Wayne County has reported its first human case of West Nile virus this year.

The Wayne County Public Health Division says the person who contracted the mosquito-borne illness does not live in the county.

Chief Medical Health Officer Avani Sheth reminds residents that mosquito season is not over. She recommends limiting time outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, and removing standing water from properties, where mosquitoes can breed.

Hip-Hop Theater Festival comes to Detroit this weekend

Detroit-based music artist collective Beat Rhymes Everything Detroit, or BRED, is hosting the Hip-Hop Theater Festival this weekend.

The event is the culmination of a 16-day period in which playwrights came together to create four new plays inspired by narrative hip-hop songs.

The festival will feature a hip-hop improv showcase, a hip-hop family hour and an all-ages play.

The festival runs Aug. 28-30 at the Hilberry Gateway, 4715 Cass Ave. in Detroit. Events begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 28.

For more information, visit hip-hop-theater-fest.com.

Art on the Avenue celebrates Detroit art, design and culture

A celebration of art, design, culture and community is coming to Detroit’s historic Livernois Avenue of Fashion on Sept. 5.

Art on the Avenue 2026 will bring galleries, artists, creative businesses and retailers together along the corridor for exhibitions, art showcases, live entertainment and more.

Participating galleries include Jo’s Gallery, Sherwood Forest Art and Art in Motion.

More information is available on the events page at Detroit Month of Design.

Kroger plans two new metro Detroit stores

Kroger is investing $73.5 million to build two new metro Detroit stores in Dearborn and Commerce Township.

Both stores are set to open in 2027 and will replace existing nearby Kroger locations. Together, the new stores are expected to employ roughly 350 people.

The Dearborn store will be located at Ford Road and Mercury Drive and will replace the Kroger at 15255 Michigan Ave. It is expected to open in June 2027.

A third Kroger proposed as part of a mixed-use development in Royal Oak is awaiting full municipal approval.

I-696 access to I-75 to be restored

Access from westbound I-696 to I-75 is expected to be restored Aug. 31.

Motorists traveling westbound on I-696 will regain access to both the northbound and southbound I-75 ramps.

According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, both directions of I-696 and associated ramps are expected to reopen by the end of the year.

Additional work is planned along both sides of I-696 between I-75 and Dequindre Road in 2027.

A new cell phone policy in schools takes affect this year.

Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti in a recent letter sent to parents this week announced cell phone use is not allowed from the entry bell to the dismissal bell. Individual schools will communicate their policy for phones, whether it is to collect and return devices daily or instruct students to turn them off and put them away. The letter says parents who want to reach out to their children during the day should call the school directly.  

Governor Gretchen Whitmer earlier this year signed a law banning the use of cell phones during instructional time. The law addresses research that shows phones are the biggest sources of distraction in classrooms and when student put their phones down, their grades improve. 

There are also concerns about the effects of constant phone use on students’ attention spans, mental health, and social relationships. 

Additional headlines for Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

Survey finds kids eat unhealthy breakfasts 

A survey by the University of Michigan’s C.S Mott Children’s Hospital finds most kids eat breakfast before school. But as it may not be a nutritious meal. The hospital says a healthy breakfast consists of a lean protein, high fiber content and a healthy source of fat.  

Mott’s Poll Co-Director and pediatrician Susan Woolford says parents report three top barriers to healthy eating they face daily.  

“First of all, 44% said that their child is a picky eater, and then just over a third mentioned that their child is a little bit grumpy or slow in the morning, and then about a third said that time was a barrier.” 

Woolford suggests preparing breakfast ahead of time to ensure the meal is nutritious and there is time to eat it.  

She also suggests parents with picky eaters let the children help choose healthy options for their meal.  

Mayor Sheffield announces plan to bring rentable housing into compliance

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield wants to bring thousands more rental units up to code. The goal is to increase the compliance rate for single- and double-family units from 14% to 25% within a year.

Most of Detroit’s rental properties are 1 or 2 family units. Sheffield says the city will help small-scale landlords get their compliance certificates.

Six months ago, the mayor launched an effort to bring 65 senior apartment buildings up to code by now. The city has surpassed that goal, issuing 88 compliance certificates.

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

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.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced an expansion to the Ride to Rise transportation program aimed at addressing chronic absenteeism in schools.

The program allows students for all schools in Detroit, including charter schools, to ride city busses for free. Now the program will be permanent thanks to a $1 million in state funding.

Sheffield also announced the city will be adding ambassadors to the buses to routes citywide to address parents’ concerns about safety.

“We have heard that having trusted adults riding alongside our students could provide additional level of support to help students navigate their trips to and from school,” Sheffield said.

Ambassadors are DDOT employees who will be trained in interacting with students and keeping a watchful eye. They will ride the busses during peak hours before and after school.

Sheffield also announced a rideshare pilot program. The pilot will be available to select high schools with students who have unique transportation barriers.

Detroit’s Senior Director of Youth and Education Chanel Hampton said the pilot will pick up and drop off 150 high school students across 4 schools.

