By Jon King | Editor-in-Chief
Quoted and Noted
“Be serious, my guy.”
- Abdul El-Sayed, referring to Mike Rogers’ changing stance on President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Mike Rogers, right, speaks during a televised debate with Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed, at WOOD-TV, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, Pool)
By Ben Solis
GRAND RAPIDS — After months of circling each other on the campaign trail, former Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of White Lake and Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed met face-to-face on Thursday for the first debate of the cycle in Michigan’s competitive U.S. Senate race.
The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote, brought to you by the reporting of Michigan Advance.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), center, speaks at at campaign stop for U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), right, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026 in Mason, Mich. Also pictured from left to right: Shiawassee County Prosecutor Scott Koerner, Clinton County Prosecutor Tony Spagnuolo, Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy, FOP President Michael Sauger, U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Bruce Township), and U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Alabama). (Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance)
By Ben Solis
MASON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson called in air support for Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett on Wednesday as the congressman winds down his reelection campaign to Michigan’s 7th Congressional District seat — a boost he’ll need as he faces a tight race against the progressive Democratic nominee Will Lawrence.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan building in Lansing on March 12, 2026. (Photo by Jon King/Michigan Advance)
By Katherine Dailey
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed an antitrust lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mutual Insurance Company Thursday, alleging that the company has violated both state and federal law through agreements with other Blue Cross Blue Shield entities to “eliminate competition for health insurance services to large employers like the State.”
Michigan Supreme Court Justices Kimberly Thomas and Elizabeth Welch listen to oral arguments on Oct. 8, 2026. (Photo by Katherine Dailey/Michigan Advance)
By Katherine Dailey
The Michigan Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday in a case where a former Calvin University professor, Joseph Kuilema, alleges that he was the subject of associational discrimination when he was fired in 2022 after officiating a wedding for a same-sex couple. The Supreme Court will rule on whether that associational discrimination claim — the fact that he was fired over his association with LGBTQ+ individuals — can proceed in a trial court.
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
On this date in 1975, what rock band visited Cadillac High School after coaches used the band’s music to motivate the football team?
Let us know @michiganadvance on Bluesky and check back in later today for the answer.
Thursday's answer: The Detroit Pistons’ Grant Hill in 1995 became the first NBA rookie to lead the league in All-Star voting.
Source: https://sneakerhistory.com/
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