AGP Executive Report

Outdoor Adventure: Antrim’s Chain of Lakes Water Trail drew 200+ paddlers for the 11th Annual Paddle Antrim Festival (Sept. 18-20), with 50 completing the full 42-mile Ellsworth-to-Elk Rapids route and new Hall of Fame paddlers honored. Local Development: Mount Clemens is seeing a downtown momentum boost, with millions in public and private investment tied to new businesses, streetscape work, a municipal campus, and bridge replacement plans. Transit & Getting Around: Chicago is rolling out a dedicated northbound Michigan Avenue bus lane (between Roosevelt Rd. and Wacker Dr.) to cut delays and keep buses moving—good news for regional travelers who pass through the corridor. Road Trips & Costs: GasBuddy reports show premium and midgrade prices varying across Michigan counties in the week ending Sept. 19, with some of the lowest premium deals popping up in Kalkaska County. Family Safety: Canton police say a toddler pulled a loaded gun from a backpack at a daycare, prompting renewed focus on Michigan’s safe-storage expectations. Travel-Inspired Health Alert: A man traveled to Michigan for a football game but ended up hospitalized on a ventilator with Guillain-Barré syndrome; his family is raising funds to bring him home. Sports Tourism: Detroit City FC plays its first match at Brooklyn’s Maimonides Park, adding another stop to the growing soccer travel circuit.

Aviation & Travel Costs: FlightHub reports U.S. domestic fares jumped 49.3% year over year while long-haul international pricing fell, shifting where Americans book trips. Air Service Changes: Icelandair is ending its Reykjavík–Halifax route, adding to recent Canada-Europe and Detroit-related cutbacks as airlines trim marginal routes. Michigan Workforce & Training: Gogebic Community College won a $476,496 grant to expand advanced manufacturing training, including a new lab at Trident Maritime Systems in Iron River. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy data highlights lower midgrade and diesel prices in parts of northern Michigan, including Antrim ($5.19 midgrade) and Marquette ($5.59 diesel) for the week ending Sept. 19. Road & Local Planning: MDOT rescheduled M-40 reconstruction through Paw Paw to 2028, with possible roundabout design tweaks. Detroit Area Safety: A Detroit woman was charged after a crash sparked a viral confrontation, with prosecutors still investigating alleged threats and harassment afterward. Tourism & Culture: Public voting for ArtPrize entries runs through Friday, with awards presentation Saturday.

Daycare Safety: Canton police say a toddler pulled a loaded handgun from a backpack at a Michigan daycare; staff intervened quickly, no one was hurt, and a parent was taken into custody as the center reviews security protocols. Detroit Consumer Scams: The BBB reports 37 scam reports in Detroit in August, with travel/vacation/timeshare scams among the biggest losses. Budget Travel Twist: Frontier rolled out “Cancel for Any Reason,” a paid add-on that can refund 80%–100% if you cancel 24+ hours before departure—priced per route and fare type. AAA E-Bike Warning: AAA says many Michigan adults have seen kids ride e-bikes without helmets; Marquette is tightening enforcement with a new ordinance. Great Lakes & Travel: An Air Zoo event in Portage next month will feature former NASA astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa, a free talk with registration required. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy spotlights lower Michigan prices in multiple counties, including Ontonagon regular at $4.29 and Cheboygan premium at $5.17 for the week ending Sept. 19.

Daycare Safety Alert (Canton): Canton police are investigating after a toddler allegedly pulled a loaded pistol from a backpack at Children’s World Early Learning Center; no injuries were reported, and staff moved quickly, while one parent—an officer from a neighboring community—was taken into custody as investigators work to determine how the gun got into the child’s bag. Great Lakes Tourism Marketing (Lincoln County, WI): A three-year partnership with Discover Mediaworks says Discover Wisconsin coverage helped push broadcast viewership past 10 million and added millions more in digital views, with out-of-state interest rising from metro areas including Chicago and Detroit. Outdoor & Conservation (Michigan lake sturgeon): A new Michigan House bill would raise penalties for illegal lake sturgeon possession or taking, aiming to better deter poaching of the slow-growing threatened fish. Travel Tech & Rules (Drone delivery): A group of states including Michigan sued the FAA over environmental review rules for expanded commercial drone package delivery, arguing the analysis didn’t adequately cover impacts. Local Events (WE Fest 2027): WE Fest in Detroit Lakes revealed more of its 2027 lineup, including Tim McGraw and Riley Green, with tickets slated to go on sale Friday.

