AGP Executive Report

Sex Health Access: Eastern Michigan University’s LGBT Resource Center is offering free, confidential STI testing (HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, Hep B) on July 30 and Aug. 27, 12–5 p.m., by appointment. Community Recognition: Goodwill Industries named Kalamazoo recovery coach Katherine Yale its International 2026 Achiever of the Year for rebuilding her life and supporting others. Arts for Youth: The Theatre Bug is spotlighting how kid-led performance builds belonging and confidence—plus a reminder that its K–12 programs run year-round. Local Food & Health Debate: Doctors are urging Yale’s Bologna Festival to limit attendance to adults, citing processed-meat cancer risk. Youth Creativity: Battle Creek’s Color the Creek hosts Youth Day Aug. 13 at Mill Race Park with spray-paint, tie-dye, mural help, and more. Public Health Watch: A national cyclosporiasis outbreak is changing what people buy and eat, with Michigan among the states seeing strong impact. Skin Cancer Reminder: Zeeland City Manager Tim Klunder’s melanoma death renews attention to summer sun safety and warning signs.

Community Philanthropy: Akshaya Patra’s Michigan chapter held its second annual Golf Classic at Farmington Hills Golf Course to fund its Mid-Day Meal Program in India, bringing together sponsors, volunteers, and golfers for a family-friendly day of giving. Immigration Enforcement: After a Zilwaukee traffic crash, ICE detained nine workers installing fiber optic cable in Saginaw Township; one driver missed an immigration hearing in Texas, and a protest drew local attention. Education & Rights: The Michigan Civil Rights Commission ruled a Traverse City salon violated state law by telling transgender and gender-nonconforming clients they weren’t welcome, and also found retaliation against the complainants. Food Access: Michigan WIC benefits are now accepted online at Meijer statewide, with pickup and delivery options. Arts & Culture: The John Lee Hooker Foundation returns to Detroit with a Life & Legacy Celebration at Aretha’s Jazz Café on Aug. 22, aiming to expand youth music and technology programs. Politics: Michigan’s Senate primary between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed remains a national flashpoint as outside spending pours in and both candidates campaign in Detroit.

Michigan Senate primary: Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed faced off in their final debate before the Aug. 4 vote, trading sharp attacks on aid to Israel, immigration enforcement, and corporate PAC money—while transparency and “outside spending” stayed front and center. Education & privacy: The U.S. Department of Education threatened enforcement and possible funding cuts against Ann Arbor Public Schools over alleged transgender privacy violations, while also acting against a Maryland district. Culture & community: The Detroit Institute of Arts is set to reopen with a major gift of 2,000 modern and contemporary works, and George Clinton’s Afrofuturist paintings are on view in Chicago. Local life: Lansing is revisiting the name of Cesar Chavez Avenue after allegations surfaced, and Fowlerville’s Family Fair returns for its 140th anniversary. Politics beyond Michigan: Trump’s Michigan rally included a heckler shouting “pedophile protector,” and he pivoted to “communist” rhetoric. Money & daily life: Powerball climbed to an estimated $663 million after the July 27 drawing went unclaimed.

Michigan Senate primary drama: Abdul El-Sayed says his “ogre on a pike” line was aimed at Sen. John Fetterman, not rival Haley Stevens, as the Aug. 4 showdown heats up and voters weigh issues like aid to Israel. Campaign trail in Milford: Trump used a GM stop to sell his economic record, tout ordered 250 Cadillac Escalades, and attack Democrats as “communists,” while protesters were removed. Voting rights fight: The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to pause lower-court blocks to a mail-voting overhaul tied to citizenship lists. Data centers vs. power: A new report argues Michigan and other states face a push-pull between data center growth and fast-built gas plants. Local education & community: Hazel Park’s superintendent is again on paid administrative leave after another board vote. Culture & arts: The Motown Museum is moving ahead with a $75M expansion for its 2027 reopening, and Ann Arbor musician Annick Odom released “Linen of Words.” Sports (local flavor): EMU baseball hired interim coach Trevor Beerman full-time, while EMU’s women’s golf standout Janae Leovao earned Golfweek All-American honors.

