AGP Executive Report

Election Sprint: Vice President JD Vance rallied for Republican Mike Rogers in Howell as the Michigan Senate race enters its final week. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. drew condemnation for falsely claiming Arabs do not produce science or literature; historical examples include Arab Nobel laureates. Senate Race: A Detroit News/WDIV poll puts Democrat Abdul El-Sayed ahead of Rogers, 51.4% to 45.1%, with a 4-point margin of error. Voting: By Oct. 27, nearly 1.4 million of Michigan’s 7.4 million active voters had cast ballots, according to the state dashboard; those counts are not official election results. Public Records: The MEDC wants $2,410 to process a records request tied to allegations that more than $1 million from a grant went missing. Ports: MDOT opened applications for a second round of maritime infrastructure grants, with proposals due Dec. 23.

Election Countdown: Michigan’s Senate race is in its final stretch, with early voting underway before Nov. 3. Trump attacked Democrat Abdul El-Sayed with anti-Muslim rhetoric at a Port Huron rally for Republican Mike Rogers; Obama and Sanders have campaigned for El-Sayed. Public Safety: Calhoun County officials urged residents near Running Deer Ridge Drive to shelter indoors as an armed suspect remained at large Monday evening. At the Pump: Michigan’s average gas price climbed 32 cents in a week to $4.83 a gallon, AAA reported. Agriculture: State officials detected bovine tuberculosis in an Alcona County cattle herd and began an investigation. Schools and Housing: Michigan education experts called for stronger reading instruction and less political gridlock, while builders warned a shortage of skilled workers could limit home construction. Health Research: A University of Michigan study found a higher-dose oxytocin protocol was associated with fewer cases of postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal births.

Midterm Campaign: With Election Day a week away, Barack Obama and Donald Trump made competing Michigan stops backing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers in a tight Senate race. Trump’s attacks on El-Sayed’s Muslim faith drew widespread criticism; a new $250,000 ad campaign also targets the Democrat over past remarks about a synagogue attack. Cost of Living: Michigan gas averaged $4.82 a gallon Monday, up 33 cents in a week as high oil prices and refinery problems push costs toward $5 in metro Detroit. Schools: K–5 educators are undertaking required literacy training focused on how children learn to read, as state reading scores remain below pre-pandemic levels. Public Safety: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says violent crime is at a seven-year low, citing a 40% drop in murders since 2021; the state’s rate remains above the national average. Wolverines: Michigan fell to Indiana 13–6 in overtime, extending its slide to three losses in four games. Coach Kyle Whittingham says he is keeping offensive coordinator Jason Beck, while considering changes to scheme and personnel.

Midterm Campaign: President Donald Trump rallied in Port Huron for Republican candidates Mike Rogers and John James, attacking Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed with unsupported claims linking him to extremists and invoking 9/11. Rapper Nicki Minaj urged voters to back Republicans; Trump also drew criticism for a sexualized remark about her. Barack Obama campaigned in Detroit for El-Sayed and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson the day before. Voting: Early voting is underway across Michigan, and federal monitors are set to observe Election Day in seven cities; state officials say the monitoring is routine. College Football: Michigan fell 13-6 to No. 6 Indiana in overtime, its first home loss to the Hoosiers since 1967, and heads to Rutgers seeking to revive its struggling offense. Michigan State: Alum Aaron Zeigler pledged $10 million to support Spartan football and stadium improvements.Ludington Tennis: The Orioles finished second at the Division 4 state finals, with seniors Oliver Kolb, Tyler Keillor and Ryder Saya winning singles titles.

Midterm Campaign: Donald Trump is in Port Huron campaigning for Republican Mike Rogers, a day after Barack Obama rallied in Detroit for Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson. Early in-person voting is underway ahead of Nov. 3. Election Oversight: Federal monitors are slated for polling places in seven Michigan cities; state officials call the deployment routine, though Hamtramck says it has not received formal notice. Senate Race: Rogers faced questions about his own past comments on the Muslim Brotherhood as he repeated accusations against El-Sayed; a Bridge Michigan fact-check found no evidence El-Sayed has ties to the group. Trade and Costs: Obama criticized Trump’s tariffs on Canada, warning they could raise prices in Michigan, where auto supply chains cross the border. College Football: Michigan State fell 28-10 to unbeaten UCLA, while Michigan lost to Indiana 13-6 in overtime despite holding the Hoosiers scoreless in regulation. Victim Services: Michigan’s health department is offering $500,000 for statewide training and technical support for organizations serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking.

