Automakers Welcome Looser Mileage Rules

Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis welcomed new federal fuel economy rules this week, while the Sierra Club vowed to fight them.

The Trump administration’s rules set a 34.9 mpg fleet average for cars and light trucks in model year 2031, well below the 50.4 mpg required under former President Biden. The auto industry had argued the old standards effectively forced automakers to sell more EVs than the market would support.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the 892-page rule ends “the illegal mandate that forced automakers to produce more expensive electric vehicles.” The department calls it “Freedom Means Affordable Cars.”

The department’s own estimates show the rules will lower new-vehicle costs but raise fuel use and carbon emissions for decades. Gas prices have climbed amid global oil supply disruptions, including those caused by the war with Iran.

SNAP Shift Adds $95M to Michigan Costs

Michigan starts picking up a bigger share of SNAP’s costs Thursday, as Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes reports a 56% jump in people seeking food.

The 2025 federal tax and spending law cuts the federal government’s share of SNAP administrative costs from 50% to 25% in fiscal year 2027, leaving states to cover the rest. Supporters say sharing benefit costs gives states an incentive to reduce payment errors, while opponents warn of added strain on state budgets.

State health officials estimate the shift will cost about $95 million more a year. Starting in fiscal year 2028, states with error rates of 6% or more must cover at least 5% of benefit costs, which could cost Michigan more than $320 million based on its 2024 error rate.

Michigan’s error rate, the share of benefits paid incorrectly and not a measure of fraud, was 9.53% in 2024, below the 10.9% national average. The state health department says it’s making technology improvements and other changes to bring the error rate down.

Lawmakers Push Great Lakes Partnership Bill

A bipartisan group of Michigan and Ohio House members introduced a bill to make the Great Lakes Commission an official partner in a federal ocean and coastal program.

“Protecting the Great Lakes means protecting our water, wildlife, and communities throughout the region,” Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, said in a release. Barrett said the designation would give the region access to a fair share of federal funding and resources for research and conservation.

NOAA’s four Regional Ocean Partnerships cover the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Gulf, and West Coast, with none for the Great Lakes. The commission brings together eight states and two Canadian provinces.

A Senate version from Sens. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, and Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, recently cleared the Senate Commerce Committee.

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➤ Southeast Michigan: A man who attended high school in St. Clair County is among seven Cornell University fraternity members accused in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting a female student in 2024. The suit alleges the group forced her to use drugs and assaulted her for several hours. (More)

➤ Canton Township: A toddler pulled a loaded gun from a holster in a backpack Monday at Children’s World Early Learning Center before a teacher secured it, police said. One parent was arrested. The other, an officer in a neighboring department, faces an internal investigation. (More)

➤ Grand Haven: Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a town hall Monday pushing for tougher cyberbullying laws. Nessel urged a ban on social media algorithms, and Muskegon’s chief trial attorney said current law “is just not equipped” for modern technology. (More)

➤ Statewide: Today is the deadline to apply for Michigan’s Home Heating Credit, which helps seniors, low- to moderate-income households, disabled veterans, and other eligible Michiganders cover heating costs. Last year’s average award was $171, and applicants don’t need to file a state income tax return. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Hundreds of inmates convicted of murder as teens may be resentenced after the Michigan Supreme Court ordered reviews of juvenile second-degree murder cases with long sentences. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker says there are “absolutely no guidelines” and victims’ families are being forgotten. (More)

➤ Traverse City: Grand Traverse County prosecutors are reviewing about 41 drunk-driving cases after officers gave breath tests with lapsed certifications. Statewide, 948 officers let their Intoxilyzer 9000 credentials expire, and Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg says affected defendants can withdraw guilty pleas without opposition. (More)

➤ Gaylord: Police are investigating a threatening song that named high school students and referenced school shootings. The district says the threat isn’t credible, but some families kept their kids home, and findings will go to the prosecutor. (More)

