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What’s the difference between Real and Enhanced ID? What to know in Michigan before May 7

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What’s the difference between Real and Enhanced ID? What to know in Michigan before May 7


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  • Starting May 7, 2025, Michigan residents will need a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card for domestic flights and to enter certain federal facilities.
  • Residents can obtain a Real ID by visiting a Secretary of State branch with required documentation, including proof of identity and legal presence.

Some Michigan residents who have Enhanced licenses may be wondering if those will satisfy the federal government’s requirement to have Real ID-compliant identification in order to fly domestically; here’s what you need to know ahead of the May 7 deadline.

Beginning May 7, residents in all states will need to comply with the new travel standards of the REAL ID Act of 2005 passed by Congress.

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In Michigan, a compliant Real ID license will include a star either in a circle or silhouette of Michigan; or with the U.S. flag icon on the front. Michigan’s enhanced ID’s, which allow entry to and from Canada, Mexico and Bermuda, satisfy the federal statute’s requirements.

As the deadline nears, Michigan’s secretary of state said many people are obtaining the Real ID-compliant process.

“Michigan’s REAL ID conversion rate for the week of April 7 was a record-breaking 82.8%, the Michigan secretary of state office said in an April 16 release. “The REAL ID conversion rate for the same week in 2024 was just 19%.”

As residents continue to get their Real ID’s, here’s what to know:

When does Real ID take effect?

On May 7, 2025, Michigan residents will need a Real ID to fly domestically and federal facilities under federal law.

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What is the difference between a Real ID and an Enhanced ID?

“Michigan’s old license and ID design, which is being phased out by January 2029, features a star in a gold circle to indicate REAL ID compliance,” the secretary of state said. “The state’s new license design features a star in a silhouette of Michigan. Both versions of the star are acceptable.”

Here are the two main differences between a standard Real ID and an enhanced ID:

  • Enhanced ID’s can be used in place of a U.S. passport for travel by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean.
  • Enhanced ID’s are marked with a U.S. flag icon on the front. (some ID’s have both the star and U.S. flag)
  • Enhanced ID’s include the title “ENHANCED DRIVER’S LICENSE”

A standard Real ID-compliant licenses will have only a star either in a gold circle, or in a silhouette of Michigan in the top right corner.

“State-issued Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and identification cards (EDL/EID) are designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by DHS under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and are an acceptable alternative to a REAL ID for boarding a commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants,” the Department of Homeland Security said.

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Five states that issue EDL/EIDs — Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington.

Another difference is that the enhanced ID will allow some foreign travel while a simple Real ID license is only for use domestically.

What happens if I have an Enhanced ID, but it doesn’t have a star?

Enhanced IDs with a star or flag are automatically Real ID-compliant because they meet the Department of Homeland Security standards.

“According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, TSA agents at airports will recognize enhanced licenses or enhanced IDs as valid REAL ID documents, even without the star,” the Michigan secretary of state said.

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If your ID does not include either versions of the star, the U.S. flag, or the word “ENHANCED” at the top of the card then it will not be accepted as proof of identity to board the plane, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.

How can you get Real ID in Michigan?

Book an appointment at your local secretary of state office to update your ID. Make sure you have these following documents with you:

  • Your current Michigan driver’s license or ID.
  • A valid, unexpired U.S. passport, birth certificate, or other proof of legal presence document.
  • A certified legal name-change document, if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate.

You can book an appointment online through the state’s website or call (888) 767-6424.

Who needs a Real ID in Michigan?

Anyone planning to board a domestic flight or access federal facilities, military bases or nuclear power plants needs a Real ID. International travel will continue to require a passport, which also serves as Real ID compliant identification for domestic flights.

What are some Real ID alternatives?

TSA-approved Real ID alternatives include:

  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card
  • DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
  • Border crossing card
  • An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
  • HSPD-12 PIV card
  • Foreign government-issued passport
  • Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
  • Transportation worker identification credential
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

How did Real ID come about?

Real ID compliance is part of a larger act passed by Congress in 2005 to set “minimum security standards” for the distribution of identification materials, including driver’s licenses, USA TODAY reported.

