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🎂 Happy birthday to our member Jimmie Stillwell!

Today’s newsletter is 1,042 words — a 4-minute read.

Every voting-age Michigander could get an eight-square Buddy's pizza with what Democrats and Republicans are spending on ads in the state's U.S. Senate race, according to an analysis of AdImpact data.

Why it matters: Every senator gets one vote, but Senate seats don't all cost the same to reach — and Michigan is among the priciest races of the year, with ad spending of $181 million.

State of play: In the battle between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers, Democrats have spent $9.44 on ads per adult Michigander and Republicans have spent $13.01.

• Michigan is the seventh priciest per capita.

By the numbers: When it comes to overall ad spending, Michigan ranks even higher on the list — fourth.

• But we're no Ohio, which is on track to host the most expensive Senate race in the country by ad spend with $407 million.
• The spending analysis is as of Oct. 8 and includes both spent and future reserved ads, from Jan. 1, 2026 through the upcoming Nov. 3 Election Day.

Between the lines: Republicans' spending accounts for 58% of Michigan's Senate total, an advantage that has sounded alarm bells among D.C. Democrats.

Michigan's high ad spending isn't surprising given that this Senate race is the most expensive in state history, with most money coming from outside groups, according to a Detroit News analysis.

What they're saying: The increased spending and heavy outside influence in Michigan are part of a national trend that's here to stay, according to Dan Hiaeshutter-Rice, a Michigan State associate professor in advertising and public relations.

• "Given the nature of the candidates, you're seeing national issues getting brought to bear on it, from spending by [groups like AIPAC], so you see this kind of microcosm of national politics being played out in the Senate race in Michigan," Hiaeshutter-Rice tells Axios.

The big picture: The Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, will likely come down to a handful of races.

• Republicans see Michigan as a top pickup opportunity and are using ads during NFL and college football games as a centerpiece of their strategy.
• The pro-GOP Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) struck a deal with a vendor that manages sports programming in Michigan bars, putting its ads on more than 1,000 TVs at 150 bars across the state.
• Meanwhile, Democrats are doubling down to keep the seat blue.

The bottom line: "All pathways to a Senate majority run through Michigan," El-Sayed said last month after meeting with Democratic senators.

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The People Mover is getting $10 million in state funding to replace its aging railcars, while another $2 million will fund a study of downtown transit connections.

Why it matters: Once derided as the "Person Mover" for its low ridership, Detroit's elevated downtown rail system has enjoyed a comeback, with annual rides doubling since 2023.

• The investment aims to improve reliability and service frequency.

Driving the news: MDOT announced the grants Tuesday as part of a $65 million statewide transit investment package.

Zoom in: The Detroit Transportation Corp., which operates the People Mover, will use the money to replace nine aging railcars with 12 refurbished vehicles previously used by Toronto's transit system.

• The project includes reconditioning, integrating and certifying the vehicles.

By the numbers: The People Mover recorded 1.3 million rides in 2025, up from about 655,000 in 2023, according to DTC.

• The system has been fare-free since 2024.

Zoom out: The Regional Transit Authority's $2 million state grant will fund a study of downtown transit improvements, including dedicated lanes, better wayfinding, stop consolidation, and coordination among DDOT, SMART, the QLine and People Mover.

What's next: DTC plans to put the refurbished railcars into passenger service in spring 2028, chief of staff Sarah Gryniewicz tells Axios.

• The replacement fleet is expected to improve service frequency and provide spare vehicles for maintenance.

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🔔 Noel Night returns to Midtown on Dec. 5 after a year-long hiatus. It also added a second holiday market event at the Fisher Building on Dec. 12. (Detroit News 🔒)

🏭 UAW members reelected Shawn Fain as president, solidifying his role as a leading voice in the American labor movement. (Axios)

🛑 The purchase of Flock cameras and other mass surveillance technologies with federal funds would be prohibited under new legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit.

• Across Metro Detroit, communities have moved to cancel or turn off their Flock cameras. (Michigan Advance)

🏃 Cheer on loved ones (or make a witty sign to encourage strangers) at the Detroit Free Press Marathon.

• The half and full kick off at 7am Sunday.

🛍️ Trade out old clothing for new (to you) at the Revamp fall swap festival.

• Chandler Park Fieldhouse, 12-5pm Saturday. Tickets: $25.

🎃 It's still peak fall, so try:

• Harvest Fest at Eliza Howell Park in Detroit, 1-4pm Saturday.
• Rouge Park Fall Festival in Detroit, 12-4pm Sunday.
• Any Metro Detroit cider mill.
• The month-long Bowers Farm Fall Fest in Bloomfield Hills.
• Harvest Fest at hiking-centric Crosswinds Marsh in New Boston, 1-3pm Saturday.
• Pumpkins, Lanterns and Leaves 5:30-7:30pm tomorrow and Saturday at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor.

More ideas

The Red Wings signed forward Alex DeBrincat to a seven-year, $91 million contract extension yesterday.

Why it matters: It's the richest contract in franchise history, per the Detroit News, and it's going to a hometown star.

• The 28-year-old Farmington Hills native led Detroit with 41 goals last season.

The big picture: The deal comes amid a rocky start for Detroit, which has lost five of its first six games and heard chants of "sell the team" at Little Caesars Arena.

What's next: The Wings host Philadelphia today at 7:30pm at LCA. Tickets

Our picks:

🙌 Joe is headed to Amelia Street Pizza in Hazel Park today.

🚬 Annalise enjoyed the Tyree Guyton exhibition at the Shepherd, with some of his found-object sculpture work, as well as paintings that included cigarette butts.

Edited by Larry Graham.