The City of Detroit reported a drop in juvenile crime this past summer, despite the so-called “teen takeovers” in the city.

Mary Sheffield is touting her Occupy the Summer Initiative as a major contributor to the drop in crime among young people.

In April, the mayor announced a six-point community safety plan that included the 10-week long initiative, neighborhood action teams and promoting safe gun storage.

Sheffield says she plans to bring the event back next year. “…the numbers really showed us that our strategy is working…that gives us more of a reason to advocate before the city council to make larger investments in our young people…we will have at least what we had this year and (will) continue to find ways to expand this project year-round.”

The city reports juvenile homicides dropped from nine last summer to one this summer. Nonfatal shootings among young people were down 22%.

Additional Headlines for Oct. 6, 2026

DTE to host energy assistance, customer-centric events throughout October

DTE Energy is hosting four resource events this month to help DTE customers apply for energy assistance, receive help with payment options, get shutoff protection and more.

Funding for state energy assistance programs became available Oct. 1.

The next resource event –the second of four – will be held Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Southfield Pavilion at 26000 Evergreen Road.

Obama in Detroit to support El-Sayed and Benson campaigns

Former President Barack Obama will be in Detroit later this month to campaign with state Democrats on the November ballot.

The Oct. 24 event will include Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Jocelyn Benson, who is running for governor.

President Trump told reporters outside the White House on Monday, Oct. 5 that he plans to return to Michigan in about a week and a half. He previously rallied with Republican candidates before the August primary election.

Michigan health department launches app to assist with quitting tobacco

The state health department has launched an app to help Michiganders quit tobacco in collaboration with National Jewish Health. The QuitLogix app is an extension of the Michigan Tobacco Quitlink online program.

It offers encouraging messages, check-ins and goal reminders. It also lets users order Nicotine Replacement Therapy products.

Residents can call the Quitlink hotline 24/7 for help quitting at 800-784-8669 or 800-Quit-Now or go to Michigan.gov/quitlink. 

BLK GRL Conglomerate fundraises for Detroit People’s Food Co-op

The BLK GRL Conglomerate is hosting a Black Girl Cash Mob this weekend to support the Detroit People’s Food Co-op.

The goal is to get 100 Black women to spend at least $20 at the Black-led community grocery Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. and to have them join as member-owners of the co-op.

The Detroit People’s Food Co-op has launched a membership drive as it faces financial challenges two years after opening. It is located at 8324 Woodward Avenue. 

Editors note: To become a member of Detroit People’s Food Co-op, patrons must pay a one-time $200 fee in lump-sum or spread out over 10 months.

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

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

Hamtramck’s last mayoral election is still disputed.

A judge has ordered that the 37 absentee ballots found in the former city clerk’s office must be counted, despite a year-long legal battle. The candidates are former Hamtramck city council member Muhith Mahmood and current Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi.

The Wayne County Board of Canvassers originally decided not to count the 37 ballots, which were turned in days after the election.

Alharbi’s attorney says they are ready to challenge the ballots, even if they end up being counted, according to WXYZ.

They also plan to continue challenging Mahmood’s residency, despite a Wayne County judge dismissing a lawsuit over his residency last December.

Additional Headlines for Monday, Oct. 5, 2026

Forgotten Harvest hopes for 1 million pounds of food before year’s end

Forgotten Harvest is hoping to harvest 1 million lbs of food by the end of the year to feed people in need.

Lori Setera is the assistant farm manager at the Forgotten Harvest Farms in Fenton, Michigan. She says a pound of food is equal to a meal.  

“Our food here goes farmers market style, just how you see it here in these crates. A lot of our brick-and-mortar pantry partners don’t have the equipment or the space to store these giant crates. Because of that, a lot of it ends up in mobile pantries.”  

The farm supplements nutritious foods the organization distributes. They grow about 20 different crops such as cabbage, corn, broccoli, and peppers.

Around 3,000 volunteers are needed annually to help plant, weed and harvest food. Forgotten Harvest Farms still needs more volunteers to meet their goal this year. 

Virtual summit addresses race-based medicine

The Collaborative to End Race-Based Medicine-Detroit and Wayne State University’s Office of Inclusive Excellence are hosting a virtual summit about race-based medicine.  

The National Institutes of Health defines race-based medicine as “treating race as a biological or genetic trait rather than a social construct.” This leads to misdiagnoses and poor health care outcomes for minority patients—especially for those in the Black community.  

The collaborative is made up of international clinicians, legislators,  industry leaders and community members working toward ending race-based medicine through education, research and advocacy. 

Panelists at the virtual summit will discuss how bias shapes health care and public health in an age of artificial intelligence.

They will talk about how technology can help identify bias and potentially prevent harm.  

The “Held to the Light: Race, Code & Consequence in the Age of AI” event takes place Oct. 29 from 3 – 5 p.m. Register for the event here.

InterFaith Council 

The InterFaith Council of Metropolitan Detroit is hosting a program highlighting coming-of-age traditions.

The Rites of Passage Coming of Age Across Religions event will feature a bar/bat mitzvah, a confirmation, a Hindu tradition and a Muslim rite of passage.

The program will talk about what it means for family, faith, identity and belonging.

It will be held Thursday, Oct. 8 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the North Congregation Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The event is free with registration.

State and local leaders announced a new waterway cleanup project in Detroit. The “Reclaim the Rivers” initiative will put close to $90 million toward removing toxic sediment, restoring fish habitat and public works projects along the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers.

The money comes from settlements with polluters. It could attract federal and private funding. Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson says some of the cleanup has already started. He says the extra funding will help make more of the river usable.

“Now that we have our federal and state partners coming in with the resources to be able to help, you can see what the results are and how families are flocking. As we clean up and expose more spaces to recreational uses, it allows more families to come down and enjoy our riverfront.”

Both the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers are listed as federal areas of concern for the Great Lakes region.

Additional Headlines for Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

Wayne County commissioners unanimously support Google data center initiatives 

Wayne County commissioners are unanimously supporting a package of community benefits and tax incentive for a proposed Google data center in Van Buren Township.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans had vetoed the incentives arguing Google proposing the massive date center gave officials too little time to analyze impact on the environment. Equal Opportunity Housing Commissioner Allen Wilson voted for the tax breaks in part, he says, to show “solidarity among his fellow members.”

“No disrespect to Chief Executive Evans. I think he does a great job for the county. At the end of the day, we have got to make a determination. We have to stand strong as a commission. If we don’t stand strong as a commission, folks (will) keep stepping on you.”

For his part, County Executive Evans says he will work with the commission on the data center plan going forward. Van Buren Township officials are scheduled to consider the final site plan for the center in about two weeks.

The Detroit Lions Sunday Night Football

The Detroit Lions have a nationally broadcast Sunday night game on NBC. They match up against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 2-1 Lions will try to build off of their last win against the 1-2 Panthers. Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m.

Hijinks at the UniverSoul Circus happening at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre

If you have the chance this weekend, check out the UniverSoul Circus at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre.

You’ll be able to see Detroit’s own Fresh the Clownsss who brings a blend of Detroit Jit dancing and high-energy clowning. The show starts tonight at 7 p.m.

Additional performances taking place in October can be found here.

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

The Detroit People’s Food Co-op is seeking more residents to buy into the neighborhood grocery store.

The co-op is running out of money. They launched a campaign looking for 500 new owners and are asking customers to spend $10 when they come in.

The co-op opened in 2024 to fill a gap. The city had almost no Black owned grocery stores. The goal was for Detroiters to own their food system, not just to shop within it.

However, the people who this store was built for may not be able to afford it. The U.S. Census Bureau reports 34% of Detroiters liven in poverty. The co-op says it is bringing in close to $3 million a year. Before it opened, It projected about $80,000 a week— which is more than $4 million.  

Additional Headlines for Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026

Mayor Mary Sheffield makes effort to ensure a full Count Day

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is partnering with school districts to make sure students are in their seats for Count Day. The city has launched a series of radio, newspaper, and social media ads. 

Fall count day is used to measure the in-school attendance of students—that number dictates how much money the school district receives from the state.  

Sheffield says she wants families, parents and students in the city to understand the importance of showing up for Count Day.  

“We oftentimes talk about schools being underfunded or Detroit kids not getting the quality education that they deserve. One way that we can control that is by making sure our kids are in school, that they’re accounted for, and that we get the funding that is allocated to us for books, for teachers, for facility improvements.”

This year’s Count Day is on Wednesday, Oct. 7.  

First of its kind Jim Crow museum to open at Ferris State University

Ferris State University will now feature more than 30,000 artifacts from the Jim Crow era in its new museum space.  

David Pilgrim founded the museum. He says the new building expands what can be taught about that period in American history.  

“In our old space, we did have room to show how African Americans pushed back against oppression with activism, with achievements and quite frankly, with just living everyday lives of dignity.”

The new building also includes a reading room, seminar space, and recording studio for visitors who want to share their own Jim Crow stories and how it affects them.  

Intergenerational Wisdom Exchange Program (WiSE) bridges generational divide at Wayne State Univeristy

A new 10-week program is pairing older Black adults from Detroit with Wayne State University students to improve social connection and digital literacy. 

Dr. Rodlescia Sneed, WiSE’s program director and an assistant professor in Wayne State’s Institute of Gerontology and Department of Psychology, says social connections are important for health and well-being. Many need technology to maintain a social connection. 

“It was our goal to increase social connection and reduce loneliness among older adults, while also improving their technology skills, so that we could make improvements that impact their health and well-being.”

Sneed says the program focuses on developing one-on-one connections to reduce barriers for older adults to learn digital literacy. 

The first half of the program is focusing on sharing life stories of Detroiters. The second half of the program is learning digital literacy. 

For more information on the program, you can contact Sneed at sneedrod@wayne.edu.

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

This week the city announced two initiatives to support new homes, increase neighborhood investment and expand pathways to homeownership as well as housing affordability.

The first initiative involves the city’s Housing and Revitalization Department. They are looking for development proposals for 16 city-owned parcels in the neighborhood of North Corktown. The goal is to create 20 new homes for rent or purchase.

The second initiative revolves around the city launching the 2026 Small Buildings Program
with a notice of Funding Availability. This effort would expand the opportunities for
developers to rehabilitate and build housing across the city with $2.5 million supporting the rehab.

City leaders say these programs will continue citywide efforts to increase housing throughout Detroit. There is also a desire for mixed income, high-quality housing and low income housing.

To learn more about these two efforts, visit https://detroitmi.gov.

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026

Arab American Women’s Business Council to host a Nov. networking and pitch event

The Arab American Women’s Business Council (AAWBC) is hosting a pitch competition on Nov. 19, 2026 from 5:30-8 p.m. Organizers say this competition is to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among local business owners. Participants are competing for seed funding.

The event is also meant to be a moment to share fresh ideas and network. For more information, please see the event’s information page.

Red Wings to open regular season play Friday

The Detroit Red Wings season opener is going down Oct. 2 against the New York Rangers. Puck drop is 6:30p.m. this Friday at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit PWHL team news

Detroit’s PWHL organization announced that Hockey Hall of Famer Danielle Goyette and Stanley Cup champion Jimmy Howard have joined the team in the roles of assistant coach and goaltending coach, respectively. Their home opener happens Dec. 12 against the New York Sirens.

