Whitmer Eases Diesel Rules for Farmers

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a statewide energy emergency Monday and temporarily cleared farm and logging vehicles with qualifying plates to run on untaxed dyed diesel on public roads as Michigan diesel prices neared $6.50 a gallon.

Executive Order 2026-15 suspends two sections of the Motor Fuel Tax Act that restrict vehicles with farm or wood harvester plates from using dyed diesel, normally reserved for off-road equipment. The order expires when the emergency ends, but no later than Dec. 31.

The move follows President Trump’s Oct. 5 federal order directing temporary federal penalty relief for highway use of dyed diesel through year’s end. “We need to keep work moving and reduce pressure on the people who keep our state’s ag economy running,” Whitmer said in a statement.

The Michigan Association of Timbermen, among industry groups that urged the declaration, estimates it could save farmers and loggers upward of 50 cents a gallon through year’s end.

Michigan Sues Over Unemployment Funds

Michigan and 13 other states sued the U.S. Department of Labor over its cancellation of grants to modernize state unemployment systems, including about $4.2 million in funding already promised to Michigan.

The American Rescue Plan grants funded technology upgrades and fraud prevention, including efforts to improve the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency. Across the 14 states, the department clawed back more than $45 million in unspent funding from a broader program that awarded more than $780 million.

In the suit, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the states argue the terminations broke binding contracts and seek monetary damages. The department told states the grants “no longer effectuate [Department of Labor’s] priorities for its grant funding” and that it was reviewing pandemic-era funding for efficiency.

According to the lawsuit, the cancellations forced some states to halt projects, scale back improvements, or redirect funding from other programs.

Kalamazoo College Ranks Second in Michigan

Kalamazoo College ranked as the second-best college in Michigan in WalletHub’s 2027 rankings, trailing only the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

The personal finance site compared 500 schools on 30 metrics, from admission and graduation rates to cost and career outcomes. The Ann Arbor flagship led the state, ranking first in admission and graduation rates, while Princeton topped the national list.

Kalamazoo, a private liberal arts school of about 1,100 students, also ranks No. 74 nationally among liberal arts colleges by U.S. News. It edged out Michigan Tech, Calvin University, and the University of Detroit Mercy, which rounded out the state’s top five.

Michigan State University ranked ninth in Michigan, improving from 10th place in last year’s WalletHub rankings.

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➤ Statewide: Michigan communities are pouring hundreds of millions into restoring rivers, from removing dams to reviving downtown waterfronts. One study estimates $3 in economic returns for every $1 invested. (Read Story)

➤ Also Statewide: After an unusually warm start to the week, temperatures will drop as rain chances return today through Friday. Widespread frost or a light freeze is possible across parts of the state this weekend, with highs falling into the 50s in many areas. (See Details)

➤ Upper Peninsula: Evacuation orders have been lifted as firefighters make progress containing two wildfires in Marquette and Baraga counties. The fires have burned roughly 850 acres combined, with cooler weather helping crews gain ground. (More)

➤ Lansing: Protesters called for an emergency overnight shelter after five people were killed near the Lansing River Trail over the past year. Police are investigating whether the deaths are connected. (More)

➤ Also Lansing: The Republican National Committee and Michigan GOP sued Lansing’s election commission, alleging it appointed nearly twice as many Democrats as Republicans to work the polls during the August primary, violating a state law requiring near-equal party representation. (See Details)

➤ Kalamazoo: State regulators are seeking to revoke Kalamazoo Behavioral Health Hospital’s license over repeated patient safety violations, including injuries and inadequate supervision. A hearing is scheduled for today, but the hospital remains open. (More)

➤ West-Central Michigan: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters in five counties to submit harvested deer for chronic wasting disease testing this season, hoping to determine how infection rates have changed since 2019. (See Details)

➤ The Detroit Pistons will throw a fan fest and blue carpet walk ahead of their 2026-27 home opener against the Boston Celtics on Oct. 20 at Little Caesars Arena. (See Details)

➤ Detroit Catholic Central holds the No. 1 spot in Michigan’s high school football Power Poll, followed by Detroit Cass Tech, as a top-five shakeup highlights the playoff push. Thirteen of the top 20 teams remain unbeaten. (See List)

➤ Michigan Tech quarterback Elliot Larner is reunited with twin brother Abram on the football field after Abram transferred from Grand Valley State, bringing the former DeWitt High School standouts back together for the Huskies. (Read Story)

➤ Shepherd High School turned its canceled homecoming football game into a dads-versus-sons flag football showdown after its opponent withdrew due to injuries and illness. The students beat their dads 32-28, with homecoming festivities continuing as planned. (More)

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

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➤ Six independent Michigan pharmacies have closed in six weeks, with advocates blaming pharmacy benefit managers for reimbursement practices that squeeze local businesses. (See Details)

➤ Fall tourism is boosting Northern Michigan’s economy, with visitors increasingly arriving from Southern states to see autumn foliage. Tourism officials say the growing popularity helps local businesses stay open and supports year-round jobs. (More)

➤ Scorpion Hearts Club in Grand Rapids is sharing its financial figures publicly to explain rising coffee prices, with monthly payroll costs climbing from $10,000 to over $13,000. The shop is trimming hours and staffing costs to avoid further price hikes. (More)

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➤ Houdini’s death in Detroit gets a centennial tribute at the Detroit Historical Museum this Halloween with magic, vaudeville entertainment, and sideshow attractions marking 100 years. (See Details)

➤ Six Michigan breweries brought home medals from the 2026 Great American Beer Festival in Denver, with gold going to Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids, Mothfire Brewing in Ann Arbor, and Bearded Lamb Brewing in Plymouth. (See List)

➤ Zoo Goes Boo returns to John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids for three weekends starting Oct. 16, with trick-or-treating, magicians, fire dancers, and Halloween fun included with admission. (More)

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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. 

➤ Seven simple at-home tests may reveal your risk of death, and most take under a minute. (See Tests)

➤ Pope Leo XIV has undergone lung surgery, the first major health issue of his 17-month papacy. (Hear Episode)

➤ German police have seized a humanoid robot after it allegedly groped a teenage girl while two suspects reportedly livestreamed the encounter. (Hear Details)

Frost is in this weekend’s forecast. Is your furnace running yet?

1. Already on
2. Holding out
3. Never shut it off
4. No heat, just blankets
5. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your go-to taco order?

1. Carne asada (steak): 37%
2. Give me one of each: 21%
3. Chicken: 20%
4. Other: 12%
5. Al pastor (pork): 8%
6. Veggie: 2%

Harry Houdini gave his final performance in Detroit and died there on Halloween 1926. Legend blames a punch to the gut, but what actually killed the famed escape artist?

Show me the answer