Is everyone getting charged the same in Michigan’s courts? This is the question causing members of the Michigan Judicial Council to create a proposal to take the pressure off judges to generate revenue and make the state a more balanced funding partner. The proposal also aims to make sure people are not given debts that they can’t pay.
In this episode of MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben discuss the ins and outs of this proposal with former judge and State Court Administrator Tom Boyd.
The council’s proposal seeks to change how the state court is funded. Boyd says it’s not just a matter of different courts charging different amounts for the same infractions, but it can also depend on the individual person.
“Unfortunately, today, that tax is often determined by how the person presents himself in court. Well, that’s not a fair — or honestly legal under the current system — way of doing things,” Boyd says.
He stresses that uniform practices are needed to stay consistent with the law.
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Detroit rapper Big Sean and music legend Usher are partnering to invest in a new $1 million entertainment production facility for Detroit youth. It will be called the Detroit Entertainment Innovation Incubator and will be located inside the new Boys and Girls Club at Michigan Central.
The program will give young people from the ages of 14 to 24 access to a virtual production studio, special effects lab, creators lounge and more.
Both artists grew up going to Boys and Girls Clubs and are looking to give back with this effort. The new Boys and Girls Club location is slated to officially open with a ribbon cutting ceremony in February according to a statement from representatives.
Additional headlines from Friday, December 5, 2025
Respite centers
As the weather drops, the city is reminding Detroiters in need that there are respite centers available. Recreation centers and public libraries serve as respite centers during their regular operating hours.
Some of the locations open this weekend include the Coleman A young Recreation Center at 2751 Robert Bradby, the Kemeny Recreation Center at 2260 S. Fort and the Bowen Branch of the Detroit Public Library at 3648 Vernor Hwy.
For more locations and more information go to detroitmi.gov.
City seeks sculptor
The city of Detroit is looking for someone to sculpt a second statue of Joe Louis that honors his achievements outside the boxing ring.
Officials already unveiled the first statue celebrating the Brown Bomber’s contributions to golf. He was the first amateur Black golfer to play in a PGA-sanctioned event.
The new statue will pay tribute to his impact on equestrian sports. Louis bought a horse farm in Shelby Township in 1939 and created the nation’s first horse show featuring Black riders and trainers.
Mahmood sues to count disqualified Hamtramck ballots
In Hamtramck mayoral candidate Adam Alharbi was deemed the winner by 11 votes after a recount this week. But the race may not be over yet. Alharbi’s opponent Muith Mahmood filed a lawsuit arguing that the city should count all 37 votes that were disqualified.
The ballots were found improperly stored in the City Clerk’s office and were excluded from the final count after the Wayne County Board of Canvassers deadlocked on the issue.
Former Michigan state elections director Chris Thomas says although there is a security concern about how the ballots were handled Hamtramck residents should not be penalized. “Apparently these envelopes were received, their date, time and date stamped. The signatures were compared and found to be valid. So these voters have been disenfranchised, so there’s no question about that. And the question before the court is, what are you going to do for these voters?”
Another hearing is scheduled to settle the issue.
Sports
NFL
The Lions bounce back from their Thanksgiving loss with a win against the Dallas Cowboys last night with the score of 44-30. The Lions haven’t had back-to-back losses since the 2022 season and now tie the all-time NFL record with 15 Straight wins after a loss.
They look to continue their playoff hopes as they face the Rams on Sunday December 14th.
NBA
The Pistons have back to back matchups as they face the Portland Trail Blazers today at 7:30pm and the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be at Little Caesars Arena.
NHL
And the Red Wings fell to The Columbus Blue Jackets last night with a 6-5 loss. They hope to bounce back against the Seattle Krakens tomorrow at Climate Pledge Arena. Game starts at 10:00 p.m. EST.
Merry Midtown
Tomorrow the city will be merry with the first ever Merry Midtown event. There will be dining and shopping experiences, Santa sightings, Christmas music, a roaming photo booth and more.
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State energy regulators heard from people last night who oppose a large data center project near Saline. The Michigan Public Service Commission held a virtual hearing on DTE Energy’s request to fast-track contracts with the project’s developers.
The data center would require DTE Energy to substantially increase its peak electrical load. The company says that won’t raise customer’s rate.
Cadillac resident Cody Gilbert spoke at the hearing. Gilbert is concerned about how the data center would affect that state’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.
“A project that uses thousands of gallons of water and tons of electricity, enough for thousands of home is not advancing that goal.”
Opponents say the facility would draw almost as much power as the city of Detroit.
Protestors rallied Wednesday in Beacon Park near DTE Headquarters.
Elijah Williams lives in Detroit but is originally from Mississippi.
He says he feels his home state and Michigan are attractive to data companies because they have access to the large amounts of water needed to cool a data center.
“The access to the Great Lakes… they’re definitely taking advantage of whatever God-given resource in order to just implement whatever quantum…. whatever new level of science and technology that they haven’t got consent from the people on if they even want it in the first place.”
Sarah Brabbs is from York Township, next to Saline. While she is not totally opposed to the data center, she says she isn’t a fan of DTE trying to keep the public out of the process.
“Putting rate payers in a situation that you know we will be paying for…probably on multiple levels…is disingenuous, dysfunctional…and unacceptable.”
DTE said the data center’s operators would pay for the energy they use, almost 1.5 gigawatts.
