Michigan

A Clinton County, Michigan jury convicted Tamal and Jerry Flore after a six-week trial on charges stemming from years of abuse against children they fostered and adopted, dating back to 2007. Attorney General Dana Nessel's office, which filed charges in 2023, said the couple abused the children for financial gain. Tamal Flore, 59, was convicted on multiple counts of first-, second-, and third-degree child abuse, facing potential life sentences; Jerry Flore, 61, was convicted of one count of second-degree child abuse, facing up to 10 years. The couple is among two charged in a case involving 30 fostered or adopted children. Sentencing is set for Jan. 11.

A Michigan ballot proposal expanding campaign finance regulation is drawing criticism from free-speech advocates and conservative commentators, who argue its disclosure and regulatory provisions are written broadly enough to chill political speech by nonprofits and corporations. Critics, including the Institute for Free Speech, contend the measure could expose a wide range of issue-advocacy groups to new reporting burdens. Supporters frame the measure as part of a broader push, dating to reactions against the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, to increase transparency around political spending ahead of the general election.

Republicans and Democrats are both eyeing Michigan's Senate race as a potential decider in the fight for chamber control. Polling averages currently favor Democrats nationally, with Republican-held seats in Kansas, Iowa, and Texas also seen as vulnerable, raising the possibility of broader losses. Republican strategists argue turnout models and surveys understate their support, and skepticism toward Michigan polling has grown after some surveys there were revealed as fabricated. That controversy, however, does not erase other legitimate polls showing a competitive race. The outcome could help determine which party holds Senate control after the midterms.

Detroit election officials are projecting 40% to 45% voter turnout for the Nov. 3 election, a figure in line with the city's 2018 midterm turnout. The city set a single-day early voting record on its first day, and officials anticipate tens of thousands of early and absentee ballots on top of an expected 105,000 to 125,000 Election Day voters. Detroit has about 532,000 registered voters. A turnout in that range would far exceed last fall's mayoral election, when just 22% of registered voters participated. The city's performance is seen as pivotal to the outcome of Michigan's closely watched U.S. Senate race.

A new poll of 600 likely Michigan voters, conducted by Glengariff Group for The Detroit News and WDIV-TV, found 32% cite health insurance and medical costs as their top financial worry, ahead of gas (20%) and groceries (14%). Roughly 61% said Democrats would do more than Republicans to expand health care access, including majorities of independents and some GOP-leaning voters. Democrats were also favored on seven of eight tested issues, with the economy nearly tied and immigration favoring Republicans. The findings coincide with Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's Medicare for All messaging against Republican Mike Rogers, as affordability concerns shape Michigan's 2026 election landscape.