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Today — 8 November 2025Main stream

MichMash: After mayoral win, is Sheffield the second most powerful Democrat in Michigan?

7 November 2025 at 18:58

Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield had a historic win on Tuesday, becoming the first woman to be elected Mayor of Detroit. In this episode of MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben are joined by BridgeDetroit reporter Malachi Barrett and Detroit One Million founder Sam Robinson to discuss how Sheffield might govern in her new role.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple PodcastsSpotifyNPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

  • What makes Sheffield’s win so significant?
  • What does Sheffield’s trajectory look like?

Historic win

Not only is Sheffield the first woman to become mayor for the city of Detroit, but she had record turnout in comparison to her predecessor.

“Duggan is talked about as this electoral juggernaut, especially in his re-election campaigns. He never had above 75% or even hit 75,000 votes,” Barrett said. “Sheffield had both.”

Barrett also said Sheffield was more present in the community and had better relationships than her opponent, Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr.

Sheffield’s trajectory

From here, Sheffield’s career could go in many different directions. But according to Robinson, Detroit is the main focus for the young politician.

He recounted stories from her election night afterparty and says he believes she aspires to be a candidate like former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. Robinson also said that her representation as an African American woman has inspired a lot of people.

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Yesterday — 7 November 2025Main stream

The Metro: The pressures of being a first

By: Sam Corey
5 November 2025 at 18:36

For the first time, a woman is mayor-elect for the City of Detroit.

Mary Sheffield is a 38-year old Black woman and the current Detroit City Council President. In becoming mayor, she’ll have a much brighter spotlight flashing on her. And many agree that that light, because of her gender, will carry scrutiny that Mayor Duggan never had to face. 

Notably, Detroit already has many women leading organizations and departments across the city. So how significant is Sheffield’s win? And, what kinds of things might she need to be concerned about that a man wouldn’t?

To discuss all this now, we have Raquel Constañeda-Lopez served on Detroit City Council at the same time as Sheffield. Now she runs an organization called Restorative Democracy, which supports women of color who hold public office. 

 

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


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Before yesterdayMain stream

2025 Municipal Election Results: Detroit

5 November 2025 at 00:19

Detroiters are voting for mayor, city council, city council at-large seats, city clerk and board of police commissioners.

Many eyes are on the Detroit mayoral race after Mayor Mike Duggan announced he would not be seeking reelection. He has since launched an independent bid for governor.

Last updated: Nov. 5, 2025 at 10:03 a.m. ET

Precincts reporting: 430/430

Other Detroit races

Board of Police Commissioners

The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners is an 11-member civilian oversight organization broken into 7 districts. Most candidates are running unopposed in their district or did not make the primary.

City Clerk

Incumbent Janice Winfrey is running unopposed in the November general election.

Community Advisory Councils

Only three of Detroit’s seven City Council districts have Community Advisory Councils: District 4, District 5 and District 7. No candidates met the deadline to submit signatures to get on the Aug. 5 primary ballot.

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Trump-supporting Dearborn mayoral candidate faced lawsuits, unpaid debts, and foreclosure

3 November 2025 at 19:40

A conservative Dearborn mayoral candidate who has made “faith, family, and freedom” the centerpiece of his campaign has struggled to pay his own bills, even as he poured more than $50,000 into his race for mayor.

The post Trump-supporting Dearborn mayoral candidate faced lawsuits, unpaid debts, and foreclosure appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Detroit on Election Day

29 October 2025 at 15:35

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit voters will choose a new mayor Tuesday in the city’s first open-seat mayoral race in a dozen years.

City Council President Mary Sheffield and Triumph Church pastor Solomon Kinloch, both Democrats, will face off for the city’s top job after placing first and second in the Aug. 5 nonpartisan primary. The winner will replace outgoing three-term Mayor Mike Duggan, who is running for governor of Michigan as an independent.

