Rural Michigan Governments Under Strain

Fewer than half of Michigan’s rural communities report good fiscal health, the lowest mark in a decade of tracking, as small townships strain to keep up roads, public safety, and other basic services.

In Watersmeet Township, the annual road budget is under $200,000 even though repaving one mile costs $450,000. Across rural Michigan, property tax limits, inflation, and declining revenue sharing are putting added pressure on local budgets.

More than 75% of townships and villages report trouble filling elected offices such as clerk and treasurer. Villages can appoint qualified outsiders to those jobs, but township clerks and treasurers must be elected from among township residents.

The two candidates to succeed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer offer different fixes: John James backs making voluntary consolidation and shared services easier, while Jocelyn Benson favors keeping decisions with local leaders.

Local Leaders Sour on Data Centers

Fewer than 1 in 5 Michigan local officials believe large-scale data centers are worth their cost, and a majority want tighter regulation, a new University of Michigan survey found.

Statewide, 46% of local leaders disagree that the benefits outweigh the costs. A majority expect data centers to harm Michigan’s fresh water supply, and 55% say their residents would strongly oppose one nearby.

Lawmakers in both chambers have introduced one-year moratorium bills to pause new data centers, and Senate Democrats have proposed rules on water use, utility costs, and nondisclosure agreements. So far, the regulatory measures have stalled in committee.

The issue crosses party lines: Republican gubernatorial candidate John James and Democrat Jocelyn Benson both back a moratorium. Rep. Joey Andrews, D-St. Joseph, who authored the 2024 tax break for data centers, still defends the projects and warns against “rejecting growth.”

Feds Seek $18.8M in Forced-Labor Case

Federal prosecutors are seeking to seize nearly $18.8 million from a Detroit-area addiction treatment nonprofit accused of defrauding Medicaid and using Medicaid beneficiaries as forced labor.

The civil forfeiture complaint was filed Tuesday, nearly a month after FBI agents searched the home of CEO Naveed Syed and several of the nonprofit’s sites in Detroit, Troy and Eastpointe. No criminal charges have been filed against Syed.

The filing alleges Syed billed Medicaid for care that was never provided and required some beneficiaries to work 12-hour days, six or seven days a week, for $40 a week under “volunteer” agreements. Some allegedly had to live in Syed-controlled housing to keep their jobs.

Syed’s attorney, Arthur Weiss, said the case will be litigated in court, emphasizing that his client faces no criminal charges and the nonprofit’s state license has not been revoked. The health network overseeing its Medicaid-funded services said it was providing referrals and transfers to other providers to prevent disruptions in care.

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➤ Statewide: Two candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court do not hold valid law licenses, according to State Bar records, even though a seat on the court requires one. The Secretary of State’s office says nothing bars them from the November ballot, but winners must meet eligibility rules to take office. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Michigan State Police to review a fatal Grand Rapids crash involving a driver who police say was fleeing an ICE traffic stop. Mario David Coronado Juárez died after his car struck a tree and caught fire. (More)

➤ Detroit: Former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned Tuesday for U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, D, joining him for a Black maternal-health roundtable before speaking at an NAACP event. El-Sayed faces Mike Rogers, R, in November for retiring Sen. Gary Peters’ seat. (More)

➤ Canton Township: More roundabouts are headed to Wayne County, led by Canton Township, which plans one in 2027 at Sheldon and Palmer roads to replace a backed-up four-way stop and a second in 2029. Officials cite data showing roundabouts can cut fatal and injury crashes by 78%. (More)

➤ Berrien County: The Coast Guard and county deputies rescued three boaters after their 16-foot catamaran capsized a half-mile off Coloma’s Roadside Park Monday. Drone operators spotted the trio clinging to the hull, all in life jackets, and a St. Joseph boat crew brought them ashore. (More)

➤ Munising: The National Park Service will close Sand Point Road near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore from Oct. 1 to 14 for a culvert replacement, cutting off drive-up access to Sand Point Beach, the marsh trail, and park headquarters. Munising Falls Visitor Center and the local hospital will remain accessible. (More)

➤ Justin Verlander plans to make his 557th and final major league start Saturday when the Detroit Tigers host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. (More)

➤ The Red Wings are adding a Woodward wrap, a steakhouse burger, and mix-and-match ramen in the suites at Little Caesars Arena for their centennial season, along with a gear customization station and a Kids Club. October home game tickets are on sale for $26 through Thursday. (See Details)

➤ The Detroit Pistons chose DAZN as their streaming service for the 2026-27 season. Plans start at $19.99 monthly, while local over-the-air broadcasts remain free. (More)

➤ Boise State coach Spencer Danielson considers Western Michigan undefeated despite its 2-1 record, citing the disputed final seconds of the Broncos’ 13-12 loss at Michigan. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Soccer | NHL

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➤ Hotel Yorba, the century-old landmark in Southwest Detroit with more than 200 rooms that the city ordered vacated last year, has a new owner. Kahlil Assad, who paid $1.8 million, plans an $8 million to $10 million restoration. (More)

➤ State agriculture officials awarded $2.3 million to 28 Michigan farms, processors, and food groups to strengthen local supply chains. Recipients include a Lennon meat processor receiving $100,000 toward a new facility expected to create 22 jobs, plus businesses expanding greenhouse and cold-storage capacity in Okemos and Charlotte. (More)

➤ Grand Rapids businesses near Acrisure Amphitheater say its first concert season brought a welcome boost in foot traffic, even as nearby residents have sued over noise. The venue wraps its 2026 season Oct. 2. (More)

➤ Wendy’s says it terminated Grand Rapids-based Meritage Hospitality Group’s rights to run 314 Wendy’s restaurants, alleging the franchisee owes nearly $147 million in fees. Meritage filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week and says it expects to keep its restaurants operating during the process. (More)

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Can Your Gut Brew Alcohol? Surgeon Warns YES!

In a stunning new video that’s beginning to go viral…

Prominent gut expert and former surgeon Dr. Steven Gundry sheds light on a strange phenomenon known among industry experts as “Drunken Gut.”

Believe it or not, it’s when poor gut health conditions can lead to your body “brewing” its own alcohol.

If you struggle with severe bloating, fatigue, weight gain, or even find it hard to concentrate, Dr. Gundry says these are warning signs that something is dangerously wrong.

Which is why he’s urging everyone to check for these signs immediately

➤ Preserve Detroit, a new city effort, is asking residents to nominate the neighborhood landmarks they think are worth saving. Through an interactive website, people can submit photos and stories about places from the former Dunbar Hospital to a Russell Woods home once tied to Diana Ross’s family. (More)

➤ Oakland County has a new millionaire, thanks to a gas-station clerk. A 62-year-old man was buying scratch-offs at a Rochester Speedway when the clerk suggested a Ruby 7s ticket. He took the recommendation, scratched the ticket in his car, and discovered he’d won a $1 million top prize. (Read Story)

➤ Mikala Sposito, a 21-year-old Dexter High graduate now at Washtenaw Community College, is the first woman to represent the U.S. in welding at the WorldSkills competition, underway in Shanghai. Mike Rowe, who backed her with a foundation scholarship, chipped in spending money after she won the Team USA spot. (Read Story)

➤ Broad-winged hawks are streaming over southeast Michigan by the tens of thousands. Counters at the Detroit River Hawk Watch at Lake Erie Metropark tallied more than 70,000 in the past week, including nearly 36,000 on a single September day, alongside eagles, kestrels, and turkey vultures making their fall migration. (Read Story)

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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. 

➤ Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants stormed one Spanish city, which still hasn’t recovered. (Hear Details)

➤ Dolly Parton’s estate has accused her nephew of escalating threats, asking a court to keep him away from its operations. (Listen Now)

➤ Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to prison again in New York, capping a six-year legal saga over his overturned conviction. (Hear Story)

How do you feel about roundabouts?

1. Love them, keep traffic moving
2. Fine once learned
3. No thanks, give me a stoplight
4. Depends on the intersection
5. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you add solar to your home?

1. No thanks: 54%
2. Only if the price dropped: 30%
3. Yes, if it lowered my bill: 13%
4. Already have it: 3%

Which Detroit rock duo, known for its red, white and black aesthetic, recorded a 2001 single inside the historic Hotel Yorba in southwest Detroit?

Show me the answer