The Detroit Evening Report is a three-minute daily round-up of the news that city residents need to know. Stories focus on the concerns, problems, passions and needs of Detroiters – specifically residents of color. On the weekends, we take a break from the news and spend some time with community members. Hosted by Sascha Raiyn, Jerome Vaughn, Tia Graham, Nargis Rahman, and Hernz Laguerre, Jr. Detroit Evening Report is a production of WDET, Detroit's NPR Station.
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RSS FeedDetroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield announced the 18 policy committees that make up her transition team Thursday.
The transition team will determine the priorities for the first 100 days of the new administration.
Sheffield says the decision to place the team’s headquarters at the Marygrove Conservancy was deliberate. “We wanted to ensure that this process remained rooted in my values of neighborhoods and community. And I am proud to say that this is the first time a transition has been set up in one of Detroit's neighborhoods. First time ever.”
Sheffield says everyone appointed to the committees were chosen for their expertise, track records, and connections to everyday Detroiters.
The committees will focus on various issues such as affordable housing, public transit, economic opportunities, and youth support and development.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District School Board is endorsing the Invest in MI Kids ballot proposal.
The proposal would add a 5% surcharge on income over $1 million. Advocates say the charge would raise over $1 billion in funding for schools.
The Invest in MI Kids coalition says the new funds would be constitutionally protected and explicitly directed toward reducing classroom sizes, retaining and recruiting educators, and career and technical education.
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, or MiLEAP, is partnering with the Small Business Association of Michigan to provide affordable health and retirement benefits to child care providers. The program is called Nurture Benefits and enrollment opens on November 15.
Child Care providers will have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and retirement benefits, and wellness and behavioral health resources. Childcare providers who work 30 hours or more a week are eligible to apply.
For more information, visit nurturebenefits.com.
Author Marion Orr will be discussing his new book at Source Booksellers. The book is titled “House of Diggs: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Consequential Black Congressman, Charles C. Diggs Jr.”
Diggs was elected to represent Michigan’s 13th congressional district in 1954.
The event will be held on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.
The Dearborn school system has named a new interim superintendent, Lamis Srour.
She currently serves as the Executive Director of Student Achievement over the Edsel Ford Feeder Track, a position she’s held for the past three years. Srour started working with the Dearborn School District in 1998.
She tells the school board that her focus will be on improving attendance, stopping bullying and repairing infrastructure.
Srour’s first day on the job will be Dec. 5. She’s filling in after the departure of Glenn Maleyko, who’s leaving to become the new head of the Michigan Department of Education.
Almost two weeks away from Thanksgiving, Kalasho Education and Youth Services is launching an initiative called MINDful Giving Boxes. These boxes are curated packages of food and essentials to help families experiencing food insecurity enjoy warmth and sustenance.
The organization is partnering with the non profit Advancing Macomb, The National Association of Social Workers, and the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan to nourish families with this effort.
Each box has enough food to feed a family of four for two weeks. Some of the items in the box are rice, lentils, pasta, canned vegetables, peanut butter, hygiene essentials and more.
For more information on how to receive a MINDful Giving Box or to support the cause go to kalasho.org, or you can follow Kalasho Education on social media.
The government shutdown has affected a lot of businesses all across the country including airlines — and the Detroit Metro Airport is included in that.
There have been major delays and cancellations because of air traffic controllers not being paid since the shutdown began in October. The US Department of Transportation ordered a temporary reduction in flights due to the strain on air traffic controllers and the airline field in general.
According to airline tracking website Flight Aware, 562 flights going into and out of Detroit Metropolitan Airport were delayed, and 119 were canceled altogether since Sunday.
If you are planning to drive on the northbound or southbound ramps from the Southfield Ereeway to eastbound Interstate 96….you can’t. A sinkhole has forced closures on those freeway ramps. The repairs are projected to take a week according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
During this time, for those taking northbound Southfield Freeway traffic to use the eastbound I-96, you can use the westbound I-96 as a detour then take exits like Evergreen Road or Outer Drive to turn around and take eastbound I-96 local and express.
Happy Veterans Day to all of our men and women who have served. We thank you for your services. Here are a couple of events catered to our Veterans.
Today to honor those who served, Canton Township is hosting their Salute to Service program tonight at 7pm. This event is meant to salute all veterans living, passed, and those currently serving in our armed forces.
Donations will be gathered to benefit Veterans Affairs and local veterans. If you want to participate go to cantonmi.gov.
The event will be held at Village Theater’s main auditorium.
Also, to honor those who served, The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn invites all active duty military personal, veterans and their families are welcomed to visit the museum for free. All you need to do is present your military ID.
There is a limit to the amount of family members military personnel can bring. To learn more about that and other details go to thehenryford.org.
Both of Michigan’s U.S. Senators voted against a procedural move to end the federal government shutdown.
Seven Democrats and one independent joined Republicans last night, taking the first step toward funding the government. GOP Senators agreed to hold a vote next month on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. The deal does not guarantee they’ll be renewed. Democratic senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters say promising to hold a vote on the issue isn’t good enough.
The compromise would reverse the mass firings that took place when the shutdown began and ensure federal workers get back pay.
-Reporting by Pat Batcheller
On Saturday the U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency stay blocking the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition from issuing full payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. This pauses benefits for 42 million Americans, including many children and the elderly.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director, Elizabeth Hertel, says she is disappointed by the move. MDHHS began sending out full payments on Thursday, however the new order prevents the department from finalizing payments for Michigan residents who have not yet received their payments for November.
To fill the gap, Governor Whitmer announced an additional $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to feed families including food delivery services for families who are unable to visit a food bank. Dial 2-1-1 or visit mi211.org to find assistance.
Last week, the city of Detroit launched a network of food pantries map with 85 certified food pantries. Mayor Mike Duggan says the city authorized $1.75 million for the project. People can visit detroitmi.gov to find a location near them.
Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan is providing emergency relief while SNAP benefits are in limbo for 1.4 million families in Michigan.
People can drop into the Center for the Works of Mercy on 10301 Woodward Ave in Detroit on Thursdays between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays beginning Nov. 22nd through Dec. 6th between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
According to DetroitCatholic.com, the city of Detroit donated food from Forgotten Harvest to support the center.
The Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan are also asking people to donate unexpired AND nonperishable food on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. or provide monetary donations. The group is matching donations up to $20,000 thanks to an anonymous donor. The center is also looking for volunteers.
Michigan State University researchers are building an outdoor laboratory to see if solar panels can improve crop production for farmers.
Anthony Kendall is an Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at MSU. He says the project involves researchers from different fields who can offer a variety of perspectives.
"There’s a real asymmetry of solar installation information that exists right now. And we hope by doing open science with a lot of community feedback, to really just provide better information to everyone.”
He says they’ll also use the project to teach farmers how to use solar panels in under-producing areas of farm fields. The project is funded by a $3.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
The Michigan Department of Transportation is still collecting public comment on a set of proposed regulations that could put parameters on how people can protest on MDOT owned roads.
The new rules would require protestors to get a permit before occupying an area such as an overpass or rest stop. MDOT’s Engineer Greg Losch said on the podcast “Talking Michigan Transportation” that the rules are a response to complaints from the public.
“We’ll be responding to the public complaint, like, 'hey, I stopped at whatever rest area and someone asked me to sign a petition and I don’t really want to be solicited for that. Why why are you allowing this, MDOT?'”
Losch said the regulations intend to ensure public safety. Activists argue that this is an infringement of First Amendment rights. MDOT will be accepting public comments on its website through November 20th.
If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report podcast, available wherever you get
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has directed its SNAP EBT vendor to start issuing full benefits to recipients pending delivery from the federal government. This all comes after a district judge ordered the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to issue full SNAP benefits by today, Friday Nov. 7.
According to the MDHHS, SNAP recipients who usually receive benefits on the 3rd, 5th , or 7th of each month should get their full SNAP allotment within 48 hours of the state receiving their funds. This news comes as the Trump administration is asking a federal appeals court to block a judge’s order to distribute November’s full SNAP food benefits during the government shutdown.
This is all going down as some states are moving to take care of low-income residents. The court back and forth has created uncertainty in the food program services that serves 1 in 8 Americans. Approximately 1.4 million people in Michigan are on SNAP.
The City of Detroit and the Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26 agreed on a new contract to give DDOT bus operators a $6 per hour wage increase.
Pending approval from the City Council, more than 500 operators will now have start and maximum base wages in line with what SMART bus service currently offers their drivers. There are even incentives for good attendance and safety.
In addition to those improvements, drivers will also receive an annual cost of living increase each July 1st during their contract. This new contract will be submitted to Detroit City Council for approval before the Council meetings end for the year.
The Detroit Lions try to bounce back from their loss against the Vikings last week as they look to face the Commanders Sunday afternoon. The Commanders will be without starting Quarterback Jayden Daniels who suffered an elbow injury. The Lions are hoping to build and get their offense going after struggling as of late. Kickoff is at 4:25 p.m. at Northwest Stadium.
The Red Wings face off against the team from my home state, The New York Rangers. Game starts at 7:00pm at Little Caesars Arena. The Red Wings then play against the Chicago Blackhawks also at Little Caesars Arena NBA The Pistons go agains the Brooklyn Nets Tonight at the Barclays. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. and then they stay on the road to face the 76ers on Sunday Nov. 9 at the Wells Fargo Center.
And this Sunday November 9th you get the chance to experience the event titled All Things Detroit Holiday Shopping. This unique marketplace is taking place at Eastern Market Sheds 3,4, and 5.
Small businesses from all across Detroit will come through with interesting items to purchase right on time for the holiday season. For more information go to allthingsmarketplace.com.
The City of Detroit launched a network of food pantries yesterday to help residents who normally rely on benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
The program, also sometimes called food stamps, has not been fully funded since Nov. 1 because of the federal government shutdown. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration has created a map of 85 certified food pantries.
“This is now live at DetroitMI.gov. You can see the 85 sites. Some are open one day a week. Some are open five or six days a week. And so you can go on the website, click on the one in your area that’s closest to you…and for example you can see this one gives you the address.”
Duggan is also asking for volunteers to help hand out food to residents in need. He says the plan should be feasible for the next two weeks. The city has authorized $1.75 million for the project.
There’s no word on when the government shutdown might end.
This Detroit Evening Report covers the results of notable elections in Detroit, Hamtramck and Dearborn.
It’s Election Day, and voters in Detroit will have a new mayor and city council members.
Dearborn voters decide whether to keep Mayor Abdullah Hammoud or elect Nagi Almudhegi, and whether to change how city council members are elected.
Hamtramck will have a new mayor. The city’s former Mayor Amer Ghalib was nominated by President Trump to be Ambassador to Kuwait. Pontiac voters choose between Kermit Williams, Mike McGuinness and a couple of write-in candidates to lead their city.
Some cities also vote to fund schools, parks and public safety.
People lined up in the rain at a food pantry in Pontiac Monday as SNAP benefits were set to run out.
Forced by a court order, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released some money for the federal food assistance program. Full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is unavailable due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Speaking at Lighthouse, a non-profit food pantry in Pontiac, Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters says he doesn't understand why Republicans are willing to have people starve as a part a negotiation tactic. "Why there's suddenly this turn to now cut these funds off and make people hungry? I think is outrageous, and the American public needs to speak out about that."
In the new budget to fund the federal government, Republican leadership—and President Trump—want to make more cuts to social safety net programs and governmental agencies. Democrats have refused to sign off on a compromise bill that doesn't include a continuation of tax breaks for people on Medicaid.
Health care advocates worry that rising Affordable Care Act insurance rates may put the health of tens of thousands of Michigan residents at risk. More than a half million people in the state get their coverage through the ACA marketplace. But rates for next year are jumping by double digit percentages.
Doctor Aisha Harris practices family medicine in Flint. She fears many of her patients will drop their coverage because they can't afford it. "I know what America's health status is and it's not as healthy as people think. And so this is going to be detrimental to like how we're thriving as a country because now people can't take care of themselves."
Democrats want Congress to restore the tax credit that reduced prices in the ACA system as part of a deal to reopen the federal government. Republicans say they are willing to negotiate, but only after Democrats vote to end the shutdown.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging people to get their COVID shots this fall.
COVID-19 shots are recommended for all infants 6–23 months, and kids ages 2–18 years old, all pregnant women, and adults between 18 and 50—especially for those with any risk factors, including those who have never been vaccinated before.
COVID-19 vaccines are available at local health departments for free of charge to Michigan residents.
Together We Eat will offer soups made from local ingredients to the community on Fridays throughout November.
The event is presented by the East Warren Development Corp in response to SNAP benefit cuts. Soup, bread and water will be provided from 4-6 p.m. at the East Warren Kitchen at16835 E Warren Ave.
Two men have been charged with alleged terrorism-related crimes after federal authorities made arrests and seized weapons last week from a storage unit in Inkster and a home in Dearborn.
According to a 72-page criminal complaint unsealed in federal court, the men had allegedly scouted areas in Ferndale. The individuals were charged with allegedly receiving and transferring guns and ammunition for terrorism.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced arrests on Friday but no further details were provided then. Over the weekend, Michigan defense lawyer Amir Makled, representing one of the detainees, disputed the FBI allegations.
Detroit's mayoral candidates are in the final hours of their campaign before voters choose the city's first new mayor in a dozen years. The election features the Reverend Solomon Kinloch against long-time City Council President Mary Sheffield.
Kinloch argues Detroit officials like Sheffield have not done enough to fight poverty or extend development from the city's core business districts to its outer neighborhoods. "And the question becomes: do you to move forward with a manager and an administrator that wants to maintain the status quo and look out for downtown, and forget about the rest of the town?"
Sheffield counters that programs she initiated helped Detroit move past bankruptcy and lure new investment across the city.
Sheffield says she will push for more affordable housing, better schools and safer streets in Detroit's neighborhoods.
- Reporting by Quinn Klinefelter
The Department of Elections and the Department of Transportation will provide free bus rides in Detroit tomorrow to encourage people to vote. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dearborn voters will vote on Proposal 1, deciding whether they want wards in the city.
Dr. Ronald Stockton, a professor emeritus of Political Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, says creating wards is challenging, as many people may run for office within each district. “So it's not as if a ward can just have a bunch of leaders get together and say, 'Okay, this is our nominee.' That's not the way it's going to work.”
Each ward would represent about 15,700 people. If passed, the changes would create seven-districted city council and two at-large seats. Opponents say it would create division in the city of 110,000 people.
Organizers of the group Dearborn Wants Wards say districted elections will reduce barriers for people to run for office and allow for better representation. If passed, the changes will not go into effect until 2029.
Officials joined the city’s first business opening under the Dearborn WORKS program on Friday. Sewing Your Life is a new sewing school on Dearborn’s Southend opened by a graduate of the program “Dearborn Women’s Opportunity to Realize their Knowledge and Skills” or Dearborn WORKS. The initiative is a joint effort by the City of Dearborn and the Arab American Women’s Business Council (AAWBC), aiming to empower and train local women entrepreneurs.
Owner Nasim Alghuzzy will be teaching free sewing classes for up to 50 women at a brick-and-mortar training school as part of the grant program. After completing the free training, she can operate as a for-profit business. Applicants for the free courses can sign up at Dearborn.gov/BusinessResources. Classes begin Nov. 17th.
Rising Voices organizers are asking the city of Center Line not to train local law enforcement to act as immigration officers for ICE. The city stopped using the program in 2012, which led to racial profiling and lawsuits.
The Asian American-focused nonprofit community advocacy organization is asking the city and police to rescind any potential agreement.
If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.
The head of the FBI says agents thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested several people in Michigan this morning. Bureau Director Kash Patel said attacks were planned for this weekend but offered no other details in an early morning post on X.
Dearborn Police confirmed on Facebook that federal agents conducted operations in the city this morning, but said there’s no threat to the community. Agents from the FBI and the ATF reportedly entered homes in two Dearborn locations, with Michigan State Police also on the scene.
Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey is urging residents to get out and vote in next week’s municipal election. At a news conference Thursday, Winfrey said 519,000 Detroiters are registered to vote — but she expects less than 25 percent to actually cast a ballot.
“It’s a sad state of affairs. It’s sad. But unfortunately it’s not just happening in Detroit. The low voter turnout is happening all over our country.”
Early voting began last Saturday and runs through Sunday at 5 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Detroit Fire Department has completed another round of its Fire Investigation Course, which provides hands-on training in fire investigation. The nationally recognized course gives students field experience in Detroit neighborhoods and helps participants master the science and skill of determining how and why fires start.
The course is taught by current and former members of the department and is structured for two weeklong sessions that can be taken separately or together. The training hours count toward national certification requirements for fire investigators. It’s offered twice a year.
NFL: The Detroit Lions take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 2, at 1 p.m. The Lions will be without All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph, who is recovering from a knee injury. Detroit is currently second in the NFC North behind the Packers.
NBA: On Saturday, the Pistons (3–2) face the Dallas Mavericks (2–3). Mavericks power forward Anthony Davis continues to deal with an Achilles injury and is expected to miss the game, according to reports. Tipoff is at 10 p.m. EST at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
NHL: The Red Wings lead the Atlantic Division with an 11–8 record and hope to maintain their position as they face the Anaheim Ducks tonight at 10 p.m. EST at the Honda Center.
Halloween in the D takes place tonight, with family-friendly activities happening at police precincts, recreation centers, and fire stations across the city. For more information on locations, visit detroitmi.gov.
The Detroit Institute of Arts is hosting the 13th Annual “Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos” exhibition. The annual showcase highlights Mexican traditions of the Day of