The city faces a vastly different situation than it did when Duggan was first elected in 2013. In July of that year, it became the largest U.S. city ever to file for bankruptcy. The city now has a budget surplus, 12 years of balanced budgets and projected economic growth for the next five years. Homicides and violent crimes are down, while the city’s population has increased for the second consecutive year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Still, the next mayor will face numerous challenges, including a shortage of affordable housing and vast economic disparities along racial lines.

Sheffield has led the field in fundraising throughout the campaign. As of the August primary, her campaign fund more than doubled that of her eight competitors combined.

In the general election, she has far outraised and outspent Kinloch. As of Oct. 19, her campaign had spent more than $1.8 million on her campaign and had roughly $772,000 in the bank. By that same point, Kinloch had spent about $160,000 on the race and had less than $11,000 remaining in the bank.

Since receiving more than 50% of the vote in the August primary, Sheffield has picked up key endorsements from Duggan, as well as from two of her former primary opponents, former city council president Saunteel Jenkins and city council member Fred Durhal. Jenkins received 16% of the primary vote, narrowly losing a spot on the general election ballot to Kinloch, who received about 17%. Durhal received about 3% of the vote.

Soloman Kinloch (left) and Mary Sheffield (right) face off in the race for Detroit’s next mayor this November

The Detroit electorate is overwhelmingly Democratic. In the 2024 presidential election, voters in the city supported Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris over Republican Donald Trump by about a 9-1 ratio.

The election takes place as the nation’s largest cities face an unprecedented level of federal intervention, with President Trump deploying or threatening to deploy National Guard troops and federal officers to at least 10 American cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, Baltimore, Memphis, New Orleans, Chicago and Portland, Oregon, among others.

At a September rally in Howell, Michigan, Vice President JD Vance sent a public message to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that the administration is “happy” to send the National Guard to Detroit. “All you gotta do is ask,” he said.

The Associated Press does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.

Michigan’s mandatory recount law does not apply to Detroit’s mayoral race. Instead, candidates may request and pay for a recount, with the payment refunded if the recount changes the outcome. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is subject to a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome.

What to expect on Tuesday:

How late are polls open?

Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.

What’s on the ballot?

The AP will provide vote results and declare the winner in Detroit’s mayoral race.

Who gets to vote?

Any voter registered in Detroit may participate in the mayoral general election.

What do turnout and advance vote look like?

There were more than 518,000 registered voters in Detroit as of the August mayoral primary.

Turnout in that primary was about 17% of registered voters. About 32% of mayoral primary voters cast their ballots in person, while the remaining 68% voted early in person or by absentee ballot.

Turnout in the 2021 mayoral general election was about 19% of registered voters, with about 67% of voters casting early or absentee ballots.

As of Monday, nearly 45,000 ballots had been cast in Detroit before Election Day.

How long does vote counting usually take?

In the August primary, the AP first reported results at 8:32 p.m. ET, or 32 minutes after polls closed. The vote tabulation ended for the night at 4:30 a.m. ET, with 100% of votes counted.

Are we there yet?

As of Tuesday, there will be 364 days until the 2026 midterm elections and 1,099 days until the 2028 general election.

___

Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2025 election at https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/.

This article was written by AP Reporter Robert Yoon

 

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Detroiters’ optimism about city tied to likelihood of voting in mayoral election, U-M survey finds

28 October 2025 at 16:41

Detroiters who believe the city is moving in the right direction are far more likely to vote in next week’s mayoral election than those who say it’s on the wrong track, according to a new University of Michigan survey. The Detroit Metro Area Communities Study (DMACS), conducted from Aug. 6 to Oct. 1, found that […]

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Hamtramck City Councilman Muhith Mahmood runs for mayor amid city council investigations

27 October 2025 at 18:13

Hamtramck City Councilman Muhith Mahmood, 52, is running for mayor in Hamtramck. 

If elected, Mahmood would become the first Bangladeshi American Muslim mayor in the city.

Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib is not running for re-election. President Trump has nominated him for ambassador to Kuwait. He awaits a U.S. Senate vote.

