Michigan’s Jobless Rate Ranks Eighth-Highest

The Michigan League for Public Policy’s Labor Day report found the state had the eighth-highest unemployment rate in the country in June.

Michigan’s jobless rate stood at 5%, above the national 4.2%, with about 1.2 job seekers for every open position. The League linked the trend partly to a shrinking manufacturing sector.

Wages have barely budged. The state’s inflation-adjusted median wage edged up to $23.69 an hour in 2025, and the report found 40% of residents live below the poverty line or struggle to afford basics.

Child care costs can also keep some parents out of work, with full-time infant care averaging $14,064 a year in 2025.

Apples Arrive Early and Abundant

Michigan’s apple harvest is off to a strong start, with mid-Michigan growers reporting a really good crop this year.

The industry expects the crop to top the USDA’s forecast of 25 million bushels, citing exceptional fruit size and color. Early varieties like Paula Red, Ginger Gold, and Gala are already on the market, and Honeycrisp is expected to be especially plentiful.

Michigan State University Extension says the harvest is running earlier than last year in most parts of the state.

At Phillips Orchard and Cider Mill in St. Johns, Brian Phillips said central Michigan is seeing an especially strong crop, with the orchard offering u-pick apples and fresh cider, and wagon rides planned for later in the fall.

State Funds a Whitefish Rescue

Michigan’s budget set aside $350,000 for lake whitefish recovery, the first time the ailing fish has claimed its own line in the state budget.

The Great Lakes native is nearing collapse in lakes Michigan and Huron, where invasive zebra and quagga mussels have stripped away its food. Commercial catches have fallen from 6.9 million pounds in 2009 to under 2 million in 2024.

This fall, state and tribal scientists plan to net spawning whitefish and raise their young in hatcheries, a last-ditch bid to preserve vulnerable populations for a future recovery.

State fisheries chief Randy Claramunt welcomed the money but called it “a drop in the bucket,” noting at least a dozen vulnerable stocks need help and some won’t receive it under the current funding.

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➤ Statewide: Automated speed cameras could begin enforcing Michigan work-zone speed limits by the 2027 construction season. The state is still lining up a vendor for the program, authorized under a 2024 law, which allows cameras only when crews are present and requires warning signs 1 mile ahead. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Michigan’s deer season opens this weekend with the Liberty Hunt on Sept. 12-13, reserved for youth 16 and under and hunters with qualifying disabilities. Early antlerless firearm hunting runs the same weekend across much of the Lower Peninsula. (See Schedule)

➤ Sugar Island: A man took a hammer to a Michigan State Police cruiser aboard the Sugar Island Ferry near Sault Ste. Marie on Monday, then fought the trooper who arrested him. He faces charges of drugged driving, resisting arrest, assaulting an officer, and malicious destruction of police property. (More)

➤ Grand Rapids: Single- and double-lane closures began Tuesday on southbound U.S. 131 as crews start a $1 million bridge repair at I-196, with work lasting through October. The eastbound 77A exit and Pearl Street entrance ramps close first, with the Leonard Street/Turner Avenue closure starting Sept. 24. (More)

➤ Detroit: Cleanup continued across Detroit’s east side Tuesday, five days after a tornado damaged homes, businesses and trees. City crews and volunteers are clearing debris, removing fallen trees and going door to door in Districts 4 and 5 to check on residents, with extra help focused on neighborhoods with large senior populations. (More)

➤ Jeff Greenberg, the Tigers’ general manager, withdrew from consideration for the Red Wings’ top hockey job, saying he wants to finish what he started with the Tigers. The former Blackhawks associate GM was a possible replacement for Steve Yzerman. (More)

➤ The NCAA says Michigan’s 13-12 win over Western Michigan will stand, rejecting the Mid-American Conference’s effort to have the Broncos recognized as the winner. The conference argued replay protocol was improperly followed before Michigan’s game-winning Hail Mary. (More)

➤ The Detroit Lions feel good entering Sunday’s opener against the Saints, though Dan Campbell says it may take until Week 5 to know what kind of team they have. Detroit enters with a more experienced offensive line and new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing working with Jared Goff. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | Soccer

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➤ Diesel prices hit a record $5.85 a gallon nationally over Labor Day weekend, with West Michigan prices near $6. Sarah Floyd of Grand Rapids-area carrier Sweet Express, which handles 500 trucks, said the surge is squeezing owner-operators. (More)

➤ Trinity Health is spending $6.5 million to expand care in West Michigan, including a new $3.6 million primary care office in Allendale Township opening Nov. 2. The system also added cardiovascular services near Rockford, part of a push to place care closer to where patients live. (More)

➤ Detroit’s People Mover begins a six-month renovation of its Water Square Station on Sept. 14, with crews upgrading lighting, resurfacing, and painting during two-day shutdowns. The 1987 stop, designed around Joe Louis Arena and major event traffic, is being updated as the surrounding riverfront neighborhood evolves. (More)

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A Drone Expert Is Making Flying Cars Real

In 2016, after years working on military drones, Doron Merdinger began sketching a flying car. He saw how quickly the tech had advanced and believed people would soon fly from driveways. So he built Doroni.

Perfect timing. The urban air mobility market is worth $4.8B today. By 2040, Morgan Stanley puts it at $1 trillion. By 2050, $9 trillion. And with 600+ reservations for Doroni’s aircraft and commercial deliveries targeted for 2028, the demand for this innovation is undeniable.

When FOX Business saw the showroom model get unveiled in March, they called it “the ‘flying car’ set to revolutionize personal air travel.” 

They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker $DRNI, preparing for potential growth. Invest in Doroni at $3.30/share today.

➤ Fall allergy season is peaking in West Michigan, with ragweed the main culprit behind sneezing, itchy eyes, and other symptoms. Warm, breezy days can send pollen counts soaring, and ragweed is expected to remain a problem until the first hard frost, typically around mid-October. (More)

➤ Dogs in the Zoo returns to downtown Kalamazoo Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bringing dachshund races, a dog-owner look-alike contest, hot dog eating contest, dance party, adoption opportunities, splash pads, and vendors to the Kalamazoo Mall. (See Details)

➤ A 15-year-old Saline girl became the youngest American girl to summit Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest mountain, completing the eight-day trek July 24. Anna Tukin took up mountaineering after joining her mother on a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. (See Details)

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

➤ How much money do you need to retire? The answer is simpler than you think. (Listen Now)

➤ Lindsay Clancy’s attorney is taking his fight straight to President Trump after a hung jury. (Hear Details)

➤ Novartis just hit a major trial failure that could upend one of the drug industry’s biggest cholesterol races. (Full Story)

How often do you get out fishing?

1. Every chance I get
2. A few times a season
3. Once in a blue moon
4. Not my thing
5. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you been to the new Grand Rapids amphitheater yet?

1. What amphitheater?: 42%
2. No, not for me: 33%
3. Not yet, but I want to: 20%
4. Yes, been there: 5%

Nearly three-quarters of Michigan’s apples come from orchards in and around Grand Rapids, most of them on a ridge just northwest of downtown. What’s it called?

Show me the answer