blog - Michael Perna

Michigan’s Summer That Never Was: The Chilling Story of 1816

Imagine a Michigan summer where June feels like winter and July brings frost instead of fireworks. It sounds like folklore, but in 1816 this bizarre scenario was all too real. That year has gone down in history as the “Year Without a Summer,” a time when even Detroit, then a small frontier town, reportedly saw ice in every single month. More than two decades before Michigan became a state, its early settlers endured a summer so cold and strange that “Eighteen Hundred and Froze to Death” became folks’ grim nickname for the year. This article explores how that missing summer unfolded, why it happened, and how it shaped Michigan’s story, all told in the voice of a seasoned Michigander who knows and loves the local lore.

A Michigan Summer Lost to the…

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Michigan Property Tax Explained: What Every Homeowner Should Know

Picture two Metro Detroit houses listed at $150,000 each. Now imagine one will cost you over $4,000 more per year in taxes than the other, all because of the community it’s in. It’s a real scenario in Michigan. Many first-time buyers focus on sale price and interest rates, only to be caught off guard by how property taxes drive up their monthly mortgage payments. In fact, Michigan consistently ranks high in property tax rates (average effective rate ~1.35%, well above the U.S. average). Understanding how Michigan’s property taxes work isn’t just dull number-crunching, it’s essential knowledge that can save you from nasty surprises and help you budget smartly for your dream home. Let’s break down the basics of property taxes in Michigan, with a friendly…

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Why Mackinac Island Is the #1 Place on Earth to Ride a Bike

Michigan may be the land of the Motor City, but the world’s top biking spot isn’t Amsterdam or Copenhagen, it’s right here in the Great Lakes State. In a global ranking of nearly 3,000 cities, tiny Mackinac Island, Michigan earned the highest score of all, becoming the #1 place on Earth to ride a bike. In fact, Mackinac Island made history by scoring a perfect 100 in the PeopleForBikes 2025 “Best Places to Bike” ratings, the first time any city has ever achieved a perfect score. This car-free island’s victory isn’t just a win for Mackinac; it’s a point of pride for all Michiganders, surprising many who might assume the best biking would be found in Europe or big U.S. cities.

So what makes Mackinac Island such a cyclist’s paradise? Imagine an idyllic…

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UM Law Grad Heather Gerken Named Ford Foundation President in Historic Leadership Move

One of the world’s largest charitable organizations, with deep Detroit roots, has picked a new leader, and it’s someone who might be familiar to Michiganders. In a historic leadership move, the Ford Foundation announced that Heather Gerken, a University of Michigan Law School alumna and the current dean of Yale Law School, will become its next president. Gerken is not only the 11th president in the nearly 90-year history of the Ford Foundation; she’s also making history as only the second woman ever to lead the foundation. Her appointment has locals buzzing with pride and curiosity: Who is Heather Gerken, and what does her leadership mean for Detroit and beyond?

Ford Foundation, Facebook

A Homegrown Leader Takes the Helm of a Global Foundation

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These Are the 10 Best Places to Live in Metro Detroit for Families, Jobs, and Lifestyle

Searching for the best places to live in Metro Detroit? Whether you’re moving with kids, downsizing, or just looking for a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle, finding the right place to call home is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Metro Detroit offers a wealth of great communities, from bustling suburban cities with job opportunities to quiet small towns full of charm. In fact, Niche, a trusted platform for data-driven insights on schools, towns, and colleges, releases annual rankings of the top places to live in the Detroit area, considering crucial factors like public school quality, crime rates, cost of living, employment, and family-friendly amenities. These rankings are based on the latest data from sources such as the U.S.…

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Detroit’s Credit Rating Hits 25-Year High: What It Means for the City’s Comeback

Detroit, MI – Is Detroit’s dramatic comeback story entering a new chapter? Many lifelong Detroiters and Metro area residents are buzzing this week after Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the city’s credit rating to Baa1, the highest tier Detroit has achieved since 1999. This milestone, essentially Detroit’s strongest financial rating in 25+ years, signals far more than just numbers on Wall Street. It represents a vote of confidence in the Motor City’s resurgence and hints at tangible benefits for local neighborhoods, families, and investors.

In a city that not long ago faced bankruptcy and “junk” credit status, the new rating has locals curious: What does this financial feat really mean for Detroit’s future and for those of us who live, work, and…

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WNBA Returns to Detroit: Tom Gores and Grant Hill Lead the Charge

For the first time in two decades, professional women’s basketball is coming home to the Motor City. The WNBA has officially awarded Detroit a new expansion franchise, ending a 20-year absence and igniting excitement across Metro Detroit. Backed by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and NBA legend Grant Hill among others, the city’s successful bid means a Detroit WNBA team will tip off in 2029. “Today marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition,” Gores said, calling it a huge win for Detroit and the league. For lifelong Detroiters, from die-hard Pistons fans to young athletes and families, this news feels like a homecoming that’s been a long time coming.

In this article, we’ll dive into…

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MSU Announces Job Cuts Amid Budget Crisis and Federal Funding Uncertainty

Michigan State University (MSU) is facing a financial storm that’s hitting home for communities across Michigan. In a move that has many locals concerned, MSU has announced it will trim its budget by 9% over the next two years, a plan that unfortunately includes laying off staff and faculty members amid a broader cost-cutting effort. These job cuts come as part of MSU’s response to a perfect storm of rising costs and uncertain funding, and the news has folks from East Lansing to Metro Detroit asking: Why is this happening, and what does it mean for our community?

In this article, we’ll break down why MSU is making these cuts, how they plan to do it, and what it means for students, families, and our region. Written in the voice of a lifelong Michigander…

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Northville Court Orders Streets Reopened After Controversial Closures

For the first time since 2020, cars will soon be rolling down Main Street and Center Street in downtown Northville, Michigan, again. This change isn’t just a routine traffic update; it’s the result of a heated local debate that pitted the charm of pedestrian plazas against concerns about business access and neighborhood safety. In early July 2025, a Wayne County judge ruled that Northville’s seasonal street closures were illegal and ordered the city to reopen these streets to vehicles within seven days. The ruling has quickly become the talk of the town, leaving many Northville residents and business owners wondering: What happens next? This article breaks down how we got here, how locals are reacting, and what this decision could mean for Northville’s…

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3 Unique Michigan Art Installations Named Among Coolest in the Country

Michigan just landed on a national list that every art lover should know about.

Rivers Art, a national art printing company, recently released its 2025 rankings of the Top 126 Coolest Art Installations in the U.S., celebrating the most obscure, creative, and locally loved public artworks across the country. The list is full of unexpected gems, and three unique installations in Michigan made the cut.

These are not your typical sculpture parks or museum exhibits. Instead, each site offers an immersive, community-rooted experience that reflects local culture, storytelling, and creative flair. Whether you’re planning a Michigan road trip or just looking to explore something new in your own backyard, these three stops belong on your radar.

Hamtramck…

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