The Get Down returns to A2 and Detroit

The Get Down is back for a two-day music festival from Oct. 3-4 in Ann Arbor and Detroit.

The festival will be led by master drummer and composer Ali Jackson and will bring international guest musicians and world class artistry to showcase their talent.

Tickets for the musical event can be found here.

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

DDOT bus riders will soon have more places to sit as they wait for a ride.

Mayor Mary Sheffield says the city will work to install more than 200 new benches at bus stops over the next year. Workers will also install or upgrade more than 200 bus shelters to improve customer service.

Additional Headlines for Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2026

Detroit Legacy Business Grant applications closing soon

Applications close soon for the Detroit Legacy Business Grant.

Small businesses that have operated in the city for 30 years or more can apply for grants ranging from $5 to $50,000. Money can be toward projects including signage, inventory, building repairs, renovations and professional services.

Applications close Oct. 5. For more information, email DetroitLegacyBusiness@degc.org. 

Ives Field restoration celebrated in Highland Park

Highland Park leaders celebrated the revival of Ives Field today. The city used almost $1 million in state and county funds to install new playground equipment, a pickleball court, a covered picnic shelter, and improvements to the baseball field and walking path.

Mayor Glenda McDonald and others cut the ribbon at the park on Pitkin Street this afternoon. 

Volunteers wanted on Halloween in Chandler Park

The Chandler Park Conservancy is looking for a few good hands to help with its Halloween Night festivities.

The annual Trunk or Treat Halloween Party will be held at the Chandler Park Fieldhouse and include games, candy, food and Halloween activities.

Volunteers, candy donations and people willing to pass out candy from their own decorated vehicles are needed. Donations are being accepted at the Fieldhouse at 12300 Chandler Park and at the Samaritan Center at 555 Conner Street until Oct. 28. 

Those interested in volunteering can email aallen@chandlerparkconservancy.org or fill out this form.

Ethiopian cooking classes continue in Midtown

Konjo Me is offering another round of Ethiopian cooking classes. Participants will learn to cook an authentic vegetarian dish, an authentic meat dish and will learn about Ethiopian spices and cooking techniques.

The class is Thursday, Oct. 15 at Konjo Me’s Detroit Shipping Company location at 474 Peterboro. Registration for the event can be found here.

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

Five organizations are receiving $1.5 million in awards from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for community violence intervention efforts.

MDHHS acting director Ashley Epkey says the money goes toward reducing firearm violence and adverse outcomes in communities. 

MDHHS says community violence includes homicides and nonfatal shootings, which cause substantial harm and trauma to communities, especially in “racially segregated and historically disinvested neighborhoods.” Community violence is a public health problem, which can lead to people developing chronic diseases and avoiding resources such as recreational spaces and access to healthy food outlets. 

The funding hopes to strengthen community violence intervention services for groups with a high likelihood of firearm violence. Proposals were accepted based on measurable efforts that integrate public health and safety. Each organization was awarded $300,000 for a 2 year project that spans Sep. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2028.  

Two organizations in Detroit were awarded funds. The first is Detroit Life is Valuable Everyday, or DLIVE. DLIVE will use a hospital-based violence intervention program model to help with post-injury recovery, retaliation, mortality risk and victim services.

The second one is Detroit Peoples Community. Detroit Peoples Community will implement five evidence-based community violence intervention strategies to serve people in the Detroit ZIP codes 48219 and 48235. 

Additional headlines for Monday, Sept. 28, 2026

Local leaders agree: data center regulations are needed

Local government leaders across Michigan say they support state regulations for data centers. The University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State and Urban Policy interviewed village, township and county officials. Center director Stephanie Leiser says almost 60% of those who responded think setting rules should be a high priority for lawmakers. 55% expect strong opposition to data centers.  

Speaking on those survey percentage points regarding data centers, Leiser notes, “It’s coming through loud and clear that they (local government officials) really think the state needs to step up and help with things like decommissioning plans, health and environmental impacts, water use and discharge.” 

Leiser says the survey shows more opposition in rural communities, where 53% of local politicians say data centers’ costs outweigh their benefits. 

Gun safety a necessary step in suicide prevention      

Suicide deaths are the second leading cause of death for people aged 10-34 years old as of 2024. That’s according to a new report by the Michigan Suicide Prevention Council.  

Lindsay DeCamp is the State Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She says increased access to firearms contributes to suicide. “Research shows that states with higher rates of household gun ownership have significantly higher rates of suicide. Storing firearms securely and limiting access for those that are in heightened risk can help reduce suicide.”  

DeCamp says societal, community and individual-level factors such as unemployment, feelings of despair and social isolation remove protective factors against suicide.  

The council recommended two priorities: sustaining state funding for suicide prevention infrastructure and aligning policy and licensure to educate professionals across sectors in risk assessment and prevention. 

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or harm, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988 for confidential emotional support 24/7. 

Spirit of Detroit given to immigrant business leader 

Mohammed Abdul Muhit received a Spirit of Detroit award from the Detroit City Council last week, recognizing his service, leadership, and commitment to Detroit’s small business community. Muhit is the District 3 Business Liaison and the associate director at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.  

Muhit, who immigrated to the Detroit area in 2016, says he’s grateful for the opportunity to give back. “It’s really a wholesome experience from day one that I started living here. From day one, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work in the city administration with a lot of great people every day.”  

Muhit previously worked at Global Detroit as a community organizer and engagement specialist focusing on the Banglatown neighborhood before joining the DEGC. 

