Michigan is anticipated to play a critical role in the upcoming presidential election, and the state’s 12th Congressional District could significantly impact voter margins.

The district — encompassing portions of Detroit, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Southfield and more — is known to be heavily Democratic, with a large Middle Eastern population. It’s current representative is incumbent U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who’s been very vocal about the government’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. She’s even called for a ceasefire and arms embargo.

Political analyst Dale Thomson, from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, says while Tlaib has not endorsed a candidate, her position could influence voter turnout.

“We’re looking at small margins of victory in the state of Michigan. Most likely for the… for whoever wins the president. And so every vote you can get matters,” Thomson said.

Tlaib headed a campaign to vote “uncommitted” during the primary in protest of the Biden administration’s continued support of Israel’s attacks in Gaza.

Thomson adds that if a significant amount of Tlaib’s constituents stick to staying uncommitted, or decide to vote for another candidate other than Harris, that could pose a problem in terms of margins of victory.

“In a heavily Democratic district, the Democrats want to turn out as many of those voters as possible so that they can overcome margins in the opposite direction in heavily Republican districts,” Thomson said.

Tlaib is running for reelection of her seat in the 12th District against Republican challenger James Hooper. He’s a political newcomer, whose rhetoric is very similar to presidential candidate Donald Trump’s, Thomson says.

“He is the sort of, what we might classify as an election denier,” Thomson said. “He’s very much focused on Second Amendment rights of pro-life. He advocates for abolishing the Department of Education.”

With Michigan expected to come down to a narrow margin, turnout in the 12th District could have a broader impact beyond the congressional seat, making it one to watch in the run-up to Election Day.

Click here to compare each candidate’s views on key issues.

The general election is taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. For the latest election information, visit WDET’s Voter Guide at wdet.org/voterguide.

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is still on schedule to replace thousands of lead service lines by the end of the year.

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DWSD is using an artificial intelligence learning tool from BlueConduit that predicts the location of lead service lines in the city.

The department was in Pingree Park this week — a neighborhood the tool predicts has at least 70 lead lines.

Director Gary Brown says the software helps them choose which areas they should hit first to make the most impact.

“This is a neighborhood with a lot of kids. It’s a a disadvantaged community,” Brown said. “Economically, it has been ignored for a long time. So this is why we’re here and not in Rosedale Park or Palmer Woods or Sherwood Forest.”

The department is on track to replace 10,000 lines by the end of 2024.

Other headlines for Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024:

• Dearborn’s Public Health Department is working with the University of Michigan’s Environmental Law and Sustainability Clinic to review the city’s environmental policies.
• Detroit Homeowners have until Nov. 1 to apply for property tax assistance to avoid risk of foreclosure. The 2024 HOPE application deadline was moved from early December to November to give the city of Detroit Property Assessment Board time to reach applicants with incomplete submissions so they can ensure they have a fair chance at receiving the benefit. The last Healthy Home Resource Fair where residents can receive on-site HOPE application assistance is 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Perfecting Church on Detroit’s east side.
• Daybreaker and Civic Responsibility Project are hosting a dance party in New Center Park this Saturday to “get out the vote” this election season. Called the “Purple Tour,” the event will feature special guests Wanda Sykes, NFL star Tyrann Mathieu, Anthony Ramos, Dancing with the Stars Julianna Hough and more.  

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

There’s a new mental health center located inside the Islamic Center of Detroit.

ICD held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday for its faith-based My Mental Wellness center, which is open to all.

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It’s believed to be the first mental health center inside a mosque in the U.S. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says ICD has come a long way from its humble beginnings.

“ICD is now the center of this community, and I’ve been here for food programs. I’ve been here for youth programs, been here for recreation programs, and now opening of a mental health clinic is going to serve the whole community,” he said. “It’s just a terrific day for Detroit.”

The clinic provides free on-site and virtual therapy and counseling sessions, as well as ASL services, career coaching, annual health fairs, and initiatives for the special needs community.