➤ Detroit Pistons All-Star Jalen Duren remains unsigned after reportedly turning down a five-year, $200 million offer. He has until Thursday to accept Detroit’s one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer. (More)

➤ The Detroit Tigers are being sued by Athletics player Zack Gelof, who says exposed metal fencing at Comerica Park caused a deep knee cut when he slid for a catch in July. Gelof claims the Tigers failed to provide adequate padding and says the injury sidelined him for 30 days. (More)

➤ The Detroit Red Wings set their 23-man opening roster, sending goalie Carter Gylander to the Grand Rapids Griffins and placing defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker on injured reserve. Detroit opens its season Friday against the New York Rangers. (See Lineup)

➤ Western Michigan hired SMU deputy athletic director Alex Gary, a former Western Carolina athletic director who also worked in Michigan’s athletic department, to lead Bronco Athletics. He replaces Dan Bartholomae, who left for Michigan State in August. (More)

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

➤ Michigan farmers are starting harvest after a dry July stunted corn at its most critical stage. Clinton County farmer Zach Wagner expects a below-average yield, and a Michigan Farm Bureau official warns high fuel prices could push grocery costs higher. (More)

➤ Prism Controls will double its 15,000-square-foot plant in Vergennes Township near Lowell, investing $3.8 million and adding 28 jobs paying $22 to $36 an hour. The egg-production technology maker is backed by a $210,000 state grant. (More)

➤ Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City is negotiating with United Airlines for seasonal nonstop flights to Los Angeles or San Francisco, backed by a $750,000 federal grant. Denver is currently the farthest west travelers can fly nonstop from the airport. (More)

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Colombia’s Most Prized Coffee Beans are Coming to America

70% of Americans prefer Colombian coffee. After six decades of dominating Colombia’s coffee scene, the world-renowned brand Juan Valdez is relaunching into the $100B US coffee market.

None of it would be possible without Green Coffee Company (GCC), which holds the exclusive distribution rights to Juan Valdez across the U.S. and Canada.

Juan Valdez pioneered the single-origin coffee category in the U.S., at one point garnering more brand recognition than Nike. Once GCC introduced it to American shelves, its presence grew 445% in Target locations, driven by consumer demand alone. 

After beating its 3,000-store goal for the year early, GCC has hundreds more in the pipeline. Final call to invest at $1.10/share before the share price changes after tonight.

This is a paid advertisement for Green Coffee Company Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.greencoffeecompany.com

➤ Mackinac Island hosts its Fall Fudge Festival Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3, with fudge-making demonstrations, lumberjack shows, hayrides, and pumpkin painting. (See Schedule)

➤ Jimmy Hoffa’s former Square Lake house in Orion Township, where his family began spending summers in 1947, has been restored by Susan and John Hagen and listed on Airbnb and Vrbo. Son Jim Hoffa says it looks like the home he grew up in. (Read Story)

➤ Grand Rapids ranked No. 19 of 182 cities in WalletHub’s new list of America’s best foodie cities, and third for affordability. Detroit came in at No. 69. (See List)

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➤ The #1 cause of heart attacks isn’t blood pressure. An ER nurse says the real problem is a hard buildup inside the artery that pills never touch. A doctor is showing a 7-second morning ritual that starts to break it apart. 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. 

➤ Streaming prices keep quietly climbing, and eight fixes can claw your monthly bill back down. (Hear Fixes)

➤ Lindsay Clancy’s defense now argues prosecutors never proved she killed her children, a sharp shift after her murder mistrial. (Hear Details)

➤ Homeowners are sitting on a record $11.5 trillion in home equity they could borrow against, and barely touching it. (Listen Now)

When you’re shopping for a vehicle, what matters most to you?

1. Price
2. Fuel economy
3. Reliability
4. Size and capability
5. Looks
6. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Are you a dog person or cat person?

1. Dog: 56%
2. Both: 19%
3. Neither: 16%
4. Cat: 9%

Jimmy Hoffa was last seen on July 30, 1975, in the parking lot of what Oakland County restaurant?

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