1946 in Michigan

The Associated Press polled editors of its member newspapers in Michigan and ranked the state's top news stories of 1946 as follows:[1]

1. Kim Sigler. Sigler's year began as special prosecutor pursuing government corruption. After 28 months in that position, he was fired in March 1946 and ran for Governor. A former Democrat, he won the Republican nomination for Governor in a close and bitter four-way contest. He then won the general election in November by a plurality of more than 350,000 votes, the largest margin for a Michigan Governor in a non-presidential year.
2. The March 13 settlement of a 113-day strike by the CIO-UAW against General Motors.
3. Numerous post-war problems in the automobile industry, including shortages, layoffs, and labor disputes.
4. Tornadoes that struck Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, on June 17 and June 27, killing 15 and injuring scores.
5. The July 20 indictment of 19 men for conspiring to block passage of Michigan's anti-branch bank bill.
6. The inquiry and hearing leading to the firing of the warden of the Jackson State Prison following evidence of "high life, favoritism and immorality" at the prison.
7. The trial and February 14 acquittal of former Republican national committeeman Frank McKay on charges of corrupting the state liquor control commission.
8. The November 13 explosion of a water tank at a school in Baroda, killing one child and endangering 260.
9. The February 18 elevation of Detroit Archbishop Edward Aloysius Mooney to the status of cardinal.
10. A March 9 blizzard that sent 30 to 40 feet of ice floes ashore destroying 55 cottages near Bay City.

Other stories receiving votes but falling outside the top ten included the following:

• The CIO-National Maritime Union Great Lakes shipping strike;
• The death of Fielding H. Yost;
• OPA exposure of a $3 million black market for cars based in Michigan;
• The trial and conviction of Anthony Lobaido for the rape and slashing of a Detroit child;
• Celebration of the automobile's golden jubilee;
• The Detroit Tigers' second-place finish in the American League; and
• The squabble between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University over football dates.

In the 1940 United States Census, Michigan was recorded as having a population of 5,256,106, ranking as the seventh most populous state in the country. By 1950, Michigan's population had increased by 21.2% to 6,371,766.

The following is a list of major companies based in Michigan in 1946.

• April 12 - Lewis N. Dodak, 63rd Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives (1989-1992), in Saginaw County
• June 18 - Bruiser Brody, professional wrestler infamous for his wild and legit uncooperative demeanor, in Detroit
• July 22 - Paul Schrader, screenwriter (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull) and film director (American Gigolo), in Grand Rapids, Michigan
• October 17 - Herb Orvis, defensive tackle in the NFL (1972–1981), in Petoskey, Michigan

• August 26 - Fielding H. Yost, University of Michigan football coach (1901–1926), at age 75 in Ann Arbor
• October 4 - Barney Oldfield, automobile racer, at age 68 in Beverly Hills, California

• History of Michigan
• History of Detroit