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Morning Briefing

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025

In today’s newsletter, takeaways from Day 1 of police officer’s murder trial, Michigan bars/stores bought almost $2B in liquor last year and Pistons-Knicks controversy.

Yes, I’d like a lawn to mow

Around this time last year, I was searching for a new apartment that had everything I wanted at a fair price. With rent as high as it is, the search took months. When I finally found what I was looking for, I pounced—touring and applying for the unit the same day it was posted online. Someone still managed to beat me to it. Luckily, they ended up pulling out and the unit was mine.

So you can imagine my disappointment when learning that my landlord plans to sell, meaning I’ll have to move. This time around, I’m looking to buy.

Although I’ve only just begun my home-buying journey, I’m already looking forward to unlocking freedoms that apartment living has restricted. Even small things, like putting up bird feeders, feel exciting.

I’m not sure if I’ll find a home anytime soon, but a girl can dream of having her bird feeder.

Curated by Jamie Rewerts

Thunderstorm clusters with hail, high winds could hit Southeast Michigan today.

Should Michigan ban smartphones in K-12 classrooms? Lawmakers offer competing plans

House Republicans and Senate Democrats have introduced competing plans to limit smartphone use in Michigan’s K-12 public schools. Both plans seek to limit cellphone distractions in classrooms but go about it differently.

The plan offered by state Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, would require school boards to prohibit smartphone use during class time for all ages and implement additional cellphone restrictions for grades below high school. The plan from state Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, would require school boards adopt a smartphone use policy, but doesn’t prescribe what that includes. Instead, school boards would be required to craft a policy that somehow limits cellphone use during school hours and distractions in classroom settings. This could include a ban on cellphone use during class.

More from Lansing: A plan aimed at making Michigan communities safer by giving local police departments more money every year has cleared the state House with nearly unanimous, bipartisan support.

Read more

Takeaways from Day 1 of police officer’s murder trial for Patrick Lyoya’s death

The murder trial against Christopher Schurr, the former Grand Rapids police officer who is charged in the death of Patrick Lyoya, got underway with jurors seeing footage of the deadly encounter. Day 1 of testimony wrapped up Monday afternoon, April 28, with eight witnesses taking the stand. There wasn’t much new information revealed in court Monday that hasn’t been privy to the public for the last three years. A long first day in court featured opening statements from Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker and Mikayla Hamilton, one attorney on Schurr’s defense team.

For more of MLive’s coverage on the case, visit here.

Announced during a high-profile murder trial, a new bill proposed by a state representative would provide civil immunity to Michigan police officers who use deadly force when acting in self-defense.

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Michigan bars, stores bought almost $2B in liquor last year. See who spent the most.

Cheers: Michigan’s on- and off-premises liquor-selling establishments bought nearly $2 billion worth of distilled spirits wholesale through the state in 2024, roughly the same amount as 2023. Here’s a county-by-county mapdetailing the total amount bars, stores and venues spent in liquor last year for resale, as well as the top bar by sales in each county.

To know: Michiganders reading the fine print on their power bills will see a small monthly surcharge tick up slightly beginning later in 2025. Starting in September, the charge, known as the low-income energy assistance funding factor, will rise from 87 cents to $1.25 monthly.

In the air: Avelo Airlines, launching soon from Gerald R. Ford International Airport, is facing backlash from the state of Connecticut over its contract with the Department of Homeland Security.

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Shaq, Barkley, others chime in on Pistons-Knicks controversy

Many stunned fans were still in their seats at Little Caesars Arena following the Detroit Pistons’ 94-93 loss to the New York Knicks Sunday when officials admitted they blew the final call. That’s when you know it was egregious. Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t understand how this happened.

“Why you missed the call?” O’Neal said. “You’re standing right next to him. You’re this close. You shouldn’t have missed that call.”

The United Football League is investigating an altercation with a fan that took place after the Michigan Panthers’ game against the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday involving wide receiver Samson Nacua.

Read more

Catch a sneak peek of Tulip Time’s Dutch Dancers before festival crowds arrive

More than 800 Dutch Dancers are warming up their wooden clogs this week before Tulip Time Festival performances kick off on Friday, May 2. Before thousands of visitors descend upon the small lakeshore town, the dancers will be practicing Thursday, May 1 in Centennial Park.

5 Upper Peninsula waterfalls: This past winter’s return to an old-fashioned snowfest means one cool part of spring and early summer travel in the Upper Peninsula is getting turned way up: The roar of waterfalls.

Michigan’s National Cherry Festival has added more star power to its concert lineup in the form of a 3-time ACM winner. Country music superstar, Trace Adkins, will perform at the festival in Traverse City on June 30.

Read more

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That’s all for this Tuesday

Thank you for joining me on today’s edition of the Morning Briefing.

As always, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you’re there, consider becoming a subscriber.

Have a good day!

– Jamie Rewerts

OTHER TOP STORIES

• Michigan Congressman introduces articles of impeachment against President Trump

• Two suspects turned over to ICE after anti-predator group’s sting near Howell

• Iranian national returned to Canada after agents find him with paddleboard in Michigan
• Second Democrat looks to unseat Shri Thanedar, calls congressman ‘out of touch’
• Michigan safety had second surgery on ACL, ‘trending’ toward fall return

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