AGP Executive Report

Housing & Midwest Impact: A new “ROAD to Housing Act” could expand small-dollar mortgages and curb predatory investor practices, but a Midwest effect may be more modest than in high-cost states—especially if tariffs keep raising building costs and slowing vacant-property turnarounds. Rail & Regional Transit: Federal funding is sending $140M for passenger rail locomotive upgrades across Wisconsin routes that also connect with Michigan and other states. Auto & Manufacturing Growth: AB Dynamics is buying Zeeland-based eMpulse Test Systems, aiming to boost earnings and cross-sell testing gear tied to Michigan’s automotive supply chain. Local Roads: Michigan county road improvements dipped in 2025 for the first time in 11 years, though new road funding should matter more in the 2027 construction season. Detroit-Area Public Safety/Justice: Wexford County commissioners approved prosecutor grant funding, wage increases, and a study tied to flood-control planning. Tech & Delivery: Amazon plans to expand drone deliveries to nearly 500 cities by year-end, including the Chicago, Cleveland metro areas. Elections & Integrity: DOJ election monitoring continues in multiple states, including recent primary activity tied to Michigan. Energy/EV Signals: Michigan is highlighted for strong EV registration growth, reinforcing the state’s push toward electrification.

Michigan Politics: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson named Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks as her running mate for governor, pairing Brinks’ legislative record with a campaign promise to lower costs and expand access to healthcare and housing. Elections & Voting Access: A push to tighten Michigan voter ID and registration rules hit a roadblock, with a petition appearing short on signatures as the state faces a critical shortage of poll workers. Public Safety & Community Tensions: Dearborn arrested 22 people during a protest tied to anti-Muslim activist Jake Lang, as police worked to keep constitutional rights intact amid clashes. Health: Michigan confirmed a human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, while lawmakers and health advocates also weighed how federal agencies canceled nearly 200 health research grants without clear selection criteria. Energy Costs: Michigan regulators floated options to curb energy rate hikes and shift incentives toward affordability and reliability. Business & Local Life: LG Energy Solution began production at a new Michigan battery plant, and Detroit museums are asking voters in Wayne and Oakland for a 10-year millage to fund operations. Consumer Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker ranked Detroit and Grand Rapids among the state’s highest for scam reports in July, with online purchase schemes driving losses.

Energy & Environment: The U.S. Army Corps approved a Line 5 permit to replace a 4-mile Straits of Mackinac segment, a procedural win for Enbridge that tribes say ignores harm to Indigenous treaty rights while state-level hurdles still block construction. Auto & Industry: LG Energy Solution opened its Lansing battery plant, now fully operating as it ramps large-format energy storage and EV cells, signaling continued Michigan investment as EV plans shift. Local Business & Jobs: EGLE awarded multiple Brownfield grants across Michigan, including $1M for a Saugatuck waterfront redevelopment into a restaurant and mixed-use project, plus grants aimed at turning contaminated sites into new housing and jobs in places like East Jordan and Lansing. Elections & Voting Access: A push to tighten Michigan voter ID and citizenship registration hit a snag when elections staff found petition signatures fell slightly short, setting up a fight at the Board of State Canvassers. Community Support: A new Open Door pilot at Wayne State and Henry Ford College will connect students with help for food, housing, transportation, and financial needs. Public Safety & Health: CDC data show childhood vaccination rates down and exemptions up, including in Midwest states. Sports: The Tigers fell 4-1 to the Pirates after Keider Montero’s early control slipped and Detroit couldn’t generate many chances.

Courts & Health Care: A Michigan appellate panel revived Corewell Health’s bid to recover nearly $900,000 from State Farm over hyperbaric oxygen therapy tied to a child’s traumatic brain injury. Local Government & Tech: Two companies sued Gibraltar, arguing the city’s data-center moratorium is unlawful and blocks a steel plant conversion. U-M Leadership: The University of Michigan regents selected Vanderbilt provost C. Cybele Raver as the university’s 17th president, with a Sept. 1 vote and a Dec. 1 start if approved. Public Housing Watch: HUD data show Detroit’s public housing count stayed flat in 2025, while several Michigan cities reported small changes (Jackson up to 540; Bronson, Cadillac, St. Clair, and others unchanged). AI & Regulation: A Detroit-area policy debate continues as data-center moratoriums spread, with power, water, and utility costs driving pushback. Cybersecurity: DOJ unsealed updated charges against 17 people tied to an Iran-backed hacking network targeting U.S. universities, companies, and government agencies.

