A lot of Michigan families have spring break coming up, and if you’re not traveling, those early days of relaxation could quickly turn into a constant cry of “What are we doing today?” from the kids.

But staying home doesn’t have to mean missing out because, no matter where you are in the state, you can still turn the whole break into something memorable. Today, The ’Gander’s Chaunie Brusie shows you how.

Plus: Do you know the history behind Kalamazoo’s name?

Vance says gas prices to remain high for ‘weeks’ during Michigan visit (Bridge Michigan): Vice President JD Vance said during his visit to Michigan this week gas prices may stay elevated for several weeks due to the war with Iran, but called the spike temporary. Critics, meanwhile, said that Vance’s speech was damage control in the wake of high prices on gas and other goods.

Retired Detroit officer accused of being serial rapist (The Detroit News): A retired Detroit police sergeant has been charged with multiple counts of kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct for allegedly assaulting five women at gunpoint between 1999 and 2003. Authorities said DNA evidence and an FBI lead helped link Benjamin Wagner to the cases decades later.

Warren backs McMorrow in US Senate race (Michigan Advance): Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow secured an endorsement from Elizabeth Warren in the state’s competitive US Senate Democratic primary. The backing adds to support from multiple sitting senators. The primary, which also includes candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens, is scheduled for Aug. 4.

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Get hands-on with the Kingdom Quest indoor interactive game at LEGOLAND Discovery Center in the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills, Mich. (LEGOLAND Discovery Center) 

By Chaunie Brusie

Spring break with a family is never easy. Finding a destination everyone likes, booking plane tickets and rooms and entertainment, planning and packing, and hoping no one gets sick at the last minute—it can be a lot. Plus, there’s the increased cost of, well, everything these days.

This spring break, our family decided to opt out of traveling and enjoy a staycation instead. While escaping Michigan’s winter temperatures at a beach resort sounds tempting, the chance to catch up on some lingering tasks at home and enjoy some destinations right in our home state sounds equally as refreshing.

A staycation can be just as fun as a vacation because it provides the chance to try things you wouldn’t normally do at home. I created a simple Michigan staycation itinerary for families you can follow and adapt to your own local area below, with more details on specific places our family is trying.

Kalamazoo and its river have a rich history dating back over 11,000 years that may have influenced its name. (Atomazul/Shutterstock)

By Chaunie Brusie

If you’re a native Michigander, or even just a visitor, you may know Kalamazoo for its famous Air Zoo (fun fact: the world’s largest indoor, hand-painted mural just so happens to be located in the Air Zoo, and it’s definitely worth a visit) or for being the birthplace of Gibson Guitars, but do you know how Kalamazoo came to be Kalamazoo?

Like many uniquely named Michigan cities, Kalamazoo has a few interesting stories and lore about how it earned its moniker. Here’s a closer look at the theories and history behind Kalamazoo’s name.

Invest in MI Kids recently announced it was suspending its campaign.

The ballot initiative aimed to raise income taxes for people making more than $500,000 a year or couples making more than $1 million by 5%, with the funds to be used exclusively for schools.

While the team wasn’t able to get the signatures needed to qualify for this year’s ballot we wanted to know how Michigander’s felt about it.

So, earlier this week, we asked readers:

Should we raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for public education?

Here’s what you had to say:

“YES YES YES!!!  Prior to Reagan the wealthy paid a lot more in taxes. They can afford to without even feeling it.  And as a result we had great infrastructure, fully funded public services, and schools had what they needed.  We need to go back to this.  And this bill is a good step in that direction.” — Sheri, Manistee

“I strongly feel that the rich should be taxed at a higher rate, but I’m not so sure it should be for one specific cause.  I think we have legislative bodies who should be making those kinds of decisions.” — Jerry, Lansing

“Yes. We support the higher tax on the super wealthy.  Our public schools need the extra help.” — John and Nydia, Marquette

“Yes, tax the rich.  They are better equipped to pay taxes and all of us gain from having a well-educated public.” — Kathy, Leland

“Yes, I support the initiative to have the rich pay more taxes.  I was disappointed to see that the petition initiative failed and I had not ever been at a place where I was able to sign one, unlike the ranked-choice voting ballot petition.” — Robbie, Traverse City

“No, we don’t need more taxes to pay more for our schools. We need to implement fixes to our school programs as other, poorer states have done.
I couldn’t find the article just now but either Louisianan or Mississippi implemented programs which greatly improved education results while spending much less per pupil than we already spend. However, I’m not against raising taxes on the wealthy to help pay for other programs. I just want my tax dollars to be spent efficiently, and too often the opposite is true. Thanks for asking.” — James, Michigan

“Yes, the taxes should be raised on the top 1% and the ones receiving $500,000.00+ per year to help fund public education. They don’t pay enough proportionately compared to what wage earners that earn less than that are made to pay. If they choose to be part of the community that they live in they must be made to contribute. They need to learn a long hard fought lesson that the 1950’s taught through the Spirit of Volunteerism inspired by Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administrations. If they choose to live, eat, shop in the same towns and cities as everyone else they need to help educate young people and children that will be the ones serving them food, waiting on them in retail stores, and changing the sheets at high priced resorts that they stay at. If they choose to stay and remain isolated and secluded and rarely seen then don’t make them pay more for public education rather make them pay more to fund charter schools. Maybe they will interact with these young people one day in their daily lives that few of us can ever imagine. Society is about everyone and community is everything.” — Kay, Illinois

“I think that we should tax the wealthy for schools. But the money should be only for schools and can’t be borrowed from for something else. Also the distribution should start with the neediest schools getting more than the top tier schools.” — Mary, Battle Creek

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.

*Responses may be edited for conciseness or clarity.

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Chaunie Brusie. It was edited by Brook Bolen.

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