Skilled Trades Task Force meeting

The City of Detroit is hosting a Skilled Trades Task Force Meeting. At this meeting, people can find out about tuition-free apprenticeship programs.  

The meeting will take place at the Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center on Sept. 23rd from 4-6 p.m. That’s located at 11687 American Street, Detroit, MI 48204. 

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

Since Detroit has launched ShotStoppers three years ago, the city has seen a 45% decrease in homicides and nonfatal shootings, according to a University of Michigan analysis.  

ShotStoppers is a community violence intervention program that empowers the community to stop violence in their neighborhoods separate from law enforcement responses. 

The program funds selected community-based organizations known as community violence intervention teams to create intervention plans to address violence in their respective zones. 

Each team gets about $175,000 per quarter to support their efforts. The focus is on areas in Detroit that have historically experienced high levels of gun violence.

Teams can get an additional $175,000 in performance-based bonuses if they successfully reduce gun violence at a higher rate than the city.  

In the rest of the city homicide victimizations have dropped by 12% and nonfatal shooting victimizations have dropped by 26% in within the last year according to the city.  

Additional headlines for Friday, Sept. 25, 2026

Preston Townhomes 

The City of Detroit joined nonprofit development company GenesisHOPE and real estate firm Cinnaire Solutions to celebrate the grand opening of new apartments called Preston Townhomes. This is a $14 million affordable housing development bringing 31 new, high-quality homes to Detroit families.

Jeanine Hatcher is the Executive Director of GenesisHOPE who spearheaded the project. Josh Bails, Development Director of Housing and Revitalization Department shared that Hatcher was adamant about getting as many affordable units as possible.  

“When we do a large apartment building that’s affordable housing, almost all the units end up being studios and one bedrooms, and we claw and we fight for as many two-bedroom units as we can get in a project, and it usually ends up being just a handful. Janine [Hatcher] and her team came into this with a mission and a vision of ‘if we’re going to have affordable housing, we want to have affordable housing for families.’ And that is something that is incredibly difficult to do, but they would not compromise… And to see that many 100% units sized for families in a project is almost unheard of.”

The building is built on the former site of Detroit Eastern High School and transform a once vacant building to necessary housing for the city.  

Sports 

NFL  

The Lions are trying to bounce back from last week’s tough loss to the Buffalo Bills. They face off the New York Jets on Sunday at Ford Field. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

MLB 
The Tigers face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend as they try to climb out the American League Central. They are currently second to last in their division. 

Soccer
Detroit City FC face off against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Keyworth Stadium. Game starts at 7 p.m. 

Coffee Week

For all of our Caffeine junkies, today marks the start of Dearborn’s third annual Coffee Week. Going down from Friday, Sept. 25 to Friday, Oct. 2, these seven days celebrate way more than coffee—art, culture, and community as well.

According to organizers, coffee shops will host activations and there will be fun activities scattered throughout the week.

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

The nonprofit group LGBT Detroit is opening a new health and wellness center on the city’s West side.

LGBT Detroit Health offers services including fitness and nutrition classes, mental health screenings and chronic care management.

The group’s Chris Sutton says the new facility provides a safe space for the LGBT community to receive care. “You don’t have to worry about not feeling seen. You can really just come into a space where you can be focused on your health in a full and holistic way. That’s kind of one of our biggest goals with this space.”

LGBT Detroit Health is also partnering with Oakland County Health, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and others to provide testing clinics and vaccinations.

The facility is funded through state grants and membership fees.

Additional Headlines for Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026

Wayne County judge Cusick dismisses Detroit Tenants Union lawsuit

A Wayne County judge has sided with Detroit’s 36th District court and dismissed a case with the Detroit Tenants Union. The group sued the district court claiming that its judges allow landlords to illegally collect rent or evict tenants when their properties lacked city-issued certificates of compliance.

The lawsuit was centered around the issue that only 14% of rental properties have a certificate of compliance. The Tenant’s Union says the district judges should bear the burden of proof on whether these properties were up to code. The District Court said that’s not their job and Wayne County Judge Paul J. Cusick agreed.

The dismissal comes after Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced a plan to bring thousands of rental properties up to code within a year.

The Detroit Tenants Union plans to appeal Judge Cusick’s decision. 

Arab American group ACCESS aims for a 2027 Dearborn mental health facility opening

A new facility is opening in Dearborn that aims to help people with substance abuse and mental health challenges. The $25 million recovery center is being built by the Arab American-focused group Arab American Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS). The building will open in phases starting in 2027.

Funding to build the center came from a combination of state, federal and county grants and private donors. The center will offer outpatient behavioral health treatment, urgent care, withdrawal management, beds for residential treatment and more. The center will also have an on-site food pantry. 

Coffee celebration starts Friday in Dearborn

Dearborn’s third Annual Coffee Week kicks off tomorrow. The celebration highlights local coffee culture, art, and community in the city. The kickoff will take place at PEACE Park West on 22271 W Village Dr.

The event will feature local coffee shop tastings, mug painting, caricatures, henna tattoos, music and more.

Events will follow the rest of the week through Oct. 2, with a drip coffee party, an appearance from Jalasat (a pop-up performance series from the Arab American National Museum) and coffee pop-ups throughout the week.

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

Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Democrat Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate at an event in Detroit.

“His will be a voice. Abdul’s. That is a voice representing the people of this state, and it will be a national voice,” she said.

When she ran for president two years ago, Harris struggled to win over Arab and Muslim voters in Michigan because of the Biden administration’s support for Israel. Many voted for President Trump, while some backed minor party candidates.

