29 days until Halloween.

Which means there's still plenty of time to buy candy, figure out a costume, decorate the house and completely ignore all of those things until October 30th.

If you're looking for something spooky to do every night, several networks and streaming services are going all-in on Halloween.

Freeform has its 31 Nights of Halloween, AMC has FearFest, hosted by the Crypt Keeper, and streaming services have plenty of Halloween collections, including HBO Max's Horror Comes Home and Hulu's Huluween.

So why not make October a giant horror-movie marathon?

We've got 29 movies for 29 days, starting with the classics and working our way into more recent horror.

Your 29-Day Halloween Movie Marathon

October 3: Frankenstein (1931)
Start with one of the classics. Boris Karloff, crazy laboratory, lightning and absolutely no concern about workplace safety.

October 4: Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)
Widely considered one of those movies that's so bad it's entertaining. Perfect for a Michigan night when it's raining and you don't feel like leaving the couch.

October 5: Psycho (1960)
Maybe don't watch this one right before taking a shower.

October 6: Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Zombies. Classic horror. And the perfect movie for anyone who has ever complained that Michigan drivers are basically the walking dead during rush hour.

October 7: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Probably not the movie to watch while you're home alone.

October 8: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
A Halloween tradition with plenty of music, costumes and weirdness.

October 9: Halloween (1978)
Michael Myers. Suburban streets. A mask. A knife. And suddenly every quiet Michigan neighborhood looks suspicious.

October 10: The Shining (1980)
A family trip to an isolated hotel goes badly. Very badly.

Also, a great reminder that you should probably be careful when somebody says, "Hey, let's go somewhere remote for the weekend."

October 11: Friday the 13th (1980)
Jason's just getting started.

October 12: The Evil Dead (1981)
Cabin in the woods. Bad decisions. Things that definitely should have stayed buried.

October 13: Poltergeist (1982)
Because apparently even the TV isn't safe anymore.

October 14: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Freddy Krueger shows up in your dreams.

Which means you might want to avoid falling asleep during this one.

October 15: The Lost Boys (1987)
Vampires, California and one very good soundtrack.

October 16: Beetlejuice (1988)
Say his name three times.

Actually, don't.

October 17: Child's Play (1988)
Chucky proves that buying a creepy-looking doll for your kid might not be the best parenting decision.

October 18: Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
Because apparently regular clowns weren't terrifying enough.

October 19: Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tim Burton brings us a guy with scissors for hands.

Not exactly the person you want helping you carve the Michigan pumpkin.

October 20: It (1990)
Pennywise.

Need I say more?

October 21: The Addams Family (1991)
A nice change of pace. Weird, funny and considerably less stressful than watching somebody get chased through the woods.

October 22: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Is it a Halloween movie? A Christmas movie?

In Michigan, we don't care.

It's October and it's cold outside. Put it on.

October 23: Hocus Pocus (1993)
Three witches, one Halloween night and enough nostalgia to make you feel like a kid again.

October 24: Scream (1996)
Ghostface arrives and suddenly everyone has caller ID.

October 25: The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Found footage, creepy woods and absolutely no cell phone service.

So basically, a Michigan camping trip with worse customer service.

October 26: It Follows (2014)
A supernatural force that just keeps coming.

Kind of like Michigan road construction.

You think you've finally escaped it, and then there's another orange barrel.

October 27: The Witch (2015)
Dark, creepy and definitely not something to watch while sitting alone in the woods.

October 28: Mandy (2018)
A wild, colorful and very strange horror trip.

By this point in the month, you're basically committed.

October 29: Smile (2022)
If somebody gives you an unsettling smile after watching this, just leave.

October 30: The Substance (2024)
Save one of the newer movies for the night before Halloween.

October 31: Obsession (2026)
Finish the marathon with a brand-new entry and head into Halloween night officially terrified.

The Michigan Halloween Movie Rules

Of course, watching 29 horror movies in Michigan comes with a few additional rules.

If the movie takes place in a creepy cabin in the woods, do not rent one in northern Michigan afterward.

If there's a scene involving a mysterious sound outside, check the weather first. It might just be the wind.

If someone says, "I'll be right back," they're definitely not coming back.

And if you're watching a scary movie while it's raining outside, the power goes out and you hear something scratching at the door...

It's probably your neighbor's dog.

Probably.

Happy October, Michigan.

You've got 29 days to get scared, eat too much candy and pretend you're not checking the locks after every horror movie.

When people talk about the smell of a city, it's usually not a compliment.

Nobody has ever stood on a downtown sidewalk, taken a deep breath and said, "Wow. Put THAT in a candle."

But apparently, somebody decided it was time to scientifically figure out which American cities smell the best.

Researchers looked at things like local candle shops, bakeries, perfumeries, florists and overall cleanliness.

They also considered air quality, garbage disposal satisfaction and the amount of green space.

And somehow, after all that sniffing...

Detroit made the Top 10.

Yep.

Detroit is officially ranked the ninth-best-smelling city in America.

Apparently, Michigan can now add "smells pretty good" to the list of things Detroit is famous for.

The Top 10 best-smelling cities were:

1. Boston

2. Washington, D.C.

3. San Francisco

4. Seattle

5. Philadelphia

6. Portland, Oregon

7. Denver

8. Baltimore

9. Detroit

10. Las Vegas

Chicago came in at number 11, while New York landed at number 13.

Now, as a Michigan resident, I have some questions.

Did they do the Detroit smell test on a perfect 72-degree Saturday morning?

Because that's one thing.

Try this study again during a Michigan summer, when you've got hot pavement, traffic, garbage trucks and somebody grilling something mysterious three blocks away.

And what about winter?

Maybe the snow helps.

You can't smell much when your nose has gone numb.

What About the Rest of Michigan?

Unfortunately, the study only looked at 30 cities, so we don't know where Saginaw, Flint, Bay City or Midland would rank.

But I think we can all agree that Michigan has some very specific smells.

There's the smell of a Michigan cider mill in October.

Fresh donuts. Apple cider. Leaves. Campfire smoke.

That's a Top 10 smell right there.

Then there's the smell of a Michigan highway after a summer rain.

That's harder to describe.

It smells like wet pavement, grass and approximately 17 different things leaking from somebody's pickup truck.

And we can't forget the unmistakable smell of a Michigan lake on a hot August afternoon.

Nature's way of reminding you that "freshwater" doesn't necessarily mean "fresh-smelling."

Meanwhile, the worst-smelling city in the study was Jacksonville, Florida, followed by Oklahoma City, San Antonio, El Paso and Memphis.

Memphis made the list, which raises an important question:

Did barbecue not count?

Because if Memphis barbecue smells are being ignored, I'm not sure we're conducting this study correctly.

So congratulations, Detroit.

You're number nine.

Michigan may have potholes, unpredictable weather and roads that occasionally make you question your life choices...

But apparently, at least according to this study, we don't stink.

And honestly, we'll take the win.

Mid-Michigan News: Gas Prices Drop, SVSU Welcomes Biggest New Class in Years

U.S. Sends Another Aircraft Carrier Toward Iran

The United States has deployed a third aircraft carrier to waters around Iran, according to multiple media reports.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego on Sunday, followed a day later by the Marine Expeditionary Force aboard the USS Makin Island, carrying more than 2,000 Marines.

Reports say the move is intended to keep military options available for President Trump as diplomatic efforts continue.

Michigan Gas Prices Finally Head Lower

There may finally be some good news at the gas pump.

For the first time in more than two weeks, Michigan is seeing a noticeable drop in gas prices.

According to AAA, Michigan drivers are now paying about $4.53 a gallon for regular gas, down approximately 27 cents from a week ago.

That's encouraging, although prices remain about 41 cents higher than they were a month ago. Michigan's average is also still slightly above the national average.

So, yes, gas is getting cheaper.

But we're not exactly at "fill up the boat and drive around for fun" prices yet.

SVSU Welcomes Biggest New Student Group Since 2019

Saginaw Valley State University is welcoming its largest group of new students since 2019.

SVSU says 1,970 new students arrived this fall, including about 1,350 first-time college students, along with international students and new graduate students.

The university also says many of its new freshmen have their tuition covered through scholarships and grants.

That's a pretty good way to start college: fewer tuition bills and more time worrying about finding your classroom.

Lions Add $60 Standing-Room Tickets

Detroit Lions fans looking for a cheaper way into Ford Field will have another option later this season.

Beginning October 25th, when the Lions host the Green Bay Packers, the team plans to offer a limited number of $60 standing-room-only tickets on game days for the remainder of the season.

The Lions will offer at least 100 of those tickets per game, with a limit of four tickets per person.

And if you're wondering what you get for $60, apparently the answer is a ticket and the opportunity to spend three hours finding something to lean against.

The Lions face the Carolina Panthers Sunday night.

College Football Saturday

It's a busy Saturday for Michigan college football.

The Michigan Wolverines play Minnesota at noon.

Michigan State takes on Wisconsin at 12:30.

And Central Michigan hosts the Akron Zips at 3:30.

Mid-Michigan Weather

Today will be cloudy through the morning, followed by gradual clearing, with a high of 66.

Tonight will be clear and chilly, with temperatures dropping below 40.

Saturday will be sunny with a high of 64.

And Sunday looks even warmer, with sunshine and a high near 70.

We need to have a serious conversation about pizza.

Pineapple on pizza has been dividing families, friendships and perfectly good comment sections for years.

But now?

Candy corn on pizza.

And not just any pizza.

Frozen pizza.

Tombstone is introducing a limited-edition Halloween creation they're calling "The Pizza Nobody Asked For."

Honestly, that's a pretty accurate name.

The kits come with a frozen Tombstone pepperoni or Five Cheese pizza, packets of candy corn and instructions for combining the two.

Here's how it works:

Bake the pizza.

Take it out.

Sprinkle candy corn all over it.

Put it back in the oven until everything gets nice and melty.

That's it.

You've officially created something that would make both your dentist and your Italian grandmother very nervous.

But There's a Michigan Problem

Imagine bringing this to a Halloween party in Michigan.

Somebody walks in with a box of pizza.

Everyone gets excited.

Then you open it.

"What's on that?"

"Candy corn."

The room goes silent.

Somebody from Detroit immediately asks, "Who hurt you?"

Someone from Flint says, "You drove all the way over here for THAT?"

And somebody in Saginaw is already scraping the candy corn off and asking if there's a Little Caesars nearby.

The kits are only $1.31 each, which seems appropriate because that's approximately how much money I'd be willing to risk on this experiment.

But there's a catch.

You can't just walk into the grocery store and buy one.

The limited-edition kits will be available through online "drops."

The first drop is October 2nd at 2 p.m. Eastern, followed by drops on October 9th and October 23rd, also at 2 p.m. Eastern.

So if you've ever dreamed of combining America's favorite frozen pizza with America's most aggressively Halloween-shaped candy, your moment has arrived.

And if you try it, please remember:

Michigan has plenty of hospitals.

Just saying.

The real question isn't whether candy corn belongs on pizza.

The real question is:

What kind of person looks at a perfectly good frozen pizza and thinks, "You know what this needs? Candy."

Happy Halloween, Michigan.

We've officially gone too far.

It’s October 1st, which means you officially have 30 days to figure out your Halloween costume.

Thirty days sounds like plenty of time. In Michigan, however, we know better.

You’ll blink twice, somebody will put Christmas decorations out at Meijer, and suddenly it’ll be Halloween night and you’ll be standing in the kitchen wearing a flannel shirt wondering if you can just tell everyone you’re a lumberjack.

If you want to stay on top of pop culture, there are plenty of costume ideas making the rounds this year.

Some of the big ideas include:

• Freaky Nikki from "Obsession"

• The bushes from Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show

• Athena and Odysseus from "The Odyssey"

• Taylor Swift and her friends in their coordinated Knicks-game shirts

• The hazmat-suit operatives from "Backrooms"

• Ilya and Shane from "Heated Rivalry"

• Doctors from "The Pitt"

• Dolly Parton

• Olivia Rodrigo from the "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So In Love" cover

• Harry Styles from the "Dance No More" video

• HUNTR/X from "KPop Demon Hunters"

• Patricia from "Widow’s Bay"

• Charli XCX

• Pitbull

• Sabrina Carpenter

• Ryland Grace from "Project Hail Mary"

• Spider-Man

• Michael Jackson

But here’s where Michigan enters the costume conversation.

You could skip pop culture altogether and go pure Michigan.

Dress up as a Michigan pothole. Just stand in the driveway and refuse to move.

Go as road construction. Throw on an orange vest, grab a traffic cone and spend the entire evening telling people, “Sorry, you can’t get through here.”

Want something really terrifying?

Go as a Michigan driver trying to merge onto I-75 during construction.

Or dress as a cider mill employee and walk around handing everyone donuts while complaining that the line is too long.

You could even go as Michigan weather.