Public Safety & Civil Rights: Dearborn’s police chief says the city will protect free speech at an anti-Islam protest Tuesday while enforcing laws for public safety, after AMPAC urged Gov. Whitmer and state officials to act against hate targeting Muslim and Arab residents. Workplace Health: A Michigan op-ed argues violence against healthcare workers is at epidemic levels and calls for closing legal gaps that leave staff exposed, noting most incidents involve patients, not visitors. Local Accountability: West Bloomfield residents are demanding resignation of a trustee charged with using hidden cameras to spy on stepdaughters in their home. Cross-Border Trade: An industry rep says Ambassador Bridge “aggressively” pursued trucking clients amid Gordie Howe Bridge delays. Food Access: SNAP recipients in Shiawassee County can now double up produce purchases through Double Up Food Bucks, with higher daily limits. Education & Student Support: Research highlights student success depends on resources and awareness of supports, including mental health services that financially vulnerable students may not know about. Michigan Institutions: MSU selected Dan Bartholomae as its next athletic director. Community & Culture: TC Food & Wine and Dirt to Glass kick off this week, bringing major events to Northern Michigan.

Community Fundraiser: Ludington’s “Suds on the Shore” returned to Rotary Park, drawing crowds for five hours of Michigan craft beer, wine, cider, mead and cocktails, with proceeds benefiting United Way of the West Shore. Healthcare Access: March of Dimes warns maternity care deserts are worsening, with 34.6% of U.S. counties lacking obstetric clinicians or birthing facilities—affecting 2.4 million women of reproductive age. State Politics: Michigan’s Board of State Canvassers approved ballot language for a “money out of politics” proposal aimed at restricting campaign contributions from certain utilities and government contractors. Higher Education & Sports: Michigan State named Dan Bartholomae its next athletic director, bringing a track record of major program growth from Western Michigan. Housing Costs: New HUD data show public housing rents varied across Michigan counties in 2025, including Gladwin ($479), St. Joseph ($342), and Manistee ($524). Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker ranked Detroit highest in Michigan for July scam reports (43), while Ithaca logged one report. Business & Legal: Rebel Creamery filed for Chapter 11 after a trademark loss tied to Van Leeuwen; Michigan shoppers can still find the brand at major grocers. Sports Business: LIV Golf canceled its Michigan season-ending Team Championship, shifting the finale to Indianapolis.

Michigan Politics: Michigan AG Dana Nessel’s office says former lawmaker Neil Friske won’t face criminal charges after an “exhaustive” probe, closing the case without charges. Elections & Rights: A dispute over South Dakota ballot-signature rules continues after courts sided with citizens claiming the state’s shorter deadline violates the First Amendment. Surveillance Oversight: Flock Safety is tightening safeguards for its license plate reader network, including shorter data retention and limits on data sharing as more communities push back. Economy Watch: U.S. consumer signals are weakening, with retail sales down and Michigan’s consumer confidence index falling—adding to uncertainty heading into the fall. Health Policy: New University of Michigan research finds the Healthy Michigan Plan’s Medicaid expansion delivered long-term health and financial benefits for enrollees. Energy & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a permit for an Enbridge Line 5 tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac, after Michigan’s Supreme Court ordered regulators to revisit another permit. Business & Jobs: Howard Building Corporation named Brian Pawli as Project Executive to strengthen its healthcare construction work.

Gun Violence & Public Safety: Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson pointed to the Missaukee County mass shooting as a reason to tighten red flag law, improve law enforcement training, and challenge gun-industry immunity. Local Crime & Courts: Michigan AG Dana Nessel said she won’t charge former state Rep. Neil Friske after an investigation found insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Detroit River Restoration: Unique Detroit River boat tours are giving officials a close-up look at restoration work along the river. Small Business & Entrepreneurship: BasBlue’s Future Leaders Club is opening applications for its next fall cohort to support women and non-binary entrepreneurs and early-career leaders in Southeast Michigan. Housing Snapshot (St. Clair County): Public housing households in St. Clair County reported 2025 income of $17,363, with average rent of $393 (about 27.2% of income). Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker reported Detroit Lakes logged one scam for the week ending Aug. 8, with $1,900 in losses. Workplace/Legal: A federal filing in the Taryn Asher gender discrimination case says Fox 2 cited alleged “unprofessional behavior,” including profanity and newsroom outbursts.

