Year In Review: Michigan's 10 Biggest Stories In 2018

MICHIGAN — It was a big year of news around Michigan and metro Detroit. We took a look back at some of the biggest headlines that swept the region in 2018. These were among our most-read stores on Patch and give a snapshot of what struck the community in 2018.

(Want just the feel-good stories of 2018? Click here: 6 Michigan Stories We Loved In 2018)

Here’s your look at the big stories from the year:

The stories that dominated much of the news cycle in Michigan was that of USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. The story unfolded in 2017 and by January of 2018, victims of the sexual abuse scandal found some justice during his sentencing. Here is a look back:

• USA Gymnastics Doctor Nassar Sentenced In Sex Abuse Of Girls

Locally, the story that picked up interest (and eventually made national news) was when a young boy was shot at by a retired Detroit firefighter after he went to his house looking for directions. The story unfolded throughout the year and this story was what our readers were most interested in during the eventual trial:

• Video Shows Moment When Rochester Hills Man Shot At Black Teen

Residents were rattled in the spring by an earthquake that was felt all across the region. Not your typical day in Metro Detroit:

• Earthquake Felt In Metro Detroit

One of the most tragic stories to emerge out of metro Detroit in 2018 was the deadly stabbing inside a Macomb County high school. A 17-year-old girl used a steak knife to stab a classmate in a fight over a boy, according to authorities. Readers were heartbroken over the details of the scene in this story:

• Teen Was 'Smiling And Laughing' During Fatal Classroom Stabbing

When the world lost the Queen of Soul, there’s no doubt it struck a nerve in Aretha Franklin’s home. This news spread rapidly:

• Aretha Franklin Is Dead: Queen of Soul Had Pancreatic Cancer

Later in the year after her life was celebrated and the loss was mourned, her Bloomfield Township home went on the market and our readers buzzing:

• Peek Inside: Aretha Franklin's Suburban Home Up For Sale

This health scare at a popular festival was among our most shared stories in 2018:

• Hepatitis A Confirmed At Renaissance Festival In Michigan

Readers all across the state were concerned after one woman lost her cat of 30 years -- yes, 30 years -- in a sad accident:

• 30-Year-Old Michigan Cat Dies After Being Shot With BB Gun

It seemed like a scene from a horror story in Detroit when cremated remains and infant bodies were found in a local funeral home. This story had everyone reading in 2018:

• More Remains Found Inside Cantrell Funeral Home In Detroit

Michiganders made waves around the country becoming the next state to legalize recreational marijuana (of which fewer than a dozen states have done) in November. Here’s a recap:

• Michigan Approves Recreational Marijuana

Which new stories do you remember most from 2018? Share with us in the comments and tell us why that story stood out to you.

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