AGP Executive Report

Canada-U.S. Trade War: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs (15% to 50%) on about $20B of U.S. goods took effect Tuesday, targeting steel, dairy, appliances and more—an added pressure point for Michigan’s economy and midterm politics. Michigan Voting Fight: The Michigan Supreme Court rejected an effort to put a proof-of-citizenship voting proposal on the November ballot, ending that legal push for now. Road Funding: Michigan is weighing a pay-by-the-mile system to fund roads, a potential shift in how drivers cover transportation costs. PFAS Awareness Week: Michigan’s PFAS Action Response Team is hosting events statewide (Sept. 21-25) urging residents to reduce exposure and follow state guidance. Local Tech & Business: A Grand Rapids firm, SBPSME, is expanding Microsoft AI cloud services for small and midsize businesses. Detroit Labor Day: Labor Day parades in Detroit drew union turnout and calls for worker solidarity. Sports Betting Trend: A new look at prediction markets highlights how platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi are turning politics and even religion into tradable bets.

Labor Day Politics in Detroit: The Detroit Labor Day parade and rally drew major Michigan Democrats and union leaders, but lacked the usual nationally famous headliners of past years; UAW President Shawn Fain capped the day by backing Jocelyn Benson for governor and Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate, among other statewide candidates. Mackinac Bridge Walk: About 34,000 people crossed the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day, with the bridge closed to vehicles from 6:30 a.m. and reopening at noon. U.S.-Canada Tariffs: Canada is set to hit hundreds of U.S. products with 15% to 50% tariffs, with Michigan and other battleground states expected to feel the impact as the trade fight spills into everyday costs. Michigan Transportation Planning: MDOT will hold two public webinars on Michigan Mobility 2050 (Sept. 16 and 17) to shape the state’s long-range transportation plan. EV Battery Pivot: GM and Ford are turning underused EV battery capacity into battery energy storage business opportunities. Food Safety: Federal officials issued a Class I recall for Italian guanciale after a listeria-positive lab test. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Detroit remains the top Michigan city for scam reports, while several smaller cities logged single reports.

Michigan Elections & IDs: The state says about 8,200 enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs were misprinted with a stock photo and generic birthdate due to a vendor error. Election Security & Courts: A Michigan judge kept regulators’ ban on Kalshi sports betting in place and raised the daily fine to $500,000 for violating the court order. Trade & Cost of Living: Rep. Haley Stevens says Trump’s “erratic” Canada tariffs are hitting Michigan with job uncertainty and stalled investment. Severe Weather Recovery: Detroit’s east side tornado recovery continues, with at least one church holding services despite roof and flooding damage. Local Business Resilience: Rapid River Pub in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula rebuilt after an arson attack and launched its “pasty pizza.” Healthcare Tech: A look at how ambient AI documentation is spreading beyond exam rooms and changing how medical records get written. Community & Culture: Abdul El-Sayed defended American Muslim identity in a Detroit speech tied to the election fight.

Detroit & Metro Crime/Justice: A Southwest Detroit business owner, Juan Romo-Padilla, was arrested and charged in federal court for allegedly laundering money to Mexico through La Posada, a restaurant, convenience store and money remitter. Elections & Voting Access: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said voters will “know the truth” about elections after a judge blocked USPS mail-voting changes tied to the Trump administration’s efforts. State Government Ops: Michigan officials say about 8,200 enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs were misprinted by vendor Idemia and corrected cards are being sent out. Cost of Living/Transportation: Diesel hit a record $5.85 nationally, with Michigan around $5.88, as the Iran-linked fuel disruption ripples through trucking, farming and manufacturing. Local Safety & Scams: BBB Scam Tracker ranked Detroit highest in Michigan for July scam reports, while Harper Woods landed among the state’s higher-scoring cities. Environment & Recovery: The DNR says fish populations are rebounding in the Tittabawassee Impoundments’ Four Lakes after the 2020 dam failures. Sports & Local Culture: Michigan survived a controversial late-game moment to beat Western Michigan, and the Big Ten faced backlash over replay transparency.