Mahmood’s platform

Mahmood says voters are concerned about property taxes, high water bills, and deteriorating infrastructure.

“Everything is high in Hamtramck due to the fact of one of the oldest city in Michigan is over 100 years old, and last few years, the city was being neglected,” he says.

Mahmood says he will work hard to bring the city back to good shape, “Where people can come and invest their money. We get different sources to earn the money so we don’t have to raise the taxes every year.”

Mahmood has previously served as the sergeant-at-arms for the Unite Here! Local 24 union, representing hospitality workers; the Democratic Party’s 13th district Vice Chair, and president of the Michigan Bangladeshi-American Democratic Caucus (MI-BADC). He’s the founder and president of Golapganj Helping Hand USA, a charity organization that serves people in Bangladesh and in the U.S.

Investigations for election fraud in Hamtramck

Hamtramck voters have expressed concern about pending investigations of alleged election fraud by several councilmembers. 

Mahmood says people are taking advantage of voters, some whom are newer immigrants, and may not know some of the laws of elections.

“Some of the people are taking advantage out of it, picking up their ballot or picking from mailbox, frauding their signature. Of course I’m against it. That’s not what democracy is,” he says.

He says people have the right to choose their leaders, and community leaders play a role in educating voters.

Mahmood, who is part of a residency fraud investigation by the Michigan State Police, says he has been living in Hamtramck since 2021, when he ran for a seat on the city council.

“And that time they investigated everything. I don’t know why it became an issue after a few years, even though not when I was running… after I get elected, few years later, it became an issue,” he says.

Mahmood says he owns other homes, including one in Troy, where his family lives.

He says he is running for mayor in Hamtramck because he loves the city, and he hopes to bring people together. 

“Everybody needs to have a step forward to a one inclusive city… We all need to respect each other, respect their values, respect their religious freedom,” he says.

Mahmood’s opponent, Adam Alharbi, is an engineer for the Department of Commerce. 

Lynn Blasey, Community Arts Partnerships co-director for the College for Creative Studies, is running as a write-in candidate. 

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The Metro: How Detroit’s next mayor can reduce homelessness

By: Sam Corey
27 October 2025 at 16:52

Poverty is going up in Detroit. So too are the costs of food and housing. All of this means that many are struggling to pay their bills, and homelessnessparticularly for kids—is on the rise.  

A lot of these problems are big. To solve them, Detroit relies on money from the federal and state government. 

So, how much can one city with limited resources do to halt the rate of homelessness—and even reverse it?

With the mayoral election next month, Anthony Eid joined The Metro to discuss these things. He’s the senior director of public policy for the Community Development Advocates of Detroit, and the policy and advocacy coordinator for COTS, a housing agency in the city. 

 

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


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Detroit Evening Report: Polls show Sheffield in the lead for Detroit’s next mayor

22 October 2025 at 17:45

Detroit’s candidates for mayor are in their final weeks of campaigning.  And a new poll shows voters are making up their minds.  

A Detroit News/WDIV-TV poll shows City Council President Mary Sheffield with a commanding lead in the race over Pastor Solomon Kinloch.  The survey…conducted from October 16-18 shows Sheffield supported by about 65% of those surveyed, Kinloch with 14%, and about 20% undecided.  

The Glengariff Group conducted the poll of 500 respondents.  The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

Just a reminder: a poll is a snapshot in time of the people surveyed.  Polls don’t vote – people do.  Early voting starts on Saturday.  Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, October 22, 2025

GM Earns 

General Motors reports that it earned $1.3 billion in the third quarter of this year.  The Detroit automaker says its adjusted earnings hit $2.80 per share, surpassing Wall Street analysts’ expectations.  Third quarter revenue passed $48.5 billion.  

The automaker says Cadillac’s North American sales were the best for the first three quarters of the year since 2013 and GMC posted the best year to date sales ever.   GM’s stock price jumped 15% after news of the earnings was released. 