The law means certain federal agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security, won’t be allowed to accept state-issued forms of identification that don’t include a Real ID seal.

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Is DHS trying to build a database of our personal information?

REAL ID is a national set of standards, not a national identification card, DHS said. REAL ID does not create a federal database of driver license information.

Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique license, maintains its own records, and controls who gets access to those records and under what circumstances.

Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com



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Michigan

Michigan State baseball commit drafted in sixth round by Los Angeles Angels

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Michigan State baseball commit drafted in sixth round by Los Angeles Angels


A local product and Michigan State baseball commit has gotten drafted in the 2025 MLB Draft.

Logan LaCourse, a Bay City (MI) native, was selected with the No. 169 overall pick in the 6th round of the MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels. He has been committed to Michigan State since late 2023.

A product of Bay City Western High School, LaCourse was named Michigan’s Mr. Baseball and a first-team all-state player in 2025 as a 6-foot-4, 205 pound right handed pitcher.

It is unclear if LaCourse is going to sign with the Angels or forgo the draft this time around and sign to play with Michigan State next season. Surely, a competitive NIL offer will be on the table to compete with a minor league baseball contract.

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Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner





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2025 MLB Draft: Michigan baseball sends Mitch Voit to New York Mets at No. 38 overall

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2025 MLB Draft: Michigan baseball sends Mitch Voit to New York Mets at No. 38 overall


Michigan baseball second baseman Mitch Voit became the highest-drafted Wolverine since 2000; he was selected in the Competitive Balance Round A, as part of the first round, by the New York Mets at No. 38. The most recent Michigan player drafted in the first round was catcher Dave Parrish, who was taken at No. 28 overall by the New York Yankees.

Voit was the only Wolverine to start in every game this year and was a crucial part of Michigan’s roster. He led the team in slugging percentage and OPS, slashing .346/.471/.668. He also led the team in home runs (14) and walks (40).

Voit’s biggest selling point is his hitting, which he has focused on after pitching out of the bullpen for Michigan early in his college career. MLB Pipeline graded his power at 50 and deemed him “one of the best all-around hitters in the Big Ten Conference.”

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Voit attracted attention earlier this year when he mimed snorting a line of cocaine off third base in celebration of a triple in an 11-0 win over USC. Voit later apologized for the gesture in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “The gesture I made does not reflect my character, the household I was raised in, or the block M that I represent in any kind of way.”

The same day he issued the apology, he was named Big Ten Player of the Week for hitting .667 over five games, including going 3-for-3 with four RBIs in that USC game.



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Lansing ranks as one of the top bbq cities in Michigan. Here are 5 places to try some BBQ

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Lansing ranks as one of the top bbq cities in Michigan. Here are 5 places to try some BBQ


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  • Lansing offers a variety of award-winning barbecue restaurants.
  • Meat Southern BBQ and Carnivore Cuisine, Smoke ‘N Pig BBQ, and Saddleback BBQ are popular choices, each with unique menus and specialties.
  • Gravity Smokehouse Brew & Que combines barbecue with entertainment, while Capital City BBQ offers both traditional BBQ and Vietnamese cuisine.

Lansing recently ranked as one of the top 14 cities in Michigan serving up barbecue in a survey by a nationwide lawncare services company.

Michigan has a strong BBQ game, according to a recent survey from Lawnstarter, which ranked nearly 476 major U.S. cities and found 14 in Michigan, including Lansing, served up tasty barbecue.

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Several restaurants in Lansing have received awards for their reliable BBQ menus, including Meat Southern BBQ and Carnivore Cuisine, and the Smoke ‘N Pig BBQ.

Here are five barbecue restaurants to explore in Lansing.

What Michigan cities were ranked for best barbecue?

In Michigan, 14 cities were featured in the list of 476 locations:

  • Grand Rapids: ranked No. 80
  • Lansing: ranked No. 92
  • Detroit: ranked No. 100
  • Ann Arbor: ranked No. 106
  • Westland: ranked No. 140
  • Southfield: ranked No. 177
  • Livonia: ranked No. 184
  • Flint: ranked No. 268
  • Sterling Heights: ranked No. 301
  • Dearborn: ranked No. 308
  • Rochester Hills: ranked No. 310
  • Warren: ranked No. 313
  • Troy: ranked No. 378
  • Farmington Hills: ranked No. 429

Lansing’s Meat Southern BBQ and Carnivore Cuisine

What began as a backyard barbeque turned into an award-winning BBQ restaurant recognized at a local and national scale.

