Wayne County announced on Wednesday that it has eliminated $27 million in outstanding medical debt for more than 46,000 county residents. 

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The county started a partnership with a nonprofit called “Undue Medical Debt,” which acquires debt from medical providers — in this case an unnamed local hospital — for pennies on the dollar.

The county says it has invested $5 million from the indigent relief fund and the federal American Rescue Plan Act. 

“Since we first announced this new program in March of this year, a program designed to wipe out more than $700 million in medical debt, I am extremely pleased to see the program’s success thus far in helping so many of our residents in need,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans in a statement. “These resources will help to eliminate the stress they have been under as they juggle how to pay for crushing hospital bills while keeping the lights on and putting food on the table at the same time.”

Officials say qualifying patients live in Wayne County and are at or below four times the federal poverty level. They can also qualify if they have medical debt that equals 5% or more of their annual income. 

Recipients of the debt relief will receive a letter signed by Evans providing information about which debts are no longer due. No further action is needed to receive debt relief. County residents cannot request the debt relief, according to officials.

Other headlines for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024:

• A new national poll from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital released this week analyzed parents’ views on disciplining young children, with more than a quarter of the parents surveyed admitting they’d threatened their children with no holiday gifts.
• Christmas and Hanukkah are just a week away, and that means Metro Detroiters are sending gifts around the country by mail. The U.S. Postal Service is reminding residents that the deadlines are near — if you want your presents to arrive by Dec. 25.
• The Detroit Lions keep getting bad news when it comes to injuries.  The team suffered four major injuries in Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Lions travel to Chicago to play the Bears on Sunday.

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

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s announcement that he will run for governor of Michigan in 2026; the highly anticipated reopening of the Belle Isle Conservatory in Detroit and more.

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Duggan to run for Michigan governor seat

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced today that he’s running to become the next governor of Michigan. The longtime Democrat released a video statement Wednesday morning stating his intentions to run as an independent. In the video, he shared his motivations behind the approach to his political decision. 

“…by starting a campaign for governor, by having a conversation about whether its time for a whole new approach.  A governor who’s an independent.  What would happen if we upended the system and gave Michigan voters a new choice?  A governor who didn’t run as a candidate of either party?” he said.

Duggan also touted his successes as Detroit’s mayor in the video, citing the lowest homicide rate in decades and the fact that the city’s population is growing for the first time in more than 60 years. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run for another four years in office.  Political analysts say Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson could be a possible front runner for the Democratic nomination for governor. 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon may consider another run for the office. 

Belle Isle Conservatory reopens 

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle officially reopened on Wednesday after two years of extensive renovations. The 120-year-old building, designed by famed Detroit architect Albert Kahn, underwent a $10 million repair project that included the replacement of more than 1,500 panes of glass.

Other upgrades included:

• Abatement of asbestos and lead paint, repair of steel trusses, installation of new upper and lower catwalks, upgrade of the irrigation system and restoration of exterior limestone panels in the dome
• New concrete floor and planter walls in the showroom
• New roof, ceiling, ceiling fans, glass and exterior limestone panels in the vestibule
• New glass in the cactus and tropical house from the gutters up
• Sidewalk repairs and new concrete for the Lake Tacoma overlook in the gardens

The conservatory showcases a wide variety of plants from around the world. Beginning today, the beloved Detroit landmark will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Related: What is the history behind the Belle Isle Boathouse?

Mary Sheffield to announce political future

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield issued a news release Wednesday saying she’ll make an announcement about her political future at an event planned for next Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Sheffield will be joined by supporters and community members at the IBEW Local 58 Union Hall in Detroit from 6-8 p.m. Highlights will include a performance by the Detroit Youth Choir and remarks from local stakeholders.

Community input sought on local flood remediation efforts

The Great Lakes Water Authority is holding a number of public meetings around the region to talk about flooding.  The sessions, held in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will inform residents about projects to ease flooding and get their feedback about plans that are being developed. 

Wednesday’s meeting will take place from 3-7 p.m. in the atrium at the Dearborn Administrative Offices on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. Other meetings will be held in Waterford, Sterling Heights and Grosse Pointe later this month. 

Lions to face Packers 

The Detroit Lions are preparing for a Thursday game against the Green Bay Packers.  The Lions are tied for the best record in the NFL with 11 wins and just one loss.  But the team can’t rest on its laurels.  Several others are vying for position in next month’s playoffs. Division rival Green Bay is one of those teams, with a record of nine wins and three losses. 

Kick off on Thursday is at 8:15 p.m. at Ford Field. The game will be televised on Amazon Prime and Fox 2 Detroit. And if you’re headed over to Ford Field to tailgate, bundle up. Temperatures will drop into the lower 20s for game time. 

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

City officials gathered in Detroit’s Mohican-Regent neighborhood on Monday to celebrate the first of many new gateway signs being installed in communities throughout the city.

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Other headlines for Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024:

• General Motors and Bedrock announced a new proposal this week to fundamentally change the structure of Detroit’s Renaissance Center.
• The Detroit People Mover reopens Wednesday morning with expanded service hours.  The elevated train system had been closed since early September for rail replacement.   
• If you’re hitting the road for the holidays, the price of gas will be lower than last Thanksgiving, with prices averaging 10 cents cheaper than last Thanksgiving, according to AAA Michigan.
• A cold front is expected to pass through metro Detroit later this week, the National Weather Service reports. High temperatures on Saturday and Sunday will peak at 32 degrees, with snow flurries possible throughout the week.
• The National Association of Black Journalists – Detroit Chapter is holding its “Show The Love” fundraiser event at 6 p.m. Tuesday at The Lager House in Corktown.

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

Detroit officials are reassuring residents about the safety of the city’s water system.   

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The statement comes after the city sent federally mandated letters to thousands of residents about the materials used for water service lines.  Many Detroiters were concerned that the letters served as some sort of warning.

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Director Gary Brown held a news conference on Tuesday to let residents know there’s no reason to worry. 

“Our water is safe and some of the best water in the world. We’re a leader in the United States in delivering quality water,” he said. “We’re below the actionable level for lead at 12 parts per billion in the most recent testing results.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires municipalities with lead service lines to send out the letters. Brown says the city uses a special coating to prevent old service lines from leeching lead into the water. He says concerned residents can run water for three to five minutes in the morning to flush standing water out of the system. 

Detroit has 10 years to replace all of its lead service lines. Brown says the city has spent $100 million this year in its efforts to replace those lines. 

Other headlines for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024:

• The city of Detroit broke ground Tuesday on a project that will turn a historic school into affordable housing.
• AAA Michigan says you should pack your patience if you’re planning to take a trip over Thanksgiving, as 2.6 million Michiganders will be traveling over the holiday weekend.
• Gas prices continue to trend lower in metro Detroit, according to AAA Michigan, with the average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded now at $3.10 — down five cents from a week ago.

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