Michigan is a car state through and through. It’s in our DNA, baked into our history and our highways. Michiganders are drivers. That’s just how it is, for better or worse.

But I think most of us would be willing to admit there are certain situations where other means of transportation are the superior option. Today’s example: trains for long-distance travel.

During my college years, I spent a lot of time traveling up and down California via Amtrak to get back and forth between school and my home town of San Diego, so I’m quite familiar with the benefits: You get a direct route to your destination without the traffic, the ability to stretch your legs as needed, and (my favorite) the opportunity to see natural sights and vistas you might otherwise miss on the road. On top of that, trains use less energy and produce fewer harmful pollutants than either car or air travel.

Clearly, I’m a huge fan of trains. So I was delighted to find out about an ongoing effort for a passenger rail line connecting Detroit to Northern Michigan. The idea has been a long time in the making, but organizers recently announced a chance for public input on the project. So if, like me, the idea of new train opportunities in the state excites you, you now have the chance to weigh in on what this could look like.

Read on for the details.

Gilchrist ends gubernatorial bid, moves to SOS race (MI Advance): Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist has dropped out of Michigan’s governor’s race and is now running for secretary of state—a role that oversees elections and licensing. His move shakes up a crowded Democratic field, where several other candidates are already competing for the party’s nomination this summer.

Michigan congressman proposes dismantling ICE (CBS News): Michigan Rep. Shri Thanedar plans to introduce a bill to abolish ICE following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The proposal comes as federal officials defend the officer’s actions. Meanwhile, protests around the country are ongoing, including calls from some activists for Detroit to become a sanctuary city.

Michigan group pushes for raised minimum wage for servers (The Detroit News): Jane Fonda joined Michigan advocates in Detroit Friday to push for a $15 minimum wage for all workers, including tipped restaurant staff. They’re urging lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to restore the stronger 2018 voter-backed wage law that Republicans later weakened before it ever reached the ballot.

Potential route map for the North + South passenger trail in Michigan. The white dotted line represents the possible route; the orange dots are possible stations; and the solid white line is the existing Amtrak routes. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

A nonprofit working on a long-term plan to create a passenger rail line that would run from Petoskey to Detroit is seeking additional public input on the idea.

On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the nonprofit backing the project, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, announced an online public survey to gather community insight that could advance the idea first proposed in 2009.

“We want to hear directly from the people who would use this service,” Groundwork’s Transportation Program Manager Carolyn Ulstad said in a Jan. 7 release. “Your feedback will guide our planning decisions and help us design a rail service that serves the region effectively.”

According to the proposal, one day in the future, Detroit and Ann Arbor residents could hop on a train to Traverse City or Petoskey. The proposal, known as the North + South Passenger Rail Project, is part of the Michigan Mobility 2045 Plan.

The idea was introduced in 2009 and has gained community support and $2.3 million in state and federal grants from the state’s Labor and Economic Opportunity, in 2021, and the US Department of Transportation, in 2022.

“The route would link Michigan’s dynamic regions with an efficient, comfortable alternative to driving,” the North + South Passenger Rail Project says on its website. “This project represents a major opportunity to create a more connected, inclusive, and sustainable transportation system that makes Michigan a more attractive and competitive place to live, work, and do business.”

Michigan’s minimum wage rose to $13.73 at the start of the year and will go up to $15 in January of 2027.

While this is now well above the federal minimum, we wanted to know if Michiganders believe this is enough to get by.

So, tell us:

Hit reply and let me know.

Have a question you want me to ask our community? Send it my way. I might feature it in a future edition.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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