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US job openings are at their highest level in nearly two years

2 June 2026 at 19:42

U.S. businesses are brushing off those Now Hiring signs: Job openings rose sharply in April to their highest level in nearly two years, Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed Tuesday.

However, the latest look at labor turnover also showed that those job postings arent necessarily turning into job offers the U.S. job market remains entrenched in a low-hire, low-fire dynamic.

The number of available jobs jumped to an estimated 7.62 million positions at the end of April, increasing from 6.89 million in March and bucking a two-month decline, the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed.

At the same time, the number of new hires and layoffs both tumbled after bolting higher in March; and voluntary quits fell to their lowest level in nearly six years, an indication of workers slipping confidence in the labor market.

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The imbalance between employers wish lists and their payrolls can be partly attributed to rising labor costs and broader economic uncertainty, Noah Yosif, chief economist at the American Staffing Association, told CNN in an interview.

Miscalculating on the wrong worker can be costly for employers, and so employers are really taking their time to make sure they are filling jobs with the right candidates, he said.

A potentially heartening signal

First, a level-set: Monthly data can be immensely volatile, and Aprils data could be revised when the May JOLTS rolls around. Plus, JOLTS and other economic reports have been dogged by low survey response rates.

If Tuesdays data, particularly the spike in job openings, doesnt turn out to be a blip, it could indicate that the U.S. labor market not only is stabilizing but also possibly expanding.

For the first time since last June, there are more job openings than job seekers.

Its an important milestone to give job seekers hope, said Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union.

This could all be welcome news for white-collar workers whose industries have been in contraction, as well as for those who fear the AI axe will fall on them.

More than 90% of the increase in April job openings was in the professional and business services industry, BLS data showed.

Granted, one report doesnt make a trend but it definitely pushes back on that narrative that weve been worrying about for quite a while, which is that artificial intelligence is going to be the great job-killer, Yosif said. Employers are finding ways to involve humans even though responsibilities are likely going to continue to shift as these technologies permeate within the labor market.

War effects loom large

The surge in white-collar job openings also would be a welcome sign for college graduates, noted Bill Adams, chief U.S. economist for Fifth Third Commercial Bank in Dallas.

On balance, Aprils jump in openings is an encouraging sign for job seekers finishing school this year but shouldnt carry disproportionate weight to other job market indicators, he wrote in a note to investors. The collective message from recent job market data is that U.S. employment is growing modestly, but nevertheless at a faster pace than that of job seekers.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Young and unemployed? Remote work, not AI, may be the problem, study finds

The labor market churn the inflow and outflow of workers has slowed significantly in the past two years due to a confluence of dynamics, including the aging (and retiring) of workers, a post-pandemic hiring normalization, the emergence of new technologies, increasing economic uncertainty and sharp reductions in immigration.

Economists have cautioned that the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and the related oil and supply shock could suppress hiring activity in the United States.

That remains the case, Yosif said, noting that the US tapping into its strategic reserves has helped to blunt the effect of wars oil supply crunch.

There has also been a lot of push on both the United States side as well as Irans side to portray that both sides are working toward a deal, but that status quo cannot be held long term, he said. Eventually oil supplies are going to run out. Eventually, investors are going to be expecting something more concrete with respect to when the Strait of Hormuz is going to be open.

He added: And I think that is where we could actually see some reversal in the (job) gains that weve seen at the beginning of this year.

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Dutch Girl Donuts opening 2nd location for sneak peek on Friday for National Donut Day

By: Max White
2 June 2026 at 19:08

Dutch Girl Donuts is offering a sneak peek at its second location to celebrate National Donut Day on Friday, June 5.

According to owners, Dutch Girl will open its location at 2820 E. Grand Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. for a first look at the new space, along with complimentary donuts.

Each customer will get two free donuts, while supplies last, and pre-packaged assorted dozen boxes will also be available for purchase for $20 each.

Earlier this year, owner Paddy Lynch, who also owns The Schvitz and Dakota Inn Rathseller, said he purchased the building on E. Grand Blvd. between Oakland Ave. and I-75. It was widely known as the name of Howrani Studios.

This is a celebration of Detroit, tradition, and the incredible support our customers have shown us over the years, Lynch said in a statement. We couldnt imagine a better day to show off the new space than National Donut Day.

According to Lynch, the building will continue to house Ara Howrani and his family's photography business in the original space, but will also be the home of Dutch Girl Donuts' second location. Lynch said that Howrani was the person who introduced Lynch to The Schvitz.

Rubio is optimistic on eventual Iran nuclear talks despite congressional skepticism

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday he is optimistic about the potential for a resumption in nuclear talks with Iran despite a shaky ceasefire in the war that is looking increasingly in doubt.

