AGP Executive Report

Severe Weather & Safety: A round of storms tore through Metro Detroit, snapping trees and damaging homes and businesses, with residents reporting roof blowouts and power-line trouble. Legal & Environment: Michigan’s AG says the state secured a Monsanto PCB settlement worth at least $108M, potentially up to $240M, to fund cleanup tied to long-lasting contamination. Courts & Accountability: In Flint’s EPA dispute after a bellwether trial, residents and the federal side are clashing with the agency over what the facts show. Consumer Protection: After storms, Michigan is warning people about contractor fraud—especially scams that pressure quick signings or demand cash upfront. Politics: At a UAW forum in Dearborn, gubernatorial candidates Mike Duggan and Jocelyn Benson sparred repeatedly over fundraising. Sports: Tarik Skubal threw a full bullpen session as he works back from elbow surgery, while the Knicks and Cavaliers set up the Eastern Conference Finals. Culture: The DIA is kicking off Pride Month with an all-ages drag showcase, plus more queer events around town.

Economy Mood Swing: A University of Michigan sentiment drop and new polling show Americans more depressed than in the postwar era—even as headline stats look “decent,” with affordability and inflation still driving the anger. Cybersecurity: The American Lending Center breach is now pegged at 123,000+ people affected after a ransomware attack hit its internal network; the firm says there’s no sign of misuse. Detroit Media: 9&10 News cleaned up at the Michigan Association of Broadcasters awards, including honors tied to its Edmund Fitzgerald coverage. Energy & Courts: The Trump administration renewed an order keeping Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant running, while Michigan and environmental groups keep fighting it in court. Local Business Buzz: Cloud Boba opened in Novi with 100+ customizable drinks. Tech/Industry: Newlab Detroit is pitching a manufacturing future at Michigan Central. Sports: NBA playoff scoring is down sharply leaguewide, and the Pistons’ season is over after a tough run.

Pistons vs. Cavaliers: Cleveland took Game 7 125-94, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 26 and Jarrett Allen dominating (23 points, 7 rebounds) to send the Cavs to the Eastern Conference finals vs. the Knicks. MSU Governance: The MSU Board of Trustees approved a new ethics code (5-3) and extended President Kevin Guskiewicz’s contract through 2031 with a raise to $2 million amid retention concerns. Local Sports Media: Detroit Pistons games are set to return to free, local TV via Scripps Sports, with WMYD TV-20 becoming the official broadcast home. Detroit Culture: The Pistons leaned into hometown pride at Little Caesars Arena, welcoming Detroit artists for Game 7, including Trick Trick for the halftime show. FEMA Funding: FEMA awarded $86.4M to Michigan groups for COVID-19 response costs, including Henry Ford Health, Corewell Health, and Detroit Public Schools. Travel Headline: Spirit Airlines’ collapse is still rippling for summer travelers, as budget alternatives get harder to find.

Crime & Community Pressure: Detroit-area police are stepping up foot patrols after a surge of social media posts from assault and theft victims, with frustration boiling over as residents trade tips and complaints online. MSU Governance: Michigan State’s Board of Trustees will hold a special Zoom meeting Sunday to consider revisions to its ethics and conduct code—after a late notice raised questions about compliance with open-meeting timing rules. Local Business Watch: Joe Vicari Restaurant Group is taking over Hook on the Nautical Mile for the 2026 season, signaling a likely menu refresh and possible rebranding. State Budget Reality Check: Michigan’s revenue outlook improved, but officials still warn of a more than $1B gap and “tough decisions” ahead amid federal uncertainty. Auto Industry Shockwaves: GM is discontinuing its biggest Silverado heavy-duty models by end of 2026, with production cutbacks expected to hit Michigan and the Midwest. Sports (Detroit): The Tigers set up a Sunday rubber match vs Toronto after another extra-inning loss, while Casey Mize’s efficient return offered a rare bright spot.

NBA Playoffs: OG Anunoby practiced again with the Knicks and says his right hamstring injury isn’t as bad as the one that sidelined him before—while Detroit and Cleveland gear up for a Game 7 Sunday after the Pistons’ 115-94 win Friday. Detroit Sports/TV: ABC’s Eastern Conference finals promo mistakenly teased the matchup as if the Pistons weren’t in it, even though Detroit forced the Game 7 at Little Caesars Arena. Education: DPSCD is rolling out a high-school redesign aimed at steering students into career-focused pathways, with Western International High School serving as a pilot. Local Governance: St. Joseph commissioners approved a sidewalk replacement program using a one-inch tripping-hazard standard, with a pilot to see if doing more in-house is feasible. Arts & Culture: WKAR was named Michigan Public Television Station of the Year for 2025, its 14th win in 15 years. Business/Industry: EW Grobbel officially opened its newly acquired St. Clair Shores meat facility after buying it from Perdue Premium Meat in 2023. Courts/Music: Funk legend George Clinton sued UMG in federal court in Detroit, claiming more than $1.1M in withheld royalties.

MLB Spotlight: The Tigers host the Blue Jays Saturday with Casey Mize returning from an adductor strain, while Detroit looks to build off Friday’s late win over Toronto. Reds Reset: Chris Paddack gets his first Reds start Saturday vs. the Guardians after a rough start to the season and a quick reset after being released by Miami. Local Politics/Policy: Mackinac Island ferry service is in legal limbo, with a Michigan House bill that would let the island control fares and fees still stuck in committee as summer nears. State Demographics: Michigan’s population outlook is turning “upside down” as natural decrease continues—more deaths than births—despite migration gains. Business & Jobs: EW Grobbel is reopening a renovated production facility in St. Clair Shores, aiming to ramp output and expand. Health & Tech: Mentavi Health plans to present clinical validation data for adult ADHD evaluation at the APA meeting. Sports Front Office: The 76ers begin searching for a new day-to-day lead executive as Bob Myers sets expectations for a broad, collaborative role.

Women’s Hockey Expansion: The PWHL is adding San Jose as its 12th team, completing a rapid growth sprint that already brought new franchises to Detroit and Hamilton—aiming to cut travel and broaden the league’s footprint. Detroit Sports: The Tigers got a jolt of good news: ace Tarik Skubal has started a throwing program just two weeks after elbow surgery, with hopes he could return sooner than typical. Playoff Pressure: The Pistons forced a Game 7 after a big Game 6 win over the Cavaliers, setting up Sunday in Detroit. Legal & Public Safety: An Owosso mother convicted of selling nude photos of her 5-year-old daughter was sentenced to 5 to 20 years, with the judge calling the state’s max punishment “a huge break.” Michigan Money Woes: Michigan’s budget outlook improved, but a gap still tops $1 billion as lawmakers chase a balanced plan. Global Markets: Stocks slid worldwide from recent records as oil prices rose and AI-led tech cooled.

Sports & Entertainment: The NBA is in full offseason mode in Chicago for the draft combine, even as the Knicks and Thunder keep rolling toward the conference finals and the Cavs and Spurs have a shot to join them. Michigan Politics: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is seeking a FEMA extension for April’s severe-weather disaster declaration after damage across 41 counties, while the Michigan House passed snow-day forgiveness legislation after the mid-March storm. Local Governance: Lansing’s housing-cost and supply bills face strong pushback from local leaders over zoning and “preemption.” Public Safety & Justice: East Lansing police plan to release a narrated video in the Isaiah Kirby officer-involved shooting case after family complaints about what they were shown. Media Business: Gray Media and E.W. Scripps completed their station swap—Gray gains WSYM in Lansing; Scripps expands in Colorado and Idaho. Detroit/Region Watch: Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency disciplined 39 companies in April for tracking, security, sales, packaging, and reporting violations. Weather/Community: Michigan Audubon warns of a major spring bird migration surge and urges “Lights Out” to reduce light pollution.

NFL Schedule Drop: The full 2026 slate is out, with the Seahawks opening as slight favorites over the Patriots in a Super Bowl LX rematch, and Detroit’s own Lions schedule now set—highlighted by eight national TV games, a Thanksgiving home date vs. Chicago, and a rare overseas matchup in Germany (Nov. 15 vs. New England). Local Sports & Media: The Pistons’ TV home is shifting too, with WXYZ Editorial noting a new local partnership, while WCSX Detroit’s “Big Jim” O’Brien is exiting mornings after a decade-plus. Michigan Education: Gov. Whitmer signed bipartisan bills removing the Michigan Merit Exam essay requirement and ending the rule that test scores must appear on transcripts. Michigan Public Safety: Whitmer ordered flags at half-staff Friday for Peace Officers Memorial Day. Business & Community: Romulus officials say a $3B Motown Sports Village is planned next to Detroit Metro Airport, and MDARD announced Last Food Mile refrigerated-transport grants for 21 projects. Global Watch: Xi warned Trump that Taiwan could trigger clashes if mishandled, as tensions also flare near the Strait of Hormuz.

CFL Spotlight: Malcolm Bell, a Michigan State standout, has officially signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and arrived at camp pushing for a starting role. Jewish Education: A new online tutoring platform, Moreh Learning, is gearing up for launch with help in both Torah and secular subjects, aiming to grow future educators. Michigan Politics: A judge ruled Republican John James can’t use a campaign logo that suggests he’s the incumbent, at least for now, in a fight brought by Perry Johnson. Detroit Growth: U.S. Census estimates show Detroit’s population rose for the third straight year, with Mayor Mary Sheffield set to highlight retention and new housing plans. Legal/Accountability: Former West Michigan nonprofit CEO Dr. Nkechy Ezeh was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for a $1.4M preschool fraud scheme. Local Business & Culture: LAFCU is named title sponsor of Capital City Comic Con 2026 in Lansing. Everyday Costs: New data shows Americans are cutting back on big purchases as gas prices stay elevated. Tech & Safety: Xcel Energy is rolling out AI-driven wildfire detection cameras in Wisconsin.

Sports—Detroit on the brink: The Cavaliers forced overtime and beat the Pistons 117-113, taking a 3-2 Eastern Conference semifinal lead; Cade Cunningham poured in 39, but Cleveland closed it out at the free-throw line in OT, setting up a Friday Game 6 in Cleveland. Baseball—Tigers’ late push falls short: The Mets edged Detroit 3-2 on Carson Benge’s 10th-inning winner, extending New York’s hot stretch and handing the Tigers a tough skid. Energy & politics—Renewables rollback: The Michigan House passed a repeal of the 2023 renewable energy mandates, sending the bills to the Democrat-led Senate as Republicans argue the law raised bills and strained reliability. Local economy—Sports pitch in Genesee: Genesee County approved a committee to study a Sports and Entertainment Commission aimed at drawing events and dollars. Infrastructure—Water crisis eases, but rules linger: Water is back at normal pressure after an Auburn Hills-area main break, yet boil advisories remain for parts of Orion Township and nearby areas. Public safety—Drone rules move forward: Michigan House advanced bipartisan drone safety/security bills as part of a larger package. Community—Funeral fund case: A Bad Axe funeral home director was sentenced to 85 months to 20 years for embezzling more than $1.1M from prepaid funeral funds.

PWHL Expansion: The Professional Women’s Hockey League just added two more franchises—Hamilton, Ontario and Las Vegas—for the 2026-27 season, following Detroit’s recent debut, with the league now set to reach 12 teams after one more spot is finalized. Detroit Sports: The Tigers get Framber Valdez back after his suspension, and he’s set to start against the Mets on Wednesday night as Detroit tries to steady a rough stretch. Michigan Courts: The Michigan Supreme Court declined to take up an MSU appeal in a lawsuit tied to retirement benefits for former Detroit College of Law professors, leaving the lower-court win in place. Local Governance: Michigan’s state government is pushing tariff refunds to businesses after the Supreme Court struck down the president’s IEEPA tariffs—while Michigan Theatre of Jackson’s lawsuit settlement reshapes its leadership and board. Economy & Prices: Wholesale inflation jumped sharply, and the latest data keeps pressure on cost-of-living expectations.

China-Car Ban Push: Rep. Debbie Dingell and Rep. John Moolenaar introduced a bipartisan bill to prohibit Chinese vehicles from U.S. roads, arguing national security and unfair competition risks to Metro Detroit’s auto jobs. Food Inflation: New federal data shows April grocery prices jumped 2.9% at home and 3.2% overall year over year, with gas spikes tied to the Iran war only part of the story. ICE Facility Fight: Michigan and Romulus are being challenged over a proposed immigration detention center, and the ACLU and other groups want to weigh in, citing community harm. Detroit Schools Gains: New reporting highlights improving reading and math outcomes in Detroit schools, even as a broader “reading recession” continues. Gas Price Jolt: With refinery disruptions resurfacing, analysts warn Michigan drivers could see another round of higher pump prices ahead of Memorial Day. Housing vs Local Control: A state push to loosen zoning rules is drawing backlash from local leaders over how much control cities and townships should keep. UAW/Auto Update: At Stellantis Sterling Heights, the UAW called off a strike vote after talks over outsourcing of skilled trades work.

Inflation Watch: April inflation jumped again, hitting the highest level in nearly three years as Iran-war-driven energy costs kept pushing prices up—gas rose 5.4% in April and 28.4% year over year, with overall CPI up 0.6% from March and 3.8% from a year ago. Local Crime: In Monroe, two suspects tried to torch a cannabis shop by driving into Pure Cannabis Outlet and pouring gasoline; the fire was quickly contained, and investigators are treating it as breaking/entering and arson. Health Policy: Michigan Democrats filed a package to legalize physician-assisted suicide (“medical aid in dying”) for terminally ill adults, though it faces long odds in the GOP-controlled House. Detroit Business: Marrow Restaurant and Butcher Shop is closing its West Village location and going all-in on its Eastern Market spot. Tech & Jobs: Geotab opened a new metro Detroit engineering center, aiming to add up to 40 roles. Civility in Lansing: Lawmakers are set to play a charity softball game together, pitching a lighter side of politics.

Roadwork Starts May 13: MDOT will resurface about 10 miles of I-75 in Otsego County starting Wednesday, May 13, from the I-75 Business Loop/South Otsego Ave exit (279) to exit 290 near Vanderbilt, with single-lane closures and traffic shifts; the job runs in two phases (May 13–June 2, then July 7–Aug. 21). Transit Transparency Fight: Wayne County residents sued over a “secret” March meeting tied to a proposed $570 million SMART bus tax, alleging the county approved ballot language without proper public notice under Michigan’s open meetings law. Water Crisis in Auburn Hills: A major water main break left parts of Auburn Hills and nearby areas with little to no water; repairs could take up to two weeks as crews weld in a new 42-inch main. GM Job Cuts: GM confirmed it’s laying off 500–600 IT workers globally, with some impact expected at its Warren hub. Local Politics & Privacy: Clawson officers threatened to quit after the city council voted not to renew its license plate reader contract, citing privacy and control concerns. Data Center Pushback: Penn Township residents rallied for a data center moratorium; trustees voted 5-1 to send a 30-day pause recommendation to the planning board. Sports: Donovan Mitchell’s 39-point second half powered the Cavaliers to a 112-103 Game 4 win over the Pistons, tying the series 2-2 with Game 5 Wednesday in Detroit.

Local Water Crisis: A 42-inch water main break in Auburn Hills has triggered boil-water advisories and emergency water distribution across Oakland County, with officials warning some communities could be without reliable water for at least two weeks. Big Oil vs. Michigan: Michigan AG Dana Nessel’s antitrust push against major oil companies is being attacked as “purely political,” setting up a high-stakes legal fight over whether the case belongs in federal court. AI + Energy Pressure: Across the country, data centers tied to the AI boom are colliding with power and pollution concerns—Indiana activists are calling for a moratorium, while Michigan is already watching the next wave of hyperscale builds. Sports (Detroit): The Pistons-Cavs series is heating up, and Detroit’s NBA slate continues as the Knicks steamroll the 76ers. Community Closures: St. Johns’ recycling drop-off site is shutting down June 19, another sign rural recycling options are shrinking. Health Tech: Wearables are increasingly being used to predict serious conditions—raising big questions about privacy and data sharing.