Additional headlines from Thursday, December 4, 2025
VERDAD tool
Wayne State’s Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights received a $350 thousand grant for its AI powered tool “VERDAD”, which stands for Verifying and Exposing Disinformation and Discourse.”
VERDAD founder and journalist Martina Guzman says the tool started monitoring ethnic radio stations for disinformation in Latino communities.
“The tool records 24 hours a day… And once it hears misinformation… And it hears it based on hundreds and hundreds of disinformation keywords that we’ve uploaded into its system… once it hears one of those words, it begins to really focus and it has an analysis component.”
Since VERDAD launched last year, more than 320 academics and journalists have registered to use the free tool. It will expand to all 50 states in multiple languages, including Arabic, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese.
Robocop statue
A long awaited 11-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Robocop has finally taken its permanent place in Eastern Market. The statue is located at 3434 Russell St.
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Wayne State University Law School’s Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights received a $350,000 grant to expand a disinformation tool, “VERDAD: Verifying and Exposing Disinformation and Discourse.”
The AI-powered tool monitors U.S.-based ethnic radio stations for disinformation in Latino media.
VERDAD Founder and journalist Martina Guzmán says the tool will expand to all 50 states in multiple languages and also globally.
“Oftentimes, people think there’s going to be like, this commercial that’s complete disinformation. And what happens is on Latino radio stations, on ethnic radio stations, people have talk shows. And on those talk shows, it is often those people that host the talk shows that are spreading disinformation,” she says.
Guzmán says the tool began monitoring Latino radio stations in battleground states ahead of the 2024 election.
“We felt that the election would be won or lost in those states at the time. And that was the capacity we had that we could do these eight battleground states and maybe a few more,” she says.
The grant was awarded to the Wayne State University Law School’s Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to expand its reach of languages and locations.
Guzmán says the tool works as a civil rights safeguard to empower voters.
“The tool records 24 hours a day, and once it hears misinformation, right? And it hears it based on hundreds and hundreds of disinformation keywords that we’ve uploaded into its system. And once it hears one of those words, it begins to really focus… it has an analysis component,” she says.
Since the VERDAD tool’s inception last year, more than 320 academics and journalists have registered to use the free tool on Verdad.app to write articles and research trends of LatinX voters.
The tool will add several languages, including Arabic, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese to inform voters.
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A holiday season celebration crafted with wit and rowdy charm! An ongoing tradition, the Detroit Public Theatre’s Holiday Cabaret features talented vocalists and adult humor. This weekend, Dec. 4-7 is the time to catch the preview shows and the premiere.
Take a walk through time and enjoy festivities at Greenfield Village. Carols, roasted chestnuts, artisan crafts, ice skating and Model-T rides will get the whole family in the holiday spirit while immersing them in history.
Terence Blanchard and his band The E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet reprise his Malcom X Jazz Suite. The initial suite modified Blanchard’s compositions for the 1992 film Malcom X, directed by Spike Lee, for live performance. After its evolutions over the years, Blanchard’s latest version offers audiences a new stirring experience. Performance begins at 8 p.m.
A two-hour blend of burlesque, drag, comedy, and improv sure to entertain and delight! This event is hosted by Sarah Lynn and presented by Best Case Scenario Comedy. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Bring cash for tipping performers. This event is 18 and up.
Attend the Detroit premiere of a locally-produced true crime documentary on the Michigan Co-Ed Killer. The show opens with an organ overture, and Director Andrew Templeton will be present to discuss the film following the showing.
In place of Noel Night, over 50 local businesses have organized a night to shop, dine and explore midtown. From 5-9 p.m., people of all ages are welcome to enjoy ice carving demonstration, live performances, photo booths and more
The All Nations Dancers, representing the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes, celebrate winter and Mother Earth with songs performed by singer-songwriter Joe Reilly. The performance starts at 2 p.m. in the Riviera Court. While at the museum, check out the current exhibit Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation until April 5, 2026.
Shop for a variety of artisan and homemade goods from over 100 artists, including crocheted items, decor, soaps, journals, jewelry and more. Meet the makers and find presents for yourself and others from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Children 12 and under get free entry both days after 1 p.m.
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Michigan residents demanded more scrutiny of the plan to provide electricity to a proposed data center in rural Washtenaw County on Wednesday night.
They also expressed frustration and distrust with DTE Energy. The utility is asking the state for expedited approval of the company’s contracts with Oracle Corp. for a data center planned in Saline Township, near Ann Arbor.
The facility would require 1.4 gigawatts of power from the electricity provider. The data center is part of Stargate, OpenAI’s $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure around the United States.
DTE Electric has asked the Michigan Public Service Commission to fast-track approval for its plan with Oracle to power the data center. That would bypass a process called a “contested case” that requires the commission to consider evidence and testimony from a variety of sources. Michigan’s Attorney General expressed alarm about the process, calling the hearing “performative listening” in a rebuke last month.
Protest
A small group of protesters gathered Wednesday afternoon across the street from DTE Energy’s Detroit headquarters. They were unhappy that DTE has tried to push plans for the data center through without public hearing.
Sarah Brabbs is from York Township, next to Saline. While she is not totally opposed to a data center, she said she’s not a fan of DTE trying to push the project through without allowing the public in on the process.
“Putting rate payers in a situation that you know we will be paying for, probably on multiple levels, is disingenuous, dysfunctional, and unacceptable,” Brabbs said.