Election Integrity & Data Privacy: DHS asked DOJ to revisit ERIC’s voter-data practices and barcode/QR voting-system concerns, escalating scrutiny of how sensitive election information is shared. Michigan Politics: Abdul El-Sayed faced fresh backlash after speaking at a Detroit Islamic convention that drew criticism for inviting 9/11 conspiracy figures, as the race heats up ahead of the anniversary. Higher Education: University of Michigan will hide first-semester letter grades for incoming LSA freshmen starting fall 2027, shifting transcripts to pass/no credit to ease pressure—students are split on whether it helps or coddles. Weather & Public Safety: NWS confirmed an EF-2 tornado in Detroit and an EF-0 in Lincoln Park after severe storms, with officials urging residents to watch for damage and scams. Business & Jobs: IMCD named Avient veteran Walter Ripple to lead US commercial growth, signaling a push to deepen supplier/customer ties. Local Culture & Dining: Vecino, the acclaimed Midtown Detroit Mexican spot, is set to open a second location in Cleveland’s Tremont in November 2026. Sports: Big Ten officials face renewed scrutiny after Michigan’s controversial Week 1 finish vs. Western Michigan.

Severe Weather: The National Weather Service confirmed a second metro Detroit tornado and classified Detroit’s as EF-2, with an EF-0 tornado also verified in Lincoln Park—storms left widespread damage and power outages. Public Safety: Southfield police say a parking-lot argument at a TGI Fridays turned into a gunfight that killed a woman and injured two bystanders, with an arrest made. Michigan Politics: Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign is drawing fresh national attention after a Fox News exchange that compared his remarks on circumcision to castration, fueling a broader fight over his Senate message. Local Governance: Ann Arbor’s bid to block a ballot proposal for a city-run power system failed after an appeal, keeping the municipal power question on track for voters. Economy & Cost of Living: New polling shows Republican economic sentiment has slid sharply since February as inflation and gas prices squeeze households ahead of the midterms. Health & Education: University of Michigan is piloting a policy to hide first-semester grades for incoming freshmen, aiming to ease a campus mental health strain. Business & Jobs: Central Michigan University announced a Health Administration Advisory Board to strengthen curriculum and internships with major health-system leaders.

Canada Tariffs Hit Michigan: Canada’s retaliatory duties on 700+ U.S. products are set to start Tuesday, with vehicle-related goods and auto inputs in the mix—Michigan workers and voters are already feeling the pressure. Great Lakes Carp Fight: A stop-work order on the Brandon Road invasive carp barrier in Illinois was lifted after Gov. Whitmer appealed directly to President Trump, restarting a $1.15B effort to protect the Great Lakes fishery. Metro Detroit Storm Damage: An EF-2 tornado with 115 mph winds tore through Detroit’s east side, injuring one person and damaging homes and industrial buildings, with cleanup continuing after power outages. Election/Politics Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court revived a policy letting Republican party committees access discounted broadcast ad rates ahead of the midterms. Public Health: A cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled lettuce has exposed weaknesses in U.S. food-safety capacity, with Michigan among affected states. Local Appointments: Gov. Whitmer reappointed Holland’s Disability Network Lakeshore leader to the Michigan Developmental Disability Council. Business & Crime: A Southwest Detroit restaurant owner was arrested on alleged international money-laundering ties to drug cartels.

Michigan Education: Third grade reading proficiency in Michigan fell again on the M-STEP, with only 38.2% meeting English Language Arts targets—lowest in the test’s 12-year history—prompting Superintendent Glenn Maleyko to say, “We need to improve.” Michigan Politics: A Michigan House candidate, William Lawrence, faced backlash after reports that he deleted hundreds of posts tied to far-left positions, including calls to overhaul the Constitution and attacks on the nuclear family. Michigan Courts & Voting: The U.S. Supreme Court revived a GOP push for cheaper TV and radio ad rates for party committees, a potential boost heading into the midterms. Great Lakes Environment: Work on the Brandon Road carp project was halted by the Army Corps, then lifted after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called President Trump, as invasive carp were found about 80 miles from Lake Michigan. Metro Detroit Weather: Severe thunderstorms hit the area, with outages reported on Labor Day weekend. Local Health: Several Michigan beaches near metro Detroit were closed due to high bacteria levels as holiday swimmers plan ahead. Auto & Economy: Deutsche Bank said August U.S. auto sales beat forecasts, though incentives remain a key factor.