At a news conference with Harris, El-Sayed addressed those voters. “I think if a lot of us could have had that back, had 2024 back, we would have thought about things in different ways. And I hope that moving forward, we don’t reinforce the mistakes of the past that break us apart and start thinking about where do we go in the future.”

El-Sayed supported the Uncommitted Movement in the Democratic presidential primary in 2024. He later endorsed Harris.

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026

Leaders in Jewish, Democrat want El-Sayed to answer concerns

Jewish and Democratic Party leaders urged Abdul El-Sayed to address their concerns about his criticism of Israel.

Cantor Regina Hyatt says this political season’s rhetoric is leaving her feeling alienated and politically homeless. And she says many in Michigan’s Jewish community feel the same. Many of them said that they would just sit out the election, or at least that line on the election.

El-Sayed has defended his criticism of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and of U.S. arms sales to Israel. He has also said he loves the Jewish community and cares about their safety.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is Jewish, has also raised concerns about El-sayed’s stance but is endorsing him. Michigan voters will decide this fall whether to call a constitutional convention in Lansing next year.

Constitutional question

The question of whether or not to change Michigan’s constitution has appeared on the ballot every 16 years since 1978. Each time, voters have rejected it. If voters say yes this time, another election would take place in the spring to choose delegates who would meet in Lansing next fall.

The Constitutional Convention question will appear as Proposal 1 on this year’s ballot.

Reparations Generation house meeting

Reparation Generation’s September virtual house meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 29. Lottie Lee Abdullah from Reparations for Slavery will guide a discussion around housing and the racial wealth gap.

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

Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, is getting a name change. 

Fifth Third Bancorp acquired Comerica Bank last September and rebranded all of its branch locations.  Along with it, the bank obtained the naming rights to Comerica Park. Its new name will be Fifth Third Park.

The bank’s Michigan Regional President Steve Davis says when Fifth Third bought Comerica, one of the top questions he was routinely asked was “what will happen to the Tiger’s home stadium?”

“For me, that’s incredibly humbling, knowing how much this park and the Tigers mean to Detroit and to the community, it’s pretty overwhelming for me. So, this matters because the pride that the community and Detroit has in the Tigers is the same pride that we have in this ballpark. And so, for us, this is more than just a name.”  

The park’s new name goes into effect starting next year. 

Additional headlines for Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026 

The Detroit Black Film Festival showcases filmmaking talent for a seventh year 

The Detroit Black Film Festival starts Thursday. This is the seventh year the event will showcase Black films at venues in the city. Films will be screened at the Detroit Historical Museum, the Love Building and the Charles H Wright Museum of African American History.  

It runs from the Sept. 24-27, ending with an awards ceremony Sunday hosted by Diarra Kilpatrick from the TV show “Diarra from Detroit.”

The Taste of Black Spirits highlights sips and connection 

The Belle Isle Casino is the venue for the 2026 Taste of Black Spirits Friday night. The daylong event includes the ‘Amplify’ Liquid Forum for education, networking and business development and ends with the ‘Grand Tasting Exhibition.’  

The Taste of Black Spirits is a companion event to the Black Film Festival.

Detroit Month of Design touts thrifted fashion  

The Detroit Month of Design is still in full swing with daily events to celebrate design in the city. An event I have my eye on is the Slow Fashion Slow Roll at the coworking space Chroma on Thursday.

The event invites the community to wear handmade, thrifted, vintage and upcycled fashion. Participants are also encouraged to join in a community bike ride, a pre-party and an after-party. Plus, there’s the chance to visit a marketplace populated with Detroit slow fashion designers.  

The first party is on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. at Chroma, located at 2937 E Grand Blvd.  

For more information about everything on the Detroit Month of Design schedule, go to detroitmonthofdesign.org.  

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

Monday is World Alzheimer’s Day. More than 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease according to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Eli Lilly and Company and Planet Harvest are giving out more than 1,300 brain-healthy produce boxes to food insecure and underserved seniors in Metro Detroit. 

Jennifer Oleksiw is the head of neuroscience and the chief commercial innovation officer at Lilly, a pharmaceutical company in Indiana. She says it is difficult for underserved communities to achieve healthy diets. 

“We are constantly looking at what healthy habits people need to develop in order to live their best health potential. Diet is such an important part, and we know, especially in underserved communities, that can be difficult.”  

The 12-15 lb. food boxes include apples, a cabbage, cucumbers and collard greens. Also, a lemon, oranges, corn and zucchinis to support healthy aging and cognitive awareness. 

Seniors can pick up a box at the Rochester Christian University, Oakland Church, Next Steps for Seniors Foundation and the Webster Community Center. 

There’s also door-to-door distributions at several senior living homes. 

Additional headlines for Monday, Sept. 21, 2026

Mike Rogers’ plan to lower health care costs 

Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers outlined his plan to lower health care costs in Metro Detroit. Much of it revolves around transparency. 

Rogers, a Republican, says prices will come down if people could price shop for their medical care. 

“We go to open books to make sure that the hospitals and insurance folks know and understand what the costs are, so that when a patient shows up, they understand what their costs are.” 

Rogers also wants to expand the Trump Rx program to lower the cost of some prescriptions. 

Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed favors Medicare for All, which would cover Americans without private insurance. 

All Saints Literacy Center looks for English instructor volunteers

The nonprofit All Saints Literacy Center in Detroit is seeking volunteer English instructors.

Grace Irwin is the center’s executive director. She says there’s a waiting list of adult learners. “Adult literacy is a lot more than just learning to read or read a book. It affects employment, healthcare access, higher education, parenting, and an individual’s independence and their ability to navigate everyday life.” 

Irwin says the center opened 11 years ago to serve a large population of Spanish-speaking immigrants and new Americans.

