By COREY WILLIAMS The Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — City Council President Mary Sheffield will be Detroit’s newest mayor and the first woman to lead the city.

Sheffield defeated popular megachurch pastor the Rev. Solomon Kinloch in Tuesday’s general election.

She will take office in January and succeed three-term Mayor Mike Duggan who announced last year that he would not seek reelection. Duggan is running for Michigan governor as an independent to replace term-limited Democrat Gretchen Whitmer.

Sheffield thanked voters in her victory speech Tuesday night, addressing those who voted for her and those who didn’t.

“I am here to listen to you, to fight for you and to serve you,” she said. “Because, at the end of the day, we all want the same thing, a Detroit that works for everyone.”

Sheffield will inherit a city that continues to improve following Detroit’s 2014 exit from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. Duggan was elected in 2013 and took office in January 2014. Under his watch, Detroit has dramatically improved city services, including shorter police response times, public lighting and blight elimination.

Detroit has had 12 consecutive years of balanced budgets and the city has been showing historically low violent crime numbers.

Its population also has grown following decades of losses. Earlier this year, the U.S. Census estimated Detroit’s population at 645,705 — a gain of 12,487 residents since a May 2024 estimate, according to the city.

Detroit’s population reached 1.8 million people in the 1950s.

Sheffield and Kinloch, both Democrats, advanced to Tuesday’s election after finishing with the most votes in the city’s nonpartisan August primary.

Sheffield, 38, first was elected to the City Council in 2013 at age 26 and has been council president since 2022.

Sheffieldhas said that focusing on educating Detroit’s children, and continuing to improve public safety and life in the neighborhoods will be among her priorities if elected mayor.

“My commitment, Detroit, is to build on the foundation that has been laid working with Mayor Duggan and our council … by expanding opportunities, strengthening our neighborhoods and making sure that Detroit’s progress reaches every block and every family of this city,” Sheffield said alongside Duggan at a September campaign event.

Duggan endorsed Sheffield.

“Our city’s progress is in very good hands and I know she and her team will make sure it not only continues, but expands,” he said in a statement following her victory.

Kinloch conceded the election in a short speech to his supporters Tuesday night. He reiterated what he said throughout the campaign that all of Detroit has to share in the city’s revival.

“You can’t make all of the investments downtown,” Kinloch said. “It has to reach the whole town.”

Kinloch also said he hopes the campaign shows people they need to stay involved in their city government and repeated his campaign themes of pushing for more action on affordable housing, crime and support for neighborhoods across Detroit.

“This city’s in trouble and we need you to stand up and step up more now than ever before,” he urged supporters.

To have an event included in the Vitality calendar, email the name of the event, the time, date, address, cost (if applicable) and contact information to jgray@medianewsgroup.com.

November

Nov. 13: Night Lighting class sponsored by the Shelby Gardeners Club, from 1-2 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Shadbush Nature Center. Cost: $5. Don’t be left out in the dark when it comes to night lighting your landscape. This class will explore the many different types of lights available, along with revealing ways to create dramatic effects. By incorporating plant material, hardscapes and low voltage lighting, your landscape can be illuminated from dusk through the evening hours when you can enjoy it the most. This economical way to highlight your landscape not only beautifies your yard, but also provides security and safety as well. For more information, call Ivy Schwartz at 586.873.3782.

Nov. 13: Live at the OPC. The Midwest Dueling Pianos, Thursday Nov. 13, 6-7:30 p.m. $15 Members $20 Non-Members. Get ready for a night of music, comedy, and high-energy fun! The Midwest Dueling Pianos show is a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience where the audience becomes part of the act. Light appetizers & refreshments provided. Open to the public. Sponsored by Pomeroy Living. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information call (248)656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Nov. 13: Adult Craft Night: Winter Wine Bottle Luminaries at the Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Ste. A, Harrison Twp., Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. Crafters of all skill levels are welcome at our monthly Adult Craft Night! Transform a recycled wine bottle into a beautiful winter-themed luminary using paint, ribbon, and fairy lights. Registration is required, so visit htlibrary.org or call (586) 329-1261 to secure your spot now.

Nov. 14: Financial Friday at the OPC. Make Your Income Last, Friday, Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. $2. Practical strategies to make your retirement income last. Learn how to balance savings, investments and withdrawals to enjoy a secure and comfortable retirement. Presented by Rochester Wealth Strategies Vice President Xenia Woltmann, AWMA. Open to the public. For information or to register please call 248-659-1029. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester.

Nov. 14: Memory Café at OPC, Friday, Nov. 14, 1-2:30 p.m. A welcoming social gathering for individuals affected by memory challenges and their care partners. Some activities include art, music and games with light refreshments provided. Sponsored by Waltonwood Main. Open to the public. RSVP to Theresa Gill (248)659-1036 or tgill@OPCcenter.org. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information, call (248)659-1029 or visit OPCcenter.org.

Nov. 15: Yoga Moves MS will host the Gratitude Gala on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at The MINT, 27000 Evergreen Road, in Lathrup Village. Yoga Moves MS is a nonprofit celebrating its twenty-first anniversary, providing life-changing and pain-reducing free adaptive yoga for those with MS, Parkinson’s Disease, and other neuromuscular disorders. The Gratitude Gala will celebrate the Yoga MS community and its leaders. Tickets include dinner, live music, open bar, a silent auction, entertainment, and a celebration of the honorees. Register at https://yogamovesanybody.org/fundraisers/ or email info@yogamovesanybody.org. For more information, call 248-417-5985.

Nov. 17: Athletico Physical Therapy Visit at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Monday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334. Have questions about your health or mobility? A licensed physical therapist from Athletico will be on-site to answer questions, share simple exercises, and provide guidance to help you stay active and safe. Register ahead at: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Nov. 17: Movie at the Library. Sponsored by Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Monday, Nov. 17, 1 p.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334. Join us for a select movie at the library.  This months flick: Dances with Wolves. Register ahead at: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Nov. 17: Living Well, Learning More at the OPC. Coach of Champions: Detroit Sports Stories You Never Knew, Monday, Nov. 17, 2:30 p.m., $5, Dining Room. Over 100 years ago, Coach David L. Holmes built the athletic program at Wayne State University, coaching from 1917-1958. With little equipment and even fewer facilities, he welcomed athletes often excluded elsewhere – Black, Jewish, Catholic, and Eastern-European – and guided many to become Olympians, champions, and record holders. Author (and grandson) Keith Wunderlich shares Coach of Champions, celebrating Holmes’ legacy of resilience and inspiration. Books available for $25 cash; signing to follow. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information call (248)656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Nov. 18: Live Music & Swing Dancing at the OPC, featuring the Metro Music Makers Big Band. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2-2:30 p.m.; Swing Dance Lessons,  2:30-4 p.m.; Big Band Show. Members $15 Non-Members $20. Join us for free Swing Dance lessons led by the Diversiform Dance Project Company, and put your new moves to the test as you dance to classic swing tunes performed by the talented Metro Music Makers big Band. Whether you’re coming solo or with a partner, everyone is welcome! Open to the public. Sponsored by DFCU. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information call (248)656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Nov. 18 & 25: Knitting & Crochet Circle at the Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Ste. A, Harrison Twp. at 10 a.m. Welcome knitters and crocheters of all levels! Hang out and share your creativity with other knitters. Please bring your own projects and supplies. The group creates and donates to charitable organizations like Beaumont Little Angels, Project Linus, Compassion Pregnancy, and more to provide comfort items during times of need. For more information, visit htlibrary.org or call 586-329-1261.

Nov. 18: Check Mates: Chess Club at the Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave., Roseville, Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 6-7:30 p.m. Once a month, local Chess enthusiasts gather at the library to socialize, trade tips, and challenge each other to this classic game of strategy. Whether you are a master player or just learning the game, you are welcome to join us. You may bring your own set or use one of ours. Ages 12 to adult are welcome. For more information, call (586) 445-5407 or email rsvlibraryservice@roseville-mi.gov

Nov. 18: Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Group at the OPC, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 1:30-3 p.m. Support group for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Open to the public. Respite care is available. OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. Call (248)659-1036 or visit OPCcenter.org for additional information.

Nov. 18: Detroit Opera House Tour and lunch. Sponsored by Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 10:15 a.m. $12 tour and bus fee + pay for your own lunch at Buddy’s Pizza downtown Detroit. Phone: 248.589.0334. Join us for a 90-minute tour of the historic Detroit Opera House followed by lunch. Register ahead at: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Nov. 19: Navigating Grief During the Holidays at the Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Ste. A, Harrison Twp., Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. The holiday season can be a challenge for individuals of all ages from all walks of life. Feelings of sadness, grief, and loss are often amplified during what outwardly appears as a joyful time. Come learn and discuss how we can support ourselves, our loved ones, and each other as we navigate the complexities of grief during the holiday season. Presented by Matina Fabian, Director of Adult Outpatient Services at Hegira Health, Inc. Registration is encouraged, but not required. For more information, visit htlibrary.org or call 586-329-1261.

Nov. 19: Living Well, Learning More at the OPC. Sourdough Bread Class, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 3-5 p.m., $75. Discover the joy of sourdough just in time for the holidays! Join instructor Alaina Campbell, founder of Sprout Bake, for a hands-on class that breaks down the baking process into four simple steps. Learn how to care for the starter, mix and knead dough. Leave with the confidence to bake for family and friends. Every attendee receives: a personal sourdough starter to take home, written instructions and bonus recipes, a refresher video of the process, access to a private sourdough Facebook group & quarterly tips newsletter, a tasting bar featuring fresh sourdough and herbal teas. Spaces are limited. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information call (248)656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Nov. 19: Papotage & Cie: Talk-time in French at the Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave., Roseville, Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 6-7 p.m. Papotage & Cie is a program for French conversation practice with a French native speaker (and librarian…) The program is open to any teenager or adult who speaks some French and wants an informal and safe place to practice with others. If you have learned French at school, learned it (forgot it…) and want to practice again, this event is for you. For more information, call (586) 445-5407 or email rsvlibraryservice@roseville-mi.gov

Nov. 19: Lunch & Learn with Chris Stark at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m. Phone: 248.589.0334. Get your questions answered! Chris Stark will host an informative session covering important topics for older adults, all while you enjoy a complimentary lunch. Bring your curiosity and leave with practical knowledge. Register by Nov. 12. Register ahead at: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Nov. 20: Mystery Book Club: “The Honjin Murders” by Seishi Yokomizo at the Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave., Roseville, Thursday, Nov. 20, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Calling all sleuths! Get together with other mystery readers as we discuss crime novels every third Thursday of the month. This month, we will discuss The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo. You are welcome to join us even if you have not finished the book. For more information, call (586) 445-5407 or email rsvlibraryservice@roseville-mi.gov

Nov. 20: Trivia Night at Total Sports sponsored by the Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Ste. A, Harrison Twp., Thursday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Come test out your knowledge at HTPL Trivia Night, hosted at Total Sports. Tickets include trivia plus unlimited pizza, salad, and soft drinks. Tickets can be purchased at the library for $8.00 in advance or purchased at the door on Trivia Night for $9. Cash or check only. Max team size of 8. Arrive with a team or we’ll team you up. For more information, visit htlibrary.org or call 586-329-1261.

