Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover an incoming snow storm headed for metro Detroit, share some winter safety tips and more.

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Detroiters brace for snowstorm

Detroiters are preparing for lots of snowfall overnight. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Detroit until 7 a.m. Thursday. Forecasters say Detroit will see heavy snow — between 4-7 inches — and possibly a light glaze of ice. Travel could be hazardous for those commuting Wednesday night and Thursday morning in areas of Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties, according to the advisory.

AAA Michigan shares winter safety tips

AAA Michigan says there are a few things you can do to prepare your vehicle for a heavy snowfall. Some items you probably already have, like a snow brush and ice scraper to clear your windows. But you should also have a snow shovel in the car, salt, sand, rock salt or kitty litter to give you extra traction if you need it, as well as gloves, hats and blankets to keep warm if you get stuck, the agency reports. Jumper cables, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and snacks are good things to have in the car year-round. 

American Heart Association warns of snow shoveling risks

The American Heart Association is reminding folks that shoveling snow can be dangerous.  The organization says there’s an increased risk of having a heart attack for some people after shoveling heavy snow. Research says strenuous activity in cold weather can raise blood pressure, while at the same time constricting the arteries. The Heart Association says if you have chest pain or pressure, lightheadedness or an irregular heartbeat, stop shoveling immediately. If those symptoms don’t go away shortly after you stop, call 911. 

City officials address freezing death of 2 children in casino parking lot

The city of Detroit is working to make sure residents know about resources available for the homeless after two children — ages 2 and 9 — froze to death inside a van parked at the Hollywood Casino at Greektown. The mother of the children, who was struggling with homelessness, reportedly reached out to the city at least three times for help.  Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan held a news conference on Tuesday to address the tragedy, saying having resources for the homeless doesn’t mean very much if residents don’t know how to access them. 

“It’s a terrible day in Detroit as we deal with the tragic loss of two young people, and it’s gotta make us rethink everything that we’re doing,” he said. “The heartbreaking thing of this is that there were shelter beds available just a few miles away.”  

Gas prices steady in metro Detroit

Metro Detroit gas prices are remaining steady for the week, according to AAA Michigan. The price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded is $3.15. That’s up just a penny from last week at this time. That price is about seven cents higher than last month. 

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, Detroiters should get ready for an icy commute tomorrow morning. Plus, a local broadcast legend has died.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Winter Weather Advisory issued

Detroiters should prepare for a rough commute tomorrow morning — Thursday, Feb. 6. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Detroit and areas west and south of the city from 10 p.m. tonight until 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Forecasters say light snow will hit the region tonight, then turn to freezing rain overnight. The city could see up to a 10th of an inch of ice, which will cover anything left outside. That includes cars, roadways, trees and power lines. The additional weight of ice could cause tree limbs to snap or electrical lines to come down.

Roads will be exceptionally slippery in the morning, especially those that have not been salted yet. Make sure to leave yourself plenty of extra time to get to work tomorrow morning. Reduce your driving speed and leave lots of extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you, because stopping distances increase dramatically on ice.

ACRL and NAACP to meet

The Arab-American Civil Rights League and the NAACP are holding a public meeting tomorrow, Feb. 6, to discuss recent challenges to their constituencies. The organizations have been dealing with the effects of executive orders signed by President Trump in recent days. Those orders have dealt with issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the federal government, and increased enforcement of immigration laws. The event is scheduled to take place tomorrow night at 6 p.m. at the Northwest Activities Center. That’s at 18100 Meyers in Detroit.

Auto Show attendance dwindles

The Detroit Auto Show released its attendance figures today. The event attracted 275,000 people over its 11 days. That’s down significantly from pre-pandemic attendance figures. The last January auto show was in 2019, attracting more than 774,000 visitors.

The event has been postponed some years, and moved to warmer dates in other years since then. Organizers decided to return the show to January this year. They say this year’s event generated up to $370 million for the local economy. The annual charity preview event brought in $1.7 million for local nonprofits. 

Egg prices rise

The cost of eggs is rising around the country and Detroit is no exception. Millions of chickens have been killed by avian influenza — also known as bird flu — limiting egg production in the country. The problem has caused product shortages, raising prices. Here in Detroit, that trend is showing up in higher prices in many locations including, for some, McDonald’s breakfast items. 

Gas prices lower

Metro Detroit gas prices are down slightly this week. The average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded is $3.14 per gallon. That’s down two cents from last week, but is three cents higher than a month ago. AAA says the national average gas price is $3.12 per gallon. 

Reporter Al Allen dead

We end today’s episode with a sad note. We just got word this morning that Fox 2 reporter Al Allen has died. He was 79 years old.

Allen began his Detroit television reporting at Fox 2 in 1984. He worked for the station for 30 years, retiring in 2013. Before that, he worked at several Detroit radio stations, telling residents the news they needed to know. Allen was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2021. 

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