Chatfield Embezzlement Trial Opens Tuesday

Former Republican Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield heads to trial this week on 13 felony charges, including conducting a criminal enterprise and embezzling from a political nonprofit.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel alleges Chatfield used money from his Peninsula Fund, a social welfare nonprofit, to bankroll a lavish lifestyle, from luxury purchases to spending on a family trip to Universal Studios. Chatfield has pleaded not guilty to all 13 charges, which involve alleged misuse of nonprofit, campaign, and state House funds.

His attorney, Mary Chartier-Mittendorf, has argued the case is politically motivated, brought by Nessel, a Democrat, against a prominent Republican who raised millions while speaker. His wife, Stephanie, and two former aides have pleaded guilty to charges in related cases and may testify against him.

An evidentiary hearing is set for today, with jury selection beginning Tuesday before Ingham County Circuit Judge Morgan Cole. The trial is expected to run multiple days.

Michigan Jobless Rate Edges to 5%

Michigan’s unemployment rate edged up a tenth of a point to 5% in August as the state’s workforce shrank by 25,000, according to new state data.

The number of unemployed residents held steady, meaning the increase coincided with a shrinking labor force rather than an increase in the number of unemployed. Payroll jobs fell by 2,000, with manufacturing posting the largest decline.

“Payroll jobs declined due to losses in manufacturing this month,” said Wayne Rourke of Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. Michigan’s rate sat 0.9 points above the national mark of 4.1%, which held flat in August.

Over the past year, Michigan’s employment total has fallen 3.2%, compared with the nation’s 0.4% decline. Even so, some West Michigan manufacturers reported continued growth, highlighting differing economic conditions across the state.

Math Lags as Michigan Pushes Literacy

Just 35.5% of Michigan students in grades three through eight scored proficient in math last spring, trailing reading as the state pours money into literacy.

This year’s M-STEP results showed third-grade reading proficiency falling to 38.2%, the lowest in the exam’s 12-year history, while math results were mixed by grade. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has made literacy her top priority in her final year in office.

Michigan has devoted about $151 million to literacy materials over two years, with $50 million more planned. Math has drawn far less: $5 million to vet curricula and $8 million for STEM programs.

State education officials say literacy remains the priority but are rolling out a Michigan Mathematics Framework this fall and plan to add math to the department’s strategic plan. Experts are split on whether Michigan should impose new math requirements similar to those for literacy.

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➤  Otsego: Otsego High School called off Saturday’s homecoming dance after a threat. Students and staff are safe, the district said, and officials are looking at a makeup date. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward. (See Details)

➤  Detroit: Federal agents arrested a 70-year-old man they say was a high-ranking Iraqi intelligence officer under Saddam Hussein, and Raad Alanbagi is now in ICE custody. Officials haven’t said how or when he entered the country. (See Details)

➤  Genesee County: Six months after four sets of human remains turned up in a bag in a Forest Township garage, Michigan State Police still haven’t identified them. Investigators believe most of the victims came from the Flint area. (More)

➤  Dearborn: A federal lawsuit accuses the city of spending $1,500 on Ramadan banners and $5,000 on a crescent-moon display while ignoring Easter and Passover. Dearborn says it serves all residents fairly, regardless of faith. (See Details)

➤ East Lansing: A campus-wide power outage at Michigan State on Saturday closed dining halls and canceled a scheduled performance. The university did not immediately say what caused the outage or when power would be restored. (More)

➤  Emmet County: Most of M-119’s Tunnel of Trees is open for leaf season, but two stretches washed out by spring storms and June flooding stay closed into next year. MDOT is asking drivers to obey the detours. (Read Story)

➤ Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs drew a $23,027 fine, reportedly the NFL’s largest from Week 1, for lowering his helmet on a third-quarter touchdown run against the Saints. Officials did not flag the play. (See Details)

➤ Michigan football moved up one spot to No. 18 in the latest AP Top 25 after improving to 3-0. The Wolverines, the state’s only ranked team, host No. 17 Iowa next. (More)

➤ Grand Valley State football scored a program-record 96 points in a shutout victory over NAIA opponent Judson University. (More)

➤ Michigan’s Carson Hocevar landed punches in a post-race fight with Ryan Blaney at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night. Joey Logano passed the 23-year-old for the win. (More)

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

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➤ Your grocery bill, your mortgage, and your retirement check all move with the cost of living. So what’s actually behind that number? (Tune in here)

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In case you missed it, last week on Flyover Focus, we broke down artificial intelligence, tune in here.

➤ A state audit found Michigan’s workforce training program spent more than $59 million reimbursing employers for on-the-job training rather than funding education meant to lift workers’ skills and wages. (See Details)

➤ South Haven businesses are bracing for slower sales as the beach crowd thins. Some 1.6 million travelers came through in 2025, and visitor spending hit $191 million in 2024, up from $100 million in 2020. (Read Story)

➤ The Vault Hotel, a 63-room boutique with a speakeasy inside the building’s original two-story vault, will occupy four and a half floors of the Michigan Trust Building in downtown Grand Rapids. Construction starts in 2027, with an opening planned before summer 2028. (More)

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➤ Ann Arbor’s water was named the best tasting in Michigan, sending the city’s water team to the national competition in San Diego in June 2027. About 85% of it starts in the Huron River. (See Details)

➤ A pediatric oncology nurse at Corewell Health was treated for cancer as a teenager at the same hospital where she now works, and she draws on that experience while caring for young cancer patients. (Read Story)

➤ Condé Nast Traveler spotlighted Saugatuck as a fall getaway on Michigan’s “Art Coast,” highlighting its galleries, Lake Michigan beaches, wineries, and restaurants. The area will also host its inaugural Art Coast Food & Wine Festival Nov. 5-7. (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. 

➤ The drug-pricing deals the White House celebrated turned out to have terms nobody was supposed to see. (Hear Terms)

➤ President Trump says he is close to a decision on Iran and named the three paths on the table. (Hear Options)

➤  A homeschooled firefighter in Nebraska applied for a paid job and was told his diploma did not count. He has 30 days to sue. (Hear Story)

What’s your favorite way to take in Michigan’s fall colors?

1. Scenic drive
2. Hiking the trails
3. From the water
4. Cider mill or orchard
5. Right from home
6. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been pitched a multilevel marketing business like Amway?

1. Yes, and I said no thanks: 54%
2. Yes, and I joined for a while: 25%
3. Never been asked: 19%
4. Yes, and I’m still in one: 1%
5. I’ve done the pitching: 1%

What Michigan beach town is home to the lighthouse nicknamed “Big Red”?

Show me the answer