AGP Executive Report

Big House Showdown: Michigan hosts No. 11 Oklahoma today at noon on FOX after a controversial 13-12 escape vs. Western Michigan; early game updates include Bryce Underwood’s 38-yard TD run and a knee injury to OU linebacker Kip Lewis. Injury Watch: Lewis left the first quarter with a right knee issue and returned with a brace, while OU’s defense and Michigan’s offense both look to adjust on the fly. Local Road Work: MDOT starts I-94 median gutter repairs in Jackson County Monday (Sept. 14), with daily single-lane closures 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through about mid-October. Legal/Power Policy: A federal appeals court ruled the Energy Department overstepped by keeping Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant running past retirement, rejecting the “emergency” justification. Community & Culture: The 97th Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition runs Sept. 10-Nov. 4 at the Muskegon Museum of Art, with an opening reception and awards Sept. 10. Civic Access: ACLU of Michigan outlined a nonpartisan election protection plan, including the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, ahead of November.

Immigration & Workplace Safety: A Highland Township landscaping company says nine ICE vehicles stopped six workers on H-2B visas on their way to work, then released them after paperwork checks—leaving the firm demanding answers. Courts & Energy: A D.C. appeals court vacated an emergency order that kept Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant open, saying the federal government exceeded its authority. Public Safety: Michigan’s Supreme Court ruled the state can’t enforce the sex offender registry against people whose crimes predate July 1, 2011. Politics & Community: Jewish leaders in Michigan say they feel unheard and launched a “Nonnegotiable Principles” petition aimed at Democrats. Sports (Big House): Michigan hosts No. 11 Oklahoma Saturday after surviving a controversial Week 1 finish; Oklahoma’s offensive line news includes center Jake Maikkula returning while LT Michael Fasusi is out. Local Life: Michigan Tech welcomed international students with a downtown flag display and Festival of Nations events in Houghton.

Federal Courts/Energy: A federal appeals court ruled the U.S. Energy Department overstepped by forcing Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant to stay open past its scheduled retirement, dealing a blow to the Trump administration’s “emergency” justification. Public Health: Michigan confirmed its first human case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) this year, with officials urging mosquito-bite prevention as the season continues. Elections/Law Enforcement: A Michigan lieutenant governor candidate was arrested and charged with felony larceny in Shiawassee County. Sports (Big Ten): Michigan opens Week 2 at home vs. No. 11 Oklahoma, with the Sooners favored after last week’s controversial finish vs. Western Michigan. Local Safety: A near-miss involving a speeding car and a school bus in Monroe County is being used as a warning during back-to-school week. Environment/Nature: Michigan’s native carnivorous plants are getting attention, including species found around Lake Superior. Community/9-11: Southeast Michigan ceremonies marked Patriot Day with tributes to victims and first responders.

University of Michigan Hockey Lawsuit: Sixteen former players are suing U-M, alleging decades of “sexualized hazing,” including forced shaving and other abuse, while the university denies responsibility. Big Ten Football Fallout: Michigan’s controversial 13-12 win over Western Michigan is still reverberating, with the NCAA refusing to overturn it and Big Ten expanding replay review access. Michigan vs. Oklahoma Preview: The Wolverines host No. 11 Oklahoma Saturday, with QB Bryce Underwood’s job security in focus after a shaky opener and a defense-heavy Sooners matchup. Energy Costs: The Michigan Public Service Commission approved a $74.52 million net DTE gas rate increase, including a smaller infrastructure surcharge and higher low-income assistance credit. Politics & Campaign Heat: Abdul El-Sayed held town halls across Michigan as Mike Rogers attacked him over national security and rhetoric tied to the GOP convention. Public Safety: Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Timothy P. Connors is set to receive the State Bar of Michigan ADR “Hero of ADR” award for founding the Peacemaking Court. Missing Person Search: The National Park Service is searching for a missing hiker from Royal Oak at Isle Royale, where cell service and response times can be tough.

