Rat-Infested Cities, Massive Data Center, and Crack Fries Acquired

Friday, October 31st, 2025

🎃Happy Halloween! Welcome to The Mitten, where we provide you a 5-minute rundown of all things Michigan every morning at 5 a.m., directly in your inbox!

🐀 Michigan has three of America’s most rat-infested cities according to a new list from Orkin. Check out the list here, and read more in Top Stories.

Speaking of rats, as part of The Mitten’s celebration of spooky season, we will be rewarding the first reader to respond to today’s email with a rat emoji a $25 Starbucks gift card! Good luck!

Handcrafted from American bison leather and built to last a lifetime—The Buffalo Billfold Company makes wallets that age better with every mile. Read more below!

Multi-Billion Dollar ChatGPT Data Center Coming to Saline Township

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, announced plans to build a large-scale, multi-billion dollar data center in Saline Township that will be one of the most advanced AI facilities in the U.S.

The 2.2-million-square-foot data center will be built in early 2026, and is estimated to create more than 4,000 jobs. The facility will not require any new energy transmission due to advanced cooling technology that will be used, according to a statement from OpenAI.

In a statement, Governor Gretchen Whitmer called the project the “largest economic project in Michigan history.” You can read the full statement here.

Michigan Cities Among Most Rat-Infested in America

Three Michigan cities were ranked among America’s 50-most rat infested cities according to Orkin’s annual Top 50 Rattiest Cities List.

For the fourth consecutive year Detroit cracked the top 10, ranked No. 7 in the country. Grand Rapids and Flint were the other two cities to make the list, ranking No. 25 and No. 42, respectively.

Orkin ranked this year’s Rattiest Cities by tracking new rodent services in owner-occupied residences. You can see the full list of cities here.

Ford Announces Grand Opening of New World Headquarters

Ford Motor Company announced plans to celebrate the grand opening for the company’s new World Headquarters in Dearborn on Sunday, November 16th.

Ford will be offering free tours of the new facility to the public at no cost, food trucks, live entertainment, and is inviting community members to participate in a car show to celebrate the occasion.

To participate in a tour of the facility or the car show, you must register in advance. You can RSVP, and find more information on the event here.

Most wallets wear out long before they should—but not ones from The Buffalo Billfold Company. Handcrafted in the USA from genuine American bison leather, these wallets are built to stand up to years of use and still look better with age.

From rugged billfolds to slim front-pocket designs, each piece is made by skilled leatherworkers who take pride in doing things the right way. Durable, authentic, and unmistakably American.

👉 Carry quality that lasts—shop The Buffalo Billfold Company today.

Around the Mitten

Grand Rapids: Stella’s Lounge and Hopcat were acquired by a Chicago-based investment firm Uncommon Equity. (More)
Statewide: The Michigan Senate passed a measure to provide $50 million in SNAP assistance to residents if the program remains unfunded on November 1. (More)
Monroe County: Eleven people were injured in a limousine bus crash near Nadeau Rd. on I-75. (More)
Statewide: Sixteen school districts were recognized as blue ribbon schools by the state Department of Education for academic achievement. (See Schools)
Kochville Township: Construction is set to begin on a new Dairy Queen twenty years after the last location in the township closed. (More)
Upper Peninsula: After 104 years of operating, Camp Michigamme, a United Methodist camp, is permanently closing its doors. (More)
Traverse City: Fire Chief Jim Tuller announced plans to retire after 36 years of service. (More)

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Sports

Four former staffers at Central Michigan University were handed punishments by the NCAA for their involvment in the Connor Stalions sign stealing investigation. (More)
Country music star Morgan Wallen announced plans to perform at the Big House in Ann Arbor on July 24 & 25 of next year. (More)
Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt will call The Lions-Vikings matchup as Fox’ “America’s Game of the Week,” set to be nationally broadcast Sunday at 1 p.m. (See Preview)
The Red Wings improved to winning eight of their last ten contests in a 4-3 shootout win over Los Angeles. (See Box Score)

Have you tried Hopcat's "crack fries"?

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Thank you for reading Friday’s edition of The Mitten! We hope you enjoyed today’s stories. We always welcome any reader feedback by simply responding to this email.

Founder of The Mitten — Joe S.