Candidates for Governor of Michigan gathered on Friday for a forum with the Michigan Education Association.

The forum covered topics including funding, teacher recruit and retention, and improving services that could relieve pressure from educators such as mental health services and childcare.

Both Democrat candidates in attendance, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genessee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, have backgrounds in education.

Focus on funding

Jocelyn Benson is building her education platform on starting teachers’ salaries at $60,000 a year and removing what she calls a one size fits all funding model for schools.

“The goal is to make sure it’s equitable, that it’s designed to invest in the unique needs of what an Alpena student needs versus what a Muskegon student needs. And you’ve got to build it with educators at the center of the table in figuring out what that funding is,” Benson said.

She added providing services outside of schools such as daycare and affordable healthcare can help increase teacher recruitment and retention.

Chris Swanson agreed that raising salaries would build retention rates among teachers and attract the highest quality talent. He also suggested a 2-year budget for education instead of an annual to avoid starting the school year without funding, as the state did this school year when the state budget hung in limbo.

“You saw what happened last year where July 1 hit it wasn’t signed federally to July 4, and nothing kicked off until the fall,” Swanson said. “That is unfair for you trying to figure out how you’re going to build your curriculum and have the resources to do what you need to do.”

Curriculum first

Republican Candidate and former Attorney General Mike Cox stressed accountability among decision makers on what curriculum is important needed to be addressed before any more money is allocated.

“We had a third-grade reader law, right that every child had to be able to read by the end of third grade, and we threw that away. There are 26 states across the country that require that,” Cox said. “We were 31st in fourth grade reading. We’re now 48th you know, when you throw away accountability, you’re just throwing away money, and more importantly, you’re squandering children’s lives.”

Less government involvement

Independent candidate and former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is building his platform on returning $1.3 billion, he claimed was reallocated from schools by both parties over past three governor administrations.  He also vowed to end what he calls “Yo-yo school standards,” where curriculum is often changed under a new administration. Duggan said educators should be the ones designing the curriculum, not politicians.

“I don’t think the average person realizes that most of these decisions they’ve changed the reading curriculum twice in the last four years. Legislature has is that the legislature is making decisions on curriculum, ” Duggan said.

Schools threatened by ICE

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence grows around  the country, Michiganders are concerned about ICE targeting schools.

Cox believes that the conversation around ICE is a mere side show, asking the educators in the room “What does Donald Trump have to do with your salaries? What does Donald Trump have to do with student performance in your classrooms?”

Cox went on to claim that ICE has not targeted any Michigan school. In early January this year there have been reports of ICE agents targeting parents at school bus drop off sites.

Duggan took the stance that local police agencies are unable to interfere with federal enforcement. He said that by law, if ICE is looking for a person that the Detroit Police Department has in their custody, they honor the detainer and release the person into ICE custody. Duggan claims the alternative would be to release the person of interest in the street and risk ICE going in the neighborhoods and increasing fear among residents.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she’s not afraid to stand up to the President.

“The next Governor of Michigan must have and demonstrate that they will the moral courage, that I have as Secretary of State, to protect the young people, the educators, every resident of every community in this state, no matter what type of tactic the bully in the White House tries to bring to our communities,” Benson said.

Sheriff Swanson condemned the actions of ICE, calling it bad law enforcement. He said as governor he would demand that schools are off limits to ICE.

“When you talk about the most one of the most sacred places a kid could go to feel safe, That’s not a place to do that type of law enforcement. Not at all,” Swanson said.

The primary election for governor of Michigan is Aug. 4. 

A federal bankruptcy judge has halted the auction of Detroit’s historic Leland House, a victory for residents forced to leave the building last year.

The ruling came after attorneys with the Michigan State University Housing Justice Clinic argued residents were unlawfully excluded from bankruptcy proceedings. The judge agreed that tenant rights included participation in the property’s future.

The Leland House closed in November after a utility disconnection of unknown origin prompted the Detroit Fire Department to issue an eviction order. All tenants were forced to leave the building and barred from returning.

Following the outage, the owner sought court approval to auction the property, prompting legal action from tenants’ rights advocates.

Donovan McCarty is the director of the Housing Justice Clinic and a member of the legal team representing displaced tenants. 

