A UC Riverside student discovered a new bug and now it's named after Taylor Swift! Check out the Celebrity News Minute here!
A UC Riverside student discovered a new bug and now it's named after Taylor Swift! Check out the Celebrity News Minute here!
Three drunk guys got busted for throwing beef sticks at Waffle House at 4:30am. Two Two guys only weating tighty whities. Cops found them sitting on a bench outside of a laundromat. They gave no reason for throwing the beef sticks!
Try these guys. Better!
Ever learn something and immediately think:
"Wait... everybody else knew that?"
A Reddit user recently asked people to share the "common knowledge" facts they somehow made it through life without knowing.
And the answers are fantastic.
So, in the spirit of public education, here are a few things you may or may not have known.
1. Penguins are birds.
Yes. Birds.
They don't fly, they swim, they waddle around wearing tuxedos, and somehow we're supposed to believe they're birds.
That's basically a duck with a better publicist.
2. "The Beatles" is a play on the word "beat."
Apparently, some people thought it was just the English spelling of "beetles."
Which means somewhere in Michigan, there's a guy who spent 40 years thinking one of the greatest rock bands in history was named after a bug.
3. Pineapples don't grow on trees.
They grow from plants on the ground.
This one is especially weird because we've all seen pineapples, but apparently nobody ever stopped to ask:
"How exactly does this thing get up there?"
It's not a coconut.
It's a pineapple.
4. Chicken tenders are chicken tenderloins.
This one feels like something we should've figured out around age 12.
But no.
We've been ordering "chicken tenders" for decades like they're a completely different species of poultry.
5. Pickles are cucumbers.
Somebody had to tell people this.
Which means there are adults walking around Michigan right now who are still discovering that a pickle is basically a cucumber that went to a very aggressive spa.
6. Reindeer are real.
They're actual animals.
Santa didn't invent them.
Although if you've ever driven up north in Michigan during deer season, you probably already knew Michigan has plenty of animals capable of suddenly appearing in front of your vehicle.
7. Ponies are NOT baby horses.
This one genuinely surprised people.
A pony is not a baby horse. Ponies are their own type of horse.
A baby horse is called a foal.
So if you've spent your entire life thinking a pony eventually grows up into a horse...
Congratulations.
Today you learned something from a blog post.
And don't feel bad.
Michigan has its own version of "common knowledge" that can trip people up.
For example:
The hand is not an island.
The mitten is not technically our official name.
And yes, the UP is part of Michigan, despite what somebody from Detroit might tell you after two Vernors.
So if you learned something new today, don't worry.
Just act like you've known it forever.
That's what the rest of us are doing.
Think back to the last time your whole family sat down for dinner.
Everybody finally gets to the table... somebody says, "Okay, let's eat"... and Dad is already done.
Not just done. Plate scraped clean. Napkin deployed. He's standing up asking, "Anybody want anything from the kitchen?"
Meanwhile, Mom is still working on the first half of her mashed potatoes.
Apparently, there's actually a name for this: the "eating speed gap."
Researchers are looking at what happens when couples eat at completely different speeds. One person is inhaling dinner like they're trying to beat a traffic light on Woodward, while the other is taking leisurely bites and enjoying the experience.
And Michigan families have a special version of this.
One person is eating dinner.
The other is eating dinner and checking the weather for the weekend.
The fast eater isn't necessarily doing anything wrong. Experts say couples who eat at different speeds may actually balance each other out. One person moves through life with a little more urgency, while the other takes things at a slower pace.
Which sounds nice until you're at a Michigan coney restaurant and your partner says:
"You don't have to eat so fast."
And you respond:
"I'm not eating fast. You're eating SLOW."
Now you've got a relationship debate happening over a plate of chili fries.
The biggest problem comes when the fast eater makes the slow eater feel rushed, gets up from the table before everyone else is finished, or worse...
YOU'RE SHARING A PLATE.
That's when things get serious.
Because if one person eats 80 percent of the nachos before the other person gets three chips, that's no longer an "eating speed gap."
That's a crime scene.
And if you're eating at a Michigan restaurant and your partner says, "I'm just going to have a bite of yours..."
Guard your coney.
Guard it with your life.
Experts say the key is simply talking about it if different eating speeds are becoming a problem.
Just make sure you have that conversation before the fast eater finishes.
Because once that plate hits the dishwasher...
The meeting is adjourned.
Trump Proposes $5,000 Payment if Republicans Win Congress
President Donald Trump is proposing a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both the House and Senate in November's midterm elections.
Trump made the announcement Wednesday night during the Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention in Dallas. He called the proposal a "dividend" and said the money would have to be spent in the United States.
The proposal could cost roughly $1.2 trillion to $1.35 trillion, depending on how eligibility is defined. Trump did not provide details on how the payments would be funded or administered. The plan would also require congressional approval. Questions about its legal and financial implications were raised following the announcement. (Reuters)
Michigan State Police Highlight Cold Cases
Michigan State Police are highlighting cold cases across the state as part of an effort to generate new information from the public.
The MSP has created a dedicated online cold-case webpage where residents can search cases by district and submit information to investigators. The database includes cases from across Michigan, including the agency's Third District, which covers Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Genesee and several surrounding counties. (Michigan)
Anyone with information about a cold case can submit a tip through the MSP website.
Saginaw State Street Project Moves Toward Completion
After months of construction, lane closures and detours, work on Saginaw's State Street project is moving toward its next phase.
The Michigan Department of Transportation is rebuilding about 1.1 miles of eastbound M-58, or State Street, between Avalon Avenue and M-84, or Bay Street.
The $13 million project includes road reconstruction and paving, storm sewer work, sidewalk and driveway improvements, and new traffic signals. (Michigan)
Crews are completing road work and preparing for paving, with construction expected to continue into the fall.
Sports
The Great Lakes Loons take a 1-0 lead into Game 2 of the Midwest League East Division Championship Series tonight in Dayton.
The Loons beat the Dayton Dragons 6-0 in Game 1 and will try to close out the best-of-three series tonight at Day Air Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (MLB.com)
In Major League Baseball, the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-2.
And in the NFL opener, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 13-10. Seattle rallied from a 10-point deficit, with its defense intercepting Patriots quarterback Drake Maye three times in the second half. (NFL)
Mid-Michigan Weather
Cloudy skies this morning will give way to sunshine this afternoon, with a high near 77.
Tonight will be clear with a low around 52.
Friday will be sunny with a high near 78, followed by mostly sunny skies Saturday and a high around 83.
There's a new list making the rounds of things that used to be free but now cost money.
And as Michiganders, we're already dealing with potholes, road construction, unpredictable weather and the emotional trauma of watching grocery prices climb.
We don't need this.
Some of this stuff should STILL be free.
Remember when you bought a new phone and it actually came with the stuff you needed to use it?
Headphones. Charger. Everything.
Now you open the box and there's a phone sitting there looking at you like:
“Good luck.”
It's basically buying a new car and finding out the steering wheel is sold separately.
This one hurts.
You see a concert ticket advertised for $50.
You think, “That's not bad!”
Then you get to checkout.
$50 ticket.
$14 convenience fee.
$9 processing fee.
$7 facility fee.
$6 delivery fee.
Suddenly you're paying $86 to sit in Section 317 and watch somebody who you can barely see.
And don't even get us started on Michigan concert parking.
Airlines used to let you check a bag without making you feel like you were smuggling gold.
Now you have to pay extra to bring the suitcase you packed with your own clothes.
At this point, I'm waiting for an airline to charge me a “shirt fee.”
You bought the ticket.
You paid the taxes.
You paid the fees.
And now the airline says:
“Would you like a seat?”
Yes.
That's generally why I bought the plane ticket.
And if you don't pay extra to choose one, you could end up in the middle seat between two strangers who are both apparently trying to expand their personal space into your lap.
Remember when airlines actually fed you?
Now you're lucky if they hand you a tiny bag of pretzels and a beverage.
Meanwhile, you're sitting there thinking about the glory days when airplane meals were free.
Were they good?
Absolutely not.
But they were free bad food.
And that makes a difference.
Disney used to have a system that helped you skip some of the long lines for free.
Now there are paid options.
Michigan parents already know the feeling of paying admission and then realizing you're going to spend half the day standing in a line.
It's basically Cedar Point without the roller coaster at the end.
You click on a 10-minute video.
Commercial.
Watch for a while.
Commercial.
You're almost finished.
Another commercial.
At this point, the video is 10 minutes long and the advertising campaign is 45 minutes.
Remember when you could just read an article?
Now you click on something interesting and get:
“You've reached your free article limit.”
Apparently, the internet has developed a cover charge.
In Michigan, we're used to paying for parking.
Now we have to pay to read about why Michigan has the best pizza?
Come on.
This might be the most Michigan thing on the list.
You find an empty parking spot.
You park.
Then you look for the sign.
Then you scan a QR code.
Then you download an app.
Then you create an account.
Then you enter your license plate.
Then you enter your credit card.
Then you confirm your email.
By the time you're finished, someone has already parked behind you.
And somewhere in Michigan, there's still a guy saying:
“It used to be a quarter.”
Pizza delivery used to mean you ordered pizza and tipped the driver.
Simple.
Now you've got a delivery fee, service fee, small-order fee, online ordering fee, mysterious fee and then the tip.
Pretty soon the pizza itself is going to be the cheapest part of the order.
And honestly, that's where we draw the line.
Because Michigan has survived winter.
We've survived potholes.
We've survived construction season.
We've survived the Lions.
But we're not paying $38 to have a $17 pizza brought 2.3 miles to our house.
So here's today's question:
What's something that used to be free that absolutely should NOT cost money now?
Parking? Bags? Chargers? Ticket fees?
Or maybe something completely different?
Because apparently we're living in a world where breathing is still free...
but we're probably on borrowed time.
Michigan dog owners, get ready.
Because next year, your dog may finally get to participate in one of America's greatest traditions: Girl Scout Cookie season.
And no, we're not talking about handing your dog a Trefoil and hoping for the best.
The Girl Scouts just announced a brand-new actual dog treat called Patch Pals, coming when the next cookie season kicks off in January.
They're soft-baked, blueberry muffin-flavored treats made specifically for dogs, developed in partnership with BARK.
The Girl Scouts say they're designed to celebrate the bond between people and their pups.
And honestly, Michigan dogs have earned it.
Think about everything our dogs put up with.
They go outside in January and immediately discover that the grass has disappeared beneath three feet of snow.
They step outside in July and discover that the sidewalk is approximately the temperature of a pizza oven.
They spend half the year watching us scrape ice off the car.
They've been dragged through muddy yards, chased by mosquitoes and forced to listen to us complain about road construction.
Give the dog a cookie.
There is, however, one potential problem.
We're going to have to make sure nobody accidentally eats one.
Apparently, Al Roker tried a Patch Pal on the Today show and said it was “not bad.”
That's either a strong endorsement...
...or the beginning of a very strange new Food Network competition.
Fortunately, the Patch Pals box has a dog on it and clearly says DOG COOKIES.
And unlike regular Girl Scout cookies, they'll only be available online for direct shipping.
So you probably won't have to worry about your dog walking into the grocery store and buying six boxes.
Although, if your dog figures out online shopping, you're in trouble.
The Girl Scouts also announced a new cookie for people called Sparkables.
They're oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips and sprinkles, and they're specifically designed to avoid the nine major food allergens.
So while your dog is enjoying a blueberry muffin-flavored treat, you can sit next to them eating chocolate-chip oatmeal cookies.
That's family bonding.
And if you're in Michigan, there's an obvious question:
What should the next Michigan-themed Girl Scout cookie be?
A Vernors Ginger Cookie?
A Better Made Potato Chip Cookie?
Maybe a Coney Dog Cookie?
Okay... maybe not that last one.
But you know your dog is going to be sitting there staring at you while you eat your cookies.
For years we've told them, “Sorry, buddy. You can't have chocolate.”
Now we can finally look them in the eye and say:
“Good news. Girl Scouts made you your own.”
Just don't be surprised if your dog suddenly starts checking the mailbox every afternoon in January.
The conflict between the United States and Iran is continuing to escalate.
The U.S. has attacked five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near Karg Island after accusing Iran of launching ballistic missiles at a U.S. warship twice in two days.
Iran responded by firing missiles at U.S. forces stationed at a base in Jordan.
U.S. Central Command says no American personnel were harmed in the Iranian attack.
The controversy surrounding Saturday's Michigan-Western Michigan football game is officially over, at least as far as the final result is concerned.
The NCAA says the outcome of the game will stand after the Mid-American Conference filed an appeal arguing that a final second should never have been added to the game clock.
The conference asked the NCAA to recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner.
The NCAA denied the appeal, saying there is no process for overturning the outcome of a completed game.
So, whatever you thought happened Saturday, the record book is keeping it.
Michigan drivers could soon have another reason to slow down in construction zones.
The Michigan Department of Transportation says it plans to have automated speed cameras operating in work zones by the 2027 construction season.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation in 2024 allowing the cameras to be used in Michigan construction zones.
MDOT originally hoped to have the system ready for the 2026 construction season, but the department said that timeline would be a challenge.
Now, 2027 is the target.
For anyone who has ever driven through a Michigan construction zone, the cameras may soon become one more thing to watch for, right alongside barrels, lane shifts and that one guy who somehow manages to merge at the last possible second.
Saginaw city leaders gave residents an update Tuesday on several major projects that could reshape the city's riverfront.
The plans include the Medical Diamond, a new riverfront park and improvements involving Ojibwe Island.
The city has secured $34 million for infrastructure and a new 5.5-acre riverfront park as part of a larger effort combining health care, development and public space.
Groundbreaking for Central Michigan University's building in the Medical Diamond is planned for later this month.
The Detroit Tigers fell to the Minnesota Twins 3-2.
The Great Lakes Loons, however, had a much better night.
Playing Game One of the Midwest League East Division series at Dow Diamond, the Loons shut out the Dayton Dragons 6-0.
Today: Showers and thunderstorms, high 78.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, low 60.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, high 76.
Friday: Sunny, high 78.
For the past 20 years, America went through a beer identity crisis.
We started with light lagers. Then came the craft beer revolution.
Suddenly, regular beer wasn't enough. We needed IPAs, Belgian ales, porters, stouts and beers with descriptions longer than the ingredient list on a frozen pizza.
You couldn't just order a beer anymore.
You had to say something like:
“I'll have the barrel-aged, bourbon-infused, triple-hopped, hazy, imperial stout with notes of dark chocolate, grapefruit and existential regret.”
But apparently, America is tired.
According to a new report, the most popular beer in America is Michelob Ultra.
Yes. Michelob Ultra.
The beer famous for being light, refreshing and apparently committed to making sure you don't accidentally taste too much beer.
Behind it are Bud Light, Stella Artois, Budweiser, Guinness, Coors Light, Busch Light, Miller Lite, Blue Moon and Corona.
Notice something?
There's a lot of “Light” happening here.
Meanwhile, the least popular beer is Milwaukee's Best Ice.
Which raises an important question:
If America doesn't want Milwaukee's Best Ice, what exactly does America want?
Apparently, anything except the beer that tastes like it was brewed during a lunch break.
Harp came in second on the least-popular list, followed by Sierra Nevada, Samuel Adams, Keystone, Molson, Labatt Blue, Carlsberg, Hamm's and Keystone Light.
And before the craft beer crowd starts throwing hops at the survey, yes, Sierra Nevada and Samuel Adams are part of the craft beer world, even though they're now major nationwide brands.
The report also ranked the states most interested in beer.
And honestly, the list makes sense.
The top 10 are:
Wisconsin, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, South Dakota and Missouri.
Wisconsin at number one feels less like a statistic and more like someone simply remembered to count.
At the other end of the list are the states least interested in beer:
Alaska, Utah, Georgia, Washington, Mississippi, California, Virginia, Maryland, Oregon and Hawaii.
Although if you're sitting on a beach in Hawaii looking at the Pacific Ocean, maybe you don't need a complicated craft beer.
You already have the ocean.
So what do you think?
Has America moved on from craft beer and gone back to the classics?
Or are we just tired of paying $9 for a beer that comes with a 14-word description?
Because sometimes you don't want hints of citrus, oak, chocolate, vanilla and “forest floor.”
Sometimes you just want a cold beer.
Preferably one you can pronounce.
Remember when everybody told us to cut the cord?
Cable was too expensive. Cable had too many channels. Cable had commercials. Cable was yesterday's technology.
So we canceled cable, celebrated our freedom and proudly announced, “I can watch whatever I want!”
Turns out... whatever we want costs $151 a month.
A new report says streaming prices have been climbing at more than three times the rate of inflation since 2022. And suddenly that old cable bill is looking less like the villain and more like a misunderstood friend.
Consider this:
Apple TV launched in 2019 at $4.99 a month. It's now roughly three times that.
Disney+ launched at $6.99 a month without ads. Now you're paying $11.99 for the version WITH ads.
Netflix Premium has jumped 125% since 2013.
And the cheapest tier of Paramount+ is up 80% over the past five years.
Add up all eight major streaming services without ads or bundle commitments and you're looking at about $151 a month.
Four years ago? About $90.
That's a $61-a-month difference.
And here's the kicker: We're still watching commercials.
We cut the cord to escape the cable company, only to recreate the cable package ourselves one $11.99 subscription at a time.
So what's the answer?
Apparently, it's streaming cycling.
The idea is simple. Don't subscribe to everything at once.
Pick one service.
Watch everything you want.
Cancel it.
Move to another service.
Finish your shows there.
Cancel that one.
Move on to the next.
Basically, we're treating streaming subscriptions like gym memberships. Sign up with tremendous optimism, use it for a month, then immediately cancel before they can charge us again.
Streaming cycling is reportedly popular with Gen Z, and honestly, they're onto something.
Because maybe the secret isn't going back to cable.
Maybe it's becoming the world's most aggressive subscription manager.
What's the streaming service you refuse to cancel?
And what's the one you keep paying for even though you haven't watched anything on it in six months?
Because somewhere right now, there's a person paying $15 a month for a streaming service just to watch one show they've already finished.
And that person might be us.
Canada has officially imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, with the new duties taking effect just after midnight.
The tariffs cover about $20 billion worth of American products, with duties ranging from 15% to 50%. The affected products include everything from steel and furniture to clothing and electronics.
The move follows the collapse of negotiations last month, intensifying an already 18-month-old trade war between the two countries.
Employees of the Saginaw Intermediate School District are getting a significant pay increase under a new three-year collective bargaining agreement.
The agreement provides salary increases averaging 18% and was ratified by the Saginaw Intermediate Federation of Teachers before being approved by the Saginaw ISD Board of Education.
School officials say the investment will help Saginaw ISD remain competitive with comparable intermediate school districts throughout Michigan and the region.
The annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk drew approximately 34,000 participants Monday.
According to the Mackinac Bridge Authority, traffic was closed on the bridge at 6:30 Monday morning and reopened at noon.
Attendance in recent years has ranged from about 21,000 to 35,000 people, making this year's turnout one of the larger crowds in recent years.
The Detroit Tigers picked up a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Meanwhile, postseason baseball gets underway tonight for the Great Lakes Loons, who host the Dayton Dragons in Game One of their Division Series.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 tonight.
Today will be partly sunny with a high near 83.
Tonight will turn cloudy with a 40% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms, with a low around 69.
Wednesday will be cloudy with showers possible around midday, with a high near 80.
Then Thursday looks much nicer, with sunny skies and a high of 77.
Have you ever watched a coworker retire, shaken their hand, and asked the obvious question:
“So, what are you going to do now?”
And they immediately say:
“I'm going to Disney World!”
Apparently, that's not a bad plan.
A new study looked at 182 of the biggest cities in America to determine the best places to retire.
Researchers considered 45 different factors, including affordability, healthcare, quality of life and, most importantly, whether there's enough stuff to do when you suddenly have approximately 14,000 hours of free time.
They looked at things like senior centers, golf courses, museums, theaters, book clubs and bingo halls.
Because retirement is apparently a delicate balance between playing 18 holes and yelling “BINGO!”
And coming in at #1 was Orlando, Florida.
Yes, Orlando.
Apparently, retirees just can't quit Florida.
And while Disney World wasn't specifically the reason Orlando took the top spot, we're guessing having access to a place where adults can spend $17 on a mouse-shaped ice cream probably didn't hurt.
Orlando, Florida
Miami, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Scottsdale, Arizona
Casper, Wyoming
Atlanta, Georgia
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Charleston, South Carolina
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Notice anything?
Florida appears three times.
Apparently, the secret to retirement is sunshine, golf and never seeing snow again.
Meanwhile, California absolutely dominated the bottom of the rankings.
The worst place to retire was Stockton, California, followed by San Bernardino, Newark, Fresno, Rancho Cucamonga, Bakersfield, Tacoma, Bridgeport, Detroit, and Fontana.
Yep.
Detroit made the bottom 10.
Michigan retirees everywhere are looking at this list and saying:
“Excuse me?”
Look, Detroit may not have perfect weather year-round, but we have something Florida doesn't:
You don't have to worry about your flip-flops melting into the sidewalk.
And if you're tired of retirement activities, Michigan gives you plenty of opportunities to spend an afternoon watching road construction.
Free entertainment!
According to the study, Brownsville, Texas is the place to consider if affordability is your biggest concern.
If activities are most important, San Francisco comes out on top.
Scottsdale, Arizona ranks highest for quality of life.
And if healthcare is your number-one priority, Sioux Falls, South Dakota takes the top spot.
But honestly, maybe the best place to retire isn't Orlando.
Maybe it's your own house.
Your favorite chair.
Your own refrigerator.
Your own bed.
Your own TV remote.
Nobody telling you where to be at 8:30 in the morning.
Sounds pretty great, right?
Until your spouse looks over at you on Day Three of retirement and says:
“Now that you're home all day...when are you finally going to finish all those projects?”
And suddenly you're on Zillow looking at condos in Orlando.
Because retirement isn't necessarily about where you live.
It's about who knows where you live.
And whether they have a honey-do list.
Believe it or not, Monday is Labor Day.
A day dedicated to American workers, conveniently celebrated by giving American workers the day off.
And considering how much Americans work, we deserve it.
The average American puts in around 1,800 hours a year, which is more than workers in Canada, Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom.
But apparently, that's not enough for WalletHub.
They recently ranked all 50 states based on things like employment rates, hours worked, commute times and how much free time people have.
And Michigan came in dead last.
Yep.
50th out of 50.
Behind Ohio.
Let that sink in.
Ohio.
We're not saying this study is wrong... we're just saying the researchers may want to check their methodology before Michigan residents start sending them strongly worded postcards.
According to the rankings, the 10 hardest-working states are:
South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, Hawaii, Wyoming, Nebraska, Texas, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Georgia.