My Mental Wellness has served 200 people so far. ICD hopes to add additional health care services for the community in the near future.

For more information, visit mymentalwellnessicd.org.

Reporting by Nargis Rahman, WDET

Other headlines for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024:

• Detroit is looking for a new top cop. Police Chief James White is set to become the CEO and president of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network after the group’s board of directors voted to appoint him to the role at their meeting on Wednesday.
• The Michigan Education Justice Coalition Youth Collective is hosting its second virtual statewide candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 21, called Student Strong.
• Six local Black tech founders have been awarded a total of $120,000 in grants from the “Community Regrant” program from Black Tech Saturdays and Rocket Community Fund. Each recipient received $20,000 for projects that will help bridge the digital divide in the city of Detroit.
• The Wayne County Treasurer’s Office and the city of Detroit are hosting a foreclosure prevention seminar for seniors and individuals with disabilities on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Perfecting Church, 7616 Nevada Ave., Detroit. Call 313-244-0274 to schedule an appointment and Lyft Service to the event. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

On this episode of the Detroit Evening Report, we cover a new grant program in Dearborn to help homeowners fund front porch and step repairs; the groundbreaking of Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament’s new Holy Paws Dog Park and more.

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Dearborn offering free front porch repairs

The city of Dearborn is offering free front porch and step replacement to some residents. The program is funded by federal grants through the end of October. To be eligible, the property must be an owner-occupied, single-family home with a valid certificate of occupancy. Applicants must have lived in the home for at least one year. If you do not have a valid certificate of occupancy, you must have lived in the home for at least five years. Applicants must also be up to date on property taxes, utilities, water bills and insurance. For more information, visit Dearborn.gov. 

Public meeting on prescription costs under Michigan Medicaid plans

Michigan residents are invited to take part in a virtual meeting about prescription drugs covered under Michigan’s Medicaid health plans. The meeting will be hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) with the purpose of allowing the public, stakeholders and other interested parties to comment on the list of prescriptions and associated costs. The meeting will take place from 9:30 a.m.-noon on Monday, Oct. 14, via Zoom.  Those unable to attend can submit questions via email to MDHHSCommonFormulary@michigan.gov by Oct. 9, 2024.

State dedicates funds to address teacher shortage

More than 160 school districts in Michigan are receiving $175 million dollars in grants to help address the teacher shortage. The money comes from the Michigan Department of Education and will go toward the state’s Grow Your Own Initiative. The initiative helps increase the number of certified teachers in areas of shortage. Each district receiving an award is partnering with one or more state approved preparation providers such as colleges. Detroit Community Schools, Dearborn City School District and Eastpointe City Schools are among the local districts receiving funds.

Create crocheted creatures at Parker Avenue Knits

Parker Avenue Knits is hosting an Amigurumi Workshop this month. Amigurumi is the Japanese art of creating small knitted or crocheted creatures. The workshop will be held over two days: Oct. 12 and 26. The shop says beginners are welcome. The cost is $30. For more information visit parkeravenueknits.com.

Holy Paws Dog Park breaks ground

The Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament has broken ground on their new Holy Paws Dog Park. The park is a collaboration between the church, the City of Detroit Beautification program, and neighbors. The church is hosting a pet blessing at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at the park, located on the corner of John R and Belmont. Blessings and other treats will be passed out as well as St. Francis Holy Cards and a gift card drawing. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Libbi Urban, a former maintenance electrician, is running as a Democrat for Michigan’s 5th Congressional District. Urban spent 31 years in the steel industry and believes her experience as a union representative qualifies her to bring meaningful change to the district.

“For 15 years, I was an elected official for our United Steelworkers local,” said Urban. “I helped negotiate better pay, healthcare benefits, pension increases, and retiree healthcare for over 100,000 people. If I could represent that many people, I thought I could do that for our district as well.”

