AGP Executive Report

Michigan U.S. politics & economy: A Michigan Senate cash war is heating up as Sen. El-Sayed and Rep. Slotkin draw attention to campaign spending and how millages are calculated for local taxes. Healthcare policy: Medicare for All remains a key pressure point for Democrats ahead of midterms, with Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed spotlighted in national debate. Local governance & privacy: Oakland County is investigating alleged misuse of Flock camera surveillance data by a former deputy, raising oversight and access questions. Detroit business & labor: The UAW’s internal power struggle is framed as a referendum on union democracy as leaders seek influence. Sports with local business angles: Detroit Pistons finalized a long-term Jalen Duren extension worth $200M, while Lions contract talks with Sam LaPorta are reportedly paused. Trade & costs: Trump’s escalating Canada trade war is flagged as a midterm risk for Michigan’s auto and supply-chain jobs, with potential price and investment impacts.

Detroit sports labor drama: Simon Edvinsson’s contract talks with the Detroit Red Wings have hit a new flashpoint, with Sportsnet reporting the unsigned defenseman now “prefers” a trade as negotiations stall. Detroit sports fallout: Dylan Larkin’s season opener ended in boos and an injury-related absence, while the team navigates a turbulent start amid fan anger. NBA money move: Jalen Duren agreed to a five-year, $200 million extension with the Pistons, ending a tense offseason and setting Detroit’s long-term core. College football (Michigan impact): Minnesota beat Michigan 20-14 to retain the Little Brown Jug, fueled by two second-half interceptions and a defense that overwhelmed Bryce Underwood. Michigan business & economy (policy): Michigan lawmakers and regulators continue pushing major infrastructure and economic initiatives, including river cleanup funding and data-center oversight as local concerns grow. Election logistics: Mid-Michigan voters have begun receiving absentee ballots, with county-by-county races and millage math driving attention ahead of Nov. 3.

Detroit Sports Business: The Red Wings’ home opener turned into a public relations mess as fans booed former captain Dylan Larkin and chanted “sell the team” after the club placed him on non-roster injured reserve amid his trade request. Food Safety: A frozen-berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak expanded to additional lots sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s, including products shipped to Michigan. Michigan Energy & Tech: Michigan regulators approved a 20-year electricity deal for Google’s data center, raising the stakes for how the state manages massive new power demand—especially as an even larger Oracle/OpenAI project is already under construction in Saline. Healthcare Innovation: Trinity Health Ann Arbor is using robotic assistance for a new aortic valve procedure, positioning the hospital as an early Michigan adopter of less-invasive options. Local Economy & Jobs: Ohio WARN filings point to broader regional restructuring, with multiple layoffs and closures affecting hundreds—an early signal of pressure in manufacturing and logistics that can spill into Michigan supply chains.

Auto Competition: Asian automakers are gaining share fast, with Cox Automotive projecting they’ll take more than half of U.S. new-vehicle sales in Q3, squeezing Detroit’s GM-Ford-Stellantis to a bit above 36%—a shift tied to hybrid demand and volatile gas prices. Food Safety: The FDA says it found cyclospora at the Taylor Farms de Mexico site tied to the massive shredded-iceberg lettuce outbreak that sickened 12,883 people across 21 states, including two Michigan deaths. Michigan Politics & Local Control: Republican gubernatorial nominee John James campaigned in Saline Township on data-center policy, arguing for “local control” after lawsuits and tax-break battles around major AI-linked projects. Health Policy & Elections: Abdul El-Sayed, running for Michigan Senate, discusses how his science background shapes policy and weighs Medicare-for-All ideas ahead of the midterms. Sports Business Pulse: The Red Wings opened the season without Dylan Larkin as he was placed on non-roster injured reserve amid his trade request, with fans booing him during pregame introductions. Antitrust & Drug Prices: Iowa joined a coalition seeking court approval of a $400M settlement over alleged generic-drug price manipulation by Sandoz and Fougera.

Data Centers & Utilities: Michigan regulators unanimously approved DTE Energy contracts to power Google’s 1-gigawatt data center in Van Buren Township, and the Wayne County Commission overrode a veto on a tax exemption—aiming to protect existing utility customers as the project targets a December 2027 start. Auto Industry: Ford reported Q3 U.S. sales down 6.6% year over year after phasing out the Escape and Lincoln Corsair and adjusting EV production post–tax credit changes, while signaling a stronger lineup by 2029. Workforce & Economy: The U.S. added just 29,000 jobs in September and unemployment rose to 4.2%, a slowdown that could shape Fed rate expectations. Local Development: Gaylord’s Downtown Development Authority is asking residents and businesses for input on a downtown transformation strategy through Oct. 15. Manufacturing & Growth: Toyota opened a North American battery testing facility near Saline, expanding EV investment in Michigan. Healthcare Costs: Michigan’s DIFS urged consumers to review insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings and treatment as October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

NBA Business: Jalen Duren is back with the Detroit Pistons after a four-month contract standoff, agreeing to a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed deal that ends his restricted free-agent uncertainty. State Policy & Costs: The Michigan Senate is set to consider a 90-day gas tax suspension as pump prices stay high, with lawmakers debating how to replace roughly $600 million in lost road funding. Housing Finance: Coldwater City Council approved a PILOT for Tibbits Greene Apartments, using a 10% annual service charge to help secure state housing tax credits for renovations to the 24-unit affordable senior complex. Infrastructure Risk: Michigan lawmakers advanced long-awaited dam safety reforms, aiming to strengthen flood control standards, increase inspections, and require owners to prove maintenance capability before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s approval. Consumer Safety: A new CDC report highlights 72,093 violent deaths in 2023, with suicides the majority and firearms involved in 58.6%, underscoring prevention needs. Health Coverage Scams: HealthCare.gov enrollees in subsidy-free states begin receiving $500 refunds, with officials warning about copycat scams. Arts & Community: Michigan Senate also approved a bill honoring Flint’s former St. John Street neighborhood with a memorial highway designation along I-475.

Detroit Red Wings Contract Watch: Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned as the team opens the season Friday vs. the Rangers, with Detroit saying it will keep talking while players focus on game prep. Michigan Health & Small Business: Michigan Contact Lens marked its first year in a larger Southfield dry-eye center, expanding treatment options under the 1-800-DRY-EYES brand. Auto Manufacturing & AI: A new report highlights how AI and robotics could push “dark” auto factories closer to reality, raising competitive pressure on Detroit automakers. Data Centers & Energy Costs: An Illinois study projects big job and tax promises from new data centers but warns energy demand could hit household bills and that lawmakers may need stronger guardrails. Michigan Election/Legal: Michigan’s attorney general race is set for November with candidates including Doug Lloyd and Eli Savit, plus third-party contenders. Food Safety: The FDA/CDC are investigating a multistate E. coli outbreak tied to raw-milk cheese, including cases in Michigan. Local Business Opening: Silk & Sugga opened its first storefront cookie shop at Wellington Green in Michigan.

Auto Industry & Workforce: Ford CEO Jim Farley used Michigan Central to warn the U.S. must fill 1.7 million skilled trades jobs each year, citing training shortfalls and retirements that threaten productivity. EV/Tech Strategy: Ford’s Bill Ford said the company is avoiding “technology for technology’s sake,” aiming to use tech that benefits drivers as it pushes lower-cost EV plans. Detroit-Area Mobility & Safety Tech: Lincoln Park shut down and covered Flock Safety cameras after vandals damaged multiple units, joining other Metro Detroit communities limiting the tech. Manufacturing & Capital Investment: Niowave is expanding in Clinton County with an $85M facility to boost medical isotope production for cancer treatment. Healthcare/Business Regulation: Wyoming AG Keith Kautz urged consumers to file claims in a multistate generic drug price-fixing settlement totaling about $96M. Local Development: Mount Clemens says downtown redevelopment is accelerating with new businesses and major public works projects. Sports & Local Economy: The Lions’ Jared Goff is on a rare early-season statistical pace as Detroit hosts Carolina Sunday night. AI & Jobs: A West Michigan report finds job postings with AI skills jumped 84% in Grand Rapids from 2025 to 2026.

