AGP Executive Report

U.S. Senate Race: Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed are set for their first general-election debate, after weeks of sharp attacks. Rogers has also broken with President Trump over Canada tariffs, saying the trade fight should end as Michigan voters face higher costs. Reports that El-Sayed privately urged streamer Hasan Piker to tone down his rhetoric have added to tensions among Democrats; the account is based on sources cited by CNN. Governor’s Race: Jocelyn Benson and John James clashed in their debate over tariffs, data centers, gas prices and education, putting competing plans for Michigan in focus. Election Watch: More than 200,000 Michigan voters had already cast ballots ahead of Nov. 3, while Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of election-security threats. Gaming Regulation: Coinbase agreed to stop offering sports event contracts to Michigan customers and close existing positions by Oct. 10 as legal appeals continue.

Governor’s Race: Jocelyn Benson and John James clashed in their first debate over tariffs, Iran, data centers, gas prices, education and Medicaid. A new poll gives Benson a seven-point lead; Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel, a Democrat, endorsed James. Senate Contest: Republican Mike Rogers now says Trump’s tariff fight with Canada should end, a shift from his recent defense of tariffs. Barack Obama plans to campaign in Detroit with Abdul El-Sayed and Benson on Oct. 24. Voting: Michigan absentee ballot returns are up 30% from the same point in 2022, and more than 200,000 voters have already cast ballots. Attorney General Dana Nessel says officials are preparing for election security threats. State Government: A complaint alleges Benson and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist used publicly funded security details and vehicles while campaigning; the complaint against Benson was referred to Nessel. Nessel also urged regulators to cut Consumers Energy’s proposed rate increase in half.

Governor’s Race: Jocelyn Benson and John James clashed in their first debate over tariffs, gas prices, Iran, education and data centers. James called for an end to the Iran war and a return to trade talks, while Benson backed suspending Michigan’s gas tax. Senate Campaign: Republican Mike Rogers called the tariff fight with Canada a mistake, while he and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed traded attacks over donors. Barack Obama is set to campaign in Detroit with El-Sayed and Benson. Voting: Michigan absentee ballot returns are up 30% from the same point in 2022 as early voting gets underway; Attorney General Dana Nessel has also sought to cut Consumers Energy’s proposed rate hike by more than half. New Laws: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan measures expanding alerts for missing children and strengthening penalties for gift-card fraud.

Michigan Supreme Court: The state’s top court will hear whether physical contact with a vehicle counts as “occupying” it for uninsured motorist coverage, after an injured driver was denied benefits because only his hand touched the truck. Elections & voting security: AG Dana Nessel says Michigan is ready for disruptions as absentee voting ramps up, citing preparations with the governor’s team, state police, and local election officials. Gubernatorial debate: In the Benson vs. James debate, Benson pressed James on tariffs and Canada, while James argued he’s pushed for renegotiation and criticized Trump without “worshipping” him. U.S. Senate race attacks: Steve Cortes amplified claims that Mike Rogers ties Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign funding to Muslim Brotherhood backers, as the campaign fight intensifies. Campaign logistics: A Fox 2 guide lays out how to watch Michigan’s governor and Senate debates this week. Public safety: A Grand Blanc man faces federal charges after Secret Service investigators say he posted threats to kill Trump and bomb government buildings. Environment: Michigan announced $89M for cleanup of the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers, including PCB remediation and habitat restoration.

Utility Rates Fight: Michigan AG Dana Nessel urged the state Public Service Commission to cut Consumers Energy’s proposed electric rate hike by more than half, arguing the utility inflates costs while households face rising grocery and fuel bills. Water Affordability: A new national analysis finds water bills are climbing faster than inflation and incomes, with people paying a growing share of earnings for basic service. Great Lakes Funding: The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill to extend the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, keeping $475 million a year flowing through 2030 to fight invasive species and clean up waterways. Midterms Spotlight (Michigan): Former President Barack Obama is set to campaign in Detroit with Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a major show of support as the race tightens. Election Watch: The Michigan 7th District debate between Tom Barrett and William Lawrence streams live today from WKAR. Gift Card Fraud Crackdown: Michigan lawmakers signed new laws treating gift card draining as organized retail crime, upgrading penalties and aligning enforcement with a dedicated unit. Business & Tech: Detroit-area regulators and utilities continue grappling with data center growth, while Michigan’s political debate season heats up.