“The Leland house is a very unique property. It’s…a place that folks who can’t otherwise afford to live [downtown]…a place that’s right by Rosa Parks transit center…that’s important too, for people of all different socioeconomic classes,” McCarty said. 

“What we’re seeing here…is [the influence of] corporate interests and what this could mean for Mayor Sheffield’s tenure,” he explains.

“Is she going to choose the residents, you know, the people of the city of Detroit, or is she going to choose these corporate interests? The Leland house sits effectively on DTE’s campus…DTE has played a prominent role in this case,” according to McCarty.

The next court date in the case will be Feb. 24. 

The main focus today is building out a show with a lot of global sounds in honor of Ismael Ahmed. That includes starting the show with music from Mashrou Leila, an incredible Lebanese band that Ismael introduced me to through his show “This Island Earth.” We’ll also explore new music from Owelu Dreamhouse, Elori Saxl & Henry Solomon, Dames Brown, Braxton Cook, Kylie Auldist and more, plus a fond farewell for Ghana highlife legend Ebo Taylor.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for February 9, 2026

• “Aoede” – Mashrou’ Leila
• “Sadalsuud” – Mashrou’ Leila
• “Yellow Trumpet” – Owelu Dreamhouse
• “A Thousand Steps” – Elori Saxl & Henry Solomon
• “A Figure in the Surf” – Mount Kimbie
• “Suicide Demo for Kara Walker” – Destroyer
• “Birthday Boy” – Kylie Auldist
• “What Would You Do? (feat. Amp Fiddler & Andrés)” – Dames Brown
• “Once Around The Block” – Badly Drawn Boy
• “Josh’s Tune (Part 2)” – Braxton Cook & Joshua Crumbly
• “Heaven” – Ebo Taylor
• “Love & Death” – Ebo Taylor
• “Yo Viviré (I Will Survive)” – Celia Cruz
• “Rock With You (Rare Strings Only Version)” – Michael Jackson
• “I Want You (John Morales M+M Pianopella Mix)” – Marvin Gaye
• “Drume Negrita” – Ry Cooder & Manuel Galban
• “Peaches En Regalia” – Frank Zappa
• “Vitamin C” – Can
• “Heroes” – David Bowie (for Ava East)
• “Go Down The Mountain” – TAMTAM
• “Fujiyama” – Dave Brubeck Quartet
• “Plastic 100°C” – Sampha
• “Radio Silence” – James Blake
• “Mystery of Love” – Mr Fingers
• “Livin’ And Lovin’ In My Own Way (feat. Pete Rock)” – Brandee Younger
• “Stepping Into Tomorrow” – Madlib
• “Love Reveald” – Marcus Elliot

Listen to In The Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

The Bangladeshi ambassador to the United States visited Hamtramck Saturday to meet with Bangladeshi Americans. Tareq Md Ariful Islam joined a town hall at the Gates of Columbus Banquet Hall to discuss U.S. – Bangladeshi relations. 

Michigan Bangladeshis hope to get a permanent consulate office in Michigan to service the thousands of Bangladeshis in the state. In October 2025 the Advisory Council in Bangladesh, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, approved a proposal to open a consulate office in Michigan. It’s one of five offices scheduled to open around the world. People applauded as Ambassador Islam announced plans are moving forward to open the consulate office in Detroit.  

The Embassy has provided mobile consular services over the years. 

Additional headlines for Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Ismael Ahmed memorial

A celebration of life memorial service was held for Arab American activist Ismael Ahmed yesterday at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. Ahmed passed away on Jan. 31.

Speakers included Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and business leader Nasser Beydoun, who shared personal memories during the celebration of his life.

Friends talked about his commitment to public service and the arts. Ahmed co-founded the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services and the Concert of Colors. He also led the Michigan Department of Human Services under former Governor Jennifer Granholm. Ahmed hosted two music shows on WDET including This Island Earth. 

-Reporting by Pat Batcheller

Candidates for governor discuss education

Some candidates for governor discussed their education plans during a Michigan Education Association forum in Detroit. They generally agreed schools need more counselors and other support staff. 

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, says schools do need more money. She also says the state should stop relying on a per-student funding model. 

“Different needs meet different communities. And, as I’ve talked to educators around the state, the number one thing that keeps coming up is just that, that an x amount of money for a student in Muskegon is not going to be the same as x amount of money or the same amount of money for a student in Iron River. The needs are different. The cost model needs to be different.”

