🌪️ 110 mph at 1:44 a.m.

In 1845, the University of Michigan held its first commencement. Eleven graduates. This May, a student at Michigan Stadium will receive degree number one million. Every graduate gets a commemorative tassel with a "1" in front of the block M. That's a million Wolverines.

Morning, Ann Arbor! Wild week. A tornado, a presidential shakeup, and the sirens that saved us. Let's get into it.

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🌪️ A Tornado Hit Ann Arbor

An EF-1 tornado touched down at 1:44 a.m. on April 15, traveling 1.71 miles across the city with peak winds of 110 mph. No one was hurt. Veterans Memorial Park took the worst of it and remains closed. The storm snapped trees and stadium light poles through the park, peeled sections off an elementary school roof, and ripped metal panels from Yost Ice Arena. If you slept through it, you're not alone. The sirens woke up the rest of us. Emergency city debris clean up will begin today Monday, 4/20. City of Ann Arbor

🚨 The Sirens Are Staying

Remember the debate about decommissioning those outdoor warning sirens to save a few hundred thousand dollars? That conversation is over. After the sirens activated during the tornado warning and woke half the city, officials confirmed the system is staying put. Turns out, the best argument for keeping them was an actual tornado. City of Ann Arbor

🎓 Kent Syverud Will Not Become U-M's Next President

Two weeks ago, we told you Kent Syverud was set to start as U-M's 16th president on May 11. That's no longer happening. Syverud disclosed a brain cancer diagnosis and is stepping away from the role. Board Chair Mark Bernstein said the university will relaunch its presidential search. Syverud will join Michigan Law as a professor and serve as a special advisor to the board. Domenico Grasso is now serving as president, with the interim tag formally removed. We wish Syverud and his family strength. WEMU

🏈 Spring Game: Maize 7, Blue 6

The Big House opened for free Saturday, and Ann Arbor got its first look at the Kyle Whittingham era. Bryce Underwood played one quarter and finished 3-of-9 for 22 yards. The freshmen took it from there. QB Tommy Carr looked poised. RB Savion Hiter ran for 44 yards on 10 carries. WR Salesi Moa caught four for 26. Whittingham said Hiter and Moa are two of the best freshmen he's ever coached. The scoreboard said 7-6. The story was the rookies. Detroit Free Press

💰 Ann Arbor Quantum Startup Raises $139M

Sygaldry Technologies, with offices in Ann Arbor and San Francisco, just closed $139 million in funding to build quantum-accelerated AI servers. The $105 million Series A was led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Co-founder Chad Rigetti previously started Rigetti Computing. The pitch: quantum chips that work alongside GPUs instead of replacing them. The goal is cutting energy costs at data centers. DBusiness

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📝 Teachers Have a Deal

The Ann Arbor Education Association reached a tentative contract with the school district after three and a half months of negotiations. It's the first time in 32 years that teachers worked without a contract. The specific terms are being held until members can vote next week. WEMU

🏆 Ann Arbor Is a Top-5 Place to Live

Livability.com put Ann Arbor in the top five most livable metros in the country for 2026. The city scored highest in education, amenities, and health. If you already live here, this confirms what you suspected. Livability

🍞 Avalon's Thriving

Avalon is settled into its new home on Main Street, next to Pretzel Bell, and drawing families back in. The kids menu and kid-friendly seating are still the move for parents who want real food in a downtown restaurant. eCurrent

🐢 Doug the Tank

A 33-pound snapping turtle showed up in the Lake Michigan surf in Grand Haven, tumbled by waves with no fight left in him. Locals rallied, and the Michigan Amphibian and Reptile Sanctuary picked him up. They named him Doug the Tank. He's the second-biggest turtle the sanctuary has ever rescued. Doug is recovering. WZZM

🚀 Michigan Sailor Greets Artemis II Crew

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Steve Kapala from Alpena was on the dive medical team that opened the Orion capsule after Artemis II splashed down in the Pacific on April 10. He was one of the first faces the four astronauts saw after orbiting the Moon. WNEM

On the Market

1432 Ardmoor Ave -- $599,900 2 bed | 1.5 bath | 1,427 sqft | Near Michigan Stadium A storybook Tudor on a tree-lined street with a gas fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and a family room with raised ceilings and walls of windows. Walking distance to the Big House. Last sold for $410K in 2019.

214 S Revena Blvd -- $919,900 4 bed | 2 bath | 2,050 sqft | West Side Brick Tudor with hardwood floors throughout, a kitchen remodeled in 2024 with quartz counters and a shiplap ceiling, and a walk-up third-floor attic with potential. Short walk to Eberwhite Elementary and downtown. Last sold for $597.2K in 2019.

4 Geddes Heights Dr -- $1,700,000 3 bed | 4 bath | 2,997 sqft | Geddes Heights A 1910 home with original woodwork and a high-end renovation, steps from the Arb and walkable to campus and downtown. The kind of place where the architecture tells you something before you open the front door. Last sold for $500K in 2002.

Adoptable Humane Society Pets

Pilot -- 2 years | Large Neutered Male | Hound/Mix A high-energy quick learner with a lot of love to give. Pilot has heartworm, but HSHV covers the treatment. He'll need to take it easy during recovery, so think couch time with a good dog. Adoption fee: $205. Meet Pilot

Acorn – 2 months | Small Neutered Male | Domestic Shorthair/Mix A curious and playful little explorer searching for a loving guide to help him discover the world. Sweet, adventurous, and full of charm, Acorn is ready to find his forever home. Meet Acorn

Snapdragon -- 2.5 years | Medium Spayed Female | Pit Bull Terrier/Mix Shy at first, but give her time and she'll show you who she really is. Needs a patient owner and a low-key home. No young children. Adoption fee: $205. Meet Snapdragon

That's all for now. Have a great week in Tree Town!

-- Ryan, James, and The Michigander Team

P.S. - If you like what you read, subscribe!

P.P.S. Gallup Livery opens this Saturday, April 25. Canoes, kayaks, and river trips through Argo Cascades are back. Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A2Gov

P.P.P.S. The Ekphrastic Poetry Walk hits the Kerrytown District on April 24-25. Pick up a guide from CLUSTER Museum and hunt for poems at three galleries. Self-guided, $5-10. CLUSTER Museum

P.P.P.P.S. Make sure to follow us on Instagram for the stuff that doesn't make the newsletter.  Michigander IG

P.P.P.P.P.S. Homemade gluten-free cookies, made in Ann Arbor, and actually taste like cookies. Order a box before they sell out.  Sunday Dozen

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