Michigan Politics & Elections: Former President Barack Obama will campaign in Detroit Oct. 24 with Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson, aiming to energize voters as Michigan’s early in-person voting period begins Oct. 24. Campaign Trail: El-Sayed also announced a Cadillac stop Oct. 10 as part of a statewide tour. Local Governance & Schools: Dearborn voters will decide a $1.5 billion, 20-year school bond plan with a 3.14-mill increase, framed as facility renovations, safety upgrades, and new STEAM spaces. Election Administration: Delta College will host a public election-security panel Tuesday with local clerks from Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties. Public Safety & Law: Michigan lawmakers signed new laws cracking down on gift card fraud by treating “card draining” as organized retail crime, a felony. Courts & Policy: Michigan’s Supreme Court fight over “Let’s Go Brandon” sweatshirts continues to draw national attention after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal. Tech & Data: A Metro Detroit-area autonomous drone company is pitching itself as a replacement for Flock cameras amid ongoing scrutiny of surveillance data use.

Michigan Courts & Appointments: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Dr. Amber Libby to the 6th District Probate Court covering Mackinac and Luce counties, filling a vacancy after Judge W. Clayton Graham’s resignation. Election Integrity & Federal Pressure: With the Nov. 3 midterms nearing, reporting highlights growing anxiety that federal actions could disrupt voting, including the fallout from DHS/ICE warrant claims at polling places. U.S. Supreme Court (Michigan Angle): The Supreme Court rejected a Michigan challenge to a school district’s ban on “Let’s Go Brandon” sweatshirts, backing the lower court’s view that the phrase functions as veiled vulgar political speech. Michigan Politics (AG Race): Republican AG candidate Doug Lloyd attacked Democratic opponent Eli Savit over sex-work decriminalization in Washtenaw County, arguing it ignores realities of the sex trade. Public Safety & Health: Michigan’s cannabis market is pushing operators toward private financing as federal restrictions limit traditional banking. National Policy Watch: States are diverging on kratom regulation as potent 7-OH and synthetic products spread.

Midterms Watch: With Election Day Nov. 3 looming, Democrats are positioning the House as a “verdict” on President Trump, arguing control would mean subpoenas and committee power to stall or reverse parts of his agenda. Michigan Senate Race: Abdul El-Sayed and Sen. Elissa Slotkin appeared together in Macomb County to stress unity on “the important things,” while Slotkin urged Democrats to rally behind El-Sayed after the primary. Campaign Scrutiny: A Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate’s website reportedly removed prominent Trump imagery after the Aug. 4 primary, raising questions about how the campaign is managing its ties to Trump. Civil Rights & Courts: A federal ruling vacated a Michigan unclaimed-property decision, saying original owners still retain ownership even after the state takes custody; separately, a court dismissed an FDCPA claim as untimely. Public Safety: Michigan State Police arrested two men after a drive-by shooting on US-131 in Kent County, with no injuries reported. Local Human Services: COTS Detroit highlighted its long-running mobility coaching program helping families beat homelessness and stabilize. Congressional Oversight: Rep. John Moolenaar criticized Starbucks for opening stores in China’s Xinjiang, urging the company to shut them down.

Michigan Politics & Elections: Michigan’s Senate race remains the center of gravity as Democrats push unity and high-profile campaigning—Elissa Slotkin and Abdul El-Sayed drew a packed Macomb County event, underscoring how close the contest is and how much is riding on turnout. Local Governance: Voters in multiple Michigan counties are still dealing with absentee-ballot problems after clerks missed mailing deadlines, raising fresh questions about election administration ahead of Nov. 3. State Policy & Courts: A key mechanics story for Election 2026 explains how millages are calculated, a reminder that local tax votes can shape school and community budgets. Public Safety: A fatal crash shut down the Lodge Freeway near 9 Mile in Southfield for hours, while separate reporting details a Berkley crash where police say the driver was intoxicated and driving over 100 mph. National Politics: AP reports Pete Buttigieg is barnstorming battleground states—including Michigan—using cost-of-living themes to sharpen his political brand as midterms near.

