AGP Executive Report

Roadwork & Travel Delays (Jackson County): Blackman Charter Township will see two resurfacing projects start Monday—Wildwood Ave (West Ganson St to Jackson city limits) and East Ganson St (Jackson city limits to East Michigan Ave). Outer-lane closures and occasional temporary shutdowns are expected, with access to businesses maintained and work estimated to run through mid-November. Gas Prices Watch (Michigan): GasBuddy reports show diesel at $5.39/gal in Huron County (lowest in the county), regular gas as low as $3.59/gal in Hillsdale County, and midgrade gas hitting $4.35/gal in Alpena County—useful for road-trippers planning fall drives. Family Travel Safety (Lake Michigan): A dramatic Lake Michigan rescue highlights how quickly wind can turn beach outings dangerous, with a child swept offshore on an inflatable raft before being spotted and saved by jet skiers. Airline Kindness (Grand Rapids): A Republic Airways flight attendant went viral after catching a baby that was about to fall from a first-time mom’s lap, holding the infant so the parent could rest. Sports Tourism Buzz (Ann Arbor): Iowa and Michigan both climbed in the AP Top 25, setting up an unbeaten Top 20 matchup Saturday in Ann Arbor—another reason visitors may pack the area.

Fall Foliage Watch: Michigan’s peak fall colors are expected from late September through November, with MSU Extension pointing to cool nights, warm sunny days, and full sun boosting the reds and purples—plus fall foliage tourism brings about $1B annually to the state. Lakeshore Tourism Slowdown: South Haven businesses are seeing the usual post-summer dip as fewer visitors arrive after May–September’s heavy traffic, with local shops adjusting hours and flavors for fall. Travel Disruption: Ypsilanti District Library’s Michigan Ave. branch closed after a patron reported a bedbug near the computer area; trained bedbug-sniffing dogs cleared the immediate area, but the branch later shut again for full treatment. Great Lakes Adventure: A Lake Michigan diver helped recover a lost wedding ring after it fell into the water during Chicago’s Air and Water Show—another reminder that summer fun can turn into real-life treasure hunts. Outdoor Fishing Spotlight: West Michigan’s Pere Marquette River is highlighted as a top steelhead destination, prized for its long, free-flowing stretch and strong fish runs.

Michigan Sports & Travel Spotlight: Michigan football kept rolling in a rain-soaked Ann Arbor, blasting UTEP 52-17 at the Big House, with Bryce Underwood sitting out late and the Wolverines scoring 28 straight in the third. Game-Day Travel Watch: Michigan State heads to South Bend for a prime-time showdown at No. 3 Notre Dame (7:30 p.m. ET), with the Spartans leaning on Cam Edwards’ 250 rushing yards so far and a defense tasked with slowing CJ Carr. Local Events in the Mix: Michigan State hosts the Mary Fossum Invitational in East Lansing (Sept. 20-21), bringing teams including Rutgers, Western Michigan, and Illinois State to Forest Akers West. Outdoor & Accessibility: A legally blind visitor used a guide dog to enjoy Indiana Dunes National Park’s Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk—another reminder that Michigan-area travel can be welcoming for all. Road Trip Reality Check: Gas prices remain volatile nationwide; Michigan’s premium average was reported at $5.39 for the week ending Sept. 12.

Michigan Travel & Tourism: Michigan’s MDNR kicks off Michigan Trails Week today (Sept. 19-26), spotlighting the state’s 13,700+ miles of trails and the outdoor recreation economy, with families encouraged to hike, paddle, and explore. Cross-Border Travel: Port Huron and Sault Ste. Marie bridges are seeing dips in traffic tied to friction with Canada, with fewer passenger and truck crossings reported since 2025. Road & Weather Watch: Ann Arbor stadium planning—Michigan Athletics says it’s monitoring lightning/severe weather for the UTEP game, warning gate openings, parking, and cell service could be affected. Air Travel: A new JD Power airport satisfaction report says overall traveler satisfaction is up across North America, with top rankings for airports including Tampa (large) and Charleston (medium). Local Government (tourism-adjacent): Arbela Township approved a political sign policy and increased its legal budget, while also noting ongoing public safety updates. Sports Tourism Hook: Week 3 college football is packed, with Michigan State at Notre Dame and Michigan hosting UTEP—big draws for fans traveling into the state.

