Did you know Christmas trees are a big deal in Michigan? In fact, the state ranks third in the nation for the number of Christmas trees harvested every year. Earlier this month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer even proclaimed December as Michigan Christmas Tree Month. So, as you pick out that perfect tree this holiday season, you can also feel good knowing that you’re supporting the state’s economy.

If you still need to pick out your tree, that’s what today’s newsletter is all about. We’ll bring you some of the best Christmas tree farms to visit in the Mitten, along with must-see light displays to check out after you’re done with those decorations.

Before we get to the news, I want to thank everyone who has supported us during our year-end fundraiser. With a few days left to go, we’re still about $500 short of our goal. Will you help us reach the finish line?

As local newsrooms across the state continue to shrink, your contributions ensure that every Michigander continues to have access to fact-based local news—without any paywalls. No dollar amount is too small.

Thank you for your support.

NEW LAW LETS MICHIGANDERS HOLD DRUG COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE (link): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a law that will allow Michiganders to sue pharmaceutical companies over potentially dangerous or defective drugs. Michigan was the last state in the nation with laws that specifically protected Big Pharma from product liabilities. State lawmakers had argued that repealing those protections would force more companies to accept responsibility when they “knowingly defraud and harm” the public. The newly signed law takes effect in February.

Also see: Dems to stop Big Pharma from gouging Michiganders for drugs

MICHIGAN AG CALLS FOR CHANGES TO LAW AFTER CHILD ABUSE CASE (link): This week, more than 30 criminal charges were filed against two mid-Michigan couples for organizing to adopt dozens of children from previously abusive homes for financial gain, only to subject them to more abuse. Now, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says more protections are needed for children. Nessel says the statute of limitations on child abuse is currently too short since most abused kids don’t report abuse until they’re adults. Nessel added she’s in conversations with lawmakers about creating laws to give more power to kids to report abuse.

NEW FEDERAL GRANTS FIX UP PARKS AND PRESERVE THE UP (link): Parks, trails, and sports facilities across eight Michigan counties are set to receive upgrades after being picked to receive federal grant funding. The funds will go toward things like improvements to community sports fields, campground development, and various trail and park renovations. The funds will also allow the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to buy 8,000 acres in the Keweenaw Peninsula and expand Fort Wilkins State Park.

WHITMER SIGNS DIRECTIVE FOR EMISSIONS-FREE STATE FLEET (link): Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a directive this week to make the state’s 8,000-vehicle fleet emissions-free by 2040. As of now, only three vehicles in the fleet are EVs. The plans continue Whitmer’s clean energy goals, which aim to make the state carbon-neutral by 2050. Last week, Whitmer signed bills requiring Michigan utility companies to get 100% of their energy from clean energy sources by 2040.

Photo via Pine Knob Music Theatre on Facebook

Michigan is filled with holiday cheer this season with numerous dazzling light displays and Christmas tree farms for you to visit all across the state.

Writer Britteny Dee has compiled this list of 12 can’t-miss spots, broken down by region. Click the name of any location for more details.

Metro Detroit

Wayne County Lightfest (7651 N. Merriman Road, Westland)
Open Wednesday-Saturday from 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 24

Winter Wonder Lights (350 Estate Drive, Rochester)
Open through Dec. 30

HollyDazzle (12600 Dixie Highway, Holly)
Open Friday-Saturday from 5-10 p.m. and Sunday from 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 31

Magic of Lights (33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston)
Open daily from 5:30-10 p.m. through Dec. 30. Closes at 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Broadview Christmas Tree Farm (4380 N. Hickory Ridge Road, Highland)
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 7

Blake Farms (17985 Armada Center Road, Armada)
Cut-your-own tree fields are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pre-cut lot is open Sunday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Greater Lansing

Wonderland of Lights (1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing)
Open Thursday-Sunday from 5-8 p.m. until Dec. 23 

Horrocks Nursery Farms & Garden Center (1776 N. State Road, Ionia)
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Grand Rapids

Christmas Lite Show (4500 W. River Drive NE, Comstock Park)
Open Sunday-Thursday from 5:30-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5:30-10 p.m. through Dec. 31

Vormittag Tree Farm (9921 Linden Drive NW, Grand Rapids)
Open Monday-Friday from 3-5:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Traverse City

Lights Gone Wild (1132 US-31, Traverse City)
Open daily from 5-11 p.m. through Dec. 31. Closed on Christmas day.

Robinson Family Christmas Tree Farm (6777 Herkner Road, Traverse City)
Open Monday-Thursday from noon-7 p.m. and Friday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To see the full story, click here.

Also see: Want a fresh Christmas tree? Visit these farms in mid-Michigan

Photo via Grostic Cattle Co. on Facebook

It’s been nearly two years since Michigan officials shut down Jason Grostic’s cattle farm in Livingston County following the discovery of dangerous amounts of chemicals known as PFAS.

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals found in many consumer and industrial products that scientists have dubbed “forever chemicals” because of how long they take to break down. They’ve also been found to cause several health complications in humans—including cancer, increased cholesterol, and thyroid disease. There are many ways in which farms can become contaminated with PFAS, including when farmers spread contaminated biosolids on their land as fertilizer.

State officials say Grostic’s farm is the only one in Michigan that has received a seizure order related to the use of PFAS-contaminated biosolids to date—adding that regulatory controls put in place effectively prevent it from happening again—but Grostic and other farmers in Michigan are urging state and federal lawmakers to provide additional support and testing before more farms are impacted by PFAS.

To read the full story, click here.

Photo via Associated Press

Where: Lansing

When: Dec. 9, 6-9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Christmas, but make it scary. Old-world European traditions come to Lansing this weekend for its first-ever Krampusnacht (Krampus Night). The event celebrates Krampus—a horned monster who scares misbehaving kids during the holidays.

Visitors can enjoy a traditional Krampus parade along with food, shopping, and children’s activities.

This email is written by Karel Vega, community editor at The ‘Gander. Have a question or comment? Reply back to this email!