Two Detroit Museum institutions want voters in Wayne and Oakland counties to support a joint operating millage on the November ballot. 

The Detroit Historical Society and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History are proposing a 10-year 0.2 mills they say would generate nearly $29 million in revenue in its first year. 

The President and CEO of the Wright Museum is Neil Barclay. He says without the millage there will be significant cuts to programming and services. 

“I think mostly about our young people who would not be able to come to the museum as much as we even can do now. That those our hours could be reduced. …We would have to look at in terms of bringing our budgets into line with the resources that we have available.” 

Barclay says at a time when African American history is under attack, it’s imperative that a museum stories of the Black community receives sustainable funding. 

Last month the board of commissioners for both Oakland and Wayne counties created the Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority to put the proposal on the ballot. 

Additional headlines from Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Bookstore asks neighbors to stop using poisonous pest control

Owners of the historic bookshop John K King Used and Rare Books is asking neighboring retailers not to use chemical poisons to eradicate pests after squirrels were found dead outside the bookstore.

Owners are encouraging the use of enclosed bait stations and snap traps. The bookstores are asking people to report any animals that are acting strange in the area to them.  The bookstore is keeping a record of occurrences.  

Run Walk Picnic

The non-profit organization Zaman International is hosting their annual Run Walk Picnic next month. They are also celebrating their 30 years.  

The event includes a 5k run and walk along the Rouge River Gateway Trail, a three-quarter mile kids run for ages 5 to 12 and an 100 meter kids run for ages 2 to 4. Other activities include pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, and more family-friendly games.

Zaman was created in 1996 to provide holistic support to women and children experiencing poverty in Southeast Michigan.

The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ford Field Park in Dearborn.

Cafe Prince closing

Café Prince in Corktown is closing. The last day the café will be open is  next Sunday, Aug. 30. The café will have a DJ performing a live set, as well as a market selling glassware, plants and fixtures that day.

The current owner Phillip Kafta alluded in an Instagram post the cafe will be turned over to new operator but did not reveal the new owner’s name. The new establishment will open on Sept. 4.

The closing party for the café will be on Aug. 30 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Café Prince is located on 4884 Grand River Avenue.  

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Far-right influencer and anti-Islam activist Jake Lang appeared before Dearborn City Council Tuesday. As WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley reports, supporters and opponents gathered around Lang as he arrived. 

The city council meeting was moved to the Henry Ford Centennial Library in anticipation of large crowds for Jake Lang’s appearance in Dearborn Tuesday night. City officials encouraged residents not to engage with Lang supporters the day before. Several commentors praised Lang’s rhetoric during public comment. 

Mayor Abdullah Hammoud also condemned that message. “Ultimately, they’re attacking something much larger than any one faith or community, they are attacking the idea that all of us can belong to America at the same time.” 

Lang was escorted out of the city council meeting after failing to yield when his allotted time for public comment was over. 

Dearborn Police made 22 arrests.

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

Benson meets with Black Detroiters

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson met with Black Detroiters as a part of her Democratic campaign for governor. Benson -who’s white —is running against Republican Congressman John James – who is Black. 

At the Benson event, Detroit Federation of Teachers president LaKia Wilson-Lumpkins told the crowd that shouldn’t matter. “All skinfolks are not kinfolks. Staying at home in November is not an option. Brothers and sisters in this room, voting for John James is a vote against our own interests.”

Republicans have criticized Benson for racial discrimination lawsuits her department faced while she was in charge. Benson has denied any allegations of racism and has often brought up her time fighting racial extremism with the Southern Poverty Law Center. The Justice Department has accused the SPLC of targeting conservatives. 

Americans for Citizen Voting campaign hits a roadblock

Voters might not get to decide on a proposed constitutional amendment to tighten Michigan’s voter I-D and registration policies this November. 

The “Americans for Citizen Voting” campaign may not have turned in enough valid signatures to qualify — based on a sample of a thousand signatures the state Bureau of Elections reviewed. The panel says a large chunk of those signatures are invalid. The Board of State Canvassers will decide next week whether the measure belongs on the ballot.

– Reporting by Colin Jackson, MPRN

Small Business Social Hour

The Tejara Innovation Hub is hosting the City Institute and New Economy Initiative for a social and networking event in Dearborn tomorrow. The Small Business Social Hour Summer series ends with its Dearborn event after two Detroit events in June and July.

Thursday’s event is free but registration is encouraged. It starts with networking from 4-7 p.m. with a program from 5-6 p.m.. It’s at the Tejara Innovation Hub 4921 Schaefer Road.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Peacock Room that left Detroit 100 years ago lives on today in Rachel Lutz’s boutique.

When looking for a name for her business,  Lutz referenced Detroit art collector Charles Lang Freer, who first brought the Peacock Room to Detroit as a part of his art collection.

Now the shop has evolved, making a name for itself with careful curation, styling expertise and intimate knowledge of the stories behind the pieces sold. The New York Times recently included The Peacock Room in a list of 25 favorite stores across the country.

Rachel Lutz joins the show to talk about Detroit history, what’s behind the success of her store and what lays ahead. 

The origins of The Peacock Room

In 1876 and 1877, Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room was completed by artist James McNeill Whistler. 

It was originally a dining room in the London home of Frederick Richards Leyland, a wealthy shipowner from Liverpool, England. The room was to house Leyland’s priceless Chinese blue-and-white porcelain.

But while Leyland was away, the room became a fresh canvas. Whistler covered the ceiling with imitation gold leaf and peacock feathers, gilded the shelving, and painted peacocks across the shutters. 

Leyland became infuriated and the two men feuded over the work and the bill for the rest of their lives. It remained intact in Leyland’s home until his death in 1892.

Enter Charles Lang Freer, a Detroit railroad-car manufacturer and later a student of art. He was an avid collector of Asian and Middle Eastern art works and bought The Peacock Room in its entirety. Freer had it shipped to his home on East Ferry Avenue in 1904. It remained in Detroit until 1919. 

The room currently is on display in its entirety in the Freer Gallery at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art.

Detroit’s new Peacock Room

Rachel Lutz’ retail store The Peacock Room pays homage to Charles Lang Freer’s vision of collecting and the room Detroit lost. Located in The Park Shelton and Fisher buildings, since 2011, Lutz has curated her spaces like galleries. 

This fall, The Peacock Room Antiques Studio opens in the Park Shelton, which will be an event-driven destination for collecting, education and community.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and stream on-demand.

Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

The United Farm Workers Foundation, which advocates for farm workers and immigrants in the U.S., recently released a survey finding most farmworkers are worried about detention and deportation because of the Trump administrations latest immigration crackdown. 

Anna Hill Galendez is the managing attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. She leads the team providing legal services to farmworkers throughout Michigan.

“So while we haven’t seen large-scale raids at agricultural sites in Michigan during this administration, the constant threat or potential threat of that enforcement has really created a chilling effect and climate of fear for farmworkers in Michigan,” says Galendez.

The UFW Foundation surveyed over 2,200 farm workers in 12 states including Michigan.  The survey found that beyond deportation, people are afraid of seeking medical help, shopping or using social media.   Many have been working in the U.S. for more than 10 years.  

Additional headlines for Monday, Aug. 10, 2026

ProsperUs Plan to Profit

The nonprofit ProsperUs Detroit is hosting a Financial Readiness Accelerator program. The free 3-week program is for entrepreneurs who face financial barriers or have limited access to resources. The courses will cover how to build credit, manage debt and prepare for future funding. 
 
The cohort will be held Sept. 9 through Sept. 23 on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The courses will be held at the JHub at 950 Selden Street. 
 
People have until Aug. 16 to apply at prosperusdetroit.org.

El-Sayed talks with Obama

Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed says he spoke with former President Barack Obama and hopes Obama will campaign with him and other Michigan Democrats. El-Sayed told NBC’s Meet the Press the conversation was warm and inspiring.

Obama did not endorse anyone in the state’s primary election. El-Sayed’s main Democratic rival, Congresswoman Haley Stevens, campaigned on her ties to the Obama administration, where she worked on reviving the auto industry. El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers in November. 
 
-Reporting by Pat Batcheller

Work summit for refugees, immigrants

Registration is open for a workforce summit which aims to create networking opportunities for refugees and new immigrants.

The Southeast Michigan Immigrant and Refugee Collaborative is hosting the 2026 Opportunity Workforce Summit to introduce refugee and immigrant job seekers to employers, workforce organizations and educational institutions.

The event takes place Sept. 22 from 10  a.m to 3 p.m. at the Schoolcraft College, mVistaTech Center in Livonia, Michigan.

Wellness summit

A global movement is bringing a wellness summit to Detroit in October. The Hearth Summit Detroit is focused on communal wellbeing through art and reflection.

Event organizers hope to attract 200 changemakers from Detroit and Wayne County to discuss art, philanthropy and mental health. The organization says they want educators, entrepreneurs, artists and mental health practitioners to work toward a more just and equitable society. 
 
