AGP Executive Report

Election Reform Push: A bipartisan House resolution would overhaul how Michigan picks nominees for attorney general and secretary of state—shifting from party conventions to primary elections—and would also move university board nominations away from party conventions, with the governor appointing MSU, U-M and Wayne State board members (Senate approval required). Memorial Day Reminders: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered flags at the Capitol and public buildings lowered to half-staff Monday morning. PFAS Cleanup Delayed: The Air Force is now delaying PFAS remediation at the former Wurtsmith base in northern Michigan by up to five years, drawing fresh pressure from lawmakers. Public Safety on the Water and Trails: DNR is urging life jackets and safer boating as summer recreation ramps up, while also warning campers not to move untreated firewood due to invasive pests. Detroit Violence Focus: A teen was charged in the downtown shooting of a 14-year-old, and a youth flag football league wrapped up its season amid concerns about teen takeovers. Sports/Local: The Detroit Lions extended Jack Campbell through 2030, and the Saginaw Spirit signed defenseman Tyler Martyniuk.

Public Safety: A LaPorte County deputy in Indiana was shot three times inside an emergency room at Franciscan Health Michigan City, and police say the suspect fled into nearby woods before being taken into custody; the hospital says there’s no ongoing threat. Prisons & Accountability: In Lansing, 30 lawmakers are calling for Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington to resign after multiple prison deaths, while Gov. Whitmer orders a swift investigation. State Politics: Lawmakers are pushing a constitutional change that would move attorney general and secretary of state nominations from party conventions to voter primaries, and they’re also seeking changes to how top university board candidates are selected. Economy Mood: The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index hit a record low in May as higher fuel costs and the Iran conflict weigh on finances. Environment & Health: Michigan is adding six invasive plant species to state lists, and health officials are continuing warnings about foam and safer fishing guidance ahead of Memorial Day. Local Life: The Detroit Zoo opened its $49 million Discovery Trails exhibit with hands-on animal encounters.

Lions Lock In Their Defensive Anchor: Detroit officially signed All-Pro LB Jack Campbell to a four-year extension through 2030, a deal reported at $81 million with $51.5M guaranteed—coming after the team declined his 2027 option. Pistons Season Ends, Cavs Look for Another Comeback: Cleveland beat Detroit 109-93 in Game 2 and is down 2-0 in the East finals, with Donovan Mitchell pointing to past rallies as confidence. Detroit Violence and Public Safety: Police are investigating two people found shot dead in separate vehicles, and a separate freeway shooting shut down the Southfield Freeway near Joy Road for hours. Church Restructuring Hits Home: The Archdiocese of Detroit is holding listening sessions as models could leave at least 22 southeast Michigan parishes without weekend Masses. Memorial Day Travel Gets a Break: MDOT is pausing 100 of 168 road projects and lifting many lane restrictions to ease holiday congestion. Hunger Relief Boost: 40,000 pounds of food is being delivered to Detroit-area pantries to meet rising demand.

Ebola Flight Fallout: An Air France flight bound for Detroit was diverted to Montreal after a passenger from the Congo boarded “in error” amid tightened U.S. Ebola entry rules; Canada’s public health agency says the traveler who sparked the diversion has no Ebola symptoms and has returned to Paris. Gubernatorial Race Shake-Up: Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his independent bid for Michigan governor, citing internal polling, fundraising trouble, and national political headwinds tied to anger over gas prices and the war in Iran. State Politics: Michigan Democrats reintroduced a Michigan Voting Rights Act package after the federal Voting Rights Act was weakened by the Supreme Court. Local Economy: Michigan’s jobless rate held steady at 5.0% in April. Sports: The Lions extended LB Jack Campbell through 2030, while Tigers ace Tarik Skubal threw another bullpen session as he continues elbow-surgery rehab. Workforce & Education: MSU’s Institute of Agricultural Technology is partnering with Kirtland Community College to expand a Forest Technology certificate starting Fall 2026.

Detroit Bankruptcy Ends: A U.S. judge closed the City of Detroit’s Chapter 9 case, ending court supervision after a long road since 2013—Mayor Mary Sheffield pointed to 12 straight balanced budgets, surpluses, big reserves, and a return to investment-grade status. Student Loans Fight: AG Dana Nessel and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined a coalition suing the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that narrows access to federal student loans for many professional degree programs. Clean Slate Milestone: A new report marks 5 years of Michigan’s Clean Slate expungement laws, citing tens of thousands of petitions and major automatic record clearing—plus calls for two targeted fixes. Public Notices at Risk: At a Michigan Press Association forum, candidates argued for keeping legal notices in local newspapers, saying they’re key for transparency—especially in rural areas. Ebola Flight Disruption: Two separate flights bound for Detroit were diverted to Canada after passengers from Ebola-affected countries boarded “in error,” triggering entry restrictions. House Property Tax Bills: The House passed property tax cut bills while holding off on tax increases to plug a budget hole. Detroit Sports: The Tigers dropped another close one to the Guardians, while the Detroit News racked up 15 SPJ journalism awards.

Seat Belt Crackdown: Kentucky State Police Post 9 is joining a 6-state push (May 18-25) with Michigan and others to boost seat belt use and cut roadway deaths, with extra patrols on interstates and rural roads. Local Crime & Safety: Southfield police say a Catholic cemetery has been hit four times since March with dead, mutilated animals left at the entrance, including a beheaded goat and decapitated pigeons in trash bags. Courts & Justice: A Flint judge sentenced Omar Brogdon to life without parole for a Facebook Marketplace murder tied to a deadly argument over car seats. Health Watch: Michigan’s MDHHS warns people to avoid foam on surface waters because it can carry harmful chemicals and bacteria, including PFAS. Sports: Purdue baseball stayed alive in the Big Ten Tournament with a late 3-1 win over Illinois, setting up another elimination game. Tech/Business: Quantic Dream is shutting down its live-service game Spellcasters Chronicles after weak player numbers.

Pistons Offseason: Trajan Langdon says he’s “looking forward” to working out a deal to keep All-Star center Jalen Duren in Detroit after the Pistons’ Game 7 loss to Cleveland. Detroit Techno Week: Mayor Mary Sheffield officially proclaimed May 18–25 as Detroit Techno Week, spotlighting Movement’s estimated $20M annual economic boost and its 30,000-attendee, 115-performer run at Hart Plaza. Gunshot Tech Shift: Detroit Police are seeking bids to replace ShotSpotter as the current contract nears its June end, with leadership saying they’re open to other vendors. Storm Cleanup: Severe weather hit metro Detroit with downed trees and power lines, closing Kensington and Stony Creek Metroparks and leaving residents dealing with damage. Local Safety & Schools: Roseville High School launched a police investigation after a student reported finding a cartridge case. Sports: Cleveland beat Detroit 4-3 again, while Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. announced he’s staying in the NBA Draft.

NBA Playoffs: The Cavaliers are headed back to the Eastern Conference Finals after a 125-94 Game 7 blowout over the Pistons, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 26 and Jarrett Allen leading the charge—Cavs fans now get Game 1 vs. the Knicks on ESPN tonight. Local Business & Food: Grand Rapids’ Cheney Place is now booking weddings with free venue-hosted wedding websites and online RSVP, while a new rooftop spot, Topa, opens Thursday in Brush Park—and Detroit-style pizza is rolling out via a new food cart in Sisters. Public Safety: A 14-year-old faces nine felony counts in Michigan’s school swatting case after a fake bomb threat shut down Napoleon Community Schools; investigators say the threat wasn’t credible. Infrastructure & Outdoors: Meijer kicked off a $3.5M redesign of Michilimackinac State Park, and MDOT approved a 2029 roundabout plan in Marquette County. Weather: Monday’s storms brought near-100 mph gusts and widespread outages across southern Lower Michigan.

Monsanto PCB Settlement: Michigan AG Dana Nessel says the state has locked in a $108 million settlement with Monsanto (with a possible total up to $240 million) to clean up toxic PCB contamination, with EGLE and DNR overseeing remediation. Severe Weather Aftermath: Storms across Southeast Michigan left trees down and power out, and Consumers Energy says it’s mobilizing crews to restore service to tens of thousands as another round of storms is expected. Health Watch: Michigan health officials report PFAS “forever chemicals” in firefighters’ blood and warn about salmonella linked to backyard chicks and ducklings. Education Equity: A new report finds Michigan students of color, students with disabilities, rural/urban students, and low-income families are missing out on AP, dual enrollment, and CTE options. Sports—Tigers: Cleveland beat Detroit 8-2 as Tarik Skubal’s elbow recovery continues, with him throwing bullpen again. Local Schools: A storm damaged a Barry County early childhood center, and the district says it can no longer safely serve students.

Opioid Accountability: Michigan’s first statewide accounting shows local governments have spent just 17.7% of opioid settlement money received so far—about $176 million sitting in bank accounts meant for the crisis, with earlier reporting revealing many communities hadn’t spent anything yet. Public Safety & Weather: Police are investigating a fight during a Dowagiac graduation that led to arrests and juvenile referrals, while parts of Michigan face severe thunderstorm watches/warnings and residents are urged to shelter. Detroit Violence: Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield says the city will push “enforcement and accountability” after a teen takeover shooting left a 14-year-old expected to recover. Memorial Day Prep: Gas prices hover near $5, and researchers warn 12.1 million birds will migrate over Michigan Monday night—turn off outdoor lights to help. Health Alert: Michigan reports salmonella linked to backyard chicks and ducklings, including cases among young children.

NBA Playoffs: Donovan Mitchell poured in 26 as the Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the Detroit Pistons 125-94 in Game 7, winning the series 4-3 and earning a first-ever trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2018; Cleveland now hosts the Knicks in New York for Game 1 Tuesday. Michigan Sports: The Pistons’ surprise turnaround ends one win short of the conference finals, while Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson were held to 13 each. College Hoops: Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and is set to return to lead the Wolverines next season. Wildlife Rules: The Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved new deer regulations, including a “one buck rule” limiting Lower Peninsula hunters to one buck per person starting in 2027. Environment & Public Health: MDHHS released initial PFAS findings from the Firefighters of Michigan Surveillance project, tracking blood PFAS levels statewide. Water Safety: At Cheboygan Lock and Dam, emergency pumps are being demobilized as water levels drop and spillway gates are set to be reinstalled early next week.

NBA Playoffs (Game 7): The Pistons and Cavaliers are back for a winner-take-all Game 7 tonight at Little Caesars Arena, with the East finals berth on the line and the game streaming on Prime Video. Detroit forced the decider by routing Cleveland 115-94 in Game 6, while Cleveland kept its season alive with an overtime win in Game 5. Weather Alert: Severe storm risk is rising for parts of west-central and northern Michigan Sunday, with hail and damaging winds the main threats and a small tornado chance. MSU Governance: Michigan State’s Board of Trustees will hold a special Sunday night Zoom meeting to consider revisions to its code of ethics and conduct, plus a personnel action. Wildfire Prep: Michigan officials say last year’s ice-storm timber debris is drying out and could make wildfire season more dangerous. Detroit Safety: A west-side Detroit crash sent two people to the hospital in critical condition, and police say one person is in custody. MLB Update: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run in nearly a month as the Blue Jays faced the Tigers.

Cavs vs. Pistons Game 7: Detroit forced a winner-take-all Sunday night after Jalen Duren bounced back with 15 points and 11 rebounds in a 115-94 win over Cleveland, setting up Game 7 at Little Caesars Arena (Prime Video, 8 p.m.). Weather Watch: Warmth is building across Mid-Michigan with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s by Monday and Tuesday, plus multiple early-week thunderstorm chances—strong storms most likely Monday afternoon/evening. Local Arts: The Good Hart Artist Residency landed a $27,637 Michigan Arts and Culture Council grant to support operations, equipment, and arts education. Broadcast Honors: WXYZ-TV was named Michigan Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year for a third straight year. Community Safety: Berkley is investigating about 100 antisemitic pamphlets found on front lawns, with officials asking for any related video. Sports Elsewhere: Michigan State football coaching legend Sherman Lewis died at 83; and Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau withdrew from the NBA Draft to return for the 2026-27 season.

Water Update: Boil-water advisories tied to an Auburn Hills water main break have been lifted for impacted Oakland County communities after testing showed clear results, with residents told to flush water and clean/replace filters. Recruiting: Michigan kept rolling in the 2027 class, adding four-star RB Tyson Robinson, part of a four-day commitment streak that now totals 11 pledges. College Sports: Illinois State beat Michigan State 6-3 in baseball Friday, while Michigan’s spring sports scene also saw a Redbirds win and more action around East Lansing. NBA Playoffs: The Detroit Pistons forced a Game 7 by crushing the Cavaliers 115-94, led by Cade Cunningham’s 21 and a big defensive second half. Public Safety: Two separate metro Detroit officer-involved shootings left two men dead, including a fatal knife attack in Ecorse. Health: A new report flags Michigan’s mental health care crisis, citing low bed availability and long travel distances for kids in northern Michigan. Local Culture: The Detroit Zoo’s chimp Abby died at 42, ending decades of her presence at the zoo.

NBA Playoffs: The Pistons forced a Game 7, crushing the Cavaliers 115-94 in Cleveland as Cade Cunningham scored 21 and Detroit’s defense turned the series back toward Detroit’s home court on Sunday. MLB: The Tigers’ Tarik Skubal is back to throwing lightly after elbow surgery, with the rehab “next phase” underway. NCAA Sports: Michigan softball’s season hit a wall in the Oklahoma regional, losing 1-0 to Kansas and now needing two straight wins to stay alive. Detroit Zoo: Abby the chimpanzee, a longtime Detroit Zoo matriarch, died at 42 after declining health. Public Safety: A man was pulled from Lake Michigan near Oak Street Beach and pronounced dead; police are investigating. Energy/Legal: Michigan and federal attorneys sparred over whether DOE’s “emergency” orders were justified to keep a west Michigan coal plant running. State Budget: Michigan’s revenue outlook improved, but a billion-dollar gap still looms before the July 1 deadline.

PWHL Expansion: Manon Rhéaume—women’s hockey trailblazer and a longtime Detroit-area youth hockey leader—was named the first general manager of the PWHL’s Detroit expansion team, bringing NHL front-office experience from the Los Angeles Kings and a championship mindset to the league’s next chapter. Education Policy: The Michigan House approved a bill that would forgive extra snow days for some districts this school year, a move aimed at keeping schools from being forced to make up lost in-person time. Politics & Records: House Republicans pushed a resolution demanding Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson release SPLC-related records amid federal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center. Public Safety & Courts: A Michigan home healthcare owner was convicted in a $1.6M Medicare fraud and kickback scheme, while Michigan State Police fatally shot a suspect in Waterford Township. Wildlife & Outdoors: The DNR says it still collected about 4.2 million steelhead eggs after a lightning strike knocked out power at a key hatchery site.