AGP Executive Report

College Football Week 1 (Michigan focus): Michigan opens its 2026 season Sept. 5 vs. Western Michigan in Ann Arbor, with safety Rod Moore back after a long injury run and Kyle Whittingham’s first game at the helm. Local Sports & Community: Metro Detroit is still cleaning up after Thursday’s storms, with DTE reporting 240,000+ outages at peak and crews working to restore power and assess possible tornado damage on the east side. Pro Sports (Detroit): The Tigers start a big four-game swing at the Guardians with a Friday doubleheader, chasing a postseason push as Cleveland holds the AL wild-card spot. Entertainment & Events: If you’re planning a fall trip, a haunted-attractions roundup highlights Michigan’s best Halloween stops, including Pontiac’s Erebus and Mattawan’s Nightmare Realm. Music/Pop Culture: Bel US is teaming with NASCAR driver Riley Herbst and Terrible’s stores, bringing snack sponsorships and fan experiences starting mid-October. Business/Media: Mondelēz expands college sports sponsorships that include the University of Michigan, rolling out gameday displays and athlete tie-ins.

Tourism Tax Push: Grand Traverse County commissioners voted to ask Lansing for authority to add a new accommodation tax so tourism-driven wear and tear doesn’t fall only on residents. College Football Spotlight: Michigan’s new coach Kyle Whittingham is framed as a discipline-first leader as the Wolverines open vs. Western Michigan, while Bryce Underwood’s sophomore expectations rise with a new offensive coordinator. Sports Betting Clash: A Michigan judge ordered Kalshi to remove sports-event contracts from the state, with steep daily penalties looming. Campus Life & Safety: MSU students faced class disruptions after a reported potential threat at Berkey Hall; officials say there was no threat and the building reopens Friday. Local Arts & Culture: Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion gets a fashion-art boost with Livernois Art on the Avenue, and fall arts programming continues across Michigan. Storm Aftermath: Detroit east-side damage is under review as officials await a National Weather Service determination on whether a tornado touched down. Remembering Gloria Steinem: The feminist icon died at 92, with Michigan ties noted in coverage.

Detroit Arts & Film: Southwest Detroit’s Senate Theater turns 100, kicking off centennial festivities in October with a live-organ screening of the silent film The Volga Boatman, plus a community “Party of the Century” event featuring Detroit performers and music. Michigan Sports & Safety: Michigan State closed Berkey Hall and moved classes online after a reported potential threat, with law enforcement assessing the situation. Music Spotlight (Detroit-area): O.A.R. marks 30 years with a Sterling Heights show at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, with Gavin DeGraw and KT Tunstall on the bill. Local Culture & Community: Eaton Rapids launches its Social District, letting visitors carry alcohol within downtown boundaries to boost local businesses. Sports Media/Entertainment: A Detroit broadcast legend, Dick Purtan, is remembered in a Detroit Free Press profile. College Football Buzz: Week 1 matchups are heating up, including Toledo vs. Michigan State and other early-season previews and playlists. Book Q&A: Author Gigi Valera discusses her father’s life in Paul’s Way, a nonfiction biography tied to exile and rebuilding in Honduras.

Detroit Lions Food at Ford Field: The team and Levy rolled out a new season lineup of “Food Passport” bites and wearable frozen drink holders, with loaded fries and neighborhood-inspired options like Greektown falafel tots, Corktown nachos, and Xav’s Jammin Caribbean Fusion items. Great Lakes Invasive Species: Federal officials lifted a stop-work order tied to the invasive carp barrier project aimed at protecting the Great Lakes, after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for action following new findings near Lake Michigan. Detroit Sports Legacy: A look back at Cecil Fielder’s Tigers era highlights his 1990s power and the home-run moments that made him a Detroit legend. Local Arts & Community: A new permanent mural honoring Michigan’s Vietnam War veterans was installed in downtown Detroit at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. Music & Live Events: AC/DC’s return to Notre Dame Stadium drew attention for still-available tickets, with the show set for Sept. 4. Health Update: Fox 2 anchor Amy Andrews said she’s back in the hospital again, citing spreading colitis and IV antibiotics.

