Benson, James Face Off in Debate

Republican John James and Democrat Jocelyn Benson clashed over data centers, tariffs, and the economy Tuesday night in Grand Rapids, in their first televised debate of Michigan’s open race for governor.

Benson has served as secretary of state since 2019, and James represents the 10th District in Congress. The seat is open because term limits bar Gov. Gretchen Whitmer from a third term.

The sharpest exchange came over data centers, with each accusing the other of profiting from the industry’s growth. The two also split over tariffs and the war in Iran.

James, who opened by declaring he hates politics but loves Michigan, pitched tax cuts and more parental control over schools. Benson stressed lowering everyday costs. More than 200,000 Michiganders have already returned absentee ballots before the Nov. 3 election.

Whitmer Signs Child-Safety, Fraud Bills

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a set of bipartisan bills Monday that includes measures adding gift card fraud to Michigan’s organized retail crime law and restricting how children are transported to treatment programs.

The gift card measures, House Bills 4598 and 4599, target fraud involving the acquisition or tampering of gift cards or their redemption information. Their sponsors crossed party lines: Republican Mike Harris of Waterford and Democrat Samantha Steckloff of Farmington Hills.

A separate law, House Bill 5514, bans restraints, blindfolds, and other “undignified measures” when companies transport children to residential treatment, except in emergencies. Paris Hilton supported the legislation and described her own experience with abusive youth transport.

A third measure directs the state health department to produce educational materials for schools on the risks of tobacco, vaping, and cannabis. Whitmer said she was “proud to sign these bipartisan bills.”

Muskegon Native Jim Bakker Dies

Jim Bakker, the Muskegon-born preacher who built the PTL, or “Praise the Lord,” televangelism empire and then lost it amid scandal and financial crimes, died Monday at 86.

Bakker grew up in Muskegon and left Bible college to launch a traveling ministry with his first wife, Tammy Faye. At its 1980s peak, their show drew 13 million nightly viewers, and the couple built Heritage USA, a Christian theme park in South Carolina.

The empire collapsed in 1987 after Bakker admitted to a sexual encounter with a church secretary and resigned. A federal jury convicted him of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy in 1989. He served nearly five years in prison after his original 45-year sentence was reduced to eight years.

Bakker rebuilt a ministry near Branson, Missouri, launching The Jim Bakker Show in 2003, and drew scrutiny in 2021 over claims that a product he promoted could cure COVID-19. His second wife, Lori, said he died Monday. No cause was given.

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➤ Statewide: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a Tri County Area Schools ban on “Let’s Go Brandon” sweatshirts, leaving in place a ruling that the phrase, a coded jab at former President Biden, can be treated as vulgar speech. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Michigan State Police counted 114 crashes involving farm equipment so far this year, two of them fatal, as officials urged drivers to share the road this harvest season. October historically brings the second-most such crashes. (See Details)

➤ Detroit: City officials credited the mayor’s $1.5 million Occupy the Summer program as juvenile homicides fell 89% from last summer, with one recorded this summer from June through August. (See Details)

➤ Northern Michigan: Federal forest-restoration money has stopped flowing to Michigan after nationwide demand exceeded available funding. Roughly 600 landowners are still in the application process following the 2025 ice storm, with some starting work without guaranteed reimbursement. (See Details)

➤ Dearborn Public Schools is asking voters on the Nov. 3 ballot to approve a $1.5 billion bond to rebuild or renovate all 36 schools over 20 years. District officials say expiring and waived millages would offset the new levy, leaving no net tax rate change for homeowners. (More)

➤ Ann Arbor: Police deemed not credible two bomb threats made Monday afternoon against Slausen Middle School and Ann Arbor Open K-8. Officers evacuated and searched Slausen and found nothing. Neither threat carried specific details, describing only a “what if” scenario. (More)

➤ Hillsdale County: Two women, ages 50 and 19, were critically injured after an SUV struck their Amish buggy from behind Monday. Both were airlifted to a hospital, while the SUV driver was uninjured. (More)