Nov. 20: Thanksgiving Special Event Lunch  at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Thursday, Nov. 20, noon. $6. Phone: 248.589.0334. Join us for one of our most beloved traditions—a festive Thanksgiving lunch with turkey, sides, and all the trimmings! After lunch, stick around for a lively bingo game sponsored by Oak Street. Space is limited—register by Nov. 12. Register ahead at: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Nov. 20: Euchre Tournament at the OPC, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. Registration Begins 4:30 p.m. Members: $7 Non-Members: $10. Pre-registration is appreciated. 8 Games – 8 Rounds. Pay-out prizes to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place placers. Open to the public. This program is sponsored by Accent Care. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information, call (248)659-1029 or visit OPCcenter.org.

Nov. 21: Join us for Coffee at the DSO, “Billy Joel Songbook” plus lunch after the show at Vivio’s on Friday,  Nov. 21. Join the DSO and vocalist-pianist Tony DeSare for a symphonic celebration of Billy Joel’s most iconic hits. Experience the legendary songs of the Piano Man like never before—brought to life with full orchestral arrangements and favorites including “Only the Good Die Young,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Piano Man,” “New York State of Mind,” “You May Be Right,” “Movin’ Out,” “My Life,” “Don’t Ask Me Why,” and more in this unforgettable tribute to one of music’s greatest storytellers. Bus departs from John Armstrong Performing Arts back parking lot, 24066 F V Pankow Blvd, Clinton Twp at 9:15 am. Cost $105. Register online at www.lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or by calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330.

Nov. 21: Grief Support Group at the OPC, Friday, Nov. 21, 10–11:30 a.m. The death of a loved one affects your head, heart and spirit. A Grief Support Group is an opportunity to gain an understanding about grief and receive support and healing with other caring individuals who have experienced a loss. Many people report a feeling of relief in knowing they are not alone as they share their experience with others. Open to the public. Walk-ins are Welcome Questions: (248)608-0249. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information, visit OPCcenter.org.

Nov. 21: Parkinson’s Care Partner Group at the OPC, Friday, Nov. 21, 1-3 p.m. This group provides an opportunity for those who are caring for their loved one to come together for support, sharing and time to talk with others who are also living with Parkinson’s. Open to the public. Call facilitator Kathy Walton 248.568.3549. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information, visit OPCcenter.org.

Nov. 22: Puzzle Tournament sponsored by the Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave., Roseville, Sunday, Nov. 22, from 1-5 p.m., at Recreation Authority of Roseville & Eastpointe (RARE). Ready to put your puzzle prowess to the ultimate test? Join us for a thrilling puzzle challenge! Whether you’re flying solo or part of a team, all puzzle aficionados are welcome. Race against the clock for a chance to win fantastic prizes! Got puzzles gathering dust? Bring them to our puzzle swap and discover new challenges to take home. Think you have what it takes to be crowned the puzzle champion? Find out. RARE is located at 18185 Sycamore Street. For more information, call (586) 445-5407 or email rsvlibraryservice@roseville-mi.gov

Nov. 22: All-Ages Wicked Movie Matinee at the Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Ste. A, Harrison Twp., Saturday, Nov. 22 from noon to 3 p.m. Join us for a magical matinee showing of Wicked on Saturday, Nov. 22. In celebration of “Wicked: For Good” hitting theaters, we’ll be streaming part one starting at noon and serving up some spellbinding mocktails and enchanting snacks. This is an all-ages program. Costumes are welcome. No registration required. For more information, visit htlibrary.org or call 586-329-1261.

Nov. 25: Tuesday Night Book Group at the Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Ste. A, Harrison Twp., Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. Join us as we discuss “Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?” by Crystal Smith Paul. A multigenerational saga that traverses the glamour of old Hollywood and the seductive draw of modern-day showbiz. When Kitty Karr Tate, a White icon of the silver screen, dies and bequeaths her multimillion-dollar estate to the St. John sisters, three young, wealthy Black women, it prompts questions. Lots of questions. Get your copy and join us today. For more information, visit htlibrary.org or call 586-329-1261.

Nov. 25: OATS Tech Program: Streaming and Smart TVs at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 4 p.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334. Are you paying for TV channels you don’t watch? Learn why people are “cutting the cord” and using streaming services instead. Register ahead at: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Nov. 26: Turkey Time BINGO Games at the OPC, Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 12:30 p.m. $10. Join us for Bingo in the Dining Room. Ticket price includes 8-10 games with up to 4 BINGO cards per player and pizza! Daytime bingo Sponsored by the Village at Orchard Grove and Shelby Crossing. Evening bingo sponsored by Home Helpers Home Care. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information, call (248)659-1029 or visit OPCcenter.org.

December

Dec. 1: Madagold: Live Performance  at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Monday, Dec. 1, 10:30 a.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334. Ease into Dec. with an uplifting morning performance by Madagold at the Senior Center. Enjoy great music, friendly company, and a warm community vibe—perfect for a winter pick‑me‑up. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Dec. 4: Sparkle Spectacular: Harrison Township annual Tree Lighting at the Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Ste. A, Harrison Twp., Thursday, Dec. 4, from 6-8 p.m. Kick off the holiday season with a dazzling evening of magic, music, and lights at our Sparkle Spectacular. Join us as we countdown to the grand lighting of the holiday tree, followed by a glittering celebration full of cheer and wonder. Enjoy festive music, twinkling lights, hot cocoa, sweet treats, and special holiday surprises for the whole family. Whether you’re young or young at heart, this is a night to shine bright and make joyful memories. For more information, visit htlibrary.org or call 586-329-1261.

Dec. 4-6: Anchors Aweigh for the Holidays with the OPC Performing Arts Troup. Luncheon Show: Dec. 4, noon, $25. Morning Matinees: Dec. 5 & 9 | 10:00am | $15. Set sail for a festive adventure with Holiday Cheer on the High Seas! Enjoy music, laughs, and holiday magic on this spirited voyage. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information call (248)656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Dec. 4: Coffee Hour with Humana Medicare 101 Talk  at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Thursday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334. Grab a cup and meet local Humana representatives to learn about Medicare benefits, coverage options, and plan resources in a no‑pressure, friendly setting. Bring your questions. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Dec. 4: OATS Tech Program: Passwords, Passkeys, and More at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Thursday, Dec. 4, 1 p.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334 Tired of resetting your password all the time? Join this lecture to discover password alternatives and different ways to manage your passwords. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Dec. 8: Lunch & Learn with Stephanie and Josh at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Monday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334. Enjoy a light lunch while Stephanie and Josh share timely resources and helpful insights for older adults. Come hungry for food and information. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Dec. 8: Meet Rep. MacDonnell (Community Drop‑In) Monday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334. Stop by for an informal conversation with Representative MacDonnell. Ask questions, share concerns, and learn about current initiatives. Register: Drop in—no registration required.

Dec. 11: Adult Craft Night: Craft Supply Exchange & Drop-In Winter Craft at the Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Ste. A, Harrison Twp., Thursday, Dec. 11, from 6-8 p.m. Avoid the cold weather – come “chill” with us at HTPL! No registration is required for this special Adult Craft Night. Drop in and create holiday cards, ornaments, handmade bows, and more small crafts. Snacks and beverages will be provided. In addition to Craft Night, we’ll be hosting a Winter Craft Supply Exchange! Drop off up to 5 standard sized (12 x 12 x 10”) boxes of craft supplies starting Dec. 1 through Dec. 11 to participate. For each box you donate, you’ll receive a “ticket to shop.” One ticket equals one box that you can fill up on the day of the exchange. Any leftover supplies that are not taken after the exchange will be donated or used for library programming. This is an Adults-Only program. However, we will accept children’s craft supplies for the exchange. Check htlibrary.org/events for a full list of accepted and non-accepted items. For more information, call 586-329-1261.

Dec. 16: Harrison Township Diamond Dazzlers: Diamond Dot Club at the Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Ste. A, Harrison Twp., Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 6-8 p.m. Are you a regular Diamond Dot fanatic, or are you looking for a new hobby to keep you occupied during the cold winter months? Drop in and join our new Adult Diamond Dot club! Come chat with fellow Diamond Dotters and treat yourself to a cozy and relaxing evening of crafting. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Feel free to bring your own project to work on. We’ll also have freebies available if you come empty-handed. No registration required. For more information, visit htlibrary.org or call 586-329-1261.

Dec. 18 (register by Dec. 8): Christmas Lunch & Bingo  at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Thursday, Dec. 18, noon. $6. Phone: 248.589.0334. Celebrate together with a festive holiday lunch, then stay for merry rounds of bingo with prizes. A seasonal favorite—these seats fill quickly! Register by: Dec. 8. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Dec. 9: The Birmingham Metropolitan Woman’s Club presents at their monthly luncheon, A Presentation of Christmas Songs at 10:30 a.m. The presentation will be followed by a delicious lunch. You do not have to be a member to give us a try. Reserve your place two weeks prior to the event by calling Chris at 248-303-7339. Lunch & program $34, held at the Iroquois Club, Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Twp. To learn more visit, tbmwc.com

Dec. 9: Holly, History & Harmony (Trip). Sponsored by Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. $50 (admin fee). Phone: 248.589.0334. A festive outing featuring seasonal history, music, and community cheer. Drop‑off/pick‑up at Troy Community Center. Registration closes Nov. 21—reserve your seat now. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Dec. 11: Holiday Orchestra Concert. Sponsored by Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Thursday, Dec. 11, 11:30 a.m. $4 for lunch (served at noon). Phone: 248.589.0334. Enjoy the festive sounds of the Clawson Public Schools String Orchestra as they perform holiday classics for our community. Following the concert, students will join senior adults for a special lunch. Space is limited—please register ahead for lunch. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Dec. 15: Movie at the Library. Sponsored by Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Monday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334. This month, we celebrate UN Human Rights Month with a special viewing of the movie Gandhi at the Blair Memorial Library. Popcorn and refreshments provided. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Dec. 15: Secretary of State Mobile Office at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Monday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Phone: 248.589.0334. Renew IDs, driver’s licenses, and other common documents without leaving Clawson. The Mobile SOS Office will be at the Senior Center. Call to make an appointment today at 248.589.0334.

Dec. 16: OATS Tech at the Library Saving Money with Tech  at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 4 p.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334. Explore ways that tech can help you save money and manage your finances. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Dec. 30 (register by Dec. 18): “Noon Year’s Eve” Lunch with Olivia Van Goor  at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Tuesday, Dec. 30, noon. $6. Phone: 248.589.0334. Ring in 2026 early with a celebratory lunch and a sparkling jazz performance by Olivia Van Goor. Countdown at noon—party favors and smiles guaranteed. Register by Dec. 18. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

Dec. 19: OATS Tech Lecture, Technology for Aging in Place at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Friday, Dec. 19, 1 p.m. Free. Phone: 248.589.0334. Come learn how smart technology can help you maintain your independence in your own home. Register: https://miclawsonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/

January

Jan. 14: Let’s head to lunch at Lelli’s before the show at Meadowbrook Theatre, “All Shook UP” on Wednesday, Jan 14. This musical was inspired by and features the songs of Elvis Presley. Set in 1955 the story of the guitar-playing young man and his hip-swiveling musical fantasy will have you jumping out of your blue suede shoes. Enjoy these classics: “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Jailhouse Rock” and “Don’t be Cruel.” Bus departs from John Armstrong Performing Arts back parking lot, 24066 F V Pankow Blvd, Clinton Twp at 11:00 am. Cost $120. Register online at www.lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or by calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330.

