Detroit voters will have an opportunity to see the two candidates for mayor debate each other tonight.  City Council president Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch will take part in the televised event at the WXYZ-TV studios in Southfield. 

Michigan Chronicle Executive Editor Jeremy Allen says many Detroiters have already made up their minds about who they’re voting for. “It’s pretty clear that people are either for Mary Sheffield or for Solomon Kinloch.  And there are – there’s really no in-between.  And so, what I’m seeing from the community is folks who are invested in this race are fully invested on one side or the other, and there’s no in-between.”

Tonight’s debate will be broadcast on WXYZ-TV 7 at 7 p.m. and streamed online. Citizen Detroit will hold a debate watch party beginning at 6 p.m. at UFO Bar – that’s 2110 Trumbull in Detroit.   

Additional headlines from Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Free Press endorsements

The Detroit Free Press announced Tuesday that’s it’s endorsing City Council President Mary Sheffield to become Detroit’s next mayor.  The Free Press says she’s more qualified to hold the city’s top job. 

The paper says more than a third of Detroiters now live in poverty – making Detroit the poorest city in the country.  The Detroit News and Michigan Chronicle have also endorsed Sheffield for mayor. 

Fire engines 

The Detroit Fire Department is adding new vehicles to its fleet.  The department is getting 10 new fire engines and 13 new ambulances.  There are also six new supervisory vehicles. 

The city’s total investment is $10.7 million.  Detroit officials showed off the new vehicles at a news conference Tuesday at Eastern Market. 

Rosa Parks mural 

The Detroit Department of Transportation is showing off some new artwork.  A mural of civil rights activist Rosa Parks is being unveiled today at the Rosa Parks Transit Center. 

City officials say the mural is part of efforts to make improvements at the center.  Parks became a symbol of the struggle for civil rights when she was arrested in December 1955 after refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a White man in Montgomery, Alabama. 

Parks moved to Detroit in 1957 and later worked for Congressman John Conyers.  Parks died in October 2005. 

Gordie Howe opening delayed 

The opening of the Gordie Howe bridge between Detroit and Windsor has been delayed. 

The previous timeline was for the international crossing to open sometime this fall.  But bridge officials say there are several items that need to be checked and double-checked before the structure is ready for traffic. 

About 98% of work on the bridge has been completed.  The “Gordie” is now expected to open sometime early next year. 

Gas prices fall

Gas prices are falling in Metro Detroit. 

The average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded is now $2.87.  That’s down 13 cents from a week ago, and 30 cents cheaper than last month at this time. 

Industry analysts say lower prices are a result of reduced consumer demand and the annual switch to a winter blend of gasoline, which is cheaper to produce. 

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The Detroit Police Department and Mayor Mike Duggan say crime dropped during the first three quarters of this year. Carjackings, homicides, and non-fatal shootings are all down.

President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard in several cities across the country to help reduce what he perceives as high crime. Duggan says he wouldn’t support the National Guard being sent to Detroit. He says he doesn’t think they would be effective, and used the example of a shooting early Monday morning where a teenager was killed.

“Had you deployed the National Guard again in this city? You’re talking about 144 square miles, I doubt anybody would have had the National Guard at 7:30 on a Monday morning at Littlefield in West Chicago. That’s not a practical way to do it. But I can assure you that right now, our CVI groups are figuring out who might be looking to retaliate against somebody and intervening.”

Duggan praised efforts from community violence intervention programs as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

Additional headlines from Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Count Day attendance increases

Chalkbeat Detroit reports almost 500 more students showed up on October first than on Count Day last fall. Those numbers may still get a bit higher since the district can count students who show up for school up to 10 days after the designated day.

The final count will be used to determine how much money the district will get from the state.

Interfaith educational tour showcases Detroit’s Muslim community

The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metro Detroit is inviting Metro Detroiters to An Educational Tour of Metro Detroit’s Muslim Faith Communities later this month. Attendees will visit the Muslim Center Mosque and the Islamic Center of America. Lunch and transportation are provided.

The tour is October 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Neighborhood Vitality Index survey

Congress of Communities is encouraging residents to take the Neighborhood Vitality Index survey.

The survey takes about 20 minutes and collects information about the experiences and concerns of Detroit residents – from safety to healthcare to community resources. Survey takers will receive a $25 gift card.

For more information, and to see data from the 2024 survey, go to nvidetroit.org/survey. 

Legacy Tour celebrates Detroit’s Black professionals, HBCU alum

The Legacy Tour will spotlight Black professional excellence and historically Black college and university culture at events in Detroit this weekend.

Attendees will dress to impress at Suits and Stilettos at Fixins Soul Kitchen Friday night. On Saturday, HBCU alum are invited to ‘rock’ their school colors and Greek gear for the Rep Your Legacy Day Party at the Locker Room Lounge.

For tickets and information go to thelegacytour.myle.com.  

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