AGP Executive Report

Michigan Food & Health Safety: A Michigan-made salt story spotlights Diamond Crystal Salt’s 140-year St. Clair operation and a nearly $100M modernization, with the brand’s fast-dissolving kosher flakes used by chefs across metro Detroit. Caregiver Support: A national push highlights support for caregivers of wounded veterans, tying policy proposals to real family needs like brain health research and expanded benefits. Public Health & Foodborne Risk: The lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak continues to expand, with FDA warnings and new state case counts reported across the U.S., underscoring food safety vigilance. Local Health & Community Impact: A Traverse City report says more bodies are going unclaimed due to financial hardship, raising concerns for families and the forensic system. Michigan Crime With Health Angle: Ypsilanti police are investigating a fatal stabbing where a passenger died and the driver was hospitalized, with detectives saying it doesn’t appear random. Education/Health Policy: Michigan’s tax-credit debate for students and private schools heats up, with state education officials defending the current stance while opponents argue it puts kids last.

Food Safety Watch: The FDA has upgraded the Whole Foods guacamole dip recall to its highest risk level after a Salmonella investigation tied to a jalapeño supplier, underscoring how quickly outbreaks can escalate. Outbreak Update: The lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak keeps widening; CDC figures show thousands of illnesses nationwide, with Michigan reporting thousands of cases and two deaths, and new state additions continue to roll in. Michigan Access to Care: A new analysis warns that more rural hospital closures could mean much longer drives for pregnant patients seeking obstetric care, with Medicaid enrollees hit hardest. Local Health System Investment: Corewell Health announced a major $1.7 billion expansion plan for Grand Rapids and Troy, including new capacity at its campuses. Policy & Funding Fight: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined multistate legal action challenging Title X family-planning funding conditions, arguing the rules threaten preventive care access. Community Health & Wellness: Independent pharmacies are closing at an alarming rate in Michigan, owners say, as reimbursement pressure from PBMs squeezes patient access. Public Health & Environment: Whitmer filed a response brief in the Line 5 lawsuit, arguing the pipeline poses an unacceptable risk to the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Cyclospora Update: Michigan is among states tied to the lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak, with Florida reporting 26 new Palm Beach County cases since May 1 and the FDA upgrading the recalled iceberg lettuce to its highest risk level; the FDA says the outbreak now spans 20 states after adding Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, with Michigan deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations reported statewide. Local Health Access & Workforce: LAHC (Dearborn) opened a $3M behavioral health and workforce development hub, aiming to expand mental/behavioral services plus education and job training for tens of thousands of residents. Gun Safety Reminder: Detroit police say a 13-year-old was shot after an unsecured firearm was allegedly involved; the incident is prompting a city gun safety event with free locks and safety tips. Behavioral Health Expansion: Corewell Health plans major hospital facility updates and a new Grand Rapids tower on the Medical Mile, signaling continued investment in capacity. Data Privacy & Policing: Grand Rapids officials faced questions about Flock license plate readers and whether data could be used for immigration enforcement, with advocates pressing for stronger safeguards.

Pipeline & Public Safety: Wisconsin DNR is demanding Enbridge halt work on the Line 5 reroute after a gas leak tied to a truck rolling into an excavation site in Iron County, citing “deeply concerned” spill impacts and unanswered questions about worst-case releases. Healthcare Policy: Michigan hospitals are pushing back in a CVS 340B drug savings lawsuit, while Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan faces provider concerns over a planned policy change that would end “incident-to” billing starting Sept. 1. Foodborne Illness: U.S. health authorities expanded the cyclosporiasis probe tied to iceberg lettuce, now involving 20 states; Michigan reports the highest burden, including two deaths. Rural Care Funding: Federal Rural Health Transformation Program money includes $25 million for Michigan to modernize rural health tech and expand telehealth and remote monitoring. Youth Health & Privacy: Meta’s multistate teen safety settlement would bring Michigan about $171M, with new limits on addictive features. Community Clinic Access: U of M Health–Sparrow is offering free sports physicals via a mobile clinic at Lansing Community College.

Meta Youth Safety Settlement: Michigan is set to receive about $171M from Meta as part of a multistate deal over teen social media addiction, with new child-safety rules for Instagram and Facebook. Public Health—Cyclospora: The national Cyclospora count jumped again, with thousands of new lab-confirmed cases and many more unconfirmed reports still in the pipeline, keeping Michigan families on alert. Local Health Access: Catholic Charities received a $10,000 Delta Dental grant to expand affordable dental care and oral health education for veterans, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness. Michigan Health Policy: Lawmakers are pushing proposals to expand primary care access amid shortages, while Michigan’s AG continues Flint water crisis accountability updates. Community & Care: Flint is launching a broader gun-violence push that brings police, prosecutors, judges, and community leaders together to coordinate prevention efforts. Health & Wellness Trend: Functional medicine is moving away from multi-bottle supplement regimens toward simpler, more personalized approaches.

Child-Safety Settlement: Michigan is set to benefit from Meta’s landmark $17.1B multistate settlement over addictive teen social media design, with new protections for under-18 users and stronger parent controls. Behavioral Health Enforcement: FBI and Michigan law enforcement raided three Quality Behavioral Health addiction treatment sites in Detroit, Troy and Eastpointe; officials said patient care continues and there’s no plan to shut facilities. Rural Training Innovation: Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine is using simulation-based education to improve rural provider training, backed by a $1M grant for a mobile health simulator. Public Health Watch: Cyclosporiasis cases topped 17,000 nationwide as the outbreak continues to slow; Michigan remains among the hardest hit. Food & Water Safety: Sea lamprey control is planned for four Michigan rivers this September, and Traverse City-area crews repaired a South Airport Road sewer main after finding a major crack that caused untreated sewage to reach the Boardman River. Policy Push: State lawmakers introduced a Medicaid buy-in plan to expand affordable coverage for working Michiganders who fall in the gap between eligibility levels.

Substance Use Enforcement: FBI and local agents raided three Metro Detroit drug rehabilitation centers (Detroit, Troy, Eastpointe) tied to Quality Behavioral Health, a nonprofit serving people with substance use disorders; officials offered few details, but the action raises fresh questions about oversight and accountability in treatment providers. Public Safety Tech Debate: Fraser police say they used Flock license-plate cameras to identify and arrest a driver in a weekend fatal hit-and-run that killed a motorcyclist; charges are pending, while privacy critics continue to challenge the growing use of surveillance cameras across Michigan. Community Health Event: Central Michigan District Health Department is hosting its 17th Annual Central Michigan HIV/AIDS 5K on Sept. 19 in Mt. Pleasant, with proceeds supporting harm reduction, HIV medical care, case management, and social service referrals. Health Policy & Environment: The EPA is moving to reduce public input on air-pollution permits for facilities including data centers, a change critics say could limit residents’ ability to raise health concerns before construction. Flint Water Accountability: Michigan’s attorney general released updates tied to the Flint water crisis, including details on how criminal cases faltered and what the final accountability step is.

Flint Water Accountability: Michigan AG Dana Nessel released the final Flint water crisis accountability report, saying criminal charges ended after legal setbacks and that her office’s last step now is a public record of how prosecutions faltered—leaving residents without criminal convictions. Food Safety & Outbreak Watch: A Grand Traverse County Level 4 no-body-contact advisory was issued after a sewage force main failure sent untreated sewage into the Boardman River/Boardman Lake, with testing planned Aug. 26. Public Health & Back-to-School: Berrien County Health Department held a back-to-school bash in Benton Harbor to help families get required immunizations and connect to local health services. Nutrition Policy: A new study finds SNAP restrictions on soda reduced sugary drink purchases by more than 12%, adding to the debate over what families can buy with food benefits. Sun Safety: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan urged residents to keep using SPF 30+ and reapply every two hours, noting overcast weather and “base tans” don’t protect against UV damage. Healthcare Costs & Politics: Michigan lawmakers advanced “money out of politics” proposals aimed at limiting corporate donations tied to utility and healthcare cost pressures.

AI in Schools: A new poll finds 77% of U.S. voters want stronger federal rules on AI use in K-12, citing worries about assignments, job readiness, and student mental health. Food Safety in Michigan: Health officials are still sorting out a multistate alfalfa sprout recall tied to illnesses in 15 states, including Michigan—while a federal distribution map shows only two states, leaving shoppers confused about where product may have gone. Older Adults & Food Insecurity: Reporting highlights that millions of Americans are aging without enough support and that food prices are pushing older adults to cut back on groceries. Medicare & Campaign Scrutiny: Michigan U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed faced fresh criticism over health-care consulting work tied to Medicare-focused practice changes, as he also clashed with Fox News host Jesse Watters on health care and culture-war questions. Community Health Funding: The Straits Area Community Foundation awarded about $19,218 in grants to local nonprofits across Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City, including support for dental care and low-cost clinics. Workplace Health: Ottawa County’s FY27 budget preview includes annual reports for Community Mental Health and other health-related departments ahead of a public hearing.

VA Health IT: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs deployed its Federal EHR system to three Indiana VA hospitals (Fort Wayne, Marion, and Indianapolis) plus 16 linked clinics, bringing access to more than 102,000 veterans and 6,000 staff, with more rollouts planned. Food Safety: Michigan is watching a widening cyclospora outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts and other produce; health officials say cases are still being reported as guidance continues for people to stay alert for symptoms. Public Health & Prevention: Michigan’s MDHHS announced a lung cancer screening grant opportunity, aiming to expand access to earlier detection for eligible residents. Community Care: Midland Care named Dr. Scott Paxton as its new Hospice and Palliative Care Medical Director, strengthening leadership for end-of-life and serious-illness support. School Health: Michigan’s statewide cell phone ban for K-12 students begins enforcement for the 2026-27 school year, with limited exceptions for medical needs and emergencies. Local Wellness: Blue Cross is investing $250,000 into fresh food access across Michigan, targeting healthier nutrition options in underserved areas.

Flu Vaccine Breakthrough (U-M): Researchers at the University of Michigan say a yeast-based vaccine using genetically engineered baker’s yeast and a slow-changing influenza protein (M2) protected mice against three flu strains, with results set for presentation Aug. 24 at the American Chemical Society meeting. Hospital Flow & Safety: A JAMA study found many emergency patients accepted for inpatient beds waited at least four hours before an inpatient team took over—highlighting a handoff gap that can affect care planning and family understanding. Cancer Care Tech (Henry Ford Health): Henry Ford Health is using AI to adjust radiation treatment plans day-to-day as patients’ anatomy changes, aiming for more precise targeting. Pulmonary Hypertension Trial (Henry Ford Hospital): Pulnovo Medical enrolled the first two U.S. patients in a PULSE-LHD clinical trial of pulmonary artery denervation for pulmonary hypertension tied to left heart disease. Back-to-School Nutrition (Mott Poll): A University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital poll found 3 in 4 parents face barriers to healthy school breakfasts, most often picky eating, morning grumpiness, and not enough time. Public Health Alert (EEE): Michigan confirmed its first human eastern equine encephalitis case since 2021, with officials issuing a mosquito warning after no animal cases were detected first.

School Safety & Mental Health: Michigan’s OK2SAY logged 10,777 tips in 2025—its second-highest total since the program began—underscoring ongoing demand for confidential reporting of threats, harm, and mental health concerns. Public Health Watch: The multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak keeps expanding nationally, with Michigan still among the hardest hit states as reported cases and related deaths are tracked. Food Safety: A multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts has sickened 55 people and sent four to the hospital; Michigan is among the states reporting cases. Community Health & Safety: A Kalamazoo business recalled marijuana-infused drinks over possible THC potency limit issues, with officials noting no reported adverse health effects so far. Road Safety: Michigan State Police reported 577 fatalities and 3,145 serious injuries statewide this year, with fewer deaths and serious injuries than last year at this time. Local Health Impact: EGLE awarded a $400,000 brownfield grant in Roscommon to help redevelop a contaminated site into a new restaurant, aiming to reduce hazards and create jobs.

Food Safety Alert: Michigan health officials say they had to chase Taco Bell supply-chain records three times before federal regulators could trace a cyclosporiasis outbreak source, underscoring how delays can slow contamination investigations. Multi-State Outbreak: Everything Sprouts LLC recalled specific alfalfa sprout products after 55 reported illnesses across 15 states tied to E. coli and Salmonella; consumers are urged to throw away affected lots and sanitize surfaces. Care Access for Seniors: A new primer explains Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services for Older Adults, highlighting barriers and what coverage can help with. Public Health & Environment: Scientists are pushing governments to curb microplastics after new Great Lakes research shows plastics can move through food webs, including fish. Local Health Event: Memorial Healthcare is offering free skin cancer screenings Aug. 26 in Owosso via a mobile unit—advance registration required. Michigan Health System Watch: Reports also flag ongoing concerns about ED boarding and handoff delays, with wide variation in how hospitals manage patients waiting for beds.

Food Safety Alert: Federal health officials are investigating a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts from Minnesota-based Everything Sprouts LLC, with 55 illnesses across 15 states and four hospitalizations; Michigan is among the affected states, and the FDA/CDC urge people to throw out or return the recalled sprouts. Local Health & Housing: Wayne County’s PAYS (Pay As You Stay) foreclosure prevention program is back, offering a pathway for Detroit and Wayne County homeowners to reduce delinquent property taxes and avoid losing homes. Public Health Risk: A Detroit Reservoir drawdown plan is facing a federal court fight, with Salem officials warning it could damage water filtration systems and threaten drinking water for 220,000 residents. Care Access & Costs: Michigan is weighing participation in a CMS model that would expand Medicaid coverage for weight-loss drugs, as other states decline due to cost and budget concerns. Community Safety: Michigan State Police report a stabbing in Moran Township with an 18-year-old suspect arrested for attempted murder after the victim was treated at Mackinac Straits Health System and transferred for more care.

Food Safety Watch: The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts, with 55 sickened and 4 hospitalizations reported across 15 states including Michigan—health officials urge people to discard affected products and sanitize surfaces. Medication Recall: Optimal Balance Pharmacy issued a voluntary nationwide recall of Glutathione Injection 200 mg/mL multi-dose vials after testing found elevated bacterial endotoxin levels; the FDA warns of possible serious reactions and lists a specific lot and expiration date. School Safety & Mental Health: Michigan State Police says the OK2SAY confidential student tip system logged 10,777 tips in 2025, its second-highest use since 2014, with top categories including anxiety/stress/depression, suicide threats, bullying, drugs, and sexual misconduct. Workplace & Care Quality: Bronson Healthcare in southwest Michigan earned national and regional honors for patient care and as a top employer, citing employee well-being and community focus. Community Health Services: Penrickton Center for Blind Children in Taylor says service clubs and donors help provide free residential and daycare programs for children who are legally blind and have additional disabilities.

Food Safety Alert: CDC says a multistate E. coli and salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts has sickened at least 55 people across 15 states, including Michigan; four hospitalizations reported and no deaths. Officials link cases to sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts (Calco and Everything Sprouts brands) and urge people to throw away or return affected products and sanitize surfaces. Behavioral Health Access: Protesters gathered outside Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan after policy changes that would require provisionally licensed behavioral health providers to bill through accredited supervising settings, raising concerns about disrupted care for families. Disability Care Investment: AmeriHealth Caritas will invest $15M in Michigan startup Deon Health to better coordinate primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, and long-term supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Public Health—Rabies Exposure: Grand Traverse County reported a rabies-positive bat found in a home; health officials say people exposed are receiving medical care and advise residents to contact local health departments for guidance. Workplace Safety: MIOSHA reported two new worker deaths in 2026, including an electrocution after a tree fell onto power lines and a fatal welding incident involving a scrap chute. Community Health Support: Molina Healthcare of Michigan donated $85,000 to help address hunger and housing insecurity in Bay and Saginaw counties through United Way Bay County and Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan.