The Secretary of State has rejected a Republican Party request for a list of people who volunteer to be poll workers that would include personal identifying information. 

The state says the GOP wanted home addresses, phone numbers, birthdates and medical or disability status—and that that information is exempt from disclosure as a “clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.”

Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says sharing unredacted information could be used to target prospective poll workers based on party affiliation. She says sharing information that could be used to dox, threaten or harass would discourage citizens from volunteering to be election workers.

The Republican Party can appeal the state’s refusal. The state has also declined to share identifying information in voter rolls with the Trump administration. That position was upheld in court. 

Additional headlines for Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

Gordie Howe crossing open to bikers, pedestrians Wednesday

On Wednesday, people will finally be able to walk and bike between Detroit and Windsor using the Gordie Howe International Bridge. 

The Detroit Greenways Coalition has created the Detroit/Windsor International Bike and Trail map. The map highlights biking and walking routes between the two cities. 

Coalition Executive Director Todd Scott says the view crossing the bridge is beautiful. “I know they already have high expectations, bicyclists and walkers, but I think it’s going to exceed those. It’s a smooth, beautiful, clear modern piece of infrastructure that I think is going to blow people away.” 

The bridge is toll-free for anyone who is walking or biking across the span; however, visitors still must go through customs.  

Michigan Supreme Court overthrows permit for Line 5

The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled against Enbridge’s oil and gas pipeline tunnel project that would run through the Straits of Mackinac. The “Michigan Public Service Commission” okayed the project to build the tunnel around the Line 5 pipeline after considering its possible environmental impact to the surrounding area. But the state’s highest court found Michigan environmental law requires a broader look at the impact continued operation of the entire pipeline would have. 

The issue now returns to the Public Service Commission for a new review. Enbridge is a financial supporter of WDET but has no input on its editorial decisions. 

Flint finishes inspecting water lines

More than a decade after the Flint water crisis began, city crews have inspected the last pipe connecting a home or business to the city water system for lead. The city has inspected more than 31,000 service lines since 2016 and replaced those made of lead or galvanized steel. 

Mayor Sheldon Neely estimates the inspections, replacements, and other improvements cost more than a billion dollars. 

Primary election today

Last but not least, it is Primary Election Day in Michigan. We will soon know who will move forward to compete for governor and congressional seats in November.

Wayne County voters also considered whether to expand SMART bus service, Highland Park narrowed its field of mayoral candidates and Detroit schools asked to tax businesses.

Check in with WDET and the Detroit Evening Report tomorrow for election updates. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Imagine opening your work calendar one morning and finding a meeting simply gone — deleted. And the meeting that vanished was about the safety of the water millions of people drink.

That’s what happened to Elin Warn Betanzo— a Michigan drinking water engineer, and one of the people who helped uncover the Flint water crisis.

More recently, she sat on a small federal panel that advises the government on drinking water. Then she signed her name to a public letter, alongside hundreds of other current and former employees, warning that the Environmental Protection Agency was walking away from its mission to protect the public. Two days later, the agency suspended her from that panel.

Now she’s suing to get her seat back. And her case raises a bigger question — one that reaches all the way to your kitchen sink: what happens to the rest of us when the government tells its own scientists to stay quiet?

Betanzo joined host Robyn Vincent on The Metro to talk about Flint, the lawsuit, and what’s at stake for anyone who drinks from a tap.

The Metro contacted the EPA, which said it does not comment on pending litigation. When the agency placed the dissent-letter signatories on leave last year, it said it has a “zero-tolerance policy”  for employees it accuses of “undermining, sabotaging and undercutting” the administration’s agenda.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand. Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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