Others at the protest said they’re concerned about the potential environmental impact, like how much water the facility could use and the amount of energy it would need to function.
“The access to the Great Lakes, they’re definitely taking advantage of whatever God-given resource in order to just implement whatever quantum, whatever new level of science and technology that they haven’t got consent from the people on if they even want it in the first place,” said Elijah Williams.
Michigan Public Service Commissioners Katherine Peretick, Daniel Scripps, and Shaquila Myers listen to public comments about a proposed data center near Saline, Michigan on Wednesday, December 3.
A virtual hearing Wednesday evening drew almost 90 participants. About 45 people spoke over the two and a half hours, with more in queue when the meeting ended at 9 p.m.
Appealing to Michigan’s workforce
A few speakers voiced support for the project. Most of the supporters represented trade unions or business associations who supported the project for creating jobs.
Randall Whitaker is the president of the Washtenaw County Skilled Building Trades Council. He said the project was an investment in Michigan’s workforce.
“A project like this is huge for workers,” he said.
Constructing the data center would create about 2,500 union jobs, according to DTE’s application. Other supporters argued that the facility would generate millions in tax revenue and attract talent to Michigan.
Burdening the electric grid?
DTE has said it expects the facility to increase its current peak electrical load by about 25%, but building out the capacity to accommodate that demand would not affect current ratepayers. DTE argues in its application that the data center won’t impact existing customers’ rates because of safeguards they’ve placed in the contracts with Oracle.
“The project strengthens Michigan’s long-term competitiveness in the fast-growing AI and advanced computing sectors, helping ensure our state remains a destination for innovation and talent,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement supporting the project.
But most participants opposed DTE’s request, citing the same concerns as the protesters – future electricity costs, how much water the facility would use, and whether the data center would actually benefit the local community.
A lack of transparency
Nichole Biber is a member of the Little Traverse Band of Odawa Indians, one of the 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan. She said she doesn’t trust DTE or Oracle to do what’s best for residents.
“These ‘meaningful guardrails,’ from what I’ve heard so far, are all on the assurances of DTE and the multibillion dollar corporations that are pushing AI and data centers on us,” she said. “That does not reassure me.”
DTE’s application, which includes the contracts with Oracle, is partially redacted.
Maggie Kaercher, who runs a small fish farm in Dexter and also attended the hearing, said she wants the commission to deny DTE’s request and have the application available for a more thorough review.
“You can’t pretend that there’s transparency when there is so much redacted out of the papers that we’ve been able to see,” she said.
“What we are asking, and what many other people are asking for as well, is that the Commission give DTE’s proposal the proper scrutiny and ensure transparency,” said Katie Duckworth, an attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center. “Because this is the largest data center to be proposed in Michigan, and it’s one of the largest in the nation.”
Renewable energy or more fossil fuels?
Duckworth said the organization is concerned with how the data center’s power load will impact DTE’s ability to comply with Michigan’s climate change plans.
“It would also significantly increase the company’s renewable energy obligation under Michigan’s clean energy laws,” she said.
DTE is prepared for that challenge, the company said.
“Bringing on a data center of this size means more renewables, and more battery storage,” DTE said in a statement. The company also said the data center’s operators will finance the energy generation and storage needed to run the facility.
Duckworth said that solution would be “transformational” for DTE’s grid – if it happens.
“It raises a lot of questions including as to how those batteries would be charged and whether they will be charged by renewable energy, or whether it would involve prolonging the life of polluting fossil fuel plants or even building additional fossil fuel plants in the future,” she said.
Oracle expects the facility to open in December 2026. It won’t reach its maximum capacity of 1.4 gigawatts until December 2027, according to DTE’s application to the commission.
In October, DTE asked the commission to issue a decision by Friday, December 5. The commission is meeting at 1 p.m. that day.
At the virtual hearing, commissioners encouraged members of the public to attend a hearing on December 18 about the facility’s wetland impact permit, hosted by the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
This story was initially published on Michigan Public Radio’s site and was produced in partnership with WDET.DTE is among WDET’s sponsors.
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The head of Macomb County’s government says the economic uncertainty felt in some sections of Michigan has yet to truly impact his area.
County Executive Mark Hackel summed up the situation in his annual State of Macomb County speech.
Hackel says the county is not just weathering the ebbs and flows of the overall U.S. economy but thriving in the midst of them.
Listen: Macomb executive says county thrives despite economic uncertainty
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Mark Hackel: With our financial situation, our economic foundation, we’re in a great place. I know the things that you’re hearing across the country are challenging. But there’s so many things that kind of help lift us up. We’re pretty diverse too, though we rely heavily upon the automotive and defense industries and manufacturing. But the reality is Macomb is in a very sound place.
Quinn Klinefelter, WDET News: President Trump’s tariffs have impacted various segments of the U.S. economy, including the auto sector, which does have a pretty significant presence in Macomb County. Some of the prices for vehicles are starting to climb now. Do you have any concerns about how tariffs or the overall economic outlook are going to impact jobs or other parts of Macomb County’s economy?
MH: We’re always concerned about what happens at the federal and or state level that may have an impact on our economy. But look at what happened in 2010. There was a huge challenge with manufacturing, job losses, housing shortages that we faced back then. And we doubled down on manufacturing. By doing so, we’ve seen our economy continue to grow here.