Start the night in shorts. Add a hoodie at 7 p.m. Put on a winter coat at 9. By midnight, nobody knows what season you're supposed to be.

And if you live in Mid-Michigan, there’s always the classic:

"Guy Who Said He Wasn't Dressing Up."

Just wear jeans, a hoodie and a baseball cap.

Congratulations. You’re every guy at the Halloween party.

So you've got 30 days.

Don't wait until October 30th.

Because nothing says Halloween spirit like walking into a party wearing a sheet and telling everyone you're a ghost because Spirit Halloween was sold out of everything else.

Mid-Michigan News: Gas Plant Plans, SVSU Raises and a New Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit

Tennessee Execution Attempt Fails

Tennessee officials were unable to carry out the execution of Christa Gail Pike, who was sentenced to death for a 1995 murder she committed when she was 18.

Officials administered two doses of a lethal drug, but Pike remained alive and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Her attorneys said they had not been told about her condition.

Pike had been scheduled to become the first woman executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years.

Consumers Energy Proposes New Natural Gas Plant

Residents in the Big Country area got a look Wednesday at Consumers Energy's plan to build a new natural gas plant at its Karn Energy Center.

The project still needs approval from local government and the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Consumers Energy says the plant could bring construction jobs, permanent positions and additional local tax revenue. The company hopes to have the plant operating by 2031.

SVSU Faculty Getting a Raise

Faculty members at Saginaw Valley State University are getting a pay increase.

The SVSU Board of Control approved a new three-year contract with the university's Faculty Association during a special meeting Monday.

The agreement includes raises for faculty along with additional university contributions toward health insurance.

Midland County Sheriff's Office Creating K-9 Unit

The Midland County Sheriff's Office is establishing a new Canine Unit with help from a grant from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation.

The grant will pay for a dedicated vehicle and specialized equipment needed to operate the program.

The Sheriff's Office plans to have the new K-9 program up and running later this year.

Sports

In the National League Wild Card Series, the Phillies beat the Braves 4-3, while the Padres defeated the Cubs 4-1.

In the American League, the White Sox beat the Astros 7-3, and the Yankees knocked off the Red Sox 9-2.

Mid-Michigan Weather

Today: Showers, with thunderstorms possible. High 71.

Tonight: Showers, mainly before 11 p.m. Low 51.

Friday: Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradually clearing. High 66.

Saturday: Sunshine and a high of 64.

There is apparently a Hot Pocket controversy happening online, and if you're a true Hot Pocket veteran, you may already know where this is going.

A TikTok video has gone viral from a guy who says the economy must really be struggling because he bought a box of Hot Pockets and discovered something was missing.

Not the pepperoni.

Not the cheese.

The pocket.

He was talking about the little silver crisping sleeve that Hot Pockets used to come in. You put the Hot Pocket inside the sleeve, tossed it in the microwave and hoped you wouldn't bite into molten cheese 30 seconds later.

The problem with this viral outrage?

The sleeve has been gone for years.

Hot Pockets started phasing out the sleeves in 2023, and in 2024 the company even launched a marketing campaign announcing that the sleeves were officially retired.

The company said it had changed the crust recipe so the sleeve was no longer necessary.

They also claimed the new recipe included 30% more pepperoni.

And there's another reason for getting rid of the sleeves: Hot Pockets said eliminating the metallic sleeves, also called “susceptors,” saves somewhere between 3,500 and 5,000 tons of paper waste every year.

So, technically, we're talking about less trash and more pepperoni.

But that hasn't stopped people online from acting like someone just announced the cancellation of the Detroit Lions.

And Michigan Hot Pocket fans have one question:

Where have you people been?

If you're just now discovering that the sleeve is gone, you're not a Hot Pocket expert.

You're a Hot Pocket casual.

A Michigan Hot Pocket veteran remembers the old days.

You'd pull that silver sleeve out of the box, carefully slide the frozen pocket inside, microwave it, and then spend the next five minutes wondering whether the cheese inside was still 4,000 degrees.

And let's clear up one important thing:

The pocket is NOT the silver sleeve.

The pocket is the actual crust holding the delicious, dangerously hot filling.

The sleeve was just the little microwave accessory.

As of now, Hot Pockets hasn't commented on the latest online controversy.

But if you're in Michigan and you've been eating Hot Pockets for years, you already know the truth:

The pocket is still there.

It's the little silver sleeping bag that disappeared.

And honestly, we're doing just fine without it.

After the wild weather we've been seeing around the country this week, the timing couldn't be better for a new list from the Farmers' Almanac.

They've ranked the 10 worst-weather states in America, based on things like tornadoes, hurricanes and hail.

And before you ask, yes, that's hail.

Although after some of the weather we've seen lately, “hell” might also seem appropriate.

The No. 1 spot goes to Texas, which averages about 155 tornadoes a year and has experienced 190 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters since 1980.

Texas apparently looked at every possible weather disaster and said, “We'll take one of each.”

Here's the rest of the list:

2. Florida
More than 120 documented hurricane landfalls since 1851. Florida basically has hurricane season as a recurring calendar event.

3. Louisiana
Ten billion-dollar flood events since 1980, plus plenty of major hurricanes.

4. Kansas
Right in the heart of Tornado Alley, averaging about 96 tornadoes a year. There's no place like home... especially if home has a basement.

5. Oklahoma
About 68 tornadoes a year and one of the highest numbers of violent tornadoes in the country.

6. Colorado
The nation's hail capital, averaging around 94 hail events a year. Apparently, even the sky occasionally throws rocks at Colorado.

7. Missouri
A perfect recipe for severe weather, with Gulf moisture, tornadoes and major river flooding all coming together.

8. Georgia
Georgia has recorded 134 billion-dollar disasters since 1980, with more than $150 billion in cumulative damage.

9. Illinois
Right in the Midwest severe-weather corridor, with 128 billion-dollar disasters since 1980.

10. North Carolina
Tropical systems can stall and dump huge amounts of rain across the state, especially around the Appalachian foothills.

And What About Michigan?

Here's the good news: Michigan didn't make the Top 10.

And that's probably because Michigan has a different approach to weather.

We don't necessarily need a hurricane to ruin our day.

We have lake-effect snow, freezing rain, potholes, construction season, and that magical Michigan spring day when it's 72 degrees at lunch and you're scraping ice off your windshield by dinner.

We also have the famous Michigan weather forecast:

“Mostly sunny, with a chance of pretty much anything.”

