Supreme Court Weighs Citizenship Measure

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh ordered Michigan election officials to respond by noon Wednesday to an emergency request to place a citizenship-verification measure on the November ballot.

Backed by Americans for Citizen Voting-Michigan, the measure would require citizenship verification for voters, photo ID to cast a ballot, and procedures for removing noncitizens from voter rolls. Organizers turned in more than 700,000 signatures, well above the 446,000 required.

State officials say the petition still fell short. After challenges and further review, a 1,000-signature sample had 626 valid signatures, three below the threshold, and the Board of State Canvassers deadlocked 2-2 over disputed signatures.

Michigan filed its response Wednesday, calling the ballot initiative process a state-created right, not one entitled to the same protection as the right to vote, and faulting the campaign for not accounting for its invalid signatures. The campaign has asked the Supreme Court to act by today, before Friday’s ballot deadline.

Dam Sale Divides Michigan River Communities

Residents, business owners, and conservation advocates spoke at a Michigan Public Service Commission meeting to weigh in on Consumers Energy’s plan to sell 13 hydroelectric dams to Confluence Hydro, a subsidiary of a private equity firm.

Consumers would sell the dams, built between 1906 and 1935, to Confluence Hydro for $1 apiece and buy back their power at twice the market rate, a deal the utility calls the cheapest option for ratepayers.

If the sale falls through, Consumers says it will seek to decommission the aging dams. Supporters fear that could drain the reservoirs that lakefront homes, campgrounds, and marinas depend on.

Opponents, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, argue the sale could leave taxpayers bearing long-term costs and safety risks. Whitmer called Consumers’ $270 million safety fund “too little, too late.” The commission is expected to decide Sept. 10.

Cyclists Roll North on 55th DALMAC

Nearly 900 cyclists rolled out of the Michigan State University Pavilion on Wednesday for the 55th DALMAC, the Labor Day bike tour that runs from East Lansing to Mackinaw City.

Founded in 1971 by former state rep. Dick Allen to show that bikes and cars could share the road safely, the tour now draws riders of every age. This year’s youngest is 5, while the oldest is 87.

Riders can pick eastern, western, gravel, or shorter two- and three-day routes, with shorter routes starting farther north and ending in Mackinaw City. More than 150 volunteers keep the fully supported tour fed, camped, and rolling.

Over the decades, DALMAC has raised about $2 million for its grant fund, which backs bicycle-related projects and programs across Michigan. With high heat and humidity in Michigan this week, organizers are posting updates on riding conditions online.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Hillsdale County: Sheriff Scott Hodshire, 59, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony obstruction of justice and misconduct in office. Authorities allege he disclosed confidential information from an active investigation to a suspect or the suspect’s family in February. (More)

➤ Oxford Township: A 50-year-old worker at a sewer project slid into a collapsing trench Tuesday afternoon and spent more than four hours pinned from the waist down. Between 75 and 100 responders freed him and he walked up the ladder himself. (See Details)

➤ Grand Rapids: Davenport University began offering a 90-credit bachelor’s in marketing this fall, cutting the traditional four-year path to three years and potentially saving students more than $30,000 in tuition. Adrian College, Northwood University, and the College for Creative Studies also offer reduced-credit degrees. (Read Story)

➤ Statewide: Nearly three-quarters of Michigan voters oppose federal tax breaks aimed at speeding data center construction, a new statewide poll found. (See Report)

➤ Ann Arbor: Police closed an investigation into sexual assault allegations against former Michigan football assistant LaTroy Lewis after the woman who made the allegations declined a follow-up interview. Lewis was not interviewed, and police said the case could be reopened. (See Details)

➤ Farmington Hills: Former school staffer Hatty Ligon, 72, is accused of embezzling more than $100,000 meant for homeless students. Investigators say the alleged theft began around 2013, and Ligon faces a felony charge carrying up to 20 years in prison. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Michigan renters and homeowners who meet income requirements have until Sept. 30 to claim the state’s Home Heating Tax Credit. Last year, qualifying households received an average of $171 in assistance, typically applied to utility bills. (See Details)

➤ The Big Ten power rankings from Sports Illustrated put Michigan at No. 6 and Michigan State at No. 16 entering Week 1. Ohio State tops the 18-team conference, followed by Oregon and defending national champion Indiana. (More)

➤ The Detroit Lions placed running back Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve with a back injury, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the season. Pacheco was expected to complement Jahmyr Gibbs after Detroit traded David Montgomery to Houston this offseason. (More)

➤ A Michigan guard from the national championship team sued the NCAA asking a New York court to clear him for a fifth season. Roddy Gayle Jr. argues the association’s new age-based eligibility rules should cover him. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Protect your favorite photos and videos with Clickfree, the easy one-click backup solution. Simply plug it into your phone, tablet, Mac, or PC to automatically save and organize important files—without monthly cloud fees. Free up valuable storage while keeping your memories securely backed up. Save 50% today!

➤ Michigan’s average home is now over 50 years old, while single-family permits fell from 54,000 in 2005 to 6,900 in 2009. Builders blame material costs and zoning rules for limiting supply, while the state says its housing shortage has narrowed to roughly 97,000 units. (See Details)

➤ Four Winns, a longtime boat manufacturer, halted production at its Cadillac plant, laying off nearly 200 of 242 workers while owner Rec Boat Holdings searches for a buyer. Two parties are in talks, and a sale must be finalized by year’s end. (See Details)

➤ A new Sheetz opened in Taylor while another location won approval in Springfield Township as the convenience chain expands across the state. Sheetz operates more than 800 stores nationwide, all open around the clock. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ ServicePlus Home Warranty’s Labor Day Sale is here with savings designed to help protect your budget from unexpected home repairs. For a limited time, get 50% off plus 2 FREE months of home warranty coverage. Protect essential home systems and appliances while taking advantage of this special holiday offer.

Flying together with our sponsor

Pack 3X More in Any Bag. Checked bags cost money and time. Aerless compression bags let you fit 3X more into a single carry-on, with a pocket-sized rechargeable pump that removes excess air in seconds. Over 1 million travelers use it, backed by 50,000+ five-star reviews. (Click Here)

➤ A rare moth turned up in luggage from Ghana at Detroit Metro after a detector dog alerted officers to the bag. The moth was found among corn and seeds and became the first straw crest moth ever recorded at a U.S. port of entry. (See Details)

➤ The Bottle House in Hazel Park, built in the 1930s with more than 20,000 glass bottles set into its walls, dropped to $250,000 after a four-year restoration. That’s $100,000 off last year’s asking price. (Read Story)

➤ Michigan State University ranks No. 17 on Niche’s 2027 list of the top party schools in the U.S. The ranking weighs student surveys most heavily, along with Greek life and access to bars and restaurants. (Read Story)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The Protein That Could Help Fight Hair Loss Watching your hair get thinner? Scientists have identified a unique protein designed to support hair follicles from within. Users report thicker-looking hair and reduced shedding in just weeks. This natural approach helps strengthen strands from root to tip—without expensive treatments. (LEARN MORE)

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ Five after-dinner rituals every American once knew have gotten lost over a single generation. (See Rituals)

➤ The Lindsay Clancy murder trial has hit another wall, leaving jurors deadlocked and a mistrial looming. (Hear Details)

➤ Meanwhile, in the Charlie Kirk assassination trial, Tyler Robinson has pleaded not guilty and now faces a possible death penalty. (Listen Now)

College football season is upon us. Who’s your team?

1. Michigan Wolverines
2. Michigan State Spartans
3. Central Michigan Chippewas
4. Western Michigan Broncos
5. Eastern Michigan Eagles
6. Other
7. Just here for the snacks

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you feel about data centers coming to Michigan?

1. Worried about water/power: 40%
2. Good for the economy: 26%
3. Mixed feelings: 21%
4. Not sure: 10%
5. Other: 3%

What ginger-flavored soft drink, created by a Detroit pharmacist in 1866, is one of the oldest soda brands still made in America?

Show me the answer