Michigan
Why I Blame the State of Michigan for My Cracked Windshield
It’s not my fault – I think Michigan is to blame for my broken windshield(s).
Now hear me out.
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I’ve been driving legally for decades at this point. Even spent a couple years as a professional over-the-road truck driver. Best guess? I’ve probably driven at least a million miles – no exaggeration.
All that time behind the wheel, and never so much as a chip or crack in a windshield.
That is, until I moved back to Michigan in 2022.
Since then it’s happened no less than four times. I think I’ve finally figured out why.
Why I Believe My Cracked Windshield Is Michigan’s Fault
Before US127 in Lansing became a construction nightmare, it used to be part of my daily commute for about five miles.
On the way to work one morning along 127 just a few weeks after moving to Lansing, a rock popped up and chipped my windshield. Thankfully my auto insurance offers windshield replacement without a deductible, so I got it taken care of pretty quickly.
Cracked windshield
I wasn’t prepared for a encore performance just three months later. Same road, same situation. BAM! Another chipped windshield. Aggravated, I got it fixed again.
SEE ALSO: This Is the Deadliest Stretch of Road in Michigan
I kid you not. Mere weeks after that, I’m on southbound 127 between Trowbridge Road and the Jolly/Dunckel Road exit in Lansing, and yet another rock popped up from the road and sent a crack across this latest windshield I’d only had for two months.
I was livid. My driving habits were no different, but my results sure were. (It happened yet again I-96 near Portland, Michigan, a couple months after that third incident on US127.)
But get this – I’ve now gone six months with the same windshield again, and I believe I know why.
‘Authorized Vehicles Only’ Is the Bane of My Existence
Prior to US127 in Lansing becoming the afore-mentioned construction nightmare, there were a handful of gravel crossovers connecting the northbound and southbound lanes. These turnarounds are marked “Authorized Vehicles Only”, and are meant primarily for emergency vehicles – although some impatient motorists will use them to illegally reverse direction anyway.
US 127 in Lansing
Now that construction has temporarily eliminated those crossovers – guess what? I’m not getting broken windshields anymore!
Could it be that MDOT was the cause of those rocks in the road in the first place? Gravel gets dragged onto the main travel lanes by those using the crossovers, then the rocks get spun up into drivers’ windshields?
I can tell you this – having driven in several other states, I can vouch that many other states pave their crossovers. Does that potentially lead to increased illegal use of them? Perhaps. Does it lead to fewer broken windshields? Based on the fact that I’ve driven as much as I have and never encountered so many problems as I have on the highway in Michigan, I’d take that bet.
20 States With Worse Roads Than Michigan
Gallery Credit: jrwitl
50 of Michigan’s “Must-Drive” Roads
Gas up the car, grab those road munchies and a roadtrip partner that you can trust, and head out on some of Michigan’s most unique roads and routes. Make sure you take lots of photos and video!
Michigan
117th annual Race to Mackinac takes off from Chicago’s Monroe Harbor
Saturday, July 11, 2026 2:48PM
CHICAGO (WLS) — Sailors are making their way from Chicago to Mackinac Island on Saturday morning.
The racing division of the Race to Mackinac took off from Monroe Harbor. The first sailors began their journey at 9 a.m.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The race, spanning over 300 miles into Michigan, brings sailors from all over the world to compete. The event is considered the longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world.
The Race to Mackinac is now on its 117th year and is the Chicago Yacht Club’s signature sailing event. This year, there are 2,000 sailors competing on 252 boats total.
The race’s unpredictable weather and shifting winds on Lake Michigan serve as a challenge for sailors. The event goes on, rain or shine.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Michigan
Michigan State Police rule out suspect in Electric Forest baby death investigation
ROTHBURY, Mich. — Michigan State Police (MSP) detectives shared some more information Friday about their investigation of the infant death at this year’s Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury.
Troopers recently received a tip about a Muskegon woman who was said to have information about the incident, but after interviewing her and completing other necessary investigative steps, MSP said they ruled her out as a suspect.
A restroom vending company employee at the festival found the body of a neonate, a newborn infant who is four weeks old or younger, in a portable restroom in the festival camping area on June 28, according to troopers.
The festival is hosted at the Double JJ Resort, which was locked down to anyone entering the following day as police surrounded the scene.
Troopers are asking for tips from the public at michigan.gov/michtip.
Michigan
Harmful algal blooms reported on 2 large West Michigan lakes
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Harmful algal blooms have been reported on two notable lakes in West Michigan: Gun Lake and Muskegon Lake.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy says cyanobacteria was reported on Muskegon Lake July 3, but no tests have confirmed it.
The Barry-Eaton District Health Department says a harmful algal bloom was confirmed Thursday on Gun Lake. The lake remains open, but the BEDHD is encouraging visitors to use caution and avoid water that has “visible algae.”
Visitors are encouraged to avoid any contact with water that appears bright green, blue-green, brown or red or has “floating mats of scum.”
Pets should also avoid the water. If they come into contact with the algae, pets should be rinsed off as soon as possible with clean, fresh water.
Exposure to algae can cause a rash or irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throat. It can also cause stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever and trouble breathing.
“If you become sick, contact your healthcare provider. Seek medical care right away if you have trouble breathing, severe vomiting, or other serious symptoms,” the BEDHD said in a statement. “If your pet was exposed, rinse them well with clean water and do not let them lick their fur until they have been washed. Contact your veterinarian right away if your pet has vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, trouble walking, excessive drooling, shaking, or seizures.”
Harmful algal blooms are powered by the sudden growth of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria occur naturally in lakes, rivers and ponds but is often boosted by a sudden excess of nutrients, often caused by fertilizer runoff from farms or failed septic systems.
They can last for several days and sometimes even months. The water will look “scummy” or like “spilled paint or pea soup.” They are typically found in the summer and fall — usually peaking in August or September and dying off by the end of October.
You can report a suspected harmful algal bloom to EGLE at AlgaeBloom@Michigan.gov or 1.800.662.9278.
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