“So this pilot will go through about two months, the first couple months of school, and then we’re really excited again to take that data, see what we’re learning, and frankly, we’re working on a larger agenda around all things transportation, not just with the city, but also with our schools,” Hampton said.

The city also announced an ambassador program where DDOT employees will ride the busses during peak hours before and after school to ensure safety for the students.  

Listen above to the full interview with Chanel Hampton about the new additions to Ride to Rise.

The American Human Rights Council and the Dearborn Police Department are urging the public not to engage with outside groups expected to attend Dearborn’s city council meeting on Aug.18. Far-right influencer and activist Jake Lang may attend the meeting.

Chief of Police Issa Shahin says outside groups have come to the city to seek attention and provoke confrontations in the past. Shahin says the most powerful thing the community can do is refuse to give them an audience.

Tuesday’s council meeting is the first since Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic nomination for Senate. 

Additional headlines for Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

Attorney General Nessel warns about scammers

Michigan’s attorney general says scammers posing as banks or credit unions are targeting customers.

Dana Nessel says they use spoofing technology to make their caller ID look legitimate. When the target answers the phone, the scammer claims there’s an issue with the consumer’s account and offers to resolve it in exchange for personal information they can use to steal their money.

Nessel says people who get a call they’re not expecting should hang up and call their financial institution directly.  

Healthy Homes Resource event

The Wayne County Treasurer’s Office and the City of Detroit are holding a Healthy Homes Resource and Foreclosure Prevention Event this Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents can receive assistance with their homeowner’s property exemption application, meet with representatives from the assessor’s office, water department, and more.

Attendees will also have a chance to win a flat screen TV, gift cards and more.

Those who need a ride can call 866-313-2520 to schedule a ride with the Lyft rideshare service. The event will be held at Joesph Walker Williams Center at 8431 Rosa Parks Boulevard.  

Veterans meeting

Detroit’s Civil Rights, Inclusion, and Opportunity Department (CRIO) is hosting a Veteran’s Task Force meeting next Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 2:30-4 p.m. over Zoom.

The meeting is an opportunity for veterans to have their voices heard, share input, and tell city officials about their needs. The event is in partnership with Council member Mary Waters and the Office of Veteran Affairs.

Grant for experimental artists

The non-profit arts organization Culture Source is announcing the Flourish Fund in partnership with the Andy Worhol Foundation.

The grant supports experimental artist-organized projects in Southeast Michigan. The Fund offers six $10,000 grants toward innovative, public-facing projects across the seven counties of Southeast Michigan. 

Applications close Sept. 11.

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

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.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has lifted the precaution to avoid bagged mixed salad mixes. Officials say new cyclosporiasis case reports and emergency department visits are on the decline. Data show most exposures occurred in late June and early July.

Officials are saying the majority of contaminated lettuce is likely no longer available for consumption. The department will continue updating outbreak data every Thursday. Officials continue to recommend avoiding the recalled lettuce. 

 Additional headlines for Aug. 6, 2026

Dearborn Homecoming

The City of Dearborn’s 45th Homecoming Festival starts tomorrow Aug.7. The festival opens at noon at Ford Field Park with an official ribbon cutting will take place under the park’s covered bridge at 12:30 p.m.

The event will feature live music, carnival rides, an arts district, a vendor village and more. Musical headliners include country singer Martina McBride on Saturday and Grammy award winning artist Chance the Rapper on Sunday. Both performances will be followed up by a fireworks show at 10 p.m.

Festival hours are noon to 10:30 p.m. daily. After 4 p.m., children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Admission is free. The festival runs this weekend only.

 Supplemental food program expands income threshhold

More Michigan families may qualify for Woman, Infant, Children (WIC) benefits. The state health department has increased the income threshold for the program, which provides women, infants, and children with supplemental food, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services. A family of four can now qualify with an annual income of up to $61,050.

WIC helps about 187,000Michigan residents every month. 

 DDOT public hearing

The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is hosting a public hearing on August 20 at 4 p.m. to discuss and receive feedback on potential service changes taking effect on Sept. 7. The public hearing will be virtual.

The public can submit feedback through email to ddotcomments@detroitmi.gov  until Friday, Sept. 4.

 Asian American artist showcase

The Asian American based non-profit Rising Voices is announcing their 2026 artist and creative cohort exhibition. Titled “Revolution, Resistance, and Joy”, the exhibition showcases the work of Michigan Asian American artists.

The show starts August 7 with an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. at the Swords into Plowshares Gallery located on 33 East Adams Street in Detroit. The exhibition runs through Aug. 22.

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

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) celebrated the completion of a $40 million stormwater development on Detroit’s westside Thursday. 

The Far West Detroit Stormwater Improvement Project is the department’s largest green stormwater infrastructure plan. 

DWSD Deputy Director Sam Smalley says the new system will push more than 100 million gallons of water to the Rouge River. 

“This this feature provides filtering and settling, so there are actually water quality standards for the stormwater that we discharge, so it’s cleaner water faster. So we either slow the water down or better yet get it out of the system altogether.” 

The sewer network will move stormwater through to two new detention basins in Rouge Park for filtering and slow down water before discharging it into the Rouge River. 