Diwali celebration 

Detroiters will have a chance to learn more about South Asian culture through this week’s Diwali in the D festival.  Diwali is the Hindu celebration of lights, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. 

Diwali in the D offers free events throughout this week and runs through Saturday. 

First Responders BBQ 

A local veterans’ group is holding a special barbecue in Detroit on Friday.  

Chapter 9 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will hold the event to show its appreciation for the city’s first responders.  Police officers and firefighters are invited to come to the barbecue from noon-5 p.m. on Friday. 

It’s being held at the Chapter 9 headquarters – 2951 Woodward at Temple in Detroit.  That’s just north of Little Caesars’ Arena. 

Smokeless Ban 

Detroit City Council has approved an ordinance banning the use of smokeless tobacco in the city’s sports stadiums.  

Smoking of cigarettes and e-cigarettes has been prohibited in the facilities for years.  City Councilman Fred Durhal says the new measure will help provide a healthier example to Detroit’s young people.  

The new ban applies to Comerica Park, Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena. 

Pistons Opener 

The Detroit Pistons open their new season on the road tonight against the Chicago Bulls.  

Detroit finished last season with 44 wins and 38 losses. Pistons guard Jaden Ivey had knee surgery recently and is expected to miss the next four weeks.  

Tip off at the United Center tonight is at 8 p.m. ET.    

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

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Michigan Chronicle Editor on mayoral election

16 October 2025 at 15:54

Detroit’s candidates for mayor are in the final weeks of their respective campaigns.  City Council President Mary Sheffield and the Reverend Solomon Kinloch are working to get out their visions for the future of the city. 

Jeremy Allen is the executive editor for the Michigan Chronicle.  WDET’s Jerome Vaughn spoke with him about the upcoming mayoral election.   

Allen says this year is unusual because Detroit voters seem to have largely made up their minds already. 

“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.” 

Allen says residents aren’t saying they want to read more and learn more about a candidate before making a decision about who they’ll vote for.   

Key issues

As far as key issues in the race, Allen says he’s found Detroiters have a wide range of concerns about the city moving forward.  Overarching issues that need solving are crime—or the perception of crime—and the tension between downtown development and development in city neighborhoods remain near the top of the list.   

The future of Detroit’s school system is also something residents are keeping an eye on.  While education isn’t under the purview of the city’s mayor, Allen says the next mayor should set up some sort of task force should be set up to work more closely with Detroit Public Schools Community District. 

“…to ensure that the city of Detroit can educate its children to be better citizens down the road, because all research points to the fact that a better educated community has impacts down the road and all measurables for quality of life.”          

Black leadership

No matter which candidate wins on November 4, Detroit will have its first Black mayor in more than a decade.  Allen says that will make a difference when dealing with Detroit residents—and when dealing with the federal government. 

“I think once a Black mayor assumes leadership of the city of Detroit, I think the gloves are going to come off for how the federal government looks at and talks about the city of Detroit.  There will be more room for scrutiny.  I think there will be much more room for just this negative tone towards the city that we haven’t seen in the last few months.” 

The Michigan Chronicle has endorsed Mary Sheffield for mayor.  The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press have also given their endorsements to Sheffield.  Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.  Early voting begins Saturday, October 25. 

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Detroit Evening Report: Mayoral debate this Wednesday

13 October 2025 at 19:36

Detroit’s mayoral candidates have their only scheduled debate this week.

The Reverand Solomon Kinloch faces City Council President Mary Sheffield in the general election. Kinloch, a political newcomer, says city leaders haven’t done enough to increase affordable housing in Detroit. He votes to do that and continue pastoring his church if voters elect him.  

“All of us got a responsibility, not to just do something from a spiritual perspective, but to do something social and political. That’s my rearing and my raising. I believe that this is a great opportunity to inspire an entire city that ordinary people can do some extraordinary things.”

Sheffield argues dealing with Detroit’s housing and financial issues demands someone with the kind of experience she’s gained over a dozen years on Council.

