New laws in Michigan in 2023, this year’s Hour Detroiters list, & more metro Detroit news

Get up to date on the hottest headlines in southeast Michigan including Hour Detroiters, new Michigan laws, recreational marijuana in Detroit, and much more.
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Photograph by Ekaterina Boloctsove via Pexels.com.

The 2023 Hour Detroiters list is here.

A state senator who went viral, a singer-songwriter on a president’s playlist, a commodore, a rising soccer star, and more. The 12 individuals on the 2023 Hour Detroiters list are doing good things in the Motor City.

Here are 11 new Michigan laws going into effect in 2023.

Consumer protections for online purchases, rules to help service animal trainers, and personal finance courses in high school are among the new laws.

Avalon International Breads to close its flagship café in Detroit.

The owners of the beloved Midtown café have announced they will close their Willis St. location on Jan. 8. They will open a new location inside of Jolly Pumpkin on Canfield in February.

Wayne State University to launch the Detroit Center for Black Studies.

The Detroit Center for Black Studies will connect scholars from institutions throughout the state who work in the African American, African, and African-diaspora fields of study.

Ann Arbor humane society offers free adoptions for long-term residents.

The Humane Society of Huron Valley is waiving adoption fees for the pets who have been waiting a long time to find their forever home. Each pet that is adopted will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and given a health check. Find a list of qualifying animals on HSHV’s Gold Hearts Facebook group.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is sworn in for second term as Michigan’s governor.

Whitmer took her oath of office New Year’s Day outside the Michigan Capitol. During the ceremony, she outlined policy priorities including combating climate change, investing in education, reducing taxes on seniors, and gun reforms.

Detroit dispensaries can now sell recreational marijuana.

This marks a long-awaited moment for businesses and consumers alike who have been waiting for the city to allow recreational marijuana sales since it was legalized in the state in 2018.

Rev. Jesse Jackson is hosting a free MLK Day rally in Detroit.

Taking place Jan. 16 at the Fox Theatre, the Let Freedom Ring event is free and open to the public. The event will honor six Detroiters whose work “expound the life of Dr. King.”

Michigan U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow won’t seek new term in 2024.

The longtime senator announced she will leave the U.S. Senate at the end of her term in January 2025. The Clare native has been in office since 2001 and was Michigan’s first female U.S. Senator.

Apply for Mackinac Island’s artist-in-residence program by Jan. 13.

The Mackinac State Historic Parks program is open to artists of all mediums and is designed to encourage the creation of works inspired by the history and beauty of the island. Eight, two-week residencies are available this year.

Eastern Market Brewing Co. launches a line of non-alcoholic beer.

The brewery has debuted two gose-style sours, grapefruit and tangerine, available at several local retailers as well as Ferndale Project and Lincoln Tap in Royal Oak.


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