Today on the Detroit Evening Report, we cover the ramifications of last night’s storms, new city-wide projects and upcoming community events.

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Power outages across the state

DTE Energy says about 22,000 customers had no power this morning after severe thunderstorms Sunday night caused widespread damage in the lower peninsula. Consumers Energy reported 163,000 homes and businesses were without electricity as well. DTE estimated power would be returned to 95 percent of customers by the end of the day.

Monroe Streetscape Project breaks ground this week

The Greektown Neighborhood Partnership will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the Monroe Streetscape Project on Wednesday, April 2. The project will focus on improving the safety and accessibility for pedestrians in the corridor. Improvements include wider sidewalks and outdoor café spaces, a flexible, curb-less roadway, and reduced lanes to slow traffic. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026.

Career and education assistance program launches

The City of Pontiac is collaborating with Oakland80 to launch a series called Career and Education Navigators to assist residents in applying for financial assistance to attend college, find jobs, and get other services. Multiple resources will be available to job seekers and residents looking to further their education, including locating scholarships, financial assistance to pay for books, supplies, childcare and transportation. It will also include job seeking services.

The events are free and open to all Pontiac residents. The program kicked off today, March 31, in Pontiac City Hall and will take place every Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit pontiac.mi.us.

MDOT looking for snowplow designs

The Michigan Department of Transportation is accepting applications for 2025-2026 Paint the Plow Program. MDOT is looking for submissions from students on creative and original designs to be painted on snowplow blades in an effort to communicate safe winter driving practices for all Michigan residents.

The program is open to all Michigan high schools. The application deadline is Friday, May 16. Selected schools will be notified before the end of the 2025 school year and arrangements will be made for the delivery of their plow blade in the fall. Interested schools can visit michigan.gov/painttheplow for more information and to submit their design.

Easter Funfest Carnival planned for April 19

The Detroit Department of Recreation is hosting the Easter Funfest Carnival on Saturday April 19. The event will feature bike giveaways, an Easter basket giveaway, carnival rides and food trucks. There will also be an Easter egg hunt, Oompa Loompa sack race, face painting, pony rides and a petting zoo. The carnival will run between 1–5 p.m. at Lasky Recreation Center. For more information, visit their Facebook event page.

Detroit yard waste collection begins

Yard waste collection in Detroit begins today, March 31 and ends December 19. The curbside pickup will occur alongside weekly trash pickup. For more information, visit detroitmi.gov.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

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The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has approved a rate hike for Consumers Energy, allowing the utility to collect an additional $154 million in revenue.

This amount is significantly lower than the $325 million originally requested by the company. Starting in April, the average monthly bill for Consumers Energy customers will increase by $2.78.

This approval comes after rate hikes for both DTE and Consumers Energy were granted in the past year. According to a report by the Center for Biological Diversity, DTE now has some of the highest energy costs in the Great Lakes region. The report also raised concerns about the need for rate increases, especially after it was revealed that DTE earned $1.1 billion in net income in the first nine months of 2024.

Today on The Metro Katherine Peretick, a member of the Michigan Public Service Commission, spoke about the commission’s decision-making process. She explained that utilities must submit detailed cases, which are reviewed by interveners and the commission. If a decision isn’t reached within 10 months, the utility automatically receives the requested rate increase. Peretick emphasized that commission decisions must be based on technical evidence, not personal opinions.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

More stories from The Metro on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

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