AGP Executive Report

College Football: Michigan rallied past Penn State 21-18 after coach Kyle Whittingham benched Bryce Underwood at halftime. Freshman Tommy Carr sparked the comeback, while three Penn State turnovers set up all of Michigan’s points. East Lansing: Michigan State fell 24-21 to No. 25 Northwestern after a blocked late field goal, extending the Spartans’ losing streak to five games. Rural Health: Michigan is distributing $173 million in federal grants for rural health care, but providers say the money may not reach the groups most in need, and lawmakers want clearer reporting. Public Safety: A 1945 grenade found in a Paw Paw Township home was safely dismantled; officials confirmed it had been decommissioned. Michigan Politics: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez transferred $1 million to Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan Senate campaign as the closely watched race heats up.

Senate Race: Michigan’s open-seat contest is sharpening tensions among Jewish voters in Detroit’s suburbs and Arab American voters in Dearborn, amid debate over Gaza and attacks on Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has transferred $1 million to his campaign as he faces Republican Mike Rogers. Game Day: Michigan hosts Penn State at 3:30 p.m., with both teams seeking their first Big Ten win. Michigan State hosts No. 25 Northwestern at noon in East Lansing, where coach Pat Fitzgerald faces his former team. Williamston Traffic: M-43 will close in both directions at Dietz Road from 7 a.m. Monday until 5 p.m. Nov. 6 for Consumers Energy work; drivers should follow detours. Paid Leave: Michigan lawmakers and advocates urged action on paid family and medical leave, saying many residents lack access to paid time off to care for themselves or loved ones. Detroit Marathon: Nearly 30,000 runners, including a record number of Canadians, are expected for Sunday’s races.

Governor’s Race: Jocelyn Benson and John James clashed over data centers, taxes and the cost of living in their final debate, with both promising tax relief. Midterm Watch: Michigan has received 630,000 mail ballots, and requests are running about 20% ahead of the same point in 2024. The Senate race also drew a $1 million donation to Abdul El-Sayed from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Utility Bills: State regulators approved a $139.2 million annual Consumers Energy gas-rate increase, raising a typical residential customer’s rates 4.3%. Environment: A new report found PFAS in 15 of 19 Michigan waterways tested; meanwhile, DNR crews are battling wildfires in the Upper Peninsula. College Football: Michigan hosts Penn State Saturday, with both teams seeking their first Big Ten win.

Voting: East Lansing will open early voting at MSU’s WKAR Studio A starting Oct. 19, with a second site at Hannah Community Center opening Oct. 24. State election officials have also begun public testing of voting machines ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Governor’s Race: Jocelyn Benson and John James clashed over data centers and the cost of living in their second debate in Detroit. Data Centers: Google won site-plan approval for a Michigan data center despite opposition from nearby residents concerned about noise, dust, water use and property values. Household Costs: Michigan insurers are seeking average individual-market rate increases of more than 14% for 2027; state regulators will review proposals before open enrollment begins Nov. 1. Regulators also approved natural gas rate hikes for Consumers Energy and SEMCO. Jobs: Michigan’s unemployment rate held at 5.0% in September.

Rural Transit: Benzie Bus received a $94,750 state grant for a study to modernize service and improve connections to jobs, health care and schools across Northwest Michigan. Lansing Investigation: Police are examining whether five men found dead with violent injuries along the Lansing River Trail over nearly a year may be connected; one man has been arrested in a stabbing death, but authorities have not linked him to the other cases. Jobs: A Sterling Heights Ford supplier plans to lay off 156 workers, with some work moving to India. Election Security: Michigan communities have begun public tests of voting machines ahead of the Nov. 3 election, while a report says 58% of school districts have not met a law requiring firearm-storage information for parents. Household Costs: Consumers Energy won approval to raise natural gas rates 4.3%, adding $139.2 million a year in revenue. Senate Race: Vice President JD Vance campaigned in Monroe for Republican Mike Rogers, whose race against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is a toss-up.

