Jerjuan Howard’s love for his community shines bright. The 26-year-old Detroit westsider is transforming a long-abandoned building on Puritan Avenue into the Howard Family Bookstore — a space he envisions as a hub for books, coffee, and connection, grounded in literacy, local history, and empowerment. Just blocks from his middle school and childhood home, which his grandparents purchased in 1939, the bookstore is Howard’s latest commitment to revitalizing his neighborhood — but far from his first.

Detroit has once again gained an unfortunate title, ranking as the least healthy city in the U.S., according to a new report by Forbes Advisor. The study evaluated health across 46 of the nation’s largest cities using eight key metrics. Detroit earned 100 out of 100, placing last due to widespread chronic health issues and lifestyle factors.

Thrill-seekers from around the world visit Michigan every Halloween season to be devoured by giant creatures, chased by monsters, swallowed by a swamp, and even buried alive. These are just a few of the bone-chilling experiences that have made Erebus Haunted Attraction in Pontiac a legendary destination, now celebrating its 25th anniversary with new thrills. Founders Ed and Jim Terebus, known to some as the “grandfathers of haunting,” have a story that goes back even further than the opening of Erebus’s current home in 2000.

In July, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her memoir True Gretch: What I’ve Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between, embracing a version of the nickname “Big Gretch” popularized by Detroit rapper GMac Cash. Now, just a few months later, Big Gretch has announced an upcoming young adult adaptation of the book. The new edition, aimed at inspiring young leaders, will be published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

A severe geomagnetic storm is expected to make the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, visible in Michigan Thursday night. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that the strong solar radiation from the storm could offer a rare opportunity for Michiganders to witness this dazzling natural display. The aurora borealis is expected to be visible throughout Canada and seven U.S. states along the Canadian border, including Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono claims the federal government put pressure on the institution to prioritize combating antisemitism over islamophobia, according to a leaked audio recording of posted to social media on Sunday. The recording, released by the university’s Tahrir Coalition — an activist group composed of over 90 student organizations supporting the liberation of Palestine — indicates that U-M risks losing $2 billion in federal funding if it fails to follow directives focusing on antisemitism. “The government could call me tomorrow and say in a very unbalanced way, the university is not doing enough to combat antisemitism, and I could say it’s not doing enough to combat islamophobia, and that’s not what they want to hear, so the whole situation is not balanced,” Ono says in the audio.

As soon as Detroiters start to feel like the city is on the rise, a new study comes in to remind us there’s still work to be done. In a recent study from personal finance website WalletHub titled “Safest Cities in America,” the Motor City was ranked as the second least safe city in the U.S., just ahead of Memphis. The study compared 182 cities across 41 key safety metrics, and unfortunately, Detroit didn’t fare well in many areas.

The City of Ann Arbor has reached a major milestone in its A2ZERO carbon neutrality plan, completing the goal of planting 10,000 trees on private property six years ahead of schedule. The achievement is one of over 40 actions outlined in the A2ZERO plan, which aims to make the city carbon neutral by 2030. A key element of the plan includes “preserving and enhancing the local tree canopy” by planting 10,000 trees on private property and another 10,000 on public land.

Michigan’s tech bros and lesbians apparently have one thing in common: they’re bad at driving. According to the recent “2024 Michigan Driver Report” by Lending Tree, Tesla and Subaru drivers top the list for traffic incidents in the state. With 23.4 incidents per 1,000 drivers, these trending brands outrank Ram, BMW, and Infiniti for accidents and violations.

A Bridgerton-themed ball held at Detroit’s Harmonie Club on Sunday turned into a massive disappointment, with many attendees calling it a scam. The event, based on the hit Netflix TV show, was organized by Uncle & Me Event Management and left guests frustrated with allegations of poor organization, minimal staff, nowhere to sit, and vendors selling little more than Kit Kats. Attendees were especially shocked when the night’s entertainment turned out to be a single stripper, which was far from the Regency-era theme they had expected.

3 Kings Sports Cards & Collectibles is expanding into downtown Detroit, becoming the only sports card shop in the city. The brand, known for its extensive collection of sports cards, memorabilia, and collectibles, opened its first location in Canton in 2021. The new 2,200-square-foot store, located at 1414 Griswold St., is set to open in October, bringing new features and more memorabilia to Detroit collectors and sports fans.

After a historic sit-in at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August, leaders of the Uncommitted National Movement urged Vice President Kamala Harris to respond by Sept. 15 to their request for a meeting with Palestinian American families in Michigan. These families, having lost loved ones to U.S.-supplied bombs in Gaza, hoped to discuss their demands for halting U.S. arms shipments to Israel and establishing a permanent ceasefire. However, the Harris campaign has remained silent, prompting the Uncommitted Movement to issue a firm statement refusing to endorse her in the upcoming 2024 election.

Southeast Michigan is facing an exceptionally dry month, possibly setting a record for the driest September since weather tracking began, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). “It has now been 7 days since Detroit has seen a drop of rain,” NWS Detroit posted to X on Friday. “With only 0.06 [inches] so far this month and a dry forecast for the next 7 days (and possibly beyond), we could be on track for the driest September on record.”

Homecoming season is just around the corner and teenagers across metro Detroit are searching for the perfect outfit. Comerica Bank, in partnership with local nonprofit Jackets for Jobs, is hosting a two-day homecoming boutique to give away free dresses to local students. The event will be held at the Samaritan Center on Detroit’s east side from Sept. 14-15.

Detroit will soon welcome Michigan’s first Savage X Fenty store, the globally renowned lingerie and apparel brand by singer and businesswoman Rihanna known for “championing inclusivity, fearlessness, and confidence.” The new store will be located at 1442 Woodward Ave. in Detroit, a space owned by Bedrock, near other downtown shopping spots like H&M, Nike, and Lululemon. First announced in 2022, the store was originally planned to open in 2023.

Be safe walking in Detroit. Don’t forget to look both ways when you cross the street. The Motor City was just named one of the most dangerous U.S. cities for pedestrians, according to a study from The Texas Law Dog, a website for personal injury cases.

As the whirlwind of an upcoming presidential election approaches, immigration is once again a pivotal issue on the minds of many voters. Often, those against immigration argue that undocumented immigrants are “stealing jobs” and not contributing to the U.S. economy. However, a recent study shows that is untrue.

Dearborn’s Arab American National Museum, the world’s largest institution dedicated to Arab American history and culture, has received a $100,000 grant from the Joyce Foundation’s 2024 Joyce Awards. The funding, awarded in collaboration with writer, director, and performer Andrea Assaf, will support the development of DRONE, a live theater production exploring the ethical and human implications of drone warfare. The Joyce Awards, active since 2004, aim to support artists of color throughout the Great Lakes region in creating community-centered work.

Apparently the Motor City is home to some of the country’s lousiest drivers. While not at the very bottom, Detroit was recently ranked 85th out of 100 major U.S. cities based on driving behaviors in a study conducted by Allstate. Honolulu, Hawaii had the safest driving behavior overall, followed by Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, and Virginia Beach.