News & Fun in Michigan
Site announcements of changes that affect the Thumbwind website are highlighted.
News and events of Michigan’s Upper Thumb that are worth knowing in the region.
Here are some of the top stories.
As winter recedes in the upper Great Lakes, ice cover diminishes, impacting weather and lake activities. Current ice conditions show minimal coverage across the lakes, with updates provided daily for ongoing monitoring of these changes.
Michigan’s unemployment rose to 5.5% in March, the third consecutive increase, driven by job losses in manufacturing and business services. The state lags behind national employment trends, with significant challenges in workforce retention and participation highlighted by economic experts.
Michigan participates in a national initiative to safely collect unused prescription drugs to combat abuse and environmental harm. Statewide take-back events aim to prevent misuse, protect communities, and enhance environmental safety, with year-round disposal options available for residents.
Michigan House Bill 4013 aims to clarify trespassing signage requirements for landowners by mandating signs every 250 feet along property boundaries. This bipartisan-supported legislation seeks to enhance enforcement and reduce confusion regarding recreational trespass protection rights.
Michigan’s April fishing report highlights mixed results due to chilly waters and spring storms. While access challenges persist, anglers are successfully catching coho salmon, steelhead, and walleye in certain areas, particularly along Lake Michigan’s southern shores and the Saginaw River.
Bay City officials assert that despite the foreclosure of the DoubleTree Hotel, the investment significantly benefited the local economy, generating over $8 million in revenue and fostering downtown revitalization, with new ownership expected to maintain its positive impact.
Michigan’s new “Ticket to Tuition” initiative, led by Governor Whitmer, offers $1 million in prizes to encourage FAFSA completion among students. First-time filers can win cash for education, aiming to improve college affordability and participation rates statewide.
Timothy Baugher, former president of Asphalt Specialists LLC, was sentenced to six months in prison for conspiring to rig asphalt contract bids in Michigan. The case highlights widespread corruption, impacting infrastructure projects and public trust statewide.
