Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover Detroit City Council’s appointment of Todd Bettison as the city’s top cop; the passing of former Detroit Police Chief Stanley Knox and more.

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Bettison approved as new police chief

Detroit City Council on Tuesday approved Todd Bettison as Detroit’s new chief of police. Bettison had served as interim chief over the past few months as a search took place for a permanent leader of the department. He was named Detroit’s Deputy Mayor in 2022.  Prior to that, Bettison had a 27- year career with the DPD — retiring as assistant chief of police. Former Detroit Police Chief James White left in October to become the new head of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. 

Funeral planned for former Detroit police chief

Former Detroit Police Chief Stanley Knox, who served as the city’s top cop from 1991 until 1994, died on Friday at the age of 85. Knox was named chief in the wake of a scandal, after then-Chief William Hart was indicted for embezzlement in 1991. Knox had a 28–year long career with the Detroit Police Department. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church at 11359 Dexter in Detroit.

Flood clean up continues in Southwest Detroit

Clean up efforts continue in Southwest Detroit, where a large water main break on Monday caused flooding that damaged homes and vehicles and displaced around 80 families. The Great Lakes Water Authority says it has removed the water at the source of the break, where a 12-foot section of the pipe will need to be replaced. The timeline for completing repairs and returning the main to service is expected to be about two weeks. The city of Detroit is offering hotels for those who were displaced. Residents impacted by the water main break can call 313-774-5261 to get connected to emergency resources. 

Detroit Auto Show announces 2026 dates

The Detroit Auto Show has just released the 2026 dates for the event, Jan. 14-25. The auto show returned to its traditional January time slot this year — after a pause for the pandemic — and then trying some summer dates. Organizers say attendance was much lower this year than in 2019 — the last January show. Approximately 275,000 people came to the show this year, according to organizers. That’s about a third of pre-pandemic numbers. The event generated $370 million in economic impact for the city.   Next year’s charity preview is scheduled to take place on Friday, Jan. 16.

Gas prices hold steady

Gas prices in metro Detroit are essentially remaining steady this week. The average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded is $3.13 per gallon. That’s two cents less expensive than a week ago, and five cents cheaper than last month at this time.  

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 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. 

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Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, Detroiters should get ready for an icy commute tomorrow morning. Plus, a local broadcast legend has died.

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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.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover local activist groups’ efforts to share resources for immigrants amid the Trump administration’s mass deportation effort; U.S. Sen. Gary Peters’ announcement that he won’t seek reelection next year and more.

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Immigrants urged to ‘know your rights’

Immigrant activists and nonprofit groups in Detroit are reminding undocumented migrants that they still have rights. 

Community leaders, including Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero, held a news conference in Detroit on Wednesday to make sure residents know that fact. Federal agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement – or ICE – have been rounding up undocumented migrants in locations around the country.  Activists are advising those sought by ICE – not to open their doors without proof of a warrant signed by a judge.   

Peters to retire from U.S. Senate

Michigan’s senior U.S. Senator says he’s not running for reelection next year.

Sen. Gary Peters told The Detroit News he’s looking forward to some new activities.  Peters was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014. Before that he served three terms in the U.S. House.  His decision means a U.S. Senate seat, the Michigan governor’s office and several other key state positions will all be up for grabs in the same year. Many potential candidates are expected to express their interest in the Senate seat in the months ahead.   

Detroit reminds residents of available tax credits

The city of Detroit is advising residents to make sure they claim the tax credits they’re entitled to. Officials held a news conference Wednesday morning to get the message out. Key credits include the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit.  Both can be used to reduce the taxes residents owe if they qualify. 

Mary Sheffield to hold District 5 meeting

City Council President Mary Sheffield is holding a District 5 meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, at the Joseph Walker Recreation Center, 8531 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit.  The gathering will give residents an opportunity to meet district representatives and discuss key plans and budget priorities for the year.  

Detroit continues police chief search

The Detroit Police Department will continue the process of finding a new police chief this week. The Board of Police Commissioners is scheduled to hold public interviews of five candidates on Thursday. Only one of those candidates is currently working in the Detroit Police Department. BridgeDetroit reports that three of the candidates have faced lawsuits or internal investigations into misconduct. The Board of Police Commissioners meeting takes place at 3 p.m Thursday at Laborers’ International Union Local 1191, 2161 West Grand Blvd., Detroit.  Residents can also watch the meeting via Zoom. 

GM reports loss in fourth quarter

General Motors says it lost nearly$3 billion in the last three months of 2024.  The Detroit automaker blames much of that loss on the Chinese auto market – where competition from Chinese companies has stiffened. Despite the quarterly loss – GM beat Wall Street analysts’ expectations.  The company brought in $47.7 billion in revenue in the October to December period. 

Detroit Lions hire John Morton 

The NFL Network is reporting that John Morton has been hired as the Detroit Lions new offensive coordinator. He’s been with the Denver Broncos for the past two seasons — but did work with the Lions in 2022 as a senior offensive assistant. Morton will replace Ben Johnson who was touted as one of the major forces behind the Lions’ powerful offense this season. Johnson has been hired as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. 

