Overview:
- Dog trainer captures juvenile alligator on Belle Isle, turns it over to Great Lakes Serpentarium.
- The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park opens Oct. 25-26 with Detroit Harvest Fest, concert by The Jacksons.
- Electric vehicle registration fees could jump 63% with Michigan road funding plan.
🐊 Detroit dog trainer catches Belle Isle gator, names her Lady Fáfnir A juvenile alligator spotted on Detroit’s Belle Isle was captured Wednesday by dog trainer Steven Hart and Troy Keteyian. Hart searched for six hours before cornering the docile gator with help from Keteyian. The female alligator, likely an abandoned pet, was turned over to Great Lakes Serpentarium in Westland and named Lady Fáfnir. Hart was motivated by his concern about the creature being harmed. 📌 Source: Metro Times
🥓 Lawmakers agree to keep free breakfast, lunch for all Michigan students Michigan’s universal free school meals program will continue in the upcoming state budget, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and State Superintendent Michael Rice announced Wednesday. The $200 million subsidy faced uncertainty after House Republicans removed dedicated funding last month, proposing to roll it into per-pupil allocations instead. The Republican-led House and Democratic-controlled Senate reached a bipartisan agreement to maintain the program, which has been a Whitmer priority since federal pandemic funding expired. 📌Source: The Detroit News
⛲ Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park debuts with 2-day festival The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park opens Oct. 25-26 with Detroit Harvest Fest, featuring a concert headlined by The Jacksons. The free celebration includes over 30 metro Detroit food trucks, a pumpkin patch for kids, trick-or-treating along a Kids Adventure Trail, art activities, and wellness programming. Family-friendly activities run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the 22-acre riverfront park, with evening glow parties and sports tournaments also scheduled. 📌 Source: WXYZ
⛲ Pointe Mouillee running out of space for Detroit River pollution removal A landfill holding contaminated sediment from Detroit and Rouge rivers will reach capacity in four years, threatening environmental cleanup projects. The Pointe Mouillee facility disposes of pollutants like lead, mercury, and PCBs from decades of industrial dumping. Without disposal space, dredging cannot continue. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and EPA are exploring solutions, including raising facility berms or reusing material, with a study due in early 2027. 📌 Source: The Detroit News
🏠 Home sales threatened as National Flood Insurance Program lapses in government shutdown The federal government shutdown halts the National Flood Insurance Program, preventing new policies and renewals for 4.7 million policyholders and potentially impacting home sales. Nearly 90% of EPA staff face furloughs, pausing research and regulations. Weather forecasting continues uninterrupted for public safety. NOAA requires half its workforce to remain, but will discontinue some lab operations and recall research crews. Trump has threatened worker terminations beyond temporary furloughs. 📌 Source: Bloomberg
🪫 Electric vehicle registration fees could jump $100 in Michigan road deal Michigan’s proposed road-funding plan would increase electric vehicle registration fees by approximately 63% and plug-in hybrid fees by 83%. The increase stems from state law linking EV fees to gas tax hikes. The House passed legislation raising the motor fuel tax from 31 to 51 cents per gallon while eliminating the 6% sales tax on gasoline. Lawmakers are discussing potential adjustments to lessen the impact on electric and hybrid vehicle owners. 📌 Source: The Detroit News