Listen: Democrat Libbi Urban aims to flip Michigan’s 5th Congressional District seat

Urban’s platform focuses on addressing the rising cost of living, safeguarding Social Security and Medicare, and protecting healthcare freedoms. She said that these issues resonate deeply with voters.

“The cost of food, gas and housing is a big one,” she said. “We want to cut high prices and corporate greed. People shouldn’t have to decide whether to buy their prescriptions or feed their family.”

Urban also took aim at her opponent — Republican Rep. Tim Wahlberg who currently holds the seat — claiming that while he talks about similar issues, his voting record tells a different story.

“He’s voted against all of these issues at one time or another during his legislative career,” Urban explained. “I listened to the people I represented in the union, and I plan to do the same across this district. I’ll take their concerns to Washington and fight for them.”

Urban also wants to protect family farms, and ensure they stay in the family. It’s an issue that hits close to home for her.

“My grandfather had a couple of farms, and we had to sell them because of inheritance taxes. It was devastating to us,” she said. “I want to make it easier for younger people to afford land and get into farming.”

Despite the 5th Congressional District being heavily Republican, Urban remains confident.

“I would have never put my name on the ballot if I didn’t believe I was going to win,” she said. “The people in the 5th District want change, and I am that change.”

On this episode of the Detroit Evening Report, we discuss recent honors given to the city of Detroit for two “blight to beauty” projects in the city; a new tentative deal between UAW and Ford for Tool and Dye workers at the automaker’s River Rouge complex and more.

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From blight to beauty

The city of Detroit has received multiple awards for excellence in design for two “blight to beauty” projects — the new Jason Hargrove Transit Center and the redesign of Roosevelt Park in front of the Michigan Central Station. Roosevelt Park received the 2024 President’s award from Keep Michigan Beautiful. And the Hargrove Transit Center received the Best Regional Project from the Engineering News Record.

UAW, Ford make tentative deal 

UAW Local 600’s Tool and Die unit at Ford Motor Company’s River Rouge plant has reached a tentative agreement with the automaker. The union announced Thursday that it secured a deal that will strengthen job security by protecting against the impacts of advancements in 3D printing. The deal also eliminates a wage disparity for skilled trades. Roughly 500 UAW members still need to vote to ratify the deal, which if approved, could set a new standard for skilled trades at Ford, the union said.

“The members at the Rouge Complex understand the power of strength in numbers,” said UAW Vice President Chuck Browning in a statement. “They stuck together and showed Ford that they were willing to stand up if necessary to win what they deserve.”

Detroit Fire hosts leadership roundtable

The Detroit Fire Department held a Fire Leadership Roundtable for departments across metro Detroit and Windsor. The event was designed to build partnerships, discuss best practices and encourage training collaborations and resource sharing between departments. Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms says the event opened up lines of communication between fire and emergency response departments and helped build strong relationships.

Detroit/Metro Black Tech Talent Survey results

The Detroit Regional Chamber  and Mich Auto are hosting a virtual event at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, to unveil the findings from the Detroit/Metro Black Tech Talent survey conducted this fall. The survey assessed the recruitment and retention of Black tech talent in the city. The chamber will share the results of the survey and moderate a panel of industry leaders and innovators to discuss strategies for building a more inclusive tech ecosystem. Visit the Detroit Regional Chamber website for more information and to register.

‘Girls in the Graveyard’ at Elmwood Cemetery

The Outlier Collective is hosting “Girls in the Graveyard” a celebration of Detroit women at Elmwood Cemetery, on Saturday, Oct. 19. Guests will experience a guided tour of the women buried at the cemetery with Elmwood’s Director of Education Amy Elliot Bragg, followed by treats provided by Sister Pie. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in advance at Eventbrite.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan will assume control of Detroit’s QLINE service this month.

Since construction of the railway began in 2014, the plan has always been to eventually transition it from the nonprofit M-1 Rail to a public entity, according to RTA Executive Director Ben Stupka.