Senate Race: Eastern Michigan University says no Abdul El-Sayed or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez event is planned on campus Friday, despite a campaign announcement. Ocasio-Cortez was also reported campaigning with El-Sayed in the Upper Peninsula. Election Watch: More than 440,000 Michigan voters have returned ballots, with early-voting events planned statewide Saturday. Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Democrat Jocelyn Benson for governor. Transit: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced $65 million in grants to expand transit service and connections; TheRide also received $6.6 million for a bus rapid transit study. Public Health: Attorney General Dana Nessel is seeking court approval of settlements with three generic drugmakers over alleged price-fixing. Separately, thousands of residents have lost SNAP benefits since new rules took effect. Public Safety: Detroit police are investigating several shootings involving children this week, including the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old girl. Upper Peninsula: Repairs to the Portage Lake Lift Bridge will bring daily single-lane closures on northbound M-26/US-41 from Monday through Wednesday.

Election Watch: The RNC, Michigan Republican Party and Ingham County GOP are suing Lansing election officials over the party balance of poll workers. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum says the suit was filed before appointments were complete and could fuel doubts about election results. More than 440,000 Michigan voters have already returned ballots, according to recent reports. Prison Privacy: A woman formerly incarcerated at Women’s Huron Valley is suing eight MDOC employees, alleging officers recorded her giving birth in violation of state privacy law. MSU: A former nursing student says she was sexually harassed during a clinical rotation and dismissed after reporting it; she has filed notice of intent to sue the university and faculty members. Upper Peninsula Fires: The DNR says lightning started the Craig Lake fire, while the cause of the Ridge Fire remains under investigation. Both continue to burn, with evacuations reported in Marquette and Baraga counties. Career Training: Essexville-Hampton Public Schools received a $400,000 state grant to launch a mechatronics program at Garber High School. Public Safety: A Traverse City man was arraigned on a felony charge after allegedly threatening to kill a local prosecutor.

Lansing Safety: Police are investigating whether five attacks and deaths involving men along the Lansing River Trail are connected. One suspect is in custody in a homicide case, but police say it is unclear whether he is linked to the others; patrols and cameras are being increased. Consumer Protection: Lansing is weighing rules for cryptocurrency kiosks, including registration, fraud warnings and a 24-hour customer service number, amid concerns that scammers are steering residents into irreversible cash transfers. Recovery Housing: Michigan is investing $3.4 million in 24 recovery residences across 14 counties, adding an estimated 205 beds. Election Watch: More than 440,000 ballots have been returned statewide—about 6% of registered voters—as officials prepare for the November midterms. State Services: Michigan and 13 other states are suing over the termination of federal grants meant to modernize unemployment systems and fight fraud. Detroit Crime: A 16-year-old girl was killed and another person wounded in an east-side drive-by shooting; police are seeking the suspects.

Judicial Accountability: The Michigan Supreme Court ordered a former Jackson County judge to retire and barred him from future judicial office after finding misconduct, including sexual harassment and concealed delays in rulings. Election Watch: More than 440,000 Michigan voters have returned ballots for the Nov. 3 election; early voting starts Oct. 24. Public Safety: Lansing’s police chief says the deaths of five men found along a river trail may be connected; the investigation is ongoing. Transit: The state awarded Berrien County $6.37 million to launch a regional transit authority, part of $65 million in statewide transit grants. Jobs and Business: Michigan’s August unemployment rate was 5%, the nation’s third-highest, as Pfizer plans to cut 150 jobs at its Portage plant and small-business leaders warn growth is stalling. College Football: Central Michigan hosts Western Michigan for the Victory Cannon Trophy, while Eastern Michigan enters the week atop the MAC at 3-0 in conference play.

Public Safety: Lansing police are examining whether five bodies found along the Lansing River Trail are connected; officials have not confirmed a serial killer. In Detroit, a mother and her 7-year-old daughter were shot on the east side, and the suspect remains at large. Farm Relief: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer temporarily lifted dyed-diesel restrictions for farm and forestry vehicles, allowing road use through year’s end as prices climb. Health Care: Michigan regulators may revoke Kalamazoo Behavioral Health Hospital’s license after investigating patient injuries, unexplained transfers and failures to conduct required checks. Education: Michigan’s MI College Match program has generated 25,252 college admission offers and $1.27 billion in scholarship opportunities for students. Sports: Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham says turnovers are a key problem ahead of Saturday’s Penn State game and plans to change punt returners. Michigan State hockey remains No. 3 nationally after sweeping Northern Michigan. Fall Events: St. Joseph and Southwest Michigan have Halloween activities planned throughout October, including a downtown Spooktacular on Oct. 17.

