Costs continue to rise in Michigan for things like gas, groceries and utilities 

In March, a DTE rate hike increased bills by 4.6% for a typical customer. Two months later, a Consumers Energy rate hike also increased rates by 6.1%, its second electric increase in a year.

Recent rate hikes and power outages have spurred a lot of anger and frustration.

As some residents in Ann Arbor see it, one solution is to replace DTE with a city-owned utility.

A proposal on the November ballot would modify Ann Arbor’s city charter, clearing the way for a public municipal utility board.

Supporters say a city-owned utility would mean lower bills, more renewable energy, and fewer outages. Michigan already has about 20 city-owned electric utilities, including Chelsea, and Lansing.

How did we get to be here?

Getting Proposal E onto the ballot took a court battle.

In August, the Ann Arbor Responsible Energy Coalition sued the city, arguing the petitions fell short. DTE also paid for this group’s cost study. A Washtenaw County judge threw that case out. The Michigan Court of Appeals agreed last month.

Then, last week, Ann Arbor’s own city council voted 10-1 to oppose Proposal E and directed its city attorney to challenge it in court. Many residents at the council meeting were upset.

Why is Ann Arbor’s city council fighting a ballot question its own voters put there? And who gets to decide whether that vote counts?

Erica Briggs is an Ann Arbor city council member. She voted in favor of the resolution. She spoke with The Metro’s Robyn Vincent.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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More than 250,000 residents across Southeast Michigan remained without power on Friday after widespread storms. The storms brought heavy rain, winds and at least one tornado to the region.  

National Weather Service data showed that more than 3/4′ of rain fell on Detroit on Thursday with an additional 2 inches of rain from overnight storms.  

DTE Energy issued a report saying that they expect 65% of customers to have power by the end of the day on Friday and 90% of customers to have power by Saturday and the remainder by Sunday.  

Additional headlines for Friday, Sept. 4, 2026

Five Detroit businesses gain funds from Motor City Match

The city and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation awards $330,000 dollars to five Detroit businesses in round 32 of Motor City Match. This program connects new businesses with services and space to grow by providing them with funding and resources.

Kevin Johnson, president of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation says efforts like this help build Detroit.  “People who saw a gap in their neighborhoods decided to fill it… that’s what’s going to bring our city back to the place where we want it to be, which is the most vibrant and most outstanding place to start and grow a business in this city through the mayor’s Rise Higher initiative.” 

Sports 

The Tigers had their payback against the Minnesota Twins with a dominant win of 11- 6 on Wednesday.

They are going to try to build off of that win this weekend against the Cleveland Guardians during their trip to Progressive Field in Cleveland Ohio.

The Tigers are currently second to last in the American League Central Division. 

Arts, Beats & Eats 

And this Labor Day weekend we have Michigan Lottery Arts, Beats & Eats. This annual downtown Royal Oak event is filled musical guests, such as rock band Third Eye Blind, country singer Chris Young, singer songwriter Brett Young, and R&B singer Ginuwine.  

Organizers say there will also be local talent, fun for kids, and a lot of interactive activities. 

At the festival there will be the Fine Art Fair  that was recently named #7 in the nation for fine art and design on Sunshine Artist magazine’s annual 200 Best list.

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