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Michigan extended an air quality alert statewide for Friday, July 17, due to wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota. Air quality readings are forecast to be especially unhealthy in the southern Lower Peninsula, with levels potentially reaching hazardous. Residents are urged to take safety precautions.
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that police cannot trick suspects into waiving their right to an attorney during questioning. The decision came in the murder case of Daren Fenderson, whose Miranda rights were violated when Detroit police ignored his request for an attorney. The ACLU of Michigan praised the ruling.
This commentary argues that the University of Michigan should release the findings of investigations into former football coach Sherrone Moore and athletic director Warde Manuel to move forward transparently. It contends that withholding the report undermines trust and that the school must make a clear decision about Manuel's future.
The University of Michigan paid over $12 million for a third-party investigation into the firing of former head football coach Sherrone Moore and athletic department culture. Invoices show law firm Jenner & Block received nearly $200,000 through May 31, 2026. The report found UM overlooked warning signs before Moore's firing over an affair with his executive assistant.
The Michigan Bureau of Elections recommended sending a petition to ban political donations from monopoly utilities and large state contractors to the Legislature for possible November ballot placement. The Board of State Canvassers will consider the recommendation on July 24.
Wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires has pushed air quality to hazardous levels in Detroit and Chicago, with Washington, D.C. also reaching code purple. Over 100 million people across 18 US states are under air quality alerts. Health officials urge residents to stay indoors and wear N95 masks.
Air quality alerts were canceled for 16 southern Michigan counties on Saturday morning as conditions improved. However, the eastern and western Upper Peninsula still reported 'very unhealthy' readings. Officials warn air quality will decline again on Sunday.
Michigan's Board of State Canvassers will review the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics petition on Friday, assessing signature sufficiency amid a challenge alleging forgery. Organizers submitted over 562,000 signatures; 356,958 valid are needed for the November ballot. The initiative would ban utility and contractor campaign contributions.
The Michigan Public Service Commission authorized an investigation into DTE Energy and Consumers Energy after widespread outages left over 500,000 without power for days following a July 3 storm. The commission received more than 1,500 customer complaints, and the outages are exacerbated by intense heat and smoke from Canadian wildfires.
This commentary argues that the Michigan Democratic Senate primary between moderate Haley Stevens and progressive Abdul El-Sayed mirrors a national pattern where establishment candidates defeat progressive outsiders. The author contends that El-Sayed's left-wing positions and controversial associations may hinder his campaign, despite progressive endorsements.