But give us a beautiful fall day with colorful trees, a cider mill, a warm donut and a little sunshine, and suddenly we're willing to forgive Mother Nature for everything she did to us last winter.

So congratulations, Michigan.

We didn't make the list of America's 10 worst-weather states.

We'll just keep doing what we do best:

complaining about the weather while simultaneously checking the forecast every 20 minutes.

Mid-Michigan News Update: AI Rules, Canadian Tariffs, Soo Locks and U-M

Trump Says AI Leaders Agree to Voluntary Standards

President Donald Trump says top artificial intelligence executives have agreed to voluntary standards designed to increase oversight of the rapidly growing industry.

The agreement would put AI companies in charge of policing much of their own technology, as pressure continues to grow for stronger safeguards and regulations.

U.S. Bans Nearly $1 Billion in Canadian Imports

The trade fight between the United States and Canada is escalating.

The U.S. has banned nearly $1 billion worth of Canadian imports, including alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motorcycles.

President Trump previously imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian imports, prompting Canada to respond with tariffs of its own.

Trump's latest move targets a list of Canadian products as part of the ongoing dispute.

New Soo Locks Project Hits 50% Mark

There's a major milestone in one of Michigan's biggest infrastructure projects.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says Phase 3 of the new lock project at the Soo Locks is now 50% complete.

The overall project is expected to cost about $3.2 billion and will create a second lock capable of handling the same large ships as the existing Poe Lock.

The Poe Lock, which opened in 1969, currently handles ships carrying about 88% of all U.S. iron ore transported by water.

The new lock is designed to provide additional capacity and another route for the massive freighters moving through the Soo.

U-M Drops Pass-Fail Grading Pilot

The University of Michigan is dropping a pilot program that would have replaced traditional letter grades with a pass-fail system for first-semester students in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.

The program was scheduled to begin next fall.

The university president requested that the plan be paused, citing extensive media coverage, distorted narratives and misconceptions surrounding the proposal.

For now, it looks like students will be sticking with the traditional A, B, C, D and F system.

Sports

The NBA preseason gets underway Monday night, with the Detroit Pistons hosting the Phoenix Suns.

It's the first chance to get a look at the Pistons before the regular season gets underway.

Mid-Michigan Weather

Today: Cloudy with a 60% chance of showers. High near 71.

Tonight: Cloudy with showers developing after 1 a.m. Low around 61.

Thursday: Cloudy with showers. High near 71.

Friday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers early, then becoming mostly sunny. High near 67.

Ladies, if you've looked around lately and thought, “Is everybody's hair getting bigger?” ... you're not imagining it.

According to Glamour magazine, some of the biggest hairstyles from the 1980s are making a comeback in 2026.

And we're not talking about a little extra volume.

We're talking BIG HAIR.

The kind of hair that could have its own ZIP code.

The '80s are bringing back everything from giant ponytails to huge curls, blowouts and flipped-out ends. Basically, if your hairstyle looks like it needs its own weather forecast, you're right on trend.

Here are some of the classic looks making a comeback:

The Madonna Ponytail

High, dramatic and ready to take over the dance floor. Madonna made the look famous, and now it's back.

The Cindy Crawford Blowout

Big, bouncy and perfectly parted to the side. It's the kind of hair that says, “I woke up like this,” after approximately two hours with a hair dryer.

Julia Roberts Messy Curls

Big curls with a little chaos thrown in. Perfect for Michigan because humidity can basically finish the styling for you.

The Pineapple Updo

Made famous by Sarah Jessica Parker. It's basically putting your hair on top of your head and letting it know it's the tallest thing in the room.

Dolly Parton Permed Curls

The bigger the better. Dolly never believed in the concept of “too much hair,” and honestly, neither did the '80s.

Diana Ross Natural Curls

Big, beautiful natural curls are getting their moment again.

Princess Diana's Flipped-Out Ends

The classic feathered, flipped-out look is also coming back.

And there's something very Michigan about this whole trend.

Because if you're driving down I-75 in January with your freshly styled '80s hair, you already know what's going to happen.

One blast of that Michigan winter wind and your salon appointment becomes a historical reenactment.

But hey, at least you'll look fabulous while scraping the ice off the windshield.

So, ladies, if you've been thinking about bringing back the big hair, 2026 says go for it.

Just remember: In Michigan, always check the weather before you leave the house.

Because there's big hair... and there's big hair fighting a 30-mile-per-hour wind coming off the Saginaw Bay.

Tuesday News Update: E. Coli Recall, Saginaw Data Center Rules & Red Wings Hockey Returns

National News

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says a foreign actor was involved in a suspected terror plot targeting a UK airbase used by the U.S. military.

The suspects are all British nationals, according to police, and have been released on bail. President Donald Trump was asked about the investigation at the White House and said the suspects could be connected to Iran. Trump said he knows the answer, but would rather not reveal it at this time.

E. Coli Outbreak Includes Michigan

Public health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of E. coli infections linked to certain raw milk cheeses sold in nine states, including Michigan.

The recalled products are All Grazers raw milk cheeses made by Sierra Nevada Cheese Company.

If you have any of the recalled cheese, health officials say don't eat it. Throw it away or return it to the place where you purchased it.

Basically, if your cheese is giving you a reason to Google the company name, it's probably time to let that cheese go.

Saginaw Sets Rules for Future Data Centers

The Saginaw City Council has approved a new ordinance establishing regulations for any future data center development in the city.

The new rules come as Saginaw's current data center moratorium is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.

Under the ordinance, data centers would only be permitted as special land uses in light industrial and general industrial districts.

The new ordinance is expected to be added to Saginaw's code of ordinances on October 9th.

So, if Saginaw becomes home to a giant building full of computers someday, the city now has a rulebook ready for it.

State Street Construction

Drivers in Saginaw need to watch for a temporary closure today.

MDOT has closed the intersection of M-58 at State Street and Warwick Street as work begins on grading and curbs. Traffic will temporarily be unable to cross State Street at that intersection.

The closure is part of a larger project to rebuild about 1.1 miles of State Street, stretching from Avalon Avenue to M-84.

Give yourself some extra time and keep an eye out for the orange barrels. They have apparently decided to spend another season in Michigan.

Sports

In Monday Night Football, the Chicago Bears beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-7.

And hockey season is almost back in Detroit.

The Detroit Red Wings open their season Friday night against the New York Rangers at Little Caesars Arena. The puck drops at 6:30 p.m.

Mid-Michigan Weather

We're starting the day with widespread fog before mostly sunny skies take over.

Today: Mostly sunny with a high near 78.

Tonight: Increasing clouds with a low around 58.

Wednesday: Cloudy with a 50% chance of showers before 2 p.m., with a high near 73.

Thursday: An 80% chance of showers, with a high near 73.

Monday night means one thing: time to decide whether you're watching football, singing along, or letting a bunch of celebrities get roasted on a quiz show.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – 8 PM
The Chicago Bears host the Philadelphia Eagles on ABC and ESPN.

And if you're watching from Michigan, don't worry. You can root for whoever you want. Just don't expect your Lions fan neighbor to be emotionally invested in either team. ????

 THE VOICE – 9 PM
Part 4 of the Blind Auditions on NBC. More singers, more chairs spinning, and more people from small towns suddenly becoming America's new favorite singer.

ALL AMERICAN – 8 PM
The series finale airs tonight on The CW. If you've been watching from the beginning, tonight's the night to find out how it all ends.

 NAME THAT TUNE – 8 PM
Thomas Lennon from Reno 911! goes up against D'Arcy Carden from The Good Place on Fox.

Michigan bonus: This is basically the TV version of trying to name the song playing at a wedding while somebody's uncle is yelling, "I KNOW THIS ONE!"

 CELEBRITY WEAKEST LINK – 9 PM
Yvette Nicole Brown, Kate Flannery, Billy Gardell, Loni Love, Kevin McHale, Melissa Peterman, Paul Scheer and Scott Wolf face off on NBC.

So grab the snacks, fire up the TV and settle in.

And remember: If you're watching Monday Night Football in Michigan, there's always tomorrow to complain about the Lions. 

You know Halloween is getting close when the snacks start looking like something you’d find at a haunted Meijer at 2 a.m.

Vampire Noodles are here! 

Cup Noodles has released a limited-edition hot garlic flavor that actually turns blood red when you add hot water. The color comes from natural beet coloring.

And yes, they're available exclusively at Walmart while supplies last.

But Michigan, it gets weirder...

You can actually enter a contest to win a Vampire Noodles-themed casket. And if winning isn't your thing, apparently you can just BUY ONE for around $4,000.

Because nothing says, "Happy Halloween!" like a casket full of Cup Noodles.

And then there's BLACK RANCH. 

Hidden Valley's new Spooky Ranch is black, comes in a glow-in-the-dark bottle, and gets its color from fruit juice and cocoa.

It's still ranch. It just looks like it was scooped out of a cauldron in the Upper Peninsula.

Both are available at Walmart while supplies last.

So, Michigan... which are you trying first?

 Vampire Noodles
 Spooky Ranch
 Neither. I'm sticking with Vernors and a Coney.

Five Arrested Near U.S.-Used Air Base; Consumers Energy Holds Genesee, Bay County Open Houses

Five Men Arrested Near Air Base

UK police say five men arrested early Sunday near an air base used by the United States during its war against Iran are being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack.

London’s Metropolitan Police say they received a call around 12:45 a.m. regarding three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be traveling toward the base.

Iran has previously indicated that a base used to launch attacks against its territory would be considered a legitimate target.

Consumers Energy Plans Community Open Houses

Consumers Energy is inviting residents to attend one of two community open houses to learn more about two proposed natural gas plants planned for Genesee and Bay counties.

The first open house is Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bedford Township Hall on East Vienna Road in Clio.

A second open house is scheduled for Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hampton Township Hall on West Centre Road in Essexville.

Residents will be able to view information and displays, speak with project experts, ask questions and provide feedback.

Frankenmuth Dog Bowl Sets Donation Record

The Frankenmuth Dog Bowl has broken its donation record, giving more than $57,000 to police canine units, dog rescue organizations and community initiatives.

The world's largest Olympic-style festival for dogs distributed $19,500 to support active police canine units, $23,000 to various dog rescue organizations and $5,000 to the Friends of Frankenmuth Police.

The remaining funds went to various service groups and pet-related charities.

Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Detroit Tigers 4-2.

In the NFL, Jahmyr Gibbs caught a go-ahead 11-yard touchdown pass with 2:25 remaining, his third touchdown of the game, as the Detroit Lions held on to beat the New York Jets 31-24.

Mid-Michigan Weather

Areas of fog are possible before 10 a.m., followed by sunshine with a high near 75.

Tonight will be mostly clear with widespread fog developing and a low around 47.

Tuesday starts with widespread morning fog before becoming sunny, with a high near 77.

Wednesday will be partly sunny with a high near 77.

We’ve all heard the fairytale narrative: somewhere out there, among eight billion people on Earth, there is one magical soulmate custom-built for you. It’s like finding the exact, hyper-specific automotive trim you want sitting on a lot in Flint without having to custom-order it.

caller-line debates aside, a new survey from Talker Research reveals a pretty eye-opening shift in how we look at romance: 20% of people in happy relationships admit they don’t believe their partner is their "one true love."

And honestly? That might actually be a good thing.

Unless you’re trekking across Middle-earth where the One Ring is literally the only way to destroy Sauron, locking yourself into the idea of "The One" can make modern dating feel like driving northbound on I-75 on a Friday before Labor Day—stressful, gridlocked, and full of unrealistic expectations.

The Myth of "The One" vs. Real-Life Connection

Here’s how the stats break down:

• Singles are losing faith in the fairytale: Only 41% of single people currently believe they’ll ever find "The One."

• Trial and error is real: The average person thinks they’ve found "The One" twice before realizing they were dead wrong (and 33% of us have been wrong even more than that).

• Generational Divide: Gen X is holding down the fort for classic soulmate traditionalism, while Gen Z is far more open-minded, leaning into the idea that love isn't a single target you hit or miss.

• Multiple Soulmates: 17% of respondents believe you can have multiple soulmates throughout a lifetime.

When you think about it, expecting one single human being to satisfy every emotional, intellectual, and hobby-related need in your life is asking a lot. It’s like expecting one store to be a Meijer, a cider mill, and a Detroit sports bar all rolled into one. Is it great if you can find it? Sure. But is a fantastic local spot that does two out of three remarkably well still totally awesome? Absolutely.

The Dating Scene Blues

If you’re single and sitting out there wondering why it’s so tough, you aren't imagining things. According to the data, the average single person hasn’t been on a good date in nearly 1.5 years.

Between "ghosting" culture, social media setting wild expectations, and people looking completely different in person than they do on their profiles, dating feels like a full-time job. But maybe part of the burnout comes from looking for absolute, flawless perfection on date number one instead of just seeing if you vibe over a casual dinner.

Does It Matter If They Aren't "The One"?

