An Instagram account that appears to belong to the wife of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers recently reposted a video portraying Muslims as resistant to assimilation and suggesting many view terrorism as a legitimate form of resistance.
The post Mike Rogers’ wife appears to join the anti-Muslim fear campaign ahead of Dearborn hate rally appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
A Highland Park activist with a track record of knocking candidates off the ballot is trying to do the same to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic nominee for governor.
The post Lawsuit seeks to remove Jocelyn Benson from Michigan governor’s race appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
In 2011, Highland Park couldn’t pay its electric bill. So DTE took the streetlights off the poles, about 1,400 of them.
When the lights left, residents put some back. On Avalon Street, that was Shamayim Harris. She’d bought a house there for $3,000. It was months after a hit-and-run driver killed her 2-year-old son.
She kept building. A park in his name. A garden. A house where kids do homework.
The block became Avalon Village. She became a CNN Hero and a USA Today Woman of the Year. But in Highland Park, she’s Mama Shu.
She’s held office here before, but never the one that runs the city. Last week, she asked her neighbors to change that. She finished second, enough to put her on the November ballot, against incumbent Glenda McDonald.
Mama Shu joined Robyn Vincent on The Metro to answer a question Highland Park has been living with for a generation: What can neighbors fix, and what needs a government?
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.
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The post The Metro: She rebuilt her block when Highland Park couldn’t. Now she wants to run the city appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.
In this episode
The progressive wing of the Democratic party made some noise in the recent primaries. What has been the key to their success so far? This week on MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow chat with Chris Gilmer-Hill, one of the progressives who won his race.
Gilmer-Hill shares why he feels like he was able to win.
Gilmer-Hill attributes his win against incumbent Democratic state Rep. Helena Scott greatly to the Democratic Socialist of America and the engine they put behind his campaign. Especially being that without them he lost by a large margin two years ago.
“DSA is the biggest difference. Two years ago I filed because I disagreed with a lot of what our incumbent was doing and I didn’t think it was right for her to run unopposed but I didn’t have DSA or a whole movement of folks behind me. I wasn’t expecting to win. Actually at the time 27% was a lot more than what I was expecting so I saw an opening for the future. But that opening wouldn’t have been something we could’ve use to win without an army of DSA members”
Gilmer-Hill is running for the 8th state House District.
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The post MichMash: Michigan Progressives push past the primaries appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.
U.S. Rep. Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, is accused of holding a gun to his ex-wife’s head, burning her with hot water, and injuring their 2-year-old daughter, allegations that have prompted several fellow Republicans to call for his resignation.
The post John James and Tom Barrett are keeping campaign cash from a Republican accused of burning his ex-wife and holding a gun to her head appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers has made rooting out government fraud a centerpiece of his campaign. But some of the people helping finance his return to Washington have their own histories with fraud.
The post Mike Rogers attacks waste and fraud while taking money from donors linked to both appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
In this episode
The 2026 Michigan primaries not only affected the state but may also have national implications. This week on MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben break down the results and what they may forecast for the midterm elections. They are joined by Associated Press reporter Joey Cappelletti.
The biggest story coming out of the primaries is Abdul El-Sayed defeating U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens for the Democratic nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat. After winning by less than 1 percentage point, El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers in the general election. El-Sayed represents the progressive, Democratic Socialists of America wing of the party. Cappelletti says the results in November could make or break the momentum the DSA has gained with El-Sayed’s victory.
“We’ve seen the progressive wing have victories in deep-blue cities before. But this is really the first time that we saw it on this level in a swing state like Michigan. Michigan does prefer, at least in the past, more moderate, pragmatic candidates. What happened [during the primaries] was big for the movement, but it will not matter if they don’t win in November.”
The midterm elections will be held Nov. 3, 2026.
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The post MichMash: A review of the 2026 Michigan primary results appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.
Michigan voters went to the polls Tuesday to select candidates who will meet in the general election in November.
Congressman John James won the Republican primary for governor. He had a tough competitor in businessman Perry Johnson. Johnson ran a steady flight of television commercials, at times portraying James as a “DEI candidate.” During the course of the Republican primary, James made few appearances in the city of Detroit.
During his victory speech Tuesday night, James laid out his plans if he’s elected Senator. “We’re going to cut taxes. We’re going to lower your energy bills. We’re going to protect Medicaid for those who need it, while stopping fraud and abuse from those who would steal from it.”
James will face Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the November general election. Benson easily beat Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary.
During a speech to supporters in Detroit Tuesday night, she said she’ll work for Michigan voters if she’s elected governor in November. “Who do you want Michigan’s leaders to work for? The people or the powerful? Well, you all know who I work for. I will work for all of you and every Michigander in this state. Not the highest bidder. Not corporate interests. Not Donald Trump. You.”
Benson is a Detroit resident.
In the most watched contest of the night, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed defeated Congresswoman Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.
In a speech to supporters in Detroit Wednesday morning, El-Sayed took aim at Republican Mike Rogers – who El-Sayed will face in the general election: “And so, Mike, and I know you’re listening, Mike. We are coming for you.”
With more than 60-million dollars in outside spending, the race is the most expensive U.S. Senate primary in history. El-Sayed beat Stevens by less than a percentage point.
-Reporting by Russ McNamara
Detroiters watched two Democratic primaries for Congress yesterday. Representative Rashida Tlaib easily defeated former state representative Shanelle Jackson and Inkster Mayor Byron Nolan in the 12th Congressional District.
State Representative Donavan McKinney defeated incumbent Congressman Shri Thanedar in Michigan’s 13th District primary. Results show Mckinney won just over half the vote.
McKinney says its time for a new style of politics, because it’s impossible for representatives to serve two masters. “You can’t serve the working people and the corporations at the same time. You have to pick one, and so I think the people are calling for petter and I thing they’re calling our legislators and our Congress to do things for them and not on behalf of the few, but on behalf of the many.”
McKinney also supported ending federal aid to Israel. He says Congress should focus more on domestic needs. Thanedar was seeking his third term in the U.S. House.
-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley
Incumbent Wayne County Executive Warren Evans easily won his primary race to win the right to run for another term as the Democratic candidate in November.
Proposal S, which provides additional revenue for the Detroit Public Schools Community District passed overwhelmingly, as did the Wayne County Public Transportation Millage. That measure will keep communities from being able to opt OUT of the SMART bus system.
Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.
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A section of Detroit spanning parts of Midtown, Corktown, and Southwest Detroit could soon be represented by an unusually powerful collection of progressive elected officials, from City Hall and the Michigan Legislature to both chambers of Congress.
The post This section of Detroit could soon have one of America’s most progressive delegations appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
This year’s primaries feature some competitive races that will mark battle lines come November and may even point to national trends.
This week on MichMash, WDET’S Cheyna Roth, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss some of the key things to look out for in Tuesday’s elections. They are joined by Gongwer reporters Nick Smith and Lily Guiney.
In this episode
Here are some key moments the MichMash team is watching for on the Aug. 4 Michigan primary elections:
The primaries are on Aug. 4, 2026
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The post MichMash: A preview of the 2026 Michigan primary election appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.
A union representing hundreds of Wayne County sheriff’s deputies has endorsed Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate, giving the progressive Democrat an answer to opponents who have sought to portray him as hostile to law enforcement.
The post So much for ‘anti-cop:’ Sheriff’s deputies line up behind El-Sayed appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
A Farmington Public Schools board member is facing accusations of racism and Islamophobia after saying Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed should stop speaking Arabic and playing Arabic music at campaign events.
The post Haley Stevens supporter falsely attacks El-Sayed over an Arabic campaign that doesn’t exist appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
Michigan Democrats are seizing on new reporting about U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga’s financial ties to his brother, accusing the Republican congressman of using his political career to benefit himself and his family while neglecting the needs of Southwest Michigan residents.
The post Bill Huizenga accused of enriching himself, brother while in Congress appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
Jake Lang, a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter and avowed bigot, has gained notoriety for crashing events and meetings with racist and anti-Muslim rants. In Detroit, Lang picked the wrong event to disrupt.
The post Bigot Jake Lang crashes Abdul El-Sayed event and watches his stunt backfire appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
The United Auto Workers on Monday accused a corporate-backed super PAC supporting U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of misleading Michigan voters by using the union’s logo in campaign ads.
The post UAW slams pro-Stevens super PAC over ‘misleading’ campaign ads appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
Millionaire U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers said people who blame President Trump for rising prices have “lost their mind,” dismissing voter concerns about affordability as Michigan families continue to struggle with higher costs.
The post Millionaire Mike Rogers says voters blaming Trump for high prices are ‘nuts’ appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
Police say a 5-year-old boy was shot in the arm while riding his bicycle in front of his home in northwest Detroit. Investigators say a teenager fired several shots near Fargo-Oakfield Park when a stray bullet hit the boy.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield says the young victim will recover. She called the shooting senseless gun violence and said children deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. She says anyone with information about the shooter should call the police or CrimeStoppers.
-Reporting by Pat Batcheller
The Justice Department plans to send election monitors to Detroit, Lansing and East Lansing for Michigan’s August primaries. Those are mostly Democratic cities. President Trump has falsely claimed that fraud in Detroit cost him the 2020 election.
Phil Mayor is the deputy legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. He says the DOJ can, and has, used election monitors before. But he says Trump’s plan is troubling.
“Given this administration’s election denialism and many of the other ways the administration has sought to discourage voting or spread false narratives, we’re certainly concerned. We’ll be watching the conduct of DOJ’s monitors carefully to ensure that they comply with the law, that they don’t interact with or harass voters.”
The chairman of the Michigan Republican Party—and a 2020 election denier—suggested this could be a trial run for placing federal agents at the polls in November.
Faith leaders in the state are calling on legislators to pass a Michigan Voting Rights Act to fight against discrimination and protect access at the polls.
-Reporting by Rick Pluta and Sascha Raiyn
A new training is available for people who’d like to be Poll Chaplains or Peacekeepers at polling locations.
Poll Chaplains are faith leaders who wear clerical attire at election sites and peacekeepers are religious community leaders. The training teaches both how to maintain peace and de-escalate potential conflict at polling locations to encourage voter participation.
Faiths United to Save Democracy is a nonpartisan, multifaith and multiracial voter protection campaign.
The training will be held on Zoom on Monday July 13 from 7-8:30 p.m. Additional training will be offered on September 28 and October 15. People will receive official credentials upon completion of training.
People can register at turnoutsunday.com.
Wayne County has launched a food truck to increase access to affordable, healthy food options for residents. The Well Wayne Fresh Truck Mobile Market is a “farmers market on wheels.”
It’s an effort to feed people who are facing food insecurity. That’s 1 in 5 people in the county.
The food truck is also a way to reduce barriers to accessing food due to limited transportation and food prices. The food truck is sponsored by a multi-million-dollar investment to address social determinants of health through community work. The mobile food truck accepts SNAP, EBT, Double Up Food Bucks, cash, and credit or debit cards. It will operate across several cities including in Highland Park, Hamtramck and Inkster. Routes will be updated quarterly and based on community feedback.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield kicks off the city’s summer jobs program for young people today. Grow Detroit’s Young Talent provides paid positions for about 8,000 teens and young adults. This year the city is adding two weeks of training for each participant in which they’ll learn about professionalism, conflict resolution and other skills.
-Reporting by Pat Batcheller
Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.
The post Detroit Evening Report: Five year old shot in Detroit appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.
Michigan Democrats have spent too many elections being told that the safest choice is the right one. This year, the safest choice is the candidate who actually gives people something to vote for.
The post Metro Times endorses Abdul El-Sayed to take on Trump, billionaires, and the status quo appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is calling for sweeping public control over artificial intelligence companies, arguing that the rapidly growing technology should be governed by the people it will affect.
The post Abdul El-Sayed wants to put AI under public control as jobs and democracy face new risks appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.
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