Monthly events

•  Monthly Casino Trips: Sponsored by the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. Last Thursdays & Fridays, 10 a.m. (unless otherwise noted). $12. Venture out to Hollywood Casino or Motor City Casino (rotates monthly). Try your luck at the slots, table games, and more! Enjoy the excitement with friends. Register: 248.589.0334 or recreation.cityofclawson.com

• Chair Drumming: Second Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Cost is $5 per drop-in class. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

• The Birmingham Metropolitan Women’s Club: Meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Iroquois Club, 43248 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Twp. at 10:30 a.m. for lunch & informative speakers. We are a friendly group of 50+ women who gather for friendship, informative programs & philanthropic activities in our community. Visit before becoming a member. The cost for the luncheon & program is $32. To make a reservation, call Chris at 248-303-7339. To learn more, visit tbmwc.com

•  Monthly Epic Health Screenings: At the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. Last Wednesdays (unless otherwise noted), 11 a.m.–1 p.m. FREE. Stay on top of your health with a quick 10‑minute checkup. Professionals will be on-site to monitor vital signs and share tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Register: 248.589.0334 or recreation.cityofclawson.com

• Learn Spanish: at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. Donations welcomed. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Somerset Mall Walking and Shopping: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month. Depart at 9:45 a.m. from the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court to enjoy a scenic and safe way to support your physical &  mental well-being and shop while you are there! Cost $3. Contact dispatch at 248-583-6700 to sign up.

•  Join Widowed Friends, a peer support group hosting Tuesdays, noon. Bowling Collier Bowl, 879 S. Lapeer Rd (M24) Arrive at Noon for lane assignment. Three games, shoes extra. Lunch afterward is optional. Hosts: Joe, 248-693-2454 or Nadine, 248-475-9036.

•  Join Widowed Friends, a peer support group hosting Thursdays. Michigan Meadows Golf Course will resume very soon. Call Chuck, 586-201-6607.

• Yoga for Seniors: At the Fraser Senior Activities Center, 34935 Hidden Pine Dr., Fraser. Friday mornings 10:30am-11:30 a.m. (6-week sessions). Wednesday mornings 11:30-12:30 p.m. (6-week sessions). $26 for members per session, $32 for non-members per session. To register, call 586-296-8483.

• Attorney Eric Glick: At the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. 3rd Wednesdays, 1–2:15 p.m. FREE. Schedule a 15‑minute legal consultation to discuss your questions and concerns. Find helpful guidance and resources in a confidential setting. Register: 248.589.0334 or recreation.cityofclawson.com

•  Join Widowed Friends, a peer support group hosting Monday Golf, Stony Creek Golf Course will resume soon. Call Ted, 248-425-4879.

• Pickleball Drop: in with friends of all ages for a friendly game of pickleball at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. on Mondays, from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $2. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Quilting Group: meets every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson.  For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Water Fitness Classes: Mondays & Wednesday, from 11:10 a.m. – noon (times subject to change based on staffing) at L’Anse Creuse North high school located at 23700 Twenty One Mile Rd, Macomb. Cost $5 drop in or punch cards available for $50 – payment accepted poolside or online and bring your receipt. Register online at Lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or by calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330.

• Wheel of Fortune: At the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. 3rd Thursdays, 1 p.m. (date subject to change). FREE. Spin the wheel, solve puzzles, and claim your prize in this lively, interactive game. Bring your lucky charm and competitive spirit. Register: 248.589.0334 or recreation.cityofclawson.com

• Men Only Breakfast: Lukich Family Restaurant (1st and 3rd Thursday), 3900 Rochester Rd., Troy, at 9.m. The Widowed Men’s Group invites you to meet with other widowed men for breakfast at either of the Men’s Fellowship locations whichever is more convenient for you. Many topics & ideas help you become involved in the activities of Widowed Friends. Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries  Contact Ray at 248-585-5402.

• Quilting Group: Meets every Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 5/6. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Let’s meet up to discuss the latest topics and ask questions in a friendly environment. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• $5 Movie at MJR: Sponsored by  the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. 1st Tuesdays (morning showtime). $3 bus fare, $5 ticket. Catch a fun flick with friends at MJR. Movie title and showtime will be announced as the date approaches. Purchase your ticket and any concessions on-site. Register: 248.589.0334 or recreation.cityofclawson.com

• Pick Your Play: Thursdays at 12:45 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Play Kings in the Corner, Hand & Foot, Farkle, whatever you like. Bring a friend and have some fun. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Did you want to learn to play piano, guitar or ukulele? What about voice lessons? We offer beginner classes for youth and adults: Visit our website to see all of the  music lessons we offer.  Lessons take place at Kawai studios and rental instruments are available for rent. Kawai studio is located at 12745 23 Mile Rd, Shelby Twp, MI  48315. Register online at Lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or by calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330

•  Join Widowed Friends, a peer support group hosting Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Dancing American Polish Century Club, 33204 Maple Lane (14 Mile east of Van Dyke), Sterling Hgts. Doors open at 6PM. Music from 7-10:30 p.m. Cost $10 per person, cash bar. Contact Event Host, Liz 586-801-4536.

• Current Events Club: meets the 1st Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Let’s meet up to discuss the latest topics and ask questions in a friendly environment. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Fitness 20/20/20: Monday and Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Fitness 20/20/20 held at Frederick V Pankow Center – Room 505, 24076 F V Pankow Blvd, Clinton Twp. Cost is $96 Register online at Lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330.

• Chair Exercise: On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Level I at 10:30 a.m.: Seated warm-up, light weights, bands and balance work. Level II at 11:15 a.m.: Low-impact moves. No fee, donations welcome. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Socrates Club: Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Meetup to discuss current events in a relaxed, informal setting. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Zumba Gold at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court at 1:30 p.m. on Mondays with Ivy. Cost is $5 per drop-in class. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Solo-Seniors Group: meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court Meet and mingle with other seniors in this fun social group. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Indoor Walking on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:15 a.m.at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Meet with friends to walk in the gym. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Older Persons’ Commission Membership: Mondays – Thursdays, from 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Friday, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. OPC membership is available at no charge to all residents 50+ of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Registration forms are available at OPC or online at opcseniorcenter.org. You must register in person and proof of residency is required. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information, call 248-656-1403.

• Pinochle: on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:45 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Cost is $1. Price includes prize money for the top three scores. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Chair Yoga: at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays & Thursdays with Melissa or Stephanie at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Come get a great stretch in this class! No fee, but donations are welcome. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Tai Chi: Wednesdays at 10 a.m. with Cheryl at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Cost is $5 per drop-in class. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Euchre: on Tuesdays at 12:45 .pm. Cost is $1, which includes prize money, at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Confident Communicators Club: Meets monthly for people who seek improving public speaking skills and leadership confidence. This supportive Toastmasters group meets online the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8-9:30 a.m. Many of our members have gain skills needed to become a better salesperson, grow their business, get promoted, and engage students. Register for any of our meetings to get the Zoom Link -https://confident-communicators-club-meeting.eventbrite.com. Contact our VP Membership to get more information vpm-1196053@toastmastersclubs.org

• New Baltimore Civic Club: Euchre every Thursday at 36551 Main St. (corner of Blackwell) in New Baltimore. Sign in at 6:30 p.m., play at 7 p.m. $10 plus a quarter for each euchre.

• Senior Card Playing: Come and join a fun group of card players who play a wide range of card games. Everyone brings a snack to share while playing. Free. Mondays from 1-4 p.m. at 35248 Cricklewood Blvd. (Cricklewood Recreation Building). Call 586-725-0291.

• Dancing every Tuesday: at Polish Century Club, 33204 Maple Lane, Sterling Heights. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music from 7-10:30 p.m. Cost is $8 per person with a cash bar. A table is reserved for Widowed Friends. Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries Contact Kate at 586-344-3886.

• New Baltimore Senior Club: Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This welcoming group of seniors has all sorts of fun. We play bingo, hold luncheons, go on trips, and play cards. Monthly dues, $2. Location 35248 Cricklewood Blvd. (Cricklewood Recreation Building). Call 586-725-0291.

• Zumba Gold: from 10:30-11:30 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday at the Washington Center, 57880 Van Dyke, Washington Twp. Cost depends on how many punches are purchased. 4 punches $23 resident, $29 NR; 11 punches $60 resident, $66 NR. For more information, call 586-752-6543.

• Cards/Games/Friendship: Ss. John and Paul, (1st Thursday or every month), 1:30-4 p.m. at, 7777 28 Mile Rd. Bring a snack to share and your own beverage. Ss. John and Paul support the Agape Center, a resource center for the most vulnerable members of society and would appreciate it if you could bring a canned good (vegetable, meat, fruit) when you come to play. (Dinner afterward at Romeo Family Restaurant, 66020 Van Dyke Rd., between 30 & 31 Mile is optional.) Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries. Call Ellen, 586-781-5781.

• Eastside Movies: (1st Tuesday of each month) at Chesterfield Crossing Digital Cinema 16 (known for free soda & popcorn refills also offers discount matinee pricing) 50675 Gratiot Ave., Chesterfield Twp. Early dinner afterwards TBD. Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries. For more information, contact Marion at 586-703-1427

• Metamora – Dinner Club: (3rd Wednesday of the month) at 5 p.m. Join us at The White Horse Inn, 1 E High St., Metamora. Reserved seating. Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries. Please RSVP to Sharry 248-840-0063. No walk- ins. Please call if you must cancel your reserved seating.

• Breakfast at Avenue Family Restaurant: 31253 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, at 9:30 a.m. (2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month). Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries.

RICHMOND, Va. — Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governor’s race Tuesday, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to give Democrats a key victory heading into the 2026 midterm elections and make history as the first woman ever to lead the commonwealth.

Spanberger’s victory will flip partisan control of the governor’s office when she succeeds outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

“We sent a message to every corner of the commonwealth, a message to our neighbors and our fellow Americans across the country,” Spanberger told cheering supporters Tuesday night in Richmond. “We sent a message to the whole word that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our commonwealth over chaos.”

Also Tuesday, Democrat Ghazala F. Hashmi won the race for lieutenant governor and will succeed Earle-Sears, and Democrat Jay Jones defeated Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the race for attorney general. Jones is set to become the first Black attorney general in Virginia, while Hashmi is the first Muslim woman to win a statewide office in the U.S.

Spanberger, a former congresswoman and CIA case officer, won by emphasizing economic issues, a strategy that may serve as a model for other Democrats in next year’s elections as they try to break President Donald Trump’s and Republicans’ hold on power in Washington and gain ground in statehouses.

Campaigning, Spanberger often sidestepped the historic potential of her candidacy. In victory, she embraced it.

