News Archives

Powering Michigan’s Future: Whitmer Wants AI Data Centers To Protect Ratepayers. Consumer Advocates Say Voluntary Promises Aren’t Enough.

Powering Michigan’s Future: Whitmer Wants AI Data Centers To Protect Ratepayers. Consumer Advocates Say Voluntary Promises Aren’t Enough.

LANSING — As artificial intelligence companies race to build massive data centers across the country, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is drawing a line on one issue she says shouldn't be negotiable: existing electric customers shouldn't have to pay for the infrastructure needed to power them. Whitmer this week unveiled a Michigan Affordability and Responsible Growth

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-17T16:19:00-04:00July 17th, 2026|Government/Politics, News|

Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing Ends. Will It Change Anything For Michigan And Ohio Cannabis Businesses?

Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing Ends. Will It Change Anything For Michigan And Ohio Cannabis Businesses?

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After weeks of testimony, the federal hearing that could reshape the future of the U.S. cannabis industry has officially ended. Now marijuana businesses across Michigan and Ohio are waiting to learn whether the biggest federal cannabis policy change in more than 50 years will finally become reality—or whether the process will drag

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-17T11:51:41-04:00July 17th, 2026|Marijuana Business, News|

Michigan CEOs Turn More Cautious on Economy, But Continue Investing and Hiring

Michigan CEOs Turn More Cautious on Economy, But Continue Investing and Hiring

DETROIT — Michigan's largest employers are growing more cautious about the economy, but they're not yet hitting the brakes on hiring, capital investments or their long-term commitment to the state. A new second-quarter survey from Business Leaders For Michigan found CEO optimism declined sharply compared with the previous quarter as executives weighed continuing uncertainty surrounding

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-15T12:18:01-04:00July 14th, 2026|Economy, News|

Analysis: The Gold Rush Is Over. Michigan Cannabis Is Becoming a Consumer Products Business

Analysis: The Gold Rush Is Over. Michigan Cannabis Is Becoming a Consumer Products Business

A Forbes profile of Lume CEO David Morrow highlights a broader transformation as branding, customer analytics, artificial intelligence and operational efficiency become the new competitive advantages in America's most competitive cannabis market. ANN ARBOR — When Michigan legalized recreational cannabis, success often came down to three things: obtaining a license, building cultivation capacity and growing

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-13T13:13:32-04:00July 13th, 2026|Marijuana Business, News|

Need FEMA Help After Michigan’s Spring Storms? Recovery Centers Are Now Open Across the State

Need FEMA Help After Michigan’s Spring Storms? Recovery Centers Are Now Open Across the State

LANSING — Michigan residents whose homes or businesses were damaged by April's severe storms, tornadoes and flooding can now get face-to-face help applying for federal disaster assistance as Disaster Recovery Centers open across the state. The centers, operated by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division in partnership with the Federal Emergency

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-12T10:06:38-04:00July 12th, 2026|News|

Ohio Wants To Know Who’s Buying Cannabis. New Survey Proposal Could Give Michigan Companies a Competitive Edge

Ohio Wants To Know Who’s Buying Cannabis. New Survey Proposal Could Give Michigan Companies a Competitive Edge

COLUMBUS - For Michigan cannabis companies doing business in Ohio—or considering expansion there—a proposal moving through the Ohio Legislature could provide something the industry has wanted for years: a clearer picture of who buys cannabis and why. Ohio lawmakers are advancing legislation that would allow the state's Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) to conduct anonymous

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-10T15:36:45-04:00July 10th, 2026|Marijuana Business, News|

Michigan Keeps Creating Great Ideas. Why Do So Many Startups Leave?

Michigan Keeps Creating Great Ideas. Why Do So Many Startups Leave?

New Innovation Alliance hopes to turn more Michigan inventions into Michigan companies—and keep billions of dollars in future value from leaving the state. LANSING - For decades, Michigan has been one of America's great innovation engines. The state is home to world-class research universities, global automotive and manufacturing companies, a growing artificial intelligence sector, and

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-10T12:11:04-04:00July 10th, 2026|Economy, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurs, Government/Politics, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

The Risk Is Back: Renewed Middle East Fighting Threatens Michigan Drivers, Auto Industry

The Risk Is Back: Renewed Middle East Fighting Threatens Michigan Drivers, Auto Industry

ANN ARBOR — Michigan drivers may not feel it immediately, but the latest flare-up in Middle East fighting has once again put gasoline prices—and much of Michigan's economy—on an upward path. Oil prices jumped this week after renewed fighting between the United States and Iran reignited concerns that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-09T14:57:20-04:00July 9th, 2026|Economy, News|

Manufacturing Leads Michigan’s Economy Higher as West Michigan Posts Best Performance in Five Years

Manufacturing Leads Michigan’s Economy Higher as West Michigan Posts Best Performance in Five Years

GRAND RAPIDS - While headlines over the past several months have focused on tariffs, inflation and geopolitical uncertainty, one of Michigan's most closely watched manufacturing indicators is telling a more optimistic story. The latest Purchasing Managers Index from Grand Valley State University's Seidman College of Business shows West Michigan manufacturers enjoyed their strongest month in

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-09T14:49:01-04:00July 9th, 2026|Economy, News|

Could Congress Prevent A 22% Social Security Benefit Cut? Bipartisan Senate Plan Would Make High Earners Pay More

Could Congress Prevent A 22% Social Security Benefit Cut? Bipartisan Senate Plan Would Make High Earners Pay More

Proposal from Republican Bernie Moreno and Democrat Elizabeth Warren would eliminate the Social Security payroll tax cap, potentially affecting Michigan's highest-paid workers while protecting benefits for more than 2 million retirees. WASHINGTON DC — One of the biggest threats facing millions of retirees—including more than two million Michiganders who rely on Social Security—has prompted an

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-08T17:20:27-04:00July 8th, 2026|News|