Wayne State University has announced the inaugural director of its Detroit Center for Black Studies. Dr. Richard D. Benson comes from the University of Pittsburgh where he was an associate professor. His work has focused on the Black radical tradition in education. The university cites Benson’s work as an examination of the intersections of Black intellectual traditions, education, activism, and social movements.

The Detroit Center for Black Studies, it says, is being established to “create an interdisciplinary… Detroit-rooted center for scholarship, teaching and public engagement that reflects both the richness of Black Studies and the unique intellectual context” of the city. 

Additional headlines for Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Company contracted for Solar Neighborhoods goes under

One of the companies contracted to build arrays for Detroit's Solar Neighborhoods program has been sold. The city is looking to DTE Energy to take over.  

The company Lightstar was contracted to build 63 acres of solar fields in the Gratiot/Findlay and State Fair Neighborhoods for phase one of the project and 19 acres in the Houston-Whittier/Hayes neighborhood for phase two. 

Detroit Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives Trish Stein told city council that tax credits for the project are scheduled to expire by July 4, so a decision needs to be made soon. "You heard it today, the residents came and they talked to you about some have got their energy efficiency upgrades, some have not. Ninety-seven of those 209 homeowners have not had their energy efficiency. They have been waiting for over a year." 

Stein says DTE is ready now to take over the project. Lightstar was expected to start construction early this year. 

Gordie Howe Bridge opening

Officials will cut the ribbon on the new Gordie Howe International Bridge in southwest Detroit on Friday. The Detroit News and the Free Press cited sources with knowledge of the plans who did not want to be identified.

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority would not confirm the reports but said it expects to open the bridge for traffic soon.

Trump threatened to block the opening unless Canada agreed to share toll revenue with the United States. Canada paid for construction and co-owns the bridge with the state of Michigan.

Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told a Senate panel that Customs and Border Protection agents are ready to go.

-Reporting by Pat Batcheller

Michigan ranks worst for child wellness

A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks Michigan worst in the Midwest for overall child wellbeing. The Kids Count Data Book bases its scores on education, health, economic wellbeing and other factors. 

The data come mostly from 2024, meaning the impact of some recent steps the state has taken don’t show up. 

-Reporting Colin Jackson/MPRN

Conversation about media bias and Palestine

Arab Americans for Progress, Pluto Press and Source Booksellers are bringing a conversation about media bias and Palestine to the Arab American National Museum Thursday. Adam Johnson, author of the book “How to Sell a Genocide” will speak with moderator Bilal Baydoun.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to register on Eventbrite.