“Just a few minutes ago, Adam said to our daughters, your mom’s going to be the governor of Virginia. And I can guarantee those words have never been spoken in Virginia ever before,” she said

“It’s a big deal that the girls and the young women I have met along the campaign trail now know with certainty that they can achieve anything.”

Spanberger’s eyes welled up as she told her family she loved them, as her husband and three daughters, standing behind her, wiped tears from their cheeks.

Spanberger was intentional in how she criticized Trump

Throughout the campaign, Spanberger made carefully crafted economic arguments against Trump’s policies, while she spent considerable sums on ads tying Earle-Sears to the president. She campaigned across the state, including in Republican-leaning areas, and in her first appearance as governor-elect she wore a bright red suit.

Yet Spanberger also emphasized her support for abortion rights in the last Southern state that has not enacted new restrictions or bans on the procedure, and she railed against Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, the U.S. government shutdown and their negative impact on a state with several hundred thousand federal employees.

That approach helped corral Democrats’ core supporters while attracting the kinds of swing voters who elected Youngkin four years ago. It also continued a historical trend for Virginia: Since Jimmy Carter won the White House in 1976, Virginia has backed a governor from the opposite party of every first-term president in the following year. This year is a special case, given the gap between Trump’s terms.

Republicans, meanwhile, must grapple again with a battleground loss by an arch-conservative from the president’s party.

Trump never campaigned for Earle-Sears, though he did give her his tepid support. Their uneasy alliance raises questions about the ideal Republican nominee for contested general elections and how the president’s volatile standing with voters might affect GOP candidates next November. The midterm elections will settle statehouse control in dozens of states and determine whether Republicans maintain majorities in Washington for the final years of Trump’s presidency.

Earle-Sears 61, would have become the first Black woman to be elected as a governor in the U.S.

In her concession speech, she said she hoped Spanberger would support policies that unite Virginians.

“My opponent, Abigail, ran as a moderate. If she governs as one, then she will unite us, and she’ll heal our divide and win our support,” Earle-Sears said. “I hope and pray she does.”

Spanberger balanced policy and biography

Spanberger, 46, ran on a pledge to protect Virginia’s economy from the aggressive tactics of Trump’s second administration, which has culled the civil service, levied tariffs and shepherded a reconciliation bill curtailing the state’s already fragile health care system.

Accountant Sherry Kohan, 56, who cast her ballot at the Aurora Hills Library in Arlington, said she used to think of herself as a Republican but hasn’t felt aligned with either party since Trump’s first term. She said her vote for Spanberger was a vote against Trump.

Stephanie Uhl, 38, who also said she voted for Spanberger, had the federal government shutdown on her mind when casting her ballot at the library in Arlington, just across the river from Washington.

Uhl was working without pay for the Defense Department and though she said, “I can afford (it) just fine,” she was bothered “that it affects so many other people.”

Spanberger’s background also figured heavily into her victory. As a former CIA case officer, she noted her public service and national security credentials. And she pitched herself as the mother of daughters educated in Virginia’s public schools and a Capitol Hill veteran who represented a swing district and worked across the aisle.

The pitch helped the Democratic nominee withstand Earle-Sears’ attacks on cultural issues, notably the Republican’s assertion that Spanberger is an extremist on civil rights and health care for transgender people. Spanberger, who consistently argued that local school districts should decide whether transgender students can participate in competitive sports, cast her opponent as the candidate more out of step with the middle of the Virginia electorate.

Her strategy echoed the approach Democrats used to flip U.S. House control in the 2018 midterms, halfway through Trump’s first presidency. Spanberger was among several high-profile women who brought national security or military credentials to campaigns in battleground districts. Another of those women, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, was vying Tuesday to become New Jersey’s Democratic governor.

Together, they were held up as examples of successful mainstream Democrats at a time when the party’s left flank has been ascendent, most notably Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and the party’s nominee in Tuesday’s New York mayoral contest.

In Congress, Spanberger was a quiet workhorse

When she first got to Washington, Spanberger concentrated on lower-profile issues: bringing broadband to rural areas, fighting drug trafficking and veterans’ services. And she quickly established a reputation for working with colleagues across the political spectrum.

In her new role, she will face tightening economic projections, rising utility costs and growing unemployment — in part because of the Trump administration’s federal contraction. But she could have the advantage of a friendly Legislature if Democrats are able to maintain their majority in the House of Delegates. All 100 seats in that chamber were on the ballot Tuesday, as were other statewide offices, including lieutenant governor and attorney general. The state Senate, also controlled by Democrats, was not on the ballot this year. If Democrats have the so-called trifecta in Richmond, as Republicans do now in Washington, they could enact many policy priorities that lawmakers advanced to Youngkin only for him to veto the bills.

Spanberger won despite a late surprise that threatened Virginia’s Democratic ticket. In October, news reports revealed that Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, sent texts in 2022 suggesting the former Republican House speaker get “two bullets to the head.”

Republicans across the U.S., including Trump and Earle-Sears, demanded Jones drop out. He apologized and said he was ashamed of the messages but declined to leave the race.

The controversy dogged Spanberger. She condemned the text messages but stopped short of asking Jones to withdraw from the race, and she notably did not withdraw her endorsement.

“I have denounced political violence, political rhetoric,” Spanberger said in her lone debate with Earle-Sears, “no matter who is leading the charge.”

Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Barrow reported from Atlanta. Helen Wieffering contributed from Arlington, Virginia.

By SEUNG MIN KIM, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is heading to Miami on Wednesday — the anniversary of his reelection to a second term — to speak to a forum of business leaders and global athletes about what he sees as his economic achievements.

His speech to the American Business Forum will be a broad look at his economic agenda and how investments he has secured abroad help U.S. communities, according to a senior White House official. It’s a significant effort from Trump to put a positive spin on the economy at a time when Americans remain uneasy about the state of their finances and the cost of living — and when major campaigns in Tuesday’s election were centered on affordability and the economy.

The AP Voter Poll survey, which included more than 17,000 voters in New Jersey, Virginia, California and New York City, suggested the public was troubled by higher prices and fewer job opportunities despite Trump’s promises to tame inflation and unleash growth.

In his speech, Trump will touch on deregulation, energy independence and oil prices, and affordability, said the White House official, who was granted anonymity to preview the president’s address.

Trump spent five days in Asia last week with stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. He worked to ease trade tensions with Beijing in a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. In Tokyo, he promoted several major energy and tech projects for the U.S. that will be funded by Japan.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said he thinks Trump’s recent travels “have been transformational in his presidency” and said his speech will be a highlight of the forum, which organizers have described as a more accessible version of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, or the Milken Institute Global Conference, which gathers the world’s elite for discussions on the economy.

“This conference not only is creating this incredible collection of people, but it’s also creating them in a particular moment in time,” said Suarez, a Republican.

Trump’s visit also highlights how the Miami area is playing a key role during his second term.

Trump is set to host leaders of the world’s leading rich and developing economies at next year’s Group of 20 summit at his golf club at the nearby city of Doral, despite what critics say is the appearance of impropriety.

Trump’s sons have taken over running the Trump Organization while their father is in the White House, and the president has insisted that his family’s business will not make any money by holding the summit at the golf club.

The city is where Trump wants to locate his future presidential library, which is now facing a legal challenge over whether the plot of land in downtown Miami is being properly transferred. Miami is also one of the U.S. host cities for next year’s World Cup, which Trump has eagerly promoted as the kickoff to several major global sporting events for which the U.S. is playing host. Ensuring the success of the World Cup has been a top priority for the Trump administration.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, with whom Trump has developed a close friendship, is scheduled to speak at the Miami forum later Wednesday.

TRENTON, N.J. — U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday was elected governor of New Jersey, shoring up Democratic control of a state that has been reliably blue in presidential and Senate contests but had shown signs of shifting rightward in recent years.

Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and four-term member of Congress, defeated Jack Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, and quickly cast her victory late Tuesday as a referendum on the Republican president and some of his policies from health care to immigration and the economy.

“We here in New Jersey are bound to fight for a different future for our children,” Sherrill told her supporters gathered to celebrate her victory. “We see how clearly important liberty is. We know that no one in our great state is safe when our neighbors are targeted, ignoring the law and the Constitution.”

Ciattarelli called Sherrill to congratulate her on the results and said he “gave her my very best wishes in hopefully solving New Jersey.”

The start of voting on Tuesday was disrupted after officials in seven counties received e-mailed bomb threats later determined by law enforcement to be unfounded, said the state’s top election official, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way. A judge granted a one-hour extension at some polling places after Democrats made a request for three schools that received e-mailed bomb threats earlier Tuesday.

Sherrill, 53, offers some reassurance for moderates within the Democratic Party as they navigate the path forward for next year’s midterms. A former prosecutor and military veteran, Sherrill embodies a brand of centrist Democrats who aim to appeal to some conservatives while still aligning with some progressive causes. She campaigned on standing up to Trump and casting blame for voters’ concerns over the economy on his tariffs.

Earlier at Sherrill’s victory party, other Democrats were also framing the results Tuesday as a rebuke to the Trump agenda 10 months into his administration.

“Today we said no to Donald Trump and yes to democracy,” said New Jersey’s Democratic Party chair LeRoy J. Jones Jr. to the people gathered.

She will be New Jersey’s second female governor, after Republican Christine Todd Whitman, who served between 1994 and 2001. Her victory also gives Democrats three straight gubernatorial election wins in New Jersey, the first time in six decades that either major party has achieved a three-peat.

Ciattarelli lost his second straight governor’s election after coming within a few points of defeating incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy four years ago.

New Jersey’s odd-year race for governor, one of just two this year along with Virginia, often hinged on local issues such as property taxes. But the campaign also served as a potential gauge of national sentiment, especially how voters are reacting to the president’s second term and Democrats’ messaging ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

In the closing weeks of the campaign, Sherrill lambasted the president’s threat to cancel a project to build new rail tunnels beneath the Hudson River to replace the aging, disintegrating tubes now used by trains headed to and from New York City. She also pledged to order a freeze on electric utility rates, which have recently soared.

Sherrill steps into the governorship role after serving four terms in the U.S. House. She won that post in 2018 during Trump’s first term in office, flipping a longtime GOP-held district in an election that saw Democrats sweep all but one of the state’s 12 House seats.

During her campaign, Sherrill leaned hard into her credentials as a congresswoman and onetime prosecutor as well as her military service. But she also had to defend her Navy service record after a news report that she was not allowed to participate in her 1994 graduation ceremony from the U.S. Naval Academy commencement in connection with an academic cheating scandal at the school.

Sherrill said the punishment was a result of not turning in some classmates, not because she herself had cheated. But she declined to release additional records that the Ciattarelli campaign said would shed more light on the issue.

For her part, she accused Ciattarelli of profiting off the opioid crisis. He is the former owner of a medical publishing company that made continuing education materials for doctors, including some that discussed pain management and opioids. Sherrill called it “propaganda” for drug companies, something Ciattarelli denied.

Sherrill will inherit a state budget that swelled under Murphy, who delivered on promises to fund the public worker pension fund and a K-12 school aid formula after years of neglect under previous governors, by high income taxes on the wealthy. But there are also headwinds that include unfunded promises to continue a property tax relief program begun in the governor’s second term.

