In what won’t be a surprise to Michigan motorists, gasoline prices have hit a new high for the year.

 AAA Michigan reported Monday morning the price for a gallon of regular unleaded hit $4.93, up $1.75 compared to a year ago.

The most expensive gas can be found in Ann Arbor ($4.97), Lansing ($4.95) and Jackson ($4.95). Motorists are paying a little bit less in Flint ($4.90) and Marquette ($4.79).

"Michigan drivers are seeing a significant increase at the pump, with gas prices climbing 62 cents in just one week and reaching their highest levels since July 2022," said Adrienne Woodland, AAA spokesperson, in a statement. "This sharp jump highlights the continued volatility of the global oil market and its impact on drivers."

Diesel prices have risen too. The average price for a gallon of diesel is now $6.81, up 66 cents in the past week. A year ago, a gallon of diesel was costing $3.70.

Higher prices come as world crude oil prices hang around $100 a barrel and demand is up.

The Oxford High School shooter’s attempt to overturn his sentence of life without parole is heading back to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Ethan Crumbley was 15 years old when he gunned down four of his fellow students in 2021. He entered guilty pleas to 24 criminal counts, including first-degree murder. In 2023, Crumbley was sentenced to life without parole.

Crumbley has since tried to rescind his plea and get that sentence overturned. The Michigan Supreme Court had denied his arguments so far.

But on Thursday, the Michigan Supreme Court sent some aspects of the case back to the appellate court.

The state’s highest court wants the lower court to review Crumbley’s claim that his trial attorney was ineffective “by failing to adequately direct, prepare, and supervise the expert testimony of Dr. Colin King." King is a forensic psychologist who maintained Crumbley could possibly be rehabilitated.

The appeals court is also being asked to review questions about the prosecution and Crumbley’s waiver to challenge to his sentence.

Sky-high gas and diesel prices have Michigan's two major party U.S. Senate candidates doing something nearly unheard of: agreeing. 

Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed both say they support suspending the state and federal gas taxes.

According to AAA Michigan, the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline topped $4.75 on Thursday, up 40 cents in the past week. The price of a gallon of diesel in Michigan according to AAA, hit $6.54, up more than 60 cents in the past week.
State and federal gas taxes account for roughly 70 cents per gallon of regular unleaded gas in Michigan.

“Working families need leaders who will bring the costs of energy down, not ones who will make their lives less affordable,” Rogers said in a written statement. “That’s why I’m calling for a suspension of both the state and federal gas tax — because hardworking Michiganders deserve relief at the pump.”

In a statement from his campaign, Abdul El Sayed echoed Rogers’ call to suspend the state and federal gas taxes, but said those taxes aren't what's driving the increased price of gas.

“Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is running for Senate to bring down costs and is committed to using every tool in the toolbox to do so — including suspending the gas tax,” said campaign spokesperson Cole Wozniak, “But most importantly ending Donald Trump’s illegal war [in Iran] and trade war with Canada.”

But it appears unlikely a gas tax suspension will happen.

Legislation has been introduced to suspend the federal gas tax for the rest of the year. But House Speaker Mike Johnson has sent members of Congress home until after the November midterms.

Meanwhile, there does not appear to be movement in Lansing to suspend the state gas tax.

In an interview with Bridge Michigan, Michigan State House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said he doesn't think suspending the state gas tax was “realistic," given the tax's use in the transportation budget.

“I certainly don’t want to pause all the great work we’re doing to fund our local roads,” Hall told Bridge Michigan.

As the November election draws closer, voter confidence in Michigan’s election system is edging lower.

A new poll of 800 likely Michigan voters found 74.4% believe the system is fair and accurate. However, that’s down from 79.4% in 2025.

The Glengariff Group was hired to conduct the annual poll by the bipartisan Democracy Defense Foundation.

Pollster Richard Czuba said 85% of Republicans, Democrats, and Independent voters trust their own local county’s election system to be fair and accurate.

