Detroit Council Member Mary Waters has launched a write-in campaign for Michigan’s 13th congressional district.

Waters said in a statement that the people of Michigan deserve a representative who understands that public service is about delivering results, not chasing headlines. Her campaign focuses on lowering the cost of living, protecting seniors, and bringing critical federal resources back. 

She originally launched a campaign last month but was disqualified for a lack of signatures.  

Additional headlines for Thursday, June 18, 2026

Overdose rates decline

Michigan overdose death rate has declined by 47% since 2021 according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. Preliminary data suggests overdose deaths have continued to decline for the fourth year in a row. 

The department attributes the decline to strategic investments largely funded by opioid settlements prioritizing prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. The efforts include expanding harm reduction sites from 5 to 115 in 2025, and distributing over 1.8 million free naloxone kits, which resulted in nearly 34,000 reported overdose reversals.  

Summer learning program enrollment closes soon

Enrollment for Summer Discovery, a no cost summer learning program, is closing soon. Put on by United Way of Southeastern Michigan and the Ballmer group, Summer Discovery connects students entering kindergarten through 10^th grade with learning and enrichment opportunities. Spots are still available at Detroit Public Schools Community District sites, Detroit Police Athletic league, Brilliant Detroit and more.

The program is open to all students across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. To apply visit summerdiscoverymi.org. 

Recall on Orb Funkee squeeze toys

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging is families to check their children’s toy boxes for Orb Funkee Monkee squeeze toys. The toy has been recalled because they may be filled with sand contaminated by asbestos.

The recall is for toys purchased from Walmart or Ollie’s Bargain Outlet stores between February 2025 and April 2026. Asbestos comes from minerals that create thin fibers when they crystallize and pose a human health risk when they enter the air. 

As of June 18, the state health department had not received any reports of illness or injuries tied to these toys. 

Metroparks survey

Huron-Clinton Metroparks is asking community members to fill out a survey to provide feedback about some of their parks. That includes the Lake St. Clair, Stoney Creek and Wolcott Mill Metroparks. It’s part of an effort to update their Park Master Plans to guide future projects, investments and facilities improvements. 

The surveys are open until Wednesday, July 15.    

Detroiters should get ready for a few days of hot weather.  The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and several other counties until 8 p.m. tonight.  

High temperatures today are expected to rise into the lower 90s, with heat index values hitting 101 degrees.  The heat index is a measure of how hot it feels.  Temperatures in the area are expected to rise into the lower 90s again Thursday. 

In response, the city of Detroit has opened several cooling centers.  All of the city’s recreation centers will remain open for their normal hours, providing air conditioning to residents.  Some community centers are open until 7 p.m. during the week.  Others are open until 8 p.m.  Detroit Public Library branches will also be open during their normal hours so residents can cool down as needed. 

Detroiters are advised to drink lots of fluids, limit strenuous outdoor activity, and stay in air-conditioned areas when possible.  It’s also a good idea to check on neighbors, friends and relatives, especially those who are senior citizens.   

Additional headlines for Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Jeep recalls one million vehicles 

Stellantis is recalling more than one million Jeeps due to a possible fire risk. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 2021 through 2025 model year Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler vehicles might have an electrical connection problem in the hydraulic power steering system.  The issue could cause some materials to overheat and start a fire.  

NHTSA is warning owners to not park the vehicles inside a building or near a structure due to the fire danger.  The agency says it’s aware of 51 fires and one injury connected to the issue.  

The automaker says it will inspect the vehicles and repair or replace the wiring harness and power steering pump if necessary. 

Casino earnings fall 

Detroit’s three casinos are reporting lower revenues for the month of May.  The three gaming houses brought in just over $114 million last month.  That’s down 4% from April.  

MGM retained the greatest share of the market at 46%, followed by Motor City at 32%, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown with 22% of the market.  The three casinos paid $13.5 million in taxes and development agreement fees to the city of Detroit last month.  They paid another $9.1 million dollars in taxes to the state of Michigan. 

Rocket Mortgage Classic to end 

This summer’s Rocket Mortgage Classic will be the last one.  Event organizers say the annual tournament held at the Detroit Golf Club will not take place in 2027.  

The event has failed to draw top golfers recently.  That problem was made worse by inconsistent scheduling for the tournament over the past several years.  The departure of the Rocket Mortgage Classic means Michigan will no longer have a stop on the PGA tour.  

The final tournament begins on July 30 at the Detroit Golf Club. 

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The Move Detroit coalition has launched two programs aimed at increasing the city’s population.

The first is the Make Detroit Home program, a grant program offering financial incentives to encourage entrepreneurs to bring their small businesses—and their residence—back to the city.    

The program has $500,000 it can give away in forms of grants and other financial incentives.   

Move Detroit CEO Hillary Doe says they are hoping to target new and returning Detroiters to the city.   

“Then for the kind of returning Detroiters and the new Detroiters, the eligibility there is that your intention is to, you know, bring your residence back home. You know that you want to become a resident of our great city here, and then you can get access to those benefits, including things like up to $1,000 in relocation.”  

The second is the Neighborhood Ambassador Program that seeks to nominate 100 Detroiters to help shape the city’s growth strategy.   

Doe says program’s goal is to influence people to move to the city with stories and experiences shared from current residents.  

“To help share their favorite local haunts, their favorite small business owners. Share stories and really be our storytellers. To share, you know, Detroit story with our city, our region and you know the country.”  

Applications to nominate a resident is open. The 100 ambassadors will be chosen in June.   

Additional headlines for Thursday, April 9, 2026

New strategies to enforce safe housing

Detroit’s laws, health, and building safety departments are increasing enforcement strategies to ensure safe and quality housing for renters.   

The effort is anchored in three coordinated actions, joint inspections between the health and safety departments, initiating court-enforced consent agreements for properties with known persistent issues and placing liens on chronically blighted properties.   

The Building Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) has identified 60 apartment buildings with ongoing maintenance issues.  

BSEED Director David Bell says the city has reached a turning point. “Apartment buildings in this city where violations pile up, repairs never happen, and families are left in conditions that no one should ever have to tolerate. This has to stop.”  

Bell says the goal is to increase certificates of compliance from 14% to 35% in a year.  

Workshop to tell the stories of Southwest Detroit

The University of Michigan’s School of Social Work’s Engage Project is hosting a workshop called “Detroit Voices Southwest Oral History Project.” The workshop will focus on exploring the power of community storytelling and oral history. 

Participants will learn how to document their communities stories, preserve lived experiences, and use story telling as a way to foster dialogue and collective action.

The event will be held this Saturday, April 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mexicantown Community Development Center at 2835 Bagley in Detroit. Registration is not needed and lunch will be provided.  

Chevrolet Malibu recall

General Motors is recalling more than a quarter-million Chevrolet Malibus to fix their rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the way GM mounted the cameras could expose them to moisture that can weaken the adhesives holding them in place. That can cause distorted or blank images, increasing the risk of a crash.

The automaker says it’s not aware of any crashes or injuries. It will replace the cameras at no charge. 

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