Air Travel & Europe: Norse Atlantic is pulling back hard from New York, with winter service to Gatwick and Rome disappearing and only a Gatwick–Orlando route left for now—another hit to low-cost Europe options for travelers. Rail & Tourism: Toledo will host RailNation Toledo (Oct. 2–4) to push Midwest passenger rail, pitching a Cleveland–Toledo–Detroit corridor that could open new travel choices for Michigan visitors. Local Lodging: Tiny Digs’ “The Hive” in Luther, built with SuperAdobe dome construction, is now finished and preparing to welcome its first guests. Great Lakes & Outdoors: A new 66-foot research vessel delivered to the Michigan DNR will replace a decades-old ship, boosting Great Lakes fisheries research with upgraded labs and tech. Downtown Walkability: Manistique is mid-project on Cedar Street reconstruction, adding safer, accessible ramps and upgrades timed to reduce disruption during tourist season. Family Safety: Canton daycare officials say a toddler pulled a loaded handgun from a backpack; staff intervened and no one was hurt. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show spotty but notable Michigan deals, including $4.49 midgrade in Monroe County and $4.19 regular in Roscommon County for the week ending Sept. 19.

Meteor Watch: The Orionids meteor shower is set to peak overnight Oct. 21-22, with best viewing after midnight; NASA says expect about 10 to 20 bright meteors per hour. Great Lakes Travel: Great Lakes cruising is growing fast, with an estimated 175,000 passenger visits this year and more international itineraries as lines add ports. Local Road Trips & Events: Delta is expanding Europe service from Detroit, adding seasonal and summer routes like Detroit-Athens (June 8-Oct. 28) and more. Michigan Tourism Policy: Short-term rental rules are heating up in destination communities like Traverse City as towns balance tourist dollars with affordable housing needs. Road Work: MDOT says U.S. 127 rebuilding between Lake Lansing Road and I-69 should finish in November, but major new 2027 work is coming near Frandor. Safety Note: A Cedarville man was arrested after a Luce County crash near M-28 left three passengers seriously injured.

Fall Fun & Community Events: Ludington-area calendars are packed with family-friendly picks like Creative Kids, chair yoga, library story times, craft workshops, and multiple fall festivals and fundraisers through Sept. 28-29. Adaptive Sports Spotlight: Lake City wheelchair curler Jeff Snover was selected for the 2026-27 USA Curling National Wheelchair Team, turning a spinal cord injury into a new mission to spread awareness for adaptive sports. Detroit Travel & Weather Watch: Metro Detroit heads into another sunny afternoon after foggy mornings, with dense-fog risk for early commutes. Road-Trip Reality Check: GasBuddy reports show Michigan fuel prices still vary by county—Bay County’s lowest premium hit $4.89 (week ending Sept. 19), while Lapeer County’s lowest E85 was $3.51. Local Sports Buzz (Lions): Detroit held off the Jets 31-24 as Jahmyr Gibbs powered the offense with three touchdowns at Ford Field.

Air Travel: Delta announced new nonstop routes from Detroit to Athens and Boston to Venice starting in 2027, giving Southeast Michigan travelers easier access to Greece and Italy. Road Safety: A motorcyclist was seriously injured on I-75 in Detroit after a rear-end crash, then was struck after running across freeway lanes. Local Sports (Detroit): Wayne State volleyball beat Roosevelt 3-0 at home, with strong serving and balanced scoring as the Warriors look ahead to Grand Valley State. College Football (Michigan): Iowa stunned Michigan with a last-second touchdown in the Big Ten opener, a major shake-up for the Wolverines’ early conference outlook. Environment & Tourism: University of Michigan chemists say they’ve turned stubborn nitrate pollution into ammonia using a plant-inspired catalyst—good news for cleaner waterways that support Michigan beaches. Energy Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest regular gas in Emmet County hit $4.35/gal for the week ending Sept. 19, with Michigan’s average around $4.65. Community Events: Dead Pedal Dust Up returns Oct. 3 to the Saginaw County Fairgrounds with car shows, racing, music, and fundraising for children’s heart care.

Air Travel: Delta Air Lines is adding nonstop “bucket list” routes for 2027—Boston to Venice and Detroit to Athens—starting in spring/summer 2027, with multiple weekly flights. Road Safety: Michigan State Police report a Cedarville man was arrested for OWI causing incapacitating injury after a crash in Luce County left all three passengers seriously hurt. West Michigan Outdoors: The ODC Network is expanding conservation and restoration work for the Lake Macatawa watershed through its Project Clarity efforts, targeting algae-bloom drivers like sediment and phosphorus runoff. Local Community & History: NMU volunteers cleaned Civil War veterans’ gravestones at Ishpeming Cemetery during Investiture Week. Fall Travel Planning: Fall foliage is beginning across Michigan and the Great Lakes region, with late September into October shaping up as prime leaf-peeping time. Sports Tourism (Michigan): Iowa stunned Michigan 20-19 at Michigan Stadium on a last-second touchdown, keeping big-game crowds and travel interest high for the next Big Ten matchup.

Art & Culture: ArtPrize 2026 keeps rolling in Grand Rapids through Oct. 3, with a 21-foot driftwood dragon, an opal butterfly aiming for a world-record, and “Seven Deadly Sins” among more than 1,000 works from 1,300-plus artists. Detroit & Windsor Travel Boost: The Gordie Howe International Bridge’s multi-use path is already breathing new life into Windsor’s Old Sandwich Town and Detroit’s Delray, bringing more foot traffic, bikes, and visitors. Local History: Kaleva’s Bottle House—built in 1941 from about 60,000 chipped pop bottles—remains a quirky museum stop after the Kaleva Historical Society bought it in 1983. Gas Watch (Road-Trip Reality Check): GasBuddy’s week ending Sept. 19 found some of the lowest local prices: Chippewa County regular at $4.35, Macomb County E85 at $2.59, and Wayne County E85 at $2.59, with premium deals also showing up in Berrien ($5.09) and St. Joseph ($4.97). Music Tourism: iHeartRadio’s 2026 Jingle Ball Tour adds Detroit on Dec. 8, with lineups shifting by city.

Air Travel & Routes: Delta announced new nonstop service from Detroit to Athens, Greece starting June 8, 2027, plus added Europe options from Boston, extending the airline’s Europe schedule. Detroit Sports & Tourism: Justin Verlander returned to Comerica Park for a heartfelt night and told fans, “I am, and always will be, a Detroit Tiger,” a reminder of the city’s enduring baseball pull. Road Safety: A car vs. pedestrian crash on I-69 in Eaton County sent a 52-year-old man to the University of Michigan Hospital after a vehicle struck him while he checked a trailer. Local Rules for Outdoor Fun: Belding police say complaints are rising about electric motorcycles on trails, urging riders to follow the right rules and be mindful of walkers and other cyclists. Industrial Fire Impacting Visitors: A plastics fire in South Haven led to power outages and smoke concerns, with EGLE and the EPA notified. Big-Trip Planning: Denver International Airport ranked 18th of 20 mega airports for traveler satisfaction, with construction blamed for confusing navigation and long lines. Detroit Area Travel Culture: Detroit’s Shinola Hotel and Birmingham’s The Townsend Hotel were awarded 2026 Michelin Keys.

Detroit Metro Airport New Route: Delta will add nonstop Detroit–Athens service starting June 8, 2027 (three times weekly through Oct. 28), giving Southeast Michigan easier access to Greece for tourism and business. Local Travel & Tourism: The S.S. Badger’s 2026 season still runs through Oct. 11, with fall behind-the-scenes dock tours in Ludington and four-hour crossings between Ludington and Manitowoc. Concerts in Michigan: iHeartRadio’s 2026 Jingle Ball Tour lands in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena on Dec. 8, featuring Olivia Rodrigo, Hilary Duff, Jonas Brothers, Sombr and more. Family-Friendly Community Picks: Northern Michigan University hosted its annual Wildcat Farmers Market, bringing local vendors and live music to campus. Gas Watch (Sept. 19 week): Lowest regular prices spotted include Charlevoix County at $4.09/gal and Cheboygan County at $4.31/gal, plus E15 deals in Ottawa County at $4.17/gal. State Economic Transition: Michigan’s Community and Worker Economic Transition Office awarded $1M to 10 communities via its Community Growth Academy to build career pathways and resilience during industry shifts.