The debate will be on Channel 7 starting at 7 p.m this Wednesday, Oct. 15.


– Reporting by Quinn Klinefelter 

Additional headlines for Monday, October 13, 2025

Dearborn Heights acting mayor 

Dearborn Heights City Council Chairman Mo Baydoun is now the Acting Mayor due to Mayor Bill Bazzi’s resignation. The U.S. Senate confirmed Bazzi’s nomination to serve as the Ambassador to Tunisia. 

Acting Mayor Baydoun says he will work closely with city council, public servants and local unions to bring fresh perspectives and solutions. He also says he will focus on public safety, city services, infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization.

Residents of Dearborn Heights will vote for a new mayor in November between Baydoun, the highest vote getter during the primaries, and Councilwoman Denise Malinowski-Maxwell. 

The next mayor’s term begins January 1st 2026. 

Detroit Repair Cafe

The Detroit Repair Cafe is hosting a popup at the Moondog Cafe in Detroit.

People can bring their clothes, electronics, bikes, toys and other things to fix for free. There is also free parking available.

The repair popup takes place every 3rd Sunday in October, November and December from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Moondog Cafe 8045 Linwood Street in Detroit.

The next repair clinic takes place Sunday, October 19. 

Rising Voices Salon Series 

The Asian American-led group Rising Voices is hosting another artist salon in their series “We Belong Here – Asian American Ancestry, Authenticity and Healing.”

The program will begin with a walking tour of Asian Americans and allies buried in the cemetery, followed by a panel discussion about AAPI history in America and healing.

The event takes place next Friday Oct. 24th at the Elmwood Cemetery 1200 Elmwood Ave. in Detroit. 

It is free and open to the public. 

Samaritan Operation Christmas Child 

The international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse is looking for gifts and donations for Operation Christmas Child starting next month. Volunteers are collecting and delivering gifts for kids who have faced war, poverty or disaster.

This year the initiative will have 5,000 drop off locations across the nation, hoping to serve 12 million children. People can also donate $10 for a box of goodies to fill a shoebox full of gifts for a child. Collection week is November 17-24.

Find the closest drop-box by entering your zip code on this Samaritan’s Purse page. 

If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org. 

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

Support local journalism.

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The Metro: What urban farmers need from Detroit’s next mayor

By: Sam Corey
9 October 2025 at 19:28

There are about 2,200 urban gardens across Detroit. In a place with a lot of empty tracts,  that can be a great use of land. 

And, over the past few years, the city has done things to assist the people who tend to it. There’s now an entire department dedicated to the inner workings of urban farmers. 

Recently, the city alongside the Eastern Market Partnership are collaborating to offer $225,000 in grant funding to Detroit-based farmers.

But even with the new dollars being made available, preserving and expanding farms can be challenging because upkeep can be costly and labor-intensive. With Mayor Mike Duggan leaving office, there will likely be turnover and questions about the priorities of the new administration.

Amanda Brezzell is the creative director and co-founder of Fennigan’s Farms in Detroit, a board member for the Detroit Food Policy Council, and a policy and engagement specialist for the Groundwork Center.

They spoke with Cary Junior II about the challenges and joys of farming in Detroit.

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


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Triumph Church and Detroit mayoral candidate Kinloch accused of illegal property deal involving old theater site

8 October 2025 at 18:37

A new lawsuit alleges that Triumph Church and its pastor, the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., who is a candidate for Detroit mayor, violated state and federal laws after the church purchased the former AMC Star Southfield theater site in Southfield. The church later conveyed that property to a private limited liability company “controlled exclusively” by […]

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District 6 resident says he’s voting for Kinloch, he hasn’t seen enough from Sheffield

7 October 2025 at 19:14

In just a few weeks, Detroit residents will take to the polls and pick the city’s next mayor. The candidates are City Council President Mary Sheffield and Reverend Solomon Kinloch.

WDET is speaking with residents as part of our Citizen Vox project to gauge what the community is looking for.

