The Coalition for Property Tax Justice held a press conference last week to encourage Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree to place a moratorium on tax foreclosures for home valued at $50,000 or lower.

The Coalition is refuting the city of Detroit’s interpretation of a study conducted by the International Association of Assessing Officers, which concluded that the city is following Michigan law, and on average they are assessing properties correctly.

Coalition Leader Bernadette Atuahene says while the results are correct, averages can still hide the real issue.

“For instance, 10+60+80 divided by three, is 50, right, the average of those three numbers is 50; but within that, the 60 and the 80 are both unconstitutional, right?” Atuahene said. “So two-thirds, two of the three right, are unconstitutional, but you can declare that on average, they’re following the law, and that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Atuahene applauded the city for getting the averages right, but says it still needs to reevaluate the over-assessed homes. She calls tax foreclosure “an act of legal violence” and says it should only happen with extreme precaution.

The coalition is also calling for Mayor Mike Duggan to admit the issue exists.

“The Duggan administration, study after study after study, refuses to acknowledge that the lower valued homes are still being overassessed,” Atuahene said. “Instead, they keep resting on the fact that, on average, the homes are being assessed at 50% so we’re calling on the Duggan administration to respect the data.”

The coalition released a study from the University of Chicago last year that showed overassessment of the value of these properties. City officials denied any systemic issues in the taxing process.

The City Assessor’s Office told WDET that the coalition has a poor success rate in assessment appeals, suggesting their claims are not supported by facts.

–Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley, WDET News

Other headlines for Monday, May 19, 2025:

• A group representing Michigan’s corrections officers is asking the state House of Representatives to send a package of bills affecting their retirement options to the governor, WKAR reports.
• Detroit City Council has confirmed Tanya Stoudemire as the city’s new Chief Financial Officer. Stoudemire — the first woman to hold the CFO title in Detroit — will succeed Jay Rising, who retired in April after 4 years on the job.
• Fridays at the Station returns to Michigan Central on Friday, May 23, with music from Malik Alston and the Linwood Ensemble performing with songstress Maurissa Rose. Doors open at 5 p.m.

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

This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben discuss bills introduced both in the Michigan House and Senate aimed at curbing distractions in the classroom by limiting cell phone use in class.

Also, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox stops by to talk about his motivation behind running for governor.

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

In this episode:

• Competing bills in the state Legislature to restrict cell phone use in schools
• Former Michigan AG Mike Cox joining the gubernatorial race
• Cox’s recent comments on X about Congressman John James

Lawmakers in Lansing are debating policies to help curb cell phone use by students during school time.

Both the state House and Senate are moving competing legislation to limit cell phone use in the classroom. The Senate bill passed 28-9 last week. In the House, a more restrictive bill advanced out of committee Wednesday that would prohibit cell phone use in schools based on grade level and other factors.

“Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has called for the Legislature to act on this issue,” Roth said. “What the final versions of these bills look like and what she actually ends up signing — if anything — remains to be seen.”

Cox announced his candidacy for governor last month, joining Republicans U.S. Rep. John James, state Sen. Aric Nesbitt and former U.S. House candidate Anthony Hudson.

The former Attorney General — who served from 2003-2011 — previously ran for governor in 2010 but lost in the Republican primary. He says he was motivated to run again because “there’s a real hunger for leadership and change.”

“The Michigan that I grew up in, that my parents came to, has fallen behind so many other states,” Cox said. “Now my granddaughters in Hernando, Mississippi go to schools that perform better than the schools in my neighborhood in Livonia, Michigan. That’s a civil wrong, that’s immoral, and that’s absolutely wrong to our children and to the residents of our state.”

He also spoke to his growth in experience since he last ran for governor.

“Since then…I started my own business. I went from $400,000 in my first year in business to $30 million now in about 12 years,” he said. “It was fun and a lot of anxiety at first because I have never been in the private sector before. I think it really rounded me out as a candidate.”

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are seeking the Democratic nomination in the August primary. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is also running as an independent.  

The general election will be held Nov. 3, 2026.

–WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

More from WDET:

• The Metro: Should cell phones be restricted in Michigan schools?
• Detroit Evening Report: Former Michigan AG Mike Cox announces bid for governor
• Rep. John James seeks GOP nomination for Michigan governor

Tornadoes may be possible for a second consecutive night across much of lower Michigan on Friday, with parts of metro Detroit likely to experience thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The strongest storms are expected to pass through the region between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., with winds up to 55 mph and up to 1-inch size hail possible.

Several counties in West Michigan, mid-Michigan and metro Detroit are still recovering from the severe storm that passed through the area overnight Friday, bringing high winds and power outages for thousands of residents.

Roughly 9,000 DTE  customers and 185,000 Consumers Energy customers were still without power as of Friday morning, according to outage maps. Officials warn to stay at least 20 feet away from downed power lines and to keep children and pets inside.

Residents can report fallen power lines to DTE Energy by calling 800-477-4747 or to Consumers Energy by calling 800-477-5050.

Other headlines for Friday, May 16, 2025:

• The Detroit Fire Department is continuing its Summer Safety Series every second Wednesday of the month through August, covering seasonal fire safety tips, prevention strategies and more.
• The Coleman A. Young Recreation Center has reopened after a five-year closure and $11 million renovation. The city of Detroit now has 13 recreation centers open to the public.
• Movement Festival is coming to Hart Plaza Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, featuring more than 115 local and international techno artists across six stages. WDET is an official media partner for the event. Learn how you could win VIP passes to this year’s festival at wdet.org/movement.

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

In this epsiode of MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben and Zach Gorchow sit down with State Senator Mallory McMorrow to discuss why she’s running for Michigan’s open US Senate seat.

Plus, people have grown accustomed to remote work since the pandemic, but is it here to stay? We discuss how remote work has affected state government employees and whether Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will have them return to in-person work full time.

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

In this episode:

• Is remote work here to stay for state government employees?
• Discussing the cost of remote work
• State Senator Mallory McMorrow on her run for Michigan’s open US Senate seat

Democrats nationally have been struggling to form an identity since the recent presidential elections. McMorrow said that while establishment Democrats may not be meeting the moment, newer voices could help give the party a stronger sense of direction. 

“My sense is that the Democratic Party needs a shakeup, but that’s not going to come from the party itself,” she said. “It is going to come again from candidates and people, in every state across the country, running the types of campaigns that are going to reshape what this party is, how it presents itself.”

In addition to McMorrow, former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed and 11th Congressional District Representative Haley Stevens are also running for the state’s open senate seat as Democrats. The election will take place Nov. 3, 2026.  

City leaders joined with community members and stakeholders on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of a new affordable housing complex at the historic St. Matthew School on Detroit’s east side.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Renamed The Residences at St. Matthew, the building had previously been vacant for almost a decade. Now the residence will offer 46 new affordable apartments with 36 one-bedroom, four two-bedroom and six studio units. Twenty-five of the units are reserved for permanent supportive housing for individuals who were unhoused. The rest of the units will serve folks making 30%-60% of the area median income.

The Residences at St. Matthew is part of the national Healthy Housing Initiative launched by Catholic Charities USA. The Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, who spearheaded the renovation, will have the residence serve both affordable housing needs and health services delivered through a partnership with Henry Ford St. John Hospital.

“This redevelopment represents the heart of Catholic Charities’ mission — to create hope, foster dignity, and build community,” said Paul Propson, CEO of CCSEM, in a statement. “We are proud to honor the legacy of St. Matthew’s Parish by helping meet a critical need for affordable housing in Detroit.”

Other headlines for Friday, May 9, 2025:

• The My Mental Wellness clinic inside the Islamic Center of Detroit will host a mental health first aid training from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.
• Southwest Detroit music venue El Club closed down Saturday due to what the general manager described as “police intimidation,” Detroit Metro Times reports.
• The late Detroit funk and soul ‘ambassador’ Amp Fiddler is being honored on May 16 with his own street — Amp Fiddler Ave. The city of Detroit, in collaboration with the Amp Fiddler Estate, will reveal the street sign on the corner of 7 mile Rd and Revere St.
  All are welcomed to attend.

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

President Donald Trump marked his 100th day in office on Tuesday by visiting the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, where he announced a new fighter jet mission at the base. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben and Zach Gorchow spoke about the base’s history and significance to the region.

Also, Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) stopped by to talk about his run for governor and his vision for the state.

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

In this episode:

• President Trump rallies in Michigan for 100th day
• Historical and political significance of Selfridge
• Sen. Nesbitt’s vision for Michigan

Nesbitt is joined by U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township) and former U.S. House candidate Anthony Hudson in seeking the GOP nomination in Michigan’s gubernatorial race. On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have both launched campaigns, while Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an Independent candidate.

Nesbitt spoke with Kasben and Gorchow about what his “common sense” priorities would be if he were chosen as the state’s next governor.

“I’m working around the state, I’m going to put together a campaign that’s  going to put Michigan first, and a campaign that’s going to offer positive conservative solutions to fix some of the deepest problems in Michigan,” Nesbitt said.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been both lauded and criticized in recent weeks for her attempts to bend Trump’s ear about her state’s priorities. But the Democratic governor has responded to her critics by pointing to the results her meetings with Trump have yielded — including the 21 new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets replacing the aging A-10 squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.

Nesbitt says Whitmer’s collaboration with Trump has been good to see.

“I think people expect leaders to be able to work to get things done,” he said. “And believe me, I’m not going to agree with the governor and neither is President Trump going to agree with the governor on things like men competing in women’s sports — she seems to support that and we’re opposed to that — or having all this money spent on DEI initiatives — I’m going to actively oppose any of that and so is President Trump…but as I look at it, having President Trump come to Michigan to celebrate his first 100 days shows the importance of Michigan; how much he cares about Michigan.”

Congressman Shri Thanedar announced Monday that he has drafted articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, accusing him of violating the U.S. Constitution.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Detroit Democrat cited Trump’s defiance of a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of a man who was mistakenly sent to a prison in El Salvador and trying to abolish government agencies without Congressional approval.

“Donald Trump has repeatedly demonstrated that he is unfit to serve as President and represents a clear and present danger to our nation’s constitution and our democracy,” said Rep. Thanedar in a news release. “His unlawful actions have subverted the justice system, violated the separation of powers, and placed personal power and self-interest above public service. We cannot wait for more damage to be done. Congress must act.”

The resolution is not expected to go anywhere in the Republican-led House.

Other headlines for Wednesday, April 29, 2025:

• Michigan State Rep. Donavan McKinney is challenging incumbent Shri Thanedar for the 13th Congressional seat.
• The Arab American nonprofit organization ACCESS and the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) are teaming up with several community groups to host the 19th Annual National Arab American Service Day at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, mobilizing over 400 volunteers for hands-on environmental projects across metro Detroit.
• The Detroit Pistons will take on the New York Knicks in Game 5 of Round 1 of the NBA playoffs on Tuesday. If the Knicks win, they’ll face the winner of No. 2 seed Boston or No. 7 Orlando in the Eastern Conference semifinals. If the Pistons win, they will stay alive and force a Game 6 at Little Caesars Arena.

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

Tonight on the Detroit Evening Report, a water affordability bill package is making a comeback in the state legislature. Plus, updates on the Pistons and Knicks.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Water affordability bills reintroduced

A water affordability bill package from last legislative session has been reintroduced to the Michigan Senate. The package would cap water rates for residents living before the federal poverty line and prevent shutoffs. The bills also include funding to support water infrastructure improvements.

The bills propose a two-tiered system where households at between 135% and 200% of the federal poverty guideline — or that receive any of several forms of government assistance — would pay a maximum of 3% of their income on water. Households at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines would see their water bills capped at 2% of their income. Households with income between 201% and 250% of the federal poverty guideline would be eligible for hardship waivers.

According to State Sen. Stephanie Chang, who co-sponsors the bill package, around 300,000 Michigan households could beenfit from a statewide water affordability program. She also says she believes the bills will gain bipartisan support and make their way to the House in the upcoming weeks.

Measles outbreak worsens

According to the state’s chief medical executive, Michigan will experience the worse year in decades with regard to measles. Nearly half of Michigan’s nine cases are associated with the outbreak in Montcalm County, where four cases are linked to travel.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two unvaccinated school-aged children have died from the measles disease in Texas, as has an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico. Decreases in vaccination rates can be attributed to misinformation and disinformation, according to local health experts. Two doses of the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) are 97% effective at preventing infection, while just one dose is 93% effective against measles, according to the CDC.

New speed humps to be installed

Detroit’s Department of Public Works plans to install 65 new speed humps along residential streets in the city. Detroiters who don’t want speed humps have until May 16 to opt out of this year’s program. For residents who do want a speed hump, priority is given to:

• Streets with a speed limit of 25 mph
• Streets adjacent to active schools and parks
• Streets known as a cut-through street
• Blocks of high density

All speed humps must have residential support before they can be installed. For more information, visit detroitmi.gov.

Pistons v. Knicks

The NBA playoffs are underway and the Detroit Pistons are having an incredible battle against the New York Knicks. It is being considered one of the most intense match-ups in the East.

The Knicks have a 2-1 series lead against the Pistons with a game that ended with five technical fouls and one flagrant foul whistled. The score was 116-113.

Game 4 will be at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, April 27 in the afternoon.

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

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

In this episode:

• Meet the new candidates vying for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat 
• How the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance is pushing to prevent underage access to tobacco

Michigan’s U.S. Senate race is expanding with new candidates announcing recently, as well as some potential candidates testing out the waters. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow discuss the current state of the race and who is most likely to ultimately occupy the seat.   

Plus, we sit down with Dr. Brittany Tayler of the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance to discuss the recent push for the “Protect MI Kids” bill package, which would require a retail license to sell tobacco products, prohibit flavored tobacco sales, increase tobacco taxes and repeal laws that punish kids.  

Dr. Tayler shared that there is barely a barrier for youth to get their hands on cigarettes. But she says it’s not necessarily the retail industry’s fault.

“I’m sure the vast majority of our retailers are abiding by the law and not selling to minors, but it only takes one bad store,” she said. “We don’t have a way to monitor this and there isn’t a large penalty… There is not a lot of reason to not sell to youth.”

Dr. Tayler said that her organization has done a lot of outreach efforts to political leaders in Michigan to gain support. State Republicans have been slow to support the cause, but Dr. Tayler said there is at least one Republican member of the legislature who has shown support. The bills passed in the Senate with all Democratic support last legislative session.  

Community members gathered with local leaders this week to celebrate the grand opening of Campbell Street Apartments, a new $18 million affordable housing development in Southwest Detroit’s East Chadsey-Condon neighborhood.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The apartment complex is providing 40 units of affordable housing in its first phase of construction, with an additional 32 units planned in an adjacent complex.

Apartments are reserved for households earning 30% or less of the area median income. Also, due to project-based housing vouchers from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the city says no resident will have to pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

The mixed use development will offer a range of 1-3 bedroom units. The additional 32 units, called Wesson Avenue Apartments, will be a four-story mixed-use building consisting of 45,000 square feet and is expected to open in about 19 months.

Other headlines for Friday, April 18, 2025:

• The Detroit Land Bank Authority announced the completion of more than 12,000 vacant home restorations in the past decade. 
  
• The Detroit Pistons return to the playoffs on Saturday in their first round match up against the New York Knicks.
• Qasim Basir, director of locally-produced “To Live and Die and Live,” told The Detroit News that the film will hold a local premiere event at Michigan Central Station on May 6, ahead of its arrival at AMC Theatres nationwide on May 16.

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

As Earth Day approaches, we ask the question: do we recycle correctly? As part of the weekly series MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben sat down with Conan Smith from the Michigan Environmental Council. They discuss how we could recycle better. 

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

In this episode:

• Proposals to expand Michigan’s bottle bill
• What is “wish-cycling?”
• How vape pens are affecting recycling goals

Michigan’s waste stream shows the state annually sends to landfills at least $130 million in cans and bottles with a 10-cent returnable deposit, according to the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.

Smith says this is one of the reasons why an expansion of Michigan’s bottle bill is needed. The expansion would allow for easier ways for people to return and deposit bottles instead of just recycling them in their bins. 

“On average, if you take your tin can and you put it in the recycling, that tin can is probably going to be some other type of aluminum product,” Smith said. “If you take that same can and you return it for your ten cents, it’s going to become a tin can six times every year.”

Smith said although it’s not bad to recycle by simply using your recycling bin, it is more efficient to deposit for ten cents for better usage.  

More from WDET:

• Why Gen Z is gravitating toward vaping and e-cigarettes
• Why it’s time to reform or repeal Michigan’s bottle return law
• Changes could be coming to the way Michigan recycles