AGP Executive Report

Poverty Reality Check: A new ALICE report finds 43% of Marquette County households are in financial survival trouble—far higher than the 17% counted as “in poverty,” with 26% living in the gap where they earn too much for help but not enough for basics. Detroit Public Safety & Spending: Detroit is seeking a nine-month extension worth about $2.06M to its ShotSpotter contract, as critics question the price and residents watch the clock toward a June deadline. Health Care Access: Michigan EMT groups warn proposed EMS budget cuts could hit ambulance inspections, EMT licensing, and staffing—at a time when shortages are already hurting coverage. Housing & Inclusion: Rochester Hills broke ground on Auburn Oaks, an “inclusive” neighborhood with 55 homes, including 19 for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Great Lakes Safety: Cold-water risk hit home after an Ohio couple’s Lake Huron kayaking trip went wrong; both were rescued, but neither wore a life jacket. Sports & Community: Flint’s police lieutenants union contract heads to City Council after unanimous approval, while Michigan’s 2027 recruiting buzz grows with four-star CB Blake Jenkins committing to the Wolverines.

Data Centers Debate: State Sen. Jim Runestad proposed a one-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers statewide, arguing Michigan needs more scrutiny on power costs, environmental impacts, and long-term effects. Education & Charters: Detroit parents are bracing for possible school closures, including the Barack Obama Leadership Academy, as families juggle uncertain authorizers and shifting options. Public Health: Michigan health officials urged earlier-than-usual measles vaccinations as outbreaks spread, pointing to rising vaccine waiver opt-outs. Great Lakes & Water: EGLE is kicking off Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week (June 6-14) with a focus on protecting freshwater and a statewide Free Fishing weekend (June 13-14). Wildlife & Safety: Northern Michigan black bear sightings are rising as young bears search for territory; officials shared deterrence and encounter tips. UP Weather & Fire Risk: The DNR warned of very high to extreme wildfire danger in the Upper Peninsula as storms and rain are expected later in the week. Corrections Staffing Fight: MDOC is sending new recruits to hard-to-recruit U.P. prisons, but the corrections officers union says the pay increase plan isn’t being applied fairly. Crime Search: Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information in the disappearance of Eastpointe teen Noah Winters.

Temple Israel rebuild: West Bloomfield’s Temple Israel is undergoing major interior repairs after an attack left the sanctuary stripped down to foundations, with the damage still visible. Violent crime: Kalamazoo police are searching for a 27-year-old accused of cutting a 14-year-old boy’s face during a fight at the Lilac Hills apartments. Aviation pipeline: WMU and the West Michigan Aviation Academy announced a new pathway program that sets aside flight science slots for qualified academy students. Local government & housing: Holland City Council approved changes tied to the former historic greenhouse site and rezoned about 110 acres near M-40/I-196 into open space for wetland mitigation. Public safety in the region: Indiana’s IDOC commissioner said more must have been done after devastating fires at Indiana State Prison, as safety changes are promised. Workforce & education: EGLE won a Grand Valley State University internship award, and Bay College named a student to its All-Michigan Academic Team. Family court crisis: A statewide survey of family-law practitioners says Michigan’s family court system is failing people through delays and mismatched judge assignments.

Defense & Industry: TACOM highlighted Army modernization and readiness at the 2026 Michigan Defense EXPO in Detroit, spotlighting the Detroit Arsenal’s role in turning partnerships into real-world capability. Energy Costs: Consumers Energy is asking Michigan regulators for a $456M electric rate hike, drawing criticism from AG Dana Nessel and affordability advocates. Wildfire Risk: The DNR closed burn permits across the Upper Peninsula and much of northern Lower Michigan as fire danger stays very high. MSU Governance Fight: Michigan House lawmakers blocked a plan that would let the governor appoint MSU trustees, while embattled MSU trustees now call for an AG investigation into a new ethics code. Public Health: West Nile virus was detected in West Michigan mosquitoes, with officials urging residents to prevent bites. Education Access: Michigan’s Talent Together program is helping adults become teachers through scholarships and flexible pathways. Local Safety: Dearborn launched an aggressive driving unit using electric patrol cars to target speeding and other dangerous behavior. Sports: Duke vs. Michigan is reportedly headed from MSG to loanDepot Park in Miami for Dec. 21.

