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Country music star cancels Michigan International Speedway show, put on ‘strict vocal rest’

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Country music star cancels Michigan International Speedway show, put on ‘strict vocal rest’


BROOKLYN, MI – Up-and-coming country music artist Nate Smith has canceled all of his shows for June, including his prerace concert scheduled for Michigan International Speedway.

Smith was supposed to lead a concert at MIS on Sunday, June 8, prior to the FireKeepers Casino 400 NASCAR race. The show was part of the Busch Light Summer Music Series.

Smith’s doctors put him on “strict vocal rest” through the end of June.

“We’ve all come to the decision that the best way to get my voice fully back is to rest it for the first time in almost five years,” Smith wrote in a Facebook post. “This is the part that is so hard for me, because I have multiple bucket list shows coming up this month (including CMA Fest) and it breaks my heart knowing I won’t be there to see all of you.”

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MIS officials couldn’t be reached Wednesday afternoon to say whether there will be a different performer for the show, prior to Sunday’s race.

The concert was supposed to last for an hour on the grass field near the start/finish line. Fans didn’t need to purchase a separate ticket – anybody with Sunday tickets could watch the show.

Smith is a multi-platinum, award-winning country music artist. In 2024, he was named Billboard’s Rookie of the Year and Amazon’s Breakthrough Country Artist.

His most famous songs include “Whiskey on You,” “World on Fire,” “Wildfire” and “Bulletproof.”

Smith is scheduled to tour this summer on Jason Aldean’s Full Throttle Tour.

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No Faster Horses

Smith isn’t the only country music cancellation at MIS in 2025. The annual Faster Horses music festival was canceled for this summer. Organizers said they were “taking the year to make plans for a bigger and better Faster Horses.”

Track officials hope to have Faster Horses return in 2026.

Campground owner plans her own ‘mellower’ festival after Faster Horses cancellation

“Obviously we would rather have the event if we could. But it’s a pause year,” MIS President Joe Fowler said. “We have so many things that happen throughout the year here, especially in the summer, event-wise, that we’re going to keep a pretty busy schedule.

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“I have no reason to believe that Faster Horses won’t be back next year.”



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Dollar General grants fund Michigan literacy programs with $280K

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Dollar General grants fund Michigan literacy programs with 0K


Michigan schools, libraries and nonprofit groups are set to receive more than $280,000 in literacy funding, according to a community announcement issued by Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The money is intended to support reading and education programs across the state.

The grants are part of a nationwide single-day award total of nearly $16 million. The funding supports adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states where Dollar General operates.

In Michigan, the grants are expected to affect more than 9,600 people, according to the announcement.

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The grants are for nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools. According to the announcement, eligible groups must be within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center.

The money may be used for new technology, books, materials or software. The grants can help groups start literacy programs or expand existing ones.

Several Michigan organizations received grants of $10,000, the highest amount. Those recipients included:

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  • Adrian Rea Literacy Center in Adrian
  • Arab Community Center For Economic And Social Services (Access) in Dearborn
  • Literacy Center Of West Michigan in Grand Rapids
  • Houghton Lake Community Education in Houghton Lake
  • Livingston County Literacy Coalition in Howell
  • Goodwill Industries Of Southwestern Michigan in Kalamazoo
  • Kalamazoo Literacy Council in Kalamazoo
  • Capital Area Literacy Coalition / The Reading People in Lansing
  • The Global Institute Of Lansing
  • Van Buren Intermediate School District in Lawrence
  • Reading Patch Literacy Foundation Inc. in Niles
  • Grace Centers Of Hope in Pontiac
  • Oakland Literacy Council in Pontiac
  • Literacy And Beyond Inc. in Port Huron
  • Gigi’S Playhouse — Detroit LLC in Southfield
  • Southgate Community Schools in Southgate

Other larger grants included $9,999 for Wayne State University in Detroit, $9,500 for Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency in Tawas City and $8,500 for Plymouth-Canton Community Literacy Council in Plymouth.

