World Leaders Meet at U.N. as Michigan Gas Prices Hit New 2026 High
World leaders are gathering in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly, with wars and international conflicts expected to be major topics of discussion.
The U.N.'s 81st General Assembly general debate runs from September 22 through September 28. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the leaders speaking Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are scheduled to address the assembly later in the week.
Meanwhile, Michigan drivers are getting another reminder that filling up isn't getting any cheaper.
Michigan Gas Prices Jump
AAA says the average price for regular gasoline in Michigan reached about $4.91 per gallon as of Monday, up roughly 60 cents from a week earlier and about $1.75 higher than a year ago.
That's a pretty serious increase.
At these prices, the old Michigan tradition of “let's just take a little drive and look at the fall colors” suddenly requires a budget meeting.
Michigan Students and School Attendance
There's some encouraging news when it comes to Michigan school attendance, although chronic absenteeism remains a significant issue.
The Michigan Department of Education says the statewide attendance rate improved slightly during the 2025-26 school year to 91.5%. The state's chronic absenteeism rate also declined to 27.2%, marking the fourth consecutive year of improvement.
Michigan defines chronic absenteeism as missing at least 10% of the school year. Nearly 388,000 students were chronically absent during the 2024-25 school year.
The state has identified several factors that can make regular attendance difficult, including transportation problems, housing instability, bullying and other challenges facing students and families.
Voting Rights Town Hall Held in Saginaw County
Saginaw County residents gathered Monday for a voting rights town hall organized by Michigan State Representative Amos O'Neill.
The event included state officials and local election administrators answering questions about topics including election security, voting deadlines and ways to submit ballots.
Michigan's next statewide general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. Voters using absentee ballots should check with their local clerk for the applicable deadlines and requirements.
Comerica Park Is Getting a New Name
Here's a Detroit sports change that might take a little getting used to.
Comerica Park will become Fifth Third Park starting next season.
The Detroit Tigers and Fifth Third Bank announced the name change Monday. The change follows Fifth Third's merger with Comerica Bank, which has held the ballpark's naming rights since the Tigers moved there in 2000.
The signage around the stadium will be changed during the offseason, with the Tigers scheduled to open the 2027 season at home against the White Sox.
So yes, Tigers fans, you're going to have to retrain your brain.
“We're going to Comerica” becomes “We're going to Fifth Third.”
Give it a few years. Eventually it'll sound normal.
And the Tigers had a pretty good Monday night.
Detroit beat Washington 9-2 to open its final homestand of the regular season.
Ben Malgeri had a big night, hitting a home run and a double while also making a spectacular diving catch. River Ryan made his Tigers debut on the mound.
And fittingly, Malgeri wears number 53.
Apparently Fifth Third Park is already recruiting.
Monday Night Football
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the New York Giants 28-6 on Monday Night Football.
Mid-Michigan Weather
And here's what we're looking at across Mid-Michigan:
Today: Sunny and windy, with a high around 65.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Wednesday: Increasing clouds, high near 69.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high around 70.