Holland Twp. Sentencing: Christian Montijo, 32, was sentenced in Michigan after not contesting charges tied to stalking and assaulting a 31-year-old woman, including an alleged vehicle ambush in late 2024. Public Safety: An Oahu man, Ronald Saville, 48, was charged after threatening to kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and attack the state Capitol; he was arrested in Texas and ordered detained. Crash Update: An Ogemaw County crash killed a 63-year-old man after his tractor was hit by an 83-year-old driver on Greenwood Road; identities weren’t released. Seniors Affordability: U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed rolled out an “AAA Plan” aimed at lowering costs for Michigan seniors, including Medicare cost-sharing changes and a Social Security payroll tax cap lift. Transportation & Infrastructure: MDOT plans a Woodward Avenue closure in 2027 to replace a 97-year-old culvert, with a three-month shutdown between Long Lake Road and Hickory Grove Road. Environment & Health: A Michigan Senate panel advanced a fix for the state’s septic code gap, moving toward statewide standards and inspections. Weekend Plans: Michigan’s “Three Free” weekend returns June 13-14 with free fishing, ORV trail access, and state park entry.

Roads & Construction: MDOT is widening M-28 shoulders in Chippewa County with single-lane closures starting June 8 through Aug. 21, and separate UP bridge inspections may bring short lane closures June 5-11. Flood Damage: Parts of scenic M-119 (“Tunnel of Trees”) in Emmet County remain closed after spring flooding caused slope failure and a culvert washout, with reopening timelines still uncertain. Wildfire Watch: DNR warns wildfire danger is “very high to extreme” across much of Michigan, with no new burn permits until rain arrives; a wildfire in Hiawatha National Forest is burning about 15 acres. Housing & Costs: A Senate committee advanced a housing tax credit package aimed at easing Michigan’s affordability crunch, while Consumers Energy filed for its biggest rate increase in 20+ years. Legal & Public Safety: Michigan AG will decide whether to file criminal charges in an East Lansing officer-involved fatal shooting; Detroit and the Great Lakes Water Authority face an insurers’ flood payout lawsuit. Labor & Industry: UAW strike action hit a Three Rivers GM axle supplier, and Gotion is suing Green Charter Township over a failed EV battery deal. Sports: Michigan locks in a Nov. 6 UConn rematch at TD Garden in Boston.

Wildfire Watch: The DNR warns fire danger is high to very high across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, citing dry fuels and limited rain; burning yard debris permits are paused in the north. Public Safety & Corrections: MDOC is raising starting pay for new corrections officer recruits at five UP prisons by about $10,000 a year to tackle staffing shortages. Local Crime/Justice: Michigan Supreme Court ruled sex-offender registration rules added in 2011 can’t be forced on people convicted before those changes. Health & Community: MDHHS, DIFS and the AG are urging residents to watch for Medicare fraud during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week. Schools & Mobility: MDOT awarded $282,000 for Safe Routes to School mini-grants, funding walking school buses, bike rodeos, safety events and incentives. Elections & Culture: Public voting is open for Michigan’s 2026 “I Voted” sticker contest through June 30. Business/Finance: AAA says Michigan gas prices fell 27 cents from last week. Sports: Gaylord’s Calvin Cosby finished second in the D2 pole vault at state finals.

Banking Closures: Fifth Third says it will shut 75 Michigan branches this summer after its Comerica deal—55 Comerica sites plus 20 Fifth Third locations—aiming to finish by early September. Health Care Access: MDHHS awarded nearly $400K to expand sickle cell care across five projects, including work at Henry Ford and U-M to improve transitions and treatment access. School Safety: MDOT handed out $282K in Safe Routes to School mini-grants for programs like walking school buses, bike rodeos, and safety workshops. Fraud Watch: State agencies are warning Michiganders during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week to protect Medicare info and watch for common scam tactics. Energy Costs: Consumers Energy’s summer peak rates kick in June 1, with on-peak electricity costing 24.5 cents/kWh (2–7 p.m.). Local Economy/Jobs: A UAW strike at American Axle/Dauch in Three Rivers threatens GM pickup production. Tech & Power Debate: Oracle and OpenAI’s “Barn” data center campus broke ground in Saline Township, drawing praise from leaders while residents remain divided. Public Safety: Michigan State Police charged a Utah man in a Livingston County attempted child abduction case. Elections: Michigan’s “I Voted” sticker contest is open for public voting through June 30. Gas Prices: AAA reports Michigan gas is down 27 cents since last week, averaging $4.38/gallon.

Agriculture & Climate-Smart Farming: USDA-backed Farmers for Soil Health is reopening its cover-crop incentive enrollment, with higher annual payments of $35 per acre (up to 2,000 acres) and a new one-year contract structure aimed at cutting barriers for corn, soy, wheat and other growers. Great Lakes Shipping: A new report says Great Lakes shipping lost about a third of the 2026 season—82 ship days—blaming inadequate Coast Guard icebreaking, even as the Coast Guard cites record zero casualties during assisted transits. Public Safety & Health: Michigan is warning residents to watch for harmful algal blooms as summer nears, and the state is rolling out a new one-stop tool to report them. Elections: Michigan’s automatic voter registration process is getting updates, including changes to the opt-out flow. Local News: A Monroe County road-rage case has a semi-truck driver accused of firing a pistol at a family on U.S. 23. Sports: Kyle Whittingham is riding in IndyCar’s “Fastest Seat in Sports” at the Detroit Grand Prix, while Michigan’s recruiting continues to churn with more commitments and flips. Skilled Trades: Washtenaw Community College student Mikala Sposito is set to represent the U.S. in welding at WorldSkills in China.

Voting Access Update: Michigan is changing how automatic voter registration works: starting June 1, people added through AVR or preregistration will get a mail letter explaining how to opt out. Public Health & Environment: EGLE, MDHHS and MDARD are urging Michiganders to watch for harmful algal blooms as summer ramps up, and they’ve updated the HAB reporting form to make it easier to send in photos and details. Wildfire Risk: The DNR says elevated fire danger is high in northern Michigan due to dry fuels and low moisture, and it’s pausing burn permits in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula while conditions stay risky. Great Lakes Readiness: The Coast Guard met with Northern Michigan partners in Traverse City to discuss maritime readiness, including salvage and marine firefighting, plus a drill planned near the Straits of Mackinac in August. Local Sports & Community: The Detroit Grand Prix wrapped with Alex Palou winning after leading from the pole, and a father-daughter volunteer team helped run the winner’s circle ceremonies. Lottery: No jackpot winner in Saturday’s Powerball drawing; the next drawing is Monday with an estimated $180M.

Great Lakes Safety: A 62-year-old recreational diver died after an emergency during a dive at the SS Cedarville shipwreck site in Lake Huron near the Straits of Mackinac; investigators say there’s no sign of equipment malfunction and the Coast Guard notes the 1965 wreck killed at least seven. Wildfire Watch: Michigan DNR warns wildfire danger is high to very high across the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, with no significant rain expected and burn permits restricted in those areas. Road Safety Push: MDOT is planning I-75 bridge repairs north of St. Ignace starting June 1, with single-lane closures and a 12-foot width limit through Aug. 11. Teen Crash Warning: State officials say the “100 deadliest days” are underway, with teen crash rates far higher than adults and summer fatalities spiking. Local Politics & Campaigning: U.S. Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow drew about 60 people in Manistee, pitching plans on democracy, rural mental health care, and data centers. Community Spotlight: Lansing Mayor Andy Schor says his wife Erin Schor will appear on “Jeopardy!” June 12. U-M Data Center Fight: U-M is continuing plans for a Ypsilanti Township supercomputing facility despite local opposition and a moratorium limiting water/sewer use for data centers. Sports in Michigan: Former Wolverine Ben Braden is in Detroit as an IndyCar fueler for Meyer Shank Racing, and GM highlights women in prominent motorsports roles ahead of the Detroit Grand Prix.

Wildfire Watch: Michigan’s DNR is warning of high-to-very-high fire danger across the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, with no meaningful rain expected for about 10 days—yard debris burning permits are paused in those areas and officials urge extreme caution outdoors. Public Health: MDHHS says the outbreak-related recommendation for infants to get an early MMR dose (ages 6–11 months) has ended after the measles outbreak subsided, with thousands of early doses given during the risk period. Voting Access: Starting June 1, Michigan will make it easier for people to opt out of automatic voter registration—eligible residents who complete a Secretary of State branch transaction will get a mailed notice with prepaid instructions. Education & Literacy: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order creating the Every Child Reads Champions Council to coordinate and advise statewide literacy efforts. Local Spotlight: Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater is gearing up for a busy summer season, expecting more than 8,000 guests in the next 11 weeks.