Democrat Chris Swanson, Republican Mike Cox, and now-independent former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan also participated in the forum. 

Dearborn Night of Innovation

The City of Dearborn is accepting applications for the Night of Innovation Pitch competition. The event is presented by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce. Five businesses will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges to compete for monetary awards. First prize is $25,000; second place is $10,000; and third place is $5,00 dollars for seed funding.  

The City of Dearborn’s Director of Economic Development Jordan Twardy says the pitch competition is a way to showcase entrepreneurial talent in the city. Dearborn residents and business owners can apply by Feb. 27 by visiting BetOnDearborn.com.

The Night of Innovation will take place at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center May 12 from 5-8 p.m. The event is free for people to attend. 

Hamtramck NEZ tax information session

The City of Hamtramck Community & Economic Development Department is hosting an information session about the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone tax. People will learn how to apply for NEZ tax abatements.

The Coffee, Tea and NEZ session is on Feb. 23 at Kitab Cafe in Hamtramck. The event is available for two sessions; one at 12 p.m. and the other at 5 p.m.     

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

This episode of Big Sonic Heaven featured the latest from Nation of Language, Morrissey, Hatchie, Stereolab, and another track from Whitelands new album “Sunlight Echoes.”

We also heard a couple of great Alex Chilton and Cole Porter covers by This Mortal Coil and Sinead O’Connor, respectively, and, of course, a whole bunch of shoegaze, dreampop, and post-punk classics.

See the playlist below and hear this episode on demand for two weeks at wdet.org or via the WDET app.

• “In A Lonely Place” – New Order
• “Purple” – She’s green
• “Silhouette” – Nation of Language
• “Last Night” – Lush
• “I Am No God, an Effigy” – Whitelands
• “Life in Mono” – Mono
• “Want You” – Deary
• “Kangaroo” – This Mortal Coil
• “This Is Not a Drill” – Lanterns on the Lake
• “Make-up is a lie” – Morrissey
• “Crystal Wrists” – Peter Murphy
• “You Do Something to Me” – Sinead O’ Connor
• “In A Manner Of Speaking” – Martin L. Gore
• “Give up the Ghost” – Minor Victories
• “Apart” – The Cure
• “Little Galaxy” – Silk Daisys
• “Crank” – Catherine Wheel
• “Flowing” – Cigarettes for Breakfast
• “Musette And Drums” – Cocteau Twins
• “Familiar” – Piroshka
• “Come Alive” – Nitzer Ebb
• “Carousel” – Hatchie
• “Ace of Hz” – Ladytron
• “Magic Doors” – Portishead
• “Consequence.” – The Notwist
• “Fed Up With Your Job” – Stereolab
• “Up the Down Escalator” – The Chameleons
• “Here Is The House” – Depeche Mode
• “Warmth” – Glazyhaze
• “San Geronimo” – Red House Painters
• “Slomo” – Slowdive
• “The Worst Taste In Music” – The Radio Dept.
• “Glimpse” – The Giraffe Told Me in My Dream
• “Open Mind” – Moev

Michigan’s four living former governors appeared together Wednesday to call for more civility in politics and elections as part of an effort to alter a turn toward coarseness and sometimes violence.

It was a highly unusual gathering of two Democrats and two Republicans whose gubernatorial service dates back to the 1980s.

Former Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican and the most recent addition to the retired governors group, said things have taken a turn for the worse since he stepped away from the job in January of 2019.

“The way you see behavior in politics, would it be acceptable in any other part of your life?” he said. “Would it be acceptable at the workplace? Would it be acceptable at your family dinner table?”

“The role model I’ve always had is I try to treat anyone in the political world just as if they’d been a family member sitting at my dining room table,” said Snyder.

The protests and violence happening in Minneapolis could easily be any city in Michigan, Snyder added. Federal immigration authorities there have responded with violence at times to largely peaceful demonstrators. Immigration agents fatally shot two protesters last month.

“It doesn’t have to be this way – it doesn’t be this way in American society. It doesn’t,” said former Governor Jim Blanchard, a Democrat. He obliquely laid a lot of the responsibility for the tone set in Washington on President Donald Trump.

Blanchard, who left office in 1991 and is the elder statesman in the group, served before everyone had email and social media accounts. He said the internet changed everything.

