Michigan News Roundup: 6 Dead in Missaukee County Shootings, U-M Pass/Fail Shift and More
Here’s a roundup of recent Michigan news: five people and the suspected gunman died in a series of shootings across Missaukee County, with a 13-year-old girl critically wounded and hospitalized; the University of Michigan will switch to pass/fail grades for most first-semester students; the general-election matchups are set after Benson and James won their governor primaries; the attorney general charged five non-citizens who allegedly voted in the 2024 general election; and a new law blocks driver’s license points as automated traffic tickets roll out.
Missaukee County shootings leave 6 dead, including suspect; 13-year-old girl wounded
Five people were killed and the suspected gunman was found dead in a series of shootings in Missaukee County in northern Michigan, with a 13-year-old girl critically wounded after she called 911 to report she had been shot. The victims ranged in age from 13 to 53, and the suspect was identified by authorities as Chad Hickman. The shootings near Cadillac followed a large-scale search by Michigan State Police. (The New York Times, Associated Press, NBC News, CNN, The Guardian, Detroit Free Press, MLive, FOX 2 Detroit, CBS News, Aug. 14-15, 2026)
University of Michigan to use pass/fail grades for most first-semester students
The University of Michigan will switch to pass/fail grades for most first-semester students, a move the university says is aimed at easing the mental health pressures of the transition to college. The plan, which affects first-semester students and drew backlash from critics who call it “hide-the-grades” policy, has been covered by national outlets since its announcement. (Michigan Advance, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The Detroit News, Aug. 11-12, 2026)
Benson and James win governor primaries; El-Sayed takes Democratic Senate nod
Michigan’s general-election matchups are set after Jocelyn Benson won the Democratic primary and John James won the Republican primary for governor. Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic U.S. Senate primary after a race that was too close to call for days, and John James picked state Rep. Jay DeBoyer as his running mate. (ClickOnDetroit/WDIV, Bridge Michigan, ABC News, The New York Times, Aug. 11-13, 2026)
Attorney general charges 5 non-citizens who allegedly voted in 2024 election
Michigan’s attorney general charged five non-citizens who allegedly voted in the state’s 2024 general election. (Michigan Advance, FOX 2 Detroit, Aug. 13-14, 2026)
New law blocks driver points as automated traffic tickets roll out
As Michigan rolls out automated traffic tickets, a new law blocks drivers from getting points on their licenses from those citations. (Bridge Michigan, Aug. 11, 2026)
For more on the Great Lakes State, see the Michigan guide.
Sources
The New York Times; Associated Press; NBC News; CNN; The Guardian; Detroit Free Press; MLive; FOX 2 Detroit; CBS News; Michigan Advance; NPR; The Wall Street Journal; The Detroit News; ClickOnDetroit (WDIV); Bridge Michigan; ABC News.