Election Watch: Michigan voters have started casting ballots for the 2026 general election, with absentee ballots out and early in-person voting set to begin Oct. 24, plus two statewide proposals including a constitutional convention question and new campaign finance limits. Public Safety: Michigan State Police say a routine commercial traffic stop on I-69 near Marshall turned into a major contraband seizure: 174 handguns with obliterated serial numbers and about 167 kilograms of suspected heroin, with the driver arrested. Privacy & Tech: Lawmakers introduced a package to set statewide limits on Flock Safety automated license plate readers, including a 30-day retention cap unless tied to an active criminal investigation and penalties for misuse. Infrastructure & Risk: Lansing legislators advanced a bipartisan dam safety bill based on the 2020 Edenville and Sanford failures, aiming for more inspections, stronger emergency plans, and more state authority. Road Hazards: October and November are peak months for car-vs-deer crashes, with the state citing tens of thousands of deer crashes annually and urging slower speeds at twilight. Sports (MSU/UM): MSU announced graduate RB Cam Edwards is out for the season after a leg injury; Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham called the early season “an emotional roller coaster” after a last-second loss to Iowa.