Macomb County is a $54.2 billion economy. That’s bigger than the states of Vermont and Wyoming. We are right now at an all-time high. There’s never been a better time in Macomb County with our economy being as robust as it is right now. So whatever might happen with some of these tariffs or other economic concerns, we’re not seeing it directly have an impact right now. We’re in a good place with that.
QK: There is some financial stress in other parts of the country, other parts of Michigan, other parts of metro Detroit, for that matter. In your view, why is Macomb County doing well when some of these other places are having a bit of a struggle?
MH: We decided to double down on manufacturing. We retooled some of our manufacturing facilities. They’re different than they once were. We upgraded them. We really put a full-court press on making sure people understood that with our workforce, from concept to consumer, no one does it better than right here in southeast Michigan. And Macomb County is a major part of that. We are the defense capital of the Midwest. More contracts are awarded to Macomb County, as far as the actual number and the money associated with them, than anywhere else in the entire Midwest. So we keep promoting that, we keep pushing that.
And I think all the attention that we’ve been trying to drive has really helped us. We used a protecting growth strategy when we first got in and worked with the state on that. And we’ve done so well that we’re not really as worried about protecting anymore because we’re seeing that continuous growth. So we’re fortunate. Working with everybody has really had an impact on where we’re at today.
QK: In last year’s State of the County speech, you said that Macomb needed to focus on partnerships instead of partisanship. There was a line about not reaching across the aisle but getting in the aisle. How’s that bipartisan effort been going for you?
MH: Aside from a certain election here or there, for the most part, partisanship is not our conversation. None of that drives what we do here in Macomb County. People are willing to work with each other. You’ve heard that phrase, “Us versus everybody.” Some sports teams use it sometimes, municipalities or communities use it, as a sense of pride, a sense of esprit de corps. But when I look back on 15 years of how Macomb County has got to where it’s at and how we’ve evolved, we’ve kind of flipped the narrative on that. We look at it as, “Macomb with everybody.”
We’re trying to partner at the local, state and federal level. And never do we look at it as, “We can’t talk to them because they’re Democrats or Republicans. We can’t let their idea soak through or let them get successful because their party may get credit for it.” We don’t talk about that, don’t think about it. It’s a call for everybody who wants to come to be part of the solution. And if somebody looks more like they’re wanting to be part of the problem or be just a naysayer, we accept that. But the reality is we continue to forge ahead with people that want to provide solutions and help us get to where we need to go.
QK: When you talk about bipartisan cooperation, there are elections next year that could be pretty significant on a number of fronts. Michigan U.S. Rep. John James, for one, is running for governor and leaving a seat open that represents part of Macomb County. And there is a gubernatorial race underway. Whoever ultimately wins, what would you like to see from Lansing that you think could really affect Macomb County?
MH: That same willingness to partner and work with us rather than figure out how they could get credit by giving support to one particular area or segment of the state as opposed to somewhere else. Ensuring they are not ignoring any community within the state of Michigan. Specifically for Macomb County, whoever the governor is needs to realize they’re not the governor on behalf of the party, they’re the governor on behalf of the people. So govern on behalf of the people. That’s all I ask from whoever the next governor is. Work together on projects that matter, whether it’s in Macomb County, southeast Michigan or beyond.
QK: In terms of the partnerships that you’ve had, are there specific projects that you would like to see either the state or the federal government partner with Macomb on? Or projects that you’re pleased that they have partnered with you on to date?
MH: I’ll go with the ones I’m pleased that they have done to date. We got some support from the state because they realized the importance of our new jail project. It isn’t just about a jail. It’s about dealing with people that are going to be assessed for mental health or substance abuse when they’re brought in at the first point of contact. Every municipality now is partnered-in on this particular facility. We make a determination whether there’s any substance abuse, then decide what we need to do. The state partnered with us with some financial contributions because it impacts the state prison system too. When people are leaving our facility and sentenced on a felony, they’re going to the state facility. We look at what happened with Mound Road, a quarter of a billion dollar project. We got some state funding to help support that as well as federal and local. And then look what happened with Selfridge Air National Guard Base and us pushing the defense industry here in Macomb County. We are the defense capital of Midwest. And I do declare that at some point in time we’re going to be the defense capital of America.
There’s so much happening and we’re so excited about that. But there’s more to be done. We’re partnering on trying to figure out how we retool a facility or find a new use for the Romeo Ford engine plant. We’re looking at the Romeo airport. There’s a lot more that we need to do with our water quality. The support we get from Candice Miller and her team at Public Works. I’m telling you, there’s another trusted voice and a fierce advocate for cleaning our waterways and making sure we’re addressing underground issues. So, a lot has been happening. We’re going to continue those conversations and hopefully wherever the next governor is, they’re willing to address the issues that we’re talking about as opposed to politics.
The whole issue of where we’re headed as a region and even as a state is incredibly important. The biggest thing is that we all need to come together because we need to be competitive with other regions around the globe. And southeast Michigan is a major player. But our biggest challenge right now is our workforce, making sure that we’re attracting people to this area so they take on these jobs. That provides better opportunities for these manufacturers or companies that do the things that they do here in southeast Michigan. Us all coming together to promote the region as one.
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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says there are now over 1,000 registered doulas in Michigan.