➤ Big Ten officials said much of the crew from Michigan’s disputed Hail Mary win over Western Michigan got another call wrong, misapplying a roughing the snapper penalty late in Nebraska’s 48-23 rout of Maryland instead of allowing the Huskers to retry a missed extra point. (More)

➤ Michigan basketball, fresh off the program’s 2026 national title, saw stars Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney named to the preseason All-Big Ten team for 2026-27. (More)

➤ Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. was named the Big Ten’s preseason Player of the Year after leading college basketball with 9.4 assists per game last season. (More)

➤ Owosso Speedway says a driver hospitalized after a crash at Saturday’s sold-out Destruction Overload event is now in stable condition and communicating, with his family expecting him to leave intensive care. (More)

➤ Epson Tour’s Great Lakes Championship, the LPGA development circuit’s Northern Michigan stop, will move to The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort in Williamsburg for 2027 after two years at The Highlands near Harbor Springs. (More)

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

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➤ Consumers Energy is seeking a $456 million annual electric rate hike that would raise residential rates by 9.8%, but Attorney General Dana Nessel is asking state regulators to cut the request by more than half. (More)

➤ Jackson County’s Home Builders Association was named a finalist for a statewide housing advocacy award as a new study shows the county needs more than 3,000 new homes over the next five years. (More)

➤ Stryker Corp., the Portage-based medical device maker, named President and COO Spencer Stiles as its next CEO, effective Jan. 1, with longtime chief Kevin Lobo moving to executive chair after tripling annual sales to more than $26 billion during his 14-year tenure. (See Details)

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Memory Loss, Low Libido, Weak Bones

Not magnesium, and not calcium. A new study says memory loss and cognitive decline may be the result of a different mineral deficiency, one that can also cause stubborn weight gain, low energy, mood swings, a low libido, bleeding gums, and weaker bones.

An estimated 90% of adults over 60 may now be at risk. Soils have become depleted, and common medications such as blood pressure drugs, along with microplastics, strip it from the body.

There are seven warning signs that you might be running low. (See Warning Signs)

➤ Repurposed bike parts are becoming low-cost prosthetic legs through Project Bike Leg, created by Michigan prosthetist and former bike mechanic Ben Hogan for amputees who lack access to conventional prosthetics. (Read Story)

➤ Gary Grimshaw’s first Grande Ballroom poster, created for the venue’s Oct. 7, 1966, opening, turns 60 today, with Detroit-area events marking the artwork that helped define the city’s psychedelic rock era. (Read Story)

➤ Seven locals over 70 make Traverse City’s new 7Over70 class, a salute to area residents, from farmers to philanthropists, who keep shaping the community rather than slowing down. (More)

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➤ The Wrinkle ‘Eraser’ That Has Women Going Makeup Free. Beverly Hills beauty expert Dr. John Layke is sharing a simple, 60-second beauty trick designed to help you look and feel younger. He created a short instructional video explaining exactly how to try the technique yourself at home. Watch Dr. Layke’s presentation here.

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

➤ Stubborn neck pain often lacks a clear cause, but physical therapists say five simple exercises can bring real relief. (See Exercises)

➤ Apple News has been accused of suppressing months of coverage about the DNC’s mounting debt ahead of the midterms. (Hear Details)

➤ Some everyday habits are damaging your hearing in ways audiologists say you won’t notice until it’s permanent. (Listen Now)

Who’s the greatest Michigan music act of all time?

1. Stevie Wonder
2. The Temptations
3. Bob Seger
4. Eminem
5. Aretha Franklin
6. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Who’s your favorite James Bond?

1. Sean Connery: 72%
2. Roger Moore: 11%
3. Pierce Brosnan: 8%
4. Daniel Craig: 5%
5. Never seen one: 3%
6. George Lazenby: 1%
7. Timothy Dalton: 0%

Michigan’s men’s basketball team won the 2026 NCAA championship. In what year did the Wolverines claim their only previous national title?

Show me the answer