University Policy: The University of Michigan plans to hide letter grades from first-semester freshmen starting fall 2027, switching to “pass” or “no credit” to help curb a mental-health crisis. Michigan Senate Race: Abdul El-Sayed’s Democratic nomination has reignited scrutiny of his half-sister, University of Chicago professor Eman Abdelhadi, after resurfaced comments about the school. Gun Violence: A string of shootings left multiple people dead in Michigan, including a case where a suspected gunman was found dead after killing five. Public Safety Tech: Detroit-area debate continues over police camera systems, with new rules tightening data retention after alleged abuses. Elections & Turnout: Democrats are leaning on record primary turnout in Michigan and elsewhere as they head toward November. State Government: Michigan’s insurance regulator won a five-year NAIC reaccreditation after a financial oversight review. Housing & Costs: A look at housing affordability highlights how resort counties with high-end markets are pricing out working residents. Environment & Agriculture: Michigan released more than 4,400 parasitoid wasps to slow the spread of invasive scarlet lily beetles.

Michigan Politics: Karl Rove weighed in on the tight Michigan Senate race, warning Abdul El-Sayed could be a “problem” for Democrats as the contest heats up. 2028 Democratic Primary: The DNC approved a new 2028 early voting calendar in Austin, putting South Carolina first (Jan. 22) and slotting Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia next—an order that’s already drawing pushback from New Hampshire and Iowa officials. Economy: U.S. retail sales fell 0.6% in July and Michigan’s consumer sentiment dropped sharply, with inflation worries and Iran-war fallout cited as key drivers. Public Safety & Surveillance: Michigan’s police camera debate continues as Flock Safety tightens license-plate reader retention to seven days and adds controls after criticism of misuse. Housing: HUD data shows public housing occupancy generally holding steady across Michigan counties, with Wayne at 76% and Macomb at 95% in 2025. Local Crime: Missaukee County investigators are probing a deadly shooting spree that left multiple victims dead and a teen initially reported shot.

Ballot Fight: A western Michigan district judge was kept off the November ballot after an appeals court found her affidavit included a false statement about unpaid campaign finance fees. Detroit Public Safety: Detroit police shut down an east-side Citgo gas station after an investigation found it allegedly sold marijuana to minors; officers seized pre-rolls, THC vapes, cash, and firearms. Michigan Politics: The Michigan U.S. Senate race keeps heating up as scrutiny grows around Abdul El-Sayed’s ties, including fallout over Hasan Piker and reports about El-Sayed’s sister. Roads & Travel: MDOT will start a $3.1 million U.S. 131 repaving project in Wexford County Aug. 17, with lane and ramp closures running through Nov. 6. Economy Watch: U.S. consumer sentiment fell sharply in August, with inflation worries tied to the Iran conflict—an update that’s also nudging Fed rate-hike expectations. Tech & Privacy: A regional debate continues over Flock Safety camera data retention changes, with northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan agencies weighing public safety vs. privacy. Local Business/Community: Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is joining a Detroit law firm as a partner, while Kellogg Community College earned a top national ranking.

Michigan Politics: Republican John James picked State Rep. Jay DeBoyer as his running mate, sharpening the GOP ticket as Democrats weigh options. U.S. Economy: New retail sales and consumer sentiment data point to a slowdown, with the University of Michigan’s sentiment index dropping to 51.0 in August. Auto Industry: GM plans 350 layoffs in January at Lansing-area stamping and assembly sites tied to retooling for future vehicle production. Surveillance & Privacy: Flock Safety is tightening safeguards for its license plate reader network, including shorter data retention and limits on data sharing as more communities push back. Michigan Senate Race: A new Fox News poll has Mike Rogers leading Abdul El-Sayed 51%-47%, suggesting primary momentum may not be translating to the general election. Energy & Infrastructure: Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel got federal backing, but Michigan’s Supreme Court order keeps the project in limbo. Local Business & Community: Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is joining Honigman as a partner in government relations and public policy.

