Elizabeth Washington

Michigan News

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Lawsuit: Michigan farm exploited immigrant workers, gave them substandard living conditions

WEST OLIVE, Mich. – A lawsuit has been filed against a Michigan farm for human trafficking and violating the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.

Reported by The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC), the lawsuit has been filed against First Pick Farms located out of West Olive, Michigan.

According to the MIRC, First Pick Farms allegedly forced immigrant farmworkers to leave North Carolina in the middle of the night and placed them in vans traveling to Michigan in 2017.
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Drive behind the flame: How Henry Ford established a charcoal company in Michigan’s UP

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. – Barbecue season is here, and if you plan on grilling this summer, you will most likely pick up a bag of charcoal from the local grocery store.

Well, do you know where your charcoal is from? Kingsford Charcoal is one of the more popular brands out there. If you’re like me, this brand might be your dad’s go-to when planning for the next cookout.

So, what makes Kingsford Charcoal so special? Well, for starters, it has ties to Metro Detroit, which already scores more points
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Wilderness Trail Fire in Northern Michigan is 100% contained, DNR reports

The Wilderness Trail Fire that burned an estimated 2,400 acres in Northern Michigan is now contained, according to Michigan DNR.

The DNR announced on Tuesday evening that the fire, which burned 2,418 acres in size, is 100% contained.

Officials announced on Monday that Kneff and Staley Lake recreation areas have reopened, and railroad tracks north of 4 Mile Road have reopened to train traffic after inspection. Roads in Grayling Township within the impacted acres were set to open on Tuesday.

Mi
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Map: Where to find lighthouses in Michigan

Michigan lighthouses have been shining a light on the Great Lakes for centuries.

With more than 3,200 miles of shoreline, lighthouses greatly impact the water community.

Michigan is one of the few states in the nation with so many lighthouses, and they are all unique in different ways. The facilities are so popular that Vernors once launched limited-edition cans featuring our state’s lighthouses.

The oldest standing lighthouse in the Mitten is the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse in Port Huron. It was
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Miigwech Anishinaabe! Beloved toll collector retires after 3 decades of service at Mackinac Bridge

ST. IGNACE, Mich. – After 30 years, a beloved toll collector at the Mackinac Bridge has retired.

Pat Rickley has been described as an “ambassador of sorts” for the Michigan landmark. The Michigan Department of Transportation states that the toll collector has made thousands of acquaintances over the past three decades.

“Whether we’re talking about hunting, fishing, golfing, or quads, Pat has always been very welcoming and friendly,” expressed Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Chairman Patrick “S
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Graduate proposes to girlfriend during Michigan State University med school commencement ceremony

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Graduating with a degree is considered a milestone, but getting engaged on the same day? There’s something special about creating priceless memories like that as a Spartan.

Two graduates got engaged during their med school commencement ceremony at Michigan State University on Saturday, according to WILX, an NBC affiliate out of Lansing.

MSU graduate Ben Eastburg of Grand Rapids took the stage to help assist with the hooding of his girlfriend, Anne Opalikhin. After receivi
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Show off your Great Lakes pride! Michigan merch company partners with DNR as official supplier

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – A northern Michigan company has partnered up with Michigan DNR to be the department’s official apparel supplier for Michigan parks, trails, and waterways.

Great Lakes Proud has rolled out their Michigan State Parks Collection and announced the new merch line on Monday.

The company states that a portion of all sales from the collection will go back to the DNR to help preserve our parks, trails, and waterways.

“Our whole lives, we have loved exploring the outdoors. Growin
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Did you know the most ‘pure Michigan’ spirits can be found in Traverse City?

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Some of the purest Michigan spirits are produced out of Traverse City.

Grand Traverse Distillery was one of the first distilleries in Michigan. Founded by Kent Rabish in 2005, Grand Traverse Distillery was the 35th craft distillery in the United States when it became an LLC.

While the distillery has been producing more bourbon and whiskies, the Michigan company didn’t start with those two spirits at the beginning of its liquor journey.

“When we started, we were doing vo
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Nick Gilbert, son of Dan Gilbert, dies at 26 after battle with neurofibromatosis

Nicolas Gilbert, the son of Dan Gilbert, died on Saturday at the age of 26.

The 26-year-old graduated from Michigan State University in 2020. To many, Nick Gilbert was a good luck charm for the Cleveland Cavaliers after the NBA Draft Lottery in 2011, where the Cavs secured the No. 1 pick.

Nick Gilbert suffered from neurofibromatosis, a nerve disorder that causes tumors to grow anywhere in the body, at any time. According to his obituary, he passed away peacefully at home.

Neurofibromatosis (N
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Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein takes leave for mental health treatment

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard H. Bernstein announced he would be taking a short-term leave for mental health treatment outside of the state.

Bernstein announced the news on Tuesday, saying he will not be joining the rest of the court for its Oral Argument special session in Cheboygan later this month.

