Food stamps will not be available in Michigan next month.  

The state Department of Health and Humans Services says it’s been instructed by federal officials to pause the Snap benefits program in November as a result of funding gaps caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown.  Around 13% of Michigan households rely on Snap benefits—roughly 1.4 million residents. 

In a statement, the State of Michigan said the program will remained be paused until further notice. 

Additional headlines from Thursday, October 23, 2025

Hamtramck’s former Chief Altaheri allowed to resign, collect severance pay after lawsuit

Former Police Chief of Hamtramck Jamiel Altaheri has reached an agreement with the city that allows him to resign and receive five months of his salary as severance. His resignations is being back dated to August. 

Altaheri was the first Yemeni American and Muslim police chief in the city. Tensions between Altaheri and the former city manager led to an internal investigation. Allegations against Altaheri prompted him to sue the city. 

Eventually Altaheri agreed to drop the lawsuit, and resign instead of being fired.

Honorary street sign   

Community organization Dream of Detroit is asking for support from residents to get an honorary street sign for Imam Abdullah Bey El-Amin on the corner of Davison Street and Woodrow Wilson Street on Detroit’s west side. 

 El-Amin was a prominent faith leader in Detroit and co-founder of the Muslim Center of Detroit. He died in March of 2023. Dream of Detroit is asking residents to give messages of support to city council at their next formal session, Tuesday October 28.  

Michigan Starters Coalition seeks to remove barriers for new entrepreneurs 

An entrepreneurial advocacy group Right to Start is launching the Michigan Starters Coalition. It’s a statewide initiative promoting entrepreneurship as a civic priority.

The group aims to educate lawmakers about removing barriers to starting and growing a business and increasing public awareness about how starting new businesses drives economic growth. To learn more visit righttostart.org/michiganstarters 

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

Global Detroit is launching the New American Leadership Academy. It’s a free leadership program to empower people of color, with a focus on supporting immigrants, in developing leadership skills.  

Participants will learn how to network and engage their local government in seven sessions between Oct. 28th and Nov. 22.

Interviews will be scheduled with potential participants. Email Summer Baraka at summer@globaldetroit.org for more information.  Applications close Oct. 15.  

Additional headlines from Monday, October 6, 2025

Detroit Crime Report 

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says violent crime is down this year. He and other officials will presented the latest figures today. He talked about new state funding for the city’s community violence intervention program.

Last year Detroit saw the lowest number of homicides in the city since the 1960s, although the murder rate remained high because of the drop in population over six decades. 

Detroit Fire Prevention Week  

The City of Detroit is hosting Fire Prevention Week between Oct. 5-11th. During the week, the Detroit Fire Department will host open houses and share fire prevention resources. Also carbon monoxide detectors, CPR training, and fire extinguisher training will be provided.

Events take place October 8th from 4-7 p.m. at Engine 54, located on 16825 Trinity St. and on October 11 from 12-3 p.m. at the Kemeny Recreation Center, located at 2260 S. Fort St. Food and entertainment will be provided. 

Toast of the Town 

Detroit’s Tech Town is hosting it’s 11th annual Toast of the Town. That’s a lineup of several Detroit food trucks, entrepreneurs and networking opportunities. The event takes place Oct. 10 from 5-9 p.m.

About 700 people are expected to attend. Tickets are $150. 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by TechTown Detroit (@techtowndetroit)

Language translation devices are available in branch offices  

The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) is launching a new handheld device to provide language translation services at Secretary of State offices. MDOS says they will roll out the Pocketalk devices to all branches by the end of October. 

Last week, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced the launch of the device at the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. 

It works by allowing people to speak into the device, translating the information in text and audibly. MDOS staff are also using the devices at mobile offices, Restoration clinics, and for driver assessment.  

The department already provides a language support line with interpreter services; however, they say the handheld device provides instant in person translation, streamlining the process.  

Translations are provided in Bangla, Spanish and Arabic, as well as 80 other languages. 

Entrepreneurship program  

The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit is hosting a free 10-week entrepreneurship hybrid course for Detroit residents.

Classes meet on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. from Oct. 14 through Dec. 16. The live classes will be held at The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, at 111 E. Kirby Street, Detroit.

Registration for in-person and online sessions closes on Oct. 14.   

Check out their Facebook page or call 313-600-7618 for more information.  

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

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