Election Day: What’s on Michigan’s Ballot

It’s Election Day in Michigan, and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, with open races for governor and U.S. Senate atop a packed statewide ballot.

To succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Jocelyn Benson, D, faces John James, R, for governor, while Abdul El-Sayed, D, and Mike Rogers, R, vie for an open U.S. Senate seat.

That Senate contest has drawn nearly $192 million in political ads, according to AdImpact figures as of Oct. 12.

Voters also weigh two statewide proposals: Proposal 1, on whether to hold a constitutional convention, and Proposal 2, on restricting political contributions from certain utilities and government contractors. Two nonpartisan Supreme Court seats are on the ballot as well, with Democratic-nominated justices defending a 6-1 majority against Republican-nominated challengers.

Schools Seek $4 Billion in Bonds

Forty-two Michigan school districts are asking voters to approve nearly $4 billion in bonds on today’s ballot.

Dearborn Public Schools, the state’s third-largest district, has the biggest ask: a $1.51 billion bond to build six new schools and renovate existing facilities, with almost a dozen schools a century old.

Leaders say the bond would not raise Dearborn’s overall tax rate, since the new levy would be offset by the elimination of an operating millage and other tax changes. The district has spent far less on building improvements over two decades than neighbors such as Ann Arbor.

Several districts are trying again after previous bond defeats, while Eastpointe is seeking $99 million to upgrade aging facilities, including a nearly century-old high school without classroom air conditioning. Statewide, one estimate puts school repair and upgrade needs near $23 billion.

Ann Arbor Tower Taps Underground Heat

Crews have begun drilling beneath downtown Ann Arbor so a new 20-story apartment tower can heat and cool itself using the earth instead of burning natural gas.

A ground-floor window at The Adeline will give passersby a view into the room where the geothermal system connects to the earth. It is Related’s first geothermal building in the country and among Michigan’s largest affordable housing projects to use the technology.

The system taps the ground’s steady underground temperature to warm the tower in winter and cool it in summer, all on electricity. City officials say they hope to bring geothermal to more Ann Arbor projects.

The building will bring 330 affordable apartments to downtown Ann Arbor, with completion expected in 2028.

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18 Costco Shopping Secrets That Could Save You Serious Money

Think you know all the tricks to saving money at Costco? Think again! Even longtime members may be missing out on hidden discounts, special pricing codes, and little-known perks that could make their membership even more valuable.

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➤ East Lansing: Multiple people were shot and two pedestrians were struck by vehicles in separate incidents near Michigan State University over Halloween weekend, police said. (See Details)

➤ Orchard Lake: A seaplane tipped into Orchard Lake near Apple Island on Monday afternoon, leaving the aircraft partially submerged. Both people aboard escaped without injuries, police said. The incident is under investigation. (More)

➤ Ann Arbor: A University of Michigan student was arrested after she was filmed shoving conservative influencer Liz Benichou to the ground at an unpermitted political event on campus. Police later released her pending a possible arrest warrant. (See Video)

➤ Statewide: A Michigan Treasury system upgrade will temporarily disrupt online tax services and close various call centers in early November as the department prepares to launch an expanded eServices platform Nov. 12. (See Details)

➤ Detroit: The city is spending millions to remove contaminated backfill soil from neighborhoods, even as questions mount over funding and public health. (See Details)

➤ Sault Ste. Marie: Former Sault Area Little League president Mathew Hudecek was sentenced to 11 months in jail for embezzling more than $46,000 from the organization between 2022 and 2024. (More)

➤ Kent County: Invasive New Zealand mudsnails have been detected in Bear Creek, marking their first discovery in Michigan’s southern Lower Peninsula. State wildlife officials are urging people to inspect their gear to prevent further spread. (See Details)

➤ Michigan hockey fell to No. 2 after losing to Ohio State over Halloween weekend. Wisconsin took No. 1, while Michigan State rose to No. 3, and Western Michigan to No. 5. (Full Rankings)

➤ The Detroit Lions said Monday that linebacker Jack Campbell remains hospitalized after being carted off the field during Sunday’s win over Minnesota. Early indications are positive, but the team has not disclosed his injury or recovery timeline. (More)

➤ Langston Lewis, Central Michigan’s leading receiver, was suspended from all team activities after being arrested on a drunken-driving charge Oct. 30 by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office. He leads the 3-5 Chippewas with 24 catches for 379 yards. (More)

➤ Hockeytown lettering headlines the Red Wings’ new Hometown Remix jersey, part of a league-wide Fanatics collection, with the word displayed above the franchise’s Winged Wheel on a classic red sweater. (See Photos)

➤ Grand Rapids Catholic Central will play its rescheduled Division 5 playoff opener against Comstock Park at 7 p.m. today after a judge temporarily restored the team’s eligibility following an MHSAA disqualification for using an ineligible player. (More) 

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Tennis | Soccer

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➤ Hudsonville Ice Cream named Executive Vice President CJ Ellens, son of the late owner Denny Ellens, its next CEO, effective Jan. 1, succeeding Tina Floyd at the Holland-based creamery. (More)

➤ Muskegon County Airport will offer its first-ever nonstop flights to Florida, with Denver Air Connection providing weekly Saturday service to Orlando Sanford International Airport. Tickets go on sale Nov. 10. (More)

➤ Bradford White workers in Middleville voted over the weekend to approve a new contract, ending a 47-day strike by roughly 1,300 UAW members. About 58.6% backed the deal. (More)

➤ Old Nation Brewing released its cherry-flavored Frandor Claus beer Monday, benefiting the Greater Lansing Food Bank through donations and holiday merchandise sales. (Read Story)

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Costco Shoppers: Don’t Miss These 18 Money-Saving Secrets!

You might love shopping at Costco, but are you getting the most out of your membership? From hidden clearance deals to secret price tag codes, there are clever ways to save that even longtime shoppers overlook.

FinanceBuzz reveals 18 Costco shopping hacks that could help you keep more money in your pocket.

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➤ The 30th annual Fall Fix Up drew 400 volunteers Sunday to help Metro Detroit seniors prepare for winter. Organized by Jewish Family Service, the event sent volunteers to rake leaves and clean up yards at 50 homes. (Read Story)

➤ A Benton Harbor grandson rescued his 85-year-old grandmother through a window during a house fire Friday afternoon, and both were taken to a hospital for treatment. Firefighters found no one else inside. (Read Story)

➤ A West Michigan metal detectorist uncovered an 1865 Indian Head penny at Parkside Farm in Byron Center. Donovan Spencer searches historic properties for buried relics, documenting his discoveries on social media with help from his wife, Liv. (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. 

➤ Blood pressure readings can be inflated by seven everyday mistakes, and one can add nearly 20 points. (See Mistakes)

➤ As food prices continue to outpace the Fed’s target, planners say one weekly habit could shrink your grocery bill. (Hear Tip)

➤ Prosecutors are pushing to retry Lindsay Clancy for her three children’s deaths after a deadlocked jury forced a mistrial. (Listen Now)

Have you voted in this year’s midterm elections?

1. Yes, I’ve already voted
2. I’m voting today
3. I’m not voting this year
4. I can’t vote/not eligible

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you usually watch movies these days?

1. On a streaming service: 78%
2. In a movie theater: 8%
3. Something else: 7%
4. Blu-ray or DVD: 6%
5. VHS (still rewinding!): 1%

Michigan’s capital has sat in Lansing since 1847, but it started out in Detroit. What drove lawmakers to move the seat of government to a remote, forested township in the state’s interior?

Show me the answer