Michigan Elections & Voting Access: A judge ordered 37 disputed absentee ballots to be counted in Hamtramck’s 2025 mayoral race, a contest decided by 11 votes, with lawyers now arguing about ballot integrity and chain of custody. State Courts & Appointments: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Dr. Amber Libby to the 6th District Probate Court covering Mackinac and Luce counties. Public Safety: Police say a man was stabbed in Chocolay Township near Ojibwe Casino after an altercation tied to a prior child assault; the victim was seriously injured, the child suffered minor injuries. Gun Safety & Accountability: New Michigan daycare gun case coverage highlights how quickly unsecured firearms can endanger kids, alongside broader research urging quick-access lockboxes. Detroit Crime: A Detroit gas station shooting case adds felony charges against a suspect after a dispute escalated to gunfire. Campaign Politics: In Flint, right-wing heckling at Abdul El-Sayed’s town hall was quickly removed, but clips spread and were reframed online. Midterms Watch: Multiple reports point to record spending and heightened anxiety inside GOP ranks as Election Day nears.

Dam Safety Overhaul: Michigan lawmakers are moving closer to stronger dam safety laws after the 2020 Edenville disaster, with proposals aimed at tougher flood-control standards, more inspections, and requiring dam owners to prove they can maintain structures. Election Law Watch: With Election Day a month away, a new look at the Trump administration’s actions in Michigan says courts have blocked some moves (like parts of mail-ballot changes and requests for voter data), while other federal election-enforcement powers remain in place. Sex Offender Registry Update: Michigan State Police say Larry Nassar was never on the state sex offender registry, after the Michigan Supreme Court limited retroactive application of SORA—following claims by a local prosecutor’s office that he had been removed. Campaign Politics: One month out, national coverage highlights Senate races Michigan is part of, as Republicans and Democrats adjust spending and strategy for a potentially tight map. AG Race Clash: Republican AG candidate Doug Lloyd attacked Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit over sex-work decriminalization, arguing it ignores realities of the sex trade while Savit points to legal limits and policy guidelines.

Supreme Court Security Push: Michigan AG Jeff Jackson is leading a bipartisan coalition of 45 attorneys general urging Congress to fully fund the U.S. Supreme Court’s FY 2027 security request after a spike in threats and incidents. State Government & Health Policy: MDHHS will host a virtual public meeting Oct. 27 on Michigan’s Medicaid prescription drug formulary, letting residents and partners comment on the covered drug list. Michigan Elections & Administration: Michigan secretary of state candidates are ramping up messaging on election security and voter trust as Election Day nears, with absentee-ballot delivery problems still popping up in multiple counties. Energy & Data Centers: Michigan regulators approved DTE contracts tied to Google’s 1-gigawatt data center in Van Buren Township, a major step for hyperscale development. Economy Watch: A weak September jobs report—29,000 jobs added and unemployment up to 4.2%—raises pressure heading into midterms, with Michigan already facing higher joblessness than the national rate. Public Safety & Courts: A Michigan Supreme Court ruling is behind the removal of Larry Nassar from the sex offender registry, even as he remains in prison. Midwest Water & PFAS: Whitmer’s first PFAS Awareness Week highlighted community-led education and treatment tours across Michigan.

