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The top six candidates for Michigan governor participated in a gubernatorial debate Thursday night on Mackinac Island. Three republican and three democratic hopefuls sparred over a wide range of topics, drawing some new battle lines, while reinforcing others. With such a crowded field heading into the August primaries, it was interesting to see who confronted who during the event. Republican Bill Schuette and Democrat Gretchen Whitmer went toe-to-toe over taxes. While, not surprisingly, Patrick Colbeck (R) and Abdul El-Sayed (D) renewed their ongoing controversy. (Colbeck has accused El-Sayed of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.) Republican Brian Calley and Democrat Shri Thanedar also participated. MORE

'The media has killed me,' Larry Nassar wrote in newly released email

Ex-Michigan State sports-medicine doctor Larry Nassar tried to play the role of victim. He denied the claims of his accusers. He tried to blame the media. He tried to defend his procedures. He tried to get away with the sexual abuse that landed him in prison and saddled MSU with a $500 million tab to settle lawsuits with his victims. Thankfully, he ultimately failed in his efforts. But a series of emails from the early days of the scandal obtained by MLive through the Freedom of Information Act show Nassar had the support of his boss and, possibly, numerous athletes, coaches and colleagues. It is chilling to think that if survivors hadn't spoken up in such numbers, Nassar would still be practicing his perverted version of medicine. MORE
► Complete Nassar coverage

Girls discover, pull dummy WWI bomb from lake while swimming

You never know what you'll find when you start exploring. Take the case of Paige Burnett, 10, and Sage Menzies, 9. The girls were swimming in a inland lake this week, playing a game they call "mermaid," where they dive down and try to find hidden treasures below the surface. One of them spotted something. Together they couldn't bring it up. An adult was called in for assistance. Low and behold, the "treasure" at the bottom of the lake was a dummy World War I fighter bomb. After the initial scare of thinking the bomb could detonate, a bomb squad determined it was inert. The girls now have quite the bombshell to share with their friends and family. MORE

We see your monkey, L.A., and raise you a goose

It is fitting that the Los Angeles Angels were in Detroit this week. The franchise with the adorable Rally Monkey got a taste of its own medicine at the hands of the Detroit Tigers' very own rally goose. That's right: Rally Goose. A Canada goose landed on the field during Wednesday night's game. When it tried to depart, the goose didn't have the correct launch angle and flew into a video board. (It is possible the goose's exit velocity was to blame, too.) Anywho, a veterinarian in the crowd scooped up the dazed bird and took it to safety. The Tigers proceeded to score five runs during a sixth inning rally to win the game. On Thursday, the Tigers scored five runs during a first-inning rally and went on to beat the Angels again. The real trick will be to see how Rally Goose does against a team from Canada, as the Toronto Blue Jays come to town this weekend. MORE
►Rodriguez, Reyes have big days as Tigers take 3 of 4 from Angels

Nation's longest canopy walk to open in Midland in time for fall colors

We won't judge you if you missed this awesome little ditty we published last Friday right before the start of the holiday weekend. But we'd be grossly remiss if we didn't circle back and highlight the opening of the nation's longest canopy walk this fall in Midland. At its greatest height, the Canopy Walk at Whiting Forest takes visitors 40 feet into the air. The $20 million project is expected to open to the public in October. We already can't wait. (Not that we're eager to see the return of cooler temps just yet!) MORE
► Video: Nation's longest canopy walk opens this fall