Consumer & Markets: Consumer confidence slid in September to the lowest level since 2014 as worries about energy costs and inflation intensified. Cybersecurity & Finance: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced a $2.3 million multi-state settlement with Labcorp tied to the 2019 data breach affecting millions nationwide, including tens of thousands of Michigan residents. Auto Supply Chain: Ford CEO Jim Farley said a supplier issue that halted F-150 production in the Detroit area has been fixed, but it still hit third-quarter wholesale numbers. Michigan Economy & Jobs: A new report warns Trump’s trade fight with Canada could disrupt Michigan’s tightly linked auto and mobility supply chain, putting more than 1.2 million jobs at risk. Workforce & Training: Gogebic Community College won nearly $477,000 to expand advanced manufacturing training in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula. Tech & Manufacturing: Inbolt raised $12.5 million to expand its “real-time vision” industrial robots, including a Detroit office and new focus on data centers and electronics manufacturing. Regulation & Health: Michigan cannabis regulators revoked 20 medical grow licenses and fined a Clare company $2 million after investigators found packages labeled as marijuana flower contained no THC. Business Growth: Kelly launched Kelly Digital Infrastructure to unify its telecom, data center, AI, and automation workforce services.

Industrial Policy: Michigan awarded $1.88M for five industrial decarbonization studies, including projects at Bell’s Brewery, Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, the Detroit Zoo campus, and Michigan Tech’s low-carbon cement work. Energy & Trade: Fed Vice Chair John Williams signaled another rate increase could come later this year but said there’s no rush, while markets reacted to higher long-term yields. Auto & China: Ford CEO Jim Farley urged caution on Chinese automakers entering the U.S., pointing to Europe’s struggles as “too late,” even as Ford continues some partnerships. Consumer & Fraud: Consumer confidence fell to a 12-year low, and Detroit logged 37 scam reports in August, with online purchase fraud the most common. Michigan Business & Compliance: A mid-Michigan cannabis operator was fined $2M after shipping dirt/mulch while labeling it as marijuana flower; Michigan also continues to push regulatory and market integrity. Local Economy: Jackson County is boosting blight and vacant-property work via a new partnership to strengthen the land bank’s operations. Food Safety: More than 2,300 pounds of breakfast sausage were recalled over possible plastic contamination. Courts & Risk: Zack Gelof sued the Tigers and stadium entities over a Comerica Park fence injury.

Consumer Watch: The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 48.1 in September, the lowest in four months, as worries about personal finances and rising prices pushed inflation expectations higher. Housing & Cost Pressure: S&P Case-Shiller showed US home prices up 1.9% in July, but Detroit data was delayed and the East-West split remains wide, keeping affordability in the spotlight. Michigan Politics: Business and local government leaders in Traverse City urged voters to reject Proposal 1, warning a constitutional convention would be costly and could disrupt local control. Michigan Business Climate: Bealls is expanding in Michigan with a new Charlotte store lease, part of a broader multi-state rollout. Credit Union Tech: Constant AI named a Michigan credit union executive to its new client advisory board, aiming to help credit unions do earlier, confidential loan servicing for members at risk of falling behind. Public Safety: Canton police are investigating after a toddler was found with a loaded gun at a daycare; a parent was arrested. Cannabis Insurance: A bipartisan CLAIM Act gained insurance-industry support to reduce federal penalties for insurers serving state-legal marijuana businesses.

Industrial Decarbonization: Michigan EGLE awarded nearly $1.9M for industrial decarbonization studies and launched the Michigan Industrial Clean Innovation Partnership to help manufacturers cut emissions and energy costs. Public Health & Food Safety: USDA recalled about 2,320 pounds of Fontanini pork breakfast sausage links after consumer complaints found clear, hard plastic; the recall is Class I (higher risk) and affected products were distributed to CA, FL, MI and NV. Cyber & Business Resilience: A new push in Washington highlights how cyberattacks can hit far beyond the target company, with focus on stronger defenses and support for smaller businesses. Energy Costs & Regulation: Michigan AG Dana Nessel challenged federal orders keeping the JH Campbell coal plant open, arguing they’re driving up bills for ratepayers. Local Business & Community: Highland Township temporarily closed a fire station due to truck maintenance issues amid ongoing staffing shortages. Sports Business Angle: The Detroit Pistons opened camp without All-Star center Jalen Duren as contract talks stall, with a qualifying-offer deadline looming.

