Monday, October 12, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1969, a caller to Detroit’s WKNR-FM told DJ Russ Gibb that Paul McCartney had died and been replaced by a look-alike, helping fuel the “Paul is dead” hoax that soon swept the nation.

A Michigan sports announcer is getting ready to return to the microphone thanks to an extraordinary assist from a hockey fan. We have the heartwarming story below of a stranger who stepped up when he needed help most.

Not all heroes wear capes. Who’s an everyday hero in your life who’s made a difference? Hit reply and tell us about them!

You’re being overcharged every single month, and the companies doing it are counting on you never noticing. When’s the last time you combed through your bank statement line by line, looking for hidden fees? They’re coming from every direction: your bank, your cable provider, and that laundry list of subscriptions. On today’s episode of Flyover Focus, we count down 10 things you should stop paying for, ending with the No. 1 bill that’s still draining over $2,000 a year from millions of households. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Incogni, helps protect your privacy by removing sensitive personal information from data brokers and people-search sites, reducing your exposure to identity theft, scams, and other online privacy risks.

Supreme Court Sanctions Ex-Jackson Judge

The Michigan Supreme Court ordered former Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson to retire and barred him from seeking or accepting judicial office, adopting the state Judicial Tenure Commission’s findings.

Wilson, on the bench since 2007, consented to findings that he abused alcohol, made sexual remarks to female colleagues, and failed to disclose financial and personal ties to attorneys appearing before him. The court said no evidence showed those ties affected his decisions.

For about 18 years, Wilson told his staff not to log cases as “under advisement,” concealing delayed rulings from state court officials. In one case, he waited 23 months to act after an appeals court ordered him to reinstate a conviction.

Wilson had already retired from the 4th Circuit Court in February. The order formally closes the misconduct case, though the Supreme Court retains authority over future visiting-judge appointments.

Michigan Awaits Social Security Raise

Nearly 2.4 million Michiganders receiving Social Security are expected to learn the size of their 2027 raise Wednesday, when the Social Security Administration is expected to announce its annual cost-of-living adjustment.

The figure isn’t final yet. It’s based on the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners from July through September, compared with the same period a year earlier, and the last piece, September’s reading, arrives that same morning.

Forecasters at AARP and the Senior Citizens League project a bump of roughly 3.5% to 3.6%, which would be the largest since 2023 and up from this year’s 2.8%.

Any increase would generally show up in January payments, though higher Medicare Part B premiums, typically deducted from checks, could offset part of the gain.

Yellowjackets Swarm Michigan This Fall

Yellowjackets are at their seasonal peak in Michigan, and the stinging wasps grow more aggressive as fall brings dwindling natural food supplies while colonies reach their largest size.

As natural food sources like flies, caterpillars, and other insects become less available in the fall, hungry yellowjackets increasingly scavenge for sweets and meats at picnic tables, Michigan State University experts say.

The nuisance peaks every fall, but metro Detroit is reporting increased activity. One pest-tracking service ranks the region No. 1 among major cities for online searches related to wasp problems.

The stings can be serious: one longtime Okemos resident reported going into anaphylactic shock after being stung and says the wasps seem “a lot meaner than previous years.” Experts advise avoiding nests and calling a professional to handle removal.

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➤ Flint: A single-engine plane made an emergency landing Saturday on the shoulder of westbound I-69 near Bristol Road after its engine stalled. The solo pilot escaped injury, and no vehicles were damaged. (See Details)

➤ Lansing: A new lawsuit accuses former Michigan State University physician Dr. Arpit Saxena of sexually assaulting a patient during two 2025 exams, making her the fourth woman to level such claims. Saxena, 39, separately faces four criminal sexual conduct charges. (More)

➤ Grand Rapids: A Kent County jury convicted Casey Harmon Jr., 21, of first-degree murder in the November 2023 shooting deaths of a young couple, Anayia Rodriguez, 20, and Malik Eubanks, 19, whose toddler was later found unharmed. Harmon Jr. faces life in prison. (More)

➤ Chelsea: A customer filling up at a Speedway station spotted a pipe bomb near the pumps Friday morning and alerted employees, who called police. The Michigan State Police bomb squad confirmed it was an explosive device and safely removed it. (See Details)

➤ Macomb County: The Michigan Attorney General’s Office is investigating the finances of the Eastpointe Firefighters Union after state police referred the case over more than $40,000 in questionable transactions. The city said it is letting investigators proceed. (More)

➤ Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young, the county’s first female sheriff, retired Friday after 37 years in law enforcement, marking the day with a ceremonial swap of her office nameplate for that of newly appointed Sheriff Bryan Muir. Muir previously served as her undersheriff. (Read Story)

➤ Straits of Mackinac: The historic Round Island Lighthouse will undergo roof and masonry repairs under a new partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. The three-year project will also include exterior painting and other maintenance. (Read Story)

➤ The Detroit Lions improved to 3-2 with a 45-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, scoring 31 straight points after an early deficit. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns, while Jared Goff threw three TD passes. (More)

➤ Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin heard “We want Larkin” chants during Saturday’s 1-0 shootout loss in Montreal. Larkin praised the Bell Centre atmosphere amid ongoing trade speculation. (More)

➤ No. 19 Michigan Tech upset No. 6 Grand Valley State 41-35 in overtime Saturday, beating the Lakers for the first time since 2014. Alex Bueno scored the walk-off touchdown after Grand Valley State fumbled a field-goal attempt in overtime. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NHL | Soccer | NBA | NASCAR | F1 | Golf

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➤ Companies are quietly overcharging you every month, and most Americans have no idea how much it adds up to. (Tune in here)

In the latest episode of Flyover Focus, we count down 10 things you should stop paying for, from the fuel upgrade drivers waste billions on every year to the bill that follows some families for generations. Our No. 1 spot is a charge most households still pay out of pure habit.

In case you missed it, last week’s Flyover Focus counted down 10 American traditions that are quietly disappearing. How many did you grow up with and completely forget about? (Watch Now)

➤ East Lansing businesses saw a surge in customers during MSU’s homecoming weekend as alumni returned to town. A longtime bookstore manager said homecoming brings more business than a typical football gameday. (More)

➤ Wilcox Newspapers, a family-owned Michigan chain, has acquired MailMax, a weekly publication that has served southwest Michigan for more than 25 years. The chain now owns 17 Michigan newspapers and plans to retain MailMax’s existing staff. (More)

➤ Andy’s Place, a family-run bar and grill in downtown Holly, reopened Saturday with live music and a full house, more than four years after the June 2022 Battle Alley fire gutted the historic building. A $433,770 state grant helped fund the $1.35 million redevelopment project. (See Details)

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➤ Bobb Vergiels, longtime PA announcer for the Tigers, Lions, and Michigan, plans to return to the microphone after a kidney transplant at Henry Ford Health. A Toledo Walleye fan’s offer to donate helped make the transplant possible. (Read Story)

➤ Grand Valley State’s corpse flower, nicknamed “The Beast,” is set to bloom for the third time in four years, surprising staff who expected a seven- to 10-year wait. The foul-smelling Sumatran giant goes on public display today in Allendale. (More)

➤ Sled dogs hit the dirt in Negaunee Township over the weekend for the 10th annual UP200 Dryland Dash, a snow-free kickoff to mushing season. Nearly 80 racers from across the Midwest and beyond competed with dogs pulling wheeled rigs, scooters, and bikes. (See Video)

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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.

➤ Amazon keeps a secret list of assumptions about every shopper, and the people finding theirs are not amused. Here’s where it’s hiding. (Hear Details)

➤ Book publishers have spent all year fighting AI in public. Behind closed doors, three of the biggest are doing something else entirely. (Listen Now)

➤ Two years together and still no idea what your partner earns? There’s a right moment to ask, and most couples miss it. (Hear More)