Latest news with #PureMichigan
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Michigan offers several license plate choices. Many drivers keep things basic
Michigan has added new license plate styles in recent years, bringing back throwback plates from the 1960s — and letting Michiganders celebrate their favorite colleges. Despite the variety of options, the most popular license plate among Michiganders remains the "Pure Michigan plate," with 794,971 plates issued in 2024, according to the Secretary of State's office — outselling the other three state-themed options combined. The plate, originally introduced in 2013, is Michigan's standard license plate. Specialty plates typically cost more to place on a vehicle. There are about 8.6 million vehicles registered in Michigan, the Department of Transportation said. Here's a breakdown of each license plate in Michigan and their costs: The Mackinac Bridge plate showcases one of Michigan's most recognized landmarks. The bridge is featured in the center of the plate, with a yellow sunset creating a silhouette. Drivers requested 200,996 Mackinac bridge plates in 2024. The Water-Winter Wonderland plate allows Michigan drivers to celebrate the state's seasons. Drivers requested 348,964 plates in 2024. First issued in 1965, and re-issued at the beginning of 2021, it has a maize-and-blue design, similar to University of Michigan's colors. The Water Wonderland plate, originally issued in 1954, celebrates Michigan's rich heritage of tourism, lakes and waterways. The plate with the green-and white-design draws comparisons to Michigan State University's colors. Drivers requested 149,511 of these plates in 2024. The specialty plates cost an additional $5. The new throwback plates already had brought in more than $6 million in additional revenue for the state by mid-2024. In addition to the fee for a new plate, and the additional fee for one of the specialty plates, there is a $30 fee to request a new personalized plate, or a $15 fee to renew a personalized plate. The state offers options for special-cause plates. They cost $35 each, plus other fees, with $25 going to the organization. There are 15 different university plates available, 30 military or veterans plates and six for special organizations. Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@ Lansing State Journal reporter Matt Mencarini contributed reporting. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Pure Michigan' is state's most popular license plate, officials say
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Michigan offers several license plate choices. Many drivers keep things basic
Michigan has added new license plate styles in recent years, bringing back throwback plates from the 1960s — and letting Michiganders celebrate their favorite colleges. Despite the variety of options, the most popular license plate among Michiganders remains the "Pure Michigan plate," with 794,971 plates issued in 2024, according to the Secretary of State's office — outselling the other three state-themed options combined. The plate, originally introduced in 2013, is Michigan's standard license plate. Specialty plates typically cost more to place on a vehicle. There are about 8.6 million vehicles registered in Michigan, the Department of Transportation said. Here's a breakdown of each license plate in Michigan and their costs: The Mackinac Bridge plate showcases one of Michigan's most recognized landmarks. The bridge is featured in the center of the plate, with a yellow sunset creating a silhouette. Drivers requested 200,996 Mackinac bridge plates in 2024. The Water-Winter Wonderland plate allows Michigan drivers to celebrate the state's seasons. Drivers requested 348,964 plates in 2024. First issued in 1965, and re-issued at the beginning of 2021, it has a maize-and-blue design, similar to University of Michigan's colors. The Water Wonderland plate, originally issued in 1954, celebrates Michigan's rich heritage of tourism, lakes and waterways. The plate with the green-and white-design draws comparisons to Michigan State University's colors. Drivers requested 149,511 of these plates in 2024. The specialty plates cost an additional $5. The new throwback plates already had brought in more than $6 million in additional revenue for the state by mid-2024. In addition to the fee for a new plate, and the additional fee for one of the specialty plates, there is a $30 fee to request a new personalized plate, or a $15 fee to renew a personalized plate. The state offers options for special-cause plates. They cost $35 each, plus other fees, with $25 going to the organization. There are 15 different university plates available, 30 military or veterans plates and six for special organizations. Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@ Lansing State Journal reporter Matt Mencarini contributed reporting. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Pure Michigan' is state's most popular license plate, officials say
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Travel Brand Pure Michigan Sets Sights on Growing the State's Culinary Reputation, Elevating Agritourism
Recent James Beard Award nomination for The Cook's House and upcoming, inaugural Traverse City Food & Wine Festival highlight destination's agricultural diversity and farm-to-table experiences CHICAGO, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IPW – Coming off a thrilling James Beard Award nomination for The Cook's House restaurant honoring co-chefs Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson, Pure Michigan, the beloved travel brand responsible for attracting and inspiring tourism to the Great Lakes State, says it wants the destination to be known just as much for its noteworthy chefs and fresh agriculture as it's known for Detroit-style pizza and coney dogs. From its fertile farmlands, orchards, and vineyards to its expansive freshwater lakes and rivers, Michigan's unique geography and agricultural diversity provides an ideal environment for local and in-season cooking and dining. "People know Michigan for its incredible freshwater beaches and idyllic fall escapes," said Kelly Wolgamott, Vice President of Pure Michigan. "But they may not know Michigan for the Traverse Wine Coast or the decorated chefs and restaurateurs relocating from mega food cities like Chicago, Las Vegas, and New York to build their culinary dreams in Michigan. That's why we're inviting travelers to plan their next great culinary vacation in Pure Michigan." While travelers to Michigan will find a range of spotlight ingredients and cuisines in different regions of the state—white fish and wine in Northern Michigan, craft beer and Mexican fare in Grand Rapids and East African, Asian, and Lebanese fare in Metro Detroit—locally grown, brewed, cultivated, caught, and foraged ingredients are a recurring theme across Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas. It's a big part of what inspires chefs and restaurateurs in Michigan. Michigan restaurants, chefs, and beverages have been increasingly recognized in the last several years by culinary media, institutions, and competitions. More than 150 Michigan chefs have earned James Beard Award nominations over the last 35 years, and the state hosts numerous food-centric celebrations throughout the year, such as the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Romeo Peach Festival, Michigan Honey Festival in Corunna, and the Romulus Pumpkin Festival—plus a variety of beer, wine, cider, spirits, and other craft beverage events featuring local flavors. Michigan's culinary story will be further elevated August 20-24, 2025 at the first Traverse City Food & Wine Festival, a multi-day event featuring nationally recognized chefs and culinary personalities showcasing the bounty of the Traverse City region's amazing agriculture, craft, and creativity. Beyond destination dining, Pure Michigan produces several food and beverage collaborations each year with Pure Michigan-branded beer via Short's Brewing, pie via Grand Traverse Pie Company, and fudge in partnership with Mackinac Island and Ryba's. For travelers looking to get inspired by Michigan's rich flavors and experiences, visit About Michigan Economic Development CorporationThe Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at Follow along or join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube. Traverse City Food & Wine FestivalTraverse City Food & Wine will kick off on Wednesday, August 20th with a Harvest Blessing Ceremony and cooking demonstrations at the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market and an Opening Night Patio Party at Delamar. A full list of events and participating talent is available at Media Contact:Elise QuintanaFINN Partners on behalf of Pure View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Pure Michigan Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Glowing rocks in the U.P.? What to know about 'Yooperlites'
Most people do their rock hunting during the day, but you can't find "Yooperlites" until the sun goes down. Yooperlites are rocks that fluoresce in the dark under ultraviolet light. They became known when a UP resident discovered them in 2017, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. Spring is the best time to search for Yooperlites and other rocks, according to Pure Michigan, because winter ice moved beach sand and stones around, and now has broken up for the season, leaving newly unearthed stones along Lake Superior's shoreline to be discovered. Throughout the year, the best time to seek Yooperlites and other stones is after a storm, when waves have disrupt and uncover new rocks. Here's what to know about the rock that is found in the Upper Peninsula along Lake Superior: Yooperlites are a variety of sodalite-rich syenite found