But only 48% trust other counties to count the vote accurately.

Czuba said Republicans tend to distrust the results coming from big counties, suggesting Wayne and other largely Democratic voting counties are “rigged."

“(Republicans) know those neighbors. They know those people,” said Czuba. “Their concerns rise for places they are not located.”

Former Republican Governor John Engler is a member of the bipartisan Democracy Defense Foundation. Overall he sees the poll results as positive.

“It shows both a lot of good news about the confidence and the need … to keep trying to educate voters, inform them of the process,” said Engler.

Michigan voters can begin casting ballots late next week for the November election.

Michigan is selecting a new U.S. senator, governor, secretary of state, and attorney general, as well as members of Congress and the state Legislature. There are also other local issues and offices on the ballot.

State health officials are warning about the misuse of a common product that is sending a growing number of Michiganders to the hospital.

Nitrous oxide has medical and culinary uses. But is also marketed for recreational use in grocery stores, smoke shops, vape stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and online.

“These products are often sold openly and may be marketed as legal or low risk, people may underestimate the real dangers,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in recent decades, recreational nitrous oxide use has grown.

MDHHS says the use of ‘laughing gas” or “whippets” has expanded into a much larger public health concern due to the widespread availability of larger, high-volume canisters.

Health officials are concerned that when used without trained supervision, the recreational use of nitrous oxide can quickly become dangerous and even life-threatening.

“It is deeply concerning that nitrous oxide – a drug we use in monitored medical settings to provide safe, comfortable care for children and other vulnerable patients – is being sold and used as a recreational substance,” said Dr. Matt Dellaquila, president of the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists. 

According to the Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center, there’s been a sharp increase in nitrous oxide-related health emergencies in recent years.

Of the 112 cases identified between 2024 and May 2026, 34% required admission to a hospital and 7% required admission to an intensive care unit. 

MDHHS said nearly half of all reported cases resulted in medically significant outcomes, including numbness, tingling in the hands or feet, trouble walking and balance issues, confusion and anxiety, and passing out. 

State health officials said anyone who notices concerning symptoms after using nitrous oxide should stop immediately and seek medical care.

Hundreds of people who qualified for a share of the hundreds of millions of dollars of Flint water settlement funds may soon be cut out.

More than a decade ago, the city of Flint’s drinking water source was switched to the Flint River. But the river water was not properly treated. The result was contaminants were released from aging pipes, including lead.

The state of Michigan, city of Flint and several businesses agreed to pay into a more than $600 million fund to settle legal claims.

More than 25,000 thousand individuals were approved to receive a share of the settlement. Nearly 80% of the settlement funds are to be distributed to individuals who were minors at the time of their exposure to Flint water. A dozen years since the beginning of the water crisis, many of those children are now adults.

But the payment process has been hampered because some claims did not include correct Social Security numbers or required signatures.

In a report filed with the federal court last week, Special Master Deborah Greenspan wrote that the claims administrator has worked with claimants to resolve paperwork issues, but that time is at an end.

“As of the date of this Report, there are approximately 990 claims submitted for claimants who have now reached the age of 18 that have not responded to notices sent over a year ago requesting the necessary signatures, and approximately 1,571 claimants who have received notices more recently but have not yet provided the information,” wrote Greenspan.

Greenspan said there are still approximately 250 claimants with approved injury claims who have not provided a valid Social Security number, and approximately 1,000 claimants who have not accessed their settlement payments even though an administrator has advanced those payments to a claims portal.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Judith Levy authorized final notices be sent to those with unresolved paperwork issues advising them that unless the missing information is provided in 30 days their claim will be denied and closed.

The payments vary depending on the settlement category a claimant qualifies for, ranging from $400 to $25,000.

As the nation pauses to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Michigan’s border crossings with Canada will temporarily close.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the Gordie Howe Bridge, the Ambassador Bridge, the Blue Water Bridge, the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie and the Detroit-Windsor tunnel will be closed briefly around 9 a.m.