Mackinac Politics: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she won’t run for president in 2028, then walked it back hours later—telling reporters she needed to “correct the record” and “never say never,” with the Mackinac Policy Conference buzzing about who might step forward. MSU Leadership Fallout: MSU board chair Brianna Scott blamed “three trustees” for President Kevin Guskiewicz’s exit, calling it “completely avoidable” and saying the board must now confront an “unsustainable” environment. Higher Ed & Waste: Michigan universities are struggling with takeout trash as grab-and-go habits stick; MSU says campus waste dropped during COVID, then rebounded as convenience culture returned. Voting Access: Michigan’s automatic voter registration opt-out is getting easier—starting in June, new registrants will get a mail notice with a prepaid way to opt out. Public Safety: Michigan State Police report a traffic stop in Garfield Township led to suspected heroin, Xanax, and stolen tools; in Cheboygan County, a search warrant near Tower turned up meth, pills, and weapons. Environment & Fire Risk: The DNR suspended burn permits in northern Michigan as an “Omega block” pattern brings dry weather and higher wildfire danger. Local Flavor: Northern Michigan’s Legs Inn removed its iconic “legs” during restoration work to repair the front roof.

Democratic Primary Fight: Democrats are debating which states should kick off the 2028 presidential primary, with 12 states jockeying for early slots and concerns about diversity and swing-state impact. Michigan Politics: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she won’t run for president in 2028, then quickly “corrects the record” with a “never say never” message after walking it back hours later. MSU Leadership Shakeup: Michigan State President Kevin Guskiewicz is leaving for Clemson, raising fresh questions about stability and the next presidential search. Local Government & Health Courts: A statewide survey finds Michigan’s family court system in crisis, citing delays, undertrained judges, and calls for legislative action. Environment & Public Health: A judge permanently blocks radioactive waste from a Niagara Falls cleanup site from going to a Michigan landfill. Energy & Reliability: Consumers Energy is expanding tree trimming across thousands of miles of power lines to cut outages. Sports & Community: Meijer Sports Complex in Rockford opens 20 new pickleball courts as the sport keeps booming in West Michigan.

Politics & Elections: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cooled 2028 presidential buzz, saying she won’t run—then walked back the certainty with a “never say never” comment at the Mackinac Policy Conference. Higher Education Governance: Lawmakers are weighing a constitutional change that would end Michigan’s elected university boards by shifting appointment power to the governor, after turmoil around MSU’s board and President Kevin Guskiewicz’s exit. Public Safety & Health: Michigan warned residents about harmful algal blooms this summer, with guidance on what to watch for and when to seek care. Search & Rescue: The Coast Guard got permission to send divers to previously unsearched areas in the Bahamas as the search for missing Michigan woman Lynette Hooker continues. Local Communities: A Leelanau County highway sign honors Anishinaabe Civil War soldiers of Company K, spotlighting a largely untold Michigan story. Crime & Courts: A St. Ignace man was arrested on child sexual abuse material charges, while a Kaleva man faces meth and weapons felonies after a 2025 traffic stop investigation. Environment & Outdoors: Michigan banned six invasive plants, including Callery pear and buckthorns, to protect local ecosystems.

Traffic & Safety: A crash and debris shut down all westbound lanes of I-94 near Saline Road/Exit 175 in the Ann Arbor area for hours, with eastbound lanes also closed at M-14 (Plymouth Road)/Exit 171 due to debris. Public Health: Michigan ended its early MMR vaccine recommendation for infants 6–11 months after the measles outbreak risk eased. Wildlife Policy: State Rep. Dave Prestin introduced a bill to create a gray wolf hunting and trapping season, tied to federal delisting. Community & Grants: MDHHS opened grant funding for anti-trafficking victim services, with about $2.1M expected statewide. Environment: Health officials warned Michiganders to avoid foam on lakes and rivers, citing possible PFAS exposure. Energy & Data Centers: LG Energy Solution and DTE announced a deal for 1.5 GW/6 GWh of Michigan battery storage projects. Sports & Campus: Jeremy Fears Jr. is returning to MSU, while MSU’s president Kevin Guskiewicz is leaving for Clemson.