Smalley says the new infrastructure will make the 1,200 homes nearby more resilient to weather related basement flooding.  

Additional headlines for Friday, July 31, 2026

Iris Taylor dies

Detroit health care and education leader Iris Taylor has died. She was 74.

A lifelong city resident, Taylor worked in health care for 45 years, serving as CEO of Detroit Receiving Hospital. She also helped shape the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as the health department’s head of nursing. 

Taylor was also a member and former president of the Detroit school board. Mayor Mary Sheffield calls Taylor one of the city’s most dedicated and impactful servant leaders.  

Bike lanes blocked by parked cars

Residents in Detroit’s Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood are complaining about drivers parking in bike lanes on Grand River.

Bike lanes were installed on Grand River between Woodward and McNichols in 2019.

 The road falls under the Michigan Department of Transportation’s jurisdiction. However, the state says the city is responsible for maintaining bike lanes. 

Detroit Police say they are planning to deploy officers in the neighborhood next week to ticket anyone parked illegally.  

Early election turn out

The Michigan Department of State reports a turnout rate of 11.3% of all active registered voters who have already cast their ballot a week ahead of the primary election.

More than 800,000 residents have voted with a mail in or absentee ballot and over 30,000 cast their ballot at an early voting site. Compared to the same time in 2022, the number of mail ballot requests have increased 58.8%.

Early voting will continue through Sunday. Mail in ballots must be received by clerks no later than 8 p.m. on election night, Tuesday, Aug. 4.  

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

The Detroit Children’s Museum has reopened for the first time in 14 years. The museum originally closed due to financial crisis within the school district. With the help of a grant of over $800,000  from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the institution was able to open it again to the public.

During its closure, the museum still lent out artifacts and STEM tools to teachers. The museum has now expanded it collection to 2.5 million artifacts including historical objects, science materials, and global treasures.

Schools are open to schedule field trips to the museum. Its open to the public for free every fourth Saturday of the month.  

Additional headlines for Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Ride to Rise program increases student ridership

Detroit’s Ride to Rise program has doubled ridership on city busses among Detroit students. That’s according to the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT).

The program allows all youth to ride DDOT busses year-round for free when they show drivers their student IDs.  

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced the program in April to reduce absenteeism in schools and provide reliable transportation for students to after school programs.  

DDOT Director Robert Kramer says the department has secured a million dollars in funding in the 2027 state budget to continue the program.  

Cyclospora outbreak continues

The state health department says more than 9,000 people in Michigan have reported coming down with a parasitic infection linked to contaminated lettuce. That’s more than twice the number of cases the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed nationwide. 

The CDC estimates Michigan has between 900 and 2,100 people who’ve gotten sick since May 1. That does not include probable cases. 

Whitmer signs new bills

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill to help people avoid losing their homes to foreclosure. The new law makes programs such as installment plans for delinquent property taxes permanent.

She also signed bills banning state lawmakers from lobbying while they’re in office and prohibiting former legislators from becoming lobbyists for two years after they leave office. 

Community Contractor Fair

The development program Ignite Detroit is hosting a Community Contractor Fair on Wednesday. The fair is for Detroit residents, homeowners, and small business owners to connect with contractors, explore home and property improvement resources, and learn about the Homeowners Property Exemption program.

The event takes place at the Northwest Activities Center—that’s 18100 Meyers Rd., Detroit, on Wednesday, July 29 from 6:30-8 p.m.  

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

Eleven Detroit city parks are receiving nearly $20 million in updates and beautification projects this year. 

All upgrades were ideas suggested by residents and block clubs in the neighborhoods near the parks. 

City Councilman Scott Benson was a persistent advocate for park improvements across the city. 

“Recreation is not just a luxury; it is a vital urban asset, and it’s a competitive edge for strong, thriving cities,” says Benson. “And this is what you see here today. Vibrant parks attract families, improve mental and physical well-being.” 

New amenities at the parks include an inclusive play area at Eliza Howell Park, the city’s first BMX bike track at Dorais Park and a multi-sport court at Jane-Lasky Park. 

Additional headlines from Thursday, July 23, 2026

Loud cars driving people away from Woodward?

Cruising Woodward is a summer tradition. But many residents near the avenue say vehicles are too loud. That is why legislators hope to crack down on modified vehicles.

Natalie Price is a Democratic state Representative from Berkley. She told WDET’s The Metro on Wednesday that some people are moving away from the Woodward corridor because the noise keeps them up at night. 

“We see property values being impacted by this noise. In November, I talked to a constituent [who] did that from out of state not realizing, and now has decided that they can’t live in the area due to this excessive noise.”

Price is proposing drivers receive ‘fix-it tickets’ instead of fines for driving excessively loud vehicles. She says that would prevent people from paying a financial penalty for driving noisy cars. 

West Nile Virus in Wayne County

Wayne County Public Health has confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus this summer season. The virus has only been detected in mosquito samples; no human cases have been reported in 2026.

