🌱 How AI is quietly reshaping Midland’s 40,000-tree urban forest
Midland, Michigan Patch AM: a 5 min readCheers Midland! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How AI is quietly reshaping Midland’s 40,000-tree urban forest
- See where 700-plus new homes are rising across Midland.
- Investigations tied to Bay County rape case now reach into Midland County
Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Wednesday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 85 and low of 53 degrees.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 87, low: 62. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Breezy with a thunderstorm, with a high of 81 and low of 65 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. 'A gold mine': Midland uses AI to help manage urban forest (wcmu.org) — Midland is rolling out AI-powered LiDAR mapping to catalog and monitor more than 40,000 trees across city parks and out-lawn areas, aiming to better protect the community’s long-held Tree City USA status. City foresters will use the detailed data to spot problems sooner, plan new plantings, and make a stronger case for funding a healthier, more resilient urban forest that benefits residents and local businesses alike. 
2. New Midland housing projects include apartments and condos (ourmidland.com) — Hundreds of new homes, condos, and apartments are being added across Midland, from affordable units at The Dean on Eastlawn to townhomes, duplexes, and senior housing projects in multiple neighborhoods. City officials estimate 700–800 units are recently completed or in the pipeline, potentially easing housing pressures and reshaping options for renters, buyers, and older adults.
3. Man faces date rape charges in Bay County, investigations continue in Midland, Kalamazoo (abc12.com) — Authorities confirm ongoing investigations in Midland County into sexual assault allegations linked to a man already facing serious charges in Bay County. The suspect has ties to Midland’s Northwood University, and prosecutors say evidence from his phone and online searches suggests a repeated pattern of predatory behavior. Local investigators are still working to determine what happened in the Midland-area cases.
4. Frederick William Bruner (poncacitynews.com) — Midland is mourning the passing of 96-year-old Frederick William Bruner, a gentle, community-minded dentist who spent his later years here after a career improving children’s dental health in Michigan. Remembered for his integrity, devotion to family, and leadership at Flint’s Mott Children’s Health Center, he leaves a large, loving family and a legacy of preventive care that still shapes pediatric dentistry today.
5. Chedrick Greene appointed to four Michigan Senate committees (ourmidland.com) — Midland residents are now represented in Lansing by newly elected state Sen. Chedrick Greene, who has been appointed to four key Michigan Senate committees covering labor, veterans and emergency services, regulatory affairs, and transportation and infrastructure. Greene, whose 35th District includes part of Midland County, says he’ll draw on his decades as a Marine and Saginaw firefighter to improve services, protect consumers, and work on safer roads and bridges.
📸 Around Midland
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Midland
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Taxes in Retirement →
Red Keg Barrel House, 4609 Dublin Ave, Midland
6:00 pm
Thursday June 4
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Credit Recovery
Bullock High School Midland, MI 48640
8:30 am -
MidLab - DIY Hours
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library 1710 West Saint Andrews Road, Midland, MI, 48640, US
10:00 am -
MidLab - Staffed Hours (Amanda & Diane)
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library 1710 West Saint Andrews Road, Midland, MI, 48640, US
12:00 pm -
Tunes By The Tridge →
Midland, MI Calendar Midland, MI 48641
7:00 pm -
Jurassic Park on the Library Lawn
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library 1710 West Saint Andrews Road, Midland, MI, 48640, US
8:30 pm -
Credit Recovery
Bullock High School Midland, MI 48640
8:30 am -
MidLab - DIY Hours
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library 1710 West Saint Andrews Road, Midland, MI, 48640, US
10:00 am
Thursday June 4
Friday June 5
📣 Midland Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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Bookmobile Stop - Auburn Area Catholic School →
Auburn Area Catholic School, 88 W Midland Rd, Auburn
1:30 pm -
Saginaw SOUP: OPTIONAL PRACTICE SESSION →
CMURC - Saginaw, 203 S Washington Ave, Saginaw
2:00 pm -
Board Of Appeals On Zoning - Regular Meeting →
Hoyt Public Library, 505 Janes Ave, Saginaw
6:00 pm -
Needle Crafters Club →
Auburn Area Branch Library, 235 W Midland Rd, Auburn
6:00 pm
Wednesday June 3
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Securing the grid starts with prevention.
In 2025, we inspected 26,000+ miles of lines with helicopters, drones and ground patrols. Christine and the Line Inspection team focus on catching… (Nextdoor ) - My husband is trying to sell his gaming PC.
It'll come with the tower, 2 monitors, desk, and accessories. Everything one would need to start PC gaming! Asking $1300, willing to negotiate. (Nextdoor Franklin Center)
- FACILITY PLANNING UPDATE: NEW SURVEY NOW AVAILABLE! School may be (almost) out for the summer, but our facility planning process is still rolling -... (X: MidlandPS)
- A quick reminder for our families that the last day of school, Wednesday, June 3rd, is a full day. We will be following our regular daily schedule... (X: MidlandPS)
- MidMichigan Health posted a job opening for Coder I in Midland. Apply here.
- Walmart, Inc. posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Midland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Midland here.
Ok Midland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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