Lansing Safety: Police are investigating whether five deaths along the Lansing River Trail since October 2025 are connected. The victims were unhoused men, and officials have not confirmed a serial killer is responsible. Detroit Crime: A man died after being shot at a McNichols gas station, while a 7-year-old child and their mother were shot on the east side; no suspect information was available in either case. Recovery Housing: Michigan awarded $3.4 million in opioid settlement funds to 18 organizations, adding an estimated 205 recovery beds across 14 counties. 2026 Campaign: GOP gubernatorial candidate John James called for accountability in schools and stronger parental rights, while critics said he was shifting focus from academic performance. Detroit Lions: Detroit rebounded from a sluggish start to beat Arizona 45-21, with coach Dan Campbell crediting fourth-down conversions as a turning point.

Lansing Investigation: Police are probing five deaths along the Lansing River Trail. A suspect has been charged in one stabbing but has not been linked to the other four deaths. Upper Peninsula Fires: The DNR is battling two wildfires amid dry conditions. Residents near the larger Ridge Fire were told to prepare to evacuate, and an evacuation center is open in Negaunee Township. State Policy: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan bills to expand access to mental health care, protect auto-dealer customers’ data and streamline county tax-record requests. Trade and Jobs: U.S. Rep. John James proposed using federal tariff revenue to help Michigan businesses and workers weather the escalating trade dispute with Canada.

Detroit Lions: Detroit rolled past Arizona 45-21, improving to 3-2 before the bye. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns, passing Barry Sanders for the most career touchdowns before age 25. East Lansing Sports: No. 3 Michigan State hockey swept Northern Michigan with a 5-1 win, while the No. 22 volleyball team beat Iowa in four sets. The No. 2 women’s soccer team fell 2-1 to Purdue. Lansing Investigation: Police are probing whether a possible serial killer is linked to five men who died after being injured along a Lansing-area trail. State Politics and Health Care: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sued Blue Cross Blue Shield, alleging the insurer’s market power harms competition. Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers also faced off in a heated debate.

Detroit Public Safety: One person was killed and three injured, including a 14-year-old in critical condition, in a quadruple shooting on Wabash. Police are searching for suspects. Health Care: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sued Blue Cross Blue Shield, alleging its market dominance drives up costs and limits care. The insurer disputes the claims. Midterms: Independent voters could decide close congressional races, while Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson is campaigning to help her party win control of the Legislature. College Football: Michigan State fell to Illinois 38-37 in overtime after a failed two-point try, extending the Spartans’ losing streak to four. Western Michigan routed Kent State 38-7, and Eastern Michigan edged Akron 25-23 on a late field goal.

Michigan Politics: Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson says she’ll campaign to help Democrats win control of both legislative chambers, giving the party a trifecta if she defeats Republican John James. East Lansing: Michigan State rallied from a 17-point deficit to force overtime, but Illinois held on for a 38-37 win when the Spartans’ two-point try failed. MSU has lost four straight. Lansing Elections: The Republican National Committee and state GOP are suing, alleging Lansing election officials favored Democratic poll-worker applicants over Republicans. Health Costs: Attorney General Dana Nessel sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, alleging its dominant market share drives up premiums and reduces provider pay. Road Safety: Bronson’s council will consider an MDOT plan to reduce US-12 from four lanes to three, adding a center turn lane. The stretch had 77 crashes from 2021 to 2025.

Senate Race: Michigan’s high-stakes contest drew fresh attention as AIPAC’s super PAC spent $95,000 on mailers opposing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, while Republican Mike Rogers faced questions over reversing his support for tariffs on Canada. Labor Politics: The UAW is working to rebuild its influence ahead of the midterms, but divisions among members and past corruption scandals complicate its push. Public Safety: One person was killed and another injured in a shooting outside a Detroit grocery store. In Chelsea, police and state bomb technicians disarmed a suspected pipe bomb found at a gas station. Health Care: Attorney General Dana Nessel sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, alleging its market dominance raises costs and limits competition; the insurer disputes the claims. Detroit Development: A $1 million state grant will help turn a contaminated Corktown site into housing and commercial space, with 23 jobs planned. Lansing Investigation: Police have warned of a possible link among five deaths near river trails over the past 10 months as they investigate a suspected serial killer.