Officials say the best way to protect yourself is to prevent bites. West Nile Virus cannot be spread person to person and most people do not see symptoms, however 1 in 5 may experience fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash 2-14 days after a mosquito bite.

To stay safe, limit outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, use an EPA-registered insect repellent, and empty standing water at least once a week to reduce mosquito breeding sites. 

DDOT seeks council members

The Detroit Department of Transportation is seeking residents to serve on its Local Advisory Council. DDOT is recruiting people  who live in Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, and an at-large member.

The Council will help plan services for senior adults and people with disabilities.

Applications can be submitted by contacting DDOT’s ADA Coordinator at 313-316-2793. 

Hotter Than July kicks off

LGBT Detroit’s Annual Hotter Than July Festival is back and starts today. It’s the city’s longest running Black LGBT Pride event. The event kicks off with a candlelight vigil in Palmer Park by the Blue Spruce Tree at 5:30 PM.

The festival includes a bar crawl mixer tonight at 9 p.m. on the Avenue of Fashion, an Art and Film Festival honoring Duane Belin on Friday, the Palmer Park Picinic on Saturday, strolling brunch on Sunday and more! The festival will also feature a star search competition looking for Detroit’s next Drag Star.

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

Detroit City Council approved a change to an ordinance that prohibits alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana advertisements to be placed withing 1000 feet of sensitive locations.  Places of worship have been added to the list of protected locations.  

Council President Pro-Tem Coleman Young raised concerns about information on treatment centers and educational services being affected by this new rule.  

But Councilmember Scott Benson says that is not the case.  “This ordinance does not capture that. And this ordinance is already in place for alcohol and tobacco products, and there is no prohibition about advertising [Detroit Integrated Health Network] services or other services for substance use disorders.” 

The amended ordinance passed unanimously .

Additional headlines for Thursday, July 16, 2026

Highland Park launches scholarship program

The Highland Park School District announced a new scholarship program to help residents pursue post-secondary education.

Officials says Highland Park high schoolers are often not eligible for promise scholarships in the school districts they attended because of their address. The Highland Park Promise Scholarship is available to every graduating high school senior who lives in the city. Beginning fall 2027, eligible student can get an initial $1,000 to go toward any post-secondary education such as community colleges, universities, or trade schools.

Because the school district does not currently have its own high school, the scholarship will be available to any student attending high school in a neighboring district as long as they currently live in Highland Park. 

Congress candidate forum

The Eastside Community Network is hosting a forum with the 2026 U.S. House and Senate Candidates about issues shaping Detroit’s eastside. Candidates expected to participate include Donavan McKinney for the U.S. Houses 13th district,  Abraham Aiyash for the State Senate first district, as well as candidates for the 3rd Senate District and 9th and 11th State Representative Districts.

Forums will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday July 18 at the East Side Community Network on 4401 Conner Street.

WHEN: Saturday, July 18, 2026. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
• 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. — U.S. House, District 13 
• 10:45 – 11:15 a.m. — State Senate, District 1 
• 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. — State Senate, District 3 
• 12:45 – 1:30 p.m. — Lunch 
• 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.— State House, District 9 
• 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. — State House, District 11 
WHERE: Eastside Community Network (ECN), 4401 Conner St, Detroit, MI 48215

Move over law

Michigan State Police is planning a one-day initiative to enforce the state’s “move over” law.

When approaching a stationary vehicle with flashing lights such as police, ambulances, fire, rescue or road service vehicles, drivers must slow down to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and move over one lane. If you cannot move over due to traffic, weather or road conditions, still slow down and pass with caution.

Colonel James Grady said in a statement there have been 13 instances this year where patrol vehicles were struck while conducting traffic stops. The one day initiative will be on July 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. across Michigan and neighboring states. 

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

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield issued an executive order today that maps out guidelines for city departments to prioritize protecting residents and workers during the heatwave. 

The executive order instructs the water department not to shut off water service unless directed by the customer or to fix a broken main. The Building Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) must expedite all temperature-related requests at all cooling centers. Other departments are also ordered to prioritize protecting seniors and the unhoused or those living in unsafe conditions. 

Additional headlines for Thursday, July 2, 2026

Dearborn police on the lookout for illegal fireworks, curfew in place

Dearborn Police Department announced that there will be a zero-tolerance policy in place for using fireworks illegally.  Residents are allowed to use fireworks on their own properties through fifth of July and before 11:45 p.m. but no debris can land outside of property lines.  

Police Chief Issa Shahin says those caught breaking the law could be fined up to $500. “This isn’t about punishment, it’s about prevention, and I want everyone to enjoy and celebrate this holiday season, but to be able to do it safely.” 

A curfew is also in place for minors ages 17 and younger unless accompanied by an adult on July 3 and 4 from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.   Chief Shahin says there have been no tips of a teen takeover happening this holiday, but the police department will be prepared. 

Wayne County disease outbreak

The Wayne County health department says it’s investigating 17 suspected cases of cyclosporiasis. 

It’s a gastrointestinal disease caused by parasites. The most common symptom is severe diarrhea. And people usually get it by eating food contaminated with feces. 