Roads & Funding: MDOT secured a final $778.8M financing round to keep Gov. Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan projects moving, with most remaining work substantially complete by end of 2026. State Politics: The Michigan Senate passed the “Limbo Nine” museum-preservation package, advancing bills tied to Rep. Tyrone Carter’s effort to protect historical museums. Sports & Accountability: Sixteen former University of Michigan hockey players filed a federal lawsuit alleging decades of ritualized sexual hazing and “torture,” while Michigan State Police also rolled out new cold-case webpages. Public Safety & Community Resources: MSP and U-M launched a statewide violence prevention dashboard to help residents find local intervention programs. Health & Economy: Consumer Reports urged Michigan regulators to reject DTE and Consumers Energy electric rate hikes, warning of big bill increases. Local Life: Owosso Public Schools won $100K for a new livestock facility to expand hands-on agriculture education. 9/11 Remembrance: Whitmer ordered flags lowered to half-staff Friday, and Michigan border crossings will briefly close for the Patriot Day observance.

U-M Data Center Fight: University of Michigan leaders held a town hall in Ypsilanti over a proposed $1.2 billion high-performance research computing center with Los Alamos, as residents packed the meeting to protest impacts on water, noise, and home values. College Football Fallout: The NCAA says it won’t overturn Michigan’s controversial Week 1 Hail Mary win over Western Michigan, but the MAC is still pushing appeals and replay-protocol questions as the Wolverines turn to Oklahoma. Tariffs Hit Michigan Politics: A new poll finds most Michigan voters disapprove of Trump’s 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, and a study says tariffs have cost the average Michigan household over $5,600 since January. Housing Numbers Watch: HUD-assisted housing rankings show Wayne County leading in multiple categories, while Marquette County sits 25th for Housing Choice Vouchers. Courts & Public Safety: Michigan Supreme Court will hear prosecutors’ bid to retry a home-invasion charge in the Samantha Woll case, and Michigan man Geevar Varghese is in custody in Texas after an online minor-solicitation sting. Sports & Community: Ludington hosted the Discraft Michigan Amateur State Championships, and South Haven’s Theatre Series will close with “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman” on Sept. 26.

Public Safety: Michigan State Police launched new webpages to spotlight about 200 unsolved cold cases statewide and let the public submit tips directly, with cases organized by region and profiles shared with family approval. Housing & Local Impact: Wayne County topped Michigan in 2025 project-based Section 8 assisted units (15,473), while Oakland, Macomb and Kent followed; on the voucher side, Wayne also led (21,863), with Kent and Oakland next. Election Watch: The ACLU of Michigan rolled out a nonpartisan election protection plan for November, including its statewide hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) for reporting intimidation or voting barriers. Cost of Living: Michigan gas prices jumped 20 cents overnight to about $4.22 a gallon amid rising oil prices tied to escalating Iran-related shipping conflict. State Policy & Jobs: EGLE announced it will staff fall college career fairs across Michigan to connect students with environmental careers and internships. Sports (Michigan): Michigan’s Week 1 win over Western Michigan remains under heavy scrutiny after the NCAA declined to overturn the result, with the MAC continuing to press its appeal.

College Football Fallout (Michigan-WMU): The MAC escalated its appeal over Michigan’s controversial 13-12 win, asking the NCAA and CFP to recognize Western Michigan as the winner for rankings and playoff value—but the NCAA says there’s no process to overturn game outcomes. The NCAA also clarified how replay officials should use embedded broadcast timing when game-clock adjustments are needed. Local Sports Culture: WMU’s campus police posted a joking “robbery” entry in its crime log after the loss, then clarified it wasn’t a real report. Michigan Football Response: Michigan players say they’re “done being soft” after the opener, with captains pushing accountability ahead of No. 10 Oklahoma. Education Access: Michigan Reconnect expanded eligibility, dropping the age limit from 25 to 21 for last-dollar community college tuition help. Public Health: Michigan confirmed a second Eastern equine encephalitis case in 2026, this time in a horse in Roscommon County. Civic/Policy: A Saginaw Valley State town hall drew passionate debate on data centers, focusing on water, energy, zoning, and local regulation limits. State Politics: An August legislative roundup highlights momentum on “money out of politics,” plus prison safety and primary care. Food Safety: USDA recalled imported pork guanciale products sold in multiple states including Michigan due to possible listeria.

