The Detroit Fire Department received new fire and emergency medical services vehicles thanks to a nearly $11 million dollar investment from the city. This is part of the city’s efforts to upgrade their fleet and keep response times well below the national average.

The department received 10 new fire engines, 13 new ambulances, 3 battalion chief vehicles, and 3 new EMS Supervisor vehicles. Each vehicle is equipped with HAAS Alert Safety Cloud that sends real-time digital alerts to nearby drivers when emergency vehicles are approaching or stopped at an incident.

According to the city, these investments help improve a fleet in comparison to the decades old vehicles that were prone to break down.

Additional headlines from Thursday, October 16, 2025

Proposal for Michigan Central transport

There are plans to bring a passenger train service back to Michigan Central.

Governor Whitmer announced a $40 million plan to build a transportation hub adjacent to the former train station in Corktown. This plan would allow for an intercity bus and train service connecting Amtrak’s Chicago-Detroit Wolverine line through an underwater tunnel. This tunnel would go to Canada where passengers could continue to Toronto.

There is already an Amtrak rail line that connects Toronto to Chicago under the Detroit River, but it’s only used to carry freight traffic. The new plan would build a multimodal hub that estimates 66,000 riders annually.

Detroit sports 

Last weekend was a tough weekend for Detroit sports fans as the Tigers loss in the playoffs and the Lions fell to the Chiefs… but here’s to another weekend for a bounce back.

The Lions have a Monday night matchup against the NFC leader, Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 20. Kick off for that game is at 7:00 p.m.

And Detroit City FC is going against the Charleston Battery on Saturday at Patriots Point Soccer Stadium. Game starts at 6:00 p.m.

Convening for Dance and Culture

This weekend the Social justice organization, TéMaTé Institute for Black Dance and Culture is hosting the fifth annual conference, the Convening for Dance and Culture. Attendees are a part of the show for this event where dance instructors will teach dances from the African diaspora.

On Saturday the classes run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Andy Art Center with a performance by the dance company at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday the conference continues from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information and tickets go to tematedance.com.

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The Detroit Red Wings celebrate 100 years of hockey in the Motor City. The team started playing as the Cougars in 1926, changed their name to the Falcons in 1930, and settled on their present identity in 1932.

The Wings have won 11 Stanley Cups, more than any U.S.-based franchise. The last time they hoisted it was 2008.

It’s been 10 years since Detroit qualified for the National Hockey League playoffs, the longest postseason drought in franchise history.

They might break that streak this season.

Youth is served

Detroit Free Press hockey writer Helene St. James says several young players could help the Wings fly in 2025-26.

One of those players is Axel Sandin-Pellikka, a 20-year-old defenseman from Sweden. St. James says the rookie was the team’s best player in the preseason.

“He’s such a good puck handler,” she says. “I think there’s potential there for him to have a huge impact.”

St. James says two other rookies impressed her in training camp. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård of Norway and Alberta’s Emmitt Finnie are also 20. All three made the regular season roster.

Who’ll stop the puck?

Fans should also keep an eye on the team’s new goaltender, John Gibson. The 12-year veteran signed with Detroit after playing his entire career for the Anaheim Ducks.

The 32-year-old Gibson played 29 games for the Ducks last season and will split time with returning goalie Cam Talbot.

St. James says the Wings hope Gibson will stabilize the position and maybe take over as their top netminder.

“It’s been such a carousel for them the past four, five, six seasons,” she says. “Goalies come in, goalies go out.”

McLellan’s first full season

Head coach Todd McLellan will decide who plays and when. He took over the team in the middle of last season after General Manager Steve Yzerman fired Derek Lalonde.

The Wings strung together two 7-game winning streaks under McLellan but lost 17 of their last 28 contests and missed the playoffs.

Despite that, St. James says the players believe in McLellan and showed a high level of energy in training camp.

“He had them scrimmaging right from the get-go,” she says. “They buy into what he wants them to do.”

The Red Wings open the 2025-26 campaign on Thursday, Oct. 9 vs. the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena.

Starting out as a recreational soccer league at Belle Isle in 2010, Detroit City Football Club has grown its footprint in Detroit and metro Detroit, quickly amassing a loyal and passionate fanbase. 

Now, over a decade later, a new stadium is helping usher in a new era for DCFC. AlumniFi Field is set to open for the 2027 USL Championship season. 

Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of this year in the Corktown and Southwest Detroit neighborhoods, pending Detroit City Council’s approval.

Detroit City Football Club Stadium Neighborhood Advisory Council will begin to accept nominations for the council. Any Detroit residents who live within the impact area and are over 18 are eligible to serve.

CEO and Co-founder of DCFC Sean Mann joined Tia Graham on The Metro to talk more about the stadium and the community that AlumniFi will call home. 

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

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More stories from The Metro

As COVID-19 cases rise in Michigan this summer, it’s still unclear when residents will be able to get the updated vaccine at local pharmacies, clinics and doctors’ offices.

Differing recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other federal health officials have created confusion over who should get the vaccine. Michigan health leaders have also diverged from federal guidance, which could mean some people may need to pay out of pocket or face co-pays this year.

CDC COVID-19 data tracker
Detroit Free Press coverage

West Nile virus claims first life in Michigan

The Kent County Health Department has confirmed the first West Nile virus–related death of the year, involving a West Michigan man. Five other cases have also been reported in the state.

Most people infected with the virus never develop symptoms, though about 20% may experience mild, flu-like illness. Serious complications are rare, but Michigan resident Jerry Feldman says his infection in late November was “life altering.”

Health officials recommend protecting yourself by wearing long sleeves and pants at dusk and dawn and using insect repellents containing DEET.

Detroit launches first responder alert system

The City of Detroit is rolling out a new notification system to warn drivers when emergency vehicles are approaching. The Haas Alert Safety Cloud connects with navigation apps to alert motorists when an ambulance, fire truck, or police cruiser is nearby.

Detroit Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms says all city emergency vehicles will be equipped after a successful year-long pilot program. City leaders hope the technology, developed with NewLab in Detroit, will reduce the thousands of crashes each year involving police and fire vehicles.

Sports roundup

• MLB: The Detroit Tigers take on the Kansas City Royals this weekend at Comerica Park. The Tigers lead the American League Central, while the Royals sit 10 games back. Tonight’s first pitch is at 7:10 p.m.

• NFL: The Detroit Lions wrap up their preseason tomorrow at Ford Field, with kickoff at 1:00 p.m.

• MLS: Detroit City FC faces the Tampa Bay Rowdies tomorrow at Keyworth Stadium. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Southwest Fest returns to Detroit

Detroit’s South West Fest is back for its fifth annual celebration on Saturday, August 23, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Senate Theater. The event features food, music, and family-friendly activities, with organizers calling it a beacon that highlights the tapestry of Detroit’s culture.

More details at Senate Theater

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