Wayne State’s Dr. Teena Chopra says patients can start to feel better, but that doesn’t mean the infection is gone. 

“This particular parasite, if it is not treated, it can continue to infect new intestinal cells, and that’s why there can be ongoing relapsing diarrhea, so it’s important to seek treatment.”

She says antibiotics work well, but the disease can damage the small intestine of it’s not treated. The state health department has confirmed more than 170 cases of cyclosporiasis in southeast Michigan since June 22 but has not found the source of the outbreak.   

AAPAC endorses ending SMART opt-out

The Arab American Political Action Committee has endorsed the Wayne County Public Transportation Millage, a ballot proposal that would end opt-out of SMART’s bus system in Wayne County.

Committee officials say the millage would connect Detroit residents to more jobs and schools in the suburbs.

AAPAC president Osama Siblani said in a statement, “Too many residents face barriers to employment, education and essential services simply because transportation options are limited. Wayne County Transit for All represents an investment in people – creating stronger connections between neighborhoods workplaces and community resources.” 

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

Transportation Riders United (TRU) is forming a statewide coalition to advocate for better transit options throughout Michigan called Move MI.

The Detroit-based group toured the state on their Around the Mitten Transit Tour, visiting and riding public transit in 16 cities.

TRU Executive Director Megan Owens spoke with WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley about the tour and the issues other transit systems face.

The following interview was edited for time and clarity.

Executive Director Megan Owens: TRU has worked for 25 years now in the metro Detroit area. And we know a lot about the benefits and the challenges of public transportation in metro Detroit. But we know that there’s another 70+ transit agencies around the state of Michigan, and that there are millions of people who depend on transit. So, we wanted to get a better understanding of the strengths and challenges of public transit all across the state of Michigan.

We traveled for 14 days over 1,800 miles, went all the way up to Port Huron, Alpena, Marquette, Traverse City, Benton Harbor—all over the state, 16 different cities, all to learn how public transit works, and where there are gaps, and where it needs improvement. And to think about how the state, the next governor, and other state leaders can be better supporting opportunities for Michiganders who don’t drive or don’t want to drive to still be able to get around and visit friends, family, and all of Michigan’s beautiful locations.

Bre’Anna Tinsley, WDET: So, after seeing all of those different transportation organizations, is there some trend, maybe, that you’ve discovered across the state that’s happening among our transit systems?

MO: There were a couple of things we learned. One that I don’t think a lot of people realize is that you can, in fact, take public transportation across the state of Michigan. It’s not always as convenient or easy as it should be, but we were able to visit 16 different cities using Amtrak, using regional busses, using inner city busses, and could visit all sorts of great places. So one, it was exciting to know that you can do all of these things, but we also learned that the service is way too limited, whether you’re talking about traveling between cities or traveling within any different metropolitan area. There are options to get around, but they’re not nearly as frequent, as reliable, they don’t go as many places as many people want to go.  

So while there are transit agencies that are working extremely hard to provide the very best service that they can, they’re all limited by funding and are really torn to try to provide the very best they can with extremely limited resources.

BT: The reason for the limited resources, did you discover if that was something that’s happening at the state level, or do all of these communities have their own individual limitations?

MO: One of the reasons we did want to explore all of these different areas is that the state does fund an important component of transit in every single community. There’s something called the “local bus operating budget item” (LBO) that we’ve been fighting for years to get the state to increase to make sure that Smart and DDOT have the resources they need. But it funds every one of the 77 transit agencies across the state. At one point in time, the LBO, as it’s called, covered half the costs of running local transit service, so the state covered half the costs, and the local communities came up with half the costs.

But, as costs have gone up and the state budget allocation has not. It’s cover and the state funds are covering barely a third of the of what it costs to run local transit services across the state. And right now it’s one of those things that’s debated in the state budget every year. How much is going to go into this local bus type operating? So, we did make sure one of our last stops was at the state capitol to make sure legislators knew just how important this local bus operating budget is.

Just about every legislator and most of the people they deal with every day are people who drive, and a lot of us are used to driving everywhere. But we wanted to remind legislators that every community has thousands of people who don’t drive, whether that’s seniors, whether that’s students, whether that’s somebody who is saving up for their first car, whether that’s a person with a disability, whether they’re in a wheelchair or have epilepsy or have a developmental disability. There are thousands of people all around us who don’t drive, who deserve to have just as full and robust lives as everyone else. They should be able to see the Great Lakes, they should be able to visit, so many of these wonderful places that we have in our state, even if they don’t drive.

BT: So, are there any takeaways from this trip that you think maybe we can implement here that might help improve the systems?

MO: We learned some great things about the different transit agencies around the state and what they are doing. Flint has been working with a lot of alternative fuels. DDOT and  Smart have tested out electric buses that have had mixed success. But Flint is working with compressed national natural gas and with hydrogen, and so even as diesel prices shoot up, several of the systems, like Flint and Port Huron, have not had to deal with those skyrocketing costs. So, exploring different types of fuels for the buses.

