Gov. Whitmer signs gun reform bill into state law
The new law establishes universal background checks and safe storage for guns. Gov. Whitmer signed this legislation into law on the morning of April 13 — exactly two months after the deadly shootings at Michigan State University.
Detroit’s first live-consumption cannabis event is coming this month
The third annual 420 Music Fest has announced that this year’s event will be a block party that features live DJs, entertainment, and new for this year, marijuana. This is the first event in the city that will allow for cannabis consumption on-site. It all kicks off at noon on April 29 in the area surrounding 2000 Brooklyn Street. You must be at least 21 years old to attend.
MOCAD announces first solo exhibition by Detroit artist Sydney G. James
Girl Raised in Detroit is the first solo exhibition for the Detroit native and explores what safe spaces and freedom are for Black people and celebrates human resiliency and perseverance in the face of historical traumas. It will be on display April 14-Sept. 4, 2023.
Automatic criminal record expungement in Michigan has begun
Under the Clean Slate Act, which took effect in April 2021, state police and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget developed an automated system to expunge certain misdemeanors and felonies, thus removing barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities for people convicted of a crime who have served their time.
Ford is making hitching a trailer easier by using AI
Ford has introduced Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, an industry-first technology, that uses a rear camera and corner radars to align the trailer coupler with the hitch while also controlling the truck’s speed, steering, and brakes. It is available on the F-150, F-150 Lightning, and the F-Series Super Duty.
Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban has been struck from the state constitution
The long-dormant, near-century old law made it a four-year felony to assist in an abortion. Gov. Whitmer repealed the law on April 5 after voters overwhelmingly voted to enshrine abortion rights in Michigan’s constitution last November.
Detroit City Council approves $2.6 billion budget for the next fiscal year
The funds will go to housing-related issues and ways to compensate overtaxed residents. It will also quadruple the budget for recreation center improvements from $9.5 million to $39.5 million to support economic and infrastructure needs, home accessibility programs, historic sites, and more.
Pistons’ coach Dwane Casey to move to front office
Casey has announced that he is going to step down as the Pistons’ coach but will stay with the organization in a front office position. He has coached the team since 2018 and makes the move after a 17-65 season last year.
United Wholesale Mortgage has unveiled 1% down home loans
The Pontiac-based mortgage lender has announced it will allow homebuyers to purchase a home with a 1% down payment. UWM will then add an additional 2%, up to $4,000, which will give the borrower a total of 3% for their down payment. The goal is to help potential homebuyers reach their minimum down payment faster and easier.
Michigan native to have ashes launched into space
Gordon Brown, who grew up in Birmingham, was fascinated with the Space Race of the 1950s. Brown died in 2020 and his family has since opted to allow Texas-based Celestis to fly his cremated remains into outer space. Celestis has offered the option since the ‘90s and charges $3,000 for a launch and return to Earth, $5,000 to be launched into Earth’s orbit, and $13,000 to send the ashes to the moon or have them launched into deep space.
New bill package in the Michigan Senate hopes to tackle looming affordable housing crisis
Homebuyers in urban and rural communities throughout the state are increasingly encountering affordable housing shortages. A four-bill package to ease this issue was recently approved by the state Senate and would allow “local governments to offer subsidies on certain affordable housing redevelopment projects through tax increment financing.” The bills must first pass the House and be signed by Gov. Whitmer to take effect.
Downtown Detroit Partnership proposes plan to update Grand Circus Park
If approved, the proposal would make the park more pedestrian-friendly by adding a median in Woodward Ave. to safely connect the two halves of the park, along with monuments, fountains, sidewalks and landscaping, a new civic plaza, a café, and more.
Researchers find shipwrecks from 1914 in Lake Superior
The C.F. Curtis was towing the schooner barges Selden E. Marvin and Annie M. Peterson as they were moving lumber from Michigan to New York in 1914 when they went down in a storm. There were 28 people killed. Researchers found the wrecks of the Curtis and the Marvin about 20 miles north of Grand Marais. They hope these discoveries will lead them to the wreck of the Peterson.
Michigan health care systems are easing up on masking rules
Several health care systems including Ascension Michigan, Detroit Medical Center, McClaren Health Care, and Henry Ford Health Systems are adjusting their universal masking policies three years after the start of the pandemic. New policies vary system.
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