AGP Executive Report

Fall Getaways: Northern Michigan short-term rentals are tracking toward a record autumn, with more than 100,000 reservation nights projected for the northwest Lower Peninsula—up about 37% in four years. Outdoor Michigan: Hikers on the North Country Trail spotted stranded lake sturgeon in the Ontonagon River; DNR crews and partners rescued 27 fish and moved them to flowing water. South Haven: City leaders approved a five-year economic development plan that credits tourism’s recovery, while also flagging housing and workforce shortages as challenges to year-round growth. Isle Royale: Autumn’s colorful forests make the remote national park a standout foliage trip, but boat access is seasonal and ferry service winds down in September and October, so check schedules before going.

Festival Getaways: A look at immersive weekend escapes points to Michigan’s Electric Forest as an example of festivals that turn the grounds into the destination. Airport Access: CBP plans to open a Global Entry and Trusted Traveler enrollment office at Detroit Metro Airport’s McNamara Terminal, adding a convenient option for travelers. Trail Hospitality: North Country Trail volunteers are offering weary hikers a place to rest, highlighting the community spirit along Michigan’s long-distance route. Fall Outings: Pure Ludington is showcasing seasonal October attractions, while a guide to Michigan’s spooky spots offers ideas beyond haunted houses. Local Discovery: A Charlotte farm drawing visitors from across the country spotlights agritourism, and Michigan’s Native American trails offer another way to explore the state’s history and outdoors.

Fall Skywatching: Michigan is among the states with a chance to see the northern lights this weekend, offering an extra reason to head outdoors after dark. Airport Travel: Detroit Metro Airport is set to open a Global Entry enrollment and Trusted Worker office in its McNamara Terminal, adding a convenient option for travelers. Hiking: North Country Trail volunteers near Alto are giving weary hikers a place to rest, resupply and hear local trail stories. Autumn Getaways: Kent County’s new interactive fall-color guide and Pure Ludington’s October offerings point visitors toward seasonal outings across the state. Halloween Plans: A roundup of Michigan activities beyond haunted houses offers more ways to make a spooky-season trip.

Northern Lights: Michigan is among the states with the best chance to see the aurora this weekend, with NOAA forecasting geomagnetic activity and dark skies helping skywatchers. East Lansing Events: More than 10,000 people lined Grand River Avenue Friday for Michigan State’s homecoming parade, bringing alumni and community groups together downtown. Detroit Metro: A new Global Entry enrollment office opens Oct. 13 in the McNamara Terminal, giving travelers another place to complete required in-person interviews. Upper Peninsula Outdoors: The Forest Service is paying up to $110 per bushel for eligible red pine cones collected on Hiawatha National Forest land through Nov. 25, offering a seasonal reason to explore the area.

Great Lakes Cruises: Victory Cruise Lines is back on the Great Lakes with two ships, Victory I and Victory II. A recent review highlights comfortable interiors and strong onboard dining on Victory II. Fall Color Watch: Cadillac-area foliage is forecast to peak around Oct. 19–22, with Missaukee and Osceola counties expected to turn first. Accessible Boating: Caseville Municipal Harbor has unveiled a boarding station designed to help people with disabilities and mobility challenges get onto boats. Getting Around Metro Detroit: I-696 closes between I-75 and M-10 this weekend for a major traffic shift; allow extra time and check detours.

New Outdoor Escape: Sugar Loaf Scenic Area in Leelanau County opens as a public nature preserve Friday, with hiking, biking, sledding and snowshoeing; downhill skiing won’t return. Accessible Grand Rapids: Paralympic gold medalist Anastasia Pagonis found a hands-on museum visit and an adventure-focused itinerary in the city, planned with accessibility listings from Wheel the World. Protecting Michigan Waters: North Country Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area reached 1,418 people this year with advice for anglers: clean, drain and dry gear to help stop invasive species from spreading between lakes and streams.

Outdoor Adventure: Baraga County’s annual ATV Wilderness Adventure took riders past waterfalls, a historic trestle and Mt. Arvon, with fall colors adding to the seven-hour backcountry trip. Next year’s ride is set for Oct. 2. Camping Costs: Oscoda Township is defending a $500 seasonal rate increase at Old Orchard Park for 2027, citing rising operating costs and the need to maintain the campground. Upper Peninsula: Searchers are looking for the iconic Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park entrance sign after it was stolen. Fall Getaways: Michigan’s autumn lineup includes a Harvest Festival at Tawas Point State Park, scenic drives along the Tunnel of Trees and seasonal events drawing visitors to lakeshore communities.

