AGP Executive Report

9/11 Remembered in Dearborn: The city marked the 25th anniversary with a war memorial ceremony featuring both Christian and Muslim leaders, reflecting on the backlash Arab Americans and Muslims faced after the attacks. AI and Youth Jobs: Michigan U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed drew a packed MSU town hall where students pressed for guardrails on AI, calling it an “existential risk” for jobs and healthcare. Midterm Money in Michigan: A Trump-linked GOP super PAC and Elon Musk’s network are reserving major TV ad time in battleground states, including Michigan, as the Senate race heats up. Community Safety Online: The DEA warned that drug dealers are using social media to target teens, pushing parents to learn device settings and warning signs. Metro Detroit Weekend Picks: A warm, mostly dry September weekend is packed with outdoor plans, including the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and major music festivals. Local Arts + Education: MSU’s Bogue Street Records is launching a student-artist incubator to produce new albums through the 2026-27 school year. Public Health Watch: West Nile Virus was confirmed in Ottawa County, with officials urging mosquito-bite prevention. Sports Spotlight: Riley Greene’s three hits and Dillon Dingler’s homer powered the Tigers’ 6-2 win over the Rockies.

Politics & Safety: Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed hit back after a man at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas yelled “He should be shot,” with Republicans including Mike Rogers and others using the moment to attack El-Sayed’s ties and rhetoric. Immigration & Community Impact: A Van Buren foster family says ICE surveillance and operations disrupted their lives after they reported being told police wouldn’t respond during ICE activity, underscoring how enforcement can ripple into everyday faith and school routines. Education & Demographics: New state enrollment snapshots show sharp swings in student diversity at individual Michigan schools, including Dearborn STEM Middle (2 Hispanic students, 1.2%), Holt’s Sycamore Elementary (57 multiracial, 16.4%), and South Redford’s John D. Pierce Middle (453 African American, 78.5%). Culture & Memory: Multiple Michigan outlets marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with reflections on what’s changed—and what’s at risk of being forgotten. Local Arts & Community: Lick the Plate radio marked 2,000 shows with the Scottville Clown Band, celebrating Michigan’s long-running music-and-community culture. Sports (Detroit): The Detroit Lions open Sunday at home against the Saints, aiming to turn last season’s missed expectations into a fresh start.

Politics & Culture Clash: At the GOP midterm convention in Dallas, Trump put himself at the center of the campaign while Michigan’s Senate race stayed in the spotlight—Mike Rogers attacked Abdul El-Sayed as “sympathetic to terrorists,” and Ted Cruz’s speech drew heckling shouts of “he should be shot” after naming El-Sayed and other Democrats. Civic Safety: In New Baltimore, an ICE operation near schools prompted an “out of an abundance of caution” district alert; police later said there was no active threat. After-School Equity: Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced $2.2M to expand the free GOAL Line after-school program to seven new sites, adding about 1,000 students citywide. Education & Community: Grand Rapids’ Literacy Center of West Michigan won a $100,000 national Library of Congress literacy prize. Local Mental Health: Washtenaw County reported a 12% drop in suicide deaths from 2024 to 2025, the lowest since 2018. School Demographics (Michigan): New enrollment snapshots show shifting student populations across districts, including Asian enrollment changes at Sharon J. Hardy Elementary and Hispanic enrollment shifts in Charlevoix County schools.

Politics & Culture: A new Pew analysis maps how the U.S. electorate’s racial and ethnic makeup is shifting heading into 2026, a backdrop for Michigan’s own high-stakes campaigns. Michigan Politics: In the race for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, Republican Mike Rogers is attacking Democrat Abdul El-Sayed over 9/11-era posts, while critics point to Rogers’ past votes against benefits for 9/11 first responders. Public Safety: A structure fire damaged the historic Lochmoor Club in Grosse Pointe Woods; officials urged residents to avoid the area while crews worked. Education & Community Demographics: Michigan Department of Education enrollment snapshots show changing student populations at local schools, including Wylie Elementary (25 Hispanic students, 5.1%), Kingsley Montgomery (5 Hispanic students, 9.6%), and Hamtramck Academy (60 African American students, 10.9%). Justice & Accountability: Sixteen former University of Michigan hockey players filed a federal lawsuit alleging sexualized hazing was routine from 1984–2001, with claims that coaches knew and enabled it. Arts & Local Life: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre kicks off its 100th anniversary centennial season with a mix of legacy favorites and new shows. Tech & Identity: A feature revisits how a trans engineer, Lynn Conway, helped drive smartphone-era tech—only to be fired by IBM after being outed.

Michigan Higher Ed & Culture: U-M’s new $141M College of Pharmacy building opens with a ribbon-cutting, aiming to bring pharmacy and medical communities closer for teaching and collaboration. Campus Safety & Accountability: A new federal lawsuit alleges sexualized hazing “torture” was routine on U-M’s men’s hockey team from 1984–2001, with claims that coaches and staff knew and covered it up. Community & Faith: A coalition of liberal Jewish leaders in Michigan is urging Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed to change how he criticizes Israel, saying certain language feeds antisemitic stereotypes. Education & Demographics: Michigan’s school enrollment continues shifting: one Grand Haven-area elementary (Griffin) shows a drop to 244 white students, while multiple local school snapshots highlight changing racial and ethnic mixes across districts. Local Life: Firefighters battled a major blaze at the historic Lochmoor Club in Grosse Pointe Woods; no injuries were reported. Sports & Youth: Howell High’s enrollment data underscores how school sports and student life remain tightly linked to community identity. Politics Watch: Republicans kick off a two-day “Trump-a-Palooza” midterm convention in Dallas, betting Trump’s spotlight can boost turnout as election forecasts look tough.

Education & Equity: Michigan’s third-grade reading scores keep sliding, with just 38.2% proficient in English Language Arts on the latest M-STEP—lowest in 12 years—while fourth through seventh grade reading also dips, renewing pressure for steady, system-wide improvement. Local Schools Snapshot: New state enrollment data show shifting demographics in individual districts, including a jump in Asian enrollment at Galewood Early Elementary (2.1%) and rising multiracial enrollment at John R. Kment Elementary (11.8%), alongside tiny counts at some schools. Food & City Life: Detroit will host the inaugural MICHELIN Guide America Great Lakes ceremony in 2027 at Michigan Central Station, putting local dining on an international spotlight. Politics & Community Safety: A Michigan Jewish coalition called “Nonnegotiable Michigan” is urging U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed to commit to “baseline community needs,” centering Jewish safety and respect amid Israel-related rhetoric. Environment & Governance: Gov. Whitmer says Michigan will reconsider EGLE permits for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel after the state Supreme Court ruling, and she’s pushing Enbridge toward alternatives. Community Service: For 9/11 National Day of Service, Michigan’s Community Service Commission funded 13 groups to mobilize 3,000 volunteers statewide. Business & Neighborhood Investment: Fifth Third is committing $20M to Detroit neighborhoods through its Neighborhood Program, with a focus on measurable outcomes. Culture & Sports Media: The PWHL and Scripps Sports announced a national TV deal for 2026-27, with Detroit’s local station included.

School Meals & Access: Vermont tops a new national “State of School Lunch” ranking, with Michigan officials highlighting how expanded free meals and literacy support are still meeting real-world test-score struggles. Education Equity Watch: A fresh batch of Michigan school enrollment snapshots shows persistent racial imbalance at the building level, from mostly white early childhood sites to tiny counts of American Indian and Hawaiian students—while multiracial enrollment shifts in places like Dickinson County. Higher Ed Affordability: New federal loan caps are pushing more Michiganders toward tuition-free options like Michigan Reconnect, with eligibility now starting at age 21. Great Lakes Water Safety: The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project says it may have to shut down without renewed funding, despite years of drowning tracking and community training. Immigration Enforcement Fight: Colorado AG Phil Weiser backs a court fight over ICE warrantless arrests, arguing statutory safeguards aren’t being followed. Politics & Culture Clash: Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed faces fresh scrutiny tied to remarks from a mosque imam about voting, sexuality, and Jews—fueling debate over religion and public life.

Live-to-film culture: Twilight In Concert is back for an expanded 2027 U.S. tour, bringing the movie to more than 60 cities with a 12-piece rock-and-orchestra ensemble. Politics & turnout: A Wall Street Journal warning says Trump could cost Republicans the Senate, as forecasts tighten into a toss-up. Michigan education snapshot: New state enrollment counts show sharp racial shifts at local schools, from Spring Lake Middle (Asian students 1.2%) to Harper Woods Middle (multiracial students 0.6%) and Riverview Virtual Academy (African American students 10%). Health messaging: Cleveland Diagnostics’ “A PSA on PSA” prostate-cancer awareness campaign adds urologist-to-urologist video conversations aimed at men and underserved communities. Community life: Mom2Mom sales are booming in Michigan as parents hunt for affordable kids’ gear, often via church and online resale events. Public safety: Two 13-year-old boys remain in critical condition after an e-bike crash on Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Township.

