Year In Review: Top MI Stories In 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking back at the some of the biggest stories that Patch has covered so far this year in Michigan.

The top ten Michigan stories of the year captured attention of readers around the state with a mix of shocking events, courtroom dramas and horrific crimes.

Here are some of Michigan's top stories from 2025:

Michigan Cop Who Killed Black Motorist Won't Face 2nd Murder Trial

A jury could not reach a verdict against former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr, who was charged with murder in the April 2022 shooting death of a 26-year-old Congolese man. Prosecutors decided not to retry Schurr. (Full story here)

Church Staff Prevent Mass Shooting At Metro Detroit Church

Staff at Wayne's CrossPointe Community Church shot and killed a man, who police said was planning to shoot up the church. A local police chief said quick action "prevented dozens of people from being murdered today." (Full story here)

Walmart Stabbing

A man stabbed 11 people inside a Traverse City area Walmart. The victims - six men and five women, ages 29-84 - were taken to the hospital where they were expected to survive. One of the victims recently announced a lawsuit against the superstore. (Full story here)

Michigan Campers Found Dead On Isle Royale

A father and son from metro Detroit were found dead on Isle Royale earlier in the summer. Their bodies were found at the remote campsite on the island. Officials ruled their deaths a murder-suicide. (Full story here)

Three Killed In Lansing Area Plane Crash

Three people were killed in a small plane crash in the Lansing area. Officials believe the pilots were running a test flight themselves following repairs, instead of waiting for a test pilot. (Full story here)

Grand Blanc Township Church Shooting

A man opened fire on hundreds of worshippers at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, killing four and injuring eight. Official believe the shooter was motivated by anti-religious beliefs. (Full story here)

Halloween Terror Plot Targeted Oakland County Bars, LGBTQ-Friendly Clubs

A group of Dearborn men were arrested after the FBI said they were planning to attack multiple Oakland County bars and restaurants in support of the Islamic State. FBI officials said they were planning the attack around Halloween. (Full story here)

Michigan Wolverines Football Coach Sherrone Moore's Firing And Arrest

Former Michigan Wolverines Head Coach Sherrone Moore was arrested and charged after breaking into the home of a former staffer, whom he had an intimate relationship with, on the same day he was fired from the team. The university said the relationship "constitutes a clear violation of University policy." (Full story here)

Rebecca Park Murder

Prosecutors said Rebecca's biological mother Cortney Bartholomew and her husband lured Rebecca, who was 38 weeks pregnant, into a vehicle that took her into a wooded area where they stabbed Rebecca and forced her to lie on the ground while they cut out her baby, resulting in the death of both. (Full story here)

Epstein Met First Known Victim At MI Summer Camp: Court Docs

New court documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice show that Jeffrey Epstein met his first victim at a Michigan summer camp. The girl and her family eventually became financially dependent on Epstein, who went to abuse and rape her multiple times, according to the documents. (Full story here)