And at the bottom:
Michigan, Oregon, New Jersey, Ohio, Nevada, Rhode Island, California, New York, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Michigan residents everywhere are currently staring at this list and thinking:
“Wait... we're losing to Ohio at working now?”
But let's defend ourselves here.
Michigan isn't lazy.
Michigan is strategic.
We've spent generations perfecting the art of getting an enormous amount of work done while simultaneously complaining about how much work we're doing.
We build cars.
We make stuff.
We work in factories, hospitals, restaurants, schools, farms, offices, warehouses and every other place where somebody eventually says:
“We need this done yesterday.”
And let's not forget winter.
Michigan residents spend roughly half the year performing unpaid outdoor maintenance simply to keep our driveways, sidewalks and vehicles from being swallowed by ice and snow.
You try scraping two inches of ice off your windshield at 7:15 in the morning and then tell us we're not hard workers.
Plus, Michigan has something the Dakotas don't:
Construction season.
Actually, Michigan has several construction seasons.
There's road construction season.
There's road construction season after winter.
There's road construction season because the road construction season didn't finish.
And there's the mysterious season where orange barrels appear on a road that was perfectly fine yesterday.
That's work.
And then there's the commute.
If you've ever driven I-75, I-69, I-94 or practically any major Michigan highway during rush hour, you know that getting to work is sometimes a full-time job before your actual job even begins.
So maybe Michigan didn't come in last because we're lazy.
Maybe we're just efficient.
Maybe we're saying:
“Why work 60 hours when I can complain about working 40?”
And honestly, that's innovation.
Besides, Labor Day isn't supposed to be about winning a national competition for who can spend the most hours staring at a computer screen.
It's about American workers.
So whether you're working Monday, grilling Monday, watching football Monday, sitting on the boat Monday or pretending you have absolutely no idea where your boss is...
Enjoy the holiday.
And Michigan, don't feel bad about finishing 50th.
We're still No. 1 at several very important things:
Great Lakes.
Coney dogs.
Better Made.
Potholes.
And apparently...
Taking a four-day weekend seriously.
Happy Labor Day, Michigan.
Now get back to work.
Tuesday.
Probably.
Two workers in Nepal have been pulled out alive from a hydropower tunnel, nine days after devastating floods swept across the Himalayan region.
Emergency crews rescued the workers early today. Officials say the voices of other workers could still be heard from inside the tunnel, raising hopes that more people may be found alive.
At least 557 workers are still believed to be missing in the tunnel as rescue crews continue their search.
The flooding has devastated parts of the Himalayan region, leaving thousands of people dead or missing.
The U.S. Department of Justice has expanded its investigation into beef affordability to include seven of the country's largest grocery retailers.
The investigation now includes Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, Aldi, Costco and Amazon.
The DOJ launched an antitrust investigation in May into the country's four largest meatpackers. The department says those companies control more than 85% of the U.S. beef processing market.
The expanded investigation comes as consumers continue to deal with high grocery prices, including the cost of beef.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced appointments to 13 state boards and commissions, including three appointments involving people from Mid-Michigan.
Shannon Hinman of Saginaw was appointed to the Autism Council as the designee of the superintendent of public instruction from within the Michigan Department of Education.
Joel Roberts of Fenton was appointed to the State Plumbing Board.
And Carla Schultz of Mayville was appointed to the Michigan Wheat Promotion Committee to represent District 5 growers.
The Detroit Tigers are in Cleveland this afternoon to take on the Guardians.
Meanwhile, rain forced the Great Lakes Loons and Lake County Captains to postpone Thursday's doubleheader.
The two teams will make up the games today, with both games scheduled to be seven innings.
Mid-Michigan is starting the day with showers and thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms before 11 a.m., with a high around 80.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low around 63.
Saturday: Partly sunny with a high near 78.
Sunday: Sunny with a high around 78.
Labor Day: Mostly sunny with a high near 80.
Did you hear that Mr. T is mad about his new documentary? He says it doesn't tell the whole story. He said the film only shows a 30 second clip with his pastor. He said he was "more than that."
“The documentary ticked me off, because they didn’t cover a lot of stuff. When I saw it, I was like: ‘What the heck?’ It’s garbage. You build me up, then you try to punk me out."
"If you don’t know me, you’re gonna think I’m some monster.”
Showbiz Podcast Here!
Sandra Bullock saw a UFO in the mid-90's! She says it was five lights coming together and then rocketing away. She was in St. Martin Beach. Now that the US government has declassified UFO documents, she's happy to be proven correctly!
“I've seen them and I'm so happy that the government has finally corroborated my story so I no longer feel like an insane person."
Did you hear the Tiger's signed a 12 year old for 4 million dollars? Dominican Kevin Sosa is DOminican and became the youngest player to get this bag of cash! At 12 he can hit fastballs at 90 mph. The Tigers plan to sign him officially when he's 16.
We've officially entered the “-BER” months.
September. October. November. December.
Four glorious months filled with falling leaves, pumpkin spice, Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving food, Christmas decorations... and your sister-in-law reminding everyone that pumpkin spice season is NOT a personality trait.
But there's a problem.
These four months have 30, 31, 30 and 31 days.
And apparently, that's just too complicated for some of us.
Someone on social media has proposed a solution: Get rid of all the different month lengths and create five equal months of 73 days.
The new calendar would feature:
Jebruary
Mapril
Jaugust
Soctober
Necember
Problem solved!
Except... congratulations, your birthday is now Jaugust 43rd.
And then there's leap year, which presumably means we have to create Jaugust 74th, because apparently we've decided calendars should now operate like a software update nobody asked for.
The post went viral, picking up around 40,000 likes and comments, plus even more attention from people sharing it.
And naturally, the internet had opinions.
One person suggested 13 months of 28 days, which gives us 364 days, with New Year's Day becoming a special bonus day.
Honestly, that sounds pretty good.
Another suggested going with an ancient Egyptian-style system: 12 months of 30 days, followed by five or six special holiday days.
Then someone pointed out the obvious problem with the 73-day months:
“Living through a 73-day Jaugust would finish people.”
They're probably right.
Imagine being told it's still August when you've already experienced three birthdays, two weddings, a heat wave, a broken air conditioner and the emotional collapse of your fantasy football team.
Someone else said:
“My birthday is now Jaugust 43rd.”
And another declared:
“I was born in Soctober.”
Which sounds less like a birthday and more like the name of a band that plays at a coffee shop.
Then came the astrology crowd.
One person complained that we'd have to redo the entire zodiac system.
Someone else said maybe they'd finally get to be a Virgo instead of a Taurus.
That's right. We're potentially redesigning civilization because someone doesn't like their horoscope.
And don't even get us started on paychecks.
People pointed out that monthly pay schedules would have to be completely reworked.
Although one person had the perfect response:
“And rent due once a month still.”
Exactly.
Congratulations! Your month is now 73 days long, but your landlord still wants the same check every month.
Then someone went completely off the rails and suggested eliminating months altogether.
Just count the days:
Day 1. Day 2. Day 3... all the way to Day 365.
No more confusion about whether June has 30 days or whether November has 30.
Although your anniversary would now be:
“Happy 2,847th day together!”
Very romantic.
And then there was perhaps the greatest observation of all:
“Jebruary sounds like a trendy girl name in Utah.”
You know what?
It absolutely does.
“Everyone, meet Jebruary. She's majoring in communications and has a podcast about wellness.”
The best response may have been the person who simply said:
“Reading this made me realize that I'm not using my brain to its full potential.”
And honestly, same.
The internet seems pretty evenly divided between:
“This is a terrible idea.”
and
“This is a terrible idea... I love it.”
So, Mid-Michigan, let's settle this once and for all:
Would you happily live through a 73-day Jaugust, celebrate your birthday in Soctober, and pay rent once every 73 days?
Or should we just leave the calendar alone and accept that September has 30 days because... well, that's just how we've been doing it for thousands of years?
Personally, I'm voting to keep the calendar.
Mostly because I'm not emotionally prepared for 73 straight days of August.
The full cast of “Dancing with the Stars” was announced yesterday on Good Morning America, and Season 35 is shaping up to be another spectacular combination of celebrities, athletes, reality stars, musicians and… people you may need to Google.
The new season premieres September 15th on ABC and Disney+, and here’s who will be putting on the sequins:
Julia Stiles
Yes, the Julia Stiles. 10 Things I Hate About You, Save the Last Dance and now… possibly the cha-cha.
Jenna Dewan
She's already a professional dancer, which has caused some backlash. Apparently, showing up to a dancing competition knowing how to dance is controversial now.
Tatyana Ali
Ashley Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. This is one of the names where most people immediately go, “Oh yeah!”
Taylor Hanson
Yes, THAT Hanson. The “MMMBop” guy. Somewhere right now, someone is realizing that Taylor Hanson is no longer 15.
Ezra Frech
A Paralympic gold medalist, so he already has the athletic credentials. Now he's got to learn whether the cha-cha is harder than the long jump.
Amber Glenn
Olympic gold medalist in figure skating. So technically, she already knows how to spin dramatically while wearing sparkly clothes.
Connor Wood
Podcaster and comedian, also known as “Fibula.” Because apparently Connor wasn't enough.
Sarah Jane Nader
From Love Thy Nader. If you know who that is, congratulations. You are officially more informed about reality television than we are.
Tyler Cameron
From The Bachelorette Season 15. He was also a model and television personality, so he's basically been training for this moment his entire adult life.
Giada DeLaurentiis
Celebrity chef. We assume her first dance will somehow involve pasta.
Harry Shum Jr.
From Glee and Grey's Anatomy. This one makes sense. The man has rhythm in his résumé.
Conner Leavitt
From The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. He's also Whitney Leavitt's husband, which should make family viewing night extremely interesting.
Guillermo Rodriguez
From Jimmy Kimmel Live! Honestly, we're just happy Guillermo is here.
Maura Higgins
From Love Island and Traitors. Reality TV fans probably know exactly who she is. The rest of us are nodding knowingly.
Ciara Miller
From Summer House. Another reality star, because apparently one reality show wasn't enough.
Jackson Olson
From the Savannah Bananas. Yes, the Savannah Bananas. If you haven't seen them, they're basically baseball mixed with entertainment, dancing and enough energy to power a small city.
And that brings us to the big question:
Maybe something a little more accurate would be:
“Dancing With Some People That Some of You May Have Heard Of.”
Or perhaps:
“Dancing With the Stars, Former Stars, Reality Stars and That Guy From That Thing.”
Then again, that's a little long for a TV graphic.
Regardless, Season 35 premieres September 15th.
And somewhere between the paso doble, the foxtrot and the inevitable emotional rehearsal packages, we're sure at least one contestant will remind us that dancing is much harder than it looks.
Especially when you're wearing pants that appear to have been designed by a disco ball.
President Donald Trump says the renewed fighting with Iran will not last too long, while warning that the U.S. military is prepared to strike the Islamic Republic at any time.
The comments come as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East.
Kuwait’s military says its air defenses are responding to new Iranian missile and drone attacks. Iran says it is targeting U.S. military bases in Kuwait in response to what it describes as American crimes against the Iranian people.
A Michigan ballot proposal that would require voters to be U.S. citizens is now before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The group behind the proposal, Americans for Citizen Voting, submitted more than 700,000 signatures in an effort to qualify the measure for the ballot.
However, a state review found that only 612 of 1,000 sampled signatures were valid, putting the proposal's future in question.
If approved, the proposal would require voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, show photo identification and establish regular voter-roll reviews.
Saginaw residents will have an opportunity to learn more about how local elections work during a free public meeting next Wednesday.
The Saginaw City Clerk will host the "Elections 101" session at First Presbyterian Church on South First Street.
The meeting will walk residents through the election process, including ballot preparation and testing, Election Day procedures and vote counting.
The event is free and open to all residents. For additional information, residents can contact the Saginaw City Manager's Office.
Michigan hockey is heading outdoors this winter.
The Michigan Wolverines and Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey teams will meet Saturday, February 20th, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
The game will be part of Michigan's two-game Big Ten road series against Wisconsin.
General admission tickets are scheduled to go on sale Friday, September 11th.
The Detroit Tigers defeated the Minnesota Twins 11-6.
Meanwhile, the Great Lakes Loons also came away with a victory, defeating the Lake County Captains 13-7.
Mid-Michigan is in for a wet and stormy Thursday.
Thursday: Cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely. High near 84.
Tonight: Cloudy with a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Overnight low around 66.
Friday: Showers possible before 10 a.m., followed by mostly sunny skies. High near 80.
Saturday: Sunny with a high around 78.
After a stormy Thursday, the weekend looks much more inviting, with sunshine and cooler temperatures settling into Mid-Michigan.
There are two reasons to wear a Hawaiian shirt: You want to radiate an “Aloha” vibe... or you're hoping to confuse a robot.
A German designer has created a colorful summer shirt that looks like a very futuristic version of a Hawaiian shirt. It's covered in bright, abstract shapes that are designed to confuse AI-powered surveillance cameras.
The concept is being called “Digital Camouflage.”
Instead of the traditional palm trees, flowers and tropical patterns, this shirt features a collection of seemingly random shapes and colors.
And apparently, that's the point.
The designer says AI surveillance systems don't actually understand what a human is. They learn what humans typically look like from massive amounts of training data. The unusual pattern is designed to interfere with that recognition process.
So while you might look like you're heading to a backyard luau, a camera could potentially have a harder time figuring out exactly what it's looking at.
There's just one funny problem.
The shirt itself was designed with help from AI.
And AI is constantly learning.
That means if the technology really does confuse some cameras, there's a good chance the cameras will eventually learn the trick.
So don't expect this to become the fashion world's first invisibility cloak.
For now, though, it does raise an interesting question:
Would you actually wear a shirt designed to confuse AI cameras?
Or would you rather just wear the loudest Hawaiian shirt you can find and tell everyone you're on vacation?
Either way, you might want to leave the sunglasses and giant inflatable flamingo at home. The shirt is already doing enough.
The kids may be back in school, but don't put away the grill just yet.
Labor Day weekend is practically the unofficial closing ceremony for summer, which means there are still burgers to flip, steaks to sear and, apparently, some pretty unusual things to throw over the flames.
A new poll looked at the grilled foods different states are known for. Americans love the classics, but some states have taken backyard grilling in some very interesting directions.
Here are 10 of the more unusual things Americans grill:
Alaskans aren't messing around. Moose burgers make the list, along with grilled salmon and halibut.
Florida has decided that regular burgers aren't enough. Grilled gator is a favorite, although steaks still make an appearance.
South Dakota puts pheasant on the grill. Burgers are also popular, presumably for people who aren't feeling quite that adventurous.
Wyoming goes big with grilled bison. Regular steaks are also popular, because apparently sometimes you just want a steak.
Montana residents like elk steak, along with bison steak and brisket.
At this point, we're starting to wonder if Montana has a grill or just a campfire with a very ambitious menu.
This might be the most unusual one on the list.
Fiddleheads are the young, curled shoots of certain ferns. Maine also likes grilled lobster and mixed vegetables.
So you've got lobster on one side of the grill and... fern shoots on the other.
New Mexico brings the heat with roasted green chiles.
Honestly, this sounds like the kind of thing you put on the grill and immediately realize you've underestimated the amount of water you'll need afterward.
Delaware residents like grilled blue crabs, along with grilled chicken.
That's a pretty good Labor Day combination: something from the sea and something that used to run around your backyard.
Hawaii brings some serious flavor to the grill with Korean-style short ribs known as kalbi and tropical Huli Huli chicken.
Grilled fish and kalua pork are also popular.
And finally... Colorado.
Rocky Mountain oysters are bull testicles.
Yes, they grill them.
Suddenly, your standard Labor Day hamburger doesn't seem so boring.
According to the poll, people in Louisiana are the most likely to call themselves grill masters, with 31% of Louisiana grillers giving themselves that title.
Georgia and Illinois weren't far behind at 28% each.
When it comes to confidence in their state's grilling cuisine, Texas takes the top spot, followed by Alabama and California.
As for Michigan?
Well, we're going to go ahead and nominate burgers, brats and pretty much anything that can be cooked outside while somebody is standing around holding a cold drink.
Because that's what Labor Day weekend is really about.
So fire up the grill, invite some friends over and enjoy what's left of summer.
Just maybe don't ask your neighbors in Colorado what's for dinner.
You might not like the answer.
The conflict between the United States and Iran has erupted again, with the U.S. military striking Iranian military targets Tuesday and Tehran responding with missiles and drones at several locations across the region.
U.S. Central Command said it had completed its latest barrage against Iranian military targets, including air-defense sites, radar systems and maritime assets. The strikes come as hostilities continue in an intermittent conflict that has lasted more than six months.
The renewed fighting is also hitting drivers at the pump.
The American Automobile Association says Labor Day is shaping up to be the busiest travel weekend ever, while the conflict with Iran has pushed crude oil prices higher.
Michigan drivers are already feeling the difference. Last Labor Day, the state's average price for regular gasoline was around $3.30 a gallon. This year, the average has climbed above $4.
