Mid-Michigan News: ICE Shooting, Senate Campaigns, Gas Prices and Weekend Sports

Venezuelan Man Shot by ICE Officer in Austin

A Venezuelan man was shot and wounded by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Sunday while he was making a DoorDash delivery in Austin, Texas.

The man was identified by his attorney as 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez. He was shot in the upper torso during a brief foot pursuit and was hospitalized in serious but stable condition before being released into federal custody.

His attorney says Perez had entered the United States legally and had a valid work permit. The Department of Homeland Security says he entered the country illegally and was subject to removal. Federal officials say the shooting is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the FBI. (Reuters)

The shooting comes amid increased immigration enforcement activity in Austin and elsewhere around the country.

Senate Candidates Campaign Across Michigan

Michigan's U.S. Senate race is getting plenty of attention in Mid-Michigan.

Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed held a town hall in Saginaw Saturday as part of his campaign's statewide tour. El-Sayed took questions from residents about issues including the cost of living, health care, housing, education and privacy. (https://www.wnem.com)

Republican nominee Mike Rogers was in Detroit over the weekend focusing on literacy and reading achievement. Rogers called Michigan's education challenges "the civil rights issue of our lifetime" while appearing outside Cody High School. (CBS News)

The election for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat is scheduled for November 3.

Michigan Gas Prices Near $5 a Gallon

Drivers across Michigan are feeling the pain at the pump.

AAA reported Michigan's average price for regular gasoline approaching $5 a gallon last week, as prices continued climbing across the state. (CBS News)

Michigan's motor fuel tax is 52.4 cents per gallon in 2026. Under the current system, 98% of the motor fuel tax revenue goes to the Michigan Transportation Fund, which supports state highways, county roads, cities, villages and public transportation. (Michigan.gov)

That has renewed discussion about whether Michigan should temporarily suspend or reduce its gas tax to give drivers some relief. Any reduction would also mean less money going toward transportation funding.

Weekend Sports

It was a busy weekend for Michigan sports.

Michigan State fell to third-ranked Notre Dame 27-10 Saturday night. The Spartans trailed by just seven points at halftime before Notre Dame pulled away in the second half. (Michigan State University Athletics)

Central Michigan picked up a 24-10 victory over Wyoming.

Michigan bounced back from an early scare to beat UTEP 52-17. The Wolverines improved to 3-0 with the victory. (Yahoo Sports)

And there was no shortage of local hockey drama.

The Flint Firebirds spoiled the Saginaw Spirit's home opener Saturday night, beating Saginaw 5-4 at the Dow Event Center. Flint's Xavier Tessier scored a hat trick in the victory.

The Spirit will be back at the Dow Event Center Friday night against the Niagara IceDogs. (Ticketmaster)

Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers dropped an 8-1 decision to the Chicago White Sox Sunday. The loss eliminated Detroit from playoff contention. (AP News)