The agency said the crossings will close for approximately 30 minutes, while ceremonies including the playing of taps and a moment of silence are observed.

The agency said normal operations will resume immediately after ceremonies are concluded, though the closings are expected to cause some residual delays as border traffic resumes.

Sixteen former University of Michigan hockey players have filed a lawsuit against the university claiming the Ann Arbor school’s hockey program adopted sexualized abuse as part of its standard hazing traditions.

The lawsuit covers the years 1984 to 2001.

The complaint filed in federal court alleges the hazing included forced shaving of genitals, tying men’s testicles to hockey helmets or buckets weighted with hockey
pucks, simulated sex acts, threatened outright sexual assault, and in some cases, anal penetration.

Some of the victims of the alleged abuse were as young as 17 years old according to the complaint.

The complaint alleges longtime head coach Red Berenson not only knew about the sexualized hazing, but also directed and facilitated it for years. Berenson is a legend in college hockey, with the 4th most wins in NCAA history and two national championships.

He is in both the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Berenson acknowledged hazing in the hockey program in 2012.

The complaint filed in federal court in Detroit states:

“Coaching staff, many of whom were former players, knew of the abuse and took no action to stop it. Some coaching staff stopped by each year to observe the shaving and genital tying ritual. When one player reported the abuse and sought help from then-Assistant Coach Mel Pearson, Pearson replied, “keep your head down, don’t piss them off, and just get through it.”

Pearson served as Assistant Coach from 1988-2011 and then Head Coach from 2017 to 2022.

The suit is seeking unspecified damages against the Regents of the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan, for Sex and Gender Discrimination in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which prohibits sex discrimination in education, including discrimination in the form of sexual hazing.

In a statement, a university spokesperson described the allegations in the complaint as “disturbing," but said "many elements of the complaint are misleading.”

"The university denies that it is any way responsible or liable for the claims alleged," the statement continued.

The University of Michigan has had an anti-hazing policy since 1982.

Editor's note: U of M holds Michigan Public's broadcast license.

Michigan’s two major-party U.S. Senate candidates are clashing on how to improve education.

Republican former Congressman Mike Rogers is facing Democratic former public health official Abdul El-Sayed in November’s election to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Gary Peters.

Wednesday in Pontiac, Rogers pointed to recent data showing less than 40% of Michigan third graders are reading at their grade level. 

“It’s not just Pontiac, it’s not just Detroit. It’s everywhere. Can’t read at the fourth-grade level. Start doing the math. That is a disaster,” Rogers told reporters.

To address the problem, Rogers says he would channel federal money into programs teaching phonics skills. 

El-Sayed’s campaign hit back at Rogers.

“Mike Rogers is being bankrolled by Betsy DeVos, and he’s doing her bidding to defund public education by supporting vouchers, cutting jobs for teachers,” said campaign spokesperson Cole Wozniak.

Wozniak also pointed out Rogers has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, who’s been dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.

El-Sayed has a different plan, which he said will support public schools and invest more in educators.

El-Sayed said he wants to to tie any increase in the national defense budget to a proportional increase in national education funding.

Democrats and Republicans are hurling allegations of incompetence and questionable decisions at each other’s candidate for Michigan governor.

Congressman John James and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are locked in a tight race to succeed outgoing Governor Gretchen Whitmer in November’s general election.

Republican James slammed Democrat Benson’s performance as Secretary of State Wednesday, pointing to thousands of misprinted drivers’ licenses and hundreds of non-U.S. citizens that a state audit found had been on Michigan’s voter rolls before being canceled.

“It is either incompetence, corruption, or both, and either one is disqualifying to be the governor of the state of Michigan,” said James.

Benson’s campaign defended her record as Secretary of State, claiming she has cut wait times at branch offices and made Michigan a national model for secure, transparent elections.

“For the past eight years, Jocelyn Benson has proved she knows how to fix broken systems, “said Benson Press Secretary Rajan Srinivasan.