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 Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s announcement she is running for governor; rising home values in Detroit; school closures amid frigid temperatures and more.

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Jocelyn Benson running for governor 

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced early Wednesday that she is running for governor. The Democrat says her priorities will include: ensuring a government that works for all state residents, cutting costs, and protecting citizens’ rights and freedoms. Benson gained national attention in 2020, when she defended Michigan’s vote count during that year’s presidential election as Republicans made false claims of election fraud.  She was first elected as Michigan’s Secretary of State in 2018 and was reelected in 2022.  Current Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run again next year. 

Detroit housing values rise

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says home values in the city increased by an average of 19% last year. While assessed values rose, most homeowners will see a property tax increase of just over 3% under Michigan law. Duggan says the change can be seen in almost every Detroit neighborhood. 

“So there’s a relatively lazy story that says things are happening in downtown and Midtown, when 99% of our neighborhoods have seen 40% increases in their home values in just two years,” he said. “Anyplace else in America, the narrative would be ‘this is amazing!'”

Duggan says the value of all residential property in the city grew by $1.4 billion last year. He says it’s the second largest increase on record. 

Schools close amid frigid temperatures

Students across metro Detroit had another day off from school Wednesday because of the bitterly cold weather. Temperatures Wednesday morning started below zero.  School systems around the region said they didn’t want students endangered by standing at bus stops or walking to school. Wind chills as low as -20 degrees could cause frostbite on exposed skin within 30 minutes. A cold weather advisory expired at noon. Temperatures will rise into the lower 20s on Thursday, meaning most schools will return to normal operations. 

Stellantis to build new Dodge Durango in Detroit

The United Auto Workers union says its negotiations with Stellantis have yielded a victory for Detroit. Stellantis has announced that it will build the next generation of the Dodge Durango SUV at the Detroit Assembly Complex on the city’s east side. The union says a deal to do that was originally included in its 2023 contract, but that former CEO Carlos Tavares pulled back on that agreement. The automaker says it will also re-open its Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant to build a new mid-sized pickup truck. 

Ben Johnson accepts Chicago Bears’ top job

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been hired as the new head coach for the Chicago Bears.  Johnson has received national attention in the past three years as the architect of the Lions’ powerful offense. The team won a record 15 games this season — tied for the best record in the NFL. ESPN reported that Chicago interviewed 17 different candidates for the team’s head coaching job. The Bears finished the season with a record of five wins and 12 losses. The team failed to make the playoffs. 

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Former Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins announced her plans to run for mayor of Detroit this week.

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During her announcement Tuesday afternoon at the St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center, Jenkins said that public safety will be a large priority of her administration. 

“That means common sense gun laws, cracking down on violence and bullying, more police where they are needed, and more community policing that strengthens trust between police and neighborhoods,” she said.

Jenkins left the council in 2014.  Since then, she has served as the CEO of The Heat and Warmth Fund – otherwise known as THAW. 

Detroit’s current City Council President Mary Sheffield announced her bid for mayor last month.  Incumbent Mayor Mike Duggan decided not to run for a fourth term in office. Instead, the long-time Democrat says he will run for Michigan governor as an independent in 2026.

Other headlines for Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2024:

• The city of Detroit has been awarded another $13 million in grants to support construction of the Joe Louis Greenway.
• Detroit City Councilmember Gabriella Santiago-Romero is holding a meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the First Latin American Baptist Church, to inform residents about immigrant rights.
• Detroit’s three casinos earned $109.6 million in December, bringing their total revenues for the year to $1.29 billion dollars.
• Gas prices continue to rise in metro Detroit, with the average cost for a gallon of self-serve unleaded up to $3.11 per gallon from $3.09 last week.
• The National Weather Service is telling Detroiters to prepare for about an inch of snow overnight on Wednesday.

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

The city of Detroit has been granted $346 million in Community Development Block Grants for federal disaster recovery. 

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Mayor Mike Duggan and Kera Package from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development made the announcement at the city’s Water Board Authority Building on Randolph Street Wednesday morning.

The city says it’s getting the funds because of flooding issues in 2023. The money will be used to provide infrastructure and housing improvements to prevent future flood damage. 

Other headlines for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2024:

• The funeral for former President Jimmy Carter will be held on Thursday, and President Joe Biden has declared it a National Day of Mourning.  That means Detroiters will have to do without some federal services for the day. Listen to special coverage of the funeral services beginning at 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning on 101.9 WDET or watch the livestream at wdet.org.
• Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery could be back in uniform and ready to play in the team’s first playoff game of the year, according to coach Dan Campbell.  The team has the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
• Downtown Detroit continues its preparations for the North American International Auto Show. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is expected to get a special preview tour of the show Thursday morning. Media Day and the Charity Preview take place on Friday. The show opens to the public on Saturday and runs through Monday, Jan. 20.
• Gas prices are slightly lower in metro Detroit, with the average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded at $3.09 — down from $3.12 last week, but 14 cents more than residents were paying a month ago. The national average is $3.06.

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

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. 

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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.