Potentially controversial take incoming: I think summer camping is overrated.

It’s muggy. It’s buggy. It’s crowded.

If you ask me, the best time to take advantage of our state’s beautiful campsites is during the fall—when the leaves are changing, that morning chill hits just right as you sip on your coffee, and you can hit the trails without another soul in sight. It’s making me daydream already.

With one month left before the official start of fall, this is the perfect time to think about your fall camping adventure. And you’re in luck. Because whether you’re looking to head Up North or wanting to camp closer to a major city, The ’Gander’s Sophie Boudreau has put together a list with a campsite for you.

Plus: The fascinating histories behind six Michigan roads.

Bill would ban public street protests in Michigan (MI Advance): A Republican-led bill in Lansing would make blocking roads during protests a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and $5,000 in fines, drawing support from law enforcement who argue it’s a safety risk. Civil rights groups, including the ACLU of Michigan, say it threatens First Amendment rights and could criminalize peaceful demonstrations.

MI Legislative leaders support docking lawmaker pay for missing budget deadline (WCMU): As Michigan lawmakers remain deadlocked on the state budget, leaders in both parties now say they support docking legislators’ pay when a deadline is missed. No bill for consequences has been introduced, however, as schools and colleges remain uncertain about funding just weeks before the Oct. 1 start of the state fiscal year.

Rare bumblebee reemerges in Michigan (MLive): Scientists have confirmed the first sighting in more than 25 years of the endangered rusty-patched bumblebee in Michigan, after a specimen was found in Kalamazoo. The discovery raises the possibility that a hidden breeding population may still exist in the state.

Hawk Woods in Auburn Hills has a little something for every camper. (Eilis Garvey/Unsplash)

By Sophie Boudreau

Welcome the new season with a tour of Michigan’s prettiest fall campgrounds:

West Michigan

PJ Hoffmaster State Park

Location: 6585 Lake Harbor Road, Norton Shores

In addition to a peaceful campground, PJ Hoffmaster offers six hiking trails. (Joel Dinda/Flickr via CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

If you ask us, any Michigan camping adventure is better against the backdrop of a Great Lake. PJ Hoffmaster State Park offers the ideal opportunity to unwind along the shore during chillier months and take in vibrant fall colors. Located in Norton Shores, the park features a modern campground with 297 sites, including two ADA-accessible spots.

Whether you’re bringing along your RV or opting for a laid-back tent adventure, there’s a spot for you under the shade of ever-changing maple and oak trees. What’s more, the campground at PJ Hoffmaster offers quick access to plenty of hiking trails and—of course—a swimming beach on the Big Lake.

Camping is available at PJ Hoffmaster from May to October. Nightly rates begin around $40.

Telegraph lines installed parallel to a road. (Public Domain)

By Jinny Song

Have you ever cruised down a Michigan road when, for whatever reason, you really paid attention to a particular street sign and wondered, “What’s the story behind that?” Turns out, the roads we drive every day aren’t just pavement and paint—they’re pieces of Michigan’s ever-evolving history.

From telegraph lines and territorial trails to Native leaders and concrete firsts, buckle up as we take you on a trip down six Michigan roads with names that tell the story of the state’s past.

This week, we’ve shared news and reported on how big utilities are buying Michigan politics and about a ballot initiative to ban the practice.

So we asked you: Should corporations with government contracts be allowed to make political contributions?

Here’s what you said:

“I wish they would ban all entities from making political contributions. Humans ONLY. Lincoln said our government is of, for, and by the people. Corporations, etc. are NOT people. The Supreme Court messed up big time when they ruled in favor of corporations.” — Deb Killarney

“My answer is NO! But, at the same time, barring ONLY corporations that have contracts or regulatory relationships with the State would be unfair to those corporations. The truly correct approach would be that NO corporation should be allowed to make political contributions. Government exists for the benefit of living, breathing human beings and not for the artificial ‘persons’ our law recognizes corporations to be. No doubt, the US Supreme Court’s ‘Citizens United’ decision—recognizing money as ‘speech’ protect under the First Amendment—would make such a ban on ALL corporations problematic. But … that’s a question for another day, isn’t it.“ — John P. Davis

“I am very much in favor of disallowing corporations from making political contributions. The purpose of a business is to improve its bottom line which, more often than not, is not in the interest of citizens. We have witnessed increasing pollution including increasing CO2 emissions due to corporate greed. Time to stop this.” — Janice Means

“No. Corporations with Government contracts should not be able to make Political contributions! It makes for an unlevel playing field for potential investment in our state if the same corporations always get the contracts because they are ‘owed’ a favor. Plus it creates monopolies and price fixing which does not benefit Michiganders!!” — Crissy Londick

“It will get thrown out. They have the right to participate in democracy.“ — Stephen Linder

“Not just those with government contracts, let’s get ALL businesses out of political donations. Also, cap individual donations so the rich can’t pour millions into races as well.“ — Jennifer Sharps-Adle

Have a question you want me to ask our community? Feel free to send it my way. I might feature it in a future newsletter.

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This email is written by Karel Vega, newsletter editor at The ’Gander. Have a question or comment? Reply to this email!