Negotiations continue in Lansing in an effort to complete a state budget before an October first deadline.  Failure to do so would mean a partial government shutdown. 

Such an action could prompt a closure of state parks, including Belle Isle.  Secretary of State offices could close, and even Detroit’s casinos could be affected. 

The state has not yet said what its plans are if next week’s deadline is not met.  Democrats and Republicans have not been able to reach a deal on key issues such as road funding. 

Additional headlines from Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Flood Watch 

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties until Wednesday evening.  Steady rain is expected and could possibly be heavy at times. The weather service says some areas upstream could see one to four inches of rain. 

If you’ve experienced flooding in your area in recent months, it might be a good idea to check your basement periodically over the next few days.  Make sure to place important items out of reach of possible flood waters. 

Kimmel returns

Detroiters got a chance to see the Jimmy Kimmel show again last night.  WXYZ-TV aired the program. 

Kimmel’s show was suspended last week after the late-night comedian make remarks concerning political reaction to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.  In response, several stations around the country decided not to air the show and the ABC network followed suit. 

The network says it temporarily suspended the show to keep from inflaming a delicate situation.   Kimmel said last night that he did not mean to make light of Kirk’s death. 

Kimmel’s show airs in Detroit weeknights at 11:30 p.m. on WXYZ-TV. 

Tigers collapse 

The Detroit Tigers are looking like they may have a hard time making the Major League Baseball playoffs. 

At one point during the summer, the team had a 14 game lead in the American League Central.  But now Detroit is on a seven-game losing streak, and has lost 9 of its last 10 games. 

Cleveland beat the Tigers 5 – 2 Tuesday night, allowing the Guardians to grab a share of first place in the division.  The Tigers and Guardians play again tonight and tomorrow in Cleveland. 

There are just 11 games left in the regular season. 

Lions celebrate victory

And the City of Detroit continues its celebrations after the Lions’ win on Monday Night Football this week.  The team posted a decisive 38 – 30 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.  After the game, Lions quarterback Jared Goff praised the team’s tenacity. 

“It was a good representation of what we want to do and I thought again being able to kind of springboard off of that last week and do it again –in a different fashion, though.  More running the ball.  More ground and pound.  Obviously, D-Mo having the night he had is incredible.  I think we displayed that we can win in different ways.” 

“D-Mo” is running back David Montgomery, who ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.  The Lions now have a record of two wins and one loss. 

They host the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on Sunday afternoon.  Game time is 1 pm. 

If there’s something in your neighborhood you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org.  You know how much we love hearing about Detroit 

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

Wayne State University President Kimberly Espy is resigning.  That’s according to a source with knowledge of the situation. 

Espy has reportedly been under pressure from the school’s board of governors to step down.  In recent weeks, there’s been criticism about the unexplained decision to place the dean of Wayne State’s Medical School on leave. 

A story by the Detroit News says the Interim Med School Dean resigned because his appointment did not follow proper channels.  Espy was also criticized for not fully engaging in the Detroit community.  She did not appear at an event on campus Monday to announce a program to make it easier for DPSCD high school students to attend Wayne State. 

Espy became the President of the university in August 2023.  A Wayne State Board of Governors’ meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday September 17, 2025

Mayoral Debate 

WXYZ-TV has announced that it will broadcast a Detroit mayoral debate on Wednesday, October 15. 

The television station will host City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch in its Southfield studios that evening.  Sheffield and Kinloch were the two candidates receiving the most votes in the city’s August primary. 

The October debate will be moderated by Chuck Stokes and Carolyn Clifford. 

679 Area Code 

Get ready to dial a few extra digits every time you call someone on your phone.  Starting October 7, residents will need to dial all 10 numbers when making a call.  In other words, all calls will need an area code. That’s to get folks ready for the new 679 area code.  That new code takes effect on November 7. 

Detroit residents seeking new phone numbers after that may receive a 679 area code once all 313 numbers are exhausted.   Residents in Wayne County suburbs such as Redford Township, Highland Park, Hamtramck and Dearborn will also be affected by the change. 

Fall safety

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is working to keep older adults from falling and getting injured. 

The department is collaborating with the Michigan Falls Prevention Council and the National Council on Aging.  They’re offering special online tools for risk assessment and fall prevention classes online. 

A webpage provides a directory of programs to help senior citizens stay healthy.  Residents can also call 2-1-1 to speak with a live operator about resources in the area. 

Next week is Falls Prevention Awareness Week. 

Detroit Grand Prix Dates 

The Detroit Grand Prix has confirmed its dates for next year. 

The race through downtown streets will take place on Sunday, May 31, 2026.  That’s the weekend after Memorial Day.  And as has been the case for many years, it’s the weekend following the running of the Indianapolis 500. 

Detroit Grand Prix organizers say 156,000 people came downtown to watch events over this year’s three-day weekend.  They say more than a million people watched the Grand Prix on television this year. 

