Audit Faults $435M in Health Contracts

A state audit found that Michigan’s health department did not sufficiently monitor $435 million in contracts and grants it awarded to a nonprofit public-health institute over two years.

The Office of the Auditor General reported that close to half of the contracts were approved by people tied to the institute, raising what it called “potential risks of conflicts of interest.” A third of the agreements it reviewed lacked adequate documentation.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services disagreed or partially disagreed with every finding but said it would use the audit to improve future processes.

Members of the House Oversight Committee sharply criticized the findings and pressed for better documentation. Separately, Rep. John Roth of Grand Traverse County, who sits on the MDHHS appropriations committee and helps set its budget, said lawmakers need verification of how money is spent, not just the department’s word.

Disease Suspected in Saginaw Deer Deaths

An angler fishing near Saginaw stumbled onto at least 30 deer lying dead in and along two rivers last weekend.

State wildlife officials suspect epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, a virus spread to deer by small biting flies called midges. Infected deer run a high fever and often die near water, where they go to cool down.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed the state’s first EHD cases of the year this month in four counties, and deaths have since been tied to the disease in eight. Saginaw County would be the ninth.

There is no evidence EHD spreads to people, and the DNR says venison from healthy deer in affected areas is safe to eat. Die-offs usually end within two weeks of the first frost, which kills the midges that spread the virus.

Kilwins Voted Nation’s Best Ice Cream

Kilwins, the Petoskey confectioner known for fudge and hand-dipped chocolates, was voted the best ice cream chain in the country in Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Michigan company beat national names like Cold Stone, Ben & Jerry’s, and Graeter’s in the reader vote.

Kilwins produces candy centers, caramel, and chocolates at its Petoskey headquarters, which recently reopened public factory tours, and has grown to nearly 200 franchise stores nationwide.

Don and Katy Kilwin opened the first shop in 1947, and the chain now includes metro Detroit stores in Plymouth, Northville, and Dearborn.

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➤ Statewide: A federal judge dismissed Attorney General Dana Nessel’s federal antitrust claims against BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute. The claims accused them of conspiring to suppress cleaner-energy competition and drive up costs. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Michigan voters will choose two State Board of Education members Nov. 3, with two Democratic incumbents facing two Republican challengers and several third-party candidates. Key issues include literacy, special education, and health standards. (More)

➤ Upper Peninsula: Connor Helsel, 18, who grew up in the Upper Peninsula, and pilot Cabot Pitts, 42, were killed when their small plane crashed in Alaska’s Wrangell Mountains. Helsel had moved to Alaska after graduating in May to work as a hunting packer. (Read Story)

➤ Lansing: Former Mayor David Hollister has died at 84. Hollister served as mayor from 1993 to 2003 and was credited with helping keep General Motors operations in the Lansing area. He previously served in the state Legislature and worked as a teacher. (More)

➤ Jackson: The city has banned cryptocurrency kiosks amid rising concerns about scams, particularly those targeting older adults. Existing machines must shut down by mid-January, while violations could bring $500-a-day fines. (More)

➤ Ovid: A federal judge dismissed a civil rights lawsuit against the city and Police Chief Lisa Rousseau over a 2023 fire investigation. The judge found Rousseau violated a couple’s Fourth Amendment rights but was protected by qualified immunity. (More)

➤ Kevin McGonigle reached base for the 262nd time this season Wednesday, surpassing Harvey Kuenn’s 1953 record among Detroit Tigers rookies. (More)

➤ Kenny Noland gained eligibility to play for Michigan under a preliminary injunction in his lawsuit against the NCAA. His status remains subject to the outcome of the case. (More)

➤ Cass Tech hosts Detroit King tonight, but no general admission tickets are being sold. Only students, families, and alumni can attend the high school football rivalry game. (See Details)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NCAAF | MLB | WNBA | NHL | Golf | Soccer

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➤ Renaissance Center in Detroit won’t finish its $2.24 billion overhaul until 2038, city documents show. The plan tears down two towers and turns another into roughly 384 apartments along the riverfront. (See Details)

➤ Holtec paused refueling at its Palisades nuclear plant in Covert Township, pushing back a restart it has repeatedly delayed. Palisades would be the first U.S. reactor to power back up after being shut down for decommissioning. (More)

➤ General Motors gave $1.5 million to Michigan’s MiSTEM Network to expand K–5 STEM programs, bringing the automaker’s total support for the initiative to $2.5 million. The funding will support classroom and community programs across Michigan, along with a statewide STEM learning-resource map. (More)

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Genius Gadgets: The 37 That Actually Earn Their Keep

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➤ Brooklyn Adams, the fiancée of Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, marked her September birthday by buying an entire teacher’s classroom wish list and partnering with the St. Brown Foundation to support additional teachers. (Read Story)

➤ Road crews in Wayne County found a bag of 1940s family photos along I-275 near Ford Road and are trying to reunite them with relatives. Worker Ivan Williams couldn’t bring himself to toss them. (Read Story)

➤ Detroit History Tours will launch Shadows at the Station, a series of spooky October tours through Michigan Central Station. (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. 

➤ Researchers tracking some of the world’s last hunter-gatherers say one overlooked factor may control the human sleep cycle. (Hear Details)

➤ Narcotics investigators are looking into two student deaths at Ole Miss as reported druggings spread fear across campus. (Listen Now)

➤ One reporter tried a $499 high-tech health scan and left with news her doctors had missed. (Hear Story)

Ford cut the workweek to five days back in 1926. Would you go to four?

1. Yes, sign me up
2. Only if the pay held steady
3. No, five days suits me
4. I’m retired, doesn’t apply

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you feel about roundabouts?

1. Love them: 31%
2. No thanks: 27%
3. Fine once learned: 23%
4. Depends on the intersection: 18%
5. Other: 1%

A mysterious glow called the Paulding Light has appeared almost nightly in a valley near Paulding, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, since the 1960s, long tied to a ghostly legend. When Michigan Tech students investigated it in 2010, what everyday source did they conclude was behind the light?

Show me the answer