Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day. So, let’s get to the news.

Air quality alert issued for 14 Michigan counties as wildfire smoke returns

An air quality alert has been issued for 14 Michigan counties, including in Metro Detroit, as Canadian wildfire smoke returns to the area this weekend.

Learn more here.

Spongy moth caterpillars are still a nuisance in Michigan: What to know

Though their population has been on the decline, spongy moth caterpillars continue to be a nuisance.

Spongy moth caterpillars cluster on oaks and other deciduous trees and eat their leaves, leaving the trees vulnerable to disease and other pests. During large outbreaks of these caterpillars, debris and the BB-sized pellets of frass (droppings) they leave behind can be a nuisance.

Read the report here.

Why Michigan has designated two bovine tuberculosis testing areas

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) was detected in wild deer in some Michigan counties, causing officials to designate two bovine TB testing areas.

Bovine TB was detected in wild deer in Benzie, Crawford, and Otsego counties, during the 2023 season. Because of that, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has designated two testing areas.

Read more here.

The steps Metro Detroit homeowners should take to combat high-end house thefts

Crews of thieves are continuing to target high-end homes across Metro Detroit, stealing valuable items while homeowners aren’t there.

Authorities in Oakland County say the teams of thieves are actually coming from Chile, and are targeting houses throughout the United States. Here in Michigan, high-end homes have been targeted in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, and the issue continues.

See the lists here.

Weather forecast: Air quality alert, sunshine, and warm temps to start the weekend across Metro Detroit

LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) – It was a boring day for those coming up with Michigan’s next budget – which is exactly how the state treasurer likes it.

It’s “good for forecasting revenues and finalizing a budget,” said Rachael Eubanks.

Eubanks, along with the government’s other top bean counters gathered Friday to work on finalizing the annual budget for Michigan in the upcoming fiscal year. 

“Tax collections are strong. Corporate income tax, income tax withholding, and interest earnings are strong. Economic growth and higher wages are leading to higher income tax collections,” said Eubanks during a Zoom meeting.

She said individual spending was up and wage increases were outpacing inflation – both good indicators of a healthy economy.

“Our labor force is at its strongest since 2001,” said Eubanks.

The good news doesn’t stop there. Since last January, the state coffers have grown by $235 million dollars, which state officials were not expecting. 

That’s for lawmakers to spend as they compose the new state budget. The process has included criticism from Republicans, specifically from Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) who accused Democrats of “squandering the state’s $9 billion budget surplus on pet projects and corporate handouts in 2023.”

He also claimed the governor had raided the teacher pension fund to pay for her education budget.

While rare, it’s not outside of the possibility the state budget director would take a political shot at any lawmaker. But on Friday, Jen Flood did just that.

“The minority leader has a new found support for teachers and retirees it seems because his votes earlier on in his career cut funding for schools and taxpayers,” she said.

Despite concerns about the financial hit that electric vehicles could impose upon U.S. automakers, the state treasurer didn’t believe it would impact Michigan revenue streams for now. 

“I don’t think that’s a troublesome point yet,” Eubanks said. “We’ve seen really strong profit-sharing happen with the major car makers and while there is that potential risk on the horizon, its not something se can see today.

Lawmakers will try to have a finished state budget by the end of June. 

As if the instability of the NCAA’s transfer portal era hasn’t already overtaken college sports, particularly football, Friday night it reached a new level.

Michigan State football and Michigan made a virtual trade.

Shortly after losing starting safety Jaden Mangham to the rival Wolverines, the Spartans picked up a commitment from U-M transfer linebacker Semaj Bridgeman.

The 6-foot-2, 246-pound native of Philadelphia has all four years of eligibilty remaining after taking a redshirt during the Wolverines’ College Football Playoff championship season last fall. Bridgeman was a four-star recruit and the nation’s No. 300 overall player and No. 23 linebacker in the 2023 class, according to 247 Sports’ composite ratings.

OFFSEASON CHEAT SHEET: Can’t keep up with Michigan State football roster moves?

MSU faces U-M on Oct. 26 in Ann Arbor.

Bridgeman is new Spartans coach Jonathan Smith’s 24th incoming transfer since being hired in late November and 12th addition since spring practice ended April 20. He was the third player Friday to pledge to play this fall in East Lansing, along with safety Nikai Martinez (Central Florida) and cornerback Jeremiah Hughes (LSU).

With the Spartans, Bridgeman joins a linebacker room that continues to stockpile depth and talent under new defensive coordinator Joe Rossi.

Jordan Turner (Wisconsin) and Wayne Matthews III (Old Dominion) arrived in January as transfers, joining senior stalwart Cal Haladay, rising sophomore Jordan Hall, veteran Darius Snow and true freshman early enrollee Brady Pretzlaff during spring practice. MSU also picked up pledges in the past month from Marcellius Pulliam of Miami (Florida) and landed commitments from two of the state’s best linebackers for 2025 in Charles “DJ” White from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and DiMari Malone from Macomb Dakota.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.

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