Ronald Ferguson is a 69 year old born-and-raised Detroiter who plans to vote for Kinloch. He spoke with WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley about his decision.

Listen: District 6 resident says he’s voting for Kinloch, he hasn’t seen enough from Sheffield

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Ronald Ferguson: Well, I feel he’s for the people, and to me, I think he’ll do a better job than what we’ve seen over the past six to 10 years from his opponent, you know? I mean, she’s been their council president for so long, but yet, where’s all the results from her efforts? So, I’m ready to try something different to see if I can get a different result, because I’m not happy with the results we’re getting.

Bre’Anna Tinsley, WDET News: What results are you looking for?

RF: The common things: safer neighborhoods, all of the things that make a community thrive, and not just being concentrated on downtown, but the other parts of the cities.

BT: Can you talk about your neighborhood specifically? If there’s anything in there that you’re looking for.

RF: In my neighborhood, there’s few houses, and all the abandoned houses have been demolished. So I’m pleased with that. So the neighborhood is actually clean, and that is a good thing, but I just want to make sure that we have a little more security, because in the summertime, for whatever reason, our young people tend to want to use the public streets as a drag strip. And if there were more police out there or being placed in certain areas, I think we could minimize or eliminate that. That’s a concern.

It’s to the point where you don’t want to go out when it’s dark out, and you shouldn’t have to feel that way in your neighborhood. But I know when you have limited funding with fewer taxpayers, that’s what you get. So,  I’m hoping a new mayor can get more people to reside in the city, to increase the tax base, so therefore you can get better schools, better stores, better policing, all the things that we all want when you live somewhere. Detroit is no different than any other city. The only difference is we don’t have the tax base because of the lack of residents. And then when you look at the percentage that’s unemployed, let’s find a way to get these people employed if they’re going to reside in the city, or find people that can move in the city that’s already employed, that’ll resolve your problems, most of them anyways.

BT: You mentioned not seeing any results from City Council President Mary Sheffield. Duggan has been the mayor for the last over a decade. Now, were you not satisfied with him as mayor either?

RF: Well, now you’re on a different target. I would say I’m pleased with a lot of the things he’s done. I remember vaguely when the city was dark because of the thieves stealing all copper wires for the streetlights. Well, they revamped that and put them above so they could relight the city. He also campaigned on tearing down a lot of the condemned homes, and he did a great job at that, because it happened right on my block, and I witnessed it. So, a lot of things he did, I approve of, but I don’t know. I just didn’t see or give credit to Sheffield being the president of city council.

I just didn’t see a lot coming from her and her efforts. But maybe if you combine her with Duggan, well, kudos to them, because they got some things done that help my community. Policing can help a little more. That tax base has to grow, and I don’t see where all the jobs are coming to make people employed that’s residing here. That’s not something to cheer about, what are we going to do about that?

Support local journalism.

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Detroit Evening Report: Entrepreneur and lender match program announced

25 September 2025 at 20:55

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation announced a new platform that will match entrepreneurs with the best fitting lender. 

The website is designed to help small businesses navigate financial options through partnerships with local Community Development Financial Institutions.   

Applicants visit the website, submit the criteria for the type of loan and amount they need, and the algorithm will match them with the best lenders.  

DEGC Senior Vice President Derrick Headd calls the hub a central command center for the city’s small business ecosystem.  “One place where you can find financing options, technical assistance, and service organizations. Everything you need to have a thriving company.” 

Lenders participating in the hub include ProsperUS, Detroit Development Fund, Invest Detroit and more.  

Eligible applicants must be located in the city, have documented cash flow, and cannot be affiliated with any business prohibited by federal law.  

 Additional headlines for Thursday, September 25, 2025

Pastors seek high voter turnout this mayoral election

Detroit voters will elect the city’s first new mayor in 12 years this fall. A coalition of pastors is working to educate and mobilize their flocks to decide between City Council President Mary Sheffield and Reverend Solomon Kinloch. 

