Good morning, Battle Creek.

FireKeepers Casino Hotel, near Battle Creek, earned seventh place among the best casinos outside Las Vegas in USA TODAY’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards—its thousands of slot machines, 446 hotel rooms and diverse amenities such as dining, live entertainment and a pool helped it stand out.

Lawmakers introduced a bipartisan package yesterday to strengthen Michigan’s human trafficking laws, aiming to extend protections for survivors and raise penalties for traffickers.

The bill would let survivors have convictions set aside and modify safe harbor protections—measures that advocates say are needed to address trafficking in places like nail salons and farms.

Starting Monday, Sept.

8, MDOT will close one lane of I-69 from Warren Road to A Drive North for pavement and drainage repairs until Sept. 30 — with speed limits reduced in the work zones; MDOT is converting Exit 39 at Marshall into a divergent diamond interchange to improve safety ahead of Ford's Blue Oval Battery Park opening.

On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee heard a bill that would raise the fine for illegal retaliation from $500 to $2,000 and let employees sue for triple back pay—steps meant to protect whistleblowers.

Lawmakers also discussed expanding the protections so more workers can be covered—an effort to keep workplaces fair.

The Battle Creek Enquirer detailed key high school football games for Week 2 with Friday matchups scheduled at 7 p.m. and 6 p.m.—the report covers Harper Creek at Cedar Springs, Battle Creek Central at Lansing Everett, Pennfield at Sturgis, Coldwater at Gull Lake and Fowlerville at Marshall, noting each team’s main offensive and defensive challenges.

Bill Engvall Live Performance

8:00 – 9:30 PM — FireKeepers Casino Hotel — Tickets from $261 — Experience an evening of laughter with comedian Bill Engvall at a lively venue.

Fishing with Kalamazoo Valley Trout Unlimited

5-8 p.m. — Handmap Brewing — Free entry — Make new friends and learn to fish with expert mentoring and equipment provided.

Alive and Running VA 5K Fun Run/Walk

1-4 p.m. — 5500 Armstrong Rd, Battle Creek, MI — Entry fee required — Participate in a fun 5K run/walk with both live and virtual options for everyone.

Battle Creek Punk Rock Flea Market

12-6 p.m. — Kellogg Arena — Free entry — A lively day filled with makers, artists, vendors, and music awaits at the punk rock-themed flea market.