Austin Zmrzlik, 25, rides a bucking horse during the Super Kicker Rodeo on Aug. 18, 2026, in Midland, Mich.
Freddy Nicholson, 29, reads a manifesto he wrote about getting sober outside the Ferry Building on the morning of Sunday, May 31, 2026, in San Francisco, California. Written on the first day of his recovery from drug addiction, the manifesto served as a commitment to himself and a reminder of the life he hoped to rebuild. Reading it again years later offered a chance to reflect on the challenges he has overcome and the progress he has made.
Ali Almagibi, 38, climbs a latter to take down a sign to walk with before thousands walk during the Arbaeen procession Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Dearborn, Mich. The annual procession marks the end of the 40 days of mourning in the Shi'a tradition honoring the death of Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680.
Muskegon’s Camiyah Bonner (4) celebrates with her team after winning the MHSAA Division 1 girls basketball state final at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich., on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Muskegon defeated Detroit Renaissance 34-29.
Dr. Alexander Marinica of the Detroit Medical Center embraces Toni Wilson, 65, of Warren, Mich., during a follow-up visit on Friday, May 8, 2026 after Wilson underwent lipoma surgery in May 2025 at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit.
Pastor Michael Venyah speaks during a Sunday worship service at Soulwinners Fellowship Church in Lansing, Mich., on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Venyah's sermon includes references to the current presidential administration while emphasizing religious themes.
Chuck Clark of Detroit Circus lassos Mikah Davis, 12, of Detroit on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 on Atwater Street and the Detroit Riverwalk area during the 48th annual Detroit Free Press Marathon events presented by MSU Federal Credit Union.
John Boros, 40, owner of Keylight Development and homeowner, stands with his wife, Meg Lockhart, 33, and their dog, Walter, outside their new-construction home in Detroit’s Islandview neighborhood on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Michael Wallace, a rodeo clown, applies his signature makeup inside his truck before the start of the second performance of the 56th annual Spartan Stampede on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at the Livestock Pavilion on Michigan State University’s campus in East Lansing, Mich. The quiet preparation contrasts with the high-risk role he will take on in the arena, where he works to distract bulls and protect fallen riders during bull riding events. Michael Wallace, a professional rodeo clown from Illinois, applies his signature makeup inside his truck before the second performance of the 56th annual Spartan Stampede on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at the Livestock Pavilion on Michigan State University’s campus in East Lansing, Mich. “I’m not a circus clown,” Wallace said, a reminder that the role he’s about to step into is rooted in protection, not parody. A former bull rider who shifted to entertainment nearly 20 years ago, Wallace now balances life on the road with being a husband and father of three, carrying the traditions of rodeo from one arena to the next.