Nature & Outdoors: Michigan Trails Week runs Sept. 19-26, with the DNR urging residents to explore the state’s 13,700+ miles of trails by hiking, biking, paddling and riding. Conservation Spotlight: A fundraising push is racing against the clock to save Sibley Prairie, a globally rare lakeplain prairie near Detroit, from development. Beach & Family Travel: Construction is underway at Lincoln Township Beach after a $350,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, adding closer parking, picnic areas and shoreline work (site work targeted for completion next summer). Events Calendar: Ludington-area community listings for Sept. 19-21 include glow-in-the-park night hikes, markets, senior expo events and guided hikes. Sports Tourism: The Professional Pickleball Challenger Series is coming to West Michigan at the Meijer Sports Complex, drawing 300+ players. Travel Safety/Access: TSA PreCheck’s “Gateside” pilot is expanding access to secure airport gates for trusted travelers at select airports, changing send-off and reunion plans. Local Economy: MEDC is laying off 15% of its workforce, citing declining corporate revenue, while still backing small business and travel promotion.

Disaster Relief: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved nearly $7M in state public assistance funding for communities hit by spring and winter storms, flooding, tornadoes, and a water main break, using the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund to help local governments recover when federal aid falls short. Gas Watch: GasBuddy reports regular gas hit $3.89 in Mecosta County (week ending Sept. 12), while Branch County averaged $4.95 after another overnight jump; statewide regular averaged $4.16. Airport Update: JD Power’s North America Airport Satisfaction Study ranked Detroit Metro (DTW) No. 2 among “mega-sized” airports, with Minneapolis-St. Paul taking the top spot. Travel & Events: Death Cab for Cutie announced a 2027 North American tour with a Detroit stop (April 1). Family Fun: Maple Hills Orchard in Detroit Lakes is back for the season with a new app featuring scavenger hunts and orchard bingo. Nature Notes: A Michigan firewood quarantine update is in the mix, and hummingbird migration tips are circulating as fall approaches.

Fall Fun & Family Tourism: Stickley Family Farms in Colon, MI opens its 2026 fall season with a new hands-on gem-mining attraction, plus a corn maze, pedal go-karts, giant slide and more—running Fri-Sun through Oct. 31, with an adults-only “Witches Night Out” on Sept. 25. Downtown Events: Coldwater’s 35th Annual Apple Fest and Craft Show returns this Saturday (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) with about 215 vendors, live music, a kids’ fair, apple pie contest, and a new Cousins Maine Lobster truck. Road-Trip Reality Check: Gas prices are spiking and diverging across the Michigan-Indiana line—drivers near Niles, MI are seeing big gaps versus Indiana, adding pressure to everyday travel budgets. Leaf-Peeping Timing: MSU Extension says Michigan’s best fall colors typically hit from late September through November, driven by cool nights, warm sunny days, and full-sun leaf exposure. Safety for Travelers: A new Michigan Auto Law report flags two Washtenaw County intersections—State Rd & W Ellsworth Rd and N Hamilton St & Washtenaw Ave—as among the state’s most crash-prone. Outdoor Rules: Starting Jan. 1, 2027, Michigan will ban untreated firewood entering the state, with exceptions for properly heat-treated, certified wood.

Autism-Friendly Attractions: COGNiTiON Science and Discovery Center in Traverse City renewed its Certified Autism Center™ status, citing updated staff autism and sensory training to keep the experience calm and inclusive. Public Safety on the Move: Michigan State Police took a suspect into custody after a freeway shooting on northbound I-75 in Oakland County; investigators had closed part of the highway near Ortonville Road while they worked. Missing Person Search: Southfield police continued searching for a missing endangered 29-year-old woman, using canines, drones, divers and sonar near 11 Mile/Inkster and the Rouge River, with no confirmed sighting reported. Great Lakes Adventure: A 70-year-old Isle Royale hiker from Royal Oak, Craig Berg, was found alive after more than a week, suffering hypothermia and rescued with help from backpackers and Coast Guard airlift. Travel & Nature Tips: MDARD and DNR expanded Michigan’s “Don’t Move Firewood” campaign, urging travelers to buy firewood near their destination and choose certified invasive-free options. Detroit Sports Tourism: Banana Ball returns to Comerica Park Sept. 18-19 with two Savannah Bananas-style games featuring the Party Animals and Firefighters. Fall Travel Inspiration: Experience Columbus is pitching a fall getaway that blends foliage hikes, U-pick farms and Halloween events.