There are a number of the systems around the around the state, you can just use any old credit card and tap as you enter the bus, and use that as a way to pay. So that’s something I know that our local agencies are looking into, but it was neat to see just how quick and easy it was. You didn’t need any special app, you didn’t need any official pass…if you got a credit card, you tap it, and you enter. So, I think that’s something that could make it again even easier to ride transit in our areas as well.

Detroit Council Member Mary Waters has launched a write-in campaign for Michigan’s 13th congressional district.

Waters said in a statement that the people of Michigan deserve a representative who understands that public service is about delivering results, not chasing headlines. Her campaign focuses on lowering the cost of living, protecting seniors, and bringing critical federal resources back. 

She originally launched a campaign last month but was disqualified for a lack of signatures.  

Additional headlines for Thursday, June 18, 2026

Overdose rates decline

Michigan overdose death rate has declined by 47% since 2021 according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. Preliminary data suggests overdose deaths have continued to decline for the fourth year in a row. 

The department attributes the decline to strategic investments largely funded by opioid settlements prioritizing prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. The efforts include expanding harm reduction sites from 5 to 115 in 2025, and distributing over 1.8 million free naloxone kits, which resulted in nearly 34,000 reported overdose reversals.  

Summer learning program enrollment closes soon

Enrollment for Summer Discovery, a no cost summer learning program, is closing soon. Put on by United Way of Southeastern Michigan and the Ballmer group, Summer Discovery connects students entering kindergarten through 10^th grade with learning and enrichment opportunities. Spots are still available at Detroit Public Schools Community District sites, Detroit Police Athletic league, Brilliant Detroit and more.

The program is open to all students across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. To apply visit summerdiscoverymi.org. 

Recall on Orb Funkee squeeze toys

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging is families to check their children’s toy boxes for Orb Funkee Monkee squeeze toys. The toy has been recalled because they may be filled with sand contaminated by asbestos.

The recall is for toys purchased from Walmart or Ollie’s Bargain Outlet stores between February 2025 and April 2026. Asbestos comes from minerals that create thin fibers when they crystallize and pose a human health risk when they enter the air. 

As of June 18, the state health department had not received any reports of illness or injuries tied to these toys. 

Metroparks survey

Huron-Clinton Metroparks is asking community members to fill out a survey to provide feedback about some of their parks. That includes the Lake St. Clair, Stoney Creek and Wolcott Mill Metroparks. It’s part of an effort to update their Park Master Plans to guide future projects, investments and facilities improvements. 

The surveys are open until Wednesday, July 15.    

The Detroit City Council has approved an extended curfew for the Detroit fireworks display on Monday, June 22.

Under the measure, minors will not be allowed downtown without parental supervision from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.

Councilmember Denzel McCampbell voted against the curfew. He said he does not believe curfews are effective because incidents still occurred during last year’s fireworks curfew.

“That’s what I’m bringing forth here is not an aspect of, do you care about public safety, do you want folks to be safe or not. My question before this council is, is this effective to achieve that goal or not? And in my view, it is not, because the data shows us that.”

McCampbell said the extended curfew sends the message that Detroit’s youth are not welcome downtown.

The discussion comes as city officials continue to address concerns about large gatherings of young people at so-called “teen takeover” events, a trend that has spread through social media.

Dearborn Heights police said a group of teens attempted to stage a teen takeover during the city’s Spirit Festival on Saturday. The Detroit News reported that city officials said arrests were made and several people were detained. Officials said multiple law enforcement agencies participated in the response.

Additional headlines for June 16, 2026

Mary Sheffield endorses Jocelyn Benson for governor

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has endorsed Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in Michigan’s race for governor.

Benson has lived in Detroit for more than a decade. Sheffield said that connection to the city was one factor in her decision to endorse the candidate.

“Every time I’ve called Jocelyn Benson, she has been accessible, she has been honest, she has been a hard worker, and she has always shown her commitment and her passion and her love for the city of Detroit.”

Sheffield said she and Benson share a goal of reforming Detroit’s property tax structure, which they believe is limiting opportunities for new housing development.

Benson has been leading Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in recent polling. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his Democratic bid for governor and is now running as an independent candidate.

Detroit City FC stadium opening delayed until 2028

The opening of AlumniFi Field, Detroit City Football Club’s planned stadium in Corktown, has been pushed back to spring 2028.

The venue was originally expected to open in 2027, but DCFC CEO Sean Mann said that timeline proved too aggressive.

Despite the delay, Mann said work is continuing at the site.

“We’ve already taken down the old Southwest Detroit Hospital, and it just came to a point of making sure that we have a timeline where we can confidently deliver a stadium.”

Mann said a groundbreaking ceremony for AlumniFi Field will take place next month.

Detroit City FC will continue playing its home matches at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck until the new stadium is completed.

Wayne State to host Juneteenth celebration

Wayne State University’s Office of Inclusive Excellence will hold its Juneteenth Celebration on June 17.

This year’s theme highlights the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. The event will feature the premiere of the yearlong Campus Genealogy Project documentary.

Food vendors and community organizations will also be on site.
The celebration runs from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Industry Innovation Center, 461 Burroughs St. in Detroit.

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

Southgate’s Pride celebration is back on thanks to The Library Network, a library cooperative based in Novi. The celebration was canceled after Southgate city officials decided not to pay for a vendor at the event, stating the city should not be used to pay for social or political advocacy activities.  So, the Library Network offered to pay the vendor instead. 

The event is scheduled for 2-3 p.m. on Saturday at Southgate’ s Veterans Memorial Library, located at 14680 Dix Toledo Road.

Southgate’s event comes about a week after Madison Heights City Council reversed its decision to cancel its Drag Queen Storytime event during its Pride Week celebrations.  

Additional headlines from Friday, June 12, 2026

Cooling centers open

Cooling Centers are opening across Detroit to give residents a break from the heat.  

High temperatures are known to pose health risks. Chief Public Health Officer and Director Ali Abazeed says these centers are an effective solution to keep at-risk residents healthy. 

“Folks in Detroit, especially our vulnerable populations…. if they don’t have access to some of the critical infrastructure that we know is helpful in keeping and preventing extreme heat related health outcomes, then we want folks to know that these cooling centers are available. They’re open and we want our residents to take advantage of them.” 

Detroit’s cooling centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. on weekends. They are open to anyone. 

Healthy Home Resource Day

Detroit’s Healthy Home Resource Day – HOPE event is coming earlier this year.

On Saturday, qualified residents can apply for Homeowners Property Exemption program to receive up to 100% property tax exemption. The exemption is given based on the homeowner’s income. 

Those who make an appointment can get a free ride to and from any HOPE event. The next event is Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Samaritan Center on 5555 Connor Ave. 

Infill development conference

The Detroit Land Bank is hosting the first-ever Developers Conference focused on infill development opportunities.

Infill development is the process of building on vacant lots in established neighborhoods. The Detroit Land Bank currently owns 56,000 parcels of vacant land and is working to return them to productive use. 

Attendees will learn about development opportunities, financing resources, permitting processes and more. The event is June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Occupy the Summer program starts

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield launches a new summer recreation program for kids today. It’s part of her response to recent teen takeovers downtown, and it’s supposed to give them something creative to do.

More than 1,500 young people have registered for the Occupy The Summer activities, which include late night basketball games and longer hours at nine recreation centers. The city will give away 700 bicycles this afternoon. 

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

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month.  To bring more attention to the issue, city officials dressed the Spirit of Detroit statue in an orange jersey last week as they ushered in their “Silence the Violence” campaign.  

It’s the second year the statue has donned the jersey.  

Detroit Police First Assistant Chief Franklin Hayes says the city has seen a 13% decrease in homicides compared to this time last year.  He spoke with WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley about the falling murder rate and the city’s efforts to continue reducing crime.

Interview edited for time and clarity.

First Assistant Chief Franklin Hayes: Yep, so we are down what equates to 16 less victims of gun violence here in the city. We had eight less homicides over this time last year, and eight less non-fatal shootings that occurred over this time last year. 

Detroit has a lot of things going on with the CVI (community violence intervention) programs, a lot of initiatives. Mayor Sheffield just announced a six-point plan to help bring violence down even more. But what else can the city do to help bring us closer to the goal? Well, we’re open to ideas. Everyone is doing something, as you mentioned, Madam Mayor Sheffield, and the resources she’s allocating to this Director Brent, who we heard earlier today at the different offices in this administration, certainly, what the police department can do. Our CVI groups, who have been an invaluable partner in this, this is all the work that we’re doing.

And if we see areas of opportunity, we will take up that as well and do that, because although we’ve seen the reductions and you’ve seen the numbers, still far too much gun violence here in this city, so we’re going to keep working at it.

Bre’Anna Tinsley, WDET:  You mentioned in your speech that you hold a lot of titles as father, as police, as an outdoorsman, and that means you have a lot of responsibility to be a responsible gun owner. Can you talk more about that, and also like what that should look like for other people who hold those titles as well?

FH: Extreme responsibility, extreme ownership, both literally and figuratively, of firearms. We have to set the example. We have to be the leaders, owning firearms in those spaces, being a responsible father, making sure that my firearms are safely stored or staged for my family, my friends, my nieces, my nephews, my daughter in the workspace, making sure again that it, that I secured, and make sure it’s well, and certainly for the hobbies that we mentioned, as a trap shooter and as an outdoorsman, as a hunter, making sure that they are secured safely, but often also utilized in the spaces where they should be.

We have historically dealt with issues of gunfire throughout the city. We know what happens on New Year’s Day, and we’re trying to change that behavior as well, and others that are treating our city like a gun range. So, again, making sure that I don’t have any of the firearms that I own available to do that, but also in these roles, whether I’m talking to fellow outdoorsmen, whether I’m talking to other dad groups or other parents, and certainly my colleagues in law enforcement, not only here but around the country, to encourage safe storage and responsibly securing our firearm, so they don’t get into the wrong hands and something bad happens.

BT: There was a young man who spoke earlier, he said that the first time he picked up a gun was around 13 years old. How many of our youth are also on that path right now?