Volunteer instructors and learners are paired once a week for a two-hour commitment, which can entail learning reading, writing and math. While services are free, volunteers and learners are asked to commit for at least six months but can stay as long as they need.

The center is located off of Vernor Highway in Southwest Detroit. Visit allsaintsliteracy.org to volunteer or sign up. 

MDHHS warns residents about harmful nitrous oxide health risks 

Inhaling recreational laughing gas is no laughing matter. Michigan’s health department is warning residents about serious health risks of using recreational nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, whippets, galaxy gas or N.O.S. Nitrous oxide is usually used in medical settings at the dentist or doctor’s office.  

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says health risks from improper use can lead to anxiety, depression and mood changes. It can also lead to memory problems, anemia, paranoia or loss of consciousness. 

Products that have nitrous oxide can be found in grocery stores, smoke shops and vape stores. 

The Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center says there’s been an increase in health emergencies from 2019 to 2023, with 144 poison center cases, 132 emergency room visits and nearly 200 emergency medical response services related to nitrous oxide. 

In 2024, 34% of cases required hospital admission and about 7% required intensive care. People experienced numbness, tingling of limbs, trouble walking or passing out.

People who are experiencing symptoms should call 911. Visit michigan.gov/sud for resources. 

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

Michigan is seeing record high prices for diesel fuel and one economist says those costs will eventually trickle down. 

Diesel powers industries like mining, agriculture and construction. And most goods are moved by diesel-powered trucks. 

Director of Market and Industry Analysis for the Anderson Economic Group Cristina Benton says some businesses can absorb those costs in the short-term. “But others might not have that wiggle room to keep prices down, and they may have to pass those higher costs to consumers.” 

AAA says the average price of diesel fuel statewide was $6. 68 per gallon Friday. Drivers paid an average of $4.89 cents a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline this morning. U.S. Senate candidates Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed are calling on the state and federal governments to suspend fuel taxes temporarily. 

-Reporting by Russ McNamara

Additional headlines for Friday, Sept. 18, 2026

Michigan reports fewer jobs

Michigan’s jobless rate inched up a tenth of a point to 5% last month. The state labor office says a decline in manufacturing jobs led to fewer jobs. 

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget says the state had 2,000 fewer non-farm payroll jobs in August. 

The national jobless rate held steady last month at 4.1%.

Sports 

NFL 

The Detroit Lions suffered a loss to the Buffalo Bills with the score of 41-31.  

Lions head coach Dan Campbell says the loss shows the Lions where they stand. “I feel really good being able to improve from here. Continue to grow offensively…Defensively, we give up too many explosives… And now we got a minute to look at it and figure out what where we can go here.” 

The Lions next game is against the New York Jets on Sept. 27 at Ford Field. 

Dearborn + Detroit block party rescheduled

The annual Dearborn + Detroit Community Block Party has been rescheduled for Sunday, Sept. 27. It’ll be from 2–5 p.m. at Tireman & Miller St.

The celebration will still feature free food, music, games, giveaways, local vendors, community resources, family activities and more. For more information go to dearborn.gov. 

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Detroit’s Inspector General is opening an investigation into Police Chief Todd Bettison over his personal intervention in a case involving Mayor Mary Sheffield. 

In July, activist Jahdante Smith posted photos of Mayor Sheffield and an ex-boyfriend on social media. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison called Smith on Aug. 5 to request he take the photos down. He refused. 

Two weeks later, Smith was approached by officers on the street and handcuffed allegedly for unrelated reasons. He was released, but the officers obtained a warrant for alleged unrelated charges to seize his phone. Now, the Detroit Free Press reports that the city’s Inspector General is looking into Bettison’s actions. The inspector general handles public corruption cases. 

Additional headlines for Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026

Citizen Detroit DPSCD Meet Your Candidates

The group Citizen Detroit is hosting a Meet Your Candidates events on Oct. 1. Candidates for the Detroit Public School Community District School Board will participate in a speed-dating dinner and dialogue event. There are more than 30 candidates and only 5 open seats for the board.

The event will take place at IBEW Local 58 on 1358 Abbot Street in Detroit from 5-8:30 p.m. To RSVP, search “Citizen Detroit DPSCD Meet Your Candidates” on Eventbrite. Admission is free, but registration is required. RSVP by Sept. 28.

Citizen Detroit is also posting candidate interviews on their YouTube Channel and on citizendetroit.org. Videos will go live on Friday. 

Harris visits Michigan, supporting El-Sayed

Former Vice President Kamala Harris plans to visit Michigan next week to campaign with Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Harris endorsed El-Sayed after his primary win in August, but this will be her first public appearance with him.

During her visit Tuesday, they’ll attend a roundtable on Black maternal health.

During the primary campaign, El-Sayed faced criticism for urging Democrats to vote uncommitted in Michigan’s presidential primary in 2024. He eventually endorsed Harris for president. 

Whistle kit crafting

The nonprofits Rising Voices and Detroit Asian Collective are hosting the Warning Whistle Kit Making Night. Participants will assemble multilingual warning whistle kits while learning how to protect residents rights and how to document interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The event will be held tonight from 6 – 7 p.m. Address will be given upon registration. 

Gas prices

Gasoline prices have risen more than 70 cents a gallon in the last 10 days. AAA says Michigan drivers are paying an average of $4.75 cents a gallon for regular unleaded this morning. It was $4.02 on Sept. 7.and $4.54 a gallon yesterday.

The average price of diesel fuel statewide is 20 cents higher than it was yesterday, rising to a record of $6.54 cents a gallon. 

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

Detroit may see more money in the city’s budget at the end of this fiscal year than originally predicted. 