AAA recommends travelers get an early start to avoid the worst traffic. Drivers heading out Thursday should leave before 1 p.m., while those traveling Friday are advised to leave before 10 a.m.
AAA also recommends keeping an emergency kit in the vehicle, including items such as a portable tire inflator, bottled water and protein bars in case of a breakdown.
Drivers in Mid-Michigan are dealing with construction-related delays this week.
Both eastbound lanes of State Street between Delaware and Benjamin Streets are closed through Friday, September 4.
The closure is part of a larger improvement project covering about a mile of eastbound State Street. The work includes improvements to roads and sidewalks, along with sewer and water-main upgrades.
Drivers should allow extra time or consider an alternate route.
There's some good news on the local front.
Bay City's recycling rate has reached an all-time high, according to the city's Department of Public Works.
Bay City households recycled nearly 1,400 tons of material in 2025, a 50-percent increase compared with 2022.
City officials credit the increase to expanded curbside recycling carts and the popularity of the Bay City Recycles drop-off center.
The Minnesota Twins crushed the Detroit Tigers 15-2.
The Great Lakes Loons also came up short, losing 4-3 to the Lake County Captains.
We're looking at partly sunny skies today with a 50-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms and a high near 91 degrees.
Tonight will be partly cloudy with a 50-percent chance of showers and a low around 67.
Thursday: Partly sunny with a 30-percent chance of showers and a high of 84.
Friday: Cloudy with a 30-percent chance of showers before 2 p.m., with a high around 82 degrees.
For Mid-Michigan drivers, it's shaping up to be a busy and potentially expensive Labor Day weekend, so a little extra planning could save you time, money and a whole lot of sitting in traffic.
Dolly Parton's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is being repaired after her name was scratched off and stole flowers that were placed nearby to honor Dolly. The star already had cracks in it prior to the incident and is expected to look brand new following the swift repair.
Lets all join the "WE BARE ALL" non-profit organization!
They are all about promoting body positivity, self acceptance and social nudity! Recently, in Wisconsin, they all jumped out of a plane.
They said taking off their clothes "makes them feel powerful rather than vulnerable."
Here's a video of the entire event:
What Baby Names Are Going EXTINCT In Michigan?
1. Courtney
2. Shannon
3. Danielle
4. Lauren
5. Megan
6. Jade
7. Katie
8. Bethany
9. Rebecca
10. Amy
1. Connor
2. Callum
3. Jordan
4. Lewis
5. Jake
6. Matthew
7. Ryan
8. Luke
9. Daniel
10. Samuel
What Name Do You Wish You Had?
Did Kenny Chesney get Tim McGraw fired! HE MAY HAVE!
LISTEN!
"There was a place called Houndogs Hot Dogs that was right on the corner of where the circle is now in Nashville, where the statues are. And ‘Flash’ Flanagan was the guy who owned it. So, Kenny Chesney, Tracy Lawrence and I sat with guitars on stools just playing music for people that would come up and buy hot dogs. And we lived off those hot dogs. And I think Kenny got us fired because there were clown heads on the trash cans, and our job at the end of the night when we finished singing, we were supposed to take the clown heads, run a chain through ‘em and lock ‘em up. And I think Kenny didn’t do it one night and they got stolen, and we got fired.” - Tim McGraw
Did you see Tim fall on stage the other day?
It’s a busy Tuesday across the country and right here in Mid-Michigan. Here’s what you need to know.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned, becoming the latest high-profile official to leave the Defense Department.
Driscoll reportedly submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump. He had served as a key deputy to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and reports say there had been friction between the two.
Good news for some Michigan families: all Michigan communities are now eligible for the state's Get Ahead of Lead initiative.
Eligible households can receive free lead-reducing drinking-water filters and replacement cartridges.
Households qualify if they have a child under 19 enrolled in Medicaid or a pregnant person enrolled in Medicaid.
Michigan health officials say lead exposure can affect learning, behavior, growth and development in children.
More information is available at Michigan.gov/GetAheadofLead.
If you're driving through Midland this week, watch for lane closures on Eastman Avenue between West Wackerly Street and West St. Andrews Road.
The city is removing the petunias planted as part of Midland Blooms.
Why? Cooler nighttime temperatures have made the flowers more susceptible to disease.
Yes, even the flowers are apparently having a rough summer.
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi has confirmed his retirement from international football with Argentina.
The 39-year-old's last appearance for Argentina was the World Cup final loss to Spain.
Messi made six World Cup appearances during his international career.
He's not completely done with soccer, though. Messi remains under contract with MLS club Inter Miami for another two years.
The Detroit Tigers had a night to forget, losing to the Minnesota Twins 11-1.
Meanwhile, the Great Lakes Loons are on the road tonight, taking on the Lake County Captains.
It's going to be hot today, with mostly sunny skies and a high around 92. There's a slight chance of showers before 9 AM, and the heat index could reach 100.
Tonight: mostly cloudy, low 71.
Wednesday: partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, high 89.
Thursday: partly sunny with a 30% chance of morning showers, high 84.
A New York woman spotted what she thought was a BIG FOOT while hiking. At first, she thought it was a nake man wading into the water. But, when it turned and looked at her strangley, she knew! She managed to get a photo before fleeing and showed it to a bonafide Sasquatch investigator.
When he arrived at the scene, he used the surroundings and the photo to determine the creature was only 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Does that mean it wasn't a Sasquatch? Nope, the Big Foot investigator concluded it must be a new TEEN Sasquatch, never seen before.
Others, who have seen the photo, think it's a naked, hairy old man.
YOU decide for yourself!
Mid-Michigan Walmarts have a new rotisserie chicken purse! It's only $5.97! Your choice of traditional and lemon pepper!
Did you know 1 in 12 Walmart customers buy a rotisserie chicken at least once a year?
It's on sale today! Hear more FOOD NEWS HERE!
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