Events from the year 2018 in Michigan.
Office holders
State office holders
![Rick Snyder in 2013](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Rick_Snyder_in_2013.jpg)
*
Governor of Michigan:
Rick Snyder
Richard Dale Snyder (born August 19, 1958) is an American business executive, venture capitalist, attorney, accountant, and politician who served as the 48th governor of Michigan from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Snyder previo ...
(
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
)
*
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan:
Brian Calley (Republican)
*
Michigan Attorney General
The Attorney General of the State of Michigan is the fourth-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan. The officeholder is elected statewide in the November general election alongside the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, m ...
:
Bill Schuette
William Duncan Schuette ( ; born October 13, 1953) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 53rd attorney general of Michigan from 2011 to 2019. He was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for Senate in 1990 and for Governor of Mi ...
(Republican)
*
Michigan Secretary of State
The Michigan Department of State is administered by the Secretary of State, who is elected on a partisan ballot for a term of four years in gubernatorial elections.
The Secretary of State is the third-highest official in the State of Michigan. A ...
:
Ruth Johnson (Republican)
*
Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives:
Tom Leonard (Republican)
*
Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate:
Arlan Meekhof (Republican)
* Chief Justice,
Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is Michigan's court of last resort and consists of seven justices. The Court is located in the Michigan Hall of Justice at 925 Ottawa Street in Lansing, the sta ...
:
Stephen Markman
Mayors of major cities
![Mike Duggan 2013](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Mike_Duggan_2013.jpg)
*
Mayor of Detroit
This is a list of mayors of Detroit, Michigan. See History of Detroit, Michigan, for more information about the history of the incorporation of the city.
The current mayor is Mike Duggan, who was sworn into office on January 1, 2014.
History ...
:
Mike Duggan (Democrat)
*
Mayor of Grand Rapids
This is a list of mayors of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The current mayor is Rosalynn Bliss, who was sworn into office on January 1, 2016.
References
{{Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city and county seat ...
:
Rosalynn Bliss
Rosalynn Bliss (born August 3, 1975) is an American politician, social worker, and mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The first woman to be elected mayor of Michigan's second-largest city, Bliss took office on January 1, 2016. She has served on the ...
* Mayor of
Warren, Michigan
Warren is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The 2020 Census places the city's population at 139,387, making Warren the largest city in Macomb County, the third largest city in Michigan, and Metro Detroit's largest suburb.
T ...
:
James R. Fouts
* Mayor of
Sterling Heights, Michigan: Michael C. Taylor
*
Mayor of Ann Arbor:
Christopher Taylor (Democrat)
*
Mayor of Lansing:
Andy Schor
*
Mayor of Flint
The mayor position of Flint, Michigan is a strong mayor-type. In Flint's previous 1929 charter, the mayor was one of the City Commissioners, as the council in a council-manager type government.
1855–1888
The mayor was one of many citywide ele ...
:
Karen Weaver
Federal office holders
![Gary Peters, official portrait, 114th Congress](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Gary_Peters%2C_official_portrait%2C_114th_Congress.jpg)
* U.S. Senator from Michigan:
Debbie Stabenow
Deborah Ann Stabenow ( ; née Greer, born April 29, 1950) is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Michigan, a seat she has held since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, she became the state's first female ...
(
Democrat
Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to:
Politics
*A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people.
*A member of a Democratic Party:
**Democratic Party (United States) (D)
**Democratic ...
)
* U.S. Senator from Michigan:
Gary Peters
Gary Charles Peters Sr. (born December 1, 1958) is an American lawyer, politician, and former military officer serving as the junior United States senator from Michigan since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the U.S. representa ...
(Democrat)
*
House District 1:
Jack Bergman (Republican)
*
House District 2:
Bill Huizenga
William Patrick Huizenga ( ; born January 31, 1969) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for , serving in Congress since 2011. The district, numbered as the 2nd district from 2011 to 2023, covers much of Lake Michigan's ea ...
(Republican)
*
House District 3:
Justin Amash
Justin Amash ( ; born April 18, 1980) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2011 to 2021. Originally a Republican, Amash joined the Libertarian Party in April 2020, becoming the party's first (an ...
(Republican)
*
House District 4:
John Moolenaar (Republican)
*
House District 5:
Dan Kildee
Daniel Timothy Kildee (; born August 11, 1958) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Michigan's 5th congressional district since 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
From 1977 to 2009, Kildee was a municipal ...
(Democrat)
*
House District 6:
Fred Upton
Frederick Stephen Upton (born April 23, 1953) is an American politician serving as a U.S. representative from Michigan since 1987, representing the state's 6th congressional district since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. His dist ...
(Republican)
*
House District 7:
Tim Walberg
Timothy Lee Walberg (born April 12, 1951) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the from 2007 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2023.
Early life, educa ...
(Republican)
*
House District 8:
Mike Bishop (Republican)
*
House District 9:
Sander Levin
Sander Martin Levin (born September 6, 1931) is an American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2019, representing (numbered as the from 1983 to 1993 and as the from 1993 to 2013). Levin, a member ...
(Democrat)
*
House District 10:
Paul Mitchell (Republican)
*
House District 11:
David Trott (Republican)
*
House District 12:
Debbie Dingell
Deborah Ann Dingell (; ; November 23, 1953) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who has been the U.S. representative for Michigan's 12th congressional district since 2015. She is the widow of John Dingell, her predece ...
(Democrat)
*
House District 13: Vacant
*
House District 14:
Brenda Lawrence (Democrat)
Population
In the 2010 United States Census, Michigan was recorded as having a population of 9,883,640 persons, ranking as the eighth most populous state in the country. By 2018, the state's population was estimated at 9,995,915, and the state had become the 10th most populous state.
The state's largest cities, having populations of at least 75,000 based on 2016 estimates, were as follows:
Sports
Baseball
*
2018 Detroit Tigers season
The 2018 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 118th season. It was the team's first year under a mostly new coaching staff led by new Manager Ron Gardenhire. It was the fourth consecutive season they missed the playoffs, finishing with the same re ...
– In their first season under manager
Ron Gardenhire
Ronald Clyde Gardenhire (born October 24, 1957) is an American former professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played as a shortstop for the New York Mets from 1981 through 1985. After another year playing in the minor leagues, he se ...
, the Tigers compiled a 64–98 (.395) record and finished third in the
American League Central
The American League Central is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was formed in the realignment of 1994 by moving three teams from the American League West and two teams from the American League East. Its teams are all lo ...
. The team's statistical leaders included
Nick Castellanos with a .298
batting average
Batting average is a statistic in cricket, baseball, and softball that measures the performance of batters. The development of the baseball statistic was influenced by the cricket statistic.
Cricket
In cricket, a player's batting average is ...
, 23
home run
In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run i ...
s, and 89 RBIs,
Matthew Boyd with nine wins, and
Alex Wilson with a 3.36
earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...
. The team's attendance at
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is a baseball stadium located in Downtown Detroit. It has been the home of Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers since 2000, when the team left Tiger Stadium.
History Construction
Founded in 1894, the Tigers had played at the c ...
was 1,856,970.
American football
*
2018 Detroit Lions season
The 2018 season was the Detroit Lions' 89th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under a new coaching staff led by head coach Matt Patricia. With their loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13, the Lions failed to improve on t ...
– In their first season under head coach
Matt Patricia, the Lions compiled a 6–10 record.
*
2018 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2018 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the sport of college football during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines were members of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference an ...
- In their fourth season under head coach
Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines compiled a 10–3 record.
*
2018 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 2018 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan, and competed in the East Di ...
- In their 12th season under head coach
Mark Dantonio, the Spartans compiled a 7–6 record.
*
2018 Western Michigan Broncos football team
The 2018 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Tim Lester and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a ...
- In their second season under head coach
Tim Lester, the Broncos compiled a 7–6 record.
*
2018 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team
The 2018 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represented Eastern Michigan University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by fifth-year head coach Chris Creighton and played their home games at Rynearson Stadium in Y ...
- In their fifth season under head coach
Chris Creighton
Christopher William Creighton (born February 7, 1969) is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Eastern Michigan University, a position he has held since the 2014 season. Creighton has served as the head ...
, the Eagles compiled a 7–6 record.
*
2018 Central Michigan Chippewas football team
The 2018 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach John Bonamego and played their home games at Kelly/Shorts Stadium ...
- In their fourth season under head coach
John Bonamego
John Frank Bonamego (born August 14, 1963) is an American football coach who serves as a senior coaching assistant for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He has two decades of college and pro coaching experience. He play ...
, the Chippewas compiled a 1–11 record.
Basketball
*
2017–18 Detroit Pistons season
The 2017–18 Detroit Pistons season was the 77th season of the franchise, the 70th in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the first in Midtown Detroit. The Pistons moved from The Palace of Auburn Hills to the new Little Caesars Arena b ...
– In their fourth season under head coach
Stan Van Gundy, the Pistons played for the first time in
Little Caesars Arena
Little Caesars Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Midtown Detroit. Opened on September 5, 2017, the arena, which cost $862.9 million to construct, replaced Joe Louis Arena and The Palace of Auburn Hills as the home of the Detroit Red Wings of ...
. The team compiled a 39–43 (.476) record and finished fourth in the NBA's Central Division. The team's statistical leaders included
Andre Drummond
Andre Jamal Drummond (born August 10, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2012 NBA draft with the ...
with 1,171 points and 1,247 total rebounds, and
Ish Smith
Ishmael Larry Smith (born July 5, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Smith holds the record of ...
with 360 assists.
*
2017–18 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
The 2017–18 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team represented the University of Michigan during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Wolverines, led by head coach John Beilein in his 11th year, played their home game ...
- In their 11th season under head coach
John Beilein
John Patrick Beilein ( ; born February 5, 1953) is an American professional basketball coach who currently serves as the Senior Player Development Advisor for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before being hired b ...
, the Wolverines compiled a 33–8 (13–5 Big Ten), won the Big Ten Conference tournament championship, and advanced to the
Final Four. The team's statistical leaders included
Mo Wagner with 570 points and 278 rebounds and
Zavier Simpson
Zavier Marquis Simpson (born February 11, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Lakeland Magic of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines and played in the National Basketball Association ...
with 150 assists.
*
2017–18 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team - In their 23rd season under head coach
Tom Izzo
Tom Izzo (, ); born January 30, 1955) is an American college basketball coach who has been the head coach at Michigan State University since 1995. On April 4, 2016, Izzo was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Izzo has led the Spart ...
, the Spartans compiled a 30–5 (16–2 Big Ten) record, won the Big Ten regular season championship, and lost to Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The team's statistical leaders included
Miles Bridges
Miles Emmanuel Bridges Sr. (born March 21, 1998) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans. ...
with 582 points, Nick Ward with 249 rebounds, and
Cassius Winston
Cassius Winston (born February 28, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for Bayern Munich of the German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans.
High school c ...
with 241 assists.
*
2017–18 Michigan Wolverines women's basketball team
The 2017–18 Michigan Wolverines women's basketball team represents the University of Michigan during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Wolverines, led by 6th year head coach Kim Barnes Arico, play their home games a ...
- In their sixth season under head coach
Kim Barnes Arico, the Wolverines compiled a 23–10 (10–6 Big Ten) record, finished sixth in the Big Ten, and lost to Baylor in the second round of the
NCAA women's tournament.
*
2017–18 Michigan State Spartans women's basketball team - In their 11th season under head coach
Suzy Merchant, the Spartans compiled a 19–14 (7–9 Big Ten) record, tied for ninth place in the Big Ten, and lost in the third round of the
Women's National Invitation Tournament.
Ice hockey
*
2017–18 Detroit Red Wings season
The 2017–18 Detroit Red Wings season was the 92nd season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on September 25, 1926. It was also the Red Wings' first season at Little Caesars Arena. The team missed the playoffs ...
– In their third season under head coach
Jeff Blashill, the Red Wings played for the first time in Little Caesars Arena. The team compiled a 30–39–13 record and finished fifth in the NHL's Atlantic Division. The team's statistical leaders included
Anthony Mantha
Anthony Mantha (born September 16, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Mantha was drafted 20th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 201 ...
with 24 goals and
Dylan Larkin
Dylan Larkin (born July 30, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey player and captain of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Larkin was drafted 15th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Pr ...
with 47 assists and 63 points.
Jimmy Howard
James Russell Howard III (Jimmy Howard) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender and currently a Detroit Red Wings studio analyst for Bally Sports Detroit. He spent his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Detroit ...
was the team's starting goalie in 57 games and had a goals against average of 2.85.
*
2017–18 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey season - Under first-year head coach
Mel Pearson, the Wolverines compiled a 22–14–3 record and advanced to the Frozen Four.
Music and culture
* February 8 -
Diana Ross began a mini-residency at The Wynn Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
* March 16 - ''
PRhyme 2
PRhyme is an American hip hop duo composed of Detroit-based rapper Royce da 5'9" and New York-based record producer DJ Premier. They created their own record label PRhyme Records and released their first album, ''PRhyme'', on December 9, 2014, a ...
'', the second studio album from
PRhyme
PRhyme is an American hip hop duo composed of Detroit-based rapper Royce da 5'9" and New York-based record producer DJ Premier. They created their own record label PRhyme Records and released their first album, '' PRhyme'', on December 9, 2014, ...
, was released.
* March 23 - ''
Boarding House Reach'', the third studio album from
Jack White
John Anthony White (; born July 9, 1975), commonly known as Jack White, is an American musician, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the duo the White Stripes. White has enjoyed consistent critical and popular success and is widely c ...
, was released. The album reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 upon release.
* August 16 -
Aretha Franklin died.
* August 17 - Motor City Muscle, a festival in downtown Detroit, features seven stages of music and an exhibition of muscle cars.
* August 31 -
Eminem's 10th studio album ''
Kamikaze
, officially , were a part of the Japanese Special Attack Units of military aviators who flew suicide attacks for the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II, intending t ...
'' was released. The album reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200.
* September 14 - The feature film ''
White Boy Rick
''White Boy Rick'' is a 2018 American crime drama film directed by Yann Demange and written by Andy Weiss, Logan Miller, and Noah Miller. The film stars Richie Merritt, Matthew McConaughey, Bel Powley, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brian Tyree Henry, ...
'', based on the true story of undercover police informant and drug dealer
Richard Wershe Jr., was released.
* September 21 - ''Greatest Hits: You Never Saw Coming'' from
Kid Rock was released.
Chronology of events
January
* January 1 - The
2017 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2017 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the sport of college football during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines played in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and playe ...
lost to South Carolina, 26–19, in the
2018 Outback Bowl.
* January 1 -
Jim Caldwell was fired as the head coach of the
Detroit Lions.
* January 9 -
Mike Duggan was sworn in for his second term as Mayor of Detroit.
* January 11 - Fiat Chrysler announced that it would invest more than $1 billion to modernize its Warren Truck Plant. The company also announced $2,000 bonuses to be paid to 60,000 U.S. employees and credited the federal tax legislation passed in December made the moves possible.
* January 15 - Jorge Garcia of Lincoln Park, a 30-year resident, father, and landscaper with no criminal record, was deported to Mexico. Garcia's story was selected as the No. 1 story of 2018 by the ''Detroit Free Press'' based on its page views on the newspaper's web site.
* January 16 -
Larry Nassar
Lawrence "Larry" Gerard Nassar (born August 16, 1963) is an American former physician and convicted child rapist. For 18 years, he was the team doctor of the United States women's national gymnastics team. He used his employment as the ...
's sentencing hearing began in
Lansing, Michigan.
* January 17 - The Michigan Legislature overrode Gov. Rick Snyder's veto of a bill granting a sales tax break to persons trading in old vehicles.
* January 17 -
Matt Patricia was hired as the new head coach of the
Detroit Lions.
* January 20–28 - The North American International Auto Show was held at Cobo Center in Detroit.
* January 20 - Candice Diaz and Brad Fields were arraigned for felony murder, child abuse and torture in connection with the January 1 death of Diaz's four-year-old daughter, Gabrielle Barrett of Sumpter Township.
* January 23 - Michigan State University confirmed receipt of a letter from the NCAA opening a probe into the conduct of Larry Nassar.
* January 23 - Gov. Rick Snyder delivered his eighth and final State of the State address.
* January 25 -
Larry Nassar
Lawrence "Larry" Gerard Nassar (born August 16, 1963) is an American former physician and convicted child rapist. For 18 years, he was the team doctor of the United States women's national gymnastics team. He used his employment as the ...
was sentenced by Ingham County Judge
Rosemarie Aquilina
Rosemarie Elizabeth Aquilina (born April 25, 1958) is an American judge. She is a judge of the 30th circuit court in Ingham County, Michigan. Previously, Aquilina was the 55th District Court Judge, where she served as both a Sobriety Court Jud ...
to 40 to 175 years following his conviction in the
USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal
The USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal relates to the sexual abuse of gymnasts—primarily minors at the time of the abuse—over two decades in the United States, starting in the 1990s. More than 368 people alleged that they were sexually assault ...
.
* January 25 - Michigan State University president
Lou Anna Simon resigned amid criticism and controversy in the Larry Nassar scandal.
* January 26 - Michigan State students rally in support of victims of sexual assault.
* January 26 - Michigan State athletic director
Mark Hollis resigned in the wake of the Nassar scandal.
* January 27 - The ''Detroit Free Press'' reports on its investigation into four alleged cases of sexual assault involving Michigan State football players.
* January 27 - Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette appointed a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of sexual abuse at Michigan State.
* January 29 - The
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at L ...
engage in a trade that brings
Blake Griffin
Blake Austin Griffin (born March 16, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners, when he was named the consen ...
to Detroit.
* January 30 - Former Michigan Governors
John Engler
John Mathias Engler (born October 12, 1948) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 46th Governor of Michigan from 1991 to 2003. A member of the Republican Party, he later worked for Business Roundtable, where ''The Hill'' c ...
and
James Blanchard
James Johnston Blanchard (born August 8, 1942) is an American retired attorney, diplomat, and politician who served as the 45th governor of Michigan from 1983 to 1991. A member of the Democratic Party, Blanchard previously served in the Unite ...
were named as interim president and senior adviser, respectively, at Michigan State.
February
* February 2- Special agents of the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Attorney General's office arrived without warning at Michigan State's administration building and removed records as part of the Attorney General's investigation into the Nassar scandal. Acting MSU president John Engler called the move a "political stunt".
* February 5 - Larry Nassar received a further sentence of 40 to 125 years in an Eaton County court.
* February 16 - Michigan State extended the contract for football coach
Mark Dantonio through 2024.
* February 21 - Ford's North America president, Raj Nair, left his position after admitting to "inappropriate behavior" Kumar Galhotra was named as his replacement the following day.
March
* March 2 -
Central Michigan University sophomore James Eric Davis Jr. shot and killed his mother and father when they came to campus to take him home for spring break. After the shooting, Davis fled and the campus was placed on lockdown. Around 15 hours later, police arrested him and took him to a local hospital.
The shooting was selected as the No. 10 story of 2018 by the ''Detroit Free Press'' based on its page views on the newspaper's web site.
[
* March 2 - Michigan State Senator Bert Johnson of Highland Park resigned his seat and pled guilty to theft for putting a woman on the payroll at a salary of $23,000 in order to repay a loan he had received from her.
* March 4 - The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team won the Big Ten Conference tournament.
* March 6 - ]WXYZ-TV
WXYZ-TV (channel 7) is a television station in Detroit, Michigan, United States, affiliated with ABC. It is owned by the E. W. Scripps Company alongside independent station WMYD (channel 20). Both stations share studios at Broadcast House on ...
anchor Malcolm Maddox was taken off air after a suit was filed by a former reporter accusing him of sexual harassment.
* March 7 - Wayne County reached agreement with Dan Gilbert
Daniel Gilbert (born January 17, 1962) is an American billionaire businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is the co-founder and majority owner of Rocket Mortgage, founder of Rock Ventures, and owner of the National Basketball Association' ...
's Rock Ventures to build a new $553-million jail in Detroit.
* March 11 - Education Secretary Betsy DeVos
Elisabeth Dee DeVos ( ; ' Prince; born January 8, 1958) is an American politician, philanthropist, and former government official who served as the 11th United States secretary of education from 2017 to 2021. DeVos is known for her support for ...
appeared on '' 60 Minutes'' and struggled to answer questions about under-performing Michigan schools.
* March 13 - FBI crime statistics were released showing Grosse Ile to be the safest city (greater than 10,000 population) in the United States. Of the 25 safest cities in the state, 19 were in Oakland County.
* March 16 - The National Park Service
The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the United States federal government within the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages all national parks, most national monuments, and other natural, historical, and recreational propert ...
announced that it would introduce 20 to 30 wolves to the Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park is an American national park consisting of Isle Royale – known as Minong to the native Ojibwe – along with more than 400 small adjacent islands and the surrounding waters of Lake Superior, in the state of Michigan ...
over three years to bolster the population and assist in controlling the moose herd.
* March 27 - A judge in Port Huron
Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administered separately.
Located along the St. Clair ...
ousted the Tea Party's Karen Spranger as Macomb County
Macomb County ( ) is a county located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Michigan, bordering Lake St. Clair, and is part of northern Metro Detroit. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 881,217, making it the third-most populous co ...
clerk/register of deeds, ruling that she was not legally elected in November 2016 due to the fact that she had lied about her residency in Macomb County. The Court ordered her to be removed immediately from office.
April
* April 5 - Hazel Park Raceway closed for business after 70 years.
May
June
* June 4 - The Michigan Attorney General filed charges against Joseph Hattey, a Michigan State University physicist, for bestiality involving sexual conduct with a dog.
* June 4 - The Detroit Tigers selected Casey Mize
Casey A. Mize (born May 1, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was selected by the Tigers with the List of first overall Major League Baseball draft picks, first overall pick ...
with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.
* June 11 - The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in a federal suit challenging the University of Michigan's free speech code.
* June 11 - Ford Motor Company announced its acquisition of Detroit's Michigan Central Station and plans to convert the building into a campus for advanced automotive technology.
* June 11 - The Detroit Pistons hired Dwane Casey
Dwane Lyndon Casey (born April 17, 1957) is an American basketball coach who is the head coach for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a former NCAA basketball player and coach, having played and coached there ...
as their new head coach.
* June 14 - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
Deborah Ann Stabenow ( ; née Greer, born April 29, 1950) is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Michigan, a seat she has held since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, she became the state's first female ...
and several state legislators called for John Engler
John Mathias Engler (born October 12, 1948) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 46th Governor of Michigan from 1991 to 2003. A member of the Republican Party, he later worked for Business Roundtable, where ''The Hill'' c ...
to resign as interim president of Michigan State University. Emails were published the prior day in which Engler accused a survivor of the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal
The USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal relates to the sexual abuse of gymnasts—primarily minors at the time of the abuse—over two decades in the United States, starting in the 1990s. More than 368 people alleged that they were sexually assault ...
of taking kickbacks from attorneys.
July
August
* August 7 - During the Democratic primary, state representative Bettie Cook Scott
Bettie Cook Scott (born May 31, 1953) is an American Democratic Party politician who served in the Michigan House of Representatives from the 2nd district from 2017 to 2018. She previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from the ...
drew fire after calling her opponent, Stephanie Chang, "ching chong
"Ching chong" and "ching chang chong" are ethnic slurs and racial pejorative terms sometimes used in English to mock the Chinese language, people of Chinese ancestry, or other people of East Asian descent perceived to be Chinese. The term is a ...
" or "ching chang" and accusing one of Chang's campaign volunteers of being an "immigrant," saying "you don't belong here" and "I want you out of my country."
* August 9 - Rashida Tlaib
Rashida Harbi Tlaib (, ; born July 24, 1976) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the U.S. representative for since 2019. The district includes the western half of Detroit, along with several of its western suburbs and much of the ...
won the Democratic primary to take over the Congressional seat previously occupied by John Conyers. She became the first Muslim woman and the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress.
* August 10 - The Detroit Red Wings signed Dylan Larkin
Dylan Larkin (born July 30, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey player and captain of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Larkin was drafted 15th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Pr ...
to a five-year, $30.5 million contract.
* August 12 - The Detroit Tigers held a ceremony at Comerica Park to retire Jack Morris's jersey No. 47.
* August 14 - The University of Michigan Hospital was ranked as the No. 5 hospital in the United States by ''U.S. News & World Report''.
* August 15 - The ''Detroit Free Press'' reported that Michigan State interim president John Engler
John Mathias Engler (born October 12, 1948) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 46th Governor of Michigan from 1991 to 2003. A member of the Republican Party, he later worked for Business Roundtable, where ''The Hill'' c ...
censored the cover of the school's alumni magazine featuring imagery used by sexual assault victims. The replacement issue featured a more positive spin on the Nassar scandal and a less controversial cover.
* August 16 - Aretha Franklin died.
* August 18 - The annual Woodward Dream Cruise
The Woodward Dream Cruise event is an automotive enthusiast event held annually on the third Saturday of August in Metropolitan Detroit, Michigan, along Woodward Avenue, a major thoroughfare built in the early 20th century. The WDC Event spans mu ...
was held along Woodward Avenue in Metro Detroit.
* August 20 - Democrat Gretchen Whitmer announced her selection of Garlin Gilchrist
Garlin Gilchrist II (born September 25, 1982) is an American politician and activist serving as the 64th lieutenant governor of Michigan since 2019. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life and education
Gilchrist was born in Detroit. ...
as her running mate in the 2018 Michigan gubernatorial election
Eighteen or 18 may refer to:
* 18 (number), the natural number following 17 and preceding 19
* one of the years 18 BC, AD 18, 1918, 2018
Film, television and entertainment
* ''18'' (film), a 1993 Taiwanese experimental film based on the sho ...
.
* August 24 - Former Michigan State gymnastics coach Kathie Klages was charged with lying to police in connection with the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal
The USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal relates to the sexual abuse of gymnasts—primarily minors at the time of the abuse—over two decades in the United States, starting in the 1990s. More than 368 people alleged that they were sexually assault ...
. Klages was alleged to have lied to Michigan State Police about having been told about Larry Nassar's sexual misconduct. Witnesses came forward stating that Klages had received reports of sexual abuse some 20 years earlier.
* August 26 - The Detroit Tigers held a ceremony at Comerica Park to retire Alan Trammell's jersey No. 3.
* August 27 - Fiat Chrysler executive Al Iacobelli was sentenced to years in prison for diverting $4.5 million intended for worker training to himself and UAW officials.
* August 31 - The funeral of Aretha Franklin was broadcast on national television and held at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit. The ceremony included speeches and musical performances by Stevie Wonder, Ariana Grande, Jesse Jackson, Bill Clinton
William Jefferson Clinton ( né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He previously served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and agai ...
, and others. A 50-minute eulogy by Jasper Williams Jr., critical of black families, was deemed offensive by Franklin's family.
September
* September 7 - The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the University of Michigan must allow students accused of sexual assault to cross-examine their accusers at a live hearing.
* September 12 - The ''Detroit Free Press'' reported on a lawsuit alleging that former Michigan State athletic director George Perles
George Julius Perles (July 16, 1934 – January 7, 2020) was an American football player and coach. He was a defensive line coach, defensive coordinator, and assistant head coach for the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972 to ...
forced the school's field hockey coach in 1992 to (a) return a videotape of a sexual assault by Larry Nassar against a field hockey player, (b) resign, and (c) sign a non-disclosure agreement.
* September 14 - Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg
Henrik Zetterberg (; born 9 October 1980) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey forward. He played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL), for whom he would serve as capt ...
announced his retirement.
October
November
* November 6 - Women of the Democratic party dominated the November 6 elections. Key results included the following:
:* Democrat Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Esther Whitmer (born August 23, 1971) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 49th governor of Michigan since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006 ...
of East Lansing received 2,149,014 votes to defeat Republican Bill Schuette
William Duncan Schuette ( ; born October 13, 1953) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 53rd attorney general of Michigan from 2011 to 2019. He was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for Senate in 1990 and for Governor of Mi ...
who received 1,801,878 votes in the gubernatorial election.
:* Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
Deborah Ann Stabenow ( ; née Greer, born April 29, 1950) is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Michigan, a seat she has held since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, she became the state's first female ...
received 2,098,244 votes to defeat Republican challenger John E. James who received 1,878,260 votes.
:* Democrat Dana Nessel received 1,921,947 votes to defeat Republican Tom Leonard who received 1,855,529 votes for Michigan Attorney General.
:* Democrat Jocelyn Benson received 2,096,301 votes to defeat Republican Mary Lang who received 1,782,577 votes for Michigan Secretary of State.
:* Democrat Elissa Slotkin
Elissa Blair Slotkin (born July 10, 1976) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from since 2023. She represented the from 2019 to 2023, before redistricting. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as a ...
received 172,880 votes (50.6%) to defeat incumbent Republican Mike Bishop who received 159,782 votes (46.8%) in Michigan's 8th Congressional District (northern Oakland, Livingston, and Ingham Counties).
:* Democrat Haley Stevens
Haley Maria Stevens (born June 24, 1983) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Stevens is the member–elect for the redrawn 11th district in the 2022 election, having ...
received 181,912 votes (51.8%) to defeated Republican Lena Epstein who received 158,463 votes (45.2%) in Michigan's 11th Congressional District (western Wayne and southern Oakland Counties). The seat had previously been held by Republican Dave Trott.
:* Incumbent Democrat Debbie Dingell
Deborah Ann Dingell (; ; November 23, 1953) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who has been the U.S. representative for Michigan's 12th congressional district since 2015. She is the widow of John Dingell, her predece ...
received 68% of the votes to defeat Republican Jeff Jones (29%) in Michigan's 12th Congressional District (downriver, parts of Wayne and Washtenaw Counties).
:* Democrat Rashida Tlaib
Rashida Harbi Tlaib (, ; born July 24, 1976) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the U.S. representative for since 2019. The district includes the western half of Detroit, along with several of its western suburbs and much of the ...
received 83% of the votes with no Republican adversary in Michigan's 13th Congressional District (central Detroit, parts of western Wayne County). She won the seat that had been occupied by Democrat John Conyers since 1965.
:* Incumbent Democrat Brenda Lawrence received 95% of the votes to win reelection in Michigan's 14th Congressional District (part of Detroit, Grosse Pointes, Oakland County).
* November 6 - Proposal 1, aka the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, a statewide ballot proposal, passed by a margin of 56% to 44%, making Michigan became the first state in the Midwest to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use. (Medicinal use of marijuana had been legalized in Michigan pursuant to an earlier 2008 ballot initiative.) Proposal 1 was selected as the No. 2 story of 2018 by the ''Detroit Free Press'' based on its page views on the newspaper's web site.[
]
December
* December 13 - Jessica Starr, meteorologist for Fox 2 Detroit (WJBK-TV) died by suicide. She was out of work for several weeks after an October lasik procedure resulted in complications. Starr's suicide was selected as the No. 3 story of 2018 by the ''Detroit Free Press'' based on its page views on the newspaper's web site.[
]
Deaths
* January 29 - Julia Reyes Taubman, photographer, author and co-founder of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, at age 50 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills is a small city (5.04 sq. miles) in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a northern suburb of Metro Detroit and is approximately northwest of Downtown Detroit. Except a small southern border with the city of Bir ...
* February 1 - Dennis Edwards
Dennis Edwards Jr. (February 3, 1943 – February 1, 2018) was an American soul and R&B singer who was best known as the frontman in The Temptations, on Motown Records. Edwards joined the Temptations in 1968, replacing David Ruffin and sang ...
, frontman in The Temptations
The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top ...
, at age 74 in Chicago
* February 12 - Art Van Elslander, founder of Art Van furniture, at age 87
* February 23 - Ron Ilitch, son of Mike Ilitch
Michael Ilitch Sr. (July 20, 1929 – February 10, 2017) was an American entrepreneur, founder and owner of the international fast food franchise Little Caesars Pizza. He owned the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League and Detroit Tig ...
, in a Troy hotel room of an apparent drug overdose at age 61
* March 1 - Dorne Dibble, wide receiver for Detroit Lions (1951–1957), at age 88 in Northville
* March 7 - Bill Pulte
William John Pulte was the founder and chairman of PulteGroup, one of the largest home construction and real estate development companies in the United States.
Biography Early life and education
Pulte attended De La Salle Collegiate High School i ...
, Detroit area builder whose company became the country's largest home builder, at age 85 in Naples, Florida
Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the historical city (i.e. in the immediate vicinity of downtown Naples) was 19,115. Naples is a principal city of the Naples-Marco Island, Flori ...
* March 29 - Rusty Staub
Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub (April 1, 1944 – March 29, 2018) was an American professional baseball player and television color commentator. He played in Major League Baseball for 23 seasons as a right fielder, designated hitter, and first basem ...
, DH for Detroit Tigers (1976–1979), at age 73 in Florida
* April 3 - Ron Dunbar
Ronald Dunbar (April 15, 1939 – April 3, 2018) was an American songwriter, A&R director and record producer who worked closely with Holland–Dozier–Holland, and with George Clinton. His co-writing credits include the hit songs "Give Me Just ...
, Motown songwriter ("Give Me Just a Little More Time
"Give Me Just a Little More Time" is the debut single by Chairmen of the Board, released in 1970 through Capitol Records on Holland–Dozier–Holland's Invictus Records label.
"Give Me Just a Little More Time", backed with "Since the Days of ...
", " Band of Gold", and " Patches"), at age 78
* April 14 - Daedra Charles, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed to the sport of women's basketball. The Hall of Fame opened in 1999 in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. It is the only facility of its kind dedicated to all levels of women's ba ...
and Detroit native, at age 49
* April 21 - Verne Troyer
Verne Jay Troyer (January 1, 1969 – April 21, 2018) was an American actor, comedian, YouTuber, and stunt performer. He was best known for his role of Mini-Me in the ''Austin Powers'' film series. He had cartilage–hair hypoplasia and was ...
, Michigan native and actor best known for playing Mini-Me, at age 49 in Los Angeles
* June 28 - Mike Kilkenny
Michael David Kilkenny (April 11, 1945 – June 28, 2018) was a Canadian professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball. Born in Bradford, Ontario, the , left-hander was signed by the Detroit Tigers as an amateur f ...
, pitcher for Detroit Tigers (1969–1972), at age 73 in London, Ontario
London (pronounced ) is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. The city had a population of 422,324 according to the 2021 Canadian census. London is at the confluence of the Thames River, approximate ...
* July 6 - Bruce Maher
Bruce David Maher (July 25, 1937 – July 6, 2018) was an American football safety in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Detroit Mercy and was drafted in the 1 ...
, defensive back for University of Detroit and Detroit Lions (1960–1967), at age 80
* July 10 - Darryl Rogers
Darryl Dale Rogers (May 28, 1934 – July 10, 2018) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at California State College at Hayward—now known as California State University, East Bay (1965), California State Univers ...
, head football coach at Michigan State (1976–1979) and Detroit Lions (1985–1988), at age 84 in California
* August 16 - Aretha Franklin, at age 76 in Detroit
* August 17 - Paul Naumoff
Paul Peter Naumoff (July 3, 1945 – August 17, 2018) was an American football player. He played college football at the University of Tennessee from 1964 to 1966 and was selected as a consensus first-team All-American at the linebacker positio ...
, linebacker for Detroit Lions (1967–1978), at age 73 in Tennessee
* August 20 - Eddie Willis
Eddie "Chank" Willis (June 3, 1936 – August 20, 2018) was an American soul musician. Willis played electric guitar and occasional electric sitar for Motown's in-house studio band, The Funk Brothers, during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Career
B ...
, guitarist in Motown's Funk Brothers, at age 82 in Gore Springs, Mississippi
* September 6 - Richard DeVos
Richard Marvin DeVos Sr. (March 4, 1926 – September 6, 2018) was an American billionaire businessman, co-founder of Amway with Jay Van Andel (company restructured as Alticor in 2000), and owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team. In 2012 ...
, billionaire founder of Amway, at age 92 in Ada Township, Michigan
Ada Township ( ) is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 14,388 at the 2020 census.
The majority of the township is included in the Forest Hills census-designated place, which is used only for stati ...
* September 6 - Burt Reynolds, actor and native of Lansing, at age 82 in Florida
* September 28 - Thomas E. Brennan, Michigan Supreme Court (1967–1973), at age 89 in Lansing
* November 8 - Wallace Triplett, third African-American selected in an NFL Draft (by the Lions in 1949), at age 92 in Detroit
* November 10 - Ron Johnson
Ronald Harold Johnson (born April 8, 1955) is an American accountant, businessman, and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Wisconsin, a seat he has held since 2011. A Republican, Johnson was first elected to the U.S. S ...
, Michigan halfback who set an NCAA record with 347 rushing yards in a game, at age 71 in New Jersey
Gallery of 2018 deaths
File:Dennis Edwards with the Temptations in 1968.jpg, Dennis Edwards
Dennis Edwards Jr. (February 3, 1943 – February 1, 2018) was an American soul and R&B singer who was best known as the frontman in The Temptations, on Motown Records. Edwards joined the Temptations in 1968, replacing David Ruffin and sang ...
File:Verne Troyer 2, 2012.jpg, Verne Troyer
Verne Jay Troyer (January 1, 1969 – April 21, 2018) was an American actor, comedian, YouTuber, and stunt performer. He was best known for his role of Mini-Me in the ''Austin Powers'' film series. He had cartilage–hair hypoplasia and was ...
File:Aretha Franklin 1968.jpg, Aretha Franklin
File:Burt Reynolds 1970.JPG, Burt Reynolds
File:Rusty Staub - Detroit Tigers.jpg, Rusty Staub
Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub (April 1, 1944 – March 29, 2018) was an American professional baseball player and television color commentator. He played in Major League Baseball for 23 seasons as a right fielder, designated hitter, and first basem ...
File:Fresno State head coach Darryl Rogers during halftime of 1969 game at CSLA.jpg, Darryl Rogers
Darryl Dale Rogers (May 28, 1934 – July 10, 2018) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at California State College at Hayward—now known as California State University, East Bay (1965), California State Univers ...
File:EddieWillisHWOFMar2013.jpg, Eddie Willis
Eddie "Chank" Willis (June 3, 1936 – August 20, 2018) was an American soul musician. Willis played electric guitar and occasional electric sitar for Motown's in-house studio band, The Funk Brothers, during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Career
B ...
File:Wallace Triplett - 1950 Bowman.jpg, Wallace Triplett
File:Ron Johnson vs. Navy 1967 (cropped).png, Ron Johnson
Ronald Harold Johnson (born April 8, 1955) is an American accountant, businessman, and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Wisconsin, a seat he has held since 2011. A Republican, Johnson was first elected to the U.S. S ...
File:Dorne Dibble - 1955 Bowman.jpg, Dorne Dibble
File:Mike Kilkenny.jpg, Mike Kilkenny
Michael David Kilkenny (April 11, 1945 – June 28, 2018) was a Canadian professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball. Born in Bradford, Ontario, the , left-hander was signed by the Detroit Tigers as an amateur f ...
See also
* History of Michigan
The history of human activity in Michigan, a U.S. state in the Great Lakes, began with settlement of the western Great Lakes region by Paleo-Indians perhaps as early as 11,000 B.C.E One early technology they developed was the use of native coppe ...
* History of Detroit
Detroit, the largest city in the state of Michigan, was settled in 1701 by French colonists. It is the first European settlement above tidewater in North America., p. 56. Founded as a New France fur trading post, it began to expand during the 19 ...
References
{{Michigan year nav