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AADL Announces Plans To Acquire The Ann Arbor Observer

AADL Announces Plans To Acquire The Ann Arbor Observer

October 06, 2025

Morning, Ann Arbor! Look at that forecast. Summer weather has held on strong, but a 20-degree drop tomorrow means Fall is going to win in the end.

If 60 degree highs and 40 degree lows have you in the Fall spirit, check out this cool Fall foliage tracker from the state.

Read Time: 3 minutes

Reader Count: 4,119 townies

Percent of Ann Arbor Reading: 3.43%

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Apple Maps | Ann Arbor Observer

📰 AADL x AA Observer: The Ann Arbor District Library announced plans to acquire the Ann Arbor Observer, the city’s long-running monthly publication that’s been delivered free to local homes since 1976. The deal, still pending final terms, will transfer ownership from publishers Patricia Garcia and John Hilton to the library. Under the new arrangement, the Observer will remain an independent, ad-supported newsroom, keeping its staff, finances, and editorial control.

Samba Bowls

🥭 Samba Bowls: After 14 months in business, Samba Bowls (113 W Washington) has closed its doors for good. The Brazilian-style açaí shop opened last summer in the former Vogel’s Lock & Safe space but struggled to find steady foot traffic.

Sanilac Creamery

🍦 Name Change: Zingerman’s Creamery (3723 Plaza Dr - next door to the Zingerman’s Bakehouse) has officially rebranded to Sanilac Creamery, reflecting a shift in ownership structure. Primary owner Arend Elston, who grew up in Sanilac County (a county in Michigan’s thumb), now fully owns the business after buying out the remaining 10% stake. Despite the new name, the creamery will continue sell Zingerman’s cheeses, spreads, and gelato.

Facebook | Big Ten

💼 Private Equity Deal: The Big Ten is in talks for a $2 billion private-equity deal that would create Big Ten Enterprises, a new commercial arm managing media, sponsorship, and business ventures across its 18 schools. The proposal would bring institutional investors into college sports for the first time, but not everyone’s on board. Michigan regent Jordan Acker publicly called it “a betrayal of our responsibility to students and taxpayers,” urging Ohio State and Michigan State to oppose it too. Conference leaders say the plan aims to modernize finances and protect athletic programs as revenue sharing looms, but skeptics question whether the short-term cash is worth the long-term control.

UMS

🩰 UMS: Visceral, powerful, and deeply relevant. Vancouver's Ballet BC, led by Medhi Walerski, is the cutting edge of contemporary dance, pushing physical and emotional boundaries to confront current social realities. Renowned for their unmatched precision and stunning innovation, the company of 20 dancers makes its UMS debut with two programs showcasing a new generation of dance-theater masters. Prepare for an indescribably moving, transformative experience.

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💸 State Budget: After months of gridlock, Lansing finally passed an $81 billion state budget early Friday morning, narrowly avoiding a shutdown. The deal boosts funding for schools and roads (including $1.8 billion in new road spending) and continues free school meals for all students. To help fund it, lawmakers approved a new 24% wholesale marijuana tax expected to raise $420 million a year, a move critics say could hit the cannabis industry hard.

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⚾️ Michigan Sports: Three quick bullet points to know:

For the first time since 2014, the Detroit Tigers are in the playoffs. They won the AL Wild Card Series last week and are currently tied 1-1 with the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS.
Last week, Grand Rapids revealed the name (fyi it’s AC Grand Rapids), colors, and logo for their MLS NEXT pro soccer team.
The UFL (United Football League) announced they were moving on from the Michigan Panthers. The Michigan Panthers have been members of the UFL since their inaugural season in 1983.

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🏈 Michigan Football Tracker: Week 6

Current Record: 4-1
Current Rank: #15 in the country
Last Saturday: Michigan beat Wisconsin 24-10.
This Saturday: Michigan plays a 7:30 pm night game at USC (4-1). The Trojans are 2.5-point favorites.