Park News: Rangers are searching for the iconic Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park entrance sign after it was stolen, a loss for a well-known Upper Peninsula destination. Fall Getaways: Kent County has launched an interactive fall-color tour guide, while coverage also points visitors to Michigan’s Native American trails and the scenic Tunnel of Trees. Things to Do: Tawas Point State Park’s Harvest Festival and New Buffalo’s Beach Glass BrewFest offer seasonal outings this weekend. Camping Reminder: Starting in 2027, untreated firewood from outside Michigan will be barred from the state, a rule campers should plan for.

Air Travel: Computer outages disrupted Delta and United flights across the country, a timely warning for Michigan travelers flying through Detroit. Delta is also adding a Detroit–Athens nonstop, expanding future international options. Fall Outings: Kent County has launched an interactive guide for fall-color trips, while Tawas Point State Park’s Harvest Festival and New Buffalo’s Beach Glass BrewFest offer weekend reasons to get out and explore. Camping Update: Starting Jan. 1, 2027, untreated firewood from outside Michigan will be prohibited, so campers should plan to buy wood locally.

Great Lakes Cleanup: Michigan commits $89 million to clean up the state’s waterways, including major Detroit River PCB remediation tied to recreation and outdoor access. Fall Family Fun: Tawas Point State Park hosts its Harvest Festival (Oct. 9-10) with lighthouse tours, hayrides, and a new lighted lantern hike. PFAS Update: Wurtsmith Restoration Advisory Board meetings highlight a PFAS data gap investigation as part of the next steps in the cleanup process in Oscoda Township. Election Watch (Michigan): Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson enters the final stretch for governor against John James, while Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed gains mainstream Democratic support ahead of Nov. 3. Travel & Events: Tour America and Cruise Holidays report 5,000+ attendees at Dublin’s Red Cow Sale Day, with major cruise partners including Visit Detroit. Road Safety: A Saginaw man was killed and two women seriously injured in a Tuscola County crash, underscoring fall travel caution.

Diesel & gas watch: Osceola County’s lowest reported diesel hit $6.59/gal (week ending Sept. 26), with a county average of $6.78; Chippewa County’s cheapest premium was $5.49/gal, while Michigan’s premium averaged $6.03. Tourism planning: Negaunee is sharing results from an MSU Extension “First Impressions Tourism” assessment, with a public forum set for Oct. 26. Local food culture: Pierogi makers keep a generations-old tradition alive, with National Pierogi Day on Oct. 8. Road-trip fuel for visitors: Michigan commits $89M to clean up waterways, supporting Great Lakes recreation and travel. Outdoor & travel inspiration: A guide highlights date ideas in Detroit Lakes, from hiking at Detroit Mountain to lakefront dining. Adventure & attractions: RCI Adventure Products traces how Michigan-founded ropes-course tech scaled worldwide. Auto & travel vibes: AutoPacific’s 2026 tire satisfaction awards name Nexen, Nitto and Pirelli as top picks. Community events: Craft on Main Street type programming continues, including a free Oct. 10-11 craft festival listing.

Northern Michigan Baseball: MSU and U-M brought their fall exhibition rivalry to Traverse City, splitting two seven-inning segments (U-M won 6-0, MSU bounced back 6-4), with coaches calling the trip a great way to showcase teams in a “gorgeous” Northern Michigan setting. Mid-Michigan Small Business: The U.S. Chamber’s Free Enterprise Express Opportunity Tour stopped in Grand Blanc, where Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet highlighted how red tape and regulations can drain small businesses’ time and energy. Haunted Tourism: Coldwater launched the Haunted History Trail of Michigan, a self-guided, eight-stop experience across both peninsulas with a haunted-events calendar to help travelers plan seasonal visits. Local Redevelopment: Stevensville won $733,250 from the EPA to demolish the long-abandoned Anstey Foundry and clean up the site for new development. Family Safety & E-Mobility: A 9-year-old was struck by an e-moto while getting off a school bus in Farmington Hills, raising questions about how Michigan classifies and enforces rules for newer electric vehicles. Sports on the Move: Michigan Tech earned weekly honors in hockey and volleyball, with Van Blaricom named CCHA Forward of the Week and Zurek taking GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week again. Detroit Politics & Travel: Obama is set to rally in Detroit with Abdul El-Sayed and Jocelyn Benson on Oct. 24, a major event likely to draw visitors during early voting.