in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Syenite is a coarse-grained, plutonic (intrusive) igneous rock that primarily consists of the minerals feldspar, typically orthoclase feldspar, and often includes smaller amounts of other minerals such as hornblende, mica, or amphibole. Unlike granite, which is another common intrusive igneous rock, syenite contains minimal to no quartz, Geology Science said. Sodalite is a deep blue to blue-violet mineral best known for its use in jewelry, sculpture, and decorative stonework. Sodalite forms in igneous rocks that crystallized from sodium-rich, silica-poor magmas. That's how it got its name—soda + lithos, or 'sodium stone," according to Rock Your World gem & art gallery. In normal light, a Yooperlite looks like granite. Sodalite replaces quartz, so the larger the mineral size, the brighter the shine, EGLE said. There are roughly five classes of Yooperlites: Gemmy (mostly Sodalite or large sodalite crystal, the entire specimen glows orange) Snowflake or Flower (similar to snowflake obsidian, large blotches on the surface that look like snowflakes, but crystal glow does not penetrate into the interior) Striated (sodalite fills cracks in the rock matrix, so appears as orange lines or veins) Spray Paint (tiny crystal droplets scattered around the surface) Galaxy (larger crystals than spray paint that are dispersed in the rock that glow like the night sky, crystals penetrate the matrix) The rocks can be found in different areas throughout Michigan, but are most likely to be found in the Upper Peninsula along Lake Superior, often on beaches near Grand Marais and in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Yooperlites can be found as loose pebbles and cobbles along many Lake Superior beaches and even in some inland gravel pits. The stones are derived from igneous rocks near Marathon, Ontario, known as the Coldwell Alkaline Complex and were transported into Michigan by glaciers during periods of continental glaciation. How to search for them: Start with a beach that has known stones Get a good UV light (365 wavelength) Wear safety glasses with UV protection Take along a garden tine rake to move the deposited gravel around or to reach out into the water. Yooperlites may not shine on all surfaces, so moving stones around will increase your chance of seeing them Be strategic: Use a sweeping side-to-side motion for better coverage and light angle about 6 to 8 feet in front" Walk at a normal pace and shine the light with a sweeping motion. According to the EGLE, one person can not exceed 25 pounds per year on state-owned and public trust lands. These identification techniques, according to the EGLE, can help rock hunters determine the type of rocks they have: Color (also color of a "streak" if it can be made by swiping the specimen on a piece of porcelain, creating a powder) Luster (shiny, dull, glassy) Fluorescence (shines under UV light) Shape/structure (crystal form or amorphous?) Breakage (how does it break apart, cleavage or fracture?) Density/specific gravity (can get an idea by "hefting" to see if it's heavy for its size) Magnetism Smell Radioactivity The stones can be found across multiple locations in Michigan including: Eagle River Beach Whitefish Point Muskallonge State Park Grand Marais Beach Bay Furnace Beach Pebble Beach Agate Beach Misery Bay Black River Harbor Beach Agates are formed when gas bubbles in lava leave a hole in the "vesicle" in the rock, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Silica (silicon dioxide) solutions flow into the hole in the host rock and fill it up over time, making the bands, the news release says. Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What to know about 'Yooperlites.' How to find Michigan's glowing rocks
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ready to cast off for summer? Where to boat across Michigan in 2025
Summer boating season in Michigan is getting underway, and boaters are already hitting the water. A day out on clear, sparkling waters with loved ones offers a perfect summer getaway for Michigan boaters. The state is a boat lover's paradise, boasting four of the Great Lakes and 11,000 inland lakes, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. "In Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles away from a lake, river or stream, so you never have to travel far to find a boaters paradise," Pure Michigan says. Here's what to know. When the day on the lake is done, consider docking in these areas and checking out nearby cities. Charlevoix: This northwest Michigan city borders Lake Charlevoix, Round Lake, the Round Lake Channel and Lake Michigan. The Charlevoix City Marina is open for the season and features a boaters' lounge, floating docks, laundry facilities, a splash pad and restrooms. Nearby, the city features restaurants, hotels, a dog park and gardens. Detroit: The Motor City runs along