Detroit officials are estimating an increase of $58 million or more in revenue for the 2027 fiscal year. The city’s Sean Tobin says that’s a result of increased money from corporate income, property, and wagering taxes.

Tobin says the city was expecting to see a decline in revenue because of President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. However,”they were decoupled from that that policy, meaning that it wouldn’t affect the revenues. So, based off of how fiscal year 26 ended, that beat our prior expectations pretty well, which is great news.”

Officials estimate the city will start next year with a $1.5 billion general fund. The estimate provides the start for developing the budget for fiscal year 2028. 

-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026

Sen. Gary Peters comments on SCOTUS absentee ballot ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration cannot change rules around mail-in ballots for the upcoming midterm elections. But a Michigan senator is worried about more attempts at election interference.

Democrat Gary Peters is happy about the high court’s 7-2 decision. But he thinks President Trump will try to meddle in the November midterms. “They want to change the rules. They don’t want free and fair elections. They want to do what they can to to undermine the credibility of our elections. So we have to be vigilant.”

Trump still claims the 2020 election was stolen from him and frequently blames ballot counting in Detroit as a reason for his loss. The Justice Department sent election monitors to four Michigan cities including Detroit and Lansing for this year’s August primary.

-Reporting by Russ McNamara

Americans for Citizen Voting proposal won’t make ballot

The Michiganders for Money out of Politics initiative will appear on the statewide ballot in November. But a measure to require all voters to prove they are U.S. citizens will not.

The Board of State Canvassers deadlocked 2-2 on the Americans for Citizen Voting proposal, denying it from the ballot. They could not agree on a way to resolve problems with petition signatures. Now, a State House Select Committee is trying to find out why.

Both campaigns turned in hundreds of thousands more signatures than were required. Harris says the committee plans to hear testimony from people affiliated with the campaigns, as well as state and local election officials.

– Reporting by Russ McNamara

Health officials warn about recreational nitrous-oxide use

Michigan health officials say the state has a growing problem with people using whippets or laughing gas. Nitrous oxide-commonly catted laughing gas has a variety of medical and culinary uses. But the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says recreational use of nitrous oxide has been linked to a growing number of hospitalizations.

Health officials say recreational use has been linked to neurological injury, blood clots and injuries related to impaired judgement. 

They say since 2024, a third of emergency nitrous oxide cases in Michigan required hospitalization.

-Reporting by Steve Carmody

Gas prices rise

Fuel prices are rising daily. AAA says Michigan drivers are paying an average of $4.54 for a gallon of regular unleaded this morning. That’s 11 cents higher than yesterday, and 32 cents more than it was a week ago. Diesel fuel is averaging a record $6.34 cents a gallon statewide.

-Reporting by Pat Batcheller 

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said that Detroit would end the year with a $1.5 billion surplus. This has been corrected to say that the city is expecting a $1.5 billion general fund. We apologize for the error. 

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Hundreds of people who qualified for a share of the multi-million-dollar Flint water settlement fund may soon be cut out. That’s because some claims do not include correct Social Security numbers, or required signatures. 

Last week, a federal judge authorized sending final notices to thousands of claimants, advising them that unless they provide the missing information within 30 days their claim will be denied and closed.  

Additional headlines for Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026

City inspectors survey tornado damage

Detroit city inspectors say the tornado that hit the east side and Belle Isle on Sept. 3 damaged more than 100 homes and businesses. Nine buildings require emergency demolition. Mayor Mary Sheffield declared a local state of emergency so she can talk with state and federal officials about getting some disaster relief money.

She’s also coordinating with the state and the Red Cross to help families who need food and housing City agencies have removed almost 300 fallen trees, hauled away more than 300 tons of debris, and restored 100 traffic signals. 

Gas prices

The price of diesel fuel in Michigan is the highest it’s ever been. AAA says the average cost is $6.26 cents a gallon. That breaks the record of $6.20 a gallon set back in May. Gasoline prices are 12 cents a gallon higher this morning than they were yesterday. Michigan drivers are paying an average of $4.43 cents for a gallon of regular unleaded, which is 41 cents more than it was a week ago. 

Michigan asks nonprofits to supplement SNAP after cuts

The state is calling on nonprofits to support Michiganders who rely on assistance programs with changing federal requirements. The Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act changes work requirements and cuts funding to programs including Medicaid the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Those changes go into effect in January 2027.

The State Health Department has grants for nonprofits to provide community navigators to help residents apply for or renew coverage through the Healthy Michigan Plan or for SNAP benefits. MDHHS has more than 12 million dollars to direct toward the effort until September 2028.

For more information, visit the EGrAMS website. Anyone interested in learning more can attend an informational webinar on Sept. 16 at 10:30 a.m.

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The State of Michigan is highlighting the need to take your iron pills. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect which is preventable by mothers taking daily folic acid supplements.  

This week is Folic Acid Awareness Week. 

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian is the chief medical officer for the state. She says taking supplements prevents serious birth defects. She says its important for people to take their supplements within the first month of pregnancy. 

Folic acid is also found in leafy greens, beans, peas, asparagus and citrus. A daily supplement is about 400 micrograms.  

Additional headlines for Sept. 14, 2026

Students encouraged to submit civil rights artwork

The City of Detroit’s Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department invites student artists to create artwork around civil rights. Artwork could be featured through the Civil Rights Summit: Civil Rights in the 21st Century. The summit takes place on Oct. 9th. Three awards will be presented by the Atellier School of Art. Submit artwork by Oct. 2.

Neighborhood Roads Fund invests in transit infrastructure

Governor Whitmer announces the first payments from the Neighborhood Roads Fund. It’s part of a $2 billion annual investment for Michigan infrastructure.

Whitmer says the funding will go toward bridge projects for counties, cities and villages. That includes $100 million to repair and replace bridges, $100 million for public transit and $40 million for rail grade separation projects to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion.  

Goal Line program expands after school programming

The city of Detroit investing more than $2 million in after school programs. The funding supports expanding the nonprofit Get On and Learn or Goal Line program. It had served 34 location and 1,000 students.

Now it will be expanded to include locations in four recreational centers and three libraries. Goal Line Executive Director Ricky Fountain says the investment will support an additional 1,000 students across the city.  

Any Detroit Public Schools Community District, Detroit chapter school, or homeschooled students is eligible to join for free.  

-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley 

Detroit Cultural Center hosts Educators Night

Detroit’s Cultural Center will welcome teachers to explore five venues Tuesday night.  

The Detroit Institute of Arts, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detorit Historical Museum, the Michigan Science Center and the main brain of the Detroit Public Library will be open for Educators Night.  

Annamarie Boruki from the Detroit Cultural Center Association says the event offers resources and special programs.  “Teachers will be able to connect with more than 80 nonprofit and educational organizations, enjoy workshops, performances, exhibits, and heads-on resources that they can bring back to their classrooms.”

The event is open to classroom teachers, homeschooling parents and school administrators. This is the fourth time the Cultural Center has hosted Educators Night.  

-Reporting by Sascha Raiyn

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

This morning all international border crossings in Michigan were closed briefly to commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It’s been a quarter of century since the nation faced this horrific moment. Nearly 3000 people were killed when al-Qaida terrorits hijacked four commerical airplanes and crashed them in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. 

According to Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund, an East Lansing-based nonprofit at least 42 people with ties to Michigan died during the attacks. The organization was created to honor those lives.

Patrick L. Anderson, a World Trade Center survivor and founder of Michigan Remembers 9-11, put out a statement saying, “For the past quarter century, we have strived to keep alive the memory of each person with ties to Michigan who lost their life on September 11, 2001. We remain committed to sharing their names and stories.”

Additional headlines for Friday, Sept. 11, 2026

Lochmoor Club burns down

The historic Lochmoor Club burned to the ground in a fire this week and has been declared a total loss according to local officials. The Grosse Pointe Woods clubhouse was built in 1969 and included dining facilities, a pub, locker room and more.  

On Sept. 9, the Public Safety Department said that there was a reported kitchen fire. The fire was brought under control before midnight. The Grosse Pointe School district is warning residents that air quality nearby may be unhealthy for sensitive groups.  

Sports

NFL 

The NFL is back and on Sunday the Detroit Lions start the season off with a home game against the New Orlean Saints. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m.

MLB 

The Tigers have a weekend series against the Colorado Rockies. The Tigers are still second to last in the American League Central with a 67-79 record.  

Soccer

Detroit City FC play against Sacremento Republic FC in Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California. Game starts at 10:00 p.m. EST. 

National Black Footwear Forum

The 2026 National Black Footwear Forum is this weekend at the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC Detroit). 

According to organizers this event highlights the collective power of Black leaders in the footwear industry. To celebrate the moment, Detroit’s revered run club WeRun313 is special Sunday morning group run and walk in partnership with @BrooksRunning as part of The Black Footwear Forum!

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

The City of Detroit will spend more than $2 million to expand after-school programs. The funding will allow the nonprofit Get On and Learn or GOAL Line to add programs at four recreation centers and three library branches for all public, charter, and home school students in the city.  

Sheffield says the expansion brings the city one step closer to her goal to have an after-school program within a 2 mile radius of every school in the city.  “So with the support of the city, the state, philanthropic funds, we’re going to keep fighting every day to ensure that every child in this city and every zip code has access to after-school programming. “

The program provides sports, tutoring, and more, plus transportation to participating locations.  

Additional headlines for Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026

Rabbis critique Michigan Democrats, El-Sayed’s stance on Israel

Some liberal rabbis are calling on Michigan Democrats and the party’s U.S. Senate nominee to be more welcoming to Jews. 

Non-negotiable Michigan is asking Abdul El-Sayed and state party leaders to be more forceful about supporting Jewish safety, self-determination and sovereignty in Israel. 

Southfield Rabbi Aaron Starr says he’s concerned about how often Israel is criticized compared to other nations. “We can’t help but hear, when the only Jewish state in the entire world, a tiny fraction, a tiny sliver of the Middle East, let alone the whole population, when it is singled out, as opposed to all the bad actors in this world, we can’t help but hear antisemitism.”

El-Sayed has been working to make amends with Jewish Democrats who voted against him during the primary—often saying he cares about Jewish safety like that of his own daughter 

His Republican opponent, former Congressman Mike Rogers, has been courting support from Jewish voters.

Wayne State receives NIH grant to study air pollution

The National Institutes of Health awards almost $4 million to two Wayne State University researchers. Doctors Marianna Sadagurski and J. Richard Pilsner will use the money to study the impact air pollution in Detroit has on aging and cognitive health. 

Sadagurski’s preliminary research shows exposure to a mix of chemicals in the air impairs cognitive function and causes chronic inflammation. 

Emergency preparedness

Detroit residents can learn basic medical response, disaster preparedness and other critical emergency skills at a training the city is hosting next week. The Community Emergency Response Team Volunteer Training runs from September 17-19 and 26. The free training includes training on using defibrillators, caring for injuries like wounds and fractures, and other life saving skills.

Class times vary by day. Participants must complete all four sessions to receive certification. They take place at Detroit Emergency Management and Homeland Security at 13331 Lyndon. Register at detroitmi.gov/emhs or call 313-596-1742.

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