As for the misprinted driver's licenses, the campaign blamed a third party vendor for the error. Pointing out the Secretary of State office identified the error, corrected it, and has sent out new IDs.

Democratic Party officials in turn criticized James for allegedly failing to report scores of stock trades as required by federal law.

James "traded hundreds of stocks over his time in Congress and broke the law by failing to disclose 145 trades," said Michigan Democratic Party spokesman Derrick Honeyman.

"In June, his family bought stocks in Elon Musk’s SpaceX, even as James sits on a committee that oversees the company,” Honeyman said.

James dismissed the allegations, claiming they have previously been “debunked.”

“I never traded a single stock. But when I heard about it, we owned up to it. We went to ethics and now I’m in compliance,” said James.

It is expected to be several more days before Enbridge Energy can restart its Line 5 pipeline.

The controversial pipeline that carries natural gas liquids — including, the company says, more than half of the propane used in Michigan — has been shut down since an accident last month in Wisconsin.

For years, environmentalists and Native American tribes have been trying to shut down the pipeline that passes through the Mackinac Straits.

There is also a protracted legal fight between the state of Michigan and Enbridge Energy about the pipeline's future.

Two weeks ago, an unoccupied flatbed truck granted the wish of Line 5 critics, at least temporarily.

The truck rolled into an excavation site for a Line 5 valve project in Wisconsin. The damaged pipeline released approximately 1.3 million gallons of natural gas liquids, mainly propane and butane, which largely vaporized into the atmosphere.

Since then, crews have worked to build a bypass around the damaged section of the pipeline.

The repair work has taken longer than originally expected, but an Enbridge spokesperson said the goal is to restart on Saturday.

Editor's note: Enbridge Energy is a corporate sponsor of Michigan Public.

Candidates on the ballot in November’s general election marched with union members at Detroit’s Labor Day parade on Monday. 

A day before, the an armed man charged toward the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor at a campaign event at a local fair.   

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says an armed assailant charged toward the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, Amy Acton, during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair, injuring several people before he was stopped by troopers.

The highway patrol said in a statement that a man it identified as Patrick Havas forced his way through a crowd, knocking over multiple members of the audience as he moved toward Acton, the state’s former public health director.

The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office said two handguns and a set of brass knuckles were recovered after his arrest, and “no weapons were ever brandished or even removed from their holsters.”

Havas was taken to the county jail and booked on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault, the highway patrol statement said.

Acton is facing Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who called Sunday's incident unacceptable.

“Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence. What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics,” Ramaswamy’s communications director, Connie Luck, said in a statement.

Jocelyn Benson is the Democrat running for Michigan governor. Benson is running against Republican John James in the November election to replace outgoing Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Benson spent part of Monday at the annual Labor Day parade in Detroit, surrounded by thousands of union members.

Benson expressed concern about how political rhetoric may be fueling political violence.

“It is a sobering reminder the consequence of the hateful rhetoric that often times even the President himself spews,” said Benson. “In this moment we all have to recognize the importance of seeing each other as humans and civility, keeping people safe.”

Abdul El-Sayed also spent part of Monday shaking hands and taking pictures with supporters along the parade route. The Democratic Party’s U.S. Senate nominee is facing Republican Mike Rogers in the November general election to fill Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat.

El-Sayed calls this a “dangerous moment.”

“Everyone has the collective responsibility to bring some of that temperature down,” said El-Sayed. “Politics and democracy are supposed to be the way by which we resolve our differences peaceably.”

Democratic U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell is a veteran of many political campaigns.

She said this weekend’s violence in Ohio will not deter her from meeting with voters. 

“I’m out so people know they can come and talk to me,” Dingell said, amid a throng of union members.

Dingell pointed out President Trump personally attacked her in a Truth Social post over the weekend, in which he referred to her as “Debbie Dingbat.”