Organizers say 12 churches took part in the Lift Every Voice and Vote campaign in the August primary. They want five times that number mobilizing voters in the general election. 

Al Williams leads Lift Every Voice and Vote Detroit. He admits its hard motivating voters in the city. “I think that the history of our mayoral elections, past two or three mayoral elections, have shown us that the excitement has gone down every single mayoral election. Yes, it has made it a challenge.” 

Less than 20 percent of eligible Detroit voters cast ballots in the August primary.

Proposed ordinance requires body cam footage be made public

A proposed Detroit ordinance would require police to release body camera footage within 30 days of police shootings and other incidents including the use of non-lethal weapons like tasers, pepper spray, tear gas, bean bags and rubber bullets.

Under the proposed ordinance, footage must be posted on a public website. Exemptions would be allowed upon written request from the Detroit Police Department or Wayne County prosecutor.

Exceptions apply to footage captured during federal or state task force operations, footage prohibited by court order and footage determined to be prejudicial to a civil matter. 

James Baldwin Sidewalk Libraries

The City of Detroit and the Detroit Public Library will be hosting the James Baldwin Sidewalk Libraries across the city. Detroit ACE and the Charles H. Wright Museum also partnered to launch the reading campaign.

Boxes designed to help residents find or donate books by and about author James Baldwin will be placed in Detroit neighborhoods. 

The initiative completes the work started by artist Sabrina Nelson, whose landmark exhibit on Baldwin debuted last fall.

The initiative is being launched during Black Reading Month in Detroit. 

Fashion business management degree now offered at CCS

 The College for Creative Studies in Detroit is now offering a fashion business management degree. The degree will take 90 credits and just over three years to complete. 

Students will learn merchandising, styling, marketing strategy, brand development, trend forecasting, and fashion communications. No portfolio is required for admission.

Visit the College for Creative Studies and look under the listing of undergraduate programs more information and to apply. 

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Detroit Evening Report: WSU President Espy resigns

17 September 2025 at 21:09

Wayne State University President Kimberly Espy is resigning.  That’s according to a source with knowledge of the situation. 

Espy has reportedly been under pressure from the school’s board of governors to step down.  In recent weeks, there’s been criticism about the unexplained decision to place the dean of Wayne State’s Medical School on leave. 

A story by the Detroit News says the Interim Med School Dean resigned because his appointment did not follow proper channels.  Espy was also criticized for not fully engaging in the Detroit community.  She did not appear at an event on campus Monday to announce a program to make it easier for DPSCD high school students to attend Wayne State. 

Espy became the President of the university in August 2023.  A Wayne State Board of Governors’ meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday September 17, 2025

Mayoral Debate 

WXYZ-TV has announced that it will broadcast a Detroit mayoral debate on Wednesday, October 15. 

The television station will host City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch in its Southfield studios that evening.  Sheffield and Kinloch were the two candidates receiving the most votes in the city’s August primary. 

The October debate will be moderated by Chuck Stokes and Carolyn Clifford. 

679 Area Code 

Get ready to dial a few extra digits every time you call someone on your phone.  Starting October 7, residents will need to dial all 10 numbers when making a call.  In other words, all calls will need an area code. That’s to get folks ready for the new 679 area code.  That new code takes effect on November 7. 

Detroit residents seeking new phone numbers after that may receive a 679 area code once all 313 numbers are exhausted.   Residents in Wayne County suburbs such as Redford Township, Highland Park, Hamtramck and Dearborn will also be affected by the change. 

Fall safety

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is working to keep older adults from falling and getting injured. 

The department is collaborating with the Michigan Falls Prevention Council and the National Council on Aging.  They’re offering special online tools for risk assessment and fall prevention classes online. 

A webpage provides a directory of programs to help senior citizens stay healthy.  Residents can also call 2-1-1 to speak with a live operator about resources in the area. 

Next week is Falls Prevention Awareness Week. 

