Storms Knock Out Power to Thousands Across Michigan Amid Heat Advisory

LANSING, Mich. – Thunderstorms rolling through Michigan on Tuesday left more than 8,000 Consumers Energy customers without power, with outages concentrated in mid-Michigan just as a heat advisory was in effect.

Communities such as Holt and Eaton Rapids were especially impacted, where over 1,000 customers temporarily lost power. Most, if not all, of the outages have since been resolved. The heat advisory that was in place has also expired.

In other news across the state:

Eaton County Man Sentenced for Theft of State Camping Fees
A 36-year-old Eaton County man has been ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution after the Michigan Department of Natural Resources found he stole camping fees from state forest campgrounds in the Upper Peninsula over a two-year span.
Justin Spitzley of Sunfield pleaded guilty to larceny for thefts from campground pay pipes and will serve one year in jail.

High-Speed Chase Ends in Teen Arrests
Livingston County authorities arrested three teenagers following a high-speed chase last Friday morning. The pursuit, involving a stolen vehicle, exceeded 100 miles per hour and started on I-96 in Howell before ending in Hamburg Township.
Charges are pending in Kent County, where the vehicle was reported stolen.

Road Work on I-96 in Clinton County
A new road construction project began today on I-96 in Clinton County. One eastbound lane at Grand River Avenue is closed and is expected to reopen Sunday night.

Right-to-Work Debate Reignited in Michigan Senate
A new bill introduced in the Michigan Senate aims to restore right-to-work laws, allowing workers to benefit from union contracts without paying union dues.
Supporters say the laws attract businesses and spur economic growth, while critics argue they suppress wages and weaken labor protections. Michigan's original right-to-work legislation, enacted in 2012, was repealed in 2024.

Major Job Investments Announced
The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved major investment projects expected to create hundreds of new jobs:

• Torque Robotics in Ann Arbor plans to add 500 positions with a $5.5 million investment.

• Pro Services, a skilled trades contractor in Kalamazoo, is creating 250 jobs as part of a $12.5 million investment.

Karen McDonald Announces Run for Michigan Attorney General
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald officially announced her candidacy for Michigan Attorney General during an appearance on WXYZ-TV in Detroit.
McDonald said addressing gun violence, mental health, and addiction will be top priorities in her campaign. “We’ve done almost nothing,” she said, calling the issue of resource cuts to mental health services “deplorable.”

For more local and statewide news, stay with 1320 WILS.