Michigan Politics: With Michigan’s Aug. 4 Senate primary one week out, Rep. Haley Stevens and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed square off tonight in a FOX 2 debate previewed for 7:30 p.m., as the race turns into a high-stakes fight over policy and identity. Campaign & Community: The same day, President Trump is set to visit GM’s Milford Proving Ground to tout tariffs and job growth while stumping for GOP candidates, underscoring how national politics is colliding with Michigan’s everyday life. Health & Everyday Life: A new national survey finds most Americans aren’t ready to escape a sinking vehicle, and a separate poll highlights young adults’ gaps in managing their own healthcare—both issues that hit families directly. Public Safety & Privacy: Flock’s expanding license-plate camera network faces growing backlash as privacy advocates push back on mass surveillance. Culture & Local Color: Traverse City’s Northwestern Michigan County Fair returns Aug. 9-15, celebrating agriculture, youth programs, and Up North tradition.

Community & Arts: MSU Horticulture Gardens launched its first Botanical Art Bar, turning the garden into a “third space” with pressed-flower bookmarks, collages, and botanical watercolors. Public Health & Safety: Neighbors United in Leslie raised money for firefighters battling cancer, citing higher exposure risks from modern smoke and toxic materials. Local Politics & Voting: In-person early voting is underway for Michigan’s Aug. 4 primary, with officials urging voters to stay in one party column to avoid rejected ballots. Courts & Immigration: A Macomb County man released after a decades-old murder conviction is now in ICE custody awaiting expulsion proceedings. Workplace Rights: Michigan Tech’s pregnancy-discrimination verdict against a professor was upheld on appeal. Culture & Lifestyle: A $250,000 Keno! ticket is set to expire soon—players have until the July 30 deadline to cash in. Sports: The Rays completed a sweep of the Guardians with a 1-0 win.

Local Governance & Privacy: Sterling Heights ordered its police chief to hand over Flock Safety license-plate reader logs ahead of a possible contract renewal, as residents and critics question how the data is used. Detroit Culture & Civic Pride: A Detroit-focused corporate sponsorship ends after 13 years, but the Rocket Classic’s local nonprofit impact—especially digital divide funding—lands as a reminder that place-based giving can outlast branding. Elections & Voting Rights: A Trump push to tighten voting rules and pressure states over “illegal voters” is framed as intimidation without proof, raising fears of federal overreach. Michigan Politics (Democratic Primary): Michigan’s Senate race between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed is increasingly shaped by party divides, with Israel policy emerging as a fault line for voters. Community & Relationships: The SASHA Center hosts “Culture Cures and History Heals” in Detroit, using basketball to teach healthy relationship skills and violence prevention. Lifestyle & Food: Metro Detroit restaurants roll out deals for National Chicken Finger Day, with local locations participating. Home & Environment: Michigan State University Extension urges gardeners to plant cool-weather cover crops to improve soil, curb weeds, and prevent erosion. Sports (Big Picture): LeBron James’ move to the 76ers boosts Philadelphia’s title odds as NBA parity talk continues.

Back-to-School Giving: Detroit Pistons forward Ron Holland II returned to Duncanville for a free “Ready for Greatness” event, handing out backpacks and supplies to about 1,000 students. Local Reparations & Education: Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan awarded reparations scholarships to 10 African American students, funded through community donations and aimed at closing the racial wealth gap. Public Safety & Grief: Authorities are investigating the deaths of an eight-person family, including six children, after a “suspicious” Grand Haven Township house fire; loved ones identified the victims and police are not seeking outside suspects. Immigration Enforcement Pushback: Hundreds marched in Chicago for a vigil honoring two men killed during separate ICE-related traffic stops, a direct rebuke of intensified immigration enforcement. University & Community Change: Western Michigan University President Russ Kavalhuna announced an “Administrative Redesign” to streamline operations and address a budget gap without layoffs. Sports Culture: Carson Hocevar won the Brickyard 400 pole, a Michigan-native moment that sets up Sunday’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Tech & Risk: An OpenAI safety incident involving an experimental AI agent is raising new cybersecurity questions for Michigan businesses adopting AI fast.

Michigan Senate Spotlight: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in the Aug. 4 Democratic U.S. Senate primary, backing the “get things done” pitch as she faces progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. WNBA Culture & Identity: The league’s All-Star moment is colliding with renewed debate over race, gender, and power, with players raising concerns about harassment and league leadership. Local Sports & Community: Alex Bowman says he’s chasing a “more positive note” after announcing retirement following the 2027 season, with health issues shaping his NASCAR run. Great Lakes Connection: The Gordie Howe Bridge opening is drawing mixed feelings in the Detroit-Windsor area, with locals linking the new crossing to the broader mood of trade and politics. Faith & Community Life: A Catholic replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus is drawing pilgrims in the Philippines, underscoring how devotion travels across oceans. Public Safety & Backlash: A Michigan father alleges death threats and racist insults after speaking out about his daughter’s experience competing against a transgender athlete in girls’ volleyball. Nature Watch: Monarch butterflies are beginning their late-summer migration cycle, with Michigan serving as a key breeding ground.

Michigan Politics: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s heated Democratic U.S. Senate primary, arguing Stevens will “get things done” as early in-person voting starts. Local Schools & Equity: Ferndale Public Schools is rolling out a secure carpool app (GoKid) to cut chronic absenteeism at University High School, where absence rates are far higher than the statewide average. Community Safety & Faith: Flint’s liquor-license fight over the former Cheers Market site continues as the state liquor commission waived a church objection, while neighbors and police dispute whether the new approval is safe. Metro Detroit Safety: Waterford Township police urged parents to talk e-bike rules after deadly crashes across the region, highlighting Michigan’s class and speed limits. Culture & Community Arts: Detroit youth performers are bringing a Motor City spin to “The Wiz: Reimagined” at Music Hall through the S.O.N.G. Project camp. Health Watch: The CDC expanded the cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded lettuce to four more states, including Michigan, with nearly 2,000 linked cases and dozens hospitalized. Sports & Identity: A Pekin grad turned stand-up comic is leaning into humor and politics on tour after a real-life incident inspired his “Bitch, I was born here” run.

Michigan Budget Watch: Gov. Whitmer signed her final $85B budget, boosting roads and education while shielding Medicaid and SNAP from new federal rules. School Funding Relief: Vandercook Lake Public Schools won a $19.7M state grant after two failed bond proposals, aiming to fix roofs, HVAC, and safety systems. Jazz & Youth Culture: The Michigan Jazz Festival returns with a free, youth-forward lineup and “Jazz Talks” spotlighting Detroit and Michigan jazz history. Detroit Arts & Film: Lil Rel Howery’s horror-comedy “Haunted Heist” shot at Berry Gordy Jr.’s former Detroit mansion, leaning into Motown-era atmosphere. Community & Education: A Detroit mother and education advocate discusses how Schools of Choice and community partnerships can reshape student outcomes. Tech & Local Tension: A proposed massive data center near sacred Selma march ground raises questions about long tax breaks and community impact. Infrastructure Milestone: The Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to open July 27, promising smoother Detroit-Windsor trade and travel. Public Safety & Prisons: Michigan corrections staffing concerns grow after Whitmer vetoes pension bills tied to officer retention. Sports Leadership: University of Michigan is fighting to keep athletic department investigation results private via attorney-client privilege.

Democratic Politics & 2028: The DNC meets in Washington to set the 2028 presidential primary calendar, deciding which states land in the early voting lineup—an early-momentum fight that could shape who rises fast. Michigan Elections & Civic Life: Trump is set to rally in Michigan next week as early in-person voting begins for the Aug. 4 primary, with Democrats battling for Senate and governor nominations. Immigration & Community Protest: In Saginaw, crosses honoring people who died in ICE custody were placed on the courthouse lawn, then removed for lack of a permit—another flashpoint in Michigan’s immigration debate. Food, Health & Schools: A cyclosporiasis outbreak is driving new school cafeteria precautions as cases spread across multiple states, including Michigan. Workforce & Youth Skills: Build Like a Girl brings hands-on construction trades to Northern Michigan students, aiming to widen career paths for girls. Faith & Detroit Culture: Thousands gathered for Detroit’s Rising from the Ashes Revival, including a city Eucharistic procession.

Detroit Youth Power: Detroit police detained 180+ minors during a June 22 fireworks “teen takeover,” while the city tries to shift from crackdowns to prevention with a youth advisory council and expanded Midnight Basketball—raising the big question of whether young people get real decision-making power or just a seat at the table. Michigan Politics: A CNN report spotlights the Michigan Senate primary’s internal fight: GOP Mike Rogers privately says he’d be “in good shape” if Abdul El-Sayed wins, arguing El-Sayed is “radical” and would cost Democrats in parts of western Michigan. Education & Culture: Gov. Whitmer’s “science of reading” push is making training mandatory for Michigan teachers, while a separate national debate keeps heating up over AI tools for teacher burnout. Food & Public Health: Michigan reports thousands of confirmed cyclospora cases, with experts stressing how little is still understood about the outbreak and why it’s so hard to study. Arts & Entertainment: “Motor City” lands as a loud, ’70s-soundtrack revenge thriller, and Graham Nash and Emmylou Harris add more metro-area dates for fans.

Education & Literacy: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new law requiring Michigan elementary teachers (K-5) who teach reading or language arts to complete “science of reading” training by 2031-32, aiming to lift early literacy as the state targets low proficiency rates. Elections & Voting Access: State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey introduced a bill to roll back Michigan’s universal no-excuse absentee voting, replacing it with excuse-required categories. Food & Public Health: A parasite outbreak tied to recalled lettuce has now spread across 41 states, with Michigan among the areas seeing cases as federal officials track multiple clusters. Community & Faith: Thousands of Catholics gathered in Detroit for the “Rising from the Ashes Revival,” including a large Eucharistic procession through the city. Agriculture & Climate Resilience: Michigan launched a NextGen crop insurance pilot that could reward regenerative soil practices with pricing tied to lower long-term risk. Public Safety: Michigan State Police will run free Teen Defensive Driving sessions in the Upper Peninsula in August. Local Development: Elberta leaders seek public input on a nine-acre Betsie Bay redevelopment plan with housing, public access, and a trail connection. Sports Culture: ESPN insiders preview the MLB trade deadline as teams hover between adding and waiting, with the Aug. 3 deadline looming.

Michigan Primary Prep: Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey urges voters to use early in-person voting starting Saturday for the Aug. 4 primary, with officials stressing the process is secure despite DOJ letters alleging poll problems. Food Safety Anxiety: A cyclospora outbreak tied to lettuce is widening to 27 states, with Michigan the hardest hit as health officials keep zeroing in on possible sources. Education & Literacy: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs Michigan’s final education budget, spotlighting major student literacy investments and “science of reading” training for teachers. Culture & Community: At the Estey Organ Museum, a surprise gift pays off a long-running mortgage, giving the historic site new room to tell its local music-making story. Music Spotlight: LP drops “Best In Life,” teasing the Sept. 2 album “Room 12,” while Trivium announces a North American tour that includes a stop in Grand Rapids. Sports & Local Pride: Owosso Speedway hosts the Masters of the Pros 200 with NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick and a Michigan-heavy field.

Education & Literacy: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed her final FY2027 education budget into law, boosting student literacy funding and continuing free school meals for Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students. Housing Policy: New Michigan laws create a low-income housing tax credit to expand affordable units and block investors from buying single-family homes. Local Schools: Detroit’s school board chair and vice chair won’t be on the November ballot after late campaign fee issues. Community & Culture: Detroit marks its 325th birthday with museum celebrations and neighborhood events tied to local history. Arts & Identity: West Edge Opera spotlights erased LGBTQ+ and interracial stories through productions that dig into who gets remembered. Music & Service: Tano Jones Revelry launches a Midwest and East Coast summer tour with a “Soup and Seeds” outreach effort partnering with food banks. Civic Life: Early voting postcard returns may help clerks flag address issues and improve voter roll accuracy. Politics Watch: Trump is set to rally in Oakland County ahead of Michigan’s Aug. 4 primary.