If you’re in a loving, supportive relationship where you laugh together, split the chores, and willingly brave the winter weather to scrap the ice off each other's windshields, does it really matter if they don't fit some mystical cosmic definition of a "soulmate"?

Real compatibility isn't about finding a mythical unicorn; it's about finding someone who rides shotgun, picks the music, and stays by your side through every season.

So, what about you? Do you believe in one true soulmate, or are you in the "multiple soulmates" camp?

As a nod to her iconic anthem "9 to 5", today is all about celebrating the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton! Cities across the United States are marking the day with special events and tributes honoring her music, philanthropy, and lasting legacy.

Here is how a few cities across the country are honoring her:

• New Orleans: Hosting a Celebration of Life parade through the streets.

• Nashville: Illuminating the city in pink lights and displaying Dolly posters, while Garth Brooks' Friends in Low Places bar donates proceeds to her Imagination Library.

• San Francisco: Throwing a daytime celebration filled with live music performance tributes.

• Listen to 98 KCQ, we will play a Dolly song each hour to Celebrate 9/25 Day in Honor of Dolly

Daily Briefing: High-Stakes Diplomacy, Data Privacy Legislation, and Weekend Sports Roundup

Diplomacy & Global Affairs

President Trump Hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House

President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday. The high-stakes summit focused on critical global issues, including the ethical bounds of artificial intelligence, bilateral trade relations, the situation in Taiwan, and the ongoing war in Iran.

The state visit continues today with President Trump, President Xi, and their spouses gathering for a tea session. On the final day of President Xi's U.S. visit, the leaders will visit the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

State & Local Politics

State Lawmakers Push Legislation on License Plate Reader Safeguards

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers is backing new legislation aimed at establishing clear guardrails for automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology.

• House Bill 6346: This bill imposes strict limits on sharing captured license plate data. Notably, it requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a court order before transmitting any recorded information to out-of-state entities.

• Access & Privacy Standards: A separate companion bill restricts who can access the database, explicitly prohibiting searches for personal business or using system records for commercial background checks.

Education & Workforce Development

General Motors Commits $1.5M to Michigan STEM Education

General Motors has announced a $1.5 million investment to expand science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for elementary school students across Michigan.

• Hands-on "3P" Learning: The funding supports Place, Problem, and Project-based education both inside and outside the classroom.

• Building a Future Workforce: The M-TEC SmartZone is partnering with the MiSTEM Network and the State of Michigan to link classroom concepts with real-world industry applications.

Weekend Sports Lineup

Hockey & Baseball

• Saginaw Spirit: Host the Niagara IceDogs tonight at the Dow Event Center.

• Detroit Tigers: Take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park.

College Football

• Michigan Wolverines: Host Iowa at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday (3:30 PM kickoff).

• Michigan State Spartans: Host Nebraska in East Lansing on Saturday (5:00 PM kickoff).

• Central Michigan Chippewas: Travel to Florida to face the University of Miami.

NFL

• Detroit Lions: Host the New York Jets on Sunday (1:00 PM kickoff).

Mid-Michigan Weekend Forecast

• Friday: Partly sunny with a high of 67°F.

• Friday Night: Mostly cloudy early, gradually clearing with a low of 44°F.

• Saturday: Full sunshine with a high of 70°F.

• Sunday: Mostly sunny with a high of 71°F.

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Do you have fond memories of school cafeteria pizza on Fridays, or do you still shudder at the thought of mystery meat, square sheet-pan pizza, and soggy tuna noodle casserole?

While school meal quality has improved across the country over the last couple of decades, how well students eat often depends on where they live. A new study by ProCare Therapy evaluated school lunch programs across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., ranking them based on health standards, local food sourcing, student participation rates, access to free or reduced-price meals, and additional offerings like breakfast.

The good news for Pure Michigan families? Michigan cracked the national top 10, landing in 9th place overall!

The 10 Best States for School Lunches

Vermont claims the #1 spot in the nation. Thanks to robust state-level support for universal free meals and strong farm-to-school initiatives, Vermont sets the gold standard for cafeteria dining.

1. Vermont (National Leader)

2. New Mexico

3. New York

4. West Virginia

5. Washington, D.C.

6. Massachusetts

7. Maine

8. Kentucky

9. Michigan

10. California

Why Michigan Scores High: Free Meals & Fresh Produce

Michigan’s high ranking comes down to two major moves the state made in recent years:

• Universal Free Meals: Through the Michigan School Meals program, all public pre-K through 12th-grade students in Michigan receive free breakfast and lunch every school day, regardless of family income.

• Farm-to-School Funding: Programs like Michigan's "10 Cents a Meal" initiative provide state match grants to help local school districts buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and dry beans directly from Michigan farmers and growers.

So whether students are grabbing a quick breakfast in the morning or enjoying a hot lunch featuring local produce—or yes, those iconic cheese-filled Bosco Sticks—Michigan kids are faring better than most.

The 10 Worst States for School Lunches

On the flip side, New Hampshire landed dead last at #51 due to lower participation rates and stricter limitations on meal assistance access. Meaning there may be students trying to sneak across state lines to Vermont just for a decent lunch.

1. New Hampshire (51st)

2. Wyoming

3. Idaho

4. Alaska

5. Utah

6. Montana

7. South Dakota

8. New Jersey

9. Illinois

10. Maryland

(For those curious about the absolute middle of the pack: Pennsylvania earned the title of the most average school lunch program in the country, landing right at #26.)

Have you ever sat down to book a flight out of DTW or MBS, looked at a connection option, and immediately thought, "Absolutely not, I'm not transferring there"?

If you’ve ever paid an extra $50 just to avoid sprint-racing through a specific concourse or getting stuck in layover purgatory, you are far from alone. We’ve all got our personal airport hit list, and as it turns out, science and data back up our paranoia.

The aviation site AeroCorner recently set out to rank the worst airports in America. By pairing official on-time departure data from the Bureau of Transportation with customer satisfaction feedback from J.D. Power, they put together a list of the country’s most head-ache-inducing hubs.

Check out the top 10 worst airports in America below—and see how many times you've been burned by number one.

The 10 Worst Airports in America

1. Chicago O'Hare (ORD)

2. Newark Liberty (EWR)

3. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL)

4. Philadelphia International (PHL)

5. Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)

6. Chicago Midway (MDW)

7. Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)

8. Nashville International (BNA)

9. Baltimore/Washington (BWI)

10. Cleveland Hopkins (CLE)

The View from the Great Lakes State

If you live and fly in Michigan, this list probably triggers a little bit of travel PTSD.

For starters, Chicago O’Hare taking the #1 spot surprises absolutely no one who has ever flown out of Michigan. Connecting through O'Hare in the winter is basically a game of Russian roulette with the weather gods. If a single snowflake lands on Lake Michigan, your 45-minute layover suddenly morphs into a six-hour delay in Terminal 1 while you eat an overpriced sandwich.

And let’s not ignore Midway sitting right at #6. Between O'Hare and Midway, Chicago essentially has a monopoly on ruined travel plans for Midwesterners.

Then there’s Cleveland Hopkins at #10, sitting just across Lake Erie to remind us that driving might have been the better option all along.

We might complain about construction on I-75 or the line at the TSA checkpoint on a Sunday night, but taking a look at this list makes you appreciate Detroit Metro (DTW) just a little bit more. At least when you're sprint-walking at DTW, you get to ride the red tram or walk through the colorful tunnel.

So, if your next flight goes smoothly without a surprise detour through O'Hare or Newark, consider yourself lucky. What’s the one airport on this list you will pay extra to completely avoid?

Judge Orders White House Press Access Restored, STARS Faces Higher Fuel Costs

It’s been a busy day in the news, from Washington to right here in Mid-Michigan.

Judge Orders White House Press Access Restored

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore White House press access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order requiring the administration to return and restore the journalists' White House hard-pass credentials.

Kelly said the outlets were likely to succeed in their legal challenge and found that the press credentials had been revoked without constitutionally adequate due process. The administration had argued that national security concerns were involved. (Investing.com)

The case stems from the administration's decision last week to bar the three news organizations from the White House.

Diesel Costs Hit Saginaw Transit

Closer to home, rising diesel prices are putting a bigger dent in the budget at the Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services, or STARS.

The agency says its fuel costs have increased 37 percent over the past year. As a result, STARS plans to increase its fuel budget for the upcoming fiscal year by 19 percent, or about $100,000.

STARS says that extra money has to come from somewhere, limiting what the agency can spend on other needs.

The good news for riders: fares and routes are not being impacted by the fuel-related budget changes. STARS also says ridership has increased in recent years. (https://www.wnem.com)

So if you've been thinking about taking the bus instead of driving because diesel is getting expensive, you're definitely not the only one doing the math.

Start Thinking About Christmas Shipping

Yes, we're saying this in September.

The U.S. Postal Service has released its recommended holiday mailing deadlines for packages that need to arrive by Christmas.

For the lower 48 states, USPS recommends:

• December 17: Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail

• December 18: Priority Mail

• December 19: Priority Mail Express

USPS says these are recommended dates for expected delivery by December 25, and actual delivery times can vary. (About USPS)

In other words, if your family member in Florida is still waiting for that Christmas present on December 24, don't say the Postal Service didn't warn you.

Tigers Fall to Washington

On the sports side, the Detroit Tigers fell to the Washington Nationals 4-2.

The Tigers return home tomorrow night to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.

And the Saginaw Spirit are also back on home ice tomorrow night, taking on the Niagara IceDogs at the Dow Event Center.

That game gets underway at 7:05 p.m.

Your Mid-Michigan Forecast

We're looking at sunshine with a high around 72 today.

Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 46.

Friday brings partly sunny skies with a high near 68.

And the weekend is looking pretty nice, with mostly sunny skies and highs around 71 both Saturday and Sunday.

Ella Langley just did something pretty darn big.

Her hit “Choosin’ Texas” has officially made Billboard history, spending its 23rd week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. That makes it the longest-running No. 1 song in the history of the chart.

And yes, she just passed Mariah Carey.

“Choosin’ Texas” broke the record previously held by Mariah’s holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which spent 22 weeks at No. 1.

So, technically, Ella Langley has now kept a song at No. 1 longer than Mariah has kept Christmas from going away.

Sorry, Mariah. Michigan will still be playing your Christmas song approximately 47 times a day once Thanksgiving gets here.

From Alabama to Texas... and somehow Michigan

The funny part about a song called “Choosin’ Texas” making this kind of history is that plenty of Michigan listeners can probably relate to the basic idea.

Sometimes you just have to choose your place.

Texas has cowboy boots.

Michigan has work boots.

Texas has Whataburger.

Michigan has Coney dogs.

Texas has big trucks.

Michigan has trucks that have survived three Michigan winters and somehow still have a bumper sticker from 2014.

And while Ella is “Choosin’ Texas,” we're still choosing Michigan.

Even when it's 38 degrees in October, there's a 20 mph wind and somebody is already talking about snow.

Ella says it's changing everything

Langley shared a video thanking fans after the record-breaking news, saying she was struggling to find the words to explain what was happening.

She said the success is changing her life, the lives of the song's writers and the lives of her family. She also said the moment didn't feel real.

And it's a pretty remarkable run.

“Choosin’ Texas” was released in October 2025, reached the Billboard Hot 100 in November, cracked the Top 10 in January and eventually reached No. 1 in February.

The song was written by Langley with Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick and Joybeth Taylor.

The Michigan question

Now that Ella has officially made history, we've got an important question for Michigan:

If you had to choose between Texas and Michigan, which one are you taking?

Texas has warmer winters.

Michigan has lakes, fall colors, coney dogs, Mackinac Island, football Saturdays and the unique experience of scraping ice off your windshield while questioning every decision that led you to that parking lot.

We'll stick with Michigan.

But we'll happily keep playing “Choosin’ Texas.”

Ever have that conversation with your significant other?

“What do you want to eat?”

“I don't care. What do you want?”

“I don't know. What sounds good?”

“Anything.”

“Okay, how about pizza?”

“I don't want pizza.”

At that point, some Michigan couples are apparently ready to file for food divorce.

Food divorce means couples stop trying to coordinate every meal. Instead, each person eats whatever they want, whenever they want, without the nightly negotiations over what's for dinner.

Honestly, Michigan couples have plenty of experience with this.

One person wants coneys. The other wants Olive Burger. One wants a Coney Island, while the other is already halfway to Meijer buying chicken and complaining that nobody ever helps decide what's for dinner.

And don't even get us started on “Where do you want to go?”

That question has ended more Friday nights than a snowstorm.

A relationship therapist says the idea behind food divorce is to remove meals from the list of daily negotiations that can create stress and resentment.

And younger generations seem to be moving away from the traditional family dinner schedule. A recent study found that about 1 in 4 Americans eat every meal alone.

But there's a catch.