Youth Education & Second Chances: Michigan Youth Challenge Academy in Battle Creek is pushing for a new campus to keep at-risk teens on track to earn diplomas, with state staff and National Guard instructors providing structure and a fresh start. Defense Jobs in Metro Detroit: Sterling Heights is set to add at least 125 jobs over five years as Capture Group expands counter-drone manufacturing and engineering, backed by a Michigan performance grant. Transit & Wayne County Growth: SMART says ridership is up and, after voters approved a Wayne County transit millage, plans new routes and extensions starting next week, including service changes tied to major corridors. Tech, Data Centers & Nuclear Concerns: University of Michigan’s proposed computing facility in Ypsilanti is drawing backlash over its potential role in nuclear weapons modernization, even as U-M says it will support broader scientific research. Election Tech Backlash: Flock surveillance cameras remain a midterm flashpoint, with more lawmakers weighing in as voters question tech-company power and privacy. Local Governance & Transparency: A statewide survey finds Michigan voters trust local newspapers and their websites most for public notices and government spending details. Invasive Species Reminder: Michigan is urging residents not to move firewood long distances over the holiday weekend to slow the spread of invasive pests and diseases.

Great Lakes Policy: Whitmer’s call to President Trump abruptly lifted a stop-work order on the Brandon Road invasive-carp project, after carp were found about 80 miles from Lake Michigan. Energy & Utilities: Consumers Energy says it will more than double capacity by 2040 under a new 20-year supply plan, adding renewables plus battery and two natural gas plants at existing sites. Auto & Trade: A major automaker lobby urged Congress to ban Chinese vehicles—software and hardware included—before year’s end, citing subsidized competition. Michigan Politics & Voting: Michigan authorities continue pursuit to block Kalshi as a Supreme Court fight looms, while the state’s citizenship voting proposal faces fresh court scrutiny. Local Business & Community: MLive Media Group will end print newspapers statewide in December, moving fully online. Tech & Industry: FANUC America will highlight “Physical AI” robotics and CNC automation at IMTS 2026. Public Safety & Justice: A St. Clair Shores man was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 18 months probation for allegedly abusing his dog.

SNAP + school meals: A new report warns that stricter SNAP rules are already cutting off benefits for more than a million children since July 2025, putting universal free school meal programs at risk nationwide. Michigan politics + voting fights: The Michigan Supreme Court is weighing a citizenship voting proposal, while separate coverage highlights legal battles over ballot access and voter rolls. Detroit-area economy + trade: A U.S.-Canada trade war is testing deep manufacturing ties between Detroit and Windsor, with local suppliers warning tariffs could disrupt key inputs. Business + tech in Michigan: Hyperscale Data shut down Bitcoin mining at its Michigan site to pivot to AI infrastructure, signing a major long-term capacity deal even as its stock plunged about 17%. Local justice + animals: In Milford, a trail-ride owner’s seized horses were returned after charges were dropped; one horse was euthanized while in county custody. Education + AI: Michigan Law named a director for AI initiatives to coordinate skills training and student programming across its AI efforts.

Medicaid Fight: Michigan AG Dan Rayfield joined a 22-state lawsuit challenging a Trump administration rule that would block federal Medicaid/CHIP reimbursement for gender-affirming care for low-income youth, with the change set to take effect Oct. 13, 2026. Local Courts & Voting: A Michigan voter-roll audit found 99.99% of the state’s 8.3 million voters have complete, valid data, while flagging a small number of possible noncitizens, dead voters, and inaccurate birthdates—likely to fuel the 2026 campaign. Gaming Crackdown: Michigan AG Dana Nessel secured a preliminary injunction against Kalshi, requiring geofencing to stop Michigan access to what her office calls unlawful, unlicensed online sports wagers. Housing & Infrastructure: MDOT will hold a Sept. 14 open house on rebuilding I-75 in Monroe County, including bridge replacements and interchange changes, with construction slated for 2028-2030. Business & Industry: Data center construction keeps surging nationwide despite backlash, even as Michigan regulators and opponents push back on local impacts.