Also on the ballot Tuesday were all 80 seats in the Assembly, which Democrats control with a 52-seat majority.

New Jersey hasn’t supported a Republican for U.S. Senate or the White House in decades. The governor’s office, though, has often switched back and forth between the parties. The last time the same party prevailed in a third straight New Jersey election for governor was in 1961, when Richard Hughes won the race to succeed Gov. Robert Meyner. Both were Democrats.

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s power to unilaterally impose far-reaching tariffs is coming before the Supreme Court on Wednesday in a pivotal test of executive power with trillion-dollar implications for the global economy.

The Republican administration is trying to defend the tariffs central to Trump’s economic agenda after lower courts ruled the emergency law he invoked doesn’t give him near-limitless power to set and change duties on imports.

The Constitution says Congress has the power to levy tariffs. But the Trump administration argues that in emergency situations the president can regulate importation taxes like tariffs. Trump has called the case one of the most important in the country’s history and said a ruling against him would be “catastrophic” for the economy.

The challengers argue the 1977 emergency-powers law Trump used doesn’t even mention tariffs, and no president before has used it to impose them. A collection of small businesses say the uncertainty is driving them to the brink of bankruptcy.

The case centers on two sets of tariffs. The first came in February on imports from Canada, China and Mexico after Trump declared a national emergency over drug trafficking. The second involves the sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs on most countries that Trump announced in April.

Multiple lawsuits have been filed over the tariffs, and the court will hear suits filed by Democratic-leaning states and small businesses focused on everything from plumbing supplies to women’s cycling apparel.

Lower courts have struck down the bulk of his tariffs as an illegal use of emergency power, but the nation’s highest court may see it differently.

Trump helped shape the conservative-majority court, naming three of the justices in his first term. The justices have so far been reluctant to check his extraordinary flex of executive power, handing him a series of wins on its emergency docket.

Still, those have been short-term orders — little of Trump’s wide-ranging conservative agenda has been fully argued before the nation’s highest court. That means the outcome could set the tone for wider legal pushback against his policies.

The justices have been skeptical of executive power claims before, such as when then-President Joe Biden tried to forgive $400 billion in student loans under a different law dealing with national emergencies. The Supreme Court found the law didn’t clearly give him the power to enact a program with such a big economic impact, a legal principle known as the major questions doctrine.

The challengers say Trump’s tariffs should get the same treatment, since they’ll have a much greater economic effect, raising some $3 trillion over the next decade. The government, on the other hand, says the tariffs are different because they’re a major part of his approach to foreign affairs, an area where the courts should not be second-guessing the president.

The challengers are also trying to channel the conservative justices’ skepticism about whether the Constitution allows other parts of the government to use powers reserved for Congress, a concept known as the nondelegation doctrine. Trump’s interpretation of the law could mean anyone who can “regulate” can also impose taxes, they say.

The Justice Department counters that legal principle is for governmental agencies, not for the president.

If he eventually loses at the high court, Trump could impose tariffs under other laws, but those have more limitations on the speed and severity with which he could act. The aftermath of a ruling against him also could be complicated, if the government must issue refunds for the tariffs that had collected $195 billion in revenue as of September.

The Trump administration did win over four appeals court judges who found the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, gives the president authority to regulate importation during emergencies without explicit limitations. In recent decades, Congress has ceded some tariff authority to the president, and Trump has made the most of the power vacuum.

Today is Wednesday, Nov. 5, the 309th day of 2025. There are 56 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Nov. 5, 1872, suffragist Susan B. Anthony defied the law by casting a vote in the presidential election; she was later arrested and charged with “knowingly voting without having a lawful right to vote.” Found guilty at trial, she was fined $100, which she refused to pay.

Also on this date:

In 1605, the “Gunpowder Plot” failed as Guy Fawkes was seized before he could blow up the English Parliament; Fawkes and his co-conspirators were later convicted of treason and hanged.

In 1912, Democrat Woodrow Wilson was elected president, defeating Progressive Party candidate Theodore Roosevelt, incumbent Republican William Howard Taft and Socialist Eugene V. Debs.

In 1930, novelist Sinclair Lewis became the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

In 1940, Democratic incumbent Franklin D. Roosevelt won an unprecedented third term as president, defeating Republican challenger Wendell L. Willkie.

In 1968, Republican Richard M. Nixon won the presidency, defeating Democratic Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and American Independent Party candidate George C. Wallace.

In 1994, George Foreman became the oldest heavyweight boxing champion at age 45, knocking out Michael Moorer in the 10th round of their title bout.

In 1996, President Bill Clinton won a second term in the White House, defeating Republican Bob Dole.

In 2006, Saddam Hussein was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced by the Iraqi High Tribunal to death by hanging.

In 2009, a shooting rampage at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas left 13 people dead and wounded more than 30; Maj. Nidal Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, was later convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He remains in prison on death row.

In 2017, a gunman armed with an assault rifle opened fire in the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, killing more than two dozen people; the shooter, Devin Patrick Kelley, was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In 2021, Fans at a Houston music festival surged toward the stage during a performance by rapper Travis Scott, triggering panic that left 10 people dead and many more injured.

In 2024, Republican former President Donald Trump was elected to a second term, defeating Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris; he was the second president, after Grover Cleveland in 1892, to be elected to a nonconsecutive term.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Singer Art Garfunkel is 84.
• Singer Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) is 78.
• TV personality Kris Jenner is 70.
• Singer Bryan Adams is 66.
• Actor Tilda Swinton is 65.
• Actor Tatum O’Neal is 62.
• Actor Judy Reyes is 58.
• Actor Seth Gilliam is 57.
• Actor Sam Rockwell is 57.
• Musician Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) is 54.
• Golfer Bubba Watson is 47.
• Olympic gold medal marathoner Eliud Kipchoge is 41.
• Musician Kevin Jonas (The Jonas Brothers) is 38.

By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government shutdown has entered its 36th day, breaking the record as the longest ever and disrupting the lives of millions of Americans with federal program cuts, flight delays and federal workers nationwide left without paychecks.

President Donald Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to salvage expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government. But skeptical Democrats question whether the Republican president will keep his word, particularly after the administration restricted SNAP food aid, despite court orders to ensure funds are available to prevent hunger.

Trump, whose first term at the White House set the previous government shutdown record, is set to meet early Wednesday for breakfast with GOP senators. But no talks have been scheduled with the Democrats.

“Why is this happening? We’re in a shutdown because our colleagues are unwilling to come to the table to talk about one simple thing: health care premiums,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., in a late evening speech.

“Stop this mess, come to the table, negotiate it,” she said.

With Trump largely on the sidelines, talks have intensified among a loose coalition of centrist senators trying to negotiate an end to the stalemate. Expectations are high that the logjam would break once election results were fully tallied in Tuesday’s off-year races that were widely watched as a gauge of voter sentiment over Trump’s second term in the White House. Democrats swept key contests for governor in Virginia and New Jersey, and New York City mayor, certain to shake up the political assessments.

But earlier in the afternoon, Senate Democrats left an hours-long private meeting stone-faced, with no certain path forward.

“We’re exploring all the options,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said afterward.

Trump sets another shutdown record

Trump’s approach to this shutdown stands in marked contrast to his first term, when the government was partially closed for 35 days over his demands for funds to build the U.S.-Mexico border wall. At that time, he met publicly and negotiated with congressional leaders, but unable to secure the funds, he relented in 2019.

This time, it’s not just Trump declining to engage in talks. The congressional leaders are at a standoff and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., sent lawmakers home in September after they approved their own funding bill, refusing further negotiations.

In the meantime, food aid, child care funds and countless other government services are being seriously interrupted and hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or expected to come to work without pay.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted there could be chaos in the skies next week if air traffic controllers miss another paycheck. Labor unions put pressure on lawmakers to reopen the government.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said this has been not only the longest shutdown but also “the most severe shutdown on record.”

The Republican leader has urged the Democrats to accept his overtures to vote on the health care issue and keep negotiating a solution once the government reopens, arguing that no one wins politically from the standoff.

“Shutdowns are stupid,” Thune said.

Senators search for potential deal

Central to any endgame will be a series of agreements that would need to be upheld not only by the Senate, but also the House, and the White House, which is not at all certain in Washington.

First of all, senators from both parties, particularly the powerful members of the Appropriations Committee, are pushing to ensure the normal government funding process in Congress can be put back on track.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., along with several Democrats, including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Chris Coons of Delaware, are among those working behind the scenes.

“The pace of talks have increased,” said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who has been involved in conversations.

Among the goals is guaranteeing upcoming votes on a smaller package of bills where there is already widespread bipartisan agreement to fund various aspects of government, like agricultural programs and military construction projects at bases.

“I certainly think that three-bill package is primed to do a lot of good things for the American people,” said Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., who has also been in talks.

Health care costs skyrocket for millions

More difficult, a substantial number of senators also want some resolution to the standoff over the funding for the Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at year’s end.

With insurance premium notices being sent, millions of Americans are experiencing sticker shock on skyrocketing prices. The loss of enhanced federal subsidies, which were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic and come in the form of tax credits, are expected to leave many people unable to buy health insurance.

Republicans are reluctant to fund the health care program, also known as Obamacare, without reforms, but negotiating a compromise with Democrats is expected to take time, if a deal can be reached at all.

Thune has promised Democrats at least a vote on their preferred health care proposal, on a date certain, as part of any deal to reopen government. But that’s not enough for some senators, who see the health care deadlock as part of their broader concerns with Trump’s direction for the country.

The White House says its position remains unchanged and that Democrats must vote to fund the government before talks over health care can begin. White House officials are in close contact with GOP senators who have been quietly speaking with key Senate Democrats, according to a senior White House official. The official was granted anonymity to discuss administration strategy.

Trump’s demands to end the filibuster fall flat

The president has been pushing the senators to nuke the filibuster — the Senate rule that requires 60 votes to advance most legislation — as a way to reopen the government.

The GOP senators have panned Trump’s demands to end the filibuster, in a rare public break with the president. Thune and others argue the Senate rule, while infuriating at times, ensures the minority party can be a check on the administration, which is important when power shifts in Washington.

But in the current Senate, where Republicans hold a slim majority, 53-47, Democrats have been able to block the House-passed bill that would fund the government, having voted more than a dozen times against.

Trump has said that doing away with the filibuster would be one way the Republicans could bypass the Democrats and end the shutdown on their own. Republican senators are trying to avoid that outcome.

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking, Stephen Groves, Seung Min Kim and Matt Brown contributed to this report.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Mila Holloway scored 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, added eight assists and seven steals and No. 13 Michigan opened the season with a 100-40 win over Canisius on Tuesday night.

Olivia Olson added 18 points and Ashley Sofilkanich, who transferred from Bucknell after being the Patriot League Player of the Year and surpassed 1,000 career points, and Te’Yala Delfosse both scored 14 for the Wolverines, who shot 52% and had 25 steals while forcing 45 turnovers.

Mary Copple (Brighton HS) had eight points to lead Canisius, which went 12 of 31 from the field (39%). Michigan had 13 field goals in the third quarter alone.

