Public access to the Wayne County Airport Authority’s monthly meetings has changed, according to officials and an inside source. The move follows public opposition to the use of Willow Run Airport by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation-related flights earlier this year.

In February, the WCAA ended an option for the public to attend monthly meetings remotely while keeping the option available for some employees.

Officials say the decision to end remote attendance is meant to prioritize those who attend the meeting in-person and is a part of a broader shift to the Authority’s pre-pandemic policy. However, an inside source says the change is a reaction to strong public opposition against the use of Willow Run Airport for ICE deportation flights.

An anonymous whistleblower shared internal communication with WDET that shows while the public will be barred from attending public meetings remotely, some employees will still be offered the option. Those employees must first be vetted by the officials before receiving a unique, traceable link to attend. 

 The source also tells WDET that public comment had previously been moved to the end of each monthly meeting, raising concerns that the change will limit public input before major decisions are made. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act, WDET requested all flight activity records, agreements, contracts, communications, and financial records related to the use of Willow Run Airport by ICE.

The airport authority is charging WDET $7,991.68 for the information.

Three finalists have been chosen in the search for Dearborn Public Schools superintendent. The finalists were chosen during a special meeting over the weekend. Thomas Ahart, Mike Esseily and Moussa Hamka will move forward to the next round of interviews with district officials and stakeholders this week. 

A meet and greet will be held on April 22 from 7:20-8:45 p.m. for community members to meet the candidates at the Administrative Building. Finalists will be interviewed by the Board of Education on April 23. A final decision will be made on May 4 during a special meeting. 

The superintendent search was initiated when Former Superintendent Glenn Maleyko stepped down to become the State Superintendent.  

People can follow updates at the district’s YouTube page @DearbornPublicSchoolsVideo or at dearbornschools.org.

Additional headlines for Monday, April 20, 2026

Night of Innovation, Bet on Dearborn Expo

The Night of Innovation event cohosted by the City of Dearborn’s Economic Development Department and the American Arab Chamber of Commerce is a shark tank style pitch competition for prizes. The top prize wins $25,000. That takes place on May 12 from 5-8 p.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

The following day, the Bet on Dearborn Expo returns for a third year. The expo brings entrepreneurs, business resources, community services and networking together. The event takes place on May 13 from 4-8 p.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.  

Visit betondearborn.com for more information and to register for free. 

Dream of Detroit training

The nonprofit Dream of Detroit is hosting a community organizing training. The training will teach leaders principles of community organizing based on faith, storytelling and collective power. 

The training takes place May 2 from 1-6 p.m. and Sunday May 3. RSVP at dreamofdetroit.org. 

ICE impacts immigrant families—even if they’re here legally  

A recent study shows that some immigrant families in Michigan remain in constant fear because of the Trump administration’s ICE raids. 

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) found the crackdown has disrupted the lives of immigrants regardless of legal status. Researchers say children and parents are missing doctors’ appointments and other routine activities over concerns that ICE could arrest them.

Elizabeth Gonzalez is an organizer with the Congress of Communities in Southwest Detroit. She says ICE agents showing up at schools and childcare centers affects kids needing educational opportunities. “We depend on our Head Start centers and our Head Start programs. Unfortunately, enrollment has dropped due to parents and children being scared of ice surrounding centers and schools.” 

But Gonzalez has a message for the community: “Estamos unidos para proteger a nuestros niños. We are united to protect our children.” 

CLASP recommends that lawmakers restore prohibitions against ICE agents operating at schools, houses of worship and hospitals. 

– Reporting by Russ McNamara

Bill Kubota inducted into Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame

Senior Producer at Detroit PBS Bill Kubota was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame this weekend for his contributions to journalism in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. 

Kubota is known for his work for Detroit Public Television’s weekly public affairs program One Detroit. Detroit PBS says Kubota dedicated his life’s work to working in Detroit since the 1980s as a trailblazer in video journalism. He’s also worked as a producer with several national news outlets.

Kubota’s work encompasses overlooked stories, from civil rights to environmental justice and the formerly incarcerated. Kubota is the treasurer for the Michigan chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association. 

If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report podcast, available 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.

The State of Michigan and the City of Romulus have sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to stop them from converting a warehouse into an ICE detention center.

This week on MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben talks with Attorney General Dana Nessel to discuss her concerns about the department’s actions and much more.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode

• Why did the State of Michigan and the City of Romulus sue the U.S. Department of Homeland Security?
• Attorney General Nessel’s take on Pres. Trump attending Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship.
• Data centers in Michigan
• What Attorney Nessel plans to do after leaving office this term. 

Nessel felt that the legality of the Romulus warehouse purchase was in question, and even pointed out the irony of the DHS operation.

“They are taking people who mostly have no criminal records of any kinds and [saying] that these people didn’t come into the state properly so we are going to detain you or deport. Well, DHS didn’t come in to Romulus properly. They are not abiding by the laws. So I think it’s a bit of hypocrisy by the federal government.” 

Nessel said they filed a preliminary injunction so that DHS could not proceed with the project while the legal battle evolves. 

More from WDET:

• Detroit Evening Report: Michigan and city of Romulus file lawsuit to halt ICE detention center

• The Metro: Data centers, coming to a community near you