Michigan Politics & Voting: Michigan AG Nick Brown sued the U.S. Postal Service over a new rule tied to Trump’s vote-by-mail eligibility push, arguing states—not USPS—run elections. US-Canada Trade & Detroit Economy: Joe Rogan criticized Trump’s “Lake Ontario” renaming as a distraction amid the U.S.-Canada trade fight that threatens Michigan manufacturing. Campaign 2026: A new Michigan poll from MSU/IPPSR shows Jocelyn Benson leading for governor and Abdul El-Sayed ahead for U.S. Senate, as the El-Sayed–Mike Rogers race turns sharper after JD Vance’s “very, very evil” attack. Public Safety & Courts: Federal officials launched a multi-state crackdown on trucking fraud, including targeting CDL and training scams in Michigan. Local Business: Metal Technologies completed its acquisition of Rochester Metal Products, adding about 350 jobs and expanding foundry capacity. Community & Health: Hundreds of Detroit shoppers got free groceries at Mike’s Market in a one-time giveaway. Workplace Tragedy: A maintenance worker died at Kaiser Aluminum in Kalamazoo after a scrap chute incident; MIOSHA is investigating.

Michigan Senate race heats up: VP JD Vance escalated his feud with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, calling him “evil” and telling him to “keep my wife’s name the hell out of your mouth,” while El-Sayed fired back that the attacks are about ripping healthcare and raising grocery and gas costs. Auto labor talks: Unifor and Stellantis began contract negotiations with job security front and center after layoffs tied to the Brampton, Ont., plant. Detroit-area business: Mike’s Red Tacos signed a 15-unit deal to expand into Michigan, starting with a Royal Oak location later this year. Public safety: Saginaw police officers were placed on administrative duty after a social media video showed repeated strikes during an arrest; Michigan State Police are investigating. Local economy & housing finance: Opportunity Resource Fund appointed JPMorganChase philanthropy leader Katrina Chaves to its board. Environment & health: Michigan AG Jennifer Davenport urged the EPA to add microplastics to drinking-water monitoring. Aviation/agribusiness: CBP and USDA intercepted a potentially destructive straw crest moth at Detroit Metro Airport.

Michigan Politics: Vice President JD Vance stumped in Sterling Heights, telling voters they don’t have to agree with Republicans on everything while attacking Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed as divisive and personalizing the race. Michigan Elections: A new EPIC-MRA poll shows Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson narrowly ahead of U.S. Rep. John James for governor, while El-Sayed leads Mike Rogers in the Senate contest. Trucking & Fraud: Federal officials announced a crackdown on illegal CDL schools and unqualified drivers, including shutting down more than 110 providers and launching investigations across dozens of states. Transportation Policy: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said sharply lower vehicle fuel-economy standards are coming, with Detroit framed as building what buyers want. Environment & Health: Michigan regulators suspended a hemp business license over excessive THC, and researchers are studying whether Lake Erie algae toxins can become airborne and affect people’s lungs. Housing: A report highlights Michigan’s aging housing stock as a growing affordability and repair-cost problem. Business/Travel: Allegiant added new nonstop routes from Flint to Orlando and Southwest Florida.

Michigan Voting Fight: A right-wing group asked the U.S. Supreme Court to force Michigan’s proof-of-citizenship amendment onto the November ballot after the Board of State Canvassers deadlocked. U.S. Senate Race: A new EPIC-MRA poll shows Abdul El-Sayed leading Mike Rogers 47%-43%, while JD Vance hit El-Sayed in Sterling Heights, urging him to focus on policy and calling him “evil.” Data Center Backlash: Trump doubled down on AI data centers, telling opponents they’ll be “backwards and poor,” as Vance tried to sound more sympathetic about utility costs. Great Lakes Update: The administration halted the Brandon Road carp barrier project after juvenile invasive carp were found closer to Lake Michigan than ever. Trucking Fraud Crackdown: Federal officials announced closures of hundreds of truck-driving schools tied to fraud, part of a broader CDL enforcement push. Reproductive Health Lawsuit: AG Kathy Jennings joined a coalition suing to block new federal family planning funding conditions. Local Courts: A hyperbaric chamber safety director in Troy was sentenced in the death of a 5-year-old boy.