Monday, August 31, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1955, a General Motors engineer showed off the world’s first solar-powered model car, the Sunmobile, a 15-inch vehicle powered by 12 selenium cells and the summer sun.

Detroit’s riverfront is getting a splashy new addition, complete with a waterfront spa and a ballroom bigger than some grocery stores. We have details below on the massive JW Marriott taking shape downtown.

And speaking of big additions to the neighborhood, we want to hear from you: What’s one new attraction, restaurant, hotel, or development that’s made your neck of the woods noticeably better, or worse? Hit reply and let us know.

Today’s sponsor, Incogni, helps protect your privacy by removing personal information from data brokers and continuously monitoring for new exposures that could leave you vulnerable to scams, phishing, and identity theft.

Democrats Lock in Fall Ticket

Michigan Democrats nominated Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks as Jocelyn Benson’s running mate Saturday at the party’s nominating convention in Lansing.

Delegates also tapped Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist for secretary of state and Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit for attorney general, along with candidates for the state Supreme Court, Board of Education, and three university boards.

Leaders pushed unity ahead of the Nov. 3 election, though tensions held. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who never shared a stage with Benson, apologized for remarks he made after the spring attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.

Attorney General Dana Nessel skipped the convention over harassment concerns and, in a separate interview, said she perceives “an enormous amount of anti-Semitism within the Democratic Party.” Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad said the delegates’ “uneasiness and discomfort” was “on full display.”

Slotkin Bill Would Ban Chinese Cars

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., is sponsoring a bill that would bar connected vehicles and related software and hardware from China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia from the U.S. market.

She laid out the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 before the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, saying passage would protect both the auto industry and national security. Her case runs on two tracks: Chinese subsidies let Beijing’s automakers undersell American manufacturers, and Slotkin says Chinese-built connected cars can send collected data back to China.

“Chinese cars are surveillance packages on wheels,” Slotkin said. The bill, introduced with Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, cleared the Senate Commerce Committee on a unanimous vote in July, and UAW President Shawn Fain has backed it.

If it becomes law, the connected-vehicle and software restrictions take effect in 2027, with hardware restrictions in 2030.

Rural Townships Can’t Fill Clerk Jobs

No one is running for clerk, the job that runs elections, in townships in Alcona, Montcalm, Hillsdale, and Kent counties.

More than 75% of Michigan local governments report that too few residents are willing to run for elected office, and rural governments face particularly severe financial strain. Michigan’s 1,240 townships were laid out in the 1810s, with duties set before the Civil War.

Two bills from Reps. Bill Schuette, R-Midland, and Amos O’Neal, D-Saginaw, would spend $3.5 million on outside help with finance, human resources, and information technology, but they’ve had no hearing since their August 2025 introduction. Schuette faulted Democrats for the delay, while O’Neal pointed to House Republican leadership.

A separate bill, passed by the House in May and awaiting Senate action, would let townships hire a certified outsider to run elections when the clerk’s seat is vacant or the clerk isn’t certified to run elections. Eric Lupher of the Citizens Research Council has advocated reforms such as merging small townships and shifting some duties to counties.

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➤ Sterling Heights: Vice President JD Vance is expected to speak Monday at a MAGA Inc. event alongside Senate nominee Mike Rogers and gubernatorial nominee John James. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s attorneys told a federal appeals court Friday that Enbridge can’t operate the Line 5 pipeline on state land without a valid easement. Enbridge says federal pipeline law and a 1977 treaty with Canada bar a shutdown. (See Details)

➤ Romulus: A Monroe man who called in a fake bomb threat after missing his flight at Detroit Metro Airport was sentenced to three years of probation. The threat forced the Spirit Airlines flight to be canceled. No explosives were found. (See Details)

➤ East Lansing: At least nine people were arrested downtown during Michigan State University’s Welcome Week as thousands of students packed bars and streets ahead of Monday classes. Police from several agencies were deployed throughout the weekend, though the reasons for several arrests were not immediately clear. (See Details)

➤ Roseville: A prominent attorney is charged with leaving the scene of a deadly motorcycle crash and lying to police after a 48-year-old woman was struck from behind in Macomb County. Edward Nahhat is being held on a $100,000 bond. (See Details)

➤ Cadillac: Health officials confirmed a harmful algae bloom on Lake Cadillac and are posting advisory signs at public access sites. Contact can cause rashes and stomach illness in people and can be fatal to pets. (See Details)

➤ Tarik Skubal wiped away tears at Comerica Park Friday night as the Tigers ran a video tribute to the ace they traded this month. He struck out seven over six innings in the Dodgers’ 2-1 win. (More)

➤ Josh Dobbs completed 15 of 19 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the Lions’ preseason finale against the Colts, finishing with a 129.8 rating and no turnovers. Dan Campbell had asked for smart, efficient football. (More)

➤ Disc golf’s elite descended on Milford for the world championships, drawing nearly 300 athletes from 26 countries. The tournament, which wrapped up Sunday, marked its 44th edition and the fourth held in Michigan. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | IndyCar | LLWS

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➤ Do you know what the 4 Warning Signs that your vision is Declining… Nearly 93 million Americans are considered at high risk for serious vision loss. (More)

➤ The JW Marriott rising on Detroit’s riverfront is set to open in February 2027 with more than 600 rooms, a 17,000-square-foot ballroom, and a waterfront spa. (See Details)

➤ Michigan households have faced the highest per-household tariff costs in the nation since January 2025, with the auto industry accounting for most of an estimated $23 billion in duties. (More)

➤ Health care jobs in Michigan are headed toward a worker shortage over the next decade, though prospects look better in some positions than others. (See Details)

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➤ The Blood Sugar Warning Sign Most People Ignore. Feeling tired after eating, battling sudden cravings, or crashing midday? Don’t ignore these signs. Researchers are investigating a surprisingly simple daily habit that may help support healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range while promoting steadier energy throughout the day. See the simple blood sugar tip everyone is talking about >>

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➤ Michigan’s largest waterfall looks even bigger from above. New drone footage shows the 200-foot-wide cascade at Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula, plus a newly opened accessible boardwalk that carries visitors right to the brink. (See Video)

➤ Retro gaming fans packed Kalamazoo’s first Michigan Retro Game Expo on Saturday, with more than 700 tickets sold in advance. Organizers plan to return next year with a two-day event. (More)

➤ South Lyon Theatre is reinventing itself after more than 75 years, shifting from a single-screen movie house to an event venue with weddings, live music and classic films. The theater nearly closed after the pandemic but has found new life through community events. (More)

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➤ Surgeon Warns About “Drunken Gut” Phenomenon. Former surgeon and gut expert Dr. Steven Gundry is shedding light on “Drunken Gut,” a phenomenon where poor gut conditions may cause the body to produce alcohol internally. If you struggle with bloating, fatigue, weight gain, or trouble concentrating, Gundry says these could be warning signs worth knowing. Check for the signs now ==>

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes.

➤ One simple change to your eating habits could lower your risk of depression and dementia. It has nothing to do with what’s on your plate. (Hear Why)

➤ Canada is hiring away dozens of American researchers with a $362 million fund. The move opens a new front in the trade war. (Hear Details)

➤ A survival expert was dropped alone in the Arctic Circle with 10 tools, a camera, and grizzly bears for neighbors. His training began with boiling sea snails as a boy. (Hear Adventure)