Trade & Border Watch: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on about $20B of U.S. goods took effect Tuesday, hitting hundreds of products and prompting a C$7.5B relief package for affected businesses and workers. Public Safety: A man was arrested after allegedly smashing a Michigan State Police cruiser with a hammer aboard the Sugar Island ferry in the Upper Peninsula. Violent Crime: A Wyandotte woman was found shot dead; her son later died in Toledo as police moved in to arrest him, with license plate cameras tracking the car across state lines. Workforce & Policy: Michigan earned a D in a worker-freedom report grading public-sector union laws, with the score dropping from B to D since 2022. State Government Ops: Michigan is mailing corrected enhanced IDs and driver’s licenses to about 8,200 residents after a vendor misprinted birth dates and used placeholder photos. Transportation Planning: MDOT will host two virtual webinars (Sept. 16-17) on the draft Michigan Mobility 2050 long-range transportation plan. Road Work: I-94 will be reduced to one lane in parts of Berrien and Calhoun counties through Nov. 13 for resurfacing. Health Alert: Michigan reported a second eastern equine encephalitis case in horses this summer, detected in an unvaccinated filly in Roscommon County. Education Data: New enrollment snapshots show shifting student demographics at multiple Michigan schools, including Asian enrollment changes and continued achievement gaps statewide.

College Football (Michigan): No. 16 Michigan survived a wild Week 1 vs. Western Michigan, winning 13-12 on a last-second Hail Mary after officials added a second back to the clock—despite the stadium scoreboard showing zero. Big Ten Replay/Clock Controversy: Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham and Purdue coach Barry Odom both said they didn’t know there could be a discrepancy between what they saw and the conference’s tracking system, keeping the debate front and center. Next Game (OU): Oklahoma QB John Mateer says he wants to clean up a few throws after OU’s opener and insists Michigan isn’t being overlooked ahead of the Sooners’ visit. Roads & Transportation: Michigan is studying a pay-per-mile “road usage charge” to replace the gas tax as EVs and better mileage cut revenue; a pilot planning phase is underway. Local Commuting: MDOT announced US-127 ramp closures at Parnall Road and M-50 (Clinton Road) in Jackson starting Sept. 8. Legal/Community Calendar: The State Bar of Michigan plans its Presidential Inauguration & Awards Luncheon Sept. 18 in Troy, plus volunteer opportunities for a Detroit mock trial competition in November. Education Data: New state-reported enrollment snapshots show multiracial student counts rising at several Michigan schools, alongside continued concerns about reading performance statewide.

Michigan Football: Kyle Whittingham says Bryce Underwood is still QB1 “right now,” but the starting job isn’t “infinite” after a rough Week 1 vs. Western Michigan that ended in a controversial 13-12 Hail Mary finish. Big Ten Replay Fallout: The debate over a “phantom” second added to the clock continues, with Michigan and WMU both reacting to Big Ten explanations and the replay process. Next Up for U-M: Michigan hosts Oklahoma this Saturday, with Underwood’s performance now tied directly to whether Whittingham sticks or makes a change. MSU Sports Moment: Michigan State offensive lineman Robert Wright Jr. vomited mid-game during the Toledo opener but stayed in as MSU won 30-20. Local Schools: Rogers Elementary in Berkley saw multiracial enrollment rise to 18 students in 2024-25, while Novi High School recorded an American Indian enrollment jump to 14. Power/Weather: Cleanup from severe storms left thousands in Southeast Michigan without power Monday, with DTE reporting major reductions but lingering outages.

College Football Controversy: Western Michigan President Russ Kavalhuna says the Big Ten replay process that put one second back on the clock in Michigan’s 13-12 opener “isn’t as good as it could be,” but WMU won’t appeal; the league and NBC have both faced scrutiny after the clock appeared to hit zero before the Hail Mary. State Courts & Betting: A Michigan judge kept Kalshi blocked from offering sports prediction contracts, boosting the daily fine to $500,000 and ordering platform-wide notifications. Politics & Elections: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced new county public administrator appointments in Macomb and Marquette. Economy & Trade: Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens says Trump’s Canada tariffs are hitting Michigan with job uncertainty and lost investment. Local Life: The Michigan Lottery posted Sept. 6 Daily 3 and Daily 4 results. Community Spotlight: A new “adoptable child” profile highlights Jason, a 12-year-old in foster care seeking a permanent family. Environment/Energy: Northern Michigan College is moving ahead with a geothermal project aimed at major carbon cuts.