Midterm Push: Michigan’s early in-person voting opened Saturday, as Barack Obama rallied in Detroit for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson. The competitive races are drawing national attention ahead of Nov. 3. Election Oversight: Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop sought to remove more than 1,600 voters from the rolls, sometimes on inaccurate grounds, but state officials intervened, according to a new report. College Football: Indiana beat Michigan 13-6 in overtime at the Big House, ending a 59-year wait for a win in Ann Arbor. Michigan State fell 28-10 to unbeaten UCLA, while Eastern Michigan lost 24-20 at Ohio after a 100-yard kickoff return swung the finish.

Michigan Football: Freshman Tommy Carr made his first start against No. 6 Indiana, replacing Bryce Underwood after leading last week’s comeback over Penn State. A disputed roughing-the-passer flag against Michigan drew sharp criticism from the FOX broadcast crew. Election Watch: Early in-person voting began statewide Saturday ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The Justice Department plans to send monitors to seven Michigan communities, including Detroit and Flint, as election officials face heightened scrutiny. Senate Race: Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers are intensifying their fight for a closely watched seat, with former President Barack Obama campaigning for El-Sayed in Detroit. Governor’s Race: A $1.8 million Michigan Republican Party ad buy for John James prompted a legal complaint from Democrats over campaign-spending limits. Hockey: No. 1 Michigan stayed unbeaten with a dramatic 3-2 win over No. 5 Western Michigan. Storm Recovery: FEMA approved nearly $156 million in aid for Michigan, including repairs tied to this year’s ice storm.

Midterm Election: Early in-person voting begins across Michigan Saturday, as Barack Obama campaigns in Detroit for Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and President Donald Trump heads to Port Huron for Republican Mike Rogers. The closely watched Senate race has turned bitter, with candidates sparring over the economy and personal loyalties. The Justice Department says federal monitors will be sent to seven Michigan communities on Election Day. Cost of Living: University of Michigan consumer sentiment barely budged at 48 in October, the survey’s second-lowest reading on record, as households grapple with rising prices. Gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson brought her affordability-focused bus tour to Flint, highlighting costs for housing, health care, energy and child care. College Football: Michigan hosts No. 6 Indiana Saturday as the Hoosiers seek a rebound from their first loss in 23 games. The Wolverines turn to quarterback Tommy Carr for his first career start.

Election Watch: Michigan’s early voting starts Saturday, and the Justice Department will send monitors to seven communities, including Detroit and Flint. The closely watched Senate race between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers is drawing more national money: Bernie Sanders pledged $1 million to El-Sayed after reports of planned opposition spending by AIPAC. Disaster Recovery: FEMA approved more than $145 million for two northern Michigan power cooperatives still recovering from the devastating March 2025 ice storm, which drove up customer bills. Fire Danger: The DNR says warm, windy conditions and dry leaves keep wildfire risk high in the Upper Peninsula; three fires near Marquette and Wakefield have burned nearly 1,400 acres and were at least half contained. Cost of Living: The University of Michigan’s October consumer sentiment reading fell to 48, near its historic low, as year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 4.7%. College Football: Michigan hosts No. 6 Indiana on Saturday, while Michigan State visits undefeated No. 9 UCLA.

Election Oversight: The Justice Department will send monitors to Detroit, East Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, Hamtramck, Lansing and Warren on Nov. 3. Attorney General Dana Nessel says monitors can observe but cannot interfere with voters or election workers. Senate Race: Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers clashed in their final debate over the economy, national security and voter ID, as rising costs remain a top concern for Michigan voters. Road and Rail Safety: An Amtrak train struck a waste-hauling truck near Wayne and Westland, injuring the driver and delaying passengers; it was the second train crash involving a vehicle in southeast Michigan in two days. Household Costs: Michigan gas prices jumped about 17 cents a gallon after an Illinois refinery problem, adding pressure on drivers and food banks already facing higher delivery costs. Student Learning: A summer tutoring pilot served 92 Michigan students at six sites and found gains in foundational skills, with educators reporting the model was workable.

Election Watch: Federal Justice Department monitors are set to observe Election Day in Detroit, East Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, Hamtramck, Lansing and Warren. State officials say monitoring is routine and elections are secure. Senate Race: Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers clashed in their final debate over costs, Trump, Iran and allegations about El-Sayed’s ties; El-Sayed rejected questions about his loyalty to the U.S. The closely watched race could affect control of the Senate. Public Health: Three measles cases have been confirmed in Delta County—the first in the Upper Peninsula this year. Health officials urge residents to check their vaccination status. Higher Education: Michigan’s public universities enrolled 5,200 fewer students this fall, a 2% drop after several years of modest growth. Palisades: Workers recovered a tipped fuel assembly at the Covert nuclear plant; regulators reported no radiation release, but debate over the planned restart continues. College Football: Michigan hosts No. 6 Indiana on Saturday after its comeback win over Penn State; the Hoosiers are favored.

