Several attorneys general filed a new lawsuit to prevent the U.S. Department of Education from terminating school-based mental health grants. Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel has joined the lawsuit.  

The projected cuts equal about $6 million in funding from Michigan schools and universities. Members of Congress allocated $1 billion to address school shootings. The grants are focused on bringing in 14,000 mental health professionals into low-income rural schools. Programs have provided services to over 775,000 students across the U.S.  

Nessel’s office says in a statement that grantees were notified in April last year that their grants may be terminated for conflicting with the Trump administration’s priorities or be targeted for perceived DEI initiatives.  

A court order last year says the administration should not eliminate programming for mental health care in schools. The department said it would review grants at the 6-month mark and make further funding determinations. However, the department plans to terminate funding by this month, prompting the new lawsuit.  

The attorneys general allege that termination of the grants violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution. Termination of the grants would also disrupt the pipeline to get more mental health professionals into the field and lay off those who are already working to address the concerns. 

Additional headlines from Monday, July 13, 2026

DOJ says it will send poll monitors to Detroit

The Trump administration is questioning how Michigan conducts elections. That includes demanding lists of registered voters and threatening Michigan’s Secretary of State with criminal charges if any non-U.S. citizens cast a ballot. The U.S. Justice Department said it intends to send monitors to polls in Detroit, Lansing and East Lansing. All Democrat-led cities. 

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey says allegations that the city had long lines and a lack of ballots at polls are not true. 

Winfrey says Detroit’s election system is transparent and above-board, and she welcomes legal poll monitors watching it in action.  

“And transparency strengthens public confidence. So we don’t mind groups coming in to observe… as long as they don’t get in the way of processing voters and the voting process.” 

President Trump has often made baseless claims that Detroit’s elections were rigged against him despite investigations finding no evidence of any widespread voting fraud. 

-Reporting by Quinn Klinefelter. 

Oncology app

There’s a new app for oncology clinical trials. The Barbara Ann Karmonos Cancer Institute has launched a new version of the KCI Clinical Trials App, where clinicians and people can find out updated information about clinical trials for more informed care.  

People can use the app to contact specialists for questions about trials and learn about opportunities or referrals. Karmanos offers clinical trials for various kinds of cancers including brain, gastrointestinal, and sarcoma. Visit karmanos.org/clinicaltrails to learn more. 

Rising Voices art exhibition

The Asian American advocacy group Rising Voices is hosting an artist exhibition. It will display the art of Michigan Asian American artists Chelsea Koga, Maikue Vang, Navjeet Kaur and Julia Koza. There will also be performances and time for networking.  

The “Revolution, Resistance and Joy,” exhibition opening night takes place July 17 from 6-9 p.m. at the Swords Into Plowshares Gallery in Detroit. The event is free with registration.  

Sazon Festival

There’s a Latin food festival coming to Detroit. Latin City is hosting this outdoor, family-friendly festival with food and music.

The Sazon Latin Food Festival will showcase flavors from the Caribbean, Central and South America. Space is limited. The event takes place Sunday, July 26 at the Batch Brewing Company from 12-5 p.m. Registration is free but spots are limited.  

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The Michigan House proposes a complete elimination of funding for the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC). If the MACC becomes disenfranchised, then museums, historic sites, and other cultural organizations will lose out on $11 million.

MACC is an agency whose grants are accessible to creative projects across the state. They stand for economic development, education, and engagement.

Lisa Craig Brisson is the executive director of the Michigan Museums Association. Her organization is supported by MACC. She says without tax payers, it’d be impossible to get anything done. “It’s very challenging for organizations to articulate all that is involved with our operations. Public funding is a part of what makes operations possible.”

Chad Swan – Badgero is Arts Education Manager for MACC.  He said often when funding cuts need to be made, MACC is the first stop. “When people are considering budget cuts, then that’s the first thing to go.”

Swan-Badgero and Brisson joined The Metro to discuss the history of funding from MACC being on the chopping block and the impact the council has on museums and other public spaces where arts and culture flourish. 

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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More stories from The Metro

Michigan does not currently participate in a federal program that gives tax breaks to people for donating money to nonprofits that award scholarships for tutoring and private school tuition. Governor Whitmer is weighing whether to opt into the federal initiative.

If adopted, taxpayers in Michigan would receive a $1,700 tax break parents could use for private school tuition, tutors or after school programs. 

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently stopped in Hamtramck to promote the program. 

Detroit Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti says the program might help kids on an individual basis,“But I would just continue to say, you know, as a nation, we have to think about at scale investments. How do we improve institutions that benefit the majority of our children, not isolated improvement?” 

Teachers unions and Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern that the program would funnel money into private schools, and away from public schools and their students. 

Vitti says funding public schools should be the priority. “I’d rather see us use taxpayer dollars and not decrease taxpayer dollars in investing in large scale systems that benefit the majority of American children, not individual children or families.” 

Right now, people in Michigan can still make the donation and get the tax break; however, students in the state would not be eligible for the scholarships. Using public money for private schools is prohibited by the state constitution. 

-Reporting by Russ McNamara

Additional headlines for Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Gas prices rise

Gasoline prices surged overnight. AAA said Michigan drivers paid an average of $4.01 for a gallon of regular unleaded this morning. That’s 15 cents higher than it was yesterday. The national average is $4.14 a gallon, the highest in almost 4 years. 

GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says escalations between the U.S. and Iran have intensified concerns about disruptions in oil shipments. He adds prices will likely remain high until Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an order last week allowing Michigan gas stations to sell cheaper winter fuel blends through the end of June. 

Delta expands flights to Europe

Delta Air Lines is expanding flights from Metro Airport to Europe. The Detroit Free Press reports Delta will offer daily service to Rome in November and March, allowing passengers to take advantage of off-peak travel. 

Public Health Week

It’s Public Health Week in Detroit. The city’s health department is offering free services including health screenings, immunizations, lead testing, and overdose prevention resources.

Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed says health department staff will host free events through Saturday at various community centers. The goal is to make it easier for residents to get health care by bringing it to them. 

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