The Golden Griffins shot 57% in the first quarter but only got up seven shots because of 14 turnovers and trailed 23-14. It was 51-26 at the half when 23 turnovers became 26 points.

The Wolverines’ third game is the first against a Power 4 team, facing Notre Dame in the Shamrock Classic in Detroit.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Theryn Hallock and Grace VanSlooten combined for 37 points on 16 of 21 shooting, Kennedy Blair had a double-double and No. 23 Michigan State opened the season with a record-breaking 125-39 win over Mercyhurst on Tuesday night.

The Spartans set records for points in a game and margin of victory.

Hallock scored 19 points, VanSlooten 18 and Blair had 14, on 6-of-8 shooting, and 12 assists. Four other Spartans reached double figures. Rashunda Jones and reserve Amy Terrian both had 15, and backups Emma Shumate and Jalyn Brown had 14 and 13, respectively, off the bench.

Michigan State shot 62% with 13 3-pointers and had just three turnovers while turning 36 Mercyhurst turnovers into 62 points.

Lena Walz and Cici Hernandez both had nine points for Mercyhurst, under first year Erin Mills-Reid.

The Spartans scored the first nine points of the game and after the Lakers hit a 3-pointer reeled off 16 straight points. Mercyhurst knocked down another three and Michigan State finished the quarter with 11 straight points for a 36-6 lead.

The Lakers were 2 of 11 with 10 turnovers in the first quarter and Michigan State, which was 15 of 22 (68%), proceeded to score the first 13 points of the second quarter for a 24-point run. Add another 10-0 run and the Spartans were up 66-18 at halftime, a Breslin Center record for points in a half.

The Spartans have six-straight home games and don’t play a scheduled Power 4 opponent until meeting Wisconsin in a Big Ten Conference game on Dec. 7, their ninth game.

Fire broke out Monday at the Corewell Health Care Center on Rochester Road in Rochester Hills requiring evacuation of the building.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, no injuries were reported and the fire was out before 2 p.m. It’s believed the roof caught on fire while contractors were working on the HVAC unit on the roof.

As of 1:45 p.m. Monday, firefighters were still on scene. No other information was immediately available.

The Oakland Press will update this story as details become available.

By COLLIN BINKLEY, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 20 Democrat-led states are challenging a new Trump administration policy designed to block nonprofit and government workers from a student loan cancellation program if federal officials determine their employer has a “substantial illegal purpose.”

The policy is aimed primarily at organizations that work with immigrants and transgender youth.

In the lawsuit filed Monday in Massachusetts, the states argue the Trump administration overstepped its authority when it added new eligibility rules for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The overhaul will worsen job shortages and create instability in state workforces, the suit said.

The legal challenge is being led by New York, Massachusetts, California and Colorado. New York Attorney General Letitia James said the rule is “a political loyalty test disguised as a regulation,” adding that it’s “unjust and unlawful to cut off loan forgiveness for hardworking Americans based on ideology.”

A separate coalition of cities, nonprofits and labor organizations also filed a legal challenge in Massachusetts on Monday. That suit was brought by Boston; Chicago; Albuquerque, New Mexico; San Francisco; Santa Clara, California; and the National Council of Nonprofits.

Responding to the lawsuits, Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said it’s unconscionable that the plaintiffs are standing up for criminal activity.

“This is a commonsense reform that will stop taxpayer dollars from subsidizing organizations involved in terrorism, child trafficking, and transgender procedures that are doing irreversible harm to children,” Kent said in a statement. “The final rule is crystal clear: the Department will enforce it neutrally, without consideration of the employer’s mission, ideology, or the population they serve.”

Another lawsuit challenging the rule is expected to be filed Tuesday on behalf of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights advocacy organization, the American Immigration Council and The Door, a legal group. They’re being represented by the groups Student Defense and Public Citizen.

Congress created the program in 2007 to steer more graduates into lower-paying public sector jobs. It promises to forgive their federal student loans after they make payments for 10 years while working in government jobs or for many nonprofits. More than 1 million Americans have had their loans canceled through the program, including teachers, firefighters, nurses and public defenders.

Under the new policy finalized last week, employers can be removed if they engage in activities including the trafficking or “chemical castration” of children, illegal immigration and supporting terrorist groups. “Chemical castration” is defined as using hormone therapy or drugs that delay puberty — gender-affirming care common for transgender children or teens.

The education secretary gets the final say in determining whether a group’s work has an illegal purpose, weighing whether the “preponderance of the evidence” leans against them.

In their lawsuit, the states argue that entire state governments, hospitals, schools and nonprofits could unilaterally be ruled ineligible by the secretary. They say Congress granted the benefit to all government workers, with no room for the Education Department to add limits.

The states also object to the department’s reliance on the phrase “substantial illegal purpose,” saying it’s an “overbroad and impermissibly vague term” that is aimed “at chilling activities that are disfavored by this Administration.”

The lawsuit asks a federal judge to declare the policy unlawful and forbid the Education Department from enforcing it.

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The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Here are a few a things to know as voters head to the polls Tuesday:

ON THE BALLOT
Oakland County voters will see ballots full of local candidates for mayor, council and other public-board seats as well as ballot proposals from charter amendments to millage requests.

TURNOUT
Turnout is hard to predict because there are too many variables, according to a county clerk spokeswoman.

Several candidates are running write-in campaigns; their names won’t appear on the ballot, but they are listed on the county’s website. To learn about write-in candidates in your community. For details, visit the county’s list of candidates: https://elections.oaklandcountymi.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/27699/638960263474470000, or ballot questions ranging from charter amendments to millage requests are online at https://elections.oaklandcountymi.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/27223/638930222581900000.

To learn more, visit the Oakland County clerk’s elections page: https://www.oakgov.com/government/clerk-register-of-deeds/elections-voting.

WEATHER
The National Weather Service’s White Lake Township office predicts mostly sunny skies with a high near 57 and occasional wind gusts as high as 18 mph.

POLL HOURS
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in every jurisdiction.

WHO CAN VOTE
You can vote at your polling place until 8 p.m. Tuesday – anyone already in line by 8 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot. You have the right to register to vote and vote up to 8 p.m. Tuesday.I

NEED TO REGISTER?
If you’re not registered to vote or need to change the address for your voter registration, visit your city or township clerk’s office as soon as possible Tuesday to avoid lines. You can vote at your clerk’s office. You cannot register to vote after 8 p.m. Tuesday.

HOW TO VOTE
Check out the front and back of your ballot to review your choices. Be sure to vote for nonpartisan candidates and on any ballot issues. The non-partisan group MichiganVoting.org has a tutorial on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n483tnkddoE.
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If you’re at a polling place and make a mistake, election workers can spoil that ballot and issue a new one.

WHAT DO I NEED TO VOTE
Voters must be at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens. People currently in jail or prison cannot cast a ballot. Voters must show proof of being a Michigan resident and living in their city or township for at least 30 days before Tuesday. Proof must be either: a Michigan driver’s license or state ID; or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check that shows your name and address or another document issued by a federal, state or local government agency. Michigan residents attending college can register to vote based on their school or home address. Out-of-state residents who are U.S. citizens attending Michigan schools can register to vote based on their school address. Michigan residents attending out-of-state schools can register to vote at their Michigan address. It is illegal to cast ballots in two different states for the same election.

WHERE DO I VOTE
Voters can find their polling places and confirm their voter registration status online at: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS:
These must be returned by 8 p.m. Tuesday to your municipal clerk’s office. If you filled out an absentee ballot but haven’t returned it and want to make changes, visit your municipal clerk’s office to spoil the ballot and get a new one.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TUESDAY
Unofficial results will start to be posted shortly after 8 p.m. on the county clerk’s website: https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/MI/Oakland/124349/web.345435/#/summary.
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At 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, the County Election Certification Board, which includes two Democrats and two Republicans, meets to validate results in the county canvassers training room in the west wing extension of the first floor of the county courthouse at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac. This meeting is open to the public.

By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The Red Hot Chili Peppers may be strongly associated with southern California, but drummer Chad Smith’s heart never left the Midwest.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, who grew up in suburban Detroit, is gifting a need-based music scholarship to the University of Michigan.

“A lot of people (say), ‘The Chili Peppers, West Coast band, California this and California that.’ I get it. I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota,” Smith told The Associated Press in an interview Sunday, just hours before he made the official announcement during a surprise appearance at the Ann Arbor school’s annual Band-O-Rama event. “The Minnesota connection is strong. The Michigan connection is strong.

“And that’s why we’re here. It’s a natural, authentic fit for us.”

Smith, 64, performed the RHCP hit “Can’t Stop,” alongside the Michigan Marching Band at Hill Auditorium.

The Curtis & Joan Smith Scholarship, which is named in honor of Smith’s parents, will be awarded to an incoming University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance student, beginning in 2026.

The scholarship is a partnership between the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and the Chad Smith Foundation and comes on the heels of one with the same name launched two months ago at the University of Minnesota. Smith’s parents are Minnesota alums.

Michigan’s version of the Curtis & Joan Smith Scholarship will support incoming freshmen to the School of Music, Theatre & Dance undergraduate program who demonstrate financial need and a strong commitment to pursuing a music career. The scholarship reinforces CSF’s mission to expand access to high-quality music education and career pathways for aspiring musicians across the country.

Smith attended Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and began his career playing in clubs and bars across the Detroit area. He credits his parents with nurturing his love of music and supporting his dream to pursue it professionally.

“My mother is 98 years young. Still going. She’s here today — amazing,” Smith said. “So, to be able to honor her (and) my father unfortunately passed away, but they were so integral in helping me with my musical path.”

Smith has been with the Red Hot Chili Peppers since the late 1980s. During that time, the quartet, which also includes singer Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea, have been one of the biggest-selling music acts, mixing layers of funk, punk, rap and traditional pop over a foundation of rock.

The backward-baseball-cap-wearing Smith has held down the beat on such hits as “Give It Away,” “Under the Bridge” and “Dani California.” The Chili Peppers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

“I’m fortunate to be in a band people like and I play the drums and maybe some drummers or musicians will get inspired just from my story,” Smith said. “So, yeah, it’s just an opportunity to give back to what I’ve been so lucky to have and for next generations of musicians to be able to pursue what they love.”

By Robert Snell

MediaNews Group

Two Dearborn men and a group of alleged co-conspirators hatched a plan to commit a terrorist attack in support of the Islamic State, according to a federal criminal case filed Monday that described reconnaissance, firearms and fears the group was targeting an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Ferndale.

The case against Dearborn residents Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud was filed three days after high-profile raids by members of an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in Dearborn and Inkster and comments from FBI Director Kash Patel that investigators had thwarted a violent plot tied to international terrorism that was planned over the Halloween weekend.

The criminal complaint describes a group of five co-conspirators, including a juvenile, training with and stockpiling weapons and scouting potential attack locations in downtown Ferndale. The popular downtown is filled with restaurants, bars, clubs and shops and is known as a haven for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Based on my investigation in this case, this information is consistent with (the juvenile), Ali and Mahmoud scouting possible LGBTQ+-friendly attack locations in Ferndale,” FBI Special Agent Nicholas Czech wrote in the complaint.

The men, whose ages were not immediately available, were charged with receiving and transferring, and attempting and conspiring to transfer firearms and ammunition while knowing or having reasonable cause to believe the weapons would be used to commit an act of terrorism. The felony carries a maximum 15-year federal prison sentence.

The charge was filed three days after FBI agents raided two homes in Dearborn and an Inkster storage facility and arrested five people ages 16-20.

Mahmoud’s lawyer Bill Swor declined to comment until he had a chance to read the criminal complaint.

Attorney Amir Makled, who represents a 20-year-old Dearborn man, has denied the men were involved in terrorism.

“One thing is for sure, they didn’t have a plan to attack and are not part of a terror cell,” Makled told The News.

Ali, Mahmoud and others are accused of using online encrypted communications and social media apps to share extremist and ISIS-related material that encouraged terror attacks.

Based on the chats, an attack appeared scheduled for Halloween, according to the government, and Ali and the juvenile “sought guidance from the father of a local Islamic extremist ideologue…on this question,” the FBI agent wrote.

The ideologue is not identified by name but “has publicly proclaimed his support for the Islamic extremist ideology espoused by ISIS,” the agent wrote.

Since the raids, provocative statements from FBI Director Kash Patel and other Trump administration officials, a lack of criminal charges or details about alleged wrongdoing, or names of the accused, led criminal defense lawyers in Metro Detroit to question the legitimacy of the investigation and deny there was a terrorist plot.

The court filing describes talk of a terror attack, firearms and training.

The investigation dates to July, when investigators discovered encrypted chats in which Ali and a juvenile were said to be planning a terrorist attack in the U.S. on behalf of the Islamic State, according to the 73-page criminal complaint.

FBI agents alleged Mahmoud and others conspired to commit the attack.

Amid those chats, Ali purchased an AR-15-style rifle and accessories in August and September, according to the government.

“Then in October 2025, Mahmoud purchased over 1,600 rounds of ammunition that could be used in the AR-15 style rifles he and Ali had purchased,” the complaint reads.

Investigators allege Ali, Mahmoud, the juvenile and two others practiced shooting firearms at gun ranges, a stop investigators believe was to develop the skills to aid in the attack.

The investigation is the latest in Metro Detroit, a region where several residents in recent years have been accused of providing or trying to provide support to the Islamic State or launching failed attempts to kill people.

“Through swift action and close coordination with our local partners, a potential act of terror was stopped before it could unfold,” Patel said in a social media post. “The vigilance of this FBI prevented what could have been a tragic attack — and thanks to their dedication, Michigan will have a safe and happy Halloween.”

In the wake of the raid, Makled faulted Patel for making “premature” comments about the investigation. The five people arrested by the FBI ― all U.S. citizens ― were not planning an attack, he said.

“There was never any planned mass-casualty event or terrorism plot of any kind that I’m aware of,” Makled said. “They might have been on some websites or online chat groups that they shouldn’t have been, but nothing that is illegal.”

By Henry Payne and Grant Schwab, MediaNews Group

Robot cars are coming to Detroit streets.

Waymo LLC, a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet, said Monday that its self-driving fleet is headed to the Motor City. The electric autonomous ride-hailing service has become a fixture in cities like Phoenix and San Francisco, where hundreds of vehicles — instantly recognized by their rooftop Lidar arrays — service hundreds of thousands of customers with no driver behind the robotaxis’ spinning steering wheel.

Recently, the service expanded to Los Angeles, Atlanta and Austin — and now it is expanding again with service in Detroit, plus San Diego and Las Vegas. Detroit is significant because it’s Waymo’s first northern market. Waymo said the service is targeted to operate 365 days a year through rain, sleet and snow.

The service is also notable because it uses Zeekr minivans, the first Chinese electric auto brand on U.S. streets. At its inception in Phoenix, Waymo used Chrysler Pacifica minivans, which have been phased out over time.

“Starting next week, you’ll see us manually driving around the city as we familiarize ourselves with Detroit’s historic streets before moving to autonomous operations,” Waymo said in a press release. “We’ll arrive with a mixed fleet of all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles with the 5th-gen Waymo Driver and Zeekr RT vehicles equipped with our 6th-gen Waymo Driver, which will be key to driving in winter weather.”

Waymos are hailed by an app similar to Uber and Lyft. Waymo is the most-used robot service in the United States and is in fierce competition with Amazon’s Zoox and Tesla Inc. robotaxis to bring driver-free ride-hailing services to U.S. customers. The latter service, which recently started testing in Austin, Texas, with human monitors on board, aims to be more affordable than Waymo by eschewing expensive Lidar arrays and navigating solely by cameras.

Waymo said that it is coordinating closely with local officials, including the Michigan Department of Transportation and the city of Detroit, as it begins its step-by-step testing approach in the Motor City. Neither MDOT nor the city offered comments ahead of the Monday announcement.

“We’re proud of our roots in Metro Detroit, including in Novi, where we’ve had an engineering team for many years,” the company statement said. Waymo’s Novi office employs several dozen engineers, technicians and test drivers.

The company has prepared for its Detroit rollout through launches in other cities, closed-track testing and forays into areas like the Upper Peninsula with snowy winter conditions. A recent Waymo blog post discussed efforts to create an “all-weather Driver.”

The first phase of the Detroit rollout will feature human drivers manually operating the vehicles to collect a highly detailed, high-definition map of the city, Waymo technical program manager Jake Tretter said in an interview.

Once that phase is complete, the vehicles will roam the streets — supervised — using their autonomous technology while a human operator sits in the driver’s seat to make sure performance is safe and smooth.

The company did not provide a timetable for when testing phases would end and the public would be able to hail self-driving rides from the Waymo app.

“Our goal is to do it as soon as possible,” Tretter said. But he also stressed the importance of building “trust and understanding” so Detroiters are ready for an eventual full launch in the city.

“It’s harder to lose the trust and try to regain that than it is to slowly build that trust and make sure that we’re working in unison with the community and policy and legislators,” he added.

The Detroit expansion will “first and foremost” focus on the city’s urban core near Comerica Park, Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena before expanding out slowly from there.

Waymo began operating as a service open to the public in Phoenix in October 2020. Since its introduction in San Francisco in 2023, it has become a tourist sensation as well as ferrying locals on their daily rounds. Waymo has been validated over 100 million fully autonomous miles and 10 million-plus trips.

In May of this year, Waymo released a study saying that over 56.7 million miles, its vehicles had 92% fewer crashes with injuries to pedestrians and 82% fewer crashes with injuries to cyclists compared to human drivers. The company’s latest data show similar rates across 96 million miles.

Still, its robotaxis have faced scrutiny from safety regulators, including a 14-month probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into more than a dozen minor crashes in which Waymo vehicles ran into parked cars and other stationary objects. Waymo recalled 1,200 vehicles, leading NHTSA to close the inquiry, Reuters reported.

In addition to eventually opening its service to the public in Detroit, Waymo is partnering with organizations like the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan.

“For many people living with epilepsy, transportation is a significant barrier. The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan celebrates organizations like Waymo, which are leading the way in providing accessible and safe transportation solutions,” said Andrea Schotthoefer, the foundation’s president. “Their efforts show what’s possible and inspire collective action toward a future where transportation barriers no longer stand in the way of opportunity and inclusion.”

As domestic travel booms, many Americans still flock to the familiar — national parks packed before sunrise, selfie-saturated landmarks, cities so overrun with tourists their official mottos may as well be “Been There, Done That.”

Just beyond the beaten path, however, lies a less choreographed America where predictability gives way to surprise and encounters feel more personal, perhaps even profound. These destinations may draw steady crowds like their bucket-list cousins, but they glow with a gentler light: less mainstream, more meaningful.

If zigging where others zag sounds like your kind of trip, this great nation has a wealth of places that might just redefine what “must-see” really means. From California to Florida, these seven detours favor the road less traveled — destinations that may not rack up as many hashtags, but hold their own with standout sights, strong local flavor, and often with fewer crowds and fresher stories.

For wallet-friendly California winetasting: Think Lodi, not Napa — While some snooty oenophiles may scoff at uncorking a grape getaway in California’s understated Central Valley instead of world-renowned Napa, open-minded and budget-conscious wine lovers should give Lodi a taste (visitlodi.com).

Craving a laid-back, grassroots vibe over one cultivated with polish and sophistication? That’s penny wise, not pour foolish. Tastings in Lodi typically run $10 to $20, and often the fees are waived with purchase. By contrast, just 70 miles west, expect to shell out $50 to $125 for samples, and good luck getting in without a reservation. Yep, Lodi welcomes walk-ins.

Among the region’s standouts is Harney Lane Vineyards, one of the few 100% estate-grown wineries in California. This family-owned gem (harneylane.com) offers a personally hosted flight of five small-lot selections — featuring zinfandel, the region’s signature grape — for as low as $20. The Wine and Visitor Center (lodiwine.com), also in town, proudly carries hundreds of wines made from Lodi-grown grapes, four of which can be tasted for just $12.

While Napa Valley has nearly 20 Michelin-rated restaurants to Lodi’s zero, that soon could change with the recent opening of Americana House (americanahouselodi.com). Michelin-starred chef Charlie Palmer has brought his signature progressive American cuisine to a destination known more for value and authenticity than refinement and luxury. Naturally, the months-old restaurant boasts the best wine list in town — yet another reason to zig (or zin?) where others zag.

For a Vegas nightcap: Think speakeasy, not lobby bar — You’ve painted the town and aren’t quite ready to cash in your chips after doing Lord knows what in Sin City. The easiest place to enjoy a nightcap is the lobby bar of your hotel. But if you’re of drinking age and prefer to swig with a zig, skip the obvious and go underground — not to a basement dive, but one of Vegas’ cool, covert speakeasies where the vibe is as smooth as the top-shelf spirits.

Bellagio (bellagio.com) has one that makes its lobby bar seem as old-fashioned as, well, an old-fashioned. It’s called The Vault, and the lounge’s whereabouts are on a need-to-know basis. But since it’s just friends here, this secret bar is nestled discreetly behind the live gaming tables on Bellagio’s casino floor, near the cashier. The joint is a masterclass in moody opulence with equal parts speakeasy, sanctuary and cinematic seduction. Stocked with some of the most expensive and rare bottles in town, and boasting a bar menu that makes no apologies for $60 cocktails, it’s as clear as VING vodka that The Vault is for Bellagio’s highest-end guests.

For those more comfortable with a $13 starter shot of Kentucky straight bourbon, there’s a speakeasy inside the Cosmopolitan that’s a cut above both literally and metaphorically. A working barbershop by day and live music lounge by night, The Barbershop (barbershoplv.com) is a sharp 180 from Cosmo’s neo-retro lobby lounge. Actually, when it takes slipping through a janitor’s closet to get inside, we’re talking something unlike any lounge anywhere.

For a blend of Arizona art and landscape: Think Bisbee, not Sedona — Both of these destinations are Arizona gems, but they shimmer in wildly contrasting hues. Sedona is beautiful and well-known for a reason. Its red rock scenery is dramatic, the hiking is excellent, and the town is full of spas, galleries and restaurants that cater to tourists. But it’s also busy — especially on weekends — and much of the experience feels inauthentic, designed for visitors.