In his first public testimony since the Iran war began at the end of February, Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the Iranians have agreed to negotiate on nuclear points that they had not been willing to address in the past but would not offer an assessment on what those talks might produce.

They have agreed to negotiate aspects of their nuclear program that just a month ago, just a year ago, they were refusing to even mention, Rubio said. He did not elaborate but added that there was no guarantee "it will lead to a deal thats acceptable and that negotiations have been made difficult by the instability of Irans leadership.

Rubio's optimism ran counter to pessimistic reports from two semiofficial Iranian news agencies that Iran has stopped communicating with mediators after Israel threatened to bomb Beirut as it fights the Hezbollah militant group.

RELATED STORY | Trump reportedly cursed at Israel's Netanyahu during a tense call

Democrats criticize Trump administration's approach to Iran, and Rubio defends it

Rubio's wide-ranging testimony, which covered the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia and beyond, was met with fierce objections from Democrats.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., blasted Rubio and President Donald Trump for actions taken regarding foreign aid cuts and foreign intervention. Van Hollen specifically took aim at the U.S. and Israeli decision to strike Iran, accusing the Republican president of entering the war on behalf of Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said hes been waiting 40 years to do this," Van Hollen said. "It turns out he finally found a president who was both stupid and reckless enough to join him. Lets face it, Mr. Secretary, the Trump foreign policy has become a dumpster fire."

Rubio's testimony, which was taking place as Israel and Lebanon began a new round of political talks at the State Department with the situation between Israel and Hezbollah still uncertain, did not provide definitive answers on any of the main questions of the day.

He said Iran is not guaranteed a massive payout for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway for global oil shipments, and would have to commit to further concessions on its nuclear program to get significant sanctions relief.

The more they give, the more they would get, he said, later adding, Theyre not going to get it as a signing bonus.

RELATED STORY | US and Iran trade strikes, raising questions about future of ceasefire

Rubio also said there are indications that Irans new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is taking a bigger part in the discussions despite not being seen publicly since the war began.

"I think there are indications out there that he is increasingly engaging at some level, although all of his communications have been in writing and through intermediaries, he said.

Democratic senator says drugs being on boats isn't a targeting criterion for US strikes

On other issues, Rubio dismissed questions about the legality of Pentagon strikes against dozens of alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, which have killed more than 200 people since early September.

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said the military's targeting criteria for those strikes does not include drugs being present on the boat. He called it odd but said he could not share much more because the criteria are classified.

Rubio pushed back, saying every strike has a legal officer who makes a determination on whether a strike is legal. He also said the U.S. military has walked away from strikes multiple times because they did not meet the targeting criteria.

The Trump administration says the U.S. is at war with drug cartels, while many Democrats have questioned the legality and effectiveness of the strikes.

The Republican former senator faces a second congressional hearing Tuesday and a pair of others Wednesday about the State Department's annual budget request, though questions have mostly focused on top foreign policy issues.

Rubio wades into Taiwan arms sales opposed by China

Rubio acknowledged that the Trump administration is holding up a new potential $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan but said it remained under consideration and would not be canceled. He noted that the U.S. recently sold arms to Taiwan in December worth $11 billion.

He said the deal is not under review because of pressure from China, although he said the Chinese bring up the issue in discussions with the United States. Trump also has described it as a great negotiating chip.

They are constantly talking about Taiwan arms sales, but that in no way is what is holding up our decision-making or the White Houses decision-making, Rubio said. It is something the president will have to decide on the timing of when and how that is executed on.

Protesters chant at Rubio about Cuba

Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, also was questioned about the Trump administrations escalatory behavior toward Cuba, as Trump has hinted that the small island country could be the next U.S. target after operations in Iran are wrapped up.

He faced chants from protesters who urged him to stop killing Cubans when he entered the Senate briefing room. The protesters were quickly pulled from the room. Their chants also included Let Cuba live!

Rubio defended the administration's approach to Cuba and said it would remain focused on changing the Cuban government's policies.

"I really dont believe this system is capable of reform unless new people take over or a new mindset takes hold, he said.

Despite a series of meetings between U.S. and Cuban officials, Trump and Rubio have renewed threats against the island's government, which take on greater weight after the administration announced criminal charges against former President Ral Castro.

Over his congressional career and now as America's top diplomat, Rubio has maintained that Cuba is a national security threat because of its ties to U.S. adversaries and that Trump is intent on addressing it.

The Metro: Local stage play highlights the legacy of baseball icon Roberto Clemente

2 June 2026 at 18:49

Roberto Clemente is a baseball icon. Over his 18-year career he won two world series, acquired 12 golden gloves, four batting titles, and is one of only 33 players in baseball history to collect 3,000 hits in his career. Clemente’s resume jumps off the page. 

But what Clemente was able to accomplish on the field may not even be his greatest contribution. Clemente’s record as a civil rights advocate and humanitarian is as synonymous with his reputation as his athletic achievements. 

Tragically, Clemente’s desire to help others led to his death in December 1972. On a trip to escort aid to Nicaragua after an earthquake hit the country, his plane crashed and he was never seen again. 

To honor him in the years since the accident, the MLB gives the Roberto Clemente award to the player who demonstrates exceptional work off the field. 

In an effort to further enshrine Clemente’s legacy, a new stage play tells his story.

“Roberto Clemente: A Diamond Within” is an original play written by Candido Tirado. The play is being  produced by Plowshares Theatre Company and it runs from June 12th through June 28th in the Marlene Boll Theatre at The Boll Family YMCA. 

Gary Anderson, Producing Artistic Director of Plowshares Theatre Company, joined the show to explain why he’s bringing this take on Clemente’s life to a Detroit stage.

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

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Support local journalism.

WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro: Local stage play highlights the legacy of baseball icon Roberto Clemente appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Ex-Detroit People Mover official & businessman charged in $300K bribery scheme

2 June 2026 at 18:24

A former Detroit Transportation Corporation official and a Detroit businessman are facing federal bribery charges related to the alleged theft of more than $300,000.

According to an indictment in federal court, Michael Norman Anderson and Terrence Parker are each charged with federal program theft or bribery and conspiracy.

According to the indictment, Norman worked as the strategic sourcing and procurement director for the Detroit Transportation Corporation, which operates the Detroit People Mover, from March 28, 2022, through April 25, 2025. He was fired in April for conduct unrelated to the criminal investigation.

The feds say that in his role, Anderson would review proposals and help choose vendors to perform work for the DTC, then sign off on invoices to verify the work was completed.

According to the indictment, between Feb. 14, 2023, and March 11, 2025, the DTC paid $304,911.67 on 23 invoices from a company called Total Care Restoration (TCR), which is owned and operated by Parker. TCR performs restoration work on homes damaged by fire, water, windstorms or other elements, the feds say.

Federal investigators say that 22 of the 23 invoices submitted by TCR were for IT work, despite TCR never submitting a bid proposal or signing a contract with the DTC.

"On four invoices, dated between January 5, 2023, and April 5, 2023, TCR billed the DTC for monitor repairs at DTCs main control facility. Anderson signed all of the invoices. The DTC has no record of TCR performing any monitor repair work of any sort. The DTC issued four checks totaling $15,800 payable to TCR. Parker deposited the checks into TCRs bank account," the indictment reads. "Anderson procured and managed IT contracts with a number of companies while he worked for the DTC. Many of TCRs invoices to the DTC described work that had in fact been contracted to three of those IT companies. Representatives from all three companies stated that they did not subcontract or assign any work to TCR."

According to the indictment, Anderson and Parker had communicated either the day before, the day of or the day after 20 of the 23 checks were issued from the DTC to TCR. Parker also deposited DTC checks into his TCR business bank account, then withdrew a portion of the deposit in cash, according to the feds.

On the day of or within a week of Parker's withdrawals, the feds say that Anderson many times deposited cash into his bank account.

"For example, on August 16, 2024, Parker deposited a DTC check for $23,934 and he withdrew $18,000 cash. Anderson made cash deposits into his account the same day and over the next several days in the following amounts: August 16 ($1,500); August 16 ($1,300); August 19 ($1,000); August 19 ($700); and August 20 ($1,850)," the feds say in the indictment.

Bill seeks ban on prediction market bets by service members, Pentagon staff

2 June 2026 at 17:58

Service members and Pentagon civilians are being warned about prediction markets.

A draft defense policy before Congress would prohibit them from using the markets to bet on global events. The bill would require the defense secretary to issue related regulations and punishments.

The proposal follows allegations that a U.S. soldier used classified information to bet on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro.

RELATED STORY | Most Americans doubt prediction markets can stop insider trading, survey finds

Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a U.S. Army soldier, was charged with unlawful use of confidential government information.

Prediction markets are not a haven for using misappropriated confidential or classified information for personal gain, said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. The defendant allegedly violated the trust placed in him by the United States Government by using classified information about a sensitive military operation to place bets on the timing and outcome of that very operation, all to turn a profit. That is clear insider trading and is illegal under federal law."

Nearly $64 billion was spent on prediction markets last year. Users are betting on the outcomes of future events, ranging from the winner of the NCAA basketball tournament to the weather in New York and when Taylor Swift will get married.

RELATED STORY | Lawmakers target prediction markets as betting surges to $64 billion

Legislation has also been introduced to ban federal election officials from insider trading. An intelligence firm found six suspected insiders made more than $1 million last month betting on a U.S. strike on Iran, with some bets placed just hours before the attack.

Teen barrel racing competitor accused of injuring horses with 'sharp object'

2 June 2026 at 17:48

A 17-year-old has been arrested after three horses were intentionally injured during the 2026 National Barrel Horse Association event at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, police said.

Police received a report of an injured horse early Saturday morning. When officers arrived, they discovered that three horses appeared to have been injured with a "sharp object."

The department's Animal Cruelty Section launched an investigation and identified a teenage girl as a suspect.

Police said the teen had access to the barn area and may have used the sharp object to inflict multiple injuries on the horses.

The suspect, who officials said was a competitor at the event, was located at a nearby hotel and taken into custody before being transferred to Clark County Juvenile Hall.

Police booked her on 12 counts of willfully or maliciously killing, maiming or torturing an animal and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property valued at more than $5,000.

Officials said the horses' injuries are not considered life-threatening, but they would not be competing in the immediate future.

This story was originally published by the Scripps News Group station in Las Vegas.

Suspected cartel tunnel stretching to Mexico found beneath store in San Diego

2 June 2026 at 17:43

Four men were arrested and charged in connection with a suspected drug smuggling tunnel that was discovered beneath a store called Buy 4 Less in a shopping center just feet from the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego.

The Department of Justice made the announcement outside the storefront Monday afternoon, joined by multiple agencies including Border Patrol, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, and Customs and Border Protection.

The U.S. attorney's office says the tunnel stretches 1,933 feet long and 55 feet deep. Authorities believe it was built and operated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

"This was a sophisticated tunnel that had lighting, ventilation, an electric rail system, wood shoring, and multiple staircases," said Kevin Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge for HSI San Diego.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says the Homeland Security Investigations Tunnel Task Force had been surveying the location for about six months. On Friday, the suspects allegedly attempted to move their first shipment of narcotics through the tunnel and into the U.S., leading to the seizure of over a ton of cocaine.

"Ultimately seizing 851 packages of cocaine. With a total weight of 2,406 pounds. That is an estimated value of the bulk street cost of $45 million," said Murphy.

Investigators say the store was operating as a front.

"It was fronting as a liquidated goods retailer; they sold appliances, luggage, sort of miscellaneous household items," said.

The U.S. Attorney called the drug seizure and tunnel discovery a significant blow to the cartel's operation.

"Put directly, cocaine is now the lifeblood of the cartels, and what you see here today is a cardiac arrest for their system," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.

The suspects made their first court appearance Monday afternoon in a federal courtroom in San Diego, facing charges relating to building the tunnel and importing and distributing a controlled substance. Two of the four are from San Diego. The other two are from Mexico.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

This story was originally published by Laura Acevedo with the Scripps News Group station in San Diego.

New book explores how working class shaped Downriver

2 June 2026 at 17:41

Metro Detroit’s Downriver area is where heavy industry meets nature, creating a complicated dynamic between the economy and the environment.

Steel mills and other factories that once lined the Detroit River employed thousands of people from River Rouge south to Rockwood. Workers enjoyed the benefits of well-paying manufacturing jobs that bolstered the middle class. But they also recognized the environmental threats those factories posed to the land, the water, and the air around them.

Labor unions and other groups fought to protect the Downriver area’s natural resources and the recreational opportunities they provided.

Michigan State University labor historian Lisa M. Fine has studied the working class’s relationship with the communities where they live. She studied those bonds and wrote a book about them. It’s called “Downriver Detroit: The Working Class, the Environment, and the Bonds of Place.”

WDET’s Pat Batcheller, a Downriver native, spoke with Fine about her research. Here’s a transcript of their conversation, lightly edited for clarity.

Listen: New book explores how working class shaped Downriver

Pat Batcheller: Why did you write the book?

Lisa Fine: I cast out to find a place where I could test my theories that working class people cared about not only the natural world around them, but also the community, the region, the place in which they lived. My first scholarly exploration was Pointe Mouillee, the game reserve down there. And it was to my great delight and surprise to find a site Downriver that the people of the region and beyond wanted to preserve once it became available for sale to the state, so that everybody publicly can hunt there for ducks or whatever else they wanted to hunt for.

And to me, that just seemed like a great validation in some ways, or sort of an invitation in many ways, to explore this throughout the entire region. I wanted to uncover the ways in which working class people living in a particular region expressed their identities and their actions through the things that define them by that region.

PB: And what do you think connects people to Downriver?

LF: Since I’m a historian, the first thing that I’ll say is I think it’s history. So for many people, like Native American communities or immigrants, it’s the ways in which the region has become their home, the ways they’ve been able to make a living there, to establish families and communities, and to create a working-class way of life. There’s such a powerful nostalgia that I uncovered.

These things were threatened during the 1960s and 70s because of the kind of employment, because of the kind of life that people could build, because of the place itself. It’s not a place that you would normally associate with natural beauty. But in fact, the people that live there do love the waterfront, and they do love the terrain and the spaces there. People connected to that as well.

PB: You mentioned Pointe Mouillee, which is only a few miles down the river from what used to be heavy industry. You still have Great Lakes Steel in Ecorse. But a couple of steel plants dried up. DTE Energy tore down its coal-fired power plant in Trenton not that long ago. You’ve got this balance that you have to strike between preserving the natural features and at the same time maintaining the tax base, the job base. How difficult was that for people to balance?

LF: It was a constant negotiation. Pointe Mouillee was originally an elite hunting ground owned by industrialists from all over the northeast. But then when it was being sold, there was a groundswell to make this available as a public space, which is incredible. Federal, local and state funds became available to do that.

But there were also other developments later such as the creation of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, which was an incredible effort to preserve spaces up and down the river and even down to Lake Erie. All of those were negotiations that were affected by historical circumstances, availability of resources, public input, and sometimes pushback around it.

One of the labor leaders that I feature in my book, Harry Lester , said, “you have to have jobs. They have to work.” And so, the responsibility to make that balance or to engage in that negotiation should not rest solely on the working people. We’re not going to give up the desire to have a Detroit River that we could use, that we could fish in, that we could swim in one day. This responsibility should be shared by local, state and federal officials.

Lisa M. Fine’s book explores economic and environmental history of Downriver.

PB: You mentioned in your book the role that unions played in those negotiations. Why was that important?

LF: It signaled at least at the beginning of the environmental movement in the United States. Working class people, through their labor unions, were going to be lobbying for and engaging in activities on behalf of the environment. Unions recognized this: what good is bargaining for more spending money and more free time if the places that they want to spend their money and engage in their outdoor activities are unacceptable, trashed or polluted?

PB: What did you learn about the people who call Downriver home?

LF: I learned that they were both similar to places all around the country and also completely unique, which I know sounds contradictory. But for me, that’s the importance of the study.

On the one hand, very few communities of working-class people live in an environment like this. They don’t live beside a boundary water and a river with all the concentration of industry. But on the other hand, there are so many downrivers and downwinds and downstreams all across the United States.

Working class people who live in those communities never sign on to the fouling of their environments and never sign on to be pushed out of their communities. Those kinds of things are not unique. And yet the ways that the people of Downriver responded, with this powerful nostalgia, this commitment to improving their resources and their desire to stay I found very compelling.

Lisa M. Fine is a labor historian at Michigan State University.

PB: How important is the river itself to the region’s identity?

LF: It’s all about the water. I’ve visited many times down there and it does dominate the landscape, certainly among the communities that are right on it. People from the very beginning lived near there because of those waters. Industry came there because of those waters. It’s the magnet that brought both of these constituencies together—industry and people. It’s sort of the font of all activities in Downriver. And it’s not just the Detroit River; it’s all the different tributaries emptying into Lake Erie. It’s a very defining, important, feature of this. It’s the thing that makes Downriver what it is.

PB: Why is the bond to this place so strong?

LF: I think it’s history. I think it’s legacy. I think it’s the kind of life that working class people were able to create there. I think it’s the proximity to the resources, natural resources that they had access to, and that they created access to.

I mean, these were things that weren’t just handed to they, they worked to do this. And once that era of deindustrialization, or as I refer to in the book, the ‘Downriver disaster’ happened, all of these things were challenged so profoundly.

I think the importance of this comes to the forefront and they realize that they’re losing more than just a job. They’re losing a way of life that they had participated in creating.

And there are certainly people who left. I quoted some people who actually did leave because of the pollution and some of the challenges of living in Downriver. Nevertheless, once this is challenged, it is a very difficult obstacle to overcome because of the loss of the tax base when firms and companies left, and something that they had personally felt that they had been participating in creating.

PB: What was the “Downriver disaster?”

LF: It was the departure of jobs, companies, corporations, and plants. These were good union jobs that allowed them to support their families and to live close to a middle-class kind of life where they can engage in the different kinds of outdoors activities, if that’s what they were interested in. It didn’t just threaten their livelihood, but it threatened an entire way of life and communities as a whole. Plants just picked up and left or went out of business. It changed the whole character of the region.

One scholar that I quote believed that it was a collective trauma. They thought, “oh, this is just a downturn. It’ll come back.” And then over time, people began to realize maybe it wasn’t. And we have to think of a different plan for the future. It was a disaster for many of the communities and certainly for the families that live there.

PB: How has Downriver managed to survive these kinds of economic and industrial upheavals?

LF: There certainly was some outmigration. There certainly was a shift to different types of employment. There have been, as I talk about at the end of my book, different ways of thinking about the future of Downriver. Ironically, using the deindustrialization as a way to promote Downriver as a place of physical beauty and a place where people can come to take advantage of that has been one arena. The creation of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge has been one way to do that. But there is still some industry, and that’s continuing. There have been some efforts to promote it as a good place for people to live.

Again, there’s been a lot of different strategies here. I’m not sure that there’s one silver bullet or perfect course of action. but people have been staying and trying to make Downriver a ‘go’ even through the difficulties that have happened.

PB: People don’t necessarily consider Monroe as part of Downriver because it’s not on the river, it’s on Lake Erie. Why did you include Monroe in your book?

LF: I thought about that a lot because I knew the different characterizations of Downriver and the different towns and cities that have been included in it. It was purely to tell the story that I wanted to tell.

First of all, steel is an important industry, and some of the earliest steel strikes took place in Monroe in the 1930s, which I do recount. They’re part of that steel industry history.

I also didn’t want to leave out the Fermi atomic power plant story. It’s just north of Monroe, but a lot of the opposition and a lot of the activism around it comes from the Monroe area. So again, that would have been, I think, a little artificial to leave out.

And then finally, one of my favorite organizations that I feature in the chapter on water is the Lake Erie Cleanup Committee. It emerged out of the little beach communities north of Monroe and recognized that the pollution that they experienced at Sterling State Park was a result of what was going on upstream. So, it was impossible to separate that out.

And that brought on all of the efforts to try to clean up the Detroit River, even though it was originally a clean up Lake Erie committee. A whole bunch of individuals came together— sportsmen, environmental groups, conservationists. So to me, it seemed artificial to separate out all those efforts just because they happen to be a little further down and on Lake Erie.

I hope that some of the stories that I told explain why I thought it belonged there.

Support local journalism.

WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

The post New book explores how working class shaped Downriver appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Trump reportedly cursed at Israel's Netanyahu during a tense call

2 June 2026 at 17:37

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a tense phone call Monday, according to sources familiar with the conversation.

Axios reported that Trump called Netanyahu crazy and cursed at him during the call. One source told Axios that Trump told Netanyahu, "What the f*** are you doing?"

RELATED STORY | Trump says talks continue despite signs Iran is backing away from deal

Another source told Axios that Trump said to Netanyahu, "You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this."

The dispute centered on Israels plans to escalate military operations in Lebanon. Trump warned against bombing Beirut, saying it could harm U.S. talks with Iran.

Netanyahu said strikes in southern Lebanon will continue.

RELATED STORY | Trump announces Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, opening door for U.S.-Iran talks

The dispute comes as the U.S. is trying to iron out a peace agreement with Iran. Lebanon is widely seen as a strong Iranian ally, while Israel has joined the U.S. in its bombing campaign against Iran.

White House Correspondents’ Dinner rescheduled following shooting incident

2 June 2026 at 16:58

The White House Correspondents Association announced on Tuesday that a second correspondents dinner, with bolstered security measures, will be held this summer after Aprils event was halted by a shooting incident at the Washington Hilton.

I am proud to announce we will host another dinner to be held in Washington, D.C. on Friday, July 24th, association president Weijia Jiang said in a letter to members that did not specify the location or programming.

The decision to reschedule the White House Correspondents Dinner, Jiang said, was not automatic and made after thoughtful consideration and input from our members, adding that the July event will have significantly enhanced safety measures and new access procedures.

President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and members of the Cabinet were escorted from the Washington Hiltons ballroom after a gunman opened fire in a nearby hallway. Journalists and other VIPs took cover under tables in the chaos.

RELATED STORY | Man indicted on 4 charges after storming security at White House Correspondents Dinner

Jiang said the July dinner will be a more intimate gathering and that the association has raised funds to cover the costs of the second dinner for members who initially purchased tickets. There are also plans to offer financial support for the scholarship winners who plan to travel back to Washington for recognition.

The event, she added, will be a statement that violence has no place in American life and a free press will not be intimidated into silence.

Jiang did not provide details on the programming, noting that specifics would be communicated directly with attendees.

RELATED STORY | Video of Correspondents' Dinner incident shows K9 may have noticed the suspect before he rushed security

After Aprils incident, Trump had expressed interest in attending a second dinner, but its unclear if he will. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment.

The-CNN-Wire & 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

WXYZ-TV celebrating America 250 with 'Your American Story' airing June 28

2 June 2026 at 16:39

WXYZ-TV and Scripps are celebrating 250 years of the American story through local voices, powerful storytelling, and community connection.

Make sure to catch "Your American Story" on Channel 7.

"Your American Story," hosted by WXYZ Editorial Director Chuck Stokes, celebrates six metro Detroit companies that started from humble beginnings, grew with innovation, and continue to show their commitment to our community. Their stories are a look at what it means to live the American Dream. Our partners include: Somerset Collection, Stellantis, General Dynamics Land Systems, Flood Law, Belle Tire, and Harley Davidsons Motown and Motor City dealerships.

Your American Story

Sunday, June 28, at 10 a.m. on WXYZ and streaming Wednesday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m. on WMYD Friday, July 3, at 4:30 p.m. on WXYZ and streaming

On Friday, July 3, catch our "7 News Detroit: Celebrating America 250" special airing at 4 p.m. on WXYZ and streaming.

Scripps News Group is also presenting a one-hour celebration of America, with uplifting stories of the everyday people who make this country great. Host Alisyn Camerota takes viewers on a coast-to-coast journey, honoring the people and places that are the fabric of America.

250 Celebrating America

Monday, June 29, at 7 p.m. on WXYZ and streaming Wednesday, July 1, at 8 p.m. on WMYD Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m on WXYZ and streaming

This summer, well be showcasing how our nations history lives on in the places, people and daily moments across our area.

For stories, a list of America 250 events and more, click here.

Embark on a summer-long treasure hunt with a $23,000 gold prize

2 June 2026 at 16:17

More commonly known as the home of Santa Claus and for its landscapes reminiscent of the magical world of Narnia, Lapland in Finland is inviting tourists to swap reindeer rides for a summer-long hunt for hidden gold.

Participants will explore the trails and landmarks of Levi, a resort in northern Finland, known for winter ski slopes and views of the Northern Lights, where fortune hunters will be in search of a gold bar worth 20,000 euros ($23,300).

RELATED NEWS | Americans plan to embrace summer travel, despite inflation woes

The Midnight Sun Hunt begins on June 18 at the Levi Visitor Centre, according to a statement from Visit Levi on Tuesday.

Participants can collect their first clue and register for the hunt at the center. After, further clues will be shared, leading hikers through local trails, attractions and landmarks, each bringing them closer to the hidden prize.

The gold bar could be found after any clue, organizers said, with additional hints being released throughout the summer, gradually making the location of the gold easier to identify.

The final clue is set to be revealed on August 22.

Situated above the Arctic Circle, Levi is best known as one of Finlands premier ski destinations and a popular winter hotspot.

During the summer months, the region experiences the midnight sun, giving Lapland 24-hour sunlight during certain periods.

Visit Levi described the summer period as a hidden gem waiting to be explored.

Levi is known above all for its winter, but the northern summer is still undiscovered by many, said Satu Pesonen, CEO of Visit Levi, in the statement.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | More travelers skipping the airport this year for staycations and 'daycations'

We want to give travelers a new reason to visit Levi when the sun never sets and the fell landscape reveals a completely different side of itself.

The Levi ski resort is one of many winter season hotspots across Europe that has diversified, offering snow-free ventures like paragliding, hiking, river rafting and mountain biking.

The Midnight Sun Hunt is organized in cooperation with Agnico Eagle Finland, a gold mining company based in Kittil, and Levi Ski Resort.

Participants keen to join are instructed to move responsibly, stay within permitted areas and respect the natural environment. The hunt does not require digging or disturbing the terrain in any way, organizers said.

The-CNN-Wire & 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Detroit City Council President looks forward to working with mayor on poverty and transit issues

2 June 2026 at 16:14

James Tate is the latest in a long line of Detroit city council presidents as of January.  He attended the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island last week and sat down to speak with WDET’s Jerome Vaughn.  

Listen: Detroit City Council President James Tate speaks with Jerome Vaughn at the Mackinac Policy Conference

Tate has been on the city council for years, but now he’s learning how to perform in his new role as president. He’s had conversations with current Mayor Mary Sheffield about her transition from council member to council president.

The city council president says he looks forward to working closely with Sheffield on an issue that he sees as Detroit’s biggest challenge: poverty.  Tate hopes potential opportunities posed by transit could help ease some of the effects of Detroit’s income gap.

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The post Detroit City Council President looks forward to working with mayor on poverty and transit issues appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

High tick risk this June across 10 states sparks Lyme disease concerns

2 June 2026 at 16:05

Ten U.S. states are facing a high risk of ticks to start the summer, according to an analysis of government data by My Wild.

The June 2026 tick forecast shows states from Pennsylvania to Maine will likely have a busy month for tick activity. Tick bites are a concern because they can cause Lyme disease.

RELATED STORY | HHS rolls out multimillion-dollar plan to battle Lyme Disease nationwide

The forecast comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said tick activity in 2026 began busier than usual.

The good news is you have options to help prevent tick bites when you spend time outdoors: You can wear EPA-registered insect repellent and permethrin-treated clothing, do tick checks, and remove attached ticks as quickly as possible. These simple steps can go a long way in protecting you and your family from diseases spread by ticks, said Alison Hinckley, an epidemiologist and Lyme disease expert with the CDCs Division of Vector-Borne Diseases.

RELATED STORY | Tick season seems to be off to a fast start, some worry about future illnesses

The forecast also follows the Department of Health and Human Services announcement of a $2.5 million investment toward stopping the spread of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. The agency said the funding will support advances in public awareness, treatment and patient care.

These states are expected to face higher tick risk this month:

Connecticut Maine Maryland Massachusetts New Hampshire New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont

New Jersey sues operator of Newark immigration detention center to gain access for health inspections

2 June 2026 at 15:55

New Jersey is suing the GEO Group, the company operating Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, seeking full access for state health inspectors amid concerns about conditions inside the facility.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the state deserves transparency about conditions at the detention center.

"If the GEO Group with a $1 billion government contract has nothing to hide and the conditions inside Delaney Hall are as safe and sanitary as this private corporation and the Trump administration claim, then there is no legitimate reason why my health inspectors are being kept from full access throughout the building," Sherrill said.

RELATED STORY | Newark imposes curfew around immigration detention center following clashes

The Department of Homeland Security has defended conditions at the facility, saying detainees are provided basic necessities, including beds, clean water, health care and three meals a day.

Some detainees have launched a hunger strike to protest conditions inside the center.

According to the state, Department of Health inspectors were allowed to conduct a limited inspection of Delaney Hall but were denied access to key areas, including the medical unit, sleeping quarters and bathing and toileting facilities. The state said inspectors have not been allowed to return for a full inspection.

The lawsuit alleges GEO Group violated state law by refusing to provide full access to Department of Health inspectors. New Jersey is also seeking an expedited injunction that would require the company to allow inspectors to examine the entire facility.

RELATED STORY | Arrests made at Delaney Hall as New Jersey protesters defy curfew outside ICE detention center

The legal action comes after a week of protests outside Delaney Hall.

Dozens of people were arrested after authorities said they ignored orders to disperse following a 9 p.m. curfew imposed because of escalating tensions near the facility. Officials said some protesters charged law enforcement officers, threw projectiles and set a fire in the street.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has blamed New Jersey leaders for not doing more to prevent violence outside the detention center.

Kenyan president defends US Ebola quarantine center amid protests

Kenya's president on Monday defended the establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility by the U.S., a move that led to protests despite a court order blocking the plan.

President William Ruto on Monday night said the U.S. had a long-standing partnership with Kenya on health matters and that the quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base was one of 24 facilities that had been established in the event of an Ebola outbreak in the country.

Some Kenyans have opposed the Laikipia facility after the U.S. last week said no American Ebola patient would be allowed to return home and that patients would instead be quarantined at the facility in Kenya. The U.S. intends to commit $13 million to the partnership with Kenya.

RELATED STORY | New criticism over US response to Ebola outbreak in Africa

The high court on Tuesday extended orders issued Friday suspending the construction of the facility and the arrival of foreign patients. The case had been filed by the Law Society of Kenya and a constitutional watchdog, Katiba Institute, who cited Kenya's fragile health system as unable to handle foreign patients.

Speaking for the first time on the matter, Ruto said he agreed to the establishment of the facility based on existing bilateral relations.

"When President Trump asked the government of Kenya to support them by having a center at Laikipia Air Base, I gave the OK because it was an agreement and a partnership with friends who have worked with Kenya for 30-40 years," he said.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Kenyans protest plan for Ebola treatment facility for Americans exposed to the virus

Ruto said the facilities established across the country under the partnership would also benefit Kenyans in the event of an Ebola outbreak.

"We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing. People should relax. Politicians should avoid reckless, unnecessary talk that doesn't mean anything," he said.

5 Americans released from quarantine after cruise ship hantavirus exposure

2 June 2026 at 15:24

Five Americans exposed to a rare strain of hantavirus on a cruise ship are completing their quarantine at home. They were released from a national quarantine facility in Nebraska after meeting safety criteria set by public health officials.

This outbreak has been linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can spread from person to person through very close contact and the exchange of bodily fluids.

Thirteen others remain at the facility, though some are expected to be allowed home in the coming weeks. The mandatory 42-day monitoring period ends June 21.

RELATED STORY | France confirms hantavirus in cruise outbreak is not new or more transmissible

In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention repatriated 18 passengers who remained on the cruise ship. They were among over 140 passengers and crew exposed to the rare virus.

As of May 27, a total of 13 cases, including three deaths, have been reported from the ship.

Illness can range from mild to severe. Symptoms often begin with fever, chills, muscle aches, cramps, and sometimes abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. After a week, some patients develop lung symptoms, including coughing, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In rare cases, fluid can build up in the lungs, which can be fatal.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 38% of U.S. cases are fatal. The incubation period is longer than for many respiratory viruses, with symptoms developing one to eight weeks after exposure.

RELATED STORY | Cruise passengers isolated after hantavirus outbreak allowed to leave quarantine facility

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