It’s Election Day, and voters in Detroit will have a new mayor and city council members.

Dearborn voters decide whether to keep Mayor Abdullah Hammoud or elect Nagi Almudhegi, and whether to change how city council members are elected.

Hamtramck will have a new mayor. The city’s former Mayor Amer Ghalib was nominated by President Trump to be Ambassador to Kuwait. Pontiac voters choose between Kermit Williams, Mike McGuinness and a couple of write-in candidates to lead their city.

Some cities also vote to fund schools, parks and public safety. 

Additional headlines from Tuesday, November 4, 2o25

Full SNAP funding stalled in federal government shutdown

People lined up in the rain at a food pantry in Pontiac Monday as SNAP benefits were set to run out.

Forced by a court order, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released some money for the federal food assistance program. Full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is unavailable due to the ongoing government shutdown. 

Speaking at Lighthouse, a non-profit food pantry in Pontiac, Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters says he doesn’t understand why Republicans are willing to have people starve as a part a negotiation tactic. “Why there’s suddenly this turn to now cut these funds off and make people hungry? I think is outrageous, and the American public needs to speak out about that.” 

In the new budget to fund the federal government, Republican leadership—and President Trump—want to make more cuts to social safety net programs and governmental agencies. Democrats have refused to sign off on a compromise bill that doesn’t include a continuation of tax breaks for people on Medicaid. 

Health care advocates raise alarm on rising insurance rates

Health care advocates worry that rising Affordable Care Act insurance rates may put the health of tens of thousands of Michigan residents at risk. More than a half million people in the state get their coverage through the ACA marketplace. But rates for next year are jumping by double digit percentages. 

Doctor Aisha Harris practices family medicine in Flint. She fears many of her patients will drop their coverage because they can’t afford it. “I know what America’s health status is and it’s not as healthy as people think. And so this is going to be detrimental to like how we’re thriving as a country because now people can’t take care of themselves.”

Democrats want Congress to restore the tax credit that reduced prices in the ACA system as part of a deal to reopen the federal government. Republicans say they are willing to negotiate, but only after Democrats vote to end the shutdown. 

MDHSS encourages COVID vaccinations

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging people to get their COVID shots this fall.

COVID-19 shots are recommended for all infants 6–23 months, and kids ages 2–18 years old, all pregnant women, and adults between 18 and 50—especially for those with any risk factors, including those who have never been vaccinated before.

COVID-19 vaccines are available at local health departments for free of charge to Michigan residents. 

Local organization makes soup weekly 

Together We Eat will offer soups made from local ingredients to the community on Fridays throughout November.

The event is presented by the East Warren Development Corp in response to SNAP benefit cuts. Soup, bread and water will be provided from 4-6 p.m. at the East Warren Kitchen at16835 E Warren Ave.  

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It’s flu season, and that means public health departments are promoting vaccinations. Over the past few years,  local vaccination rates have been down, and more people have become wary of vaccines. 

Before the pandemic hit, Oakland County’s approach to getting people vaccinated had been to focus on vaccine science and facts. In other words, tell people that vaccines are essential and encourage local pediatricians to maintain high vaccination rates. 

But in the last few years, the county has changed its approach to vaccine hesitance; it’s now trying to be more open, curious and empathetic towards those who have concerns. 

What else is different about Oakland County’s approach? And has it been working?

Oakland County Health Officer Kate Guzman spoke with Robyn Vincent about this and more.

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