WNBA in Detroit: Pistons exec Arn Tellem teases “first of its kind” plans for the city’s new WNBA franchise, including a downtown practice facility and a dedicated WNBA campus/headquarters ahead of the 2029 tip. Public Health: MDHHS is seeking applicants for a grant to expand lung cancer screening capacity through primary care clinics and FQHC referrals, with awards expected around $80,000. Legal/College Sports: Michigan State police knew about “unknown substances” in Wells Hall before final exams, raising questions about campus safety and how incidents were handled. Food/Marketing: Domino’s launches a smaller “Domino” Detroit-style pie and offers a free one if customers submit receipts from competing QSRs. Consumer Safety: Michigan AG Dana Nessel warns parents about child identity theft and urges credit freezes for minors. Music/Local Entertainment: Ed Sheeran’s Detroit Ford Field show led to six workers injured during stage load-out. Sports Media: Apple TV and Yahoo Sports will stream free alternate broadcasts for select MLB and MLS games, including Tigers at Guardians (Sept. 4). Tour Update: Saint Levant postpones his North American tour to spring 2027 due to US visa background checks.

Detroit Music & Live Events: Ed Sheeran’s Ford Field show turned into an on-site incident as six concert workers were injured during stage load-out after a forklift accident, with none reported life-threatening. Lions Injury Update: Detroit placed RB Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve with a back injury, sidelining him at least four games and pushing Jacob Saylors into a bigger early role. NFL Coaching Buzz: Michigan State’s Pat Fitzgerald opened his tenure with playful jabs at LSU’s Lane Kiffin during a radio debut. Art & Community: Art Space Vincennes announced “Past is Prologue,” a non-objective mixed-media retrospective by Amy DeLap running from Sept. 4 through Oct. 23. Sports History: Sept. 1 spotlighted baseball’s 1971 milestone when the Pirates fielded the first all-Black and Latino starting lineup in MLB. Local Sports Youth: Detroit PAL is using sports at the old Tiger Stadium site to build skills and connection for kids. Health & Celebrity: Lionel Richie remains in ICU in St. Louis amid possible cardiac-related issues after a weekend on-stage struggle.

Concert Safety: Ed Sheeran’s Ford Field show in Detroit ended with a forklift-related incident during load-out that injured six workers; MIOSHA opened an investigation and Ford Field is reviewing the event with authorities. Local Politics & Media: VP JD Vance made a personal, high-heat attack on Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed over comments about Usha Vance during a Sterling Heights rally, escalating already tense Michigan Jewish-community and streamer-linked fallout. Detroit Sports: A new prediction for the 2026 Lions points to major early defensive trouble, with key secondary absences and a suspension adding pressure to an offense-first approach. Music Spotlight: The Who announced a super-deluxe reissue of Who by Numbers featuring 92 unreleased tracks and new archival live footage tied to Pontiac’s Metropolitan Stadium. Tech/Business: Ascent Cloud launched Geopointe Go, bringing offline-capable field-team CRM access to mobile devices without relying on Salesforce apps or the internet. Cannabis Market: Grön officially rolled out its Pearls edibles in Michigan (plus California, Colorado, Nevada), expanding its multi-state push. Weather: Mid-Michigan starts September with a heat advisory and muggy conditions before cooling later in the week.