Education & Demographics: Michigan’s school enrollment snapshots keep showing uneven shifts, from Grandville South Elementary’s multiracial count rising to 15 (5.2%) to Lenawee County’s 635 multiracial students (4.6%) and scattered changes across districts like East Jackson Secondary (3 Asian students, 0.8%) and Lincoln Elementary (1 American Indian student, 0.3%). Higher Ed Outcomes: Washtenaw County’s six-year bachelor’s completion for Black students is 46.1%, while Saginaw Valley State University’s two-or-more-races rate lands at 40% (down from 54% for an earlier cohort). Roads & Everyday Life: Michigan’s pay-per-mile road funding pilot moves into planning, with drivers in Grand Rapids raising concerns about tracking miles. Politics & Community: Rep. Hillary Scholten posted on tariffs, hate speech, and political violence, calling for rejecting hate in Michigan politics. Local Culture: Gov. Whitmer joined the Mackinac Bridge Walk for her final Labor Day trek. Remembering & Accountability: A Cadillac man is pushing for a memorial tied to North Fox Island abuse victims. Sports & Events: Marquette Marathon hit record numbers near 1,700 racers, and Hamtramck’s Labor Day festival filled Corktown-adjacent streets with parade energy.

Election & faith politics: Michigan AG Dana Nessel told Jewish Democrats their “survival” may be negotiable, invoking Esther and arguing Jewish priorities should extend to saving “the rest of humanity,” a message that’s already drawing sharp debate. Money & power in elections: A new report says crypto and AI interests backed candidates across the 2026 midterms, with super PAC spending and high primary win rates raising questions about who’s shaping policy agendas. Local civic life: Detroit pastor Lorenzo Sewell criticized progressive candidates for “virtue-signaling” to Christian voters, framing faith as a major political battleground. Mental health access: A University of Michigan poll finds nearly 70% of adults over 50 have never heard of 988, even though many say they’d use a crisis line if they knew about it. Education & demographics: Michigan school enrollment snapshots show shifting student mixes—like St. Johns’ Asian share at 0.8% and Cesar Chavez High at 95.9% Hispanic—while broader results keep pointing to persistent achievement gaps. Community & culture: Crestline’s Harvest Festival kicks off Sept. 17 with local music acts including Lexington’s Sorelle, plus food and family events. Everyday life: MDARD issued Labor Day food-safety reminders for cookouts and tailgates, stressing safe temperatures and avoiding cross-contamination.

Public Safety & Community Accountability: Activists are rallying for answers in the 2023 Detroit murder of Christian Jordan, with Crime Stoppers offering up to $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest. Local Politics & Accountability: Rep. Lisa McClain says she backs embattled Rep. Max Miller, urging the GOP to “let the process play out” amid abuse allegations from former partners. Education & Demographics: Michigan school enrollment snapshots show sharp ethnic concentration at specific schools—Cesar Chavez Academy Intermediate is 93.2% Hispanic, Carman-Ainsworth High is 60.4% African American, and Malow Junior High is 81.7% white—while statewide results keep pointing to persistent achievement gaps. Culture & Community Events: North Michigan’s Sept. 6-12 entertainment calendar spotlights local libraries, book clubs, and church-based gatherings. Sports (Michigan-adjacent): Christopher Bell breaks through for his first 2026 win at Darlington’s Southern 500, vaulting up the NASCAR standings.

Education Equity Watch: At Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo County’s Black/African American six-year bachelor’s completion rate was 42.1% by 2024, below the statewide 45%, with many non-completers transferring or leaving the school. Back-to-School Demographics: New state enrollment snapshots show shifting student mixes—Lamphere High added African American students (108, 14.3%), Comstock High rose Hispanic enrollment (32, 8.9%), and several schools logged tiny but notable changes like one Hawaiian student at Forest Grove Elementary. Dual Enrollment Push: Michigan is rolling out $40M in new dual-enrollment funding aimed at boosting participation, especially for economically disadvantaged students and students of color. Arts for the Working Class: Detroit’s Union Hall Arts residency gave union members four weeks and a $4,000 stipend to make art—an effort to protect creativity from nonstop work schedules. Sports Culture Moment: Michigan escaped Western Michigan after a controversial clock/replay call, reigniting debate about how timing works in big-time broadcasts.

Campus Policy & Mental Health: University of Michigan will hide first-semester letter grades for incoming 2027 freshmen, shifting to pass/no credit on external transcripts to ease a “mental health crisis,” but students are split on whether it helps or softens accountability. Public Safety & Weather Recovery: Metro Detroit communities are still cleaning up after severe storms and three confirmed tornadoes, with crews restoring power to tens of thousands and residents assessing damage to homes, churches, and small businesses. Election Tech Backlash: “Flock” license-plate camera networks are becoming a campaign flashpoint, with activists and candidates pushing bans or warrant requirements over fears of mass surveillance. Culture & Community Events: Western Michigan’s Bronco Bash welcomed students back with a record-sized festival and expanded outreach, including LGBT Student Services programming. Local Education Snapshot: New state data show shifting student demographics in Michigan schools, including a drop in multiracial enrollment at Three Rivers High School and a rise in Asian enrollment at Carter Middle School. Sports & Identity in the Spotlight: National college football culture debates keep spilling over, from controversial “gator bait” cheer returns to Michigan’s own season opener coverage.

Youth & Outdoors: A new “youth resilience” cycling and hiking program, the 906 Adventure Team, is finishing its first summer season in Petoskey and Gaylord, expanding its no-racing, skills-first approach that builds confidence and community. Community Safety & Language Access: Grand Rapids held its first Spanish-language CERT Level 1 emergency response training, aiming to reduce language barriers so more neighbors can help in the first minutes of a crisis. Education Snapshot (Michigan schools): Vicksburg Pathways High School enrolled 104 white students in 2024-25 (82.5% of 126 total), while Harmon Elementary had 19 Hispanic students (6% of 317). Bullock Creek Middle School reported 4 American Indian students (1.1% of 348), and Pine Avenue Elementary had 226 white students (85.3% of 265). Local Culture & Identity: Detroit honored longtime interfaith leader Imam Abdullah El-Amin with a street sign unveiling, spotlighting community service as anti-Muslim sentiment rises around the Sept. 11 anniversary. Sports & Lifestyle: Car and Driver tested EV vs hybrid vs gas on a Michigan road trip, comparing cost and travel time across similar routes.

Michigan Education: Third-grade reading proficiency in Michigan keeps sliding, with just 38.2% proficient in English Language Arts on the latest M-STEP—while Detroit Public Schools shows improvement locally, even as it still trails statewide early literacy rates. Higher Ed Access: Several Michigan colleges are rolling out 3-year bachelor’s pathways to cut time and cost, and MiLEAP released new research aimed at smoothing transfer between schools. Politics & Democracy: Michigan voters will decide two statewide ballot questions in November—one on a new constitutional convention and another limiting donations from some utilities and big contractors. Queer Culture: A new look at Michigan’s queer political power traces how LGBTQ+ influence has surged and faced setbacks over 50 years, with 2026 framed as a potential turning point. Detroit Community Life: A major storm left heavy damage in Detroit’s eastside neighborhoods, with residents dealing with outages and debris during recovery. Local Arts & Community: Detroit’s Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue will host journalist Bankole Thompson in October, tying his book on hope to the legacy of Samantha Woll. Food & Lifestyle: A Labor Day grilling survey spotlights Michigan favorites like burgers and baked beans.

Education & Demographics: New Michigan Department of Education enrollment snapshots show shifting student populations, from 108 Hispanic students in Osceola County districts (up 11.3%) to 422 Hispanic students at Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy (up 22.7%). School-by-school diversity: Sayre Elementary in South Lyon enrolled 12 Asian students (down 29.4%), while Westwood High in NICE Community Schools had 11 American Indian students (2.9% of enrollment). Childcare & Private Equity: A new study looks at whether private equity ownership helps or hurts childcare, noting private equity-backed centers employ about 12% of Michigan’s childcare workforce. Politics & Community: A Politico report says some Republicans want Trump to skip certain midterm campaigns, while Michigan’s Senate race debate schedule is set for Oct. 8 (Grand Rapids) and Oct. 21 (Southfield). Culture & Food: Bel US announced a partnership with NASCAR driver Riley Herbst and Terrible’s convenience stores, bringing Babybel and The Laughing Cow to new distribution.