“And when the RTA was established around the same time, it was always kind of thought and planned that the RTA would be that entity,” Stupka said.

This change opens the service to new sources of state and federal funding.

“As a government entity, the QLINE is now eligible for state and federal transit funding, which will help stabilize operations moving forward,” Stupka said.

QLINE riders will not see significant changes in service. Fares will remain free and hours will remain the same. The only visible update may be the addition of the RTA logo on streetcars.

Stupka added there are no immediate plans for expansion. “Our focus remains on delivering efficient service, but we are committed to exploring future options,” Stupka said.

Ridership has increased more than 25% this year over 2023, with over one million riders last year.

The RTA also operates the Dax Airport Express and D2A2 Ann Arbor Express as part of its growing portfolio of transit services for Southeast Michigan.

A recent University of Michigan study has found that Black Americans experiencing stroke symptoms arrive at hospitals nearly 30 minutes later than their white counterparts.

This delay significantly impacts their access to timely, life-saving stroke treatments, which are only effective within a short time frame after symptoms appear.

Emergency medical services (EMS) were also less likely to notify hospitals of these patients’ conditions ahead of time, further contributing to delays in care, according to the study. These disparities were most prominent in counties with higher poverty rates, lower educational attainment, and limited access to transportation.

Regina Royan, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at U-M and one of the study’s lead researchers, said that equitable health care should extend beyond the hospital setting.

“What we’re trying to draw attention to is that we need to be thinking about before the patient even arrives at the hospital,” Royan said. “We need to make sure that from the minute they call 911 or even earlier, from the minute symptoms start, that stroke care is equitable.”

Royan said the therapies available for stroke are highly effective  — but only for a limited time after symptoms begin, making quick arrival at the hospital crucial for positive outcomes.

“There has been significant effort to make health care equitable inside hospitals, but it’s time to bring those efforts outside the hospital as well.”

– Regina Royan, assistant professor of emergency medicine, University of Michigan

The study highlights the need for greater public education around recognizing stroke symptoms — such as facial drooping, difficulty speaking and weakness in one side of the body — and the importance of calling 911 immediately. Royan also called for increased attention and resources to improve pre-hospital stroke care in underserved communities.

“There has been significant effort to make health care equitable inside hospitals, but it’s time to bring those efforts outside the hospital as well,” Royan said.

The research underscores the importance of addressing disparities in pre-hospital stroke care to ensure that all patients, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, have equal access to timely, effective treatment.

Use the media player above to hear the full interview with Royan.

The landscape of voting in Michigan has evolved significantly, with expanded early in-person voting, enhanced absentee ballot tracking, and permanent absentee ballot registration now available.

As voters prepare to head to the polls again in November, a new monument in Detroit commemorates the long journey toward voting rights for all.

The dedication ceremony for the Civil Rights Monument took place at Viola Liuzzo Playground, located at the corner of Winthrop and Trojan on Detroit’s west side. The monument honors Viola Liuzzo, a Detroit woman inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who traveled to Alabama to participate in the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. Tragically, Liuzzo was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in Lowndes County. Before her departure, she asked her friend, Sarah Evans, to care for her five children if anything happened to her—a promise that Evans kept.

The monument features images of Liuzzo and Evans with the inscription “Sisters in life…Sisters in struggle,” and on the opposite side, it lists the names of Detroiters who answered Dr. King’s call to support the Selma marches, including notable figures like Rosa Parks and John Lewis.

Dorothy Dewberry Aldridge, a civil rights activist and historian, described the monument as a “teaching monument,” intended to educate the public about the events of 1965.

Collette Mezza, also a member of the Viola Liuzzo Park Association, emphasized the significance of each name on the monument.

“They each have their own remarkable story, and what inspired them to go down to Selma in 1965, and many of them are still alive and many of them continue their activism like Dorothy,” Mezza said.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who attended the ceremony, said everyone today has an opportunity to continue the fight for voting rights.

