DAILY BRIEFING

Grand Prix returns to downtown; Whitmer’s plan to grow Michigan's population; and more

Leah Olajide
Detroit Free Press

Good morning, it's Friday. Start your engines!

The Detroit Grand Prix returns to the streets of downtown, the first time in decades it isn’t on Belle Isle.

The Detroit Grand Prix will have two pit lanes for the 2023 race.

The city's streets have been transformed into a 1.7-mile race track where, beginning Friday and ending Sunday, IndyCar drivers will speed past tens of thousands of spectators at speeds of up to 200 mph.

"Being the Motor City, having a professional race on the streets of downtown is a big deal," said Greg Brannan, with the Detroit Sports Commission. "It speaks to what downtown has become."

We have all you need to know about road closures and parking as you make your way to the event. If you want to grab a bite to eat while you’re downtown, check out one of these recommended places to eat.

Also making news

📰 News: A Macomb County judge called Arthur Williamson "the embodiment of evil” while sentencing him to life in prison Thursday for killing WWJ radio overnight anchor Jim Matthews. Williamson also attacked Matthews' girlfriend and the couple's two children, ages 5 and 10, in a brutal spree Sept. 23 in the family's Chesterfield Township home.

🔵 Politics:Gov. Gretchen Whitmer launched a new effort Thursday named the "Growing Michigan Together Council." This is aimed at reversing Michigan's sluggish population growth, tapping a bipartisan duo to lead the initiative.

🏈 Sports: Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh called the social media activity which led to Glenn "Shemy" Schembechler’s resignation from the program “offensive” in his first public comments about the football staffer's short tenure.

☀️ Weather: Today's forecast is expected to be 91 degrees, and partly sunny. Please be cautious if you are doing strenuous activities outside today.

More to do in the D

Fish sculpture at Palmer Park's Art Fair.

The Grand Prix is the big event taking place this weekend, but there are other activities and events planned in and around metro Detroit. Here's a list of things happening if you are looking to do something other than the Grand Prix. Have fun and stay cool!

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