Public Safety: Michigan State Police say a 28-year-old inmate at the Carson City Correctional Facility, Johnathan Adam Brancheau, died early Sept. 6 and the case is being investigated as a homicide, with a 26-year-old cellmate identified as a suspect. State Government: The Department of State says a vendor misprinted about 8,200 enhanced licenses and IDs, swapping in a stock photo and wrong details; corrected cards are being sent and temporary credentials are available. Education & Demographics: New state data spotlight shifting student populations at specific Michigan schools, including Orion Oaks Elementary (354 white students in 2024-25) and Lakewood Elementary (24 multiracial students). College Sports (Michigan): Michigan survived a controversial finish in its opener, beating Western Michigan 13-12 on a second-chance Hail Mary after the Big Ten said one second remained on the clock. Politics: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson told “Face the Nation” her office will use “every tool” to defend election integrity after a federal judge blocked a Trump ballot measure.

College Football (Michigan): No. 16 Michigan survived a wild, controversial season opener, beating Western Michigan 13-12 in Kyle Whittingham’s debut on a second-chance 47-yard Hail Mary from Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan after officials put one second back on the clock. The first Hail Mary appeared to end with the clock at triple zeros, leaving WMU celebrating before a review flipped the outcome. Local Sports Buzz: Michigan fans rushed the field after the win, while the officiating decision sparked instant debate across the college football world. Big Picture (Michigan): The game also came with plenty of on-field rough spots for Michigan’s offense, but the late heroics kept the Wolverines from an early upset disaster. Other Michigan Sports: Northwestern opened with a win over South Dakota State, while Michigan-related coverage also included a Q&A on Abby Stewart’s take on Gloria Steinem’s legacy.

Election & Public Safety: Michigan AG Dana Nessel is drawing sharp backlash after urging Jewish Democrats to put “the needs of the world” above even their own survival, amid renewed scrutiny of Abdul El-Sayed’s handling of a Temple Israel attack and his Israel-right-to-exist comments. Local Crime: A woman died and two others were hurt after a shooting outside a TGI Fridays in Southfield; police say a 35-year-old Southfield man was arrested after a parking-lot altercation. Education Enrollment Watch: New state data show big swings in school demographics—Yake Elementary’s multiracial share rose to 3.5%, Legg Middle enrolled 83 Hispanic students, and Romulus Elementary’s white enrollment fell to 29. College Policy: University of Michigan students are split over a plan to hide first-semester grades for 2027 freshmen, using pass/no credit to ease mental-health pressure. Sports (Michigan): Michigan State opened the Pat Fitzgerald era with a 30-20 win over Toledo, highlighted by a two-point conversion play that went viral for its “puke” moment.

MSU Football: Pat Fitzgerald’s debut at Spartan Stadium ended with a 30-20 win over Toledo, powered by Cam Edwards’ 98 rushing yards and a 247-yard passing day from Alessio Milivojevic, plus five Liam Boyd field goals. Michigan Basketball: Michigan coach Mike Boynton addressed injuries from the team’s European trip, including Brandon McCoy Jr.’s season-ending ACL tear and setbacks to Moustapha Thiam and Ricky Liburd. Severe Weather & Power: Storms across Southeast Michigan brought tornado damage and left hundreds of thousands without power, with utilities reporting 277,000+ customers still dark at one point. Public Health: A major cyclosporiasis outbreak in Michigan is spotlighting how a strained food-safety system struggles to detect and contain outbreaks. Climate & “Pure Michigan”: Heat, wildfire smoke, and flooding are increasingly reshaping summer conditions in Michigan, according to climate research. UM Museum: The University of Michigan’s Paleontology Museum marks 100 years with a free “Library of Life” exhibit. Local Sports: San Jose State rallied to beat Eastern Michigan 27-21 in Ypsilanti, while Michigan State men’s soccer held Pitt to a scoreless draw.