an international border at the Detroit River. Among several docking options is the Riverside Marina, with the clubhouse featuring a jacuzzi, heated swimming pool, showers, locker room and laundry facilities. Downtown Detroit and nearby Midtown are packed with restaurants, museums, hotels, parks, theaters, shopping and sports venues. Holland: Holland borders Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa River, flowing toward Lake Michigan. Docking includes the Yacht Basin Marina, with a conference center and vacation rental units. The tourist town with Dutch heritage features tulip gardens, restaurants, a lighthouse, Dutch Village, museums, hotels and state parks. Higgins Lake State Park: North and South Higgins Lake State Park near Roscommon in northern Michigan are on Higgins Lake. The state parks provide boat launches, cabins, campgrounds, sandy beaches, a picnic area and hiking trails. Saginaw Bay: Along the bay on Lake Huron, cities in the thumb and central Michigan offer docking, including Bay City, Caseville, Au Gres and Linwood, among others. The region offers fishing, restaurants, parks, shopping and summer festivals, with Saginaw on the Saginaw River, and Frankenmuth short a drive farther inland. Here are six places to boat on in Michigan, according to Pure Michigan: Great Lakes: Enjoy boating on the vast waters of four Great Lakes bordering Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Lake Leelanau in Leland: This lake is split into two sections, North and South Lake Leelanau, featuring clear waters and a natural habitat of nearly 9,000 acres. Boaters can enjoy wildlife spotting and recreation, with nearby restaurants and vineyards for dining. in southeast Michigan: This popular metro Detroit lake connects Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake Huron. Lake St. Clair sees 3,000 freighters go through its shipping canal, and 150,000 boats registered in the area for recreation. Grand Lake in Alpena: In northeast Michigan, this over 8,900-acre lake features several small islands. The nearby Besser Museum for northeast Michigan highlights the region's wooden sailing and motorized boats. Gull Lake in Battle Creek: This lake in southwest Michigan offers regular sailboat racing with a yacht club, scuba diving, homes and cottages along the shores and a fishery. Torch Lake resembles the Caribbean in its deep, multi-tone color. At 18 miles in length, Torch is Michigan's longest inland lake. Its sand bars are so legendary that musician Kid Rock wrote a song about them. Torch also is the state's deepest lake. The village of Alden, on the lake's southeast curve, boasts one of the few public beaches. Michigan's "Inland Waterway" cuts across the tip of the mitten, starting north of Petoskey and ending at Cheboygan. Michigan's longest chain of rivers and lakes covers nearly 40 miles, including Pickerel Lake and Crooked Lake, the Crooked River, Burt Lake, the Indian River, Mullett Lake, the Cheboygan River, and finally into Lake Huron. The water trails connect seven state parks; numerous campgrounds, day-use parks, and resorts; 20 Little Traverse Conservancy Nature Preserves, and six communities. Boats must be registered and you can do so through the Michigan Department of State. Some boats also require a title if they're 20 feet long or longer, or have a permanently affixed engine. More: Planning a beach trip? These 10 Michigan beaches are worth checking out Registration is good for three years, expiring on March 31 of the third year, according to the state. Boat owners can renew online, via mail, at a self-service station or in-person at your local Secretary of State office. Check with your local boating access site for hours and rules. Most state-sponsored sites are closed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., says the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Life jackets must be on board and the type and number depend on the type of boat you have and how many people are on board, the Michigan DNR says. If you plan to take a pet, check whether pets are allowed and how to handle them. In Michigan, pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash and under the owner's immediate control and you must clean up after them and prevent them from interacting with wildlife. More: New Motown Museum exhibit honors the life and career of musician-songwriter Hank Cosby If you plan to fish or water ski, be sure to check local regulations, some inland lakes prohibit certain activities. It's illegal to operate a boat in Michigan while under the influence of alcohol, according to state law. Boaters with a 0.08% blood alcohol content or higher could face civil penalties like fines and imprisonment. Some boating access sites in Michigan ban drinking alcohol, the Michigan DNR said. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan boating in 2025. Inland waterway, great lakes, marinas, rules