College Football Playoff Debate: Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti says expanding the playoff would make the regular season better and help prevent “September” chaos—if teams embrace tougher nonconference schedules. Local Sports Calendar: A busy week kicks off with high school football and volleyball, plus plenty of prep and college matchups to watch across Michigan. Detroit-Area Public Safety: Saginaw officials face public comment after videos show officers striking a woman; the department is running an internal review while Michigan State Police investigate. Music & Radio: WLAV’s longtime morning host Michelle McKormick signed off after 15 years, marking a major change for Grand Rapids listeners. Health Watch: Michigan confirmed its first eastern equine encephalitis case in a domestic animal this year in Clare County. Sports Bar Upgrade: Lodi’s Brick House revamps its lounge with more TVs, sports memorabilia, and a Wall of Fame. Lottery Buzz: A Kentwood woman won $1 million on a Michigan Lottery Bonus Scratch Multiplier ticket. Entertainment Business: Trump endorsed a federal production incentive for film and TV, aiming to keep more Hollywood work in the U.S.

Detroit Lions & NFL buzz: Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs is now the league’s top-paid RB, and the Lions’ depth chart gets another Michigan-area storyline with Jacob Saylors earning the No. 2 spot after a strong preseason and standout special teams work. MLB in Michigan: The Dodgers beat the Tigers 6-1 as Tyler Glasnow led the way; Detroit has dropped 12 of 15. College football (Big Ten focus): Purdue, Michigan State, Indiana, Rutgers, Nebraska, UCLA, Iowa, Penn State, and Washington all get preseason previews ahead of Week 1, with quarterback battles and new coaching staffs driving the biggest questions. Michigan politics & scrutiny: Abdul El-Sayed’s 9/11-related past posts are back in the spotlight as he tries to broaden appeal heading into the fall. Mental health access: Mentavi Health is offering its Mental Wellness Snapshot for free nationwide, aiming to help adults get a clearer starting point amid provider shortages. Local entertainment listings: North Michigan and South Michigan both publish September event calendars, including library programs and community gatherings.

Auto Labor & Trade: Unifor members ratified new three-year GM Canada contracts covering 4,614 hourly workers, with wage gains and job-security language plus a letter promising GM won’t sell the idled CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario—coming as Trump threatens higher auto tariffs. Michigan Politics: Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed apologized after backlash over comments tied to the Temple Israel attack, saying “I made a mistake” and that he’s sorry if his words caused pain. Election-Stream Fallout: Twitch streamer Hasan Piker says El-Sayed asked him to “stump” for the campaign, fueling more debate inside Democratic circles. Local Arts & Community: Uncle John’s Cider Mill in St. Johns launched its first Flower Fest, letting families pick zinnias and wildflowers for $10. Public Safety: Police, MSP, and the FBI are investigating TikTok “Cat in the Hat” threats naming Constantine students, with copycat accounts also under review. Detroit Culture/Business: A Greektown restaurant, Table No. 2, says the long-running Monroe Streetscape redesign has cut business by 90% and put it on “life support.” Sports Spotlight (MSU Soccer): No. 24 Michigan State men’s soccer started 4-0 with a 4-1 win over Niagara, outshooting the Purple Eagles 21-5.

Dodgers Update (Detroit): Shohei Ohtani’s left knee is still bothering him, and the Dodgers pushed back his return again—he won’t start Sunday vs. the Tigers, with Tyler Glasnow taking the spot and no clear target date yet. NFL Offseason Watch (Michigan): The Detroit Lions wrapped preseason play with a 25-16 win over the Colts, but kicker Jake Bates’ missed kicks have the spotlight on roster decisions ahead of Sunday’s 53-man deadline. Local Sports Spotlight: Disc golf’s World Championships are in Milford, drawing nearly 300 players from 26 countries. Community & Culture: The Detroit Zoo hosted a St. Jude Walk Detroit fundraiser, with hundreds marching to support kids’ treatment. Music/Entertainment: Epix Hockey is expanding in Detroit with new gear plus a community-giving push. Sports Business/Golf: Ally Challenge will return in 2027 after finalizing an extension.

