Gilbert Pledges $1B for RenCen Revival

Dan Gilbert pledged $1 billion to launch a new nonprofit that would redevelop, own, and operate Detroit’s Renaissance Center and the riverfront around it.

The plan would remake the site into a riverfront district with nearly 1,000 housing units, a family-friendly entertainment and shopping zone, and 18 acres of year-round public space.

Two of the complex’s towers would come down as part of a plan to improve access between downtown and the riverfront. The $2.24 billion effort still leans on public help, including a proposed $300 million brownfield incentive package and $75 million already approved by Detroit’s Downtown Development Authority.

Structured as a 501(c)(4), the nonprofit would own and operate the complex for the long term, with surplus revenue meant to support Detroiters. Its initial board members include Detroit NAACP President Wendell Anthony and former Rocket CEO Bill Emerson.

Michigan Households Feel the Squeeze

Consumer sentiment has fallen to one of its lowest readings since the University of Michigan started tracking it in 1946, and Michiganders say fuel, housing, and grocery costs are straining household budgets.

The university’s Surveys of Consumers put its preliminary national sentiment index at 46.3 in October, down about 14% from a year earlier. Director Joanne Hsu says frustration over the cost of living is mounting across the political spectrum, even as the stock market performs well and wages have increased.

The strain goes beyond mood. A Michigan League for Public Policy report found about 40% of Michiganders were living below the poverty line or working but unable to consistently afford basic necessities, including housing, food, and child care.

Barnes-Hecker Miners Honored a Century Later

Hundreds gathered in Ely Township on Saturday to dedicate the Barnes-Hecker Memorial Park, built on the site where Michigan’s deadliest mining disaster killed 51 men in 1926.

On Nov. 3, 1926, a routine blast triggered a cave-in at the Cleveland-Cliffs mine near Ishpeming, sending water, sand, and gravel rushing underground. Within 15 minutes, floodwaters had risen to within 185 feet of the surface in the main shaft. One miner climbed 800 feet of ladder to the surface as the lone survivor. Of the 51 killed, 41 were never recovered.

A walking trail now winds through the formerly inaccessible grounds, lined with 51 plaques, one for each man lost, so visitors can walk the site and read the miners’ stories.

Among those attending was Gary Walimaa, whose grandfather died in the mine at 35 and who said the park finally gives the men a proper resting place. Organizers hope to use the grounds as an outdoor classroom for local schools.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Romulus: Two men face felony charges after separate crashes into Detroit Metro Airport terminals in January and May injured five people. Brian Sutton, 37, and David Chamlee, 67, face charges including assault with intent to murder and could face life in prison. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Michigan’s police ranks have thinned to about 19,000 officers, down from roughly 22,000 two decades ago, hitting small departments hardest. A state program offers qualifying agencies up to $20,000 per recruit to help cover training costs. (See Details)

➤ Also Statewide: Michigan State Police warn that tailgating can spark road rage and bring fines of $115 to $195, plus two license points. Troopers urge drivers to keep a three-second following distance and avoid confrontations. (More)

➤ Detroit: A woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to repay $2.5 million for a decade-long student aid fraud scheme involving more than 80 people. Michelle Denise Hill filed fraudulent applications and completed coursework to keep the funds flowing. (More)

➤ Grand Rapids Township: A new $700,000 pedestrian bridge along Crahen Avenue has opened, connecting northern and southern trail networks for walkers and cyclists after construction delays. (See Details)

➤ Lansing: Two Michigan State Police troopers earned honors at the National Top Trooper Competition in Ohio. Anastasia Mohler won first in female leadership, Maxwell Prince took second in male fitness, and Michigan placed fifth overall among 30 agencies. (More)

➤ Southern Michigan: The Michigan DNR plans to release nearly 7,300 pheasants on public hunting lands this fall and winter. Hunting season opens Oct. 20 and runs through Nov. 14, with a second season Dec. 1 through Jan. 1. (See Details)

➤ The Pistons open the NBA season at home against the Boston Celtics today, with a 3 p.m. tipoff at Little Caesars Arena that doubles as the league’s national opener on NBC and Peacock. (How to Watch)