The recipient list also included many grants of $3,000. Those went to:

  • Allendale Public Schools
  • Boys And Girls Club Of Alpena
  • Cedar Springs Public Library
  • Clinton Community Schools
  • Coloma Public Library
  • Mason County Eastern Elementary in Custer
  • North Dickinson County School in Felch
  • Wilson School Parent Advisory Committee in Herron
  • Hillman Community Schools
  • Ida Public Schools
  • Lawton Public Library
  • Luther Area Public Library
  • Saginaw African Cultural Festival Inc.
  • Sebewaing Township Library
  • Tekonsha Community Schools
  • Columbia Township Library in Unionville
  • Wakefield Public Library
  • Whitmore Lake Public Schools

Other awards listed were $2,000 for Taymouth Township Library in Burt; $2,100 for Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township; and $2,500 for Friends Of Cadillac Wexfod Public Library in Cadillac, Teamer Dreams Foundation in Eastpointe, Michigan Adult, Community & Alternative Education Association in Lansing and Palomino Hope Equine Experience in Tawas City.

The list also showed a $1,000 grant for Townline Elementary in Grand Rapids and a $4,500 grant for D House Of Angels in Pontiac.

Also receiving grants were Houghton Lake Community Education and Reading Patch Literacy Foundation in Niles.

A full list of grant recipients is available at dgliteracy.org.

“Since the foundation’s inception in 1993, our focus has remained on making meaningful investments in students, teachers and the organizations that support literacy and learning at every stage of life,” Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, said in the announcement. “These funds will help educators enhance their instruction and create opportunities that help empower students to reach their full potential.”

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This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.



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Michigan groom sentenced for killing his best friend on his wedding night

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Michigan groom sentenced for killing his best friend on his wedding night


FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man in Michigan who got married and then ran over his best friend that same day, killing him, after an alcohol-fueled argument was sentenced Monday to least 30 years in prison.

“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. … I will forever be sorry,” James Shirah said in Genesee County court.

Shirah, 24, was driving when his vehicle struck Terry Taylor Jr. in Flint, about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit, on Aug. 30, 2024. He and Savanah Collier were married earlier that day and the celebration had moved to a house.

James Shirah is sentenced to at least 30 years in prison during a hearing, Monday, May 11, 2026 in Flint, Mich. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP)

Shirah’s attorney had argued that the crash was not intentional. Prosecutors, however, said Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect before returning and striking Taylor, MLive.com reported.

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“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” Judge Khary Hanible said.

In April, Shirah pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other offenses. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.

“I hope that they throw the book at you,” Taylor’s cousin, Eren Taylor, said before Shirah received his sentence.

Shirah’s wife will be sentenced later in May for being an accessory.

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SW Michigan show returns as growing destination for vinyl collectors

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SW Michigan show returns as growing destination for vinyl collectors


BENTON HARBOR — Vinyl collectors and music fans are invited to dig through thousands of records and music collectibles at the Southwest Michigan Record Show.

The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 at Grand Upton Hall inside Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, according to a press release.

Now in its fourth season, the show features 25 vendors from five states, offering 70 tables filled with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, record supplies and music memorabilia.

Free admission begins at 10 a.m.

General admission is free starting at 10 a.m., while early entry is available at 8:30 a.m. for $5. Door prize drawings are planned for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., including $25 shopping certificates and record supplies from BCW Supplies. The first 75 attendees will receive free tote bags.

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A food truck will be on site, and cash is preferred for purchases. Some vendors may accept cards, PayPal, Venmo and other payment methods, but there is no ATM on site.

Vendors from across the Midwest and beyond

The show is expected to feature a wide selection of music genres, including classic rock, pop, ’80s, metal, punk, jazz, blues, R&B, country and soundtracks.

“This show is still being discovered, and that’s part of what makes it exciting,” event organizer Jeremy D. Bonfiglio said in the release. “We’ve built a strong group of experienced vendors, so whether you’re just getting into vinyl or digging for something rare, there’s a real opportunity here to find something unexpected.”

Free parking is available near the entrance of Mendel Center, 2755 Napier Ave.

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Future dates planned

The Southwest Michigan Record Show is also scheduled to return Sept. 19.

For more information, visit southwestmichiganrecordshow.com or follow the event on Facebook.

This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing.



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