“The trust and confidence that the people of the state of Michigan place in me to serve in this role means so much to me,” stated Bernstein. “At the same time, I appreci
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Michigan attorney Geoffrey Fieger recovering from stroke after having heart procedure

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Metro Detroit attorney Geoffrey Fieger is recovering from a stroke, his law firm and family reported on Wednesday.

The law firm confirmed that Fieger is awake and resting following his procedure.

Fieger’s wife, Kennie, wrote that her husband had an elective and standard procedure to deal with a minor heart arrhythmia on March 1. After the procedure, medical officials determined that the attorney suffered from a stroke. Kennie stated that the recovery time for her husband is
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Crews battle massive fire at historic yacht club on Harsens Island

HARSENS ISLAND, Mich. – Six houses at the historic Old Club on Harsens Island caught fire on Wednesday.

Harsens Island is located on the St. Clair River, and The Old Club has been a staple for almost 150 years.

Facing Canada, The Old Club is a yacht club that was originally only available by a regular ferry service. According to the website, guests could get to the club in just one hour when they departed from Woodward Avenue.

The original club had 26 boathouses and a clubhouse and was built
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Watch: Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s 2023 State of the State speech addressing her 2nd term

Good evening, Michigan. It’s great to be back in the Capitol.

And it feels even better to be making history. I am honored to stand between Speaker Joe Tate and Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. Both are firsts—the first Black Speaker and the first woman Majority Leader. They will certainly not be the last.

Speaker Tate, Majority Leader Brinks, Minority Leader Hall, and Minority Leader Nesbitt—I look forward to our partnership centered on problem solving. It’s what Michiganders deserve.

Let’s als
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Michigan native makes it on Forbes 30 under 30 list for high-end women’s ski apparel brand

A woman from west Michigan has made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for retail and e-commerce as she co-founded a high-end women’s ski apparel brand.

Michigan State University alumna and Silver Lake native Ariana Ferwerda made the list after co-founding “Halfdays.”

“We’re on a mission to shake up the outdoors. Fun and fashion deserve a seat next to technical gear, and we’re crafting stylish outdoor wear that gets more women excited about getting outside and out on the mountain. Are you ready
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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sworn in for second term in Lansing

“Hello Michigan! I am honored to be here and excited to get to work.

First, I want to acknowledge my family—my daughters Sherry and Sydney, my husband Marc, my dad, Dick Whitmer, my sister Liz, brother Richard, and my step-sons Mason, Alex, and Winston. I could not do this without their love and support.

I want to thank all the statewide leaders with us today: my partner in governance Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist. Our Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
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Carhartt announces expansion, 125 more jobs at Dearborn headquarters

DEARBORN, Mich. – Carhartt has announced the expansion of its Dearborn headquarters and 125 new job positions.

On Monday, the Whitmer Administration made a statement about the project as it is getting support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.

According to a press release, the new jobs and expansion are expected to generate a total capital investment of $4.65 million.

“My administration has been laser-focused on growing our economy. We’re working hard in a bipartisan fashion to ensure Michigan
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Board of Geographic Names vote to remove offensive slur from federal use in Michigan

The Board of Geographic Names has voted to replace 650 geographic features across the United States that use the offensive term “squ--.”

The board’s final vote was announced Friday. The term has been historically used as an offensive slur for Indigenous women. Officials state the removal of the slur is effective immediately.

“Words matter, particularly in our work to make our nation’s public lands and waters accessible and welcoming to people of all backgrounds. Consideration of these replacem
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A taste of the UP for Michigan ‘trolls’: Where to find pasties in the Lower Peninsula

Pasties are beloved by Michiganders, so what better way to celebrate the Upper Peninsula than with the savory treat?

The savory, midwestern-style empanada is what fueled mine and coal workers who worked in the Upper Peninsula. The baked pastry is originally from the United Kingdom, and beyond some of the original flavors, there are many variations that can be found in Michigan.

According to Delighted Cooking, meat pies seem to have originated in Cornwall, England in the 1800s. But, references
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Erwin Orchards & Cider Mill to close after 102 years; Blake’s taking over

SOUTH LYON, Mich. – A Metro Detroit orchard and cider mill is closing its doors after 102 years.

Erwin Orchards Inc. announced on Tuesday that it has harvested its last crop. Blake’s will be taking over.

The Erwin and Emery families are retiring, and Linda Erwin wrote on the orchard’s Facebook page about their gratitude for the business. Bill and Linda Erwin were the fourth generation running the orchard. The couple has been working on the farm for over 54 years. According to the orchard’s web
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Locals speak out about Gaylord tornado, impact on the Northern Michigan community

GAYLORD, Mich. – Locals speak about the homes and businesses that were left destroyed after a tornado went through Gaylord, Michigan.

“It was on the ground for two miles,” said a Gaylord resident.

Culver’s manager, Jayme Elya explained that she saw the tornado go destroy the Hobby Lobby off of M-32.

A woman was injured due to debris at the Culvers. The woman dropped in front of the Culver’s window as the tornado was passing through.

She had metal and glass that gashed into her.

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