Airport & Travel: Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport was named North America’s best “mega” airport for the third straight year in J.D. Power’s 2026 Airport Satisfaction Study, with Detroit Metro ranking No. 2. Road Safety for Travelers: Michigan Auto Law released its annual list of the 20 most dangerous intersections (2025 crash data), with many hotspots in metro Detroit and several roundabouts topping the list. Local Tourism & Community: A stretch of US-31 in Acme Township was renamed the Trooper James E. Boland Memorial Highway, honoring a Traverse City trooper killed in 1987. Family & Accessibility: A Clinton Township Navy veteran is getting a Home Depot Foundation-funded home makeover in just five days, aimed at safer access and independence. Sports Calendar (Big Ten): The Big Ten released men’s basketball schedules, including Michigan–Michigan State home-and-home dates in February. Cost of Getting There: AAA reports Michigan gas prices rising again, with diesel hitting record levels.

Homelessness Funding Shift: The Trump administration is proposing to reshape federal homelessness grants toward “treatment-first” approaches, boosting incentives for transitional housing, addiction recovery, and closer cooperation with law enforcement. Airport Watch: JD Power’s 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study says passenger satisfaction is rising, with Minneapolis-St. Paul topping mega-airports and Detroit Metro also ranking among the best. Michigan Travel & Events: A new “Be Like Blippi” winter 2027 tour adds Detroit dates, while holiday touring hits Michigan-area calendars too—Dolly Parton’s “Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol” launches a 2026 national run, and “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” announces a 20-city holiday tour. Local Fuel Note: GasBuddy reports the cheapest E85 in Ionia County at $2.99 for the week ending Sept. 5. Family Fun in Michigan: The Michigan Irish Music Festival in Muskegon brings Irish singer-songwriter Andy Irvine back for multiple sets Sept. 18-20.

Special Olympics Spotlight: The Law Enforcement Torch Run rolled through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, including Marquette at the Superior Dome, raising awareness and pushing donations past $142,000 toward a $75,000 goal. Public Safety & Community Trust: Oscoda Township police said an off-duty officer helped locate and arrest a parole absconder after a brief foot chase into wooded areas near the AuSable River, stressing there was no known danger and no shots fired. Local Travel Watch: Benton Harbor-area residents questioned a possible permanent closure of a USPS office at The Orchards Mall, with officials saying it’s still a feasibility study. Fuel Prices for Road Trips: GasBuddy reported the lowest midgrade gas deals in Manistee ($4.53), Roscommon ($4.89 premium), and Saginaw-area regular gas ($3.73 at one station), useful for planning fall drives. E-Bike Rules: Beverly Hills is set to vote on an ordinance to regulate e-bikes/e-motos amid rising crash concerns. Big Ten Football Scheduling: The MAC approved a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2028, adding another matchup for fans while keeping three nonconference games.

Outdoor & Family Travel: A Michigan family’s fair week turned into a full-on adventure, with projects, camping, and a reunion caravan making the trip unforgettable. Lake Superior Safety: A 70-year-old Isle Royale hiker from Royal Oak, Craig Berg, was rescued “alive and alert” after a week missing, found injured and hypothermic. Local Roads & Getting Around: Michigan communities like Brighton, Dexter, Novi, and others are receiving first payments from the new Neighborhood Roads Fund, aimed at roads, bridges, and transit. Tech & Privacy Watch: Davison Township residents questioned FLOCK license-plate cameras at a packed meeting as police and the vendor defended them for public safety. Fuel Costs: Michigan gas averages topped $4 and diesel hit a record $6.25, with drivers urged to stretch mileage and save. Science Tourism Angle: University of Michigan launched a Histotripsy Center using ultrasound to treat cancer—non-invasive and radiation-free. Sports Travel: Detroit Lions head to Buffalo on a short week after beating the Saints in OT.

