AGP Executive Report

Pentagon UFO Files: The Pentagon released a second batch of declassified UAP records, including more than 50 videos and 222 documents, with standout footage of an Air National Guard F-16 shooting down an unidentified object over Lake Huron in 2023. Ebola Watch: WHO says the Congo outbreak has climbed to 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths, while Uganda is described as stable. Michigan Environment: Michigan added six species to its invasive plant lists, with new restrictions starting in 2026 and 2028. Public Health & Safety: MDHHS is warning residents to avoid toxic foam on surface water and to use the state’s “Eat Safe Fish” guide, since not every fishing spot is safe. Politics & Rights: A federal court rejected the Trump administration’s push for Wisconsin’s unredacted voter file, citing voter privacy and federal overreach. Local Life: Tractor Day at a Michigan high school turned graduation into a rolling parade of tractors, ATVs, and golf carts.

Detroit Violence: Detroit police say two people were shot dead in separate vehicles, with a one-month-old found unharmed in one car after ShotSpotter alerts. NBA Playoffs: The Knicks took a 2-0 edge over the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, while Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell leaned on past comebacks as the series heads forward. Water Safety: A new Environment Michigan report warns 53% of tested Michigan beaches had potentially unsafe contamination on at least one day, as officials urge swimmers to check advisories. Early Learning: Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program applications for 2026-27 are up 65%, with PreK for All enrollment growth cited as a major driver. Ebola Watch: A Detroit-bound flight was diverted over Ebola entry restrictions, with Michigan health officials urging residents to stay alert as risk is described as low. Higher Ed: MSU trustees debated ethics code changes tied to “loyalty,” with free-speech concerns raised as signatures are due soon.

Workforce & training: MSU’s Institute of Agricultural Technology is teaming with Kirtland Community College to expand a Forest Technology certificate starting Fall 2026, letting students earn an MSU certificate while completing Kirtland’s A.A.S. Public health warning: Michigan health officials are urging people to avoid foam on lakes and rivers, citing possible PFAS and bacteria exposure and recommending rinsing or bathing after water activities. Ebola travel fallout: A Paris-to-Detroit Air France flight was diverted to Montreal after a passenger from the DRC was allowed aboard despite tightened U.S. entry rules. Michigan economy check: The state’s jobless rate held steady at 5.0% in April. Tech & security: Cyberattacks are hitting automakers, retailers, developers, and open-source platforms as the threat landscape intensifies. Michigan sports: Bryce Underwood is entering a new era at Michigan with a fresh coaching staff after a rocky sophomore setup.

PFAS Water Standards Fight: Sen. Gary Peters blasted the Trump EPA’s move to roll back national drinking-water limits for “forever chemicals,” warning it could delay cleanup and keep Michigan families exposed, including PFAS hotspots tied to sites like Camp Grayling and former Wurtsmith AFB. Public Health Alert: MDHHS is also telling Michiganders to avoid foam on lakes and rivers this summer, noting it can carry PFAS and other harmful contaminants—rinse or bathe if you touch it. Detroit Safety Tech: Detroit is seeking bids to replace ShotSpotter gunshot detection as the current contract nears its June end, with officials saying other options now exist. AI and Industry: Stellantis is set to unveil its new strategic plan at Investor Day, while Acrisure plans to cut 2,250 jobs and cites AI-driven restructuring. Michigan Tech & STEM: Higher Orbits brings its Go For Launch! program to Sault Ste. Marie in June, giving grades 8–12 a two-day space-STEM experience with a former NASA astronaut.

Public Health Alert: Michigan health officials are warning residents and visitors to avoid foam on lakes, rivers, and streams, saying it can carry harmful chemicals or bacteria, including PFAS. They stress that the risk through skin is low, but people should rinse or bathe after touching foam to prevent accidental swallowing. Sports Spotlight: The NBA conference finals are set, with the Knicks taking on the Cavaliers after a historic comeback in Game 1, while the Thunder face the Spurs in the West. Workforce & Education: Northern Michigan’s MiCareerQuest Northeast drew nearly 1,200 students for hands-on career demos from 78 exhibitors, aiming to connect local employers with future talent. Housing Affordability: A new WalletHub ranking highlights Flint and Detroit among the most affordable U.S. housing markets, with several other Michigan cities also placing high. Energy Deal: Hull Street Energy has agreed to acquire FirstLight’s hydro and pumped-storage assets, including a major long-duration facility in New England.

Education & Innovation: Posen science teacher Stephanie Dege Goebel has been named one of just seven U.S. recipients of the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators, recognized for “place-based” lessons that move learning into local water, soil, and community stewardship. Public Safety Tech: Detroit is seeking bids to replace its ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, extending the current contract for review while the department says it’s “all in” on the technology—not the vendor. Clean Energy & Industry: Michigan approved up to $5 million for Bezos-backed EV startup Slate Auto to expand its Troy HQ as it ramps toward production, while EGLE released its FY2026 Fuel Transformation Program RFP to cut diesel emissions. Health & Environment: EPA plans to rescind or delay some PFAS drinking-water standards, raising fresh concerns for Michigan cleanup sites. STEM in Schools: Gladstone students were honored by Society of Women Engineers at Michigan Tech. Sports: The NBA conference finals are set, with Knicks-Cavaliers and Thunder-Spurs beginning this week.

Sports Shock: J.T. Ginn carried a no-hitter into the ninth for the A’s, then Adam Frazier singled and Zach Neto hit a two-run walk-off homer to beat Los Angeles 2-1 and snap a six-game skid. NBA Finals Set: The 2026 conference finals are underway—Knicks vs. Cavaliers in the East, and Thunder vs. Spurs in the West—after Detroit pushed Cleveland to seven. AI in Everyday Life: Google expanded Gmail’s “AI Inbox” with Gmail Live, letting users ask questions about messages in plain language instead of hunting through search. Health Watch: A real-world severe-asthma poster suggests tezepelumab improved outcomes for groups often left out of trials, including Black patients, adolescents, smokers, and people with asthma-COPD overlap. Higher Ed Leadership: Stuart Bell was named sole finalist to lead the University of Florida, with trustees set to vote next month. Michigan Angle: Grand Rapids’ Cheney Place is booking weddings through 2027 and adding free venue-hosted wedding websites with online RSVP.

PFAS & Drinking Water Fight: Michigan’s firefighter PFAS survey found “forever chemicals” in 100% of samples, but levels were comparable to the general U.S.—a cautiously hopeful sign for state exposure rules, even as federal PFAS drinking-water protections face a rollback proposal. PCB Cleanup Payoff: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel locked in a $108M Monsanto settlement (with a path up to $240M) to fund PCB remediation and natural resource restoration statewide. Local Infrastructure Pressure: Cadillac approved water and sewer rate hikes, while Negaunee landed a $50K MDOT grant to help engineer upgrades tied to a US-41 roundabout. Solar Siting Smarts: A new geospatial framework suggests utility-scale solar can dodge sensitive habitats and farmland with only a 0.17% cost premium. Rural Health Upgrade: Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in the U.P. launched Pluvicto nuclear medicine therapy for advanced prostate cancer—bringing a treatment that previously meant long trips. Community & Culture: Ludington premiered “Railroad on Water,” a documentary on the S.S. Badger’s steamship-and-rail legacy.

NBA Conference Finals Set: Cleveland routed Detroit 125-94 in Game 7 to earn a Knicks matchup, while the West final pairs OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs. EV Road Funding Fight: The U.S. House proposes a new $130 annual federal EV registration fee (rising to $150) on top of state charges—an issue Michigan already pays heavily for. Ford Bets on Storage: Ford’s new battery storage unit, Ford Energy, landed its first deal with EDF to build grid battery systems starting in 2028. Toxic Cleanup Deal: Monsanto affiliates agreed to pay Rhode Island at least $25M over PCB pollution. Michigan Bird Migration: 12.1M birds are expected over Michigan Monday night—Purdue urges “lights out” from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Cancer Tech Expansion: HistoSonics won Taiwan approval for its Edison Histotripsy ultrasound system, pushing further into Asia. Michigan Business & Research: Oakland University faculty earned spots in Research.com’s “World’s Best Scientists” rankings, and Michigan’s Qualified Small Distiller Program opens applications until June 18.

Sports—Cavs Punch Ticket: Donovan Mitchell poured in 26 as the Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the Detroit Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 to reach the Eastern Conference finals, setting up a Knicks-Cavs matchup. Sports—Final Four Set: The NBA conference finals are now set: Knicks vs. Cavaliers in the East, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder against Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs in the West. Local Tech & Training: Northwestern Michigan College marine technology students took their capstone research to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary on Lake Huron. STEM & Skills: A Dexter, Michigan student is set to be the first woman to represent the U.S. in welding at WorldSkills in China. Health & Science: A new study reports more than 1,700 “dark” proteins hidden in human cells, expanding what researchers think DNA can produce. Legal/Policy—Cannabis Risk: A major multi-state class action, Murray v. Cresco, targets big cannabis operators’ marketing practices and could reshape insurance and underwriting risk. Higher Ed—MSU Pay: Michigan State trustees are poised to vote on doubling MSU president Kevin Guskiewicz’s base salary to about $2 million.

Skilled-Trades Spotlight: Washtenaw Community College student Mikala Sposito is set to become the first woman to represent the U.S. in welding at WorldSkills in China after winning the USA Weld Trials in Alabama—an “Olympics of the skilled trades” moment that underscores Michigan’s pipeline of hands-on talent. Local Education & Workforce: Macomb Community College held its 114th commencement with 485 students graduating, including a dual-enrolled student who credits early networking classes for a fast track to Michigan Tech. Health & Youth Trends: A major study finds teen steroid use has dropped over two decades while creatine use is rising, reflecting how online fitness culture is reshaping supplement choices. Business & Industry: GM is cutting back heavy-duty Silverado production, with potential job impacts in Michigan and beyond, as demand shifts and AI-driven restructuring accelerates. Sports (Michigan Watch): The Pistons host the Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals tonight.

Defense Industry Pivot: Jaguar Land Rover and General Motors are reportedly eyeing a £900m UK military-truck contract, aiming to build thousands of 4x4s for the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, with first deliveries expected in 2030 as NATO rearm spending surges. Health & Care Gaps: A Michigan urology team is presenting results on a multidisciplinary plan to reduce side effects from androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer, focusing on closing real-world monitoring and treatment gaps. Substance Regulation: Ohio’s crackdown on intoxicating hemp-derived THC is triggering layoffs and pulled investments, as businesses say rules changed after they already built product lines around them. Public Health Policy: The US Supreme Court kept telehealth access to mail-order mifepristone in place while litigation continues, setting up the next legal fight. Community & Culture: Muskegon’s Lakeshore Museum Center received major Hackley & Hume family and business records from MSU, filling long-standing local history gaps.

NBA Playoff Pressure: Detroit’s Pistons forced a Game 7 after winning Game 6, setting up a Sunday “win-or-go-home” showdown vs. Cleveland with Jalen Duren back in the spotlight after a benching in Game 5. MLB Matchups: Saturday’s slate leans toward low-scoring starts, with picks built around no-run first-inning angles for Royals-Cardinals and Tigers-Blue Jays, plus a Guerrero Jr. singles rebound bet against Casey Mize. Food Access Watch: Phoenix’s empty anchor stores are deepening “food desert” concerns, with the former Ray’s Market contents liquidated after the city’s only grocery shut down. Health Policy: A coalition of attorneys general, including Maryland’s AG Brown, is fighting an EPA proposal that would roll back ethylene oxide limits tied to cancer risk. Michigan Environment: EGLE is extending comment on the Copperwood Mine permit, as opponents push for tighter scrutiny of downstream impacts.

NBA Playoff Shockwave: Detroit forced a Game 7 after a 115-94 bounce-back win over Cleveland, turning the Eastern Conference semifinals into a winner-take-all showdown. Local Safety Watch: Northern Michigan outdoor plans come with a warning—state fire danger is high, and officials say people should be extra careful with campfires and equipment. Workforce + Training: Alpena High School’s CTE woodworking students racked up top finishes at regional and state MITES competitions. College Planning: West Shore Community College trustees will weigh a contract for a “Living Master Plan” and a renewable energy recommendation at their May 18 meeting. Housing Pressure: A new report says Michigan’s minimum wage still falls far short of what’s needed to afford a two-bedroom rental, with a massive shortage for extremely low-income renters. Environment Tech: A robot sifter is helping volunteers pull microplastics from Lake Michigan’s shoreline at Klode Park.

AI Data Centers & Local Control: East Lansing is moving from debate to planning, forming an internal workgroup as it drafts recommendations for City Council on data center proposals after a six-month moratorium. Food Inflation: New federal data shows April food-at-home prices rising 0.7%, and experts warn the year could bring a steeper climb—potentially near 4% to 4.5%—as geopolitical fallout hits fuel, fertilizer, and shelves. Michigan Outdoors: After a lightning strike knocked out power systems at a steelhead egg-collecting site, the DNR still gathered about 4.2 million eggs, using a backup river to keep stocking on track. Auto & Trade: Michigan lawmakers are pushing to lock in a ban on “smart” Chinese-connected vehicles, citing national security and unfair competition. Community & Tech Talent: Calumet’s CopperBots returned from the FIRST Robotics World Championship with global-stage experience, and a new PWHL Detroit GM hire spotlights women’s hockey leadership.

Sports Spotlight: The NBA semifinals are in do-or-die mode—Cleveland leads Detroit 3-2 with Game 6 Friday, while the Knicks have already swept the 76ers in the East. NFL Schedule Buzz: The league’s 2026 slate is out, kicking off Sept. 9 with Seattle hosting New England, plus a record nine international games. Michigan Policy: Michigan hunters in the Lower Peninsula will face a new one-buck rule starting in 2027, with the state pushing more doe harvests to curb deer numbers. Tech & Security: Michigan lawmakers unveiled a Connected Vehicle Security Act targeting connected-car tech tied to China and other foreign adversaries, with penalties starting in 2027. Health Research: A new long-term study links sustained high BMI to faster memory and thinking decline, especially for adults 65+. Local Life: Traverse City’s Sierra Motel is getting a retro revival, and Detroit has made K-12 bus rides free—though commutes still don’t always match school schedules.