Senate Race: Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed clashed in their final Michigan debate over affordability, tariffs, Iran and healthcare, with El-Sayed tying Rogers to President Trump and Rogers questioning his rival’s record. The close contest could help determine control of the Senate. Environment: Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 24 other governments in suing to restore federal pollution limits for power plants, warning the rollback could worsen extreme weather. Great Lakes: The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation backed by Michigan Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin to extend the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, authorizing $475 million a year through 2030. Michigan State: Trustee Rema Vassar sued university President Kevin Guskiewicz and others, alleging discrimination and retaliation tied to her criticism of the university’s handling of the Larry Nassar case, campus safety and treatment of Black students. Energy Infrastructure: Proposed high-voltage lines spanning more than 250 miles across northern and mid-Michigan are drawing landowner concerns over property rights and land values; utilities say the project would strengthen grid reliability.

Energy Bills: Attorney General Dana Nessel will intervene in Consumers Energy’s latest natural-gas rate case, filed just days after regulators approved a $139.2 million increase. Typical residential customers will pay about $3.92 more monthly starting Nov. 1. Election 2026: Michigan’s Senate race remains tight, with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leading Republican Mike Rogers 50% to 48% in a new poll. Early in-person voting begins Saturday, Oct. 24. Public Safety: Trial opened in Saginaw for a state trooper accused of misconduct and assault after allegedly punching a man nearly 20 times during a 2022 encounter. Schools: Brimley Area Schools is asking voters to approve a $15 million bond on Nov. 3; the district estimates a $190 annual increase for a home with $100,000 in taxable value. Crime: State police arrested and extradited an Illinois man accused of taking about $665,000 from an Escanaba resident in a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme. Michigan State: Guard Jeremy Fears Jr. earned near-unanimous AP preseason All-America honors after leading the nation in assists last season.

Election Watch: More than 780,000 Michiganders have already voted, and absentee ballot requests are up 17% from the same point in 2022. But at least 478 local races have no candidates or too few to fill available seats, raising concerns about staffing local government and elections. In the closely watched Senate race, Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed clashed at a Detroit forum; allegations of illegal overseas donations, made by a former campaign activist in hidden-camera footage, have not been independently substantiated, and El-Sayed’s campaign denies them. Public Health: Michigan reports chronic wasting disease in a farmed cervid in Hillsdale County. Flu vaccination also remains low: about 42% of residents got a shot in 2024–25, state health officials say. Schools & Services: The state set aside $135 million for after-school and summer programs in its 2027 school budget. Flint and state officials are preparing taxpayers for the shift to state-run city income tax processing in January. Sports: Michigan hockey swept defending champion Denver to reach 6-0. Freshman Tommy Carr is reportedly set to start at quarterback against No. 6 Indiana after leading the Wolverines past Penn State.

Election 2026: Michigan’s closely watched Senate race between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers is drawing national attention as early in-person voting begins this weekend. The candidates are trading sharp attacks, while fact-checkers have challenged claims linking Rogers to today’s license-plate cameras. State Finances: Michigan ranks 30th nationally, with a reported $6.7 billion gap between available funds and bills owed, though its taxpayer burden fell from last year. Food Insecurity: Demand remains high across Mid-Michigan; a Saginaw food distribution aimed to reach at least 300 families with 20,000 pounds of food. Public Safety: Two Mattawan High School students died and three others were critically injured in a crash in Kalamazoo County. Broadband: Michigan signed 23 agreements advancing a $1.45 billion expansion intended to bring internet access to about 200,000 locations, with rural communities a focus. Wolverines: Michigan rallied past Penn State 21-18, with freshman quarterback Tommy Carr scoring the go-ahead touchdown.

Midterm Countdown: Michigan’s early in-person voting runs Oct. 24–Nov. 1, and voters who missed the online registration deadline can register at their local clerk’s office. Clerks warn postal delays could jeopardize mailed ballots and recommend using a drop box or returning ballots in person. Trump is set to rally in Port Huron Sunday, while Barack Obama campaigns for Abdul El-Sayed and Jocelyn Benson in Detroit Saturday. Senate Race: El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers are trading sharp attacks in a closely watched contest, with debate over the candidates’ policies and identity drawing national attention. Michigan Football: The Wolverines rallied past Penn State 21–18 after freshman Tommy Carr replaced Bryce Underwood at halftime. Coach Kyle Whittingham has not named a starter for Saturday’s game against No. 6 Indiana. Upper Peninsula Fires: All three wildfires are at least 50% contained, and officials lifted an evacuation warning near the Ridge Fire after rain and cooler weather helped crews. Forest Protection: Michigan’s DNR urges residents to leave firewood at home; untreated wood can spread tree-killing pests and diseases.