“Let us all recommit to continuing on that legacy as a new generation of foot soldiers who are marching forward for democracy teaching about the past and being clear-eyed about the present challenges and the work we must do to preserve that sacred promise of democracy for everyone.”

The event concluded with a ceremonial march around the park, echoing the marches of 1965 and honoring those who fought for voting rights.

Henry Ford Health has broken ground on its $2.2 billion hospital expansion — the largest health care investment in Detroit’s history.

The new hospital facility will span over one million square feet on West Grand Boulevard and include more than 400 private patient rooms. The expansion will also feature a 75,000-square-foot emergency room — more than double the size of the current ER, along with 28 state-of-the-art operating rooms.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan hailed the project as a rebirth of health care in the city.

“For most of my life, the hospital systems have bailed on Detroit and put their investments in the suburbs,” said Duggan. “Today, we are seeing one of the finest hospitals anywhere in America being built here in the city of Detroit.”

The 20-story patient tower will house Shirley Ryan AbilityLab on the top three floors, providing neurorehabilitation services. This partnership, funded in part by Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Rocket Companies, is a personal endeavor for Gilbert, who credited the Chicago-based facility with aiding his recovery after a stroke in 2019.

“When I had a stroke back in 2019, my life changed dramatically, but thanks to the support of family, doctors, therapists and staff at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, I began my rehab journey with strength, confidence and optimism,” Gilbert said.

To further support the community, the Gilbert Family Foundation has pledged $10 million to assist Detroit residents with limited or no insurance coverage for rehabilitation services.

Henry Ford Health’s President and CEO, Bob Riney, emphasized the expansion’s significance, stating, “We are setting the stage for Detroit to become the national, academic, medical headquarters.”

The hospital campus expansion will also include an 185,000-square-foot shared services building, a 1,500-space parking structure, and a 46,000-square-foot Central Energy Hub. The new development will eliminate the need for natural gas, reducing pollution and promoting a healthier environment.

The expansion is part of a broader community-driven initiative to transform the New Center neighborhood into a vibrant, walkable district. In partnership with Michigan State University and the Detroit Pistons, the development will include mixed-use residential buildings, green spaces and recreational areas.

The project is expected to open in 2029.

A new study from the University of Michigan shows that Black stroke patients arrive at the hospital significantly later than their white counterparts.

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Published Sept. 5 in collaboration with Brown University, the research included data from more than 600,000 patients in the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines Stroke Registry from mid-2015 through 2019.

The study revealed that it took on average 28 minutes longer for Black patients with stroke symptoms to receive emergency care. Researchers also found that EMS workers were roughly 20% less likely to notify emergency departments ahead of a Black patient’s arrival compared to a white patient.

The disparity was most prevalent in areas with a high poverty rate. 

Regina Royan, one of the lead researchers on the study, says getting a stroke patient to the hospital quickly is crucial for positive health outcomes. 

“The therapies that we have for stroke are really effective, but they are only available within a short time frame from the time that symptoms start,” Royan said.

Royan says there has been significant effort to making health care inside hospitals equitable, and it’s time to bring those efforts outside the hospital as well.  

“This is a disparity that must be addressed, as Black Americans have a higher prevalence of stroke, get strokes younger and die at greater numbers from the condition,” said Royan in a news release.

Other headlines for Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024:

•  Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel announced charges this week against 11 people stemming from pro-Palestinian protests on the University of Michigan’s campus in May.
• Detroit Police Chief James White confirmed to BridgeDetroit on Wednesday that he is one of eight finalists in the running for CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network.
• The American Arab Chamber of Commerce is hosting its “East & West Mezza Fest,” a culinary tour of Dearborn, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Officials in Detroit are again offering a photo identification card that allows residents access to various businesses and city services.

Local 283 President Steve Hicks says they are asking for union security, seniority rights and an increase in pay.