Isle Royale Rescue: A 70-year-old Michigan man, Craig Berg of Royal Oak, was found alive after being missing for about a week on Isle Royale National Park, located near Intermediate Lake and airlifted for medical care after a grueling multi-agency search. Michigan Tourism & Hospitality: A farmhouse-turned bed and breakfast in Williamston, the Willowicke Inn, is drawing visitors from around the world with its century-old setting, farm animals, and garden-to-table style breakfasts. Detroit & Travel Planning: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kicked off a South Korea investment mission aimed at attracting business in shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, and mobility—an effort that could shape future travel and economic ties. Road Trip Costs: GasBuddy reports show some of the lowest premium and midgrade prices in parts of Michigan this week, with drivers in St. Clair and Charlevoix counties seeing standout deals. Family-Friendly Airports: TSA’s Gateside program lets some PreCheck members accompany loved ones to the gate at select airports, including a new option at Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City. Sports Travel Buzz: The Detroit Lions’ Week 2 primetime matchup against the Buffalo Bills is already fueling “shootout” talk as fans plan game-day travel.

Isle Royale Rescue: A 70-year-old hiker, Craig Berg of Royal Oak, was found alive and alert after a week missing on Isle Royale National Park. The Coast Guard and Michigan State Police used trail-camera leads and K-9 support, then hoisted him by helicopter for medical care. Fall Family Fun: Johnson’s Pumpkin Patch in Saginaw kicked off its fall season, opening daily hours for families swapping beach time for pumpkin picking. Tourism & Community: Holland State Park is getting a volunteer “familiarization” push from more than 150 Michigan hospitality leaders, with park cleanups and prep for late-month tulip planting. Travel Costs Watch: PwC says holiday travelers plan to cut spending 24%, leaning toward budget/midrange hotels and skipping airfare. Airport Upgrade: Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids launched self-service baggage drop for select airlines, part of a $135M terminal project. Michigan Outdoors Safety: Firemen’s Memorial Festival returns Sept. 18-20 in Roscommon with parades, memorial service, and a search-and-rescue challenge. Space Over Michigan: A fireball was reported across Michigan Sunday evening, with sightings from Cheboygan to Macomb Township. Sports & Detroit: The NFL explained a controversial Lions–Saints overtime call that flipped a defensive touchdown to an incomplete pass. Local Sports Tourism: Detroit Red Wings goaltending prospect Trey Augustine begins his first full pro season with the Grand Rapids Griffins after a strong NHL Prospects Tournament.

Rescue Update (Isle Royale): Craig Berg, 70, was found “alive and alert” after a week missing on Isle Royale. The Coast Guard and Michigan State Police say he was injured and hypothermic, hoisted by helicopter, and taken to Marquette for medical care. His wife later shared details of how he survived, including losing his phone and using broken earphones as an antenna to a portable radio. Airport Travel Perk (TSA): TSA’s new “Gateside” program lets some trusted, unticketed PreCheck travelers access gate areas at select airports, including Salt Lake City—aimed at easier welcomes and layover meetups. Metro Detroit Food Stop: Loop Detroit Bagels in Dearborn is drawing crowds with fresh, creative bagel flavors, built from scratch by chef Nadine Messelmani. NFL & Detroit Spotlight: The Lions escaped the Saints in overtime, 31-30, after a controversial replay wiped out a defensive TD—plus Week 1 buzz around Detroit’s season opener. Community & Family Fun: UP Lions Serve helped deliver a Lions-themed playset to an Ishpeming child cancer survivor, with grants also covering travel and lodging during treatment. Gas Watch (Michigan): GasBuddy reports the lowest premium price in Delta County at $4.97/gal (week ending Sept. 5).

NFL Kickoff in Michigan: The Detroit Lions open the 2026 season Sunday vs. the New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET on Fox), with the full Week 1 slate also featuring major matchups like Texans–Bills and Ravens–Colts—good timing for fans planning game-day travel. Up North Staycation Perk: A Bellaire B&B is turning “Up North” into a global connection with an old-school monthly newsletter—snail mail pen pals now number in the hundreds across dozens of states and countries. Road Safety Watch: A 20-year-old motorcyclist died after a crash on M-59 in Waterford Township when a van pulled out of a driveway; the corridor was closed for hours. Local Park Incident: A Sterling Heights man was arrested shortly after an alleged assault and indecent exposure at Waterford Oaks County Park, with police citing Flock camera tracking. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports one Delta County station hit the week’s lowest midgrade price at $4.47/gal (week ending Sept. 5).