Michigan Fall Fun: Dexter Cider Mill in Dexter is celebrating 140 years as the longest continually operating mill in Michigan, with family-run traditions behind its cider and doughnuts. Road-Trip Planning: Rightway Parking ranked the most stressful U.S. airports using flight delays/cancellations and drive time—O’Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth top the list, a reminder to build extra buffer time for connections. Outdoor Access Update: The Michigan DNR is nearing completion on upgrades at Gourdneck State Game Area in Portage County, including improved parking and ADA-friendly access; expect some trail closures near Hampton Lake while work wraps. Weekend Ideas for Visitors: A new roundup highlights small places that feel bigger—featuring Michigan’s Mackinac Island for its car-free charm, packed downtown, and huge state park for easy biking and multi-day exploring. Local Safety Note: A fatal crash was reported near M-66 and Evergreen Road by Merrill Lake, with investigators still working to determine the cause.

WWII History: Freeland, Michigan-born Lt. Aleda E. Lutz—raised speaking German and English—served as an Army Nurse Corps flight nurse, helping evacuate wounded from North Africa during WWII. Flood & Driving Safety: Foley, Alabama saw heavy rain trigger localized flooding and road closures, including East Michigan Avenue and County Road 12; officials urged residents to avoid travel, especially overnight. Detroit Travel/Flights: A new Cirium-based analysis says major U.S. airports are cutting December seats to New York, with Detroit (DTW) down about 15.5% vs last year—useful for Michigan travelers planning winter trips. Local Tourism Planning: Huron-Manistee National Forest is running voluntary, anonymous “Traffic Survey Ahead” interviews through Sept. 30, 2027 to gauge recreation use and spending. Road Rules (Michigan): A Troy man was arrested after police said he drove 108 mph in a 40 mph zone while drunk. Outdoor Recreation: Michigan’s Huron-Manistee visitors can help shape future services by sharing where they recreated and how satisfied they were.

Rail Safety: A man was killed after being struck by a northbound train near Michigan Avenue in Osceola County, Florida; troopers say the conductor applied the emergency brake but couldn’t stop in time, and the case remains under investigation. Local Governance: A Michigan explainer breaks down how millages are calculated and how the Headlee Amendment can force local property-tax rates to roll back over time. Travel & Tourism (Fall): Sheboygan-area and nearby Wisconsin spots are highlighted for peak fall-color views, including the Sheboygan Breakwater Lighthouse and the Broughton Sheboygan Marsh Park Tower. Active Transportation Safety: Metro Detroit doctors warn that injuries from electric bikes and scooters are rising among youth, with head/neck injuries a major concern—pushing more helmet use and local rules. Missing Person (Travel Impact): A six-month update keeps attention on Lynette Hooker, a Michigan mother who vanished during a sailing trip in the Bahamas. Detroit Culture: A feature looks at how Detroit post-punk Protomartyr recruited Kelley Deal and continues to defy expectations.

Pediatric Health & Access: A new Medicaid study finds kids’ access to sleep apnea testing varies wildly by location, with some states seeing rates up to four times higher than others—an issue for families planning care in Michigan and beyond. Michigan Politics: In Flint, a heckler was escorted out during Abdul El-Sayed’s closing argument, and clips sparked right-wing spin before the crowd’s reaction was clarified. Travel & Safety: Metro Detroit is seeing early flu activity in Wayne, Oakland, and Washtenaw, with health officials urging families to check vaccination timing and where to get care. Air Travel Watch: Delta’s long nonstop Boston–Honolulu route has been cut back sharply after launch, a reminder that Hawaii travel schedules can change fast. Family Gun Safety: U-M research highlights that many parents keep firearms unsecured, tying into a recent Canton daycare incident where a loaded handgun was pulled from a backpack. Road Trip/Outdoors: A Michigan test drive shows how slow, efficient driving can stretch an electric pickup’s range dramatically—useful for planning longer trips. Local News: A 65-year-old woman died in a crash at a busy Lapeer County intersection in Columbiaville. Travel Gear: Detroit-based TAKE OFF Luggage launched a personal-item suitcase designed to fit airline sizers without forcing travelers into pricier carry-ons.