely, saying it was passed without proper legislative support or voter approval.

GR company announces layoffs due to AI (MLive): Grand Rapids–based Acrisure plans to lay off 400 accounting employees early next year, about half of them in West Michigan, as the company leans further into artificial intelligence to automate work. CEO Greg Williams said the cuts, while difficult, are part of a long-term push to stay competitive and invest in digital tools for clients. Acrisure says it’s financially strong, will offer severance and job support to affected workers, and still has about 100 open positions in West Michigan.

You’ll find 17 different eateries inside Grand Rapids’ beloved Downtown Market. (Grand Rapids Downtown Market)

By Sophie Boudreau

It’s one of life’s reliable annoyances: the monumental task of deciding what’s for dinner every single night. When dining out is in the cards, many of us struggle to narrow down our options or match our cravings with those of our dining companions, leaving everyone irritated—and downright hangry.

Thankfully, there’s a delicious solution to the ever-aggravating task of agreeing on the perfect eatery. Here in the Great Lakes State, you’ll find a variety of food halls and markets with multiple dining options in one place and enough multicultural fare to keep the whole family happy.

Here are six of our favorite Michigan food halls, including:

1. The Grand Rapids Downtown Market

Location: 435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is known for its beautiful event spaces, charming year-round artisan booths, and, perhaps above all, its awesome assortment of food vendors. Situated in (you guessed it) downtown Grand Rapids, the marketplace offers 19 separate food merchants, with cuisine ranging from sushi to Thai to authentic Mexican.

Grab your food to-go, then enjoy it with friends in a common seating area. The Downtown Market is open until 7 or 8 p.m. every day of the week, so there’s plenty of time to make dinner plans after work or school—or in the midst of your visit to ArtPrize!

2. Whatcha Wanna Eat?

Location: 10635 W. McNichols, Detroit

When hunger strikes in the Motor City, there’s no shortage of great restaurants. But if you’re looking for variety, venture to the city’s northwest side to check out Whatcha Wanna Eat?, a food hall boasting seven unique eateries.

Satisfy your savory cravings at Poon’s Hibachi Grill, grab a bite at Borderline Tacos, or dig in at Heavenly Chicken and Waffles. The environment is down-to-earth and welcoming, making it an ideal place to visit with guests or the family.

Mooz and owner Bill Parsons. (Courtesy/Bill Parsons)

By Capital News Service

The Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians’ Natural Resources Department has been working to conserve the threatened wood turtle. Their top team member is Mooz, a 9-year-old labradoodle who has been helping his owner, Bill Parsons, find wood turtles for the past five years.

Parsons is an inland fish and wildlife program manager at the Natural Resources Department and has been researching turtles for over 30 years.

He first learned about using dogs to search for rare animals when he joined an agency that used canines to search for box turtles in 2019. After learning the training process, he realized his labradoodle met the criteria.

Part of the department’s process for tracking wood turtles involves attaching radio transmitters to females to track where they lay their eggs.

Parsons started taking Mooz to the woods, placing him on already found turtles, then rewarding him with a ball. Pretty soon, Mooz could detect turtles on his own, just from their scent.

“He learned very quickly that if he found a turtle, he got to play with his ball,” Parsons said. Now, Mooz is a valued member of the team.

Michigan’s budget woes officially wrapped up this week when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed next year’s budget on Wednesday.

Key takeaways include the continuation of free meals for students, a new tax on cannabis products, and more road funding. But we wanted to know what Michiganders think is missing from the budget.

So, we asked you:

What kind of funding would you like to see in our state’s budget?

Here’s what you said:

“I’d like to see the roads actually fixed. We’ve had many bills passed to fix the roads but they are still in bad shape (numerous potholes everywhere).” — Carol Cornish

“Universal Healthcare for all Michiganders.” — Rob Weaver

“A budget where the people are not responsible for a 25% tax cause they bought marijuana instead of corn or potatoes all crops should carry the burden not just one a someone’s choice cause we didn’t vote that in.” — Ron Nunnery

“My wife is a dentist who just applied for 3 out of state licenses for the simple reason that patients in mi cant afford to pay her enough to cover student loans. So either help people afford dental, or give tax rebates to providers bc despite the need we cannot afford to live here.” — Mason Herr

“Mental health coverage and advocacy.” — Jill Berley

Do you have a question you’d like me to ask our community? Send it my way. I might feature it in a future newsletter.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories by Sophie Boudreau and Capital News Service. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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