The Trump administration says federal election monitors are needed at polling places in Lansing, East Lansing, and Detroit this August. But local election officials say their reasons don’t hold up.

Today, The ’Gander’s Kyle Kaminski takes a look into whether the federal government’s concerns are based on actual election issues or something else entirely.

Plus, we look at three ways Trump’s war picked Michiganders’ pockets this summer.

Whitmer unveils data center action plan (Michigan Advance): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled a plan this week to protect residents from higher energy bills driven by data centers and to ensure compliance with environmental standards as Michigan sees rapid industry growth. Critics, however, argue that voluntary pledges aren’t enough and are calling for stronger laws or a statewide moratorium.

State renews Enbridge pipeline permit (Freep): Michigan regulators renewed a key permit for Enbridge’s proposed tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac after a 16-month review process. The decision drew immediate criticism from environmental groups and tribal leaders, while Enbridge called it an important step toward improving pipeline safety by replacing the aging Line 5.

Lawmakers pass bill permitting backyard deer feeding (Bridge Michigan): A bill that would allow people to feed deer in their backyard in the Lower Peninsula is on its way to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. Deer feeding has been banned in the Lower Peninsula since 2018 to stop the spread of diseases. While the bill passed with bipartisan support, wildlife experts worry that its passage could help spread chronic wasting disease.

(The ‘Gander TikTok)

The federal government just told the City of Lansing that it has an election problem. The city clerk says that’s not true, but the Trump administration is sending in people to oversee the August primary anyway.

Here’s the deal: In June, the US Department of Justice sent letters to three Michigan cities: Detroit, Lansing, and East Lansing, announcing federal monitors at their polling places on Aug. 4. To justify it, the Trump administration pointed to so-called problems in the 2024 election: long lines, lengthy waits, procedures that were supposedly off. But the local clerks in these cities say that’s false. Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope disputes the claims about long lines. Long lines basically aren’t a thing here anymore. Most Michiganders vote early or by absentee ballot.

To understand what’s really happening here, look at which cities were picked. Out of more than 1,500 communities that run elections in Michigan, the DOJ chose three of the most Democratic ones in the state, and two of them, Lansing and East Lansing, sit in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, one of the most contested US House seats in the country. And here’s the kicker. The Republican incumbent there, Tom Barrett, is running unopposed in this year’s primary, which means the only competitive race on the August ballot is the Democratic one, to decide who takes on Barrett in the fall. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum isn’t mincing words. She calls it a nuisance and distraction at best and a coordinated federal effort to depress voter turnout in Democratic communities at worst. As one nonpartisan election expert put it, if they really thought a crime happened here, they’d file charges—not send a letter.

So what? Well, the courts keep saying the same thing. States run elections, not the federal government. And the people who run ours, our local clerks, are telling us these claims don’t hold up. It’s worth noting that election monitors are legal and routine. These cities have had them here before, under other administrations besides Trump’s. But what’s not routine is the feds aiming them at the bluest cities in the swingiest district, over reasons that straight up aren’t true.

Check out the full story in this edition of so what? Michigan.

President Donald Trump speaks about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

By Lucas Henkel

Since the United States and Israel launched a massive coordinated wave of surprise airstrikes against Iran earlier this year, Michiganders have been feeling the impact—and in ways they didn’t expect. 

“The ways we feel these foreign policy decisions and these conflicts are directly in our wallets. It becomes a very ‘bread and butter’ issue,” said Amanda Mattingly, a Truman Security Fellow and founder of ACM Global, an international risk consulting firm. Formerly employed by the US Department of State and the National Security Council, she told The ‘Gander in an interview that gas shortages due to conflicts in the Middle East, which produce millions of barrels for the global oil supply each day, have historically affected various sectors of the American economy. 

“Iran and other countries along the Persian Gulf produce a ton of oil and gas, and much of that travels through the Strait of Hormuz,” said Mattingly, adding that Iran has closed the Strait several times this year as a “choke point to impact the global economy.” 

As a result, Michiganders and others across the country are having to reach deeper into their pockets to afford basic necessities, and many have given up on traditions like summer vacations entirely. 

While some may last longer than others, here are a few ways that Michiganders are seeing rising oil prices show up in their daily lives. 

By Abby Deatrick

Are you ready to rally? This weekend kicks off with The Good Trouble Lives On Weekend of Action, a nationwide civic mobilization honoring Congressman John Lewis. Taking place July 17–19, 2026, the weekend centers on three pillars: teach, reach, and preach. Hundreds of voter registration drives, rallies, and trainings are taking place across the US, with dozens of events in Michigan. Check out these moments from last year’s protest in Lansing. 

Plus, there are opportunities to get connected with Michigan’s US Senate candidates by volunteering for Haley Stevens or rallying with Abdul El-Sayed and special guests Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Detroit, Lansing, or Grand Rapids.

📅 Friday (July 17)

Good Trouble Lives On Weekend of Action rallies and events

Check the event page for more information.

📅 Saturday (July 18)

Abdul for US Senate: The People v. The Powerful with Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (Detroit, doors open at 2:30 p.m.) — Rally in Detroit at The People v. The Powerful Tour for Michigan US Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed and special guests Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Shawn Fain, and Donavan McKinney.

📅 Sunday (July 19)

Abdul for US Senate: The People v. The Powerful with Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (Lansing, Doors open at 9:30 a.m | Grand Rapids, Doors open at 4:30 p.m.) — Rally at The People vs. The Powerful Tour for Michigan US Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed with special guests Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The Lansing rally will feature additional guests Maurice Mitchell and William Lawrence.

📅 Tuesday (July 21)

Haley Stevens for US Senate: Relational Organizing Training (Virtual, 6-7 p.m.) — Receive training on the best way to talk to your network about the election in support of Haley Stevens for US Senate. 

📣 Have an event to add? Email Abigail Deatrick, The ’Gander’s state organizing coordinator, with details. Please send submissions at least one week before the event.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Kyle Kaminski, Lucas  Henkel, and Abby Deatrick. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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