Couples who regularly eat together tend to report higher relationship satisfaction. So if you're going to divorce dinner, experts say you probably need to replace that shared meal with some other way of connecting.

Maybe that's sitting together on the couch.

Maybe it's going for a walk.

Or maybe, in Michigan, it's sitting around the kitchen table complaining about the weather while somebody checks the snowblower forecast.

Because sometimes the problem isn't dinner.

It's the 17-minute argument about where to get dinner.

So, would you try a food divorce?

Or is eating together one of those things you're not willing to give up?

And most importantly...

If you and your significant other can't agree on dinner, who gets custody of the leftover ranch?

Wednesday News: Xi Visits Washington, Big Medical School Project Breaks Ground in Saginaw

Xi Jinping Arrives in Washington

Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Washington today for a state visit with President Donald Trump, with Trump planning to personally greet Xi and his wife when they arrive at Joint Base Andrews.

The visit runs through Friday and includes an arrival ceremony at the White House, a military review and a state dinner.

Trump and Xi are expected to discuss several major issues, including trade, tariffs, artificial intelligence and other U.S.-China relations issues.

It's Xi's first visit to Washington in more than a decade, making the trip one of the biggest diplomatic events of the week.

Harris Visits Michigan Senate Candidate

Former Vice President Kamala Harris was in Detroit Tuesday, appearing with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at a roundtable focused on Black maternal health.

Harris endorsed El-Sayed during the visit. El-Sayed is running against Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the November Senate election.

Rogers responded to the visit on social media, criticizing the appearance and Harris' involvement in the Michigan race.

New Medical Education Building Coming to Saginaw

There was a big groundbreaking in Saginaw Tuesday.

Central Michigan University, Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health broke ground on the new MyMichigan Health CMU Medical Education Building near the MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw.

The facility will become the new home of CMU's College of Medicine and is expected to bring all four years of medical education together in Saginaw beginning with the fall 2028 semester.

The building is designed to support up to 130 medical students per class, pending clinical capacity.

That's a pretty big deal for the Great Lakes Bay Region, and eventually there could be a whole lot of future doctors learning their craft right here in Saginaw.

Michigan's Christmas Tree Has Been Chosen

It may still feel like fall, but Michigan is already thinking about Christmas.

A 60-foot spruce from Iron Mountain has been selected as Michigan's official 2026 Christmas tree.

The tree was donated by the Larry Riccio family and will arrive at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing on November 7.

It's the second tree from Iron Mountain and the 26th tree from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to be selected as the state's official Christmas tree since the tradition began in 1987.

So somewhere in the U.P., one family is looking at a giant empty spot in the yard thinking, "Well...there goes the shade."

Red Wings Win, Tigers Fall

The Detroit Red Wings picked up their first preseason win, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 Tuesday night.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård scored twice, while Anton Johansson had four assists. Detroit scored four times in the third period to pull away.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers lost to the Washington Nationals 3-1.

CJ Abrams hit two home runs for Washington and drove in all three Nationals runs.

Mid-Michigan Weather

Mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 69.

Tonight, clear skies with a low around 48.

Thursday brings more sunshine with a high near 70.

Friday looks sunny with a high around 68.

Today is National Dress Up Your Pet Day, the day when we're apparently supposed to make our dogs and cats look as fashionable as possible.

It was launched in 2009 by a pet lifestyle expert to support the pet fashion industry.

Translation: somebody wanted you to buy another dog sweater at Petco.

But here's the funny part. A new poll of 2,000 cat and dog owners asked what we actually WORRY about when it comes to our pets.

And apparently, looking fabulous isn't even in the top nine.

The biggest concern? How happy they are, with 53% saying they worry about that a lot.

Then it's their overall health at 52%, what they eat at 46%, whether they're anxious or stressed at 41%, and whether they're getting enough exercise at 38%.

They're also worried about their pets being lonely, bored, and whether they'd be happier with another pet around.

Meanwhile, here in Michigan, we're just trying to figure out if the dog needs a jacket because it's 48 degrees in the morning and 72 by dinner.

You put a little sweater on your dog and he looks at you like, "Seriously? I'm a Michigan dog. I've been outside in January."

And don't even get started on putting a Halloween costume on a cat.

That cat isn't wearing the costume.

You're wearing the costume.

Because the cat is going to spend the next three hours plotting your downfall from underneath the couch.

So go ahead and dress up your pet today.

Put them in a little sweater. A bow tie. A tiny Michigan hoodie.

Just remember, your pet probably doesn't care about fashion.

They care about food, attention, going outside, and figuring out why you keep leaving the house without them.

Happy National Dress Up Your Pet Day!

Let's be honest. We've all been there.

You've got a fresh order of fries. They're hot. They're crispy. You're ready to go.

Then comes the big question:

Where do I put the ketchup?

You can squeeze it onto the fries, which guarantees that the bottom half will become a soggy mess.

You can use a ketchup packet, which somehow manages to shoot ketchup onto your shirt, your car and the person sitting next to you.

Or you can balance a little plastic cup of ketchup on your lap while driving down I-75 and hope Michigan's potholes don't turn lunch into a crime scene.

Well, Heinz thinks they've found a better way.

Meet the Heinz Dipper

Heinz has introduced something called the Heinz Dipper, a French fry box with a built-in ketchup pocket.

The box looks pretty normal at first, but there's a little compartment attached to the side that pulls out and creates a spot for your ketchup.

No packets.

No separate dipping cup.

No trying to hold your fries, burger, drink and ketchup all at the same time.

Just dip and eat.

Honestly, Michigan might be ready for this.

Imagine pulling up to a burger joint in Saginaw, Bay City or Flint and saying:

“I'll take the fries, and make sure the box has the ketchup garage.”

But Don't Expect One at McDonald's

There's a catch.

The Heinz Dipper isn't showing up everywhere. It's currently being rolled out at select restaurants and sports venues in 11 countries, and it's being described largely as a limited promotional stunt.

And no, you won't find it at McDonald's.

In North America, one of the biggest locations getting the special boxes is Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, home of the Maple Leafs.

So if you're willing to drive to Canada for a ketchup-equipped fry box, apparently that's an option.

Although if you're already in Canada, you've got another problem:

You have to explain to the border agent why you drove across the international border for a better French fry container.

“Sir, it was about the dipping sauce.”

“Understandable. Have a nice day.”

For now, the Heinz Dipper is available only while supplies last.

But if this thing catches on, don't be surprised if the next version comes with a built-in ranch compartment.

And that's when Michigan officially becomes unstoppable.