➤ The Dune Coast Quillbacks, a new collegiate summer baseball team, will debut in New Buffalo in 2027, playing 36 home games at New Buffalo High School. The team aims to draw fans from Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana. (More)

➤ Bath High School’s girls golf team won its first Division 4 state championship Saturday, beating Kalamazoo Christian by 14 strokes. Sophomore Addilyn Duflo also claimed the individual title, winning by 14 strokes. (See Details)

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Don’t Lose Your Precious Photos and Videos! ThePhotoStick OMNI makes protecting your favorite memories effortless! Simply plug it in, click GO, and automatically find, organize, and back up thousands of photos and videos. Compatible with phones, tablets, and computers, it eliminates complicated backups and monthly cloud fees. Protect your memories today! Get ThePhotoStick OMNI Here >>

➤ Consumers Energy will raise natural gas rates 4.3% for typical residential customers starting Nov. 1. The utility serves 1.8 million Michigan customers, and regulators approved a smaller increase than the 10% originally requested. (See Details)

➤ Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced $8 million for the maritime industry, including $3 million for workforce training at five community colleges and $5 million for port improvements. The funding aims to create jobs and modernize infrastructure. (More)

➤ Sign of the Beefcarver will close its last remaining restaurant in Royal Oak on Oct. 25, ending 70 years of family-run operations. Owners cited rising food costs, particularly roast beef prices, and lingering financial losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. (See Details)

➤ Former Kellogg CEO Carlos Gutierrez raised concerns about the company’s 2023 split and 2025 cereal business sale, expressing concern about the potential impact on Battle Creek and Kalamazoo amid changing diets and industry pressures. (Read Story)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Keep Every Meal Hot and Delicious! Tired of food getting cold before everyone finishes eating? The Urban Cooks Heating Mat helps keep your favorite dishes warm and ready to serve. Perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, and parties, this convenient warming mat makes entertaining easier and mealtime more enjoyable. Get Yours Today >>

Flying together with our sponsor

More accounts, managers, and investment choices do not always add up to a cohesive retirement strategy. Investors with $1 million or more may benefit from stepping back to consider how each decision fits their goals, time frame, and full financial picture. The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income examines risk, inflation, portfolio coordination, withdrawals, and investment income sources. Download the guide and schedule a conversation with a financial professional to talk about your plan.

➤ Halloween spending is projected to reach $13.5 billion nationwide, but West Michigan families are cutting costs by reusing decorations, thrift shopping, and making costumes as candy prices rise nearly 8%. (See Details)

➤ The Sweet House in Grand Rapids hosted public tours Sunday to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Built in the 1860s, the historic mansion once housed the Women’s City Club and now serves as a center for community events and historic preservation. (See Details)

➤ Two K Farms in Suttons Bay grows 25 apple varieties to produce hard cider, ice cider, and apple brandy. The farm harvests up to 360,000 pounds of apples in a typical year, as highlighted in a behind-the-scenes look at its pressing and production process. (Read Story)

➤ Screams in the Dark in Kalkaska was ranked Michigan’s No. 2 haunted attraction by The Scare Factor, earning an 8.74 rating. Northern Michigan’s largest haunted attraction features live actors and movie-quality sets rather than animatronics. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Hot cacao vs Green Tea… Which of these hot drinks was proven in a study boost stem cells by 220% in 30 days?  Billionaires drop 6 figures on stem cell therapy, but this hot drink costs 50 cents a day and boosts anti-aging stem cells improving heart health, blood pressure, and longevity.

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 million-dollar retirement dream is shrinking, and the biggest threat isn’t the one most retirees expect. (Listen Now)

➤ Ukrainian drone operators completed a frontline medical evacuation that had never been done before. (Hear Details)

➤ A National Guard member was shot after troops stepped in to break up a late-night street fight in Washington, D.C. (Hear Story)

Michigan State Police are warning drivers about tailgating. What’s your biggest pet peeve behind the wheel?

1. Tailgaters
2. Left-lane campers
3. Texting while driving
4. Michigan potholes
5. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Which pasta dish wins your heart?

1. Lasagna: 45%
2. Spaghetti and meatballs: 26%
3. Fettuccine Alfredo: 18%
4. Carbonara: 7%
5. Other: 4%

When you stand in Detroit and look across the river into Canada, which direction are you facing?

Show me the answer