The Michigan Department of Corrections broke ground on Monday on a new Vocational Village – this time it’s for the state’s only women’s prison.

This will be the state’s third Vocational Village; they're skilled trades training facilities on prison grounds aimed at preparing inmates for careers.

Michigan billionaire Dan Gilbert is focused on lowering the state’s auto insurance rates. He's trying to convince the state Legislature to get on board with his proposal – but if it won’t, he says he’ll start a campaign initiative for the 2020 ballot.

Parts of Michigan have some of the highest auto insurance rates in the nation, and Gilbert says the way to fix that is to stop requiring drivers to have unlimited, lifetime medical coverage.

The Michigan Public Service Commission says DTE Energy will pay a fine of $840,000, and do regular auditing for compliance with regulations, among other steps, after shutting off gas and electricity to about 5,000 people in 2017 and 2018 without giving them a second shutoff notice.

But that's a drop in the bucket, according to state Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton).

"Obviously, it is not deterring them from doing this," says Colbeck. "It's happening time after time."

Gas prices this week are the lowest they've been in two years for the Thanksgiving holiday. On average, prices around the state are $2.49 a gallon--12 cents lower than last week. That's according to a survey of 4200 gas stations by AAA Michigan.

Nancy Cain is a spokesperson for AAA. She says the low prices will help motorists budget their holiday travel.  "We got low crude oil prices and very ample supply, there's no gasoline shortages anywhere. So that's translating into good news at the pump," says Cain.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the past year, to reconnect with family and friends, and to express gratitude for the all that is good in our lives.

But more importantly, Thanksgiving is a time to eat.

With those priorities in mind, Michigan Radio has compiled a number of favorite recipes from our own family feasts. Below you’ll find everything from the classics, like cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie, to more specific family traditions, like Portuguese Sweet Bread or onion pie.

We hope you give some of our Turkey Day treats a try, and have a happy Thanksgiving!

Michigan Supreme Court justice Kurtis Wilder lost his election bid for a full term on the court, but he'll still be hearing arguments in five cases Monday.

Court spokesman John Nevin says Wilder will participate in all decisions that are to be written before his current term ends on Jan. 1.

Legalizing marijuana could have unintended consequences for public schools in Michigan.

Earlier this month, Michigan residents voted to pass a ballot proposal to legalize marijuana for people 21 and older.

A Genesee County judge will decide on December 7th whether Michigan's chief medical executive Dr. Eden Wells will stand trial for alleged crimes related to the Flint water crisis. Dr. Wells has been charged with involuntary manslaughter for not informing the public promptly about an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease.