Michigan Airport, I know it well :-P

Do you know if that is fescue or Kentucky bluegrass? It looks like a fungal disease, but if it is worn out fescue, those sometimes look similar.

For the ants you need to know if they are "sweet ants" or protein ants. Protein ants are often repelled by sugar, so sprinkle a little table sugar on top of the mound and see what the ants do. If they take the sugar with them, then they are sweet ants. There are effective organic ways to deal with ants either way, so you just need to know which they are to get the right treatment.

My lawn looks the exact same. I'm guessing yours looked great early in the year before it got warm and rain diminished.

I've been told it is just thinning out since I don't water, but, like clockwork, i've got a fairy ring back again and what looks like a thatch problem.

Hopefully someone can tell us more because I can't think of anything and am hoping it's just thinning out and overseeding in the fall will help it.