As of last year, there have been 27 regional summits hosted in 18 countries. The event in Detroit will take place Oct. 8-10 at the Kintsugi Village in Corktown. People can sign up at hearthsummitdetroit.com. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

BasBlue, an organization of women and non-binary individuals, celebrated a five year anniversary by focusing on their Future Founders and Future Leaders program.

According to the Detroit Regional Chambers, women were behind over 13% growth in business ownership from 2018 to 2023. BasBlue hopes to build on that foundation.

Ellen Gilchrist is the Chief Executive Officer of BasBlue. Gilchrist says finding solutions to problems begins with self determination. “When you find your passion, it pushes you forward,” Gilchrist says.

Fatoumata Sacko is an entrepreneur of Katii Café, a Malian inspired tea cart. Sacko is also a BasBlue Future Leaders member. She says networking with peers and learning from mentors motivated her to push forward with her business.

They join The Metro to discuss how the business ideas and professional networks of people should be nourished from an early age to increase odds of success.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and stream on-demand. Never miss an episode – subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

For the first time, truckers running between Detroit and Windsor have a choice of bridges — and the two crossings are competing for that business.

A semi pays about half as much to cross the new Gordie Howe Bridge as it does the Ambassador: roughly $35, versus $75.

But that’s a toll — what you pay to drive across. It has nothing to do with what is in the truck, and what is in the truck is about to get expensive. 

On Aug. 19, an additional 50% tariff is set to hit a long list of Canadian goods, among them wine, dairy, cement and hockey sticks. In other words, a business might save $40 getting a load across the river, then pay thousands more for the load itself.

So who actually comes out ahead here?

Mark Lee runs The Lee Group, where he has advised small businesses in this region for nearly 20 years. He joins host Robyn Vincent to talk tolls, tariffs, Delray, and whether Canadian visitors are coming back.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand. Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts. Have thoughts? Email the show at metro@wdet.org

More stories from The Metro

The City of Detroit has announced a three year, $9.2 million investment to help unhoused families move out of emergency shelter and into stabilized housing. The Homeless to Housed initiative will provide families with 6- 12 months of rental assistance, help them find a home, and provide additional support along the way.  

The program touts that it will assist up to 140 households each year with this program, which is approximately 500 Detroiters each year.  

In a press conference for the program, the city’s first ever Chief Executive of Health, Human Services and Poverty Solutions Dr. Luke Shaefer says this program is about more than providing shelter. “Its about creating pathways to stability. The mayor has challenged us to build a system where homelessness is rare, brief, and non recurring.”

Shaefer also describes how they were able to fund this program.   “This didn’t happen by accident…it happened because dedicated public servants were willing to rethink how we use available resources, they strategically aligned federal emergency solutions and grant funding to launch the Homeless to Housing initiative leaning into the mayor’s charge to us.” 
 
Priority for this program will be given to families with minor children. This program is also expected to free up space in existing shelter homes to provide assistance to other Detroiters facing homelessness.  

Additional headlines for Thursday, July 30, 2026

Small business summit 

The city of Detroit is hosting a micro and small business summit on July 31 at the Wayne County Community College District Northwest Campus. 

The summit is part of the Office of Contracting and Procurement, and it’s part of an effort to build Detroit based micro and small business industries.

The free event will provide attendees an opportunity to interact with funders, banks, and partner organizations including Goldman Sachs, First Merchant bank, the Detroit Development Fund, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and the Small Business Association.

For more information and to register go to detroitmi.gov. 

Sports 

Detroit City FC faces Miami FC on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Pitbull Stadium in Westchester Florida. Also, the club soccer team’s development of their new home stadium broke ground earlier this month.

The AlumniFi Field will hold 15,000 seats, an increase from Keyworth stadium that only holds 7,000 seats. It will also be the city’s first soccer-specific stadium, and the state’s only privately owned major sports stadium. The project also includes a 421-space parking garage and a 104-unit residential building with 76 affordable housing units. 

Completion of the stadium was slated for spring of 2027 but its now slated for 2028 USL Champion season. 

Sports

MLB 

And the Tigers efforts to climb up the American League Central division stalled a bit with a high scoring loss to the Baltimore Orioles yesterday 10-9.

They now face the Athletics in a 3 game weekend affair at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California. First pitch for tomorrow’s game is at 9:40 p.m. EST. 

Talk it Out Walk it Out

And on Saturday August 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Charles H Wright Museum of African American History is hosting Talk it Out Walk it Out. This free admission event is an annual community conversation and awareness walk to highlight health disparities impacting Black women.

The event serves as a start to Black Women’s Health Month in Detroit. The event is being held at the museum.  

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.