Dawn Shanafelt is the Director of the Division of Maternal & Infant Health for MDHHS. She says that’s twice the number of doulas the state department hoped to register by 2028.
“Numerous doula trainings were approved by MDHHS and the Doula Advisory Council, as well as the cost for taking those trainings and the time it takes to attend the trainings was also reimbursed through the Doula Initiative,” she says.
Doulas are non-medical trained birthing assistants.
Shanafelt says birth doulas provide benefits for expectant moms and babies, from reduced birth complications and medical interventions to postpartum care, especially if the care is provided early in the pregnancy.
“Improved mental health, reduced incidences of postpartum mood and anxiety disorder, and then really importantly, overall a satisfying birth experience in labor, birth and postpartum experience,” she says.
People can choose a birthing assistant doula based on county or specialty through the Doula Registry, which has 700 Medicaid-enrolled doulas.
MDHHS says the state also hopes to improve birthing outcomes for Black and Indigenous families, who have higher mortality and morbidity rates compared to other populations.
She says the state is hoping to increase the number of doulas in special populations that could benefit from a birthing assistant, including Black, Indigenous, and immigrant populations.
MDHHS says in fiscal year 2026, they will provide, “one Spanish-language training, one Arabic-language training and one Indigenous doula training,” and take on others upon request to The Doula Initiative team.
Beginning in December, MDHHS will also expand identity options to include Indigenous doulas.
“Culturally competent health care allows doulas to most effectively meet social, cultural and linguistic needs, and culturally congruent care improves health outcomes and helps reduce racial and ethnic health disparities,” says Shanafelt.
Currently, there are 60 Spanish-speaking doulas and 14 Arabic-speaking doulas listed on the registry.
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A recount in the Hamtramck race for mayor shows that Adam Alharbi has won the election. Alharbi beat City Councilman Muhith Mahmood by just 11 votes. Muhith requested a recount because the initial margin of victory was so small. The Wayne County Board of Canvassers recounted just over 4,000 ballots by hand Tuesday.
Legal action continues in the case, though. Mahmood has sued, claiming that 37 ballots found in the City Clerk’s office after the election should be counted.
Additional headlines from Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Master Plan Meetings
The City of Detroit is holding a series of meetings this week to give residents more information on its 20-year master plan.
The meetings, held by the Planning and Development Department, will also give Detroiters a chance to provide their input on proposals for land use in parts of the city.
There’s a meeting for east siders tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Farwell Recreation Center on East Outer Drive. Another takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday in Southwest Detroit at the Patton Recreation Center on Woodmere. A virtual Zoom meeting will be held on Monday, December 9th. Passcode: 900187
Detroit voter suppression sentence
Two conservative political operatives have been sentenced to probation in a scheme to discourage Black Detroiters from voting by mail in the 2020 presidential election.
This week’s sentencing was the last court hearing for Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman in a multistate effort to generate and distribute thousands of robocalls. The pair were accused of creating robocalls that warned people they could be questioned by police, debt collectors and vaccine advocates if they voted by mail.
Wohl and Burkman pleaded no contest to several crimes after unsuccessfully challenging the charges on free speech grounds.
Ambassador Bridge fee rises
The price for crossing the Ambassador Bridge will rise next year.
Tolls for passenger vehicles traveling across the international bridge between Detroit and Windsor will rise to $10 each way starting January first. That’s up from $9 right now.
For motorists paying in Canadian funds, the toll jumps from $12 CDN to $14.
State of Macomb address
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel will deliver his State of the County address tonight. He’ll speak to an invitation-only crowd at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Clinton Township.
He’s expected to review events of the past year and preview the year to come. Macomb County’s Black population is now at 12.4%. That’s up from just around 1% in 1970. Tonight’s speech is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. You can watch it live at WDET.org.
Cold spell coming
Detroiters should brace for a deep cold spell over the next few days.
The National Weather Service says the worst of it in the short run will be now through Friday night. Lows tonight are forecasted to be around 15 degrees. Highs tomorrow and Friday will only rise into the mid-20s. Lows Thursday night will drop to around 6 degrees with wind chills of -2.
If you’re headed outside, dress in layers. Make sure you have a hat and gloves to keep you warm and avoid frostbite.
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Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel delivers his annual address which includes a wide-range of topics, including accomplishments, challenges, partnerships and important initiatives aimed at building the future of the 27 distinct municipalities that make up Macomb County.
The event will air live and can be viewed on the Macomb County website.
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Michiganders have lived with water insecurity for years. Detroit’s mass shutoffs in the mid-2010s put the issue in the national spotlight, but the struggle didn’t stay in Detroit. Residents in small cities and rural towns have faced rising rates, aging systems, and growing household debt, too.
This year, lawmakers are taking another run at a statewide fix.
A new bipartisan set of bills would create a state fund for low-income water assistance, cap bills for many struggling households, and set firm rules around when water can be shut off. The plan nearly passed last session in the Michigan legislature, but collapsed in the final days. Now it’s back with updated language, a broader coalition, and a place on the Michigan Senate floor.
Democratic State Senator Stephanie Chang has spent years drafting and refining statewide affordability legislation and Sylvia Orduño, a longtime organizer with the People’s Water Board Coalition, has worked on water access and human rights advocacy for more than 25 years.