“She says nothing but bad about your favorite President, ME! Every time I see that Third Rate Loser ripping me, I’m amazed, because I’m a loyal person, I don’t do things like that but, that’s OK — It’s Politics. However, it shouldn’t be that way! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” read the Truth Social post.

The country has seen a rise in political violence over the past decade.

Federal political committees spent more than $40 million on expenses labeled as security during the 2023-24 campaign cycle, the most recent one for which data are publicly available, according to a report released in April from the Public Service Alliance, a nonpartisan group that focuses on security for public officials.

The two major party candidates for Michigan governor are clashing over a federal tax credit for education expenses.

Starting in 2027, the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit will give parents a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $1,700 for cash donations made to approved organizations that grant scholarships to students.     

More than 30 states, including Ohio and Indiana, are participating in the tax credit program. Michigan is not one of them.

Republican candidate John James said as governor, he would add Michigan to the list of states that are part of the program.

“I want to make sure our parents have the resources they need and opting into the Education Freedom tax credit is priority one for me,” James told reporters Wednesday.

Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson said she’s open to getting more resources to Michigan schools. But she said the Trump administration is not being transparent about where the money from this program will go.  

“As governor, I can’t commit taxpayer dollars to a program under Trump’s control with zero transparency or assurance it will deliver for Michigan students. That’s reckless and irresponsible,” Benson said in a written statement.

Early voting begins in three weeks. Election Day is November 3.

A coalition of groups and political leaders is ramping up the campaign to urge Michiganders to vote "no" on a ballot question to call a state constitutional convention.

The current state constitution requires asking Michiganders every 16 years to decide if they want to open a process that could totally rewrite the constitution. 

In Flint Wednesday, several speakers from a diverse group, often at odds with each other in the past, joined together to voice opposition to voting for a state constitutional convention.

Former Republican State Attorney General Bill Schuette said a so-called Con-Con would be chaotic.

“This would be a circus,” Schuette said, “And would be just a podium for wannabe influencers.”

Former Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee admitted Michigan’s constitution could use a few changes. But he stressed a constitutional convention is not the way.

“(Even) if there are a handful of reforms that many of us could agree on,” Kildee told reporters, “Buried in them would be a number of reforms or changes that would be a reflection of very narrow special interests.”

 Con-Con opponents are concerned that special interests looking to enshrine unpopular policies in the Michigan constitution may try to influence voters this fall.

Despite being a staple of Michigan elections for decades, a "no" campaign spokesperson said the vast majority of Michiganders are unaware this issue is even on the November ballot. 

Michigan voters can start casting ballots in three weeks.

Election day is November 3.

This week, unionized nurses at a Genesee County hospital will mark one year on the picket line. 

The Teamsters hit the picket line Labor Day last year.  On Tuesday, they will have been on that picket line for one year.

There are several issues that have been proven unable to be resolved by union and Henry Ford negotiators, including nurse to patient ratios and seniority.

A Henry Ford Health spokesperson said they continue to work toward a collective bargaining agreement. 

“We are grateful for the 2,500 dedicated healthcare professionals who have cared for their community over the past year, including more than 350 nurses who chose to work through the strike or joined our team after the strike began,” said Henry Ford Health spokesperson Dana Jay in a written statement.

Attempts to contact local and national Teamsters officials were unsuccessful.

The local union’s strike has received support from the national Teamsters union.

Teamsters National General President Sean O’Brien has rallied with the nurses on several occasions in the past year.

Back in March, O’Brien blamed Henry Ford Health System officials for the lack of progress in contract talks.

“I think one thing’s clear. This hospital has a chronic disease called 'LIE-abetes.' And they need some 'TRUTH -sulin,' said O’Brien.

The Teamsters have accused Henry Ford of various unfair labor practices, but the National Labor Relations Board has dismissed allegations of failing to bargain in good faith.

The University of Michigan-Flint has been around for 70 years. But before it turns 75, university officials hope to have an active athletic department.

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is giving the university $5 million to establish an athletic department and renovate facilities on campus. 

