AGP Executive Report

Energy & Grid Reliability: Coldwater Board of Public Utilities won approval to move forward with a state Grid Resilience Program Grant, targeting overhead line replacement, underground cable upgrades, and tree trimming to boost reliability by Dec. 2027. Local Power Governance: Ann Arbor voters will decide in November whether to replace DTE with a city-owned public utility, aiming to cut costs and outages. Electric Infrastructure for Industry: West Michigan’s data-center debate is heating up as officials weigh whether transmission upgrades can handle hyperscale demand, with the proposed Copperton Project back in focus. Food Safety & Agriculture: Michigan is still dealing with the Cyclospora outbreak, including two deaths tied to underlying conditions, while Salmonella linked to jalapeños continues to spread across states. Tourism & Business Impact: A report says Canadian wildfire smoke cost Michigan $4B in lost earnings, prompting the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association to push lawmakers for relief. Transportation: Northbound I-475 reopened in downtown Flint after three days of emergency pavement repairs tied to utility work. Retail & Consumer Tech: Hungry Howie’s is rolling out a Detroit-tested “Flavor Experience” and a DoorDash-powered digital ordering overhaul. Finance & Lending: Honor Bank opened a new Commercial Lending Center in Ludington to expand local business financing. Workplace Rights: Unistrut International faces an FLSA overtime suit over pay calculations. Media & Jobs: An FCC vote lifted a national TV ownership cap, drawing warnings about fewer local news jobs and less diversity.

Food Safety & Retail: Walmart recalled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter (salmonella risk) from stores in 19 states; Michigan wasn’t included, and no illnesses were reported. Agriculture: USDA forecasts Michigan tart cherry production down 36% to 91 million pounds nationwide after spring freeze damage, tightening supplies for processors. Energy & Infrastructure: Michigan Supreme Court Line 5 rulings keep the Great Lakes pipeline fight alive as regulators face renewed review. Controlled-Environment Farming: Edible Garden scheduled its Q2 2026 results call, highlighting continued investment in indoor produce. Auto & Manufacturing: U.S. light-vehicle sales dipped 1.4% in July, with hybrids helping offset softer truck demand from Detroit automakers. Legal/Markets: A federal judge denied Coinbase’s bid to block Michigan’s sports prediction-market rules, keeping state enforcement in play while the case proceeds. Local Business & Community: Cheboygan County Fair returns Aug. 8-15, spotlighting livestock, youth auctions, and local agriculture.

GM/China Deal: General Motors renewed its 50-50 joint venture with SAIC for another 20 years, keeping China as an export hub for Buick and Cadillac as competition from Chinese brands intensifies. Auto Competition & Policy: A Center for Automotive Research report argues Michigan’s auto industry can’t rely on tariffs alone and must speed up vehicle development and collaboration to match China. Food Manufacturing: WK Kellogg will remove artificial colors from its entire cereal lineup by end of 2026 (a year early), using fruit/vegetable-based juices for colors and continuing preservative changes. Public Health: Michigan cyclosporiasis updates include two reported deaths tied to the outbreak as case counts climb; meanwhile the Taco Bell/Taylor Farms Cyclospora total hits 6,358. Cybersecurity & Utilities: New reporting highlights how internet-connected industrial controls leave water systems exposed, with Michigan among states facing cyberattack concerns. Local Governance/Detroit: A Detroit city lawyer is accused of cashing in via a company receiving city tax breaks tied to a major auto-supply plant deal, raising ethics questions. Housing/Construction: A Detroit modular homes push aims to ease the city’s housing crisis, while MDOT construction enforcement ramps up after dirt bikes and ATVs damaged materials on I-94 work. Energy/Industry: Michigan regulators approved a mega-dairy in a pollution hotspot, adding to the state’s ongoing industrial permitting debate.

Michigan Politics & Party Unity: Abdul El-Sayed narrowly won Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary over Rep. Haley Stevens (48.5% to 47.5%), setting up a fall matchup with GOP nominee Mike Rogers and triggering urgent calls for Democrats to unite after a bitter intraparty fight. Food Safety & Supply Chains: FDA expanded its Cyclospora outbreak investigation to more states as cases top 6,000; in Michigan, two deaths are linked to the outbreak tied to recalled lettuce from Taylor Farms. Retail Food Safety: Chipotle and Qdoba removed jalapeños after salmonella-linked illnesses tied to a common lot spread across 27 states, including Michigan. Cybersecurity for Utilities: Federal investigators probe suspected cyberattacks on water systems; Michigan joined Minnesota in reporting hacks targeting control equipment, prompting manual operations. Manufacturing & Consumer Goods: WK Kellogg will remove artificial colors from Froot Loops and other cereals by end of 2027, switching to plant-based color sources. Auto Industry: Ford confirmed its next midsize EV truck will be called the Fathom, starting around $28,350. Energy & Data Centers: DTE Energy remains in focus as investors watch approved and pending hyperscale data center load that could boost demand. Education & Workforce Training: Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute won approval for an Architectural Carpentry & Preservation diploma program starting fall 2027. Local Business & Community: Mentavi Health added Leslie Stahlin as Account Executive to expand partnerships and growth.

Food Safety Watch: Cyclosporiasis tied to recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce has spread to 15 states, with 6,358 illnesses reported and Michigan reporting two deaths; FDA says the true case count is likely higher as investigations take weeks. Michigan Politics & Labor: Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, setting up a November matchup with Republican Mike Rogers and spotlighting the party’s progressive-versus-establishment split. Manufacturing & Jobs: Fairlife broke ground on a $650M Coopersville dairy expansion, adding up to 200 jobs and boosting milk processing capacity by 60%. Auto Supply Chain: Hydro will supply low-carbon, recycled-content aluminum from Cassopolis, Michigan for a GM Cadillac Optiq bumper system, aiming to cut embedded carbon. Health Facilities: UM Health–Sparrow broke ground on an $83M behavioral health building for children and teens, designed with more open, daylight-focused spaces. Great Lakes Infrastructure: The Gordie Howe bridge multi-use path opened for pedestrians and cyclists, adding a new tourism and commuting route between Detroit and Windsor.

Michigan Senate Primary: Abdul El-Sayed held a narrow lead over Haley Stevens as ballots were still being counted, underscoring a bruising left-versus-establishment fight that could shape Democrats’ direction well beyond Michigan. Food Safety & Supply Chains: Sysco will stop buying Mexican iceberg lettuce as the FDA/CDC investigate a cyclospora outbreak tied to two Michigan deaths, with Taco Bell and other brands affected by the recall fallout. Energy Infrastructure: A Vernon Village Board meeting will weigh American Transmission Co. plans for new utility lines and a potential substation site, with Wisconsin regulators set to hold a public hearing later this fall. Nuclear & Grid Reliability: Holtec signed a non-binding deal with Entergy and Hyundai Engineering & Construction to evaluate SMR-300 small modular reactor deployment for large-load customers in the Gulf South. Local Tech/Industry: A Michigan accelerator is helping businesses navigate tariff uncertainty, including cross-border support for startups in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Retail Automation & Law: A look at Michigan self-checkout “pseudo-automation” highlights how missed scans can still be treated differently under retail-fraud intent rules.

Michigan Consumer Protection: The Michigan Supreme Court overturned a long-running loophole, clearing the way for the state Consumer Protection Act to apply even when a business holds certain licenses—an AG-led win aimed at stopping deceptive pricing practices. Public Health & Food Supply Chains: Cyclosporiasis cases topped 10,000 nationwide, with two deaths reported in Michigan; health officials link the outbreak to iceberg lettuce tied to Mexico and distributed through Taylor Farms. Local Media Industry: E.W. Scripps is cutting 268 jobs nationwide as it shifts local TV operations toward streaming, centralized digital production, and automation, including stations in Detroit and Grand Rapids. Roads & Infrastructure Tech: PaveX won an NSF Phase I grant to develop vehicle-mounted AI sensing that helps public works agencies assess road conditions and plan repairs sooner. Metro Detroit Business Openings: A new wave of restaurants and bars opened across Metro Detroit in July, including a Detroit craft beer spot and new concepts in the suburbs. Elections Watch: Michigan’s high-stakes Democratic U.S. Senate primary is driving national attention as voters choose between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed.

Auto & Mobility: Ford and Lincoln are rolling out Autio’s location-based audio road trip guide inside select vehicles via the Ford/Lincoln Digital Experience, no phone or login needed. Local Business Expansion: Take 5 Oil Change opened its first Chesterfield location, pitching “pit stop fast” oil changes in about 10 minutes. Public Safety & Fire Services: Gear Wash acquired Detroit-based TurnoutManagement/TurnoutRental to expand NFPA 1850 PPE cleaning, inspection, repair and rental support across Michigan and the Midwest. Energy & Grid: Advantage Renewables bought three early-stage transmission-level battery storage projects in Michigan from 5 Rivers Energy, aiming to boost reliability and peak management. Great Lakes Policy: Michigan’s Supreme Court ordered regulators to reconsider the Line 5 oil pipeline tunnel permit under the Straits of Mackinac, citing gaps in how impacts and alternatives were weighed. Food Safety: Michigan confirmed two deaths tied to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak as cases surpassed 11,000, keeping pressure on food handling and tracing. Politics with Industry Stakes: Michigan’s Aug. 4 Senate primary pits Rep. Haley Stevens against Abdul El-Sayed, a contest national Democrats see as a referendum on the party’s direction. Sports Business (Detroit): Detroit Tigers traded ace Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers, with GM Scott Harris defending the return and timing.

Water Security: Federal investigators are tracking suspected Iranian-backed hackers after cyberattacks hit nine Michigan municipal water systems, including Lansing’s Board of Water and Light; officials say systems weren’t compromised and no public health impact was found, but experts warn funding gaps can leave utilities exposed. Food Safety: Michigan reported its first two deaths tied to the Cyclospora outbreak as cases surge past 11,000, with federal and state officials linking many illnesses to recalled iceberg lettuce while noting the recall may explain only part of the problem. Trade & Prices: A coalition of 25 states, including Michigan, sued the Trump administration over new tariffs, arguing they’re a pretext to replace import taxes struck down by the Supreme Court—raising new pressure on consumer and business costs. Energy & Industry: Michigan’s EV charging network keeps growing (560+ fast chargers, 1,700+ Level 2), but access still lags gas stations, leaving many residents farther from fast charging. Local Growth: Food Bank of Eastern Michigan plans a new Gaylord satellite warehouse to expand northern food access and reduce waste. Manufacturing Services: Angle Advisors announced Steadpoint Industrial Services acquired Northline Industrial, expanding MRO and robotic repair capacity. Environment & Jobs: Michigan Supreme Court action forces Line 5 tunnel permit reconsideration, likely extending delays for the Great Lakes pipeline project.

Auto & Safety: Stellantis issued a global recall for about 1.5 million Ram 1500 trucks (2019-2026) after a manufacturing oversight could loosen seatbelt anchors, with many units built at Sterling Heights. Energy & Environment: Michigan’s Supreme Court ordered regulators to redo the environmental review for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel project under the Straits of Mackinac, a major setback for the Great Lakes pipeline plan. Cybersecurity & Public Services: Detroit missed required translations during recent emergencies, according to the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, while the FBI continues investigating suspected cyberattacks on water systems reported across Michigan and other states. Agriculture & Labor: A bipartisan push led by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith urged administrative fixes to the H-2A guest worker program to cut delays and regulatory gaps affecting dairy, livestock, and specialty crops. Fresh Food & Retail: Edible Garden expanded a multi-year private label supply deal with a major Midwest big-box retailer through 2028, boosting fresh herb offerings across the region. Business Moves: Reliance Global Group signed a non-binding LOI to sell its Michigan-based Altruis Benefit Consulting unit for $11M cash. Local Economy: Michigan’s DNR confirmed the snowmobile trail permit fee will rise from $52 to $65 this winter for the next five years.

Energy & Environment: Michigan Supreme Court tossed regulators’ approval for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel permit, forcing a fresh environmental review and reigniting debate over Great Lakes protection and jobs. Cybersecurity & Water Infrastructure: Michigan joined Minnesota in reporting suspected Iranian-linked cyberattacks on municipal water systems; utilities shifted to manual operations, with no contamination reported as the FBI investigates. Food Safety: A cyclosporiasis outbreak keeps expanding in Michigan, while a separate egg recall tied to antibiotic-resistant Salmonella spans multiple states. Utilities & Cost Pressure: Utilities are seeking major rate hikes nationwide, with Midwest customers facing billions in proposed increases and data-center demand adding fuel to the fight over affordability. Auto & Defense Contracting: Ford is pursuing a U.S. Army tactical truck contract, aiming to build prototypes based on its Super Duty platform. Sports & Michigan Business Tie-In: The Dodgers’ blockbuster trade for Tigers ace Tarik Skubal sent three prospects to Detroit, underscoring how MLB’s economics keep driving controversy. Local Politics: Michigan GOP governor hopefuls made final primary pitches, setting up a tight contest over leadership style and outsider messaging.

Cybersecurity & Water Infrastructure: Michigan joined a widening FBI/EPA probe after reported hacks targeted water systems’ internet-connected control gear, with federal officials warning critical infrastructure could be at risk and Iran suspected. Manufacturing & Trade: A ProPublica report says northern Michigan border communities are getting squeezed as Trump’s tariff fight with Canada drags on, with local businesses feeling the hit while political voices stay quiet. AI & Skilled Trades: A Detroit-area training center is seeing apprentices pulled toward new data center work tied to major AI projects, highlighting both high pay and manpower strain. Public Health: Michigan remains ground zero for the Cyclospora outbreak, with cases still climbing as officials track a lettuce-linked spread. Sports Business: The Detroit Tigers traded ace Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers for three prospects, a major deadline move that reshapes Detroit’s next phase. Politics & Consumer Protection: Michigan agreed not to enforce its conversion therapy ban to comply with a Supreme Court ruling, setting up a fresh legal and policy fight.

Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity: Michigan joined Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on nine water systems, with the FBI investigating after federal warnings about Iranian-linked targeting of internet-exposed operational controls; officials say systems kept operating safely and no public health impacts were known. Energy & Environment Regulation: Michigan Supreme Court ordered regulators to redo analysis for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel permit, citing failures to consider environmental harm and how the project could extend pipeline life. Food & Farm Compliance: Michigan’s agriculture department is seeking public input on proposed updates to GAAMPs and GAPPs, including new guidance for greenhouses and indoor growing facilities. Manufacturing/Trade Enforcement: DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force topped $1 billion in recoveries and charged losses in under a year, signaling tougher enforcement against customs and supply-chain misdeclarations. Local Industry Community: Greater Lansing-area hazardous waste drop-offs return, offering residents a free way to dispose of household chemicals properly. Sports (Local Business Angle): The Detroit Lions signed linebacker Devin White to a one-year deal after an injury sidelined Jimmy Rolder.

MLB Trade Buzz: The Dodgers are reportedly circling Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal as the deadline nears, weighing what it would cost in prospects and role players to add a front-line starter. Workplace Safety: A Clinton County man turned himself in after a crash killed two MDOT workers in a U.S. 127 work zone; he faces multiple felony counts tied to reckless driving. Energy & Industry Regulation: EGLE approved air-quality permits for Marathon Petroleum’s Southwest Detroit refinery expansion, adding monitoring requirements after a recent flaring event. Courts & Consumer Protection: Michigan Supreme Court sided with AG Dana Nessel in the Eli Lilly insulin pricing fight, narrowing a key exception and clearing the way for an investigation. Labor Rights: Four Leo’s Coney Island franchises in metro Detroit must pay more than $500K in overtime back wages after a federal consent judgment. Food Safety: Cyclospora concerns continue to spread nationally, with Michigan case counts rising again and public health guidance urging smart produce handling rather than blanket avoidance. Maritime Workforce: Northern Lakes Economic Alliance and the Industrial Arts Institute won state maritime training grant funding to expand welding and fabrication programs for Great Lakes employers.

Great Lakes Energy & Environment: Michigan Supreme Court ordered the Michigan Public Service Commission to redo its review of the Enbridge Line 5 tunnel permit, saying regulators didn’t properly weigh environmental harms to public trust resources. Consumer Protection & Health Care: The Michigan Supreme Court cleared the way for Attorney General Dana Nessel to pursue insulin price-gouging and other consumer protection investigations. Food Safety & Fresh Supply Chains: Cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan topped 10,000 as officials traced a major outbreak to lettuce tied to Taylor Farms, driving shoppers to cut back on fresh produce. Housing Supply: Cadillac broke ground on Copper Trails, a new mid-priced development aimed at filling a gap between aging homes and high-end properties. Logistics & Industry: Universal Logistics Holdings reported Q2 profit of $26.2M on $379.3M revenue, a snapshot of trucking demand. Public Works & Planning: MDOT opened public comment on its draft 2027-2031 Five-Year Transportation Program through Aug. 31. Emergency Readiness: Sault Ste. Marie hosted Operation Iron Wave, a large multi-agency drill to strengthen regional response coordination.

Autonomous Mobility: Federal regulators cleared Amazon’s Zoox robotaxis to start charging riders, moving Michigan-relevant tech one step closer to vehicles operating without steering wheels and potentially even brake pedals. Local Infrastructure: Stevens Point approved right-of-way plats and temporary easements for a Business 51 reconstruction segment, a reminder that roadwork timelines hinge on municipal approvals. Workforce & Training: West Bloomfield Fire is using a state EMS workforce grant to fund tuition for 131 EMT/paramedic students at Oakland Community College, targeting southeast Michigan’s staffing crunch. Construction & Housing: Detroit’s I-75 Cap project is set to take next steps after a study, keeping attention on how major corridors reshape development. Energy & Industry: Michigan’s data-center build-out continues to draw scrutiny over grid and water impacts, with candidates and advocates pushing competing rules. Public Health: Michigan’s cyclospora outbreak keeps climbing past 10,000 cases, with supply-chain fragility and restaurant impacts still in focus. Business Moves: Paramount Roofing added David Mikho as a Metro Detroit sales rep, while Martell Electric named Kevin Wildfong president.