“Social media and the internet are real problems because people can lie, lie, lie and get away with it,” he said. “There’s no scrutiny on that, usually,” he said, and people easily buy into conspiracy theories that fit with their ideology.

Former Governor Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat who also served as Energy Secretary in President Joe Biden’s cabinet, was not able to make it in person, but joined via a video feed.

She agreed that often-anonymous online platforms reward conflict.

“People aren’t swimming in the same pond at all. Their realities, their facts, are completely different because their sources are completely different,” she said. “Content creators who are extreme are rewarded because extremism is more interesting and gets a greater number of clicks.”

Granholm said a lot of the tensions in this moment can be traced to the vitriol coming from the White House.

Ex-Governor John Engler, who unseated Blanchard in 1990 and also came of age before the internet, argued the news media has abdicated some of its role. He said TV stations that earn millions of dollars from campaign advertising should combine efforts to host universally broadcast debates.

“Those networks have an obligation to the people of Michigan to get together now, pick a date for a debate in August right after the primary, pick another date, a second date for another date right after Labor Day before we start voting,” he said.

A broad coalition of groups of many political stripes organized the event as a launch for the Michigan Civility Coalition, a year-long civility campaign that coincides with high-stakes 2026 elections including open gubernatorial and U.S. Senate seats. They want people to trust and respect the results of those elections.

Oakland University political science professor David Dulio helped organize the event. Dulio said right now the goals are clearer than plans to achieve them.

“And we understand that,” he said. “You know, can this effort change American culture and society where the social media algorithms affect us all in so many different ways? Certainly not at the start and maybe never.”

Dulio said the coalition intends to sponsor more events to promote civility because counting on the political crisis to resolve itself is not an option.

This story was originally published on Michigan Public Radio.

Fresh from a trip to Miami, Ryan Patrick Hooper brings the city’s vibrant Latin energy to the show today, opening with classics from Tito Puente & Celia Cruz and the Brazilian grooves of João Donato.

The playlist then transitions into modern soul and indie, with tracks from Jessie Ware, DJ Harrison, and Alfa Mist, before moving into reflective and timeless sounds from Nina Simone, Nick Drake, Labi Siffre, and Beach House. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for February 6, 2026

• “Vale a Pena” – Sessa 

• “Oye Cómo Va” – Tito Puente & Celia Cruz 

• “Yo Viviré (I Will Survive)” – Celia Cruz 

• “Begin Again (Joe Goddard Remix)” – Jessie Ware 

• “Cala Boca Menino” – João Donato 

• “Call My Name” – Joe Bataan 

• “Me Deixa” – João Donato 

• “Far Cry” – Resavoir 

• “Stay Ready (feat. Yaya Bey) – DJ Harrison 

• “Brian” – Alfa Mist 

• “Mamacita (Remastered 2014)” – Kenny Dorham 

• “Red Moon” – Tom Misch 

• “Hold On To The Light” – Jack Johnson & Hermanos Gutiérrez 

• “If I’m Unworthy” – Blake Mills 

• “Better Than” – Lake Street Dive 

• “When I Get My Hands On You” – The New Basement Types 

• “All I Wanna Do” – The Beach Boys 

• “Play the Game” – Beach House 

• “Hurts to Be Alone” – Norah Jones 

• “You Are Mine” – Jay Robinson 

• “You’ve Got A Woman (Shoes Subtle Edit)” – Lion 

• “Be My Husband” – Nina Simone 

• “Carry Me Higher (Elite Mix) [10 Inch Version]” – The Blessed Madonna, Joy Anonymous & Danielle Ponder 

• “Debold – Mk.Gee Remix V7 (feat. mk gee)” – Vegyn 

• “The Big Idea” – Lily Talmers 

• “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying” – Labi Siffre 

• “One Of These Things First” – Nick Drake 

• “Muzzle of Bees” – Wilco 

• “Joy Road” – The Lyman Woodard Organization 

• “Love Reveald” – Marcus Elliot 

• “Let Your Hair Down (feat. Hutch the Great)” – Max Sinal 

• “Make It Up” -Tirzah 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

It’s been 10 years since the Detroit Red Wings qualified for the National Hockey League playoffs. But 2025-26 could be the season they end that drought.

The Wings have won 33 of 58 games this season, putting them among the top five teams in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. Eight teams from each conference will qualify for the postseason.