“Athletic departments are often referred to as the front porch of the university,” University Chancellor Laurance Alexander told university officials Friday. “The benefits include thriving and robust campus activities and events.”

But Alexander admits this is going to be a multi-year process, with several hurdles still to overcome.

A significant portion of the project will focus on renovating the university’s existing recreation center so it can accommodate intercollegiate athletics, as well as continuing to serve the needs of the broader university community. The proposed $34 million renovation still needs the approval by the University of Michigan Board of Regents. If approved, the project is expected to take 18 months to complete.

Alexander hopes U of M-Flint will join eight other Michigan colleges and universities competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in the fall of 2028.

“Athletics brings more than games,” said Alexander, “It brings pride, connection, and an occasional upset victory that makes the headlines.”

A potentially deadly case of a mosquito-borne illness has turned up in Michigan.

A Roscommon County resident has tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis. It’s the first human case of EEE in Michigan since 2021.

The virus is spread to people when they're bitten by an infected mosquito. Only a few human cases are reported each year in the United States, but the cases can be serious. EEE has a 30% fatality rate for infected humans, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

People who become ill with EEE may experience fever, headache, chills and nausea. In some cases, symptoms may progress to inflammation of the brain, signaled by disorientation, seizures, and coma.

To avoid EEE and other mosquito-borne illnesses, state health officials are offering a number of tips:

• Use insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol and 2-undecanone.
  
• Do not use insect repellent on children under 2 months old. Instead, dress the child in clothing that covers arms and legs. Also, cover cribs, strollers, and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
  
• Wear shoes and socks, light-colored long pants, and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.
  
• Make sure screens on doors and windows are tight-fitting. Repair or replace damaged screens.
  
• Once a week eliminate standing water that can support mosquito breeding near your home, including water in bird baths, abandoned swimming pools, wading pools, and old tires.

Multiple state departments and local health departments already monitor for signs of EEE in humans, mosquitos, domestic animals, and wildlife. However, MDHHS reports additional mosquito trapping and testing is being done in Roscommon County to establish the level of risk in that area.

On Monday, the Saginaw city council will consider an ordinance to crack down on large unruly gatherings.  

However, some city residents and civil libertarians think the ordinance goes too far.

Like other cities, Saginaw has struggled to respond to large pop-up street parties that sometimes end in violence.

The city council is expected to vote on an ordinance Monday that would give police more authority to break up large gatherings. Police officers could act if they determine the gathering is causing excessive noise, blocking traffic or property damage.

Individuals found violating the "nuisance gatherings" ordinance could face misdemeanor charges carrying fines up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.

The council voted 7 to 1 to advance the proposed ordinance back in July.

But critics are concerned the ordinance could be invoked to stop peaceful protests, picket lines or even large family gatherings.
The ACLU of Michigan is urging the Saginaw city council to reject the ordinance.

“If adopted, the sweeping ordinance would violate the constitutional rights of the citizens of Saginaw and simply cannot be tolerated,” said Marc Allen, Senior Staff Attorney with the ACLU of Michigan, in a written statement.

Michiganders who rely on social security are expressing concern as the program turned 91 years old Friday.

President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935. The program provides retirement, survivor, and disability benefits to more than 70 million Americans.

But the social security trust fund is expected to be exhausted by 2034, as the last of the baby boomers start tapping the program. Analysts say that could prompt significant cuts in benefits.

At a forum in Saginaw, U.S. Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) said Washington should not put off addressing the problem.

“I think that we’re in a political age of getting the unlikely done,” McDonald Rivet told reporters after the forum. “If you look at what’s happening across the country, people are demanding change. You don’t want the status quo of political bickering while people suffer.”

Potential changes include raising taxes and adjusting the retirement age.

“Social Security is a commitment to today’s retirees and future generations that Congress must not break. It is the foundation of retirement security, lifting tens of millions of older Americans out of poverty,” said AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan in a written statement. “Congress must act by 2032 to strengthen Social Security.”