FH: Far too many, but with the commitment again of this administration, this police chief, police department, and our CVI partners, we are working to change that narrative day by day, making sure that that is not the norm for our young Detroiters and future leaders of the city.

The Detroit Parks Coalition is expanding its We Walk Detroit program. The group will take one-hour walks multiple times a week starting in June at parks across the city. It’s part of a larger slate of free, all-ages programming focused on wellness and recreation.

The coalition is made up of several park organizations, including the Belle Isle Conservancy, Chandler Park Conservancy, Clark Park Coalition and Friends of Rouge Park. Some programming is aimed at providing safe, free activities for youth during the summer.

For more information about events, visit detroitparkscoalition.com/events.

Additional headlines for May 28, 2026

MDHHS moves Wayne County food pantry site to Detroit office

A new food pantry is coming to Detroit next month. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced it is moving its On-the-Go pop-up food distribution center in Wayne County to its MDHHS office in Detroit to improve accessibility for residents.

The department hosts the food pantries in partnership with Forgotten Harvest. Residents will be able to schedule appointments. Culturally appropriate food options are offered when available, including halal and kosher foods.

For more information about dates and times the pop-ups will be open, visit forgottenharvest.org.

Detroit PWHL general manager looks ahead to league draft

The general manager of the new Detroit Professional Women’s Hockey League team, Manon Rheaume, says she’s excited and focused ahead of the league’s draft next month.

“The draft class this year is going to be unbelievable. The number of players that’s going to be ready to play right away in the league is incredible,” she said.

Detroit is hosting the event June 17 at Little Caesars Arena.

Rheaume was the first woman to sign a professional hockey contract and play in an NHL game. She represented Canada on two gold medal-winning International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship teams and the silver medal-winning team at the 1998 Olympics. She performed the ceremonial puck drop at the PWHL’s first game at Little Caesars Arena in 2024.

Rheaume named Westland native Josh Sciba head coach. Sciba has been the assistant coach for the PWHL’s New York Sirens.

Muslim Youth Connection to host 313 Bazaar in Dearborn Heights

The group Muslim Youth Connection is hosting the 313 Bazaar on May 31 from noon to 5 p.m. More than 70 vendors will sell handmade art, jewelry, Islamic items, clothing and more.

The event will take place at the Islamic Institute of America Mosque, located at 700 N. Beech Daly Road in Dearborn Heights.

For more information, visit Muslim Youth Connection’s Instagram page at @mycmedia.

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

Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has dropped out of the race to become Michigan’s next governor.

Duggan wrote in a letter posted to his campaign website that unified anger over the war in Iran and rising gas prices made it difficult to continue his pitch for unified and bipartisan leadership. He also said he was unable to build “serious national fundraising support.”

Duggan entered the race as an independent. A recent poll by the Detroit Regional Chamber showed him polling in third place.

Additional headlines for May 21, 2026

Police commissioner criticizes response to teen takeovers

Teen takeovers are taking place across the country, and one in Detroit ended in the shooting of a 14-year-old boy Sunday.

City officials have responded with stricter curfews and community outreach. But one police commissioner says that approach is not working.

District 3 Police Commissioner Darius Morris is criticizing Mayor Mary Sheffield’s approach to the teen takeovers in downtown Detroit.

After the first teen gathering in April, Sheffield held a news conference with organizers, touting a partnership with the teens to find more appropriate recreational activities.

Morris says when he spoke with organizers of more recent takeovers, he discovered Sheffield’s plan had an unexpected result.

“So I contacted him. I said, ‘Hey, what’s up with what are you doing involved in this? I taught you better than that. Why are you engaged in this?’ And he said, ‘Well, we’re doing it because we’re trying to get exposure and we’re trying to meet the mayor and do a TikTok video like the first group of people did,’” Morris said.

Morris says city officials and police are being forced to do the job parents should be doing, and he wants to see parents take more responsibility for the whereabouts of their children.

Federal judge closes Detroit bankruptcy case

A federal judge has closed Detroit’s bankruptcy case, ending almost 13 years of court supervision.

The ruling comes as the city makes final payments to unsecured creditors totaling about $10 million.

Detroit filed for Chapter 9 protection in 2013. The process allowed the city to shed about $7 billion in debt and restructure another $3 billion.

Mayor Mary Sheffield thanked the city’s financial and legal teams, as well as retirees who went about 10 years without pension payments. The city resumed those payments four years ago.

Traffic pattern changes underway at Belle Isle

Visitors to Belle Isle will notice traffic pattern changes underway.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced traffic pattern changes and a new two-way bike lane on the island. The changes were recommended in the 2025 Belle Isle Park multimodal mobility plan.

Central Avenue will transition to two-way traffic from Picnic Way to Portage Way.

Central Avenue’s scenic route through the flatwoods will flip from eastbound to westbound to help ease traffic congestion near the beach area.

A new dedicated two-way bicycle track will loop around the perimeter of the island, allowing cyclists to circle the entire island without crossing vehicle traffic lanes.

Construction on the changes has already started. The project is expected to be completed by the first week of June.

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