“Since the pandemic, inflation is sky high from 2019 in double digits, and has cut into the spendable income of our members here,” Hicks told WDET. “So we need to get [a] percentage that’s a lot higher than what they are offering, which is 3% per year.”

Hicks says the union sent several emails asking to bargain over the last offer made by Marathon, but were denied.

In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Marathon officials said they were “disappointed” that union members decided to go on strike, saying the company has met with union leadership regularly for the last nine months to reach a new labor agreement.

“The company has negotiated in good faith, but the union thus far has been unwilling to agree to acceptable terms for an agreement and, instead, has decided to engage in a strike in support of its bargaining positions,” the statement read. “We are fully prepared and have implemented plans to continue safely operating the facility with trained and qualified Marathon employees, and a safe and orderly handover to these experienced team members has been completed.”

On this episode of the Detroit Evening Report, we cover the continued power outages across metro Detroit following this week’s severe storms; the upcoming Detroit Jazz Festival and more.

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Thousands still without power after storms

More than 60,000 metro Detroit residents are still without power on Thursday after severe storms hit the region Tuesday evening and continued into Wednesday. DTE Energy says crews are “continuing to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to everyone impacted by the extreme weather.”

The company says it has restored power to more than 80% of its customers and expects to have 90% of customers restored by end of day Thursday, with remaining customers expected to be restored Friday.

Detroit market offers up fridge space during outages

Neighborhood Grocery in Detroit’s Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood is offering refrigerator space to those who are still without power. The market posted on Facebook Wednesday offering up fridge space for medications or freezer space for perishables for those in need of temporary storage until power is restored. 

Corktown ranked top ‘up-and-coming’ neighborhood in US

Detroit’s historical Corktown neighborhood has been ranked a top “up-and-coming” neighborhood in the nation by Travel Mag. The magazine cited spots like Mercury Burger and Bar, Bobcat Bonnie’s and Brooklyn Street Local as hot spots to grab a bite, and also mentioned the reopening of Michigan Central as part of the neighborhood’s resurgence. The neighborhood was listed among 16 others in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Miami. 

Freedom Arts Festival continues

Programming for the Detroit Parks Coalition’s annual Freedom Arts Festival will continue throughout the fall season. The free festival series kicked off in June and will run through November with a variety of events hosted across nine parks and public spaces in the city.  Supported by the Knight Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the festival features live performances of music, dance, storytelling and art reflecting Detroit’s rich multicultural history, weaving together narratives of freedom, racial justice, connections to place and more. For more information on future programming, visit detroitparkscoalition.com/freedom-arts-festival.

Detroit Jazz Festival returns

The Detroit Jazz Festival kicks off at 6:40 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 in Hart Plaza. with performances continuing in downtown Detroit through Labor Day weekend. Over 60 performances are scheduled to take place throughout the long weekend, including from The Bad Plus, Carmen Lundy, artist-in-residence Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band and more. The festival will have stages in Hart Plaza, Cadillac Square and after hour specials in Midtown at Wayne State’s Valade Jazz Center. For more information, visit detroitjazzfest.org.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

It’s called Hood Camp: Urban Survival for Today’s Youth.

“We call it Hood Camp because it is a camp that’s in the hood,” said Mama Shu, CEO and founder of Avalon Village — the sustainable eco-village on Avalon Street in Highland Park that hosts the camp. “And we do it because there are a lot of children who are not able to afford camp.”

The program, for only $50 per child, offers local youth a chance to have an outdoor camping experience in the comfort of their own neighborhood.

Shu says she started the camp because as a young girl she always wanted to camp in her backyard, but her mom wouldn’t let her. But now as an adult, she can share that dream with others.

“I was like ‘You know what? I’m doing this! Let me see if I can get some children and parents who would let their children come and start this Hood Camp.'”

The first camp, in 2011, was just one night with 17 kids — and later up to 40. That lasted for the first 10 years. Eventually, by popular demand from the kids, Shu extended the camp to an entire weekend.

