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Tax ‘loophole’ for big-box stores might be closed by Legislature LANSING — For eight-plus years, local government and school interest groups have unsuccessfully lobbied state lawmakers to stop the ability of big-box stores to cut their property taxes by contending that real estate should be compared to “dark,” or vacant, structures. Now they are making…

Michigan’s economy will hold steady amid Trump’s immigration and tariff policies, experts say Michigan’s economy is slowing down and an uncertain economic future has returned as President-elect Donald Trump’s administration prepares for its second opportunity in Washington, D.C.  But economists at the University of Michigan predict the state’s economy, while negatively impacted by planned tariffs and…

30-year mortgage interest rate edges closer to 7% The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. edged closer to 7% this week, climbing to its highest level since July. The rate rose to 6.84% from 6.78% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. That’s still down from a year ago, when the…

Short-term rentals quashed in Michigan vacation town as judge dismisses lawsuit A West Michigan judge has decided in favor of Park Township in a lawsuit over its ban on short-term rentals, dismissing the lawsuit and determining that all requests for exemptions to the ban must now go through the local board of zoning appeals. Ottawa…