Michigan’s sand dunes are one of the most iconic parts of our state, and one of the things that makes them unique is that they’re ever-changing. Dunes shift, and erosion naturally reshapes the shoreline.

But in our modern age, that natural movement can become a problem when things are built too close to the water.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at how Michigan communities are adapting to our shifting dunes.

Plus: Do you ever look back nostalgically on how using a computer worked back in the 90s? I’ll share a website that lets you experience it again, dial-up sounds and all.

Comerica Park gets new name (FOX 2): Detroit’s Comerica Park will become Fifth Third Park in 2027 following Fifth Third Bank’s $10.9 billion acquisition of Comerica Bank. The name change will be the first for the Tigers’ ballpark since it opened in 2000, though Fifth Third Field is already the name of the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate’s stadium in Toledo.

MI public school attendance sees slight increase (WLNS): Michigan’s public school attendance rate rose to 91.5% during the 2025-26 school year, marking a fourth straight year of improvement. Chronic absenteeism also fell slightly to 27.2%, as the state credits efforts like family outreach and mental health interventions for the gains.

Insects intercepted in Detroit Airport luggage (CBS News): US Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at the Detroit Metro Airport intercepted a potentially destructive species of giant scale insect for the first time at a US port of entry. The insects weren’t being brought in deliberately, and were found in fresh pine bark brought from Cameroon for medicinal purposes. The traveler was released with a warning.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. (Naomi Maxwell-Abrams)

By Olivia O’Neill, Capital News Service

Michigan’s sand dunes face serious threats as climate change and environmental factors continue to evolve, as do the communities surrounding them, experts say.

Lake Michigan communities have seen problems in recent years as a result of sand dunes shifting, said Emily Smith, the land and water conservation policy manager at the Michigan Environmental Council. 

“Sand dunes are already extremely unique in Michigan,” Smith said. “We have globally rare ecosystems here. They are ever-changing because it’s sand and blows around.”

Smith said Lake Michigan’s coast has a greater concentration of sand dunes than the other Great Lakes. 

According to the National Park Service, these dune habitats on Great Lakes coastlines are fragile.

“From climate change, we get more extreme weather on our Great Lakes coasts and higher wave action from that weather, which increases the erosion on the lakeshore,” Smith said. 

The effects of climate change can be seen at all the Great Lakes, but Lake Michigan has seen more frequent erosion and high water events along its shore.

Random tidbits worth clicking on…

Relive the early days of the internet with 56k.rip. (Screenshot/56k.rip)

🖥️ If you’ve ever wanted to reexperience the early days of the internet on Windows 95, then 56k.rip recreates it beautifully. From dial-up noises to the painfully slow loading, it’s all here for you to experience. Show it to someone born after smartphones became commonplace and really blow their mind.

While it works on mobile, I recommend trying it on desktop for the authentic vibes. Check it out here.

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from Capital News Service. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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