Michigan

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer pushed back against Democrats who have begun questioning the party's support for transgender rights, telling them plainly that she has 'never wavered' on the issue. Her comments put her at odds with voices in the party calling for a softer line, and position her as a firm defender of trans rights ahead of the next election cycle.

Vox has published a piece examining why Democrats have largely stopped making climate change a central talking point. The article, built around an interview with William Lawrence, a climate activist from Michigan's 7th district associated with the Sunrise Movement, suggests the party has shifted focus toward other issues, including data centers and economic concerns, as climate politics have grown quieter in national debate.

Federal nuclear regulators are investigating a mishap during fuel assembly installation at the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan. The facility, which recently returned to service, is under scrutiny after the installation error, though regulators have not reported any radiation release or injuries. Details about the cause and severity of the incident remain limited as the probe continues.

Michigan election clerks are publicly reaffirming that the state's elections are 'safe, secure, fair' as absentee voting gets underway. The message comes as voters begin returning absentee ballots, with local officials working to counter persistent doubts about election integrity heading into the voting period.

Michigan House lawmakers are working through a list of legislative items as they wind down sessions ahead of the general election. With campaigns intensifying and the legislative calendar narrowing, representatives are considering several pending bills before adjourning. The wrap-up period typically marks the last chance to advance measures until after voters head to the polls in November.

Richard Manoogian, the longtime Masco Corporation executive known for his business leadership, philanthropy and major art collection, has died at the age of 90. The Detroit News reported his death, and tributes are highlighting his role in Michigan business and his support of the arts and charitable causes.

No. 17 Iowa faces No. 18 Michigan in a ranked Big Ten college football matchup at Michigan Stadium, known as the Big House. Both teams enter with strong records, making the game a key test in the conference race. Betting outlets are heavily promoting the game, with predictions, picks and odds drawing wide attention, and the matchup is trending in US search rankings as fans weigh the evenly matched sides.

Representative Tom Barrett and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin visited Mid-Michigan to highlight efforts around reliable energy and environmental protection. The pair emphasized federal and local work to balance affordable, dependable power with environmental safeguards, drawing attention to energy policy priorities in the region.

Richard Manoogian, a renowned businessman, philanthropist and art collector, has died at the age of 90. The news was reported by The Detroit News, reflecting his deep ties to Michigan's business and cultural community. Tributes are highlighting his longtime support of the arts and charitable causes alongside his decades in business.

Lansing, Michigan has begun mailing out roughly 23,000 absentee ballots to voters ahead of the November election. The mailing marks the start of the absentee voting process in the city, with residents who requested ballots now able to receive and return them by mail, drop box, or in person at the clerk's office.

Boise State defeated Western Michigan in college football, handing the Broncos a loss and strengthening its own position as the leading Group of 6 contender for the College Football Playoff. The win positions Boise State ahead of other non-power-conference teams in the early race for a playoff bid, in what was billed as a marquee matchup between unbeaten Group of 6 programs.

"Iowa vs Michigan" refers to an upcoming college football matchup between the University of Iowa and the University of Michigan, currently a top trending search in the US. Coverage, including from The Detroit News, focuses on the quarterbacks at the center of the game — Michigan's Bryce Underwood and Iowa's Brown — noting both will face some of the toughest defenses they have encountered. Fans appear to be searching for kickoff details, odds and how the young quarterbacks will fare.

Boise State football is set to face Western Michigan, and coach Spencer Danielson is not taking the Broncos lightly. He praised the Broncos' upcoming opponent, noting that Western Michigan is 'undefeated' and deserves full respect ahead of the game. The matchup is drawing attention from college football fans as Boise State looks to stay on track this season.

Michigan health officials say residents can return to their normal lettuce-eating habits as new cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness often linked to contaminated produce, have slowed. The advisory had cautioned people about eating lettuce during the outbreak. Officials' announcement suggests the immediate public health risk has passed, though they continue monitoring for any further cases.

The Lansing-Jackson television market in Michigan has booked $39 million in political advertising, with total spending expected to keep rising. WKAR reported the figure, underscoring how heavily advertisers are targeting Michigan's mid-Michigan media market as political campaigns pour money into the state ahead of the election.

Michigan State University researchers examine how global fuel price shocks travel through supply chains to affect Michigan's economy, from transportation costs to consumer prices. The analysis explains why events in distant oil and gas markets can hit Michigan businesses and households, and what the state's economic exposure to international energy volatility means going forward.

Iowa beat Michigan on a last-second touchdown pass in the closing play of their game at Michigan Stadium, according to reports from the matchup. It marked the second time in a single September that a visiting team won at the Big House on a final-play touchdown pass, deepening a frustrating stretch for the Wolverines. Receiver Reece Vander Zee was involved in the decisive score.

One year after an attack on a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, residents are reflecting on loss and recovery while reporting that the community has grown closer through shared grief and mutual support. Local coverage describes healing efforts and gatherings marking the anniversary of the assault.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Detroit rapper Big Sean met in Detroit to discuss the state's creative economy ahead of the November election. The conversation highlighted the role of arts, music and culture in Michigan's economic future, with the rapper's Detroit roots and philanthropic work adding weight to the event. Their pairing drew attention as both a cultural and political moment in a key swing state.

Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist-era economic conversations took a celebrity turn as Benson, the state's top economic development official or officeholder, sat down with Detroit rapper Big Sean in Detroit to talk about Michigan's economy. The discussion focused on the city's economic future, and local coverage has highlighted the unusual pairing of a state leader and a hometown music star addressing economic issues together.

A developer has proposed a five-story building with apartments and retail space near downtown Muskegon, Michigan. Local news reports the plan as part of ongoing redevelopment interest around the city center, though details on timeline, cost and number of units were not provided.

The Livonia city clerk in Michigan has outlined the key procedures residents need to follow to vote by absentee ballot in the upcoming election. The guidance covers how to request a ballot, deadlines for submission, and how completed ballots must be returned. Local officials routinely publish such explanations before elections to help voters avoid common mistakes that could lead to ballots being rejected.