Detroit Grand Prix Dates 

The Detroit Grand Prix has confirmed its dates for next year. 

The race through downtown streets will take place on Sunday, May 31, 2026.  That’s the weekend after Memorial Day.  And as has been the case for many years, it’s the weekend following the running of the Indianapolis 500. 

Detroit Grand Prix organizers say 156,000 people came downtown to watch events over this year’s three-day weekend.  They say more than a million people watched the Grand Prix on television this year. 

 

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

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Mayoral candidate Kinloch’s megachurch owes Detroit nearly $30K in delinquent water bills

10 September 2025 at 15:38

Detroit mayoral candidate Solomon Kinloch’s megachurch owes nearly $30,000 in delinquent water bills in Detroit, raising questions about whether voters should trust him to manage a city with a $3 billion budget, according to public records.  Kinloch, 52, is the senior pastor of Triumph Church, a Detroit-based megachurch with more than 40,000 members and seven […]

The post Mayoral candidate Kinloch’s megachurch owes Detroit nearly $30K in delinquent water bills appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

Detroit Evening Report: Duggan endorses Sheffield for mayor

20 August 2025 at 20:58

Duggan Endorses Sheffield 

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has endorsed City Council President Mary Sheffield in her run to become Detroit’s next mayor.  The two appeared together this morning at a news conference on the city’s west side. 

Sheffield says she’s ready to move the city forward. 

“I am thankful for Mayor Duggan’s support.  I am ready,” says Sheffield. “I am prepared to lead Detroit to its next chapter.”  

Sheffield won just over 50 percent of the vote in this month’s primary election.  She’ll face Pastor Solomon Kinloch in the November general election. 

Additional headlines

Chandler Park upgrades 

Detroit officials gathered in Chandler Park this afternoon to celebrate upgrades to the eastside park. 

Top of the list is the new Chandler Park Fieldhouse.  The 130-thousand square foot facility includes an indoor sports turf field, multi-sports courts and fitness areas. 

Chandler Park already has an 18-hole golf course and the Wayne County Aquatic Center.  It’s Detroit’s fourth largest park. 

Duggan gains endorsements for governor

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan continues to collect endorsements for his gubernatorial campaign.  He appeared at Michigan Central Station Tuesday to tout 215 endorsements from current and former Democratic and Republican elected officials from around the state.  

Duggan says he’s making a statement with his decision to run for governor as an independent. 

“I know it would be a lot easier to get elected as a Democrat.  It would be a lot easier for all these folks up here not to have to step out and endorse an independent.  But I would have been part of the same old politics in Lansing.  And it is time to send an unmistakable message to tell the folks in Lansing that politics as usual is over.” 

Duggan announced last year that he would not run for a fourth term as mayor of Detroit.  Instead, he’s running to become Michigan’s next governor.  That election takes place in November 2026. 

WSU move-in traffic 

You can expect pedestrian and vehicle traffic to be heavy in Midtown Detroit over the next few days.  That’s because students are headed back to Wayne State University. 

Expect to see U-Hauls and other trucks carrying furniture and other belongings.  Move in at the school’s dorms began today. 

Classes begin on Monday.   

UDM volunteers during orientation

First year students at the University of Detroit Mercy are volunteering for projects in northwest Detroit today and tomorrow. 

They’ll work in parks and gardens and on block clubs in the area near the university. 

The volunteer work is the final part of the school’s orientation for incoming students.  It’s goal is to connect students with the area’s social and cultural networks. 

Federov #91 retired 

The Detroit Red Wings are retiring the jersey of All-Star Sergei Federov. 

Federov played 13 seasons with the Redwings, from 1990 to 2003.  He helped the team win three Stanley Cup Championships.  The Hockey Hall of Fame center scored 400 goals and had 554 assists for the Red Wings. 

A special ceremony to honor Federov and hang his jersey from the rafters at Little Caesars Arena will take place on January 12th

 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” 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.

The post Detroit Evening Report: Duggan endorses Sheffield for mayor appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

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