Detroit Politics: Marvin Walker, an ex-partner of Mayor Mary Sheffield, denies a report that he took kickbacks tied to city business deals, while Sheffield reiterates the allegations are false and says no city funds or contracts ever went to him. Severe Weather & Community Safety: Storm chaser Trevor Sparks explains why real-time ground reports matter and how little warning time can be between a tornado warning and impact. Entertainment Pop Culture: Prime Video’s RoboCop reboot has cast Dan Stevens as Alex Murphy, and a new ranking revisits every RoboCop movie from worst to best. Michigan Tech & Planning: A federal lawsuit challenges Gibraltar’s data center moratorium, arguing the city’s restriction was applied improperly after a site plan was already submitted. Sports (Local Spotlight): The Dodgers’ Tarik Skubal returns to Detroit for an emotional start, with Detroit fans split between cheers and boos as the series continues. College Football (Michigan Connection): Week 0 kicks off with Eastern Michigan hosting Sacramento State, setting the stage for the Eagles’ FBS debut season momentum.

Detroit Baseball Buzz: Tarik Skubal returned to Comerica Park as a Los Angeles Dodger and got a mixed crowd—cheers for the former Tigers ace, boos for the uniform—after throwing six solid innings in a 2-1 Dodgers win. Sports Betting & Pop Culture: Shohei Ohtani’s NL MVP odds tightened after a short bullpen session in Detroit, while Mega Millions climbed to an estimated $145M for Friday’s drawing. Local Arts & Community: Eastern Michigan University’s School of Performing Arts is hosting a welcome-back block party Sept. 2, followed by fall theater auditions for multiple productions. Michigan Tech & Fitness: MSU’s FRIB added a new chip-testing facility aimed at future driverless and spaceflight tech, and a Midland yoga instructor went viral after TikTok support helped fill his classes. Entertainment & Events: Grand Rapids’ new AC Grand Rapids soccer home at Amway Stadium is set to open with its first match March 19, 2027. Public Safety & Surveillance: A Fraser hit-and-run case involving a motorcyclist led to charges against a Royal Oak attorney, and separate reports highlight ongoing damage to Flock Safety cameras in the region.

Local Arts & Theater: Broadway singer Karen Curlee brings her show to the Ramsdell Theater in Manistee on Aug. 28, with a six-piece band including her husband, Mark Stewart. Music & Community Events: Fulton County Fair kicks off Sept. 4-10 in Wauseon with concerts and lots of free entertainment, from gospel music and line dancing to magicians and a living statue. Detroit Sports Spotlight: Tarik Skubal returns to Comerica Park for the Dodgers-Tigers matchup Friday, a homecoming that’s emotional for the former Tiger and a big test for Detroit’s lineup. Public Health: The cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce has expanded to Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, with Michigan reporting both deaths. Youth Safety Online: Michigan and Wisconsin are set to receive major payouts from Meta’s teen social media settlement, including new limits and protections for kids. Michigan-Adjacent Pop Culture: Dolly Parton’s kindness story hits home again, with her sending a pair of shoes to support a Michigan “Shoe Club” goal-setting program. Great Lakes Politics: Trump’s “Lake America” order sparks backlash, including Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell pushing legislation to block it.

Sports Upset: No. 3 MSU women’s soccer stumbled to a scoreless draw against Eastern Michigan, snapping its early dominance as the Eagles’ low block held firm. Local Education Policy: Detroit Public Schools Community District is cracking down on unexcused early sign-outs, requiring repeat offenders to attend meetings and sign attendance contracts. College Hoops Move: Former Michigan State guard Tre Holloman committed to Grand Canyon, extending his college career after a transfer season at NC State. Detroit Sports Spotlight: Tarik Skubal returns to Detroit to face the Tigers with the Dodgers, aiming to focus on baseball amid the emotional homecoming. Tech & Youth Safety: Michigan is set to receive at least $171 million from the Meta settlement tied to teen social media addiction, with new protections for under-18 users. City Hall Drama: Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield denied allegations of illegal kickbacks tied to a former romantic partner, calling the claims fabricated. Entertainment & TV: A style piece spotlights the jacket that’s stealing the spotlight in HBO’s “Lanterns.” Community Events: EMU’s Weeks of Welcome kicks off the fall semester with multiple student events.