Michigan Senate Gas Tax Fight: The Michigan Senate is set to consider a 90-day suspension of the state’s 52.4-cent-per-gallon gas tax, as lawmakers weigh relief for drivers against a roughly $600 million hit to road funding, with House Democrats floating Rainy Day Fund coverage and GOP leaders calling the plan “politically unserious.” Sex Offender Registry Fallout: Larry Nassar has been removed from Michigan’s sex offender registry after a Michigan Supreme Court ruling barred retroactive application of the 2021 registration law to crimes committed before July 2011; prosecutors say the change weakens public awareness even though convictions and prison time remain intact. Courtroom Delay in AG Case: Hillsdale County Sheriff Scott Hodshire’s felony hearing was pushed to November after his defense asked for more time to review newly received digital evidence in charges tied to alleged leaks in an Ohio theft investigation. Legal System Watch: A Michigan appeals court conditionally reversed an entrapment-related conviction in a Genesee County child-sex sting, ordering a hearing on whether police used unlawful inducement. Public Safety & Justice: A Kent County man was arrested on allegations of torturing his girlfriend, including threats and waterboarding, according to local reporting. Election Access: A DNC lawsuit alleges the Defense Department altered a voting postcard for some overseas U.S. citizens, making it harder to register. Infrastructure Oversight: The Michigan Senate advanced long-stalled dam safety reforms, boosting flood control standards and inspections, with one more procedural step needed before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer can act. Federal Funding Lawsuit: California and several states, including Michigan, sued the Trump administration over alleged impoundment of congressionally appropriated funds.

Michigan Politics & Courts: The race for Michigan attorney general is heating up with candidates Doug Lloyd (R), Eli Savit (D), and four third-party contenders, as voters weigh who will lead the state’s top law-and-enforcement office. Elections & Voting Access: In multiple Michigan counties, absentee ballot problems are still lingering after clerks missed mailing deadlines, raising fresh concerns about whether voters can actually get their ballots in time. Public Safety: Canton police say parents will face charges after a toddler brought a loaded handgun to a daycare; officials praised staff for quick action and noted Michigan’s strict safe-storage rules. Immigration Enforcement: A former Trinity Health Ann Arbor nurse faces federal charges tied to an alleged ICE detainee escape from a hospital. Statehouse Watch: Michigan’s Student Advisory Council is giving high schoolers a direct channel to the superintendent, including feedback on the new statewide classroom cellphone ban and debates over AI use. Campaign Trail: Abdul El-Sayed’s energized U.S. Senate bid continues to draw national attention as he takes on Republican Mike Rogers, with attacks increasingly focused on identity and faith.

ACA Refund Checks: The Trump administration has started mailing $500 Affordable Care Act “user fee” rebate checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Michigan, with eligibility tied to federal marketplace coverage and not subsidies. Michigan Senate Race: A Fox News poll cited by Mediaite shows Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leading GOP Rep. Mike Rogers 51%-48%, with cost of living topping voter concerns—fueling GOP anxiety heading into the midterms. Crime & Campaign Trail: Michigan’s U.S. Senate candidates spar over who’s “better on crime,” with Rogers leaning on his FBI background and El-Sayed accusing him of voting against community policing. Election Administration: A judge’s re-election campaign in Eastpointe reportedly had its website disabled after an opponent flagged endorsements listing three deceased attorneys. Local Courts & Housing: A Detroit judge ordered a RealToken-linked tenant out of an unsafe duplex, citing uninhabitable conditions. Public Safety: Fenton police say an ATM theft at ChoiceOne Bank appears tied to an organized group, after a second hit using the same stolen pickup.

Election Administration: Some Michigan counties missed the Sept. 24 deadline to mail absentee ballots, leaving voters in places like Antrim and Presque Isle still waiting while others mailed late or only made ballots available for pickup. Cybersecurity & Consumer Protection: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced a $2.3 million multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach tied to its debt-collector vendor, AMCA, which exposed millions nationwide including thousands of Michigan residents. Immigration Enforcement: A Michigan nurse faces a federal misdemeanor charge after authorities alleged she helped an injured immigration detainee escape hospital custody. Public Safety & Health: FDA assigned a Class I risk level to a Salata Salad Kitchen jalapeño avocado dressing recall in three states over possible Salmonella contamination. Civic Rights: The Michigan Civil Rights Commission scheduled a hybrid public meeting Oct. 26 in Mount Pleasant, with community comment and updates on ongoing civil-rights work. State Politics & Campaigns: Democrats attacked a plan to use $20 million in Homeland Security funds for Trump TV ads, while Republicans and attorneys general are weighing in on the legality. Energy & Cost of Living: GOP Rep. John James called for suspending Michigan’s gas tax, drawing pushback from infrastructure advocates. Local Governance: Detroit Public Schools board candidates are debating whether parents of chronically absent students should face stronger accountability.