It’s been an odd winter so far here in the Mitten, with a lot of us complaining about the lack of snow. Well, it seems Mother Nature has been listening, and she’s bringing the goods—with a vengeance.
I’ll be the first to admit it’s got me feeling a bit like this:
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Still, getting trapped indoors this weekend is giving me time to plan the shows and events I’m putting on my calendar in 2024. ‘Gander writer Claire Mainprize has a great list of Michigan sports, concerts, festivals, art shows, and more down below. Detroit Pancakes & Booze Art Show? Tim McGraw? The Grand Prix? Check, check, check.
Plus—Did you know more than 300 bills were signed into state law last year? Many of them are going into effect next month. Keep reading for the details.
P.S. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As you reflect on Dr. King’s contributions to civil rights in the US, it’s a perfect time to read about the time when he marched in Detroit.
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Karel Vega
Community Editor, The ‘Gander Newsroom
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WINTER STORM WARNINGS ACROSS MI (link): I hope you’ve got your salt ready. Expect most of the state to get a good amount of snow Friday and Saturday, along with strong winds. Forecasters say it could lead to whiteout conditions on roads, so please travel with care. Conditions should improve beginning Saturday afternoon.
GETTING FLINT’S MOTHERS & BABIES OUT OF POVERTY (link): A new program called Rx Kids is trying to help get families in Flint out of poverty. Any pregnant mom in the city of Flint is eligible for $1,500, plus $500 per month during their baby’s first year. Enrollment opened this week.
DTE WANTS RATE HIKE, MICHIGAN AG SAYS NOT SO FAST (link): DTE Energy has recently come under fire for requesting a rate hike, despite ongoing reliability complaints. Their proposed increase would raise customers’ bills by about 10%—but Michigan AG Dana Nessel is intervening, saying DTE should expect her to argue against any unreasonable increases. (
Did you know? Every state’s attorney general is considered “the people’s lawyer.”)
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Your 2024 Michigan events guide
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Photo via National Cherry Festival on Facebook
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Big changes coming to Michigan in 2024
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed hundreds of bills into law last year, and many of them are going to go into effect in February.
Political correspondent Kyle Kaminski has the details on the biggest changes in his story here—but here are two biggies to know right now:
Tax cuts and rebates
Beginning next month:
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- More than 700,000 Michigan families will begin receiving one-time tax rebate checks of about $550 each.
- A phase-out of the state’s retirement tax is expected to save about 500,000 Michigan households at least $1,000 per year over the next three years.
- More details on tax cuts here.
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Gun safety
New laws in February will require:
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- Background checks to be conducted before all gun purchases in Michigan.
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Guns to be locked away safely when kids are present (or likely to be present) in a home.
- People convicted of domestic violence (including misdemeanors) to be prohibited from owning or buying a firearm for a period of eight years.
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More details on new gun laws can be found here.
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Weekend Highlight:
Michigan football championship parade
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AP Photo/David J. Phillip
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Where: Ann Arbor
When: Jan. 13
Price: Parade is FREE, evening event prices vary
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The national champ Wolverines are back in Ann Arbor and ready to celebrate with fans. There will be a parade through the U-M campus beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, starting at the President’s House and ending at Schembechler Hall. A celebratory event at Crisler Center follows in the evening (tickets are required).
Plans are weather dependent and subject to change.
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This email is written by Karel Vega, community editor at The ‘Gander. Have a question or comment? Reply back to this email!
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