“Our delectable eats have been featured on both ‘Triple D’ and ‘Campus Eats’ on the Big10 Network. We had a great time sharing our passion for BBQ and showing the world what Makes Meat BBQ tick,” Meat said.

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For appetizers, customers can choose between the nachos, meat fries or smoked wings. Avoid filling up because their entrees include the “meat mountain,” which is a heap of potatoes, gravy, brisket, bacon and more. Meat plates are also included, such as, a half pound of pulled pork or chicken, smoked turkey and brisket.

Located at 1224 Turner Road in Old Town, the restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Tuesday-Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Smoke ‘N Pig BBQ has another loaded BBQ menu in Lansing

Another Lansing BBQ spot, Smoke ‘N Pig BBQ, evolved from a food truck to an award-winning restaurant. They previously competed in the Smokin’ Jazz and BBQ Blues Festival: This is a place that knows it’s a hometown favorite.

“Our smoked BBQ menu is packed full of all the smokey classics, from pulled pork to ribs to spicy rib tips. We also smoke Lansing BBQ favorites such as beef brisket and chicken wings,” Smoke ‘N Pig says.

Located at 908 Elmwood Road, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday-Saturday. Then, from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

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Some of their popular items are the loaded mac n’ cheese, pulled pork tacos, pulled pork nachos and more.

Their menu, decorated in flames, includes pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, spicy rib tips, jumbo chicken, turkey ribs and loaded pork or brisket fries.

Saddleback BBQ in REO Town Lansing and Okemos

“Saddleback BBQ is Lansing, Michigan’s premier craft BBQ joint. We feature authentic southern BBQ with a unique Midwestern flair. We smoke all of our meats on site in our multiple reverse-flow, wood-fed smokers,” Saddleback says. “We use a mixture of hardwoods sourced from the mid-Michigan area, which includes, apple, cherry, and hickory.

The menu offers combo plates, so customers can order a variety of meats and sides. Their menu also includes gluten free and dairy free brisket, pulled pork, ribs and chicken.

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There are two restaurant locations: REO town at 1147 S. Washington Ave., open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Sunday; and Okemos at 1754 Central Park Dr., open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Sunday.

Customers may order online as a delivery or “Pork & Go,” for a curbside pick-up. The kitchen also caters for events like weddings.

Gravity Smokehouse Brew & Que

At the Gravity Smokehouse, customers can browse the dinner menu, choosing between the BBQ flatbread or BBQ sandwiches while participating in one of their weekly events: music Bingo at 7 p.m. every Wednesday or trivia night at 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday.

According to the menu, specials include brisket philly, turkey bacon melt, BBQ nachos, gravity burger, brisket, sliced turkey, chili, BBQ cobb salad and their side of mac n’ cheese.

The smokehouse is located in Holt at 2440 Cedar St. and open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; from 7 a.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday; and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

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The kitchen also caters for events like weddings or business functions in Holt and Lansing.

Capital City BBQ

Capital City BBQ offers a unique menu, including Vietnamese entrees like egg rolls, noodle salad and the banh mi sandwich to classic barbecue meals like brisket, baby back ribs, smoked pulled chicken and pulled pork cheese fries.

On June 1, the restaurant celebrated it 10th anniversary in Lansing.

The kitchen also serves breakfast on the weekends, including breakfast eggrolls, bowls, homed biscuits and gravy, and the “piggyback ride,” an omelet stuffed with smoked ham with melted cheese.

According to Yelp, CCBBQ placed in the top 10 best BBQ restaurants in Lansing for 2025 — among Meat BBQ, Smoke ‘N Pig BBQ, Saddleback BBQ and the Gravity Smokehouse.

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The restaurant is located at 1026 Saginaw St., and open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Contact Sarah Moore smoore@lsj.com



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