Zag-worthy Bisbee (discoverbisbee.com) offers a very different kind of escape. It’s smaller, raw and far less crowded. The town has a strong local identity, shaped by its mining history and current community of artists, musicians and longtime residents. You won’t find chain stores or luxury resorts here — just quirky shops, historic buildings and a slower pace that feels real.

If Sedona is the place everyone’s heard of, Bisbee is the one they haven’t, but should. It’s not trying to impress anyone, and that’s part of the charm. For travelers who prefer character over convenience and want to explore a town that still feels lived-in, Bisbee is worth the detour.

For a Texas-sized vacation: Think Dallas, not San Antonio — Being home to the legendary Alamo, a vibrant River Walk and two major amusement parks has folks stampeding like longhorns to San Antonio for a vacation in the Lone Star State.

But let’s pour some of that famous San Antone picante sauce on those travel plans. Instead of remembering the Alamo for a Texas-sized trip, consider breaking off from the herd by heading north to “Big D.” Dallas offers up a more robust downtown scene, a larger and more thrilling theme park — Six Flags over Texas (sixflags.com) — and nearby Fort Worth with its cattle-crazy Stockyards (fortworthstockyards.com) and the colorful Cultural District where El Chingon Mexican restaurant (elchingon.com) tops an exciting food scene with its Pancho Villa-inspired flair.

As far as legendary downtown hotels are concerned, while San Antonio’s Menger is respected as the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi River, Dallas’ Adolphus Hotel (adolphus.com) is the hands-down winner for Beaux-Arts grandeur meets modern luxury. Built in 1912 by beer magnate Adolphus Busch, the 407-room jewel is located within walking distance of museums, theaters and upscale shopping. You’ll want a healthy walk after enjoying afternoon tea in the hotel’s opulent French Room, a cherished Dallas tradition.

For a family-friendly menagerie: Think Kentucky’s Ark Encounter, not a traditional zoo — If you’re weary of zoos that feel more like concrete enclosures than conservation sanctuaries, consider a detour to northern Kentucky, where a colossal wooden ark rises from the hills like a myth made real.

The Ark Encounter (arkencounter.com) isn’t just a replica — it’s a reimagining of stewardship, scale and storytelling. Built to biblical dimensions, this seven-story timber-frame vessel invites visitors to step into a world where animals weren’t displayed — they were protected. With immersive exhibits, lifelike dioramas and a petting zoo that prioritizes interaction over spectacle, this attraction south of Cincinnati offers a gentler, more thoughtful lens on our relationship with the animal kingdom.

For urban Southern hospitality: Think Knoxville, not Nashville — Nashville isn’t called Music City for nothing. It’s got the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame, recording studios and honky-tonks that all welcome toe-tapping tourists. But Nashville also is getting more crowded and chaotic — and more expensive — with every new flight added at Nashville International Airport. In fact, BNA had its busiest month ever in June when 2.4 million passengers passed through its gates.

Zigging to Knoxville 180 miles east will get you Tennessee-kissed Southern hospitality without Nashville’s drawbacks. Its music scene is turned down lower, but still holds its own from the storied, century-old Bijou Theatre to the outdoor stage at World’s Fair Park, where the iconic, 266-foot-tall Sunsphere proudly stands.

Knoxville knows how to treat its guests. Whether you’re savoring the prime hanger steak or rainbow trout at stylish Oliver Royale (oliverroyale.com) or sinking into the plush linens of The Tennessean Hotel, this city pairs refinement with warmth. Speaking of The Tennessean (thetennesseanhotel.com), each of its recently renovated 82 rooms is exquisite, an adjective that applies throughout the renowned downtown luxury property. The tea service, alone, is worth a visit — sweet, savory and seeping in Southern charm right down to the last drop of the hotel’s signature sweet peach noir blend.

For a Miami vibe: Think Coconut Grove, not South Beach — The crown jewel of Miami tourism is undeniably South Beach with its miles of white sand and turquoise water seaside and pastel-colored art deco hotels, restaurants and bars giving the neighborhood its signature retro-glam vibe. And if glamor, grit and tropical swagger are your Miami vices, by all means keep zagging.

Away from the sensory playground that is South Beach lies a zig-worthy community often described as Miami’s bohemian soul wrapped in lush greenery and waterfront serenity. Coconut Grove offers boutique hotels, trendy eateries, high-end shops, and a village-like vibe steeped in easygoing charm. Accommodations don’t get more chill than Mr. C Miami Coconut Grove (mrccoconutgrove.com), a 100-room boutique hotel with bay views and a rooftop pool, just steps from the shops and restaurants of Cocowalk. Even its exterior is cool – designed to evoke the sleek, curved lines of a luxury cruise ship, porthole windows and all. South Beach flaunts flash, but it doesn’t have this.

NEW YORK — The great playwright August Wilson used to say he’d just let his characters talk and then try and get out of their way. Bess Wohl’s fascinating and superbly acted Broadway play “Liberation,” by contrast, is entirely frank that this is the playwright talking — or, more specifically, asking question after question of her mom’s generation of 1970s feminists.

On the one hand, this ambitious and personal play, first seen off-Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre, is a moving tribute to the big thinkers who got naked in their meetings (which is why the show judiciously locks up the audience’s phones) and to the pioneers when it came to demanding respect in the workplace, building reproductive rights, advancing sexual freedom and demanding equal pay. Not to mention myriad other victories, even while these women often were raising kids and caring for their less-than-evolved husbands.

On the other hand, its continual interrogations are a reminder of successive generations’ endless fascination with baby boomers, not to mention yet another example of Gen Xers and millennials’ weird complexity of feelings about them.

“Why did you make these sacrifices?” the play wants to know. “Did they bring you happiness? Did you abandon your principles when you had kids?” And, perhaps most interestingly of all, “Did you actually liberate anyone beyond yourselves?”

You can also see this play as highly reflective — for obvious reasons — of the current progressive age of anxiety.

Wohl’s authorial mouthpiece, the character Lizzie (Susannah Flood), begins the show by introducing both herself and her mother’s “friends” who form the feminist group that meets inside a high school gymnasium somewhere in Ohio. (David Zinn’s set looks like a functioning school gym.)  She tells us she will be playing her mother (she shares her name), and so she does, taking us inside those 1970s conscious-raising meetings on folding chairs, but also inside her own nagging sense that the country has failed to follow through on the sacrifices of these women — and even has gone in the opposite direction.

“Why?” the daughter Lizzie often interrupts the play to ask. And does that mean her mom’s generation of feminists somehow failed to make lasting, transferable change, even if they achieved some level of emancipation and power for themselves? Was her mom’s problem actually that she fell in love with a handsome guy and left Ms. Magazine to take care of her kids?

That’s a gutsy question for a writer of Wohl’s generation to interrogate, of course, especially since most feminist plays consider some of the matters questioned here to be inviolate truths and the handsome guy in question is Lizzie’s dad (played, with amusing deference to the rest of the show, by Charlie Thurston) who helped conceive her.

Make no mistake, this is a sophisticated piece of writing that goes far beyond the usual 90 minutes on Broadway, and it is cleverly self-protected too: In the opening scene, Lizzie even takes the audience to task for spending Broadway money and still wanting to get out of there as fast as possible. A paradox, she asserts, and she is right.

At times, you feel like Wohl made a list of what other progressives might criticize about both the play and the movement (too rich, white and straight) and then set consciously about fending them all off by writing beyond her own experience. She pulls it off, thanks in no small measure to this formidable ensemble, especially Kristolyn Lloyd, whose performance is the most dynamic of the night.  But there is no question that Wohl, who went to both Harvard and Yale, writes from the perspective of the liberal elite. For example, we never know in which Ohio city the play is set, even though there is much discussion of the excitement of life in New York, San Francisco and Chicago. A Buckeye would have made a different choice, but then Wohl lives in Brooklyn, where Ohio functions mostly as a metaphor for the other America.

So “Liberation” feels aimed more at the women of Park Slope than Cleveland. Then again, that is who likely will be sitting in those expensive Broadway seats (perhaps with their Upper West Side moms), but it does answer one of Lizzie’s questions about the political direction of the world in a way that the play can’t quite admit.

That said, just asking these kinds of questions is rare, especially with this level of humility.  The other great strength of “Liberation” is the potency and humanity of its characters, even if Lizzie struggles to shut up long enough to let them talk. All are adroitly performed under Whitney White’s direction; if there were a Tony Award for best ensemble, it would be wrapped up now by Betsy Aidem, Audrey Corsa, Kayla Davion, Irene Sofia Lucio and Adina Verson, as well as the aforementioned Lloyd and Flood.

If you are of a certain age, you likely will view “Liberation” as an exploration of the questions that have always come to mind as one’s era of political activism recedes and it dawns on a person that successful relationships and kids and partners take even more work, at least until the nest empties out. It’s a version of the “can-you-have-it-all question” to which, alas, the answer is always no. Whoever you are. The advertisers sold you lies. But the theater always has been the right place to wonder, and hope.

“Liberation” pokes fun at long, “male” plays written by the childless, which is a bit of a cheap shot, albeit one that lands with this audience. In reality, it has much in common with those epic lifts, and that’s a compliment. There are certain thematic interests and structural devices in common with Paula Vogel’s “Mother Play,” which is not surprising, but Wohl has such a powerful and enjoyable voice.

She makes everyone care about the questions she has herself and that’s exactly what a playwright should be doing.

At the James Earl Jones Theatre, 138 W. 48th St., New York; liberationbway.com

Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com

These pumpkin and black bean quesadillas are a cozy, fall twist on a classic, perfect for cooler days when you’re craving something hearty yet simple.

The creamy pumpkin purée adds a subtle sweetness and velvety texture that pairs beautifully with the earthy black beans and warming spices like cumin and chili powder. Everything comes together quickly with pantry staples, making this an ideal weeknight meal or satisfying lunch—and a great way to use up pumpkin puree beyond pie.

Crisped in a skillet until golden and melty, these quesadillas are endlessly adaptable. Swap in corn tortillas or use pinto beans instead of black. Optional toppings like avocado, salsa, or sour cream let you customize each plate to your taste. For a more complete meal, serve with a crisp side salad or a tangy cabbage-lime slaw.

Pumpkin and Black Bean Quesadillas

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, minced

1 bell pepper, seeded and minced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 ½ cups canned pumpkin purée

Salt and pepper, to taste

1½ cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a mixture)4 large flour tortillas

Oil for the skillet

Optional toppings: avocado, sour cream, salsa, hot sauce

DIRECTIONS

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and sauté until soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cumin, chili powder, and oregano, cooking for 1 minute more. Add the black beans and pumpkin purée. Stir to combine, mashing some of the beans slightly for texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through, then remove from heat.

Spread the pumpkin-black bean mixture over half of each tortilla. Top with shredded cheese, then fold the tortillas in half.

Heat a bit oil in a clean skillet over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and the cheese is melted. Slice into wedges and serve warm with desired toppings.

Registered dietitian and food writer Laura McLively is the author of “The Berkeley Bowl Cookbook.” Follow her at @myberkeleybowl and www.lauramclively.com.