FEMA has awarded a total of $15.8 million dollars in reimbursements to several Michigan entities as part of the recovery stemming from the March 2025 winter storms in northern Michigan. 

The money goes toward repairing critical public safety communications infrastructure, debris removal and power restoration efforts. The funding comes from FEMA’s Public Assistance program. 

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was awarded $383,000. 

Laura Wotruba is the Director of Communications for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. She says the money will be used to reimburse the state for costs to repair damaged communication towers and clean storm debris around the towers. 

The Office of Michigan’s Public Safety Communications System is housed in the department. It maintains the second largest trunked communication system in the world, connecting local, state, federal and tribal communications with first responders. The network includes more than 2,600 agencies and 165,000 radios to aid emergency response in all Michigan counties. The system also includes some parts of Ohio and Indiana. 

During the March 2025 storm, some of the 356 radio towers in northern lower Michigan were damaged or became inaccessible due ot debris and downed power lines. 

The remaining funds include $14.7 million reimbursed Presque Isle Electric & Gas for power restoration and $642,000 to Charlevoix County Road Commission for labor and equipment. 

Additional headlines for Monday, July 27, 2027

Gordie Howe opens          

The Gordie Howe International Bridge opened for car and truck traffic today after 8 years of construction and recent political tension. 

That came to a head when President Trump imposed new tariffs against Canada, which responded by disinviting American officials to last Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremony in Windsor. 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the Gordie Howe Bridge highlights the bond between the two countries despite tension with the White House. 

“We’ll not back down… and we’ll negotiate from a position of strength as a top trading partner… because I know that both Canadians and Americans are better off when we work together instead of standing apart.” 

Canada will use toll revenue to pay the bridge’s operating expenses. 

If there’s any profit left over, it will split that money with the U.S., which will put its half into an economic development fund. The 15 year agreement also gives the U.S. some control over toll changes. 

-Reporting by Alex McLenon

Election board allows money-out-of-politics initiative to move forward 

Voters could decide this fall whether to ban political action committees from making donations on behalf of utilities and some public contractors.

The Board of State Canvassers says organizers gathered enough valid petition signatures to send the proposal to the Legislature. If lawmakers don’t approve it, the measure will appear on the November ballot.

Attorney Gary Gordon represents a business group that opposes the ban. He claims the campaign did a sloppy job of signature gathering and didn’t give the state enough time to check their work. 

“The staff review of these petitions was truncated by the petitioners gaming the system. They gamed the system by filing way more than the number of signatures they required, thereby increasing the burden on the staff, and they waited until the last minute.”

Canvassers rejected that argument. The group could go to court to keep the measure off the November ballot. 

– Reporting by Rick Pluta 

Zaman International ED 

Zaman International is a Michigan-based nonprofit that works to break cycles of poverty for women and children. Zaman announced their first Executive Director, Mariam Jalloul will be added to the team this year during the organization’s 30th anniversary. 

Jalloul will lead the strategic direction to expand Zaman’s work. 

She previously served as the Chief Strategy Officer for the City of Dearborn and held leadership positions in the U.S. Congress. 

Najah Bazzy is the founder and CEO of Zaman. She will focus on guiding Zaman’s vision, philanthropy and serve as an ambassador for the nonprofit. 

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

Houses of worship may soon be added to the list of sensitive locations where certain advertisements are not allowed within a 1000-foot radius. 

Councilmember Scott Benson says posting ads for things like alcohol and cannabis near a house of worship is inconsiderate. “You have your church, and then 30 feet from your church is a probably a 40 by 20 sign advertising King of Bud, just a level of disrespect and a level of just insensitivity to what we have here.” 

The Public Health and Safety Committee approved the changes to the amendment today. City council will choose whether to enact the changes at the next formal session. 

-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley

Additional headlines for Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Gordie Howe toll deal

We’re learning more about the deal to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge on July 27. CBC News and other media report 50% of toll profits over the bridge’s first 15 years of operation will go into a U.S. development fund. President Trump had said he would not let the bridge open unless Canada agreed to share toll revenue.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told CBC’s Power and Politics while the deal may look like a win for Trump, the U.S. won’t get much out of it. He said it could take longer than 15 years for Canada to recoup the cost of building the bridge before it would share revenue with Michigan. 

Canada spent almost $6.5 billion to build the bridge. The U.S. paid nothing. 

-Reporting by Pat Batcheller

Freedom Tour Detroit

High school students are invited to apply for the Freedom Tour Detroit 2026. The four-day program explores advocacy, civil rights, justice and Detroit history.

The Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, the City of Detroit’s Office of Veterans Affairs, Wayne State University and the American Civil Liberties Union are working together to offer in-person seminars and guided field trips between July 30 and August 2.

Applications are due by Sunday, July 19.

Summer Games at the Michigan Science Center

The Michigan Science Center’s After Dark series is back with “Summer Games” on July 24. This event offers those 21 and over a chance to explore science, sports and a little friendly competition.

The Penske Planetarium will offer a one-night only show featuring the “Olympians of the Night Sky,” Detroit City FC will be in the house with giveaways and photo ops, former Piston and President of the Motor City Cruise Durand “Speedy” Walker will speak, and adult games—including a 50-foot inflatable obstacle course, Warrior Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em and something called Hippo Chow Down.

National Coney Island is bringing classic and veggie coneys and there will be signature cocktails from the Byrdie Bar.

Michigan Science Center After Dark Summer Games is Friday July 24 from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $35 for members, $45 for non-members and $30 for designated drivers. Learn more at mi-sci.org. 

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Canadians don’t feel so hot toward the U.S. right now. Thirty-seven percent view the country favorably, and most think even less of President Donald Trump. 

That’s in part because of a 25 % tax the president issued on steel and aluminum, which has cost thousands of jobs for people in Windsor alone. Most of those folks work for auto suppliers. 

Today is not only Canada Day, it’s also the day that talks are set to begin to renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement. And so, The Metro wanted to learn about what sentiments are like across the Detroit River. 

How are workers in the “steel belt” of Ontario and Quebec reacting to changes? And, how is it shifting their orientation towards America and altering how they see themselves?

Flavio Volpe is the president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, which is located in Toronto. He says American tariffs on Canada have made many Canadians skeptical of America.

“We may never trust them the same,” says Volpe.

The Metro’s Sam Corey spoke with the auto manufacturer president about why America’s aggressions toward Canada have led to losses for everyone.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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The Gordie Howe International Bridge is widely interpreted as strengthening the connection between Canada and the United States, making travel easier and cheaper. It’s seen as a win-win project that Canada paid for and jointly owns with the Michigan.

But President Donald Trump has tried to block the bridge’s opening until Canada meets certain trade-related demands with the U.S. and compensates America for it, even though Canada already paid for the bridge. 

The upcoming opening of the bridge has now been delayed. In an email statement Thursday morning, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said, “Although we would all like the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open, Canada need not fall on bent knee to make it happen.”

Producer Sam Corey spoke with Dilkens yesterday before the ribbon cutting was canceled. He says the bridge is “the ultimate symbol of connection” and friendship.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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

Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro