The Associated Press (AP) selected the state's top news stories as follows:
The election of James Blanchard as Governor, the first Democrat elected to the office in 20 years;
Unemployment in Michigan with 732,000 Michiganders out of work and a record unemployment rate of 17.2%;
Mass homicides, including the Rock Road massacre, the murder of a five members of the Paulson family near Allendale on March 13, and the murder of Bette Giuliani and her four adopted daughters in St. Clair County on April 7;
Four rounds of cuts in the state budget totaling $778 million and resulting from the state's economic tailspin;
New contracts between the United Auto Workers and the major automobile manufacturers;
A continued slump in sales of American automobiles;
Richard Headlee's nomination as the Republican candidate for Governor, defeating Gov. Milliken's chosen successor, James H. Brickley with Headlee losing to Blanchard in the general election as Milliken remained on the sidelines;
Cold weather and heavy snow through the winter of 1982;
Fraud charges brought by the Canadian government against Amway and four of its executives for allegedly using dummy invoices showing lower values to reduce customs duties paid for goods shipped to Canada;
(tie for 10th) The February birth of a baby to a 12-year-old rape victim in Kalamazoo who was denied an abortion after an unsuccessful court battle; and
In the 1980 United States census, Michigan was recorded as having a population of 9,259,000 persons, ranking as the eighth most populous state in the country. By 1990, the state's population had grown only marginally by 0.4% to 9,259,000 persons.
Cities
The following is a list of cities in Michigan with a population of at least 50,000 based on 1980 U.S. Census data. Historic census data from 1970 and 1990 is included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases. Cities that are part of the Detroit metropolitan area are shaded in tan.
The following is a list of counties in Michigan with populations of at least 100,000 based on 1980 U.S. Census data. Historic census data from 1970 and 1990 are included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases. Counties that are part of the Detroit metropolitan area are shaded in tan.
1982 Detroit Lions season – The Lions, under head coach Monte Clark, compiled a 4–5 record and finished fourth in the NFC Central Division. The team's statistical leaders included Gary Danielson with 1,343 passing yards, Billy Sims with 639 rushing yards and 342 receiving yards, and Eddie Murray with 49 points scored.[2]
The Distance, an album by Bob Seger, was released in December 1982. It reached No. 5 on the Billboard album chart. The single "Shame on the Moon" reached No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Silk Electric, an album by Diana Ross, was released in September 1982.
August 19 - Fritz Crisler, University of Michigan football coach (1938-1947) and athletic director (1941-1968), at age 83 in Ann Arbor, Michigan
November 3 - Ray Fisher, Michigan Wolverines baseball coach (1920-1958), at age 95 in Ann Arbor
November 23 - Benny Friedman, Michigan Wolverines football quarterback (1924-1926) and Pro and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, at age 77 in New York City
December 16 - Orville L. Hubbard, Mayor of Dearborn (1942-1978) known as the most outspoken segregationist north of the Mason-Dixon line, at age 79
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