They joined Robyn Vincent on The Metro to discuss why this moment matters, and what Michigan could gain or lose in the months ahead.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
During Thanksgiving weekend, the MichMash hosts got together to look at issues and stories we should look out for in the month of December. In this episode, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss topics such as data centers, the Michigan gubernatorial race, and what items on the legislature’s to-do list are likely to get accomplished.
The Michigan Public Service Commission is planning on addressing the increasing amount of data centers in the state in a public hearing this week.
Open AI, the company behind ChatGPT, is opening a data center in Saline Township. Bridge Michigan recently reported there are nine other communities where companies have proposed building these large-scale data centers.
This surge is a result of a 2024 law that expanded the exemption from the state’s 6% sales tax purchases for the equipment inside these data centers. But despite economic opportunity, there is concern among residents. Questions about environmental impact came up when the legislature passed those bills.
The hearing is set for Dec. 3.
Michigan gubernatorial race
The team also spoke about a major shift coming up in the state gubernatorial race.
Detroit Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan is going to lose a huge asset in having the mayoral megaphone to command attention once Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield takes office. That means he could be losing a lot of news coverage starting Jan. 1. On the other hand, he’ll be able to dedicate his full effort to his campaign efforts. We’ll see how that plays out.
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Residents in Saline Township are hoping to create a “critical mass” of concerned citizens at a virtual public hearing Wednesday night over a proposed $7 billion data center backed by tech giants OpenAI and Oracle.
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is holding the hearing to review DTE Energy’s application to supply power for the 1.4-gigawatt facility. DTE is also seeking approval for an additional $300 million substation dedicated to the project.
Saline Township resident Tim Bruneau is helping mobilize local residents to stop the project’s construction. He says he fears the plan is being pushed through too quickly and worries about how the data center could influence future policy.
“This is going to affect every DTE customer and it might set a precedent for other utilities in our state and possibly even nationally,” Bruneau said.
Bruneau says he had a disturbing conversation with a DTE spokesperson at a recent Saline Township board meeting regardingt how the company would prioritize power during outages.
“He told me that number one priority is hospitals, fire and police stations, and number two would be senior citizen facilities,” Bruneau said. “I asked him if data centers would be number three and he refused to reply.”
In a press release, MPSC Chair Dan Scripps said Wednesday’s hearing will “add an important element of transparency in evaluating DTE Electric Co.’s proposed special contract.”
Find a link to join the virtual public meeting here.
Merchants and organizations in the midtown area have organized a holiday event to keep the spirit of Noel Night going. The annual event’s 51st run has been canceled. But almost 60 shops, restaurants, and community organizations have come together to launch “Merry Midtown” in the spirit of Noel Night.
City Bird’s Andy Linn says there will be concerts at the Detroit School of the Arts, exhibits at Wayne State, DJs at several sites and more.
“And there’s going to be pop up markets at about a dozen of the larger businesses including a really cool vintage and flea market at the majestic. And then there’s going to be live music at a number of locations including Red Hook and Motor City Brewing Works. There’s going to be so many little surprises.”
Business owners say Noel Night is often one of the most lucrative of the whole year – and also when many people discover small businesses in the area. They hope it returns next year, but Merry Midtown may also be here to stay.
Additional headlines from Tuesday, December 2, 2025
New Detroit lions
Detroit has welcomed three new lions at the Detroit Zoo.
A 9 year-old African lioness named Amirah gave birth to the cubs late last month. A fourth cub did not survive. The kitty cats are expected to meet the public in a few months.
Go Lions!
Pontiac’s Holiday Extravaganza
Pontiac is hosting its 44th Holiday Extravaganza Saturday. There will be a 5K Elf Run, a “Run, Little Elf” Run, a holiday parade, pony rides, winter festival, a visit from the Clauses and more.
The event is a holiday celebration for Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Waterford and White Lake. It starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. around Saginaw Street in downtown Pontiac.
Dry autumn
This fall was metro Detroit’s driest autumn since 1998. The National Weather Service’s preliminary data show we got just over four inches of rain, the least amount of precipitation for any fall this century.
That also ranks as the tenth driest autumn in southeast Michigan since the government started keeping records in 1874.
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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WDET’s Holiday On Air Fundraiser is underway. The weeklong event, running December 2–8, begins with a message of gratitude for the community that has supported the station throughout a challenging year for public media.
More than 12,000 members helped sustain WDET in the past year, with many offering additional gifts. Local businesses and nonprofit organizations also played a key role by underwriting programs, contributing to fundraisers and silent auctions, and providing meals during on-air fundraisers. Event attendees and foundation partners further supported WDET’s broadcasts and community engagement work.
With that strong foundation of support, WDET is now aiming to welcome 250 first-time members this week. Visit wdet.org/give to become a new member.
Give the gift of WDET
Listeners can now give a WDET gift membership to friends or family. When the recipient is new to the station, the gift helps WDET move closer to its goal of 250 first-time supporters. Details are available at wdet.org/holiday.
Empower DRIS and emerging storytellers
Wayne State University’s Giving Tuesday campaign is also highlighting two WDET initiatives. The May Mitchell Royal Foundation is matching up to $5,800 in gifts for DRIS, WDET’s service for listeners who are visually impaired or socially isolated. WDET also aims to raise at least $7,200 to fund internships that support training for the next generation of radio talent.
Daily gift card drawings
Throughout the fundraiser, WDET will hold daily drawings for gift cards purchased from local small business sponsors as a way to celebrate community support during the season. Tune in or follow along on social media to catch each day’s featured gift card set.