As a player, Steve Yzerman captained the Wings to three Stanley Cups. Since becoming general manager in 2019, he has struggled to build a consistent winner.

Before the season, Yzerman signed free agent goaltender John Gibson. The 12-year veteran had played his entire career with the Anaheim Ducks before coming to Detroit.

The results were disastrous at first. Gibson gave up five goals in his first game against the Montreal Canadiens. Head coach Todd McLellan pulled him out of the net in the second period. Gibson allowed four or more goals in eight of his first 14 games.

Detroit Free Press sportswriter Helene St. James says Gibson has settled down since then.

“The goaltending has been tremendous,” she says. “Ever since he found his groove, they’ve had a chance to win every single night.”

Gibson has not allowed more than four goals in any game since Dec. 2, 2025 and has collected four shutouts.

Credit the coach, too

St. James also credits McLellan for the Wings’ success so far. Yzerman hired McLellan during the 2024-25 season after firing Derek Lalonde. She says McLellan has made the team tougher.

“Not just physical toughness, but mental toughness,” St. James says. “That has made all the difference.”

While the Wings look like a playoff team, they have shown some cracks heading into the Winter Olympics in Italy. They have lost five of their last seven games, including a 5-0 drubbing by the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 31 at Little Caesars Arena. Two days later, the Wings beat the Avs 2-0 in Denver.

St. James says Yzerman could trade younger prospects or draft picks to get a top forward or defenseman. But she cautions they won’t become a Stanley Cup contender just by adding one player.

“They do not want a rental,” she says. “They don’t want to give up a lot of future [talent] just to improve immediately, unless it’s a player who’s going to stick around.”

The Wings were interested in getting former University of Michigan star Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks, but Hughes’s agent indicated he wasn’t willing to sign a long-term contract with Detroit. Yzerman passed and the Canucks ended up trading Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in December.

Avoid deja vu

Most of Detroit’s players will have a chance to rest during the Olympics. Three of their stars will compete for their countries in Italy, including Dylan Larkin (USA), Lucas Raymond (Sweden), and Moritz Seider (Germany).

Larkin and Raymond played in the Four Nations tournament in 2025. St. James says both players struggled when they returned to the Wings, who lost 15 of their final 24 games and missed the playoffs.

She says the Wings don’t want that to happen again.

“Every one of those [Olympic] games is basically a [playoff] game seven,” she says. “You’re asking them to fly across the Atlantic and play a lot of games in a short amount of time.”

Canada is favored to win the gold medal in Italy. St. James says losing could also take an emotional toll on the players.

Fans will find out when the Wings return to NHL action against the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 26.

It’s a tough journey to become a professional athlete nowadays, especially for Hockey players, so athletes pursue training programs at a pretty early age to maximize their potential. Plymouth, Michigan has a premiere facility.

The city is home to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. Over the years, players who train there have gone on to represent the U.S. in the Men’s World Championships, the Four Nations Face-off, and the Olympic games. Several alums are suiting up to play in this winter Olympics in Italy this year.

Assistant Executive Director for the development program, Scott Monaghan, joined the show to explain the work it takes to develop young hockey players.

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

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Malcolm X was a leader during the Civil Rights Movement known for his more radical approach to advancing Black Americans rights. But he was also a young man that grew up in Michigan, known as Detroit Red.

Though most only recognize “Malcolm X,” he went by several names throughout his life. His birth name is Malcolm Little, which progressed to Malcolm X. He ended his life as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

Who was Detroit Red and how did his name change reflect his personal transformation?

Dr. Tareq A. Ramadan is an anthropologist, historic preservationist, and interdisciplinary adjunct professor of Anthropology and Near Eastern Studies at Wayne State University and at Henry Ford College. He’s also the co-founder of The Malcolm X House Historic Preservation Project along side Aaron Sims.

This month, Ramadan will take part in The Black Cannon’s program “Martin and Malcolm” where they will discuss the lives and legacies of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. 

Tareq joined The Metro’s Tia Graham to discuss how Detroit Red became Malcolm X.

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

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Subzero wind chills are expected this weekend as the National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory for southeast Michigan.

Even though today’s high will reach about 35 degrees, overnight lows are expected to dip well below zero with wind chill. The Weather Service says frostbite on exposed skin can happen in under 30 minutes.

The advisory is in effect until around noon Saturday.

A warmup is expected Tuesday and Wednesday, with temperatures trending above normal and highs and lows climbing out of the teens.

Additional headlines for February 6, 2026

Detroit opens shelters and respite sites

Until then, the city of Detroit is offering standby shelters and expanded library respite hours to protect residents from the deep freeze.

In partnership with Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, the sites will operate from 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, through noon Monday, Feb. 9.

If you are concerned about someone’s safety, call 911 to request a welfare check.

More information, including locations and hours, is available at detroitmi.gov.

Big Sean and Usher youth facility opens at Michigan Central

A $1 million investment in an entertainment production facility for Detroit youth from Big Sean and music artist Usher is now official. Leaders held a ribbon cutting this week for the new space.

The facility is part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit and is located on the fifth floor of Michigan Central Station.

The new hub includes creative technology studios, special effects labs and a literary and storytelling lounge. It is designed for young people ages 14 to 24.

Programming is set to begin Sunday, Feb. 9.

Sports

The Pistons lost at home Thursday to the Washington Wizards, 126 to 117.

Detroit looks to bounce back tonight against the New York Knicks at Little Caesars Arena. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.

Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. Even if the Lions are not playing, keep an eye out for new commercials from Detroit based organizations Rocket Companies and Redfin. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Book event: Lachi discusses I Identify as Blind

Grammy-nominated artist Lachi will speak at an event Monday, Feb. 9, from 6:30 to 7 p.m. for her new book, I Identify as Blind: A Brazen Celebration of Disability Culture, Identity, and Power.

The event includes a conversation with disability advocate Tameka Citchen Spruce.

Lachi was born legally blind and identifies as neurodivergent. The book explores her experiences, with the goal of challenging stereotypes and empowering people with disabilities.

For more information, visit Eventbrite.

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

This Sunday is Super Bowl LX. Usually, the teams playing would be the be the main topic of discussion. Yet, they’re getting much less attention than who’s performing at the 2026 Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show. 

Bad Bunny is the first solo Latin and Spanish speaking musician to lead the show. The Puerto Rican born artist’s selection sparked conversations across music, sports, and culture, making this more than just a halftime performance. 

In his announcement, he said this is for his people, culture and their history. 

So, what does this moment mean for Latino representation? And furthermore, what does this performance say about the American public’s idea of what it means to be American.

Alejandra Márquez is an Assistant Professor of Spanish Department of Romance and Classical Studies at Michigan State University. She joined The Metro’s Tia Graham to discuss Bad Bunny’s performance and its significance to Latino culture. 

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

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

As conversations about climate change continue to evolve, the College for Creative Studies (CCS) is being proactive about the role its students will eventually play.

The art and design college has been developing the next generation of creative professionals for over a century. Graduates go on to work in transportation, film and animation, athletic apparel, and more. Throughout the winter season, CCS is holding a series of conversations that interrogates how artists and designers build a future that is more sustainable. CCS president, Donald Tuski, joined the show to explain why they are encouraging more sustainable and innovative designs.

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

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Shiver on the River is back at Belle Isle, giving you the opportunity to learn more at the nature center and attend the Great Lakes Museum for free so long as you have a recreation pass.

Plus, live puppet performances where you get to help tell the story, a dog show with vendors, an exhilarating day of local music and art, and a loving way to gather and remember beloved community leader Ismael Ahmed.

Upcoming events (Feb. 5 to Feb. 12)

Motor City Winter Dog Classic

  Vibe Credit Union in Novi

Thursday Feb. 5-8

  $10

See over 200 breeds of American Kennel Club dogs in a family friendly atmosphere with plenty of vendors. Every day of the four day event goes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Sled Season

Tangent Gallery

Saturday, Feb. 7

$25

Sled Season is back, packing a full season of festivities into one evening. Rock out to live music, attend a workshop, peruse local artisanal goods, hop in a photo booth and more. Some noted performers include Rose St. Germaine, Checker, Toboggan man and more from the local music scene. Get your tickets in advance!

Shiver on the River

Belle Isle Nature Center, Dossin Great Lakes Museum

Saturday, Feb. 7

Free

Explore the Belle Isle Nature Center and the Dossin Great Lakes History Museum with a range of educational and entertaining activities and attractions, such as ice carvings, a magic show and more. Entry is free, with concessions available for purchase. You do need a Michigan Recreation pass to enter Belle Isle. This eco fair goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Choose Your Own Adventures of Turtle Boy and Owl Loves Angeline

Detroit Institute of Arts

Saturday, Feb. 7

Free

Haitian-American puppeteer Emmanuel Elpenord brings a charming, heartfelt double feature to the DIA. “Choose Your Own Adventures of Turtle Boy” blends action and plenty of audience participation, while “Owl Loves Angeline” incorporates Haitian folklore and human themes that connect across all cultures. This show takes place in the Rivera Court and is free with general admission. Take a look at the DIA’s exhbit “African Diaspora in the Americas” in the reinstalled Reimagine African American Art gallery on the second floor while you’re there!

Celebration of Life Honoring Ismael “Ish” Ahmed

Ford Performing Arts Center in Dearborn

  Sunday, Feb. 8

Free

Join together in a celebration of a life lived as beloved community leader and WDET This Island Earth music host Ismael Ahmed would want you to. In his honor, the Ford Performing Arts center welcomes all those who want to share in grief and reflect on his life from 1-3 p.m. in the Guido Theater. Ish’s family asks that donations be made to the Concert of Colors in lieu of flowers or other gifts.

In this episode:

• How much money did the Michigan gubernatorial candidates raise for their campaigns?
• What do the campaign finance reports say about each gubernatorial candidates?
• A bipartisan approach to medical debt.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Michigan gubernatorial candidates are ramping up their campaigns, but how are they doing financially?

This week on MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow go over the latest campaign finance reports for the upcoming election. 

These are the last reports we will see until we get closer to the primaries. Roth said the reports can be a forecast for the race ahead. “Money does not equal victory, but it does help you get there. It’s crucial for name recognition and getting your message out through things like mailers and television ads.”

The Michigan primary is on Aug. 4, 2026. 

Later in the episode, Sen. Jonathan Lindsey stopped by to champion his bipartisan legislation that addresses medical debt in Michigan. The bill would make violations of these changes eligible for action by the attorney general under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. Lindsey said he believes the bill is close to being passed.

“I think we showed in the Senate that the most productive way to get it done was running together a couple of these health care-related bills that would bring enough votes from both sides to have a strong consensus on them.”

The bill is currently sitting in the Senate.  

• More from WDET
  Detroit Evening Report: Wayne County eliminates $27M in medical debt for 46,000 residents

  MichMash: Michigan campaign finance reform shows no progress

  How expensive are Michigan’s political campaigns?

One more sleep until Ryan Patrick Hooper returns! Adam Fox filling in today, with new music from Snocaps and Otto Benson, a spotlight on Weval who play this weekend at El Club, and a nod to David Bowie’s final master stroke, “Black Star” which turned 10 in January.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with temporary host Adam Fox playlist for February 5, 2026

• “Nothing Simple” – Shigeto, Tammy Lakkis & Cleveland Thrasher
• “Waterfalls” – Oneohtrix Point Never
• “Perpetual Adoration” – Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore
• “Brand New City” – Snocaps
• “Secret Meeting” – The National
• “Dirty Dream Number Two” – Belle and Sebastian
• “Chips – Chicken – Banana Split” – Jo-Jo and The Fugitives
• “Chicken Payback” – The Bees
• “Roots of Dub” – King Tubby
• “Groovin’” – Willie Mitchell
  “O My Soul (Remastered 2024)” – Big Star
• “Gloria” – Patti Smith
• “Changed for the Better” – Weval
• “MOVING ON” – Weval
• “Let England Shake” – PJ Harvey
• “I Can’t Give Everything Away” – David Bowie
• “Burial Dub” – Sly & Robbie
• “Future Shock” – Herbie Hancock
• “Dream In Blue” – Los Lobos
• “Wicked Game” – Chris Isaak
• “Accidentally Like a Martyr” – Warren Zevon
• “Cortez the Killer” – Neil Young & Crazy Horse
• “Theme” – Kelan Phil Cohran & Legacy
• “Delfeayo’s Dilemma (2023 Remaster)” – Wynton Marsalis
• “Lonely Road” – Natalie Bergman
• “Upside Down (feat. Natalie Bergman & Wild Belle)” – Nomo & Shawn Lee
• “Moussolou (Mixed)” – Oumou Sangaré
• “Chifundo” – WITCH
• “Caring Is Creepy” – The Shins
• “Carry the Zero” – Built to Spill
• “Soy Beans” – Otto Benson
• “Revival” – Deerhunter
• “Linear Motion” – Rebecca Goldberg

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

President Trump is continuing to push lies about the 2020 presidential election in Detroit, and using his unsupported claims of fraud to push for federal oversight of midterms.

During an executive order signing to end the government shutdown, Trump told reporters he thinks Republicans should take election rights away from some states that the president did not win in 2020. He used three prominent swing states as examples. 

“Take a look at Detroit… take a look at Pennsylvania… take a look at Philadelphia. You go take a look at Atlanta. Look at some of the places that… horrible corruption on elections.” 

Prominent Republican strategist and Trump-ally Steve Bannon has said ICE agents would be sent to polling places in this year’s midterm elections. 

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey says any attempt to take over voting would be partisan politics at its worst. Winfrey says the results were fair and transparent then and subsequent elections have been, too. The U.S. Constitution says states decide how to conduct elections. Congress can enact some regulations, but the president has no control over elections. 

Additional headlines for Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

Critique on Sheffield’s order on assessments

The Coalition of Property Tax Justice says Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield’s recent executive order is too vague and does not do enough to stop over assessments in the city.  

Sheffield signed an order last week aimed at improving transparency in the city’s assessment process and requiring the office to meet national standards.   

Professor Bernadette Athutahene says the order does not specify how to conduct an assessment ratio study, which is required by the property tax reform ordinance.  

“We thought that the executive order would say, you know, to do a mass appraisal report, and those two things are different. The mass appraisal report, you can’t apply Iao standards to a mass appraisal report.”

The coalition did praise Sheffield for requiring the office follow the ratio standards of the International Association of Assessing Officers.  The coalition published a revised version of the executive order with more parameter specifics for a property assessment.  

ICE detention facility proposed in Romulus

A 500 bed ICE detention facility has been proposed for Romulus, but officials say it’s not set in stone. Romulus was among 23 locations nationwide identified in a recent Bloomberg report detailing the Trump administration’s plan to buy warehouses and convert them into ICE detention centers. 

The Washington Post reported in December that a warehouse in Highland Park was being looked at as a potential location. The Mayor of Highland Park has recently said the city was not interested at all and the city lacks the space for such a plan.  

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

Most everyone wants students to have good teachers. But how do we adequately prepare educators, and keep them in the profession?

That’s a pressing question as teacher retention drops in Michigan. And it’s the most pressing in school districts with more poverty. 

Ten years ago, only a handful of Michigan school districts reported permanent teaching vacancies. Today, that number has exploded: more than 150 districts now have jobs they can’t fill.

Some in the state are trying to fix this. 

Jack Elsey leads the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative. His nonprofit is launching a collaboration with some public universities in the state to change the way teachers are trained, and to keep them in the field. He spoke with Robyn Vincent.

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

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

The Dearborn Department of Public Health says there’s been a decrease in overdose deaths in the past two years. 

Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed says launching the public health department played a role in the decline.  

“We’re seeing a nearly 60% decline in overdoses in the city of Dearborn that’s directly correlated with a lot of our public health efforts,” he says. Last year, there was a 36% decline in overdose deaths. 

Abazeed says the department supplies free Narcan overdose reversal medicine at several locations and works to raise awareness about substance abuse disorder in the city.  

“Those place-based specific interventions, like the ones that we have in Dearborn again, whether it’s our very visible Narcan distribution sites, or whether it’s their community trainings, we’re seeing trends in Dearborn that are outpacing the national average,” he shares.

Narcan reverses an opioid overdose, potentially saving people’s lives.    

Abazeed says the department also distributed about 500 fentanyl test strips, close to 300 xylazine test strips and more than 7,000 units of Narcan last year.

He says the department is seeing sustained declines across the state, while the city’s declines in overdose deaths are far outpacing the statewide and national averages. 

Abazeed says the Dearborn Department of Public Health will continue to spread the word about utilizing life-saving measures to prevent overdose deaths. 

Free Narcan can be picked up from vending machines at the John D. Dingell Transit Center, the East Parking Deck at West Village Drive, the Wagner Parking Deck, and the Islamic Center of Detroit.