Detroit Auto Economy: Detroit automakers are warning the Trump administration that a revised North American trade deal could add billions in costs, including a proposed 50% U.S.-made content requirement that would hit each company by about $2B a year. Public Health Funding: Michigan launched a new initiative to coordinate opioid settlement spending with counties and cities, aiming to prevent overdoses, expand treatment, and support long-term recovery; Michigan is set to receive more than $1.8B through 2040. Local Government & Infrastructure: Mason County signed contracts to start a 1.1-mile paved, multi-use trail linking the campground and picnic area to the Lake Michigan overlook, funded partly by a $400,000 state grant. Community Safety & Vehicles: Dodge appears to be bringing back Charger police pursuit vehicles, with a new model shown at a police fleet expo. Michigan Politics & Polls: A Wisconsin Democratic primary upset is fueling questions about how reliable primary polls are, with experts pointing to possible overrepresentation of key voter groups. Media & Detroit: WDET news director Jerome Vaughn is retiring after 34 years, with his final broadcast Monday.

Energy & Public Safety: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan should block Consumers Energy’s plan to sell 13 hydropower dams, warning the deal would create “unacceptable” safety and financial risks unless stronger safeguards are added. Elections & Integrity: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced felony charges against five non-citizens accused of illegally voting in 2024, plus a U.S. citizen accused of registering her non-citizen husband. Politics & Campaign Heat: Republican John James named state Rep. Jay DeBoyer as his running mate, while Democrats and GOP leaders keep trading sharp attacks over Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and his allies. Local Infrastructure: MDOT will hold a public meeting Aug. 19 on the 2027 M-66 rebuilding project in Ionia, including road, stormwater, bridge and culvert work. Detroit Business: Downtown Detroit Partnership added Stephanie Washington as a senior advisor. Housing & Cost of Living: Auto insurance premiums are rising again in more than half the U.S., with repair costs and weather cited as drivers.

Election Staffing: Michigan is pushing a new poll-worker recruitment push ahead of Nov. 3, with the governor and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce urging residents and employers to help fill shortages as many temporary workers age out. Higher Ed Policy: The University of Michigan will move some first-semester freshmen to pass/no-credit in 2027, aiming to reduce pressure tied to grades while students still see performance feedback during classes. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Metro Detroit communities are seeing vandalism of license plate reader cameras, as critics continue to challenge police surveillance and privacy concerns. Schools & Infrastructure: Evart Public Schools won nearly $3.1M for elementary HVAC upgrades, including replacing an aging boiler and adding air conditioning. Justice & Legal Aid: Michigan Immigrant Rights Center says federal funding for legal help to unaccompanied immigrant children is ending, forcing it to cut case coverage. Public Health: A new national review finds many U.S. parks sit within two miles of toxic sites, including Superfund areas. Business/Auto: Ford plans to increase Lincoln production in the U.S. starting in 2030 and phase out some China imports, citing tariffs. Environment/Infrastructure: The Army Corps approved Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel permit under the Straits of Mackinac, drawing criticism from opponents.

Michigan Politics & Elections: Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary continues to ripple nationally, with debate over how far-left politics is reshaping the party after Abdul El-Sayed’s razor-thin win and the backlash that followed, including a surge in anti-Muslim hate targeting him after his Aug. 4 victory. Public Safety & Privacy: State lawmakers are weighing tighter rules on automated license plate reader systems after renewed complaints about privacy and misuse, including concerns about whether the data can be used for tickets and points. Energy Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel project under the Straits of Mackinac, clearing a major federal hurdle, though the project still faces state review and court challenges. Health Care Access: A report highlights how online pharmacy benefit managers are helping rural patients but also pressuring Michigan’s independent drugstores as closures mount. Business & Labor: A Michigan federal court filing alleges an auto supplier fired a worker for FMLA leave and shorted hourly staff with off-the-clock work. Local Detroit Business: Downtown Detroit Partnership added Bank of America Detroit president Ed Siaje to its board, reinforcing support for downtown programming. Cannabis Economy: Michigan cannabis sales fell while Ohio’s surged, as lawmakers push again to repeal Michigan’s 24% wholesale marijuana tax amid closures and margin pressure.