Mackinac Island Safety: A woman was forced to the ground and sexually assaulted while walking alone at night on Sept. 16; police arrested Carlos Adrian Fernandez de Lara Jaimez, 30, and charged him with criminal sexual conduct. Road-Trip Readiness: Michigan is banning imports of untreated out-of-state firewood starting Jan. 1, 2027, to curb invasive pests and diseases. Creator Economy in Detroit: Detroit Creator Weekend runs Sept. 24–27 across the city, spotlighting digital creators and how to turn influence into sustainable businesses. Tourism & Community: A Lake City man with terminal cancer is set to attend a Detroit Lions game at Ford Field this weekend—his family’s “one last wish” after stopping treatment. Gas Watch (Michigan): GasBuddy reports show premium lows like $4.71 in Ionia County (week ending Sept. 19) and regular lows such as $3.97 in Washtenaw County; prices remain volatile statewide. Legislation for Safer Streets: Bipartisan “vulnerable roadway user” protections advanced from the House Judiciary Committee, aiming to strengthen penalties when crashes seriously injure or kill pedestrians and cyclists.

Water Safety & Outdoors: A missing kayaker, James Arthur Bottorff III, 26, was found dead in West Grand Traverse Bay near Sunrise Beach in Peshawbestown, after an overnight search resumed Wednesday morning. Wildlife Conservation: DNR and partners rescued 27 lake sturgeon from low-water pools in the Ontonagon River channel, moving the fish over rough ground and using dam water releases to get them back to flowing water. Fall Travel Planning: Apple-picking season is uneven this year, with spring freezes hitting some East Coast orchards hard—so travelers may need to adjust where they go for the best harvest. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show regular gas lows of $4.15 in Alpena County and $4.23 in Oceana County (week ending Sept. 19), with Livingston County midgrade lows at $4.69. Local Community: Oscoda trustees approved an exemption option under Michigan’s PA-152 health insurance contribution law for 2027. Food & Tourism Buzz: Petoskey-based Kilwins was named Newsweek’s No. 1 best ice cream chain of 2026, a win that could boost Michigan sweet-tooth tourism.

Mackinac Island Crime: Mackinac County Prosecutor charged Carlos Adrian Fernandez De Lara Jaimez with second-degree criminal sexual conduct after a Sept. 16 assault near Main east of Hoban; bond set at $100,000 cash/surety. Mackinac Bridge Safety: Michigan State Police say a 28-year-old man from Jamaica was arrested for reckless driving causing serious impairment after a speed-and-alcohol crash near a construction lane; two serious injuries reported. Outdoor Adventure: Craig Berg survived 11 days lost on Isle Royale in Lake Superior, crediting search teams, his wife’s push for resources, and a Thunder Bay radio signal. Travel Safety Education: MDOT kicks off “See Tracks? Think Train Week” (Sept. 21–27) with reminders that trains have the right of way and tracks are private property. Tourism & Community: Central Michigan University reported another enrollment drop, prompting a review of enrollment goals—an issue that can ripple into campus life and regional travel. Great Lakes Nature: Michigan experts warn Lake Michigan sand dunes face rising erosion pressures from extreme weather and higher wave action. Local Treats: Kilwins, founded in Petoskey, was named Newsweek’s No. 1 Best Ice Cream Chain of 2026.

Mackinac Bridge Disruption: The Mackinac Bridge shut down early Wednesday after a serious two-vehicle crash, with multiple injuries reported; officials said the bridge would reopen once the investigation wraps up, impacting travel between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. Fall Camping Update: Traverse City State Park’s campground is set to reopen early on Oct. 8, with more than 150 campsites available for reservations Thursday as major upgrades near completion. Great Lakes Wildlife Rescue: Michigan DNR and partners rescued 27 lake sturgeon from low-water conditions in the Upper Peninsula’s Ontanagon River channel, moving some fish to safer habitat. Family Fun on the Move: Sesame Street Live’s “Elmo’s Got the Moves” announced expanded 2027 performances, including a Detroit stop, with tickets and presales starting Sept. 23–25. Travel Costs Watch: AAA reports gas prices are hitting drivers hard nationwide, with diesel at a record high—an expense that can ripple into travel and tourism budgets.