The Michigan Public Service Commission is recommending lawmakers ban yearly rate hike requests from utility companies.  The recommendation is one of many on a list requested by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on ways to tackle energy affordability. 

Commission Chair Dan Scripps says under Michigan law, utilities can submit a rate hike request every 12 months, and often do, even right after another request was approved.  He says the commission could see hundreds of cases, but only a few get approved. 

“As we go through rate cases, we literally go line by line and say, ’Is this particular investment supported? Does it have enough evidence on the record? Does it have the appropriate level of signoff?’  And so we think of them as one case, but they’re literally hundreds of individual decisions.  And as a result, the utility typically gets less, and sometimes far less than they initially requested.”

Scripps says the list of recommendations includes tying utility earnings to a power company’s performance and ensuring the company uses current equipment to its full potential before requesting another rate increase to pay for more infrastructure. 

-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Casino revenues rise 

Detroit’s casinos are reporting improved revenues for the month of July.  The Michigan Gaming Control Board says the three gambling houses brought in more than $112.5 million dollars last month.  Revenues were up more than nine percent from June 2026.  

MGM Grand led the market, bringing in 47% of the total revenue.  Motor City had 31% with Hollywood Casino at Greektown controlling 22% of the market. 

Together the three casinos paid $13.3 million in wagering and development agreements to the City of Detroit.  They paid another $9 million in state taxes. 

Powerball jackpot hits $1 billion 

For those of you hoping to get rich quick, the Powerball jackpot has risen to more than a billion dollars.  That’s the eighth largest prize in the game’s history.  But remember, the odds of winning the grand prize are more than one in $292 million. 

The drawing takes place tonight at 10:59 p.m. ET. 

Edge of eclipse 

If you were outside around 1:30 this afternoon and something looked a little “off”—you’re not imagining it.  There was a slight eclipse of the sun, meaning about 3% coverage.  That’s because we were on the edge of the path of the eclipse. 

Folks in Iceland and Spain witnessed a full eclipse of the sun. 

The next solar eclipse will take place in February. 

Lions prep for first preseason game 

The Detroit Lions are wrapping up their preparations for their first preseason game of the year.  The Lions will be in Cincinnati Thursday night to play the Bengals. 

The NFL schedule was changed a few years ago, adding one more game to the regular season, and subtracting one pre-season game.  That means Detroit only has three pre-season games to work out the kinks.  Lions’ star Jahmyr Gibbs signed a contract extension this month, making him the highest paid running back in the NFL. 

The Lions play the Bengals Thursday night at 7p.m.  The game will be televised on Fox 2. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Michigan voters went to the polls Tuesday to select candidates who will meet in the general election in November. 

Congressman John James won the Republican primary for governor.  He had a tough competitor in businessman Perry Johnson.  Johnson ran a steady flight of television commercials, at times portraying James as a “DEI candidate.”  During the course of the Republican primary, James made few appearances in the city of Detroit.  

During his victory speech Tuesday night, James laid out his plans if he’s elected Senator. “We’re going to cut taxes.  We’re going to lower your energy bills.  We’re going to protect Medicaid for those who need it, while stopping fraud and abuse from those who would steal from it.”   

James will face Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the November general election.  Benson easily beat Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary.  

During a speech to supporters in Detroit Tuesday night, she said she’ll work for Michigan voters if she’s elected governor in November. “Who do you want Michigan’s leaders to work for?  The people or the powerful?  Well, you all know who I work for.  I will work for all of you and every Michigander in this state.  Not the highest bidder.  Not corporate interests.  Not Donald Trump. You.”   

Benson is a Detroit resident. 

El-Sayed beats out Stevens for U.S. Senate race

In the most watched contest of the night, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed defeated Congresswoman Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.  

In a speech to supporters in Detroit Wednesday morning,  El-Sayed took aim at Republican Mike Rogers – who El-Sayed will face in the general election: “And so, Mike, and I know you’re listening, Mike.  We are coming for you.”  

With more than 60-million dollars in outside spending, the race is the most expensive U.S. Senate primary in history. El-Sayed beat Stevens by less than a percentage point. 

-Reporting by Russ McNamara

Congressional primaries

Detroiters watched two Democratic primaries for Congress yesterday.  Representative Rashida Tlaib easily defeated former state representative Shanelle Jackson and Inkster Mayor Byron Nolan in the 12^th Congressional District. 

State Representative Donavan McKinney defeated incumbent Congressman Shri Thanedar in Michigan’s 13^th District primary.  Results show Mckinney won just over half the vote.  

McKinney says its time for a new style of politics, because it’s impossible for representatives to serve two masters. “You can’t serve the working people and the corporations at the same time.  You have to pick one, and so I think the people are calling for petter and I thing they’re calling our legislators and our Congress to do things for them and not on behalf of the few, but on behalf of the many.”   

McKinney also supported ending federal aid to Israel.  He says Congress should focus more on domestic needs.  Thanedar was seeking his third term in the U.S. House. 

-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley

Other results

Incumbent Wayne County Executive Warren Evans easily won his primary race to win the right to run for another term as the Democratic candidate in November. 

Proposal S, which provides additional revenue for the Detroit Public Schools Community District passed overwhelmingly, as did the Wayne County Public Transportation Millage.  That measure will keep communities from being able to opt OUT of the SMART bus system. 

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