Thank you, WDET supporters
WDET thanks all listeners, donors and partners whose contributions make the station’s work possible. You put the people in people-powered radio, and we couldn’t do this without you.
There is still time to support WDET this holiday season
This week we tap in with British-Canadian vocalist and songwriter Rochelle Jordan, who has been quietly carving out her own lane as one of electronic music’s most distinctive voices. She just dropped her third album, the sleek and sophisticated “Through The Wall,” a 17-track ride that moves through deep house, future soul, rhythmic R&B and hazy dream-pop textures.
Across the record she gives a masterclass in restraint. She does not belt; she glides, letting breath, phrasing and tone do the heavy lifting. That approach is on full display on the cut we are about to get into.
Here is Rochelle Jordan with “Ladida” from “Through The Wall” – our Pick of the Week.
That was Rochelle Jordan with “Ladida,” taken from her latest full-length, “Through The Wall.”
If you are into lush, melodic electronic grooves like this, lock in with The Progressive Underground every Saturday at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET and online at wdet.org.
Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you next time.
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WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today. Give now »
This week we tap in with British-Canadian vocalist and songwriter Rochelle Jordan, who has been quietly carving out her own lane as one of electronic music’s most distinctive voices.
On this episode of Visions, I play sounds from the now. In previous episodes, I played a lot of music from the 60’s and 70’s, but not many selections from recent decades. This episode highlights music almost exclusively from the 21st century.
You hear from Nubya Garcia, Kassa Overall, Terri Lyne Carrington, Detroit’s Geri Allen and Allen Dennard, and Tomeka Reid. I work one of my all time favorite artists, Meshell Ndegeocello, into the mix with her free-ish jazz record from 2005. And I explore my new music discoveries with Nala Sinephro, Nicola Conte,Joshua Moshe, and Gregory Groover Jr.
There are a few tracks from Terence Blanchard‘s “Malcolm X Jazz Suite” which is coming to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra this Friday, Dec. 5. Blanchard worked on the soundtrack of Spike Lee’s 1992 film, “Malcolm X,” and reimagined the music as its own album which came out the following year. This Friday, Blanchard will play new arrangements from the record with an all new band. Happy listening!
Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.
Visions Playlist for Dec. 1, 2025
“A Little Max (Parfait)” – Terri Lyne Carrington
“Malcolm’s Theme” – Terence Blanchard
“The Healer” – Joshua Moshe
“Hastings Street” – Allen Dennard*
“Odyssey” – Nubya Garcia
“C.R.E.A.M. (CASH RULES EVERYTHING AROUND ME)” – Kassa Overall
“Go for Broke (feat. Joel Ross, Paul Cornish, Harish Raghavan & Kendrick Scott)” – Gregory Groover Jr.
“Space 4” – Nala Sinephro
“Home Grown” – Geri Allen*
“The Nation” – Terence Blanchard
“Life Forces” – Nicola Conte
“Wabash Blues (feat. Tomeka Reid, Mary Halvorson, Tomas Fujiwara & Jason Roebke)” – Tomeka Reid Quartet
“The Thump (Live)” – Marquis Hill
*Indicates Detroit artists
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WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today. Give now »
If you want to understand where the soul-revival movement really lives, you have to look past the big coasts and into the Rustbelt. Detroit is a place where factory sirens and church organs have always shared the same air. It is the city that raised Aretha, Marvin, Stevie and Parliament-Funkadelic, and it keeps producing singers who treat soul music as a calling, not a costume.
Laura Rain is very much in that lineage. Before she ever cut a record under her own name, she did her time in the musical trenches in Detroit and Los Angeles clubs, learning to project over clinking glasses, loud conversations and indifferent sound systems.
In 2012, she met guitarist, producer and fellow music historian George Friend, and the chemistry was immediate. Within a week they were writing together, building a band around a lean, organ-driven trio format that merged Memphis soul, juke-joint blues, tough Detroit funk and R&B.
Under the banner Laura Rain & The Caesars, they went from Motor City bars to the international soul circuit: five full-length albums, a run of 45s and digital singles, heavy touring across more than 25 states plus Canada and Europe, and steady rotation on BBC, NPR and CBC networks. Along the way, they picked up Detroit Music Awards in both blues and urban categories, proof that their sound sits comfortably at the crossroads of soul, blues and R&B rather than in any one lane.
What makes their story compelling is not just the retro flavor, but the work ethic and intent behind it. The five tracks we will explore trace that arc: from a raw debut statement to UK crossover appeal, to tracks that double as Detroit-style soul anthems that shows they are still pushing forward. Let’s get into five songs that define Laura Rain & The Caesars.
5 Essential Tracks by Laura Rain & The Caesars
1. “I Don’t Wanna Play”(Electrified – 2013)
We start at the beginning, with “I Don’t Wanna Play” from their 2013 debut album “Electrified.”
This was the record that introduced Laura Rain & The Caesars to the wider soul world: a stripped-down lineup of organ, guitar and drums that captured the feel of a late-night neighborhood bar where the band is playing for keeps.
This track sets out their mission statement. Laura’s vocals are all grit and control, equal parts gospel testifying and blues shout, while George Friend’s guitar laces the groove with stinging fills that nod to Chicago and Memphis without ever sounding like imitation.
2. “Closer to the Win” (Single – 2021)
That was “Closer to the Win,” a track that would see success on UK soul charts and across digital media and help pave the way for their alliance with LRK records. That song also set the tone for the material that would end up on their 5th album, “Rise Again.”
The next track is built on a steady mid-tempo pulse, with horn accents and rich organ swells. This track highlights the core husband/wife partnership between Laura and George. Their writing combines her direct, emotionally honest lyric approach with his deep knowledge and dexterity of musically distilling blues, soul and jazz styles that is more about building a songbook that can withstand time and travel. Let’s check them out on the cut “I Am (Who I Want To Be).”
3. “I Am (Who I Want to Be)” – Rise Again (2022)
That was Laura Rain & The Caesars with “I Am (Who I Want to Be)” from their album Rise Again. We next move to the title track for that album, where the focus widens to include not just one singer’s journey, but the city that shaped her. This track plays as a love letter to Detroit itself, a city in the midst of its own rebuild and renaissance.
The arrangement is classic Caesar territory: driving drums, melodic bass, warm keys and guitar lines that mingle with Laura’s vocals, her voice tethered to the rhythm with a mix of urgency and assurance. Given their story, the song feels autobiographical. Since forming in 2012, Laura Rain & The Caesars have self-financed tours, hustled merch at the back of the room, been intentional in cultivating relationships and fostering belief in their music with DJs around the globe, and have steadily built a reputation strong enough to earn multiple Detroit Music Awards in both blues and R&B categories.
This track distills that hustle and grind into a sermon about persistence and hope. Let’s check it, here’s Laura Rain & The Caesars with “Rise Again.”
4. “Rise Again” (Rise Again – 2022)
That was Laura Rain & The Caesars with “Rise Again,” the centerpiece of their 2022 album of the same name. From a raw organ-trio debut to UK modern-soul 45s, from affirmations of self to anthems of resilience and late-period slow burners, Laura Rain & The Caesars embody what it means to be a working soul band in the twenty-first century. They write their own material, tour relentlessly, collaborate across genres and keep the focus on real instruments, melodies and thoughtful composition.
For our final track, we move to their most recent work, a single that shows how this band continues to evolve while staying rooted in its core sound. Here’s Laura Rain & The Caesars with “Feels So Right.”
5. “Feels So Right” (Single – 2024)
That was Laura Rain & The Caesars with “Feels So Right,” a recent chapter in a story that is still unfolding.
If this 5-on-5 has pulled you into their universe, be sure to check out more musical journeys into the artists who are shaping modern soul by keeping it locked on The Progressive Underground every Saturday evening at 6 on 101.9 WDET and wdet.org.
Support the shows you love.
WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today. Give now »
This week we tap in with British-Canadian vocalist and songwriter Rochelle Jordan, who has been quietly carving out her own lane as one of electronic music’s most distinctive voices.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield announced plans to redevelop the vacant Packard Plant today. The former auto factory near West Grand Boulevard and East Palmer has been empty for more than 60 years and became a symbol of the city’s blight— sometimes attracting outsiders to take pictures of its crumbling walls.
The city demolished portions of it to make way for new development, including a new 400-thousand square foot manufacturing center.
Part of the changes include reactivating 28 acres of the former site for a public, private and philanthropic partnership. The changes include adding 42 affordable housing units, Detroit’s first indoor skate park and creative community programming areas. There will also be two acres of indoor and outdoor public spaces.
The project is estimated at $50 million. The Albert Kahn Legacy Foundation is the nonprofit partner and fiduciary. The project is expected to be completed by 2029.
Additional headlines for December 1, 2025
December starts cold
December starts cold with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees below normal this week. The National Weather Service’s winter outlook for southeast Michigan calls for temps close to normal and above-average precipitation. Meteorologist Trent Frey says La Niña, a cool patch of water in the eastern Pacific Ocean, could bring us more rain and snow.
“It is important to note that every La Niña is unique. So like I said. The odds are kind of tilted towards the wetter signal, and there isn’t really a tilt for temperatures. But since it is unique each season, you know these outcomes aren’t necessarily guaranteed.”
On average, Metro Detroit gets 45 inches of snow each winter. 29 inches fell last winter. It’s been eight years since we saw above-average snowfall.
Reporting by Russ McNamara
Detroit teens detained by ICE
Detroit teens recently hosted a press conference to call for the release of two classmates from Western International High School from ICE detention. The detained teens and two of their parents were picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials last Thursday morning and are now being held in a Texas detention center, reports Chalkbeat Detroit. Students say they are worried about going to school or being outside due to the recent surge of detentions. ICE arrested the four individuals while they were sleeping, despite them having pending asylum cases. Students at the press conference also called on officials to do more to protect students, including having an immigration attorney on retainer at the school to help students.
Rising Star Scholarship
An armored vehicle company is offering its “Rising Star” scholarship. The scholarship will support two students pursuing secondary education in engineering or business, finance, or law. It aims to recognize students who demonstrate strong academic performance and leadership skills in engineering and business. Each scholarship is $2500. The scholarship is open to students enrolled full-time in an accredited university in the U.S. or Canada. Students must have a 75 percent average with valid citizenship, residency or study permit requirements and write an essay. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2026. Winners will be announced in March 2026. For more information, visit https://inkasarmored.com/inkas-rising-star-scholarship-program/
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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