Three finalists have been chosen in the search for Dearborn Public Schools superintendent. The finalists were chosen during a special meeting over the weekend. Thomas Ahart, Mike Esseily and Moussa Hamka will move forward to the next round of interviews with district officials and stakeholders this week. 

A meet and greet will be held on April 22 from 7:20-8:45 p.m. for community members to meet the candidates at the Administrative Building. Finalists will be interviewed by the Board of Education on April 23. A final decision will be made on May 4 during a special meeting. 

The superintendent search was initiated when Former Superintendent Glenn Maleyko stepped down to become the State Superintendent.  

People can follow updates at the district’s YouTube page @DearbornPublicSchoolsVideo or at dearbornschools.org.

Additional headlines for Monday, April 20, 2026

Night of Innovation, Bet on Dearborn Expo

The Night of Innovation event cohosted by the City of Dearborn’s Economic Development Department and the American Arab Chamber of Commerce is a shark tank style pitch competition for prizes. The top prize wins $25,000. That takes place on May 12 from 5-8 p.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

The following day, the Bet on Dearborn Expo returns for a third year. The expo brings entrepreneurs, business resources, community services and networking together. The event takes place on May 13 from 4-8 p.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.  

Visit betondearborn.com for more information and to register for free. 

Dream of Detroit training

The nonprofit Dream of Detroit is hosting a community organizing training. The training will teach leaders principles of community organizing based on faith, storytelling and collective power. 

The training takes place May 2 from 1-6 p.m. and Sunday May 3. RSVP at dreamofdetroit.org. 

ICE impacts immigrant families—even if they’re here legally  

A recent study shows that some immigrant families in Michigan remain in constant fear because of the Trump administration’s ICE raids. 

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) found the crackdown has disrupted the lives of immigrants regardless of legal status. Researchers say children and parents are missing doctors’ appointments and other routine activities over concerns that ICE could arrest them.

Elizabeth Gonzalez is an organizer with the Congress of Communities in Southwest Detroit. She says ICE agents showing up at schools and childcare centers affects kids needing educational opportunities. “We depend on our Head Start centers and our Head Start programs. Unfortunately, enrollment has dropped due to parents and children being scared of ice surrounding centers and schools.” 

But Gonzalez has a message for the community: “Estamos unidos para proteger a nuestros niños. We are united to protect our children.” 

CLASP recommends that lawmakers restore prohibitions against ICE agents operating at schools, houses of worship and hospitals. 

– Reporting by Russ McNamara

Bill Kubota inducted into Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame

Senior Producer at Detroit PBS Bill Kubota was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame this weekend for his contributions to journalism in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. 

Kubota is known for his work for Detroit Public Television’s weekly public affairs program One Detroit. Detroit PBS says Kubota dedicated his life’s work to working in Detroit since the 1980s as a trailblazer in video journalism. He’s also worked as a producer with several national news outlets.

Kubota’s work encompasses overlooked stories, from civil rights to environmental justice and the formerly incarcerated. Kubota is the treasurer for the Michigan chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association. 

If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.

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

Hundreds of people across Michigan protested against Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the weekend after an ICE agent shot a woman to death in Minnesota last week. 

Joshua Medina joined demonstrators at Detroit’s Clark Park on Friday night. He says Americans need to fight back against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. 

“Force only understands force, right? And by no means I mean that in a violent way, but I mean that in a show of people power, right?”

There were protests across the nation over the weekend.  

– Reporting by Steve Carmody 

Additional headlines for Monday, Jan. 12, 2026

Auto Show

Detroit’s car companies are gearing up for the city’s annual Auto Show this week. 

Executive Director Sam Klemet says the event features immersive hands-on displays promoting both vehicle technology and the Motor City itself. 

“It’s a chance for everyone to come under one roof and see kind of what the auto industry is about…where it’s going…and what the city of Detroit is about. I mean you’ll see a lot of that as well. So I think that this is evolving into a content show.” 

Klemet adds that the event also celebrates those who love Michigan’s outdoor areas by showcasing vehicles and equipment designed for rugged terrain. 

The auto show opens to the public on Jan. 17.  

– Reporting by Quinn Klinefelter

Dinner with your Muslim Neighbor 

The City of Dearborn and Chef Amanda Saab are hosting a “Dinner with Your Muslim Neighbor” event this week at the Lincoln Ballroom at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. The event takes place Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.  

The event hopes to give non-Muslim neighbors a chance to join Muslim neighbors to sit down and have deeper conversations together.  

Future Docs

The Wayne State University School of Medicine is hosting its Future Docs program in March. The event is hosted by the Medical Alumni Association to expose kids to hands-on science and medicine.

Future Docs is for children between the age of 6-12 years old. Children will experience 18 hands-on science workshops, such as Brain Blast, Wind Your Way Through DNA, and Heart Rocks. Kids receive a t-shirt, a backpack, and souvenirs. The event takes place on March 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 540 Canfield in Detroit.  

Tickets are $20 for adults and $35 for children. Tickets for WSU Medical Alumni Association members are $15 for adults, $30 for children.  

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