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

Wayne State University President Kimberly Espy is resigning. That’s according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Espy has reportedly been under pressure from the school’s board of governors to step down. In recent weeks, there’s been criticism about the unexplained decision to place the dean of Wayne State’s Medical School on leave.

A story by the Detroit News says the Interim Med School Dean resigned because his appointment did not follow proper channels. Espy was also criticized for not fully engaging in the Detroit community. She did not appear at an event on campus earlier this week to announce a program to make it easier for DPSCD high school students to attend Wayne State. Espy became the President of the university in August 2023.

A Wayne State Board of Governors’ meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m.

Former Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins is endorsing Mary Sheffield for the job. 

She expressed her support for Sheffield this morning during an event at Cody High School on the city’s west side, saying they have shared priorities. 

“It’s about kids all over the city of Detroit who deserve to live in a city free of gun violence.  It’s about all the kids who deserve to grow and reach their full potential.”

Jenkins has an understanding of City Council president Sheffield’s qualifications to become mayor.  Jenkins served as the president of Detroit City Council before stepping down in 2014. 

Sheffield faces Pastor Solomon Kinloch in the November 4^th general election. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Hollier for Secretary of State

Detroit Democrat Adam Hollier has announced that he’s running to become Michigan’s next Secretary of State.  

Current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is term-limited.  She’s running for governor in 2026 instead. 

Hollier served two terms in the Michigan State Senate and later served as Director of Michigan’s Veterans Affairs Agency.  He had two unsuccessful runs for Congress in 2022 and 2024, with last year’s run scuttled by problems with petition signatures. 

Hollier had originally announced plans to run again next year in the 13^th Congressional District, but has now changed course. 

Casino revenue updates

Detroit’s three casinos brought in 106.9 million dollars in revenue last month.  That’s down 4.6 percent from August 2024. 

MGM Grand continues to hold the largest share of the city’s casino market at 48 percent.  Motor City had 29 percent.  And Hollywood Casino at Greektown captured 21 percent of the market.  Together, the three casinos paid 12.6 million dollars in taxes and wagering agreement payments to the City of Detroit last month.  They paid another 8.6 million dollars in taxes to the State of Michigan. 

Slotkin at Levin Center 

U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin is scheduled to speak at Wayne State University’s Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy this weekend to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Slotkin will deliver the keynote address.  The event takes place on Saturday. 

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens in recovery

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is recovering from prostate cancer surgery.  He underwent a procedure on Tuesday to deal with the problem. 

In a statement on YouTube, Dilkens urges men to talk to their doctors about prostate health. 

“I’m grateful for the early detection and I look forward to making a full and complete recovery.  Now let’s face it.  Men of a certain age can be stubborn when it comes to their health care needs – and even more so when it comes to talking about prostate issues.  Had it not been for my family history and my family doctor’s great advice, I would never have even known that I had cancer.” 

Dilkens says he has been monitoring his prostate health in the past few years because of his family history.  A biopsy this summer confirmed he had prostate cancer. 

Dilkens has served as Windsor’s mayor since 2014. 

If there’s something in your neighborhood you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org.  You know how much we love hearing about Detroit. 

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

It’s been more than 60 years since the Beatles arrived on the shores of the U.S. bringing the first wave of the “British Invasion”.  But even decades later, enthusiasm for the “Lads from Liverpool” is strong. 

Beatles fans remain excited, not only because of an expected compilation release by the group, but because they still have a chance to see what appears to be a live performance by the rock legends. 

The facsimile called “1964 The Tribute” is still generating excitement, even though they’ve been touring for 40 years. 

As WDET’s Jerome Vaughn noticed in this NPR report from 2001 that fans didn’t really mind that they weren’t seeing the genuine article. 

Meeting 1964 in 2001

The House of Blues in downtown Chicago is packed with fans of all ages.  Middle aged men and women gather in clumps down on the dance floor while a group of teenage girls jostle to proclaim their love for their favorite Beatle. 

The girls are well aware that these aren’t the real Beatles. They know they’re about to hear four middle-aged men—three from Akron, Ohio and one from Los Angeles.   But it doesn’t seem to matter.  The excitement the band generates could have come straight out of a 1960’s newsreel.   

During the show, “1964’s” George dances just like the real one in a “A Hard Day’s Night” and Ringo does his trademark headshake while pounding out the beat.    

The band members have watched hundreds of hours of tape, learning to imitate the mannerisms and voices of the Beatles.   Gary Grimes, who plays Paul, even spent years learning to play the bass left-handed.  And all of the group’s members have perfected their Liverpool accents.  Mark Benson is the group’s John.   

“Well, John’s a bit snotty isn’t he.  He would say something like shut up or something like that while Paul’s talking or something last that you know,” says Benson, reflecting on how to perfect the persona.  “But the main thing we want to talk about is the interaction between people is very natural.” 

The musicians dress like the Beatles, complete with black suits and skinny ties and, of course, the signature haircuts.  They even use a combination of authentic and reproduction guitars and amplifiers to get the sound just right. 

“1964 The Tribute” has the reputation for being so authentic that the members of three other Beatle cover bands have come to see the House Of Blues show. 

Frank Kanino from the group British Export says “1964” is the gospel when it comes to Beatle bands. “They move just like the Beatles.  They dance.  They’ve done their homework.  They’ve got the best show imaginable.  It’s great to go see them.  They really bring back that feeling.”  

Making it real is the only way to make the fans happy according to Jimmy Pou, the group’s George. 

“As musicians and actors we’re doing the Beatles and most of the people that come to see us are Beatle aficionados, if you will, or Beatle fanatics and they know every little nuance.  They know every little mannerism and if you don’t do it or you do it the wrong way, they’ll notice.”   

Apparently, the members of “1964” get it right.  After more than 15 years, the number of fans has grown dramatically, as have the number of nights the band plays each year and the size of the venues.   

Bringing Beatles to new generations

Down in front, six teenage girls lean their elbows on the stage singing, screaming, and swaying side to side.    The girls know the words to every song, even though they were born more than a decade after the real Beatles broke up.  14-year-old Megan O’Connor is one of them.   

“My favorite part of the show was the ‘Twist and Shout’ part,” she says. When asked why she liked that part, O’Connor replies, “Because we were all dancing and it was fun — and I like that song.”  

For Megan and many of the teenage fans at the 1964 show, their love of the music seems genuine. But their manic behavior may be genetic. 

Peggy O’Connor is Megan’s mom. “She went from N Sync to the Beatles very quickly and she lives for the Beatles.  I’m not surprised at all.  She knows every word to every Beatles song.  She gets that from mommy.” 

The members of “1964 The Tribute” say they don’t know how much longer they’ll continue touring.  The rigors of playing between 150 and 200 nights per year is taking its toll—especially considering “the boys” are in their early 50’s and have families, including teenagers of their own. 

But for now, the group will continue giving Beatles fans the closest thing they can get to a live performance by John, Paul, George and Ringo.   

This story originally aired in 2001.  Since that was an archived report, we should note that Mark Benson continues to lead the group, but Gary Grimes died in 2010 and the other members in this story have gone on to different adventures. 

“1964 The Tribute” plays tomorrow night, Saturday September 6, at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.  The show starts at 8 p.m. 

The Detroit City Council has approved an ordinance that would allow the city to prosecute more misdemeanors.  The measure moves some offenses such as minor assault and battery charges and some larceny cases out of the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office. 

City Council member Scott Benson says that will make it easier for the city to keep Detroiters accountable. “But it also gives us the opportunity to make more referrals to specialty court – and as the demand of the community violence intervention programmers, that we have restorative justice as a part of those accountability measures.”

The ordinance enables the city to collect fines from misdemeanor judgements.  The program will cost $700,000 which has already been allocated in the city budget. 

(Reported by Bre’Anna Tinsley) 

Additional headlines from September 3, 2025

Midtown congestion 

Midtown streets around Wayne State University remain packed through the day as students attend their classes after Labor Day. 

Small traffic jams at times lead to congestion on Cass, Warren and other nearby streets.  And it can be hard finding a parking space in some locations. 

 The university says it has more than 24,000 new and returning students this semester.  If you’re driving or walking on campus, pack your patience. 

Pontiac Parks town hall

Pontiac is holding a town hall meeting later this month to discuss a proposed master plan for city parks.  The event will give residents a chance to hear the latest information – and ask questions of parks department representatives. 

Pontiac has also started a survey to get more input from city residents about its plan for parks. 

The town hall meeting takes place on the 2nd floor of Pontiac City Hall – 47450 Woodward Avenue.  It runs from 6 to 7:30 pm on Monday, September 15^th .   

Gas prices fluctuate

Gas prices are slightly lower than they were a week ago.  That’s according to the latest survey by Triple-A Michigan.  Metro Detroit  gas prices average $3.28 per gallon today.  That’s down from $3.34 a week ago as motorists prepared to travel for the long Labor Day holiday weekend.  But today’s price is still nine cents higher than a month ago.  You can save some gas by making sure your tires are properly inflated, and by driving at the speed limit. 

Powerball lottery over $1 billion

And if you have dreams of becoming a billionaire, today might be your day. 

The jackpot for the multi-state Powerball lottery has grown to $1.3 billion.  The last time someone picked all six digits was at the end of May, so the jackpot has continued to grow since then. 

The odds of winning aren’t very good though.  They’re about one in 290 million. Good luck! 

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

Detroit has long been known as a place with grit – where residents face tough times with resilience.  That’s the idea behind a new series of stories at Bridge Detroit called Resilience in the D.  The publication is reporting on folks who have made it through hard times by helping others. 

Bridge Detroit’s Engagement Editor Bryce Huffman says the series started when the publication wanted to celebrate five years. They considered throwing a party, but instead decided to double down on the work they’re known for.

“We wanted to highlight five Detroiters.  Detroiters we’ve never had a chance to interview or highlight specifically in stories.” 

Huffman says Bridge Detroit asked people in the community who should be on the list of featured residents.  The publication whittled the large list of submitted names down to five by asking a few simple questions. 

“We thought, who best exemplifies the theme “resilience”?  Who has stuck out through hard times? Who has kept doing this work with no recognition?” 

Huffman says many of the people in the final five have lived in Detroit for a very long time.  And he says a lot of the work they’re doing is geared towards seniors or the homeless community. 

The next article in the series will appear sometime in September. 

On August 28th, 1963, nearly 250,000 people from around the country marched to the Mall in Washington D.C, to hear remarks from civil rights activists.  The climax of the event was Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior’s “I Have A Dream” speech. 

Detroit was well-represented at the March – with hundreds of area residents attending the event.  Among them was the Reverend Nicholas Hood, Senior – then pastor of Plymouth United Congregational Church.  Back in 2013, he shared his memories of the day with WDET’s Jerome Vaughn. 

Hood said the day was electric. 

“It was the most amazing experience.  As far as you could see, there were buses loaded with people from all over the country, coming into Washington DC.  It was just unbelievable.” 

Hood said it was a joyous day, but no one knew what to expect.  Civil rights leaders reviewed their speeches, writing and re-writing remarks.  But Hood said there was just one speech that people remembered. 

“Well, I’m telling you, he just mesmerized the audience.  He electrified the audience. And when he got to the ‘I have a dream’ portion, there was a rhythm to it.  And when he got into the rhythm, people all throughout the mall got into the rhythm with him. ‘I have a dream.  I have a dream.’  And he was saying something.”  

Hood said hearing Dr. King’s speech was a spiritual experience.  He said it was a day where Blacks felt like human beings.  This was during the struggle for Civil Rights, where Blacks were beaten and even killed in Southern states for speaking out against injustice. “It was a day when we were given a moment of relief from the daily burden of racial segregation.” 

The Reverend Nicholas Hood, Senior attended the March on Washington in August 1963.  He worked with Doctor King and other civil rights leaders in the 1950’s when he lived in New Orleans.  Hood said he had no idea the march would be a historic event. 

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department says it has surpassed its goal for enrolling residents in its new Easy Pay program.  The department had projected 30,000 enrollees but instead drew more than 34,000 participants. 

The program is designed to help residents who have fallen behind in their water bill payments.   Detroiters can pay $10 to get into the program the first month and then in subsequent months pay their normal water bill and an extra $34.17 to eliminate any overdue balances.  Participation in the program is geared to keep residents from dealing with water service shutoffs. 

Detroiters can sign-up by calling 313-267-8000 or use the DWSD Customer Self-Service Portal. 

Additional headlines from Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025

County leaders ask state government to fix roads

The leaders of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties are asking for the state government to get its act together when it comes to fixing Michigan’s roads. 

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel wrote a joint editorial to the Detroit Free Press saying the state needs to do more to improve roads. 

Legislators have not reached a deal for long-term road funding. The trio of executives calls for bi-partisan efforts to find money for roads before the current funding runs out. 

Evans, Coulter and Hackel say the economic health of the region depends on the area’s strong infrastructure. 

Dearborn Education Foundation adds member to board

The Dearborn Education Foundation has a new member.  The non-profit organization announced the addition of Mary Hammoud to the board in a news release.

Hammoud attended Dearborn public schools and Wayne State University.  She currently works as a pharmacy manager. 

The Dearborn Education Foundation’s mission is to fund programs and projects that benefit public school students in the city. 

Tomorrow marks anniversary of the March on Washington

Thursday, August 28 is the anniversary of the March on Washington. 

On August 28th, 1963, nearly 250,000 people from around the country marched to the Mall in Washington D.C. to hear remarks from civil rights activists.  The climax of the event was Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior’s “I Have A Dream” speech. 

Detroit was well-represented at the March – with hundreds of area residents attending the event.  Among them was the Reverend Nicholas Hood, Senior – then pastor of Plymouth United Congregational Church.  Back in 2013, he shared his memories of the day with me. 

“We endured all of the speeches leading up to Doctor King…and ‘what could he say?’  Well, I’m telling you, he just mesmerized the audience.  He electrified the audience,” said Hood.  “And when he got to the ‘I have a dream’ portion, there was a rhythm to it.  And when he got into the rhythm, people all throughout the mall got into the rhythm with him. ‘I have a dream.  I have a dream.’  And he was saying something.”

Reverend Hood worked with Doctor King and other civil rights leaders in the 1950’s when he lived in New Orleans.  Hood died in 2016. 

If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org. You know how much we love hearing about Detroit.

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

Duggan Endorses Sheffield 

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has endorsed City Council President Mary Sheffield in her run to become Detroit’s next mayor.  The two appeared together this morning at a news conference on the city’s west side. 

Sheffield says she’s ready to move the city forward. 

“I am thankful for Mayor Duggan’s support.  I am ready,” says Sheffield. “I am prepared to lead Detroit to its next chapter.”  

Sheffield won just over 50 percent of the vote in this month’s primary election.  She’ll face Pastor Solomon Kinloch in the November general election. 

Additional headlines

Chandler Park upgrades 

Detroit officials gathered in Chandler Park this afternoon to celebrate upgrades to the eastside park. 

Top of the list is the new Chandler Park Fieldhouse.  The 130-thousand square foot facility includes an indoor sports turf field, multi-sports courts and fitness areas. 

Chandler Park already has an 18-hole golf course and the Wayne County Aquatic Center.  It’s Detroit’s fourth largest park. 

Duggan gains endorsements for governor

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan continues to collect endorsements for his gubernatorial campaign.  He appeared at Michigan Central Station Tuesday to tout 215 endorsements from current and former Democratic and Republican elected officials from around the state.  

Duggan says he’s making a statement with his decision to run for governor as an independent. 

“I know it would be a lot easier to get elected as a Democrat.  It would be a lot easier for all these folks up here not to have to step out and endorse an independent.  But I would have been part of the same old politics in Lansing.  And it is time to send an unmistakable message to tell the folks in Lansing that politics as usual is over.” 

Duggan announced last year that he would not run for a fourth term as mayor of Detroit.  Instead, he’s running to become Michigan’s next governor.  That election takes place in November 2026. 

WSU move-in traffic 

You can expect pedestrian and vehicle traffic to be heavy in Midtown Detroit over the next few days.  That’s because students are headed back to Wayne State University. 

Expect to see U-Hauls and other trucks carrying furniture and other belongings.  Move in at the school’s dorms began today. 

Classes begin on Monday.   

UDM volunteers during orientation

First year students at the University of Detroit Mercy are volunteering for projects in northwest Detroit today and tomorrow. 

They’ll work in parks and gardens and on block clubs in the area near the university. 

The volunteer work is the final part of the school’s orientation for incoming students.  It’s goal is to connect students with the area’s social and cultural networks. 

Federov #91 retired 

The Detroit Red Wings are retiring the jersey of All-Star Sergei Federov. 

Federov played 13 seasons with the Redwings, from 1990 to 2003.  He helped the team win three Stanley Cup Championships.  The Hockey Hall of Fame center scored 400 goals and had 554 assists for the Red Wings. 

A special ceremony to honor Federov and hang his jersey from the rafters at Little Caesars Arena will take place on January 12^th. 

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 Natural Resources and the Belle Isle Conservancy are working to plan for new amenities on the island.  In order to prioritize what Detroiters would like to see next, they’ve launched a new survey that outlines 11 potential projects.

Some key ideas include expanding the beach, creating a new café in the White House, rebuilding docks and piers for boaters and residents who like to fish, and restoring the Remick Band Shell.  

DNR Urban Field Specialist Amanda Treadwell says there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, but the resources don’t exist to do it all at once. “They’re all going to take a lot of stakeholders and community support to fully implement.  So [we’re] looking to have that community support and input on how we go about implementing these projects around the park.” 

Treadwell says she loves all of the proposed ideas for the island, but one tops her list. “If I had to pick one, I love seeing people out in the park, enjoying the new trails and the new bike paths.  I think it’s a wonderful way to enjoy the park.” 

The Belle Isle survey is open until September 8^th. 

In this episode of the Detroit Evening Report, we go over a new grocery bill sponsored by U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, the demolition of the long-since-vacated Mammoth department store, and more local news.

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

Tlaib sponsors anti-price gouging grocery bill.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib is sponsoring a bill that seeks to stop price gouging in grocery stores.  The Detroit Democrat made the announcement this morning in front of the Wal-Mart at Ford Road and the Southfield Freeway.  Tlaib says Americans are stressed by rising food prices. 

Besides prohibiting price gouging, her legislation seeks to require food stores to disclose the use of facial recognition technology and ban electronic shelf labels in large stores. 

Mammoth tear down 

City of Detroit officials gathered in northwest Detroit on Monday…to begin demolition of the Mammoth department store.  The building – located at the corner of Grand River and Greenfield has been empty for decades. It originally opened as a Federal’s department store in 1949.  Previous demolition efforts were stalled because of legal filings.  The current owners had filed suit to delay the destruction of the building.  A judge’s order preventing demolition expired last week. 

During a news conference at the site, Mayor Mike Duggan said he knows neighbors are relieved that the long-standing eyesore is being torn down. 

“Well, I know that for the neighborhood here, this has been a long time coming.  I think my first month in office, Councilman James Tate said to me, ‘This is a prime corner. It should be providing shopping for the neighborhood.  And because of this long-abandoned building, it’s actually taking the neighborhood down.’” 

Officials say the demolition should be completed sometime this fall. 

Casino revenue report

Detroit’s three casinos brought in 107 million dollars in revenue last month.  That’s down slightly from July 2024. 

MGM Grand continues to hold the lion’s share of the market with nearly 48 percent.  Motor City controlled 30% and Hollywood Casino at Greektown had 22% of Detroit’s gambling market.  Together, the three casinos generated $12.6 million in taxes and wagering agreement payments for the City of Detroit.  They provided another 8.6 million dollars in taxes to the state of Michigan. 

Dearborn School Board seeking new member

Trustee Irene Scott is moving out of the district, leaving a vacancy.  Applicants for the appointed position must be U-S citizens who are registered to vote and are living in the Dearborn School District.  Applications must be submitted by August 25^th. 

The district says the new appointed member of the board will serve until elections take place in November 2026. 

Help shape Belle Isle with a survey

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to know what you think about the future of Belle Isle.  The department – along with the Belle Isle Conservancy – is asking Detroiters to take a survey to help select priorities for improvements on the island. 

The current list of possibilities stands at 11.  Items on the list include extending the beach, creating a park café, and rebuilding piers and docks on the island. Several other improvements are already underway, including a renovation of the James Scott Memorial Fountain.

Residents can take the survey on the DNR’s website. The survey closes on September 8^th. 

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

Detroiters cast ballots in primary election

Detroiters headed to the polls yesterday (Tuesday) for the city’s primary election.

In the race to become Detroit’s next mayor, City Council President Mary Sheffield led the field of nine candidates throughout the night, winning more than half the votes cast. Her victory was evident early, and the Associated Press called the race for her before 10 p.m. Sheffield spoke to her supporters at the Cambria Hotel, celebrating her clear victory.

“I believe our best days are ahead of us. The victory tonight is not mine. It is ours. It is ours. It belongs to every little boy and girl in this city that was told to dream small. It belongs to every neighborhood in this city that has felt left behind.”

Pastor Solomon Kinloch finished second in last night’s primary election.

He celebrated with supporters at the Roostertail. Kinloch says if he’s elected mayor of Detroit, he’ll focus on investing in everyone in the city.

“Detroit needs more than a manager of downtown development. We need moral leadership, someone who doesn’t just govern but serves putting people and their needs front and center in every decision.”

The race for second place was close and continued through the late-night hours. Kinloch beat former Council President Saunteel Jenkins by just over a thousand votes.

The two winners of the mayoral primary will face off against each other in the November general election. Incumbent Mayor Mike Duggan decided not to run for a fourth term. Instead, he’s running in 2026 as an independent candidate for governor of Michigan.

Additional headlines

Detroit City Council races take shape

The field of candidates is down to four in the race to become Detroit City at-large members—those elected across the whole city, not just within a district. Incumbents Mary Waters and Coleman Young led the voting. Challengers Janee Ayers and James Harris will also advance to the general election. The top two vote-getters in November will be elected to City Council.

In Council District 2, incumbent Angela Whitfield Calloway and Roy McCallister Jr. will face off in the general election.

Renata Miller and Willie Burton will vie for the council seat in District 5. And Denzel McCampbell and Karen Whitsett will compete in District 7.

Suburban mayoral primaries

Hamtramck residents cast their ballots in a mayoral primary Tuesday. The top two candidates were Adam Alharbi with 54 percent of the vote and Muhith Mahmood with 29 percent. They’ll face each other in the November general election.

Dearborn Heights voters selected Mo Beydoun and Denise Maxwell as the two mayoral candidates advancing to the November general election.

In Taylor, Tim Woolley and Herman Ramik were the top two vote-getters and will move on to the November ballot.

Pontiac voters chose Mike McGuiness and Kermit Williams to run for mayor in November. In Southfield, incumbent Ken Siver and challenger Sylvia Jordan will appear on the general election ballot.

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield won a clear majority of votes in Tuesday’s mayoral primary. She’s now one of the two finalists for the top job in city government.

Sheffield says if she’s elected mayor, she’ll work to find new revenue streams to replace federal funding and invest it in areas that will continue the city’s growth.

“Where every Detroiter has a clear path to quality education… good paying jobs… and home ownership. And where strong pipelines in skilled trades and tech… gives our young people opportunity to build their future right here at home.”

Sheffield says she will also focus on re-invigorating Detroit’s neighborhoods, while investing in community policing and youth programs to create a safer city.

Detroit pastor Solomon Kinloch finished second in last night’s primary election.

He celebrated with supporters at the Roostertail. Kinloch says if he’s elected mayor of Detroit, he’ll focus on investing in everyone in the city.

“We’ll tackle poverty, attracting jobs that pay upward of $35 an hour, and make sure Detroit is trained and ready to be hired, we’ll invest in neighborhoods and not just downtown, because it’s not just about policy, but priorities that need to change.”

Former Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins held on until the very end — before eventually coming in third in the primary for Detroit’s next mayor.

Nine candidates compete in Detroit’s mayoral primary

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is primary election day in Detroit. Voters will have a chance to cast their ballots to determine which of the nine mayoral candidates will go on to face each other in the November general election.

Council President Mary Sheffield, pastor Solomon Kinloch, former Council President Saunteel Jenkins, and Councilman Fred Durhal II are on the ballot… along with former police chief James Craig, attorney Todd Perkins, businessman Joel Haashiim, entrepreneur Jonathan Barlow, and retired cosmetologist Danetta Simpson.

Several candidates are also on the ballot for Detroit City Council. Primary elections are also taking place in Hamtramck, Taylor, Dearborn Heights, and other cities.

Dearborn wards

The City of Dearborn is not holding a primary election tomorrow. A group called Dearborn Wants Wards is hoping to add ballot language to institute districted elections in Dearborn. If approved in time, voters could decide on the measure in November—along with choosing the next mayor and several city council seats.

There’s more information about local elections at the Michigan Secretary of State’s website.

Reporting by Nargis Rahman

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$1 million in tuition prizes awarded to Michigan students

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), and the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) gave out $1 million dollars to 50 Michigan students recently.

The Ticket to Tuition giveaway provided 40 students with $1,000 prizes, and ten students with $50,000 prizes for those who filed their Federal Application for Student Aid – or FAFSA – for the first time. More than 21,000 students applied for the giveaway, which aimed to promote FAFSA filing for scholarships and grants to attend post-secondary education.

The giveaway is also part of the state’s “Sixty by 30” plan, which seeks to have at least 60 percent of Michiganders receive a degree or skill certificate by 2030.

Reporting by Nargis Rahman

August is Breastfeeding Month in Michigan

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared August as Breastfeeding Month.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says breastfeeding prevents multiple illnesses in infants, including decreasing the risk of infections, diseases, and diabetes. They recommend breastfeeding children up to 2 years old. The World Health Organization also says breastfeeding saves more than 820,000 children under the age of five.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) hopes to support families in nursing babies by increasing support for families—especially those from communities of color. The department provides resources such as training for health care providers and support for parents to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding.

Learn more at mibreastfeeding.org.

Reporting by Nargis Rahman

Arab American nonprofits to receive $110K in grants

The Center for Arab American Philanthropy and the National Network for Arab American Communities announced they are teaming up to give away $110,000 to 17 Arab American nonprofits nationally.

The grants will be awarded to nonprofits working in arts and culture, human services, advocacy, and education.

Check out the full list at centeraap.org.

Reporting by Nargis Rahman

Air quality alert remains in effect for Detroit

An air quality alert remains in effect for Detroit today.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is drifting south and east, blanketing parts of the Midwest. Air quality was considered to be in the “unhealthy” range this afternoon, as small particles from the wildfires drifted in the air. Those particles can be inhaled and cause irritation. They can also cause problems for healthy residents, as well as those with asthma or heart disease.

Detroiters are advised to avoid strenuous activities and limit time outside until the air quality alert has lifted.

What do Detroit voters want out of city’s next mayor? This summer, the WDET News team has been hitting the streets for a new project, Citizen Vox, to help us get a clearer picture of what Detroiters want out of the next mayor.

Ahead of Tuesday’s primary, WDET news director Jerome Vaughn joined the Metro to tell us more about what WDET reporters have been hearing from residents.

Detroit’s mayoral primary is Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November.

Follow all of WDET’s election coverage, including candidate interviews and Citizen Vox by visiting the 2025 Election Guide.

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

More stories from The Metro

In this episode of The Detroit Evening Report, we cover the Detroit Police Department as they increase enforcement of the city’s curfew policy. Plus, Canadian wildfire smoke is headed this way.

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

Curfew enforcement

The Detroit Police Department has some new tools to increase enforcement of its curfew policies. City Council approved a bill along those lines on Tuesday, July 29. Parents of violators will see fines rise from $75 to $250 for the first offense. A second offense will result in a fine of $500. That’s up from $100.

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison says the goal is to prevent crime and keep kids safe.

“We’ve had too many instances of young people being out past curfew and have been arrested with a firearm, have been shot, have done other mischievous type things,” Bettison said. “Just this past weekend, I had a 13 year old that we arrested after curfew, set multiple collision shops on fire. That’s totally not acceptable. 13.”

Parents will no longer face jail time for curfew violations. Fines may be waived if they take a parental responsibility course.

Detroit’s curfew policy requires kids 15 and under to be off the streets between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless they’re with a parent. 16 and 17 year olds have an 11 p.m. curfew.

Air quality alert

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an air quality alert has been issued for all of Michigan for Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31. That includes the city of Detroit.

Canadian wildfire smoke is traveling south through Michigan today. That will bring fine particulate matter into the area. The result will be air quality that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Some areas could increase to the “unhealthy” range.

People with asthma, heart disease and other health conditions should limit their time outside. Those residents should also keep their windows closed. Others should avoid strenuous activities outside until the air quality alert has lifted.

50 years since Jimmy Hoffa disappeared

Today is the 50th anniversary of the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. The former head of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters vanished some time after arriving at the Machus Red Fox restaurant in Bloomfield Township on July 30, 1975. His body has never been found. There are scores of rumors and theories about what happened to him, but none have been proven. Hoffa served as president of the Teamsters union from 1957 until 1971.

Lions to play in Hall of Fame game

The Detroit Lions are getting ready for their first pre-season game of the year. The Lions will play in the nationally-televised Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio tomorrow evening. They play the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Lions have high hopes for the 2025 season. The team won 15 games and lost just two during the regular season last year. Detroit lost the NFC Divisional playoff game to the Washington Commanders to end their season.

The Hall of Fame Game will be played on Thursday, July 31 at 8 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.

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

Early voting underway in Detroit’s primary election

Early voting is underway in Detroit’s primary election. Voters can use an absentee ballot or cast their vote at one of the city’s eight early voting centers. Those centers are open this week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Nine candidates are on the primary ballot vying to become Detroit’s next mayor. The top two vote-getters will go on to face each other in the November general election. Several candidates for City Council also appear on the primary ballot.

Early voting ends on Sunday. Detroiters can also vote in person on Primary Day, which is one week from today — Tuesday, August 5.

Learn more about upcoming elections with WDET’s 2025 Detroit Voter Guide »

Heavy storms cause flooding across Detroit

Many Detroiters spent part of the evening cleaning up after heavy thunderstorms rolled through the area Monday afternoon. Rain amounts varied widely across the region, but some Detroit streets were temporarily flooded by heavy rainfall.

The I-96 westbound exit ramp to the Southfield Freeway was backed up with heavy traffic and closed for a short time after the storms passed. At Metro Airport, several roads were closed by flooding, forcing passengers to scramble to make their flights.

Meteorologists say an area near Romulus received nearly three inches of rain in just an hour.

Detroit launches first municipal start-up fund

The City of Detroit and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation have launched the city’s first municipal start-up fund. The fund will award 20 grants of $15,000 each and six additional grants of $50,000 each.

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation CEO Kevin Johnson says the grants will give new non-retail businesses a better chance to survive.

“Being an entrepreneur is a battle to survive. Ideas mean one thing, but when you can’t cultivate it to a point where it becomes a reasonable business, then we’re recycling old things that cause them to fail,” Johnson said.

Entrepreneurs must have been in business for at least two years and be based in Detroit to be eligible for the grants.

Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley

Gas prices drop in Metro Detroit

Gas prices are falling in Metro Detroit. The average price of self-serve regular is now $3.19 per gallon. That’s down three cents from last week and seven cents lower than a month ago.

The national average for gas is just over $3.13 per gallon.

Tigers trade for two pitchers ahead of MLB deadline

The Detroit Tigers have completed a trade just a few days before the Major League Baseball deadline.

The team was looking to bolster its pitching staff and received right-hand pitchers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins. In exchange, the Twins received catcher Enrique Jiminez and a minor league prospect.

The Tigers needed pitching help with Reese Olsen missing the rest of the regular season due to a shoulder sprain. He could return for the playoffs.

Detroit currently holds a record of 62 wins and 46 losses and sits in first place in the American League Central.

Detroit’s primary election is less than a month away. Nine candidates are on the city’s ballot for mayor. WDET has been bringing you interviews with those candidates. 

Detroit businessman and mayoral candidate John Barlow sat down with WDET’s Jerome Vaughn to talk about his vision for the city.

Barlow says back in the fall of 2023, he started to study possible candidates as they considered joining the city’s mayoral race.   

“No one was able to convince me of a plan or a team that was organized or mobilized enough to be able to perform these duties once elected, or even to campaign properly to get elected,” he said.

Barlow says he did his full assessment of the field — and as a lifelong Detroiter — he felt the need to step into the mayoral race as a candidate who would represent both his generation and future generations. 

“I could not sit by and not put my name in the hat to give Detroit a real choice, from my perspective,” he said.  

Barlow says the city is on the cusp of a new era. He says the city was in a similar position in the late 1960s, when officials put in a bid to host the 1968 Olympics. If elected, he says he’d have the city put together a bid for the 2036 Olympics.