News

Why Michigan Isn’t Creating Enough Billion-Dollar Startups — And Why Ann Arbor Thinks It Has The Answer

ANN ARBOR  — Michigan helped invent the modern auto industry, remains one of America's top engineering centers, and is home to one of the nation's leading research universities. So why isn't the state creating more billion-dollar technology companies? That's the question increasingly confronting Michigan business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers as states like Texas, Colorado,

By |2026-05-31T12:27:03-04:00May 31st, 2026|Business, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurs, News|

Federal Cannabis Reform Could Create Winners And Losers. Will Ohio Overtake Michigan?

Michigan still dominates cannabis sales and attracts thousands of out-of-state shoppers every week. But Ohio's higher prices, stronger profit margins and expanding adult-use market could position it to benefit more from upcoming federal cannabis reforms. ANN ARBOR - Michigan sells more cannabis than Ohio. Ohio makes more money. That simple reality may shape the future

By |2026-05-30T12:20:24-04:00May 30th, 2026|Marijuana Business, News|

Inflation Rises, Consumer Spending Slows And GDP Weakens — Raising New Economic Concerns For Michigan

WASHINGTON DC - New federal economic data released Thursday delivered a troubling combination for the U.S. economy — and potentially for Michigan as well. Key Economic Numbers Released Thursday Inflation rose to 3.8% in April, up from 3.3% in March Consumer spending growth slowed sharply to 0.2% First-quarter U.S. GDP was revised down to 1.6%

By |2026-05-28T12:46:36-04:00May 28th, 2026|News|

Cannabis Industry Watches As Federal Medicare Hemp Program Advances

WASHINGTON DC - Michigan and Ohio cannabis operators are closely watching a new federal court ruling that could signal another step toward mainstream healthcare acceptance of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The federal government is beginning to treat cannabis-adjacent products less like prohibited substances and more like healthcare tools after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging

By |2026-05-26T16:53:07-04:00May 26th, 2026|Marijuana Business, News|

Middle East Oil Crisis Begins Hitting Michigan Gas Prices, Freight Costs And Factory Budgets

Global Conflict Is Now Reaching Michigan’s Economy ANN ARBOR - Michigan may be thousands of miles from the Strait of Hormuz, but the impact of the growing Middle East oil crisis is already showing up at gas stations, freight terminals, factory floors and household budgets across the state. Global oil prices surged again this week

By |2026-05-26T13:12:31-04:00May 26th, 2026|Business, News|

Google Tries To Rebrand The Data Center As Michigan Resistance Grows

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP — Google is trying to convince Michigan that its proposed data center near Detroit Metro Airport is not the kind of project communities across the state have been fighting. That may be the most important part of the story. The company and its development partners are pitching the Van Buren Township project

By |2026-05-26T09:06:50-04:00May 26th, 2026|ESD, News|

Exxon CEO Warns Gas Price Shock May Be Just Beginning As Strait Of Hormuz Crisis Hits Drivers

DETROIT - Michigan drivers already angry over rising gasoline prices may not have seen the worst yet. That blunt warning comes as global energy executives, oil traders, economists, and shipping companies increasingly focus on one narrow waterway half a world away: the Strait of Hormuz. The concern intensified after ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods warned that

By |2026-05-21T10:43:34-04:00May 21st, 2026|News|

Trump’s Grip On GOP Tightens After Massie Defeat As Republicans Navigate Falling Poll Numbers

WASHINGTON DC - The political warning signs for Republicans are growing more complicated heading into the 2026 midterm elections. President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have weakened nationally amid concerns over inflation, energy prices, tariffs, and rising tensions with Iran. Yet at the same time, Trump continues demonstrating enormous influence inside Republican primaries — a dynamic

By |2026-05-20T13:36:38-04:00May 20th, 2026|Government/Politics, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

Cannabis Industry Faces New Wave Of “Big Tobacco”-Style Litigation Risk

ANN ARBOR - Three of the nation’s largest cannabis operators — Cresco Labs, Green Thumb Industries, and Verano Holdings — have been named in a sweeping federal class-action lawsuit that alleges violations of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), consumer fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and other claims tied to the marketing and sale

By |2026-05-20T13:38:00-04:00May 20th, 2026|Featured, Marijuana Business, News|

AI Boom Could Bring Massive Gas Power Plant To Farmland Outside Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR - A controversial proposal to build a major natural gas-fired power plant on farmland outside Ann Arbor may signal the beginning of a much larger transformation now reshaping Michigan’s economy, energy grid, and political landscape. What initially appears to be a local land-use dispute is increasingly tied to a national race to build

By |2026-05-20T13:38:35-04:00May 19th, 2026|Featured, News|