“Because the kids used to always say, ‘Mama Shu we want to spend another night.’ Because they loved spending the night outside,” she said.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the camp reduced its attendance down to 25 -30 children.

At the camp, children learn all about emergency preparedness and surviving outside. They learn how to cook outside, how to garden and purify water. They even learn about different plants that most typically would classify as weeds, and how they can be used for medicinal purposes.

Shu also recruits the Highland Park Fire and Police Departments to teach fire and gun safety and general community safety.

Each camper gets a survival kit with items like batteries, matches, candles, a first aid kit, and a solar backpack. And at the end of the weekend, they go home with a certificate that reads: “I survived in the hood.”

“We are showing them basically how you can fit in and how you can utilize these things first and how to survive in your own neighborhood,” Shu said.

Shu gave the example of a blackout in the neighborhood as an opportunity for the children to use their skills.

“We had out light go out for days in Highland Park,” Shu said “They still have to go to school. Well, they have the solar backpacks so they can charge their phones and their computers. And hopefully not miss a beat with their studies.”

Shu said she always receives positive feedback from the children and their parents about the Hood Camp program. Some former students return each year to participate again, while some who have grown up and graduated return as volunteers.

“It’s just wonderful seeing them still be interested in helping out in the community. And being able to volunteer and support something that when they were kids, they were involved in,” Shu said.

Hood Camp runs Aug. 30 through Sept. 1, 2024. For more information or to register a camper, visit www.theavalonvilllage.org.

Wayne County officials met this week to discuss the lack of transparency from the federal government following a unilateral decision to haul radioactive waste from a site in New York where the Manhattan Project was developed, to a metro Detroit landfill.

Officials were not aware of the shipment until the Detroit Free Press reported last week that the waste was being moved to be stored at a landfill in Van Buren Township by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Republic Services’ Wayne Disposal is one of five landfills identified by the corp that can handle the waste.

“When permits and sites are expanded we need to know what can we do as a county commission to have a say in these decisions?” said Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell at Tuesday’s meeting.

Officials voiced similar concerns last year, when a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in the city of East Palestine, Ohio, releasing toxic chemicals like the known carcinogen vinyl chloride into the environment.

Nearly 15% of the solid waste and about 7% of the liquid waste removed from that derailment were eventually disposed of in metro Detroit, yet local officials weren’t notified of their transport until the chemicals were already here, The Detroit News reported.

Just a few weeks after the East Palestine derailment, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Van Buren Township. While there was no evidence of that derailment resulting in the exposure of hazardous materials, it only added to intensifying concerns in Michigan about the transportation of hazardous waste to disposal sites in the state.

Those concerns where echoed on Tuesday by both residents and local officials in attendance. However, Patrick Cullen of Wayne County’s environmental services department said the decision was made by the federal government — not the county — and cannot be blocked.

U.S. Reps. Rashida Talib and Debbie Dingell were both present at the meeting and expressed concerns about the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) not having higher restrictions on what materials can be transported in.

“When’s the last time they denied a permit? I want to know that.” Talib said. “Because every permit I’ve seen come forward to the state seems to get approved or delayed because they need more information.”

Bell suggested the commission could take action to help make the county more unattractive for companies looking to store waste by establishing protocols and enforcing them with fines, increasing tipping fees, and tracking permits of these companies.

In a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Republic Services, Dingell reiterated that the lack of notice to local officials and the public about the hazardous waste shipment only heightened anxiety about the potential risks associated with transporting those materials through local communities.

“While I understand this facility is licensed at both the federal- and state-level and must adhere to strict regulations that ensure the community is protected, my constituents remain concerned about the impact on their health and environment,” the letter read. “Given the recent history of hazardous waste disposal incidents in Michigan, it is imperative that we take every precaution to protect our community.”

A representative from EGLE was present at the meeting via Zoom, but technical difficulties prevented them from providing a clear response.

A town hall is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Sept. 4 with the county and local officials to further discuss the transport.

WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.