Auto & Manufacturing Deals: Adherex Group is buying Polymer Packaging, keeping Polymer’s North Canton and Allendale, Michigan operations, a move that expands engineered flexible and protective packaging capacity. Defense Supply Chain: Salient Motion launched Saginaw Precision to bring precision ball and roller screw manufacturing back in-house, targeting aerospace, defense and robotics demand. Local Business Milestone: Muffler Man in Portage marked 20 years serving exhaust, suspension and brake customers in the Kalamazoo area. Workplace & Legal: The EEOC sued Davis Cartage in Corunna over alleged sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Finance & Class Actions: Levi & Korsinsky warned UWM Holdings investors about a securities class action tied to mortgage servicing rights and derivatives losses. Sports Media & Women’s Hockey: PWHL Detroit’s home opener is set for Dec. 12 at Little Caesars Arena, with The Spot–Detroit 20 as broadcast partner. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports Newaygo County’s cheapest regular gas at $4.07 for the week ending Sept. 19. Business Community: Identity (PR/marketing) earned PRNEWS Agency Elite Top 120 recognition for the fourth straight year, highlighting its Michigan base.

Elections & Voting Access: Michigan election clerks have started mailing absentee ballots to more than 2 million voters under the state’s “no-excuse” system, with local officials saying they’re ready despite heightened national political mistrust. Energy & Costs: Diesel prices remain a pressure point for Michigan businesses and truckers, with GasBuddy reporting Michigan diesel averaging $6.50 in the week ending Sept. 19 and some counties seeing lower outliers. Water & Infrastructure: Lawmakers are advancing bipartisan dam safety legislation tied to the 2020 Edenville and Sanford failures, aiming for more inspections, stronger emergency plans, and greater state authority. Industrial & Environmental Response: Cleanup and air monitoring continue after a major fire at East Jordan Plastics in South Haven, with the EPA reporting no elevated particulate matter or volatile organic compounds during initial testing. AI, Power Demand & Data Centers: A push in Congress targets secret data center deals, while separate reporting highlights how gas-plus-battery storage models are emerging to stabilize power for AI data centers. Michigan Business & Food Systems: MSU Culinary Services launches “Free Food Alert” to reduce food waste and provide free meals to students facing food insecurity.

Data Centers: Michigan cities are moving to rein in AI data-center growth before Big Tech arrives, with Saginaw set to vote Monday on rules covering siting, noise, and water/electric demand—and who pays for infrastructure upgrades—after a University of Michigan survey found most local officials expect strong resident opposition and want regulation to be a top priority. Retail & Real Estate: Plymouth Township’s first Meijer supercenter is days from opening Sept. 30, bringing a 159,000-square-foot store plus a drive-through fuel station and anchoring the 66-acre VTech Business Park. Energy & Costs: Gas prices remain uneven, with Emmet County’s lowest reported regular rate hitting $4.35/gallon (GasBuddy), while Michigan’s statewide average rose to $4.65/gallon for the week ending Sept. 19. Politics & Trade: Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno fell short of unanimous support for a bill to ban Chinese connected vehicles, but said they’re working to secure passage early next week. Sports Business: Detroit-area teams are tied to NFL trade chatter—ESPN reports the Lions have inquired about Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr.—as roster decisions and betting promos keep the Week 3 spotlight on Michigan.

Auto Policy & Jobs: Trump says he approved new fuel-economy standards that end the Biden-era EV mandate, promising lower prices and more auto investment in states including Michigan—though the reported tradeoffs include higher fuel use and emissions. AI & Research Access: Oxford’s partnership with OpenAI lets the company use digitized Bodleian Library texts, raising questions about whether training is part of the deal. Michigan Business & Courts: Michigan AG Nessel moves to cut UPPCO’s proposed rate hike and files a lawsuit over unreturned generator deposits, while a federal judge tosses Michigan’s climate case against oil companies. Economy & Markets: New U.S. orders for capital goods point to continued business spending strength, but analysts warn AI-driven demand may not last. Local Planning: A planning and zoning commission discusses a data-center ordinance, including definitions and how “primary vs. secondary” use could affect neighborhood quality of life. Food Safety: FDA reports an E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese, with 13 illnesses and eight hospitalizations. Michigan Politics: Democrats’ Senate flip paths look more viable, and Michigan’s Senate race features candidates including Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers.