Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig is filing paperwork to run for mayor in this year’s election.

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

He filed a “Chief James Craig for Mayor” candidate committee on Monday, allowing him to collect donations for the August primary.

Craig was appointed as the 42nd Chief of Police in 2013. Serving in the role during the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations, the department was scrutinized for excessive force against protestors — accused of using tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, mass arrests and more without probable cause. The protestors ended up filing a lawsuit which resulted in a $1 million settlement with the city.

Craig retired as Detroit’s chief of police in 2021 and then ran for governor in 2022 on the Republican ticket, but was taken off because of alleged fraudulent signatures on his nominating petitions.

Craig joins a seemingly ever-growing list of candidates, including Mega-church pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr., City Council President Mary Sheffield, City Councilman Fred Durhal III, former Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, nonprofit CEO Saunteel Jenkins, Joel Haashiim and Jonathan Barlow, who are both local businessmen, and attorney Todd Perkins.

Other headlines for Friday, March 7, 2025:

• The Detroit Fire Department is looking to educate residents on fire safety at an upcoming Safety Series Webinar, taking place virtually at 6 p.m. March 12.
• Women in Robotics Michigan is hosting an informal gathering of women interested in robotics at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 16, at Michigan Central. Organizers say it’s an opportunity to network, share ideas, and learn from others in a relaxed setting.
• Next Thursday, March 13, is 313 Day, and there are a ton of events planned to celebrate.
• WDET launched its 2025 Spring Fundraiser on Thursday. All new members who make a gift during the Spring Fundraiser, which ends Sunday, March 15, will also receive a limited edition WDET skyline water bottle.

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

A voter citizenship proposal that aims to have voters show proof of citizenship in Michigan was presented at a committee hearing in the state House this week. On the latest episode of MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben discuss the partisan divide this proposal has caused.

Plus, Michigan Secretary of State and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson stops by to share her concerns about the proposal and why she decided to run for governor of Michigan.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• Proof of citizenship for Michigan voters draws partisan divides
• Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s take on the proposal
• Benson’s gubernatorial run

Speaking with Roth and Kasben, Benson clarified that she isn’t opposed to the idea that voters must show proof of citizenship before casting a ballot — and in fact, as she pointed out, Michigan already requires it — but noted how excessive requirements can be burdensome on many.

“…additional requirements, especially the onerous ones in the Save Act that, among other things, would require the name on a resident’s birth certificate to match the name on a voter registration form – that, to me, is not a reasonable requirement,” she said.

The proposal at the federal level, known as the SAVE Act, would require voters to register in person with either their birth certificate, a U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate. Other documents like a Michigan driver’s license, state ID, or military ID would not meet the requirements of the proposed bill, nor would a Michigan REAL ID.

Additionally, voters would lose their ability to register to vote by mail or online, overwhelming local election clerks and making elections much harder and more expensive to administer, according to the Michigan Secretary of State’s office.

Benson also noted that the proposed legislation could jeopardize the voting rights of more than 2.2 million women in Michigan whose married names don’t match what’s on their birth certificate.

More from WDET:

• Republican campaign finance complaint filed against Secretary Benson
• The Metro: 60 years since Voting Rights Act of 1965
• Non-US citizen faces felony charges after allegedly voting in Ann Arbor

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover new water rates, upcoming road closures and more.

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

City shares emergency response improvements

The City of Detroit is improving the city’s emergency response to Detroiters living on the streets. This improvement comes on the heels of the tragic deaths of 9-year-old Darnell Currie Jr. and 2-year-old Millah Williams Currie. The two died on Feb. 10 after being exposed to freezing cold temperatures while sleeping in a van. The children’s two other siblings, mother and grandmother were in the van as well. The car turned off in the middle of the night while they were sleeping. The family slept in this van for months waiting on the city’s homelessness response team.

This improved response is a 7-point plan aiming to do everything possible to reach every unsheltered person in need of emergency:

1. Require site visits for all families with minor children
2. Give special attention to finding families in vehicles
3. Expand helpline to 24 hours
4. Double number of drop-in beds
5. Expand night outreach teams
6. Continue successful use of police precincts as havens for safety and referrals
7. Expand street outreach and education

To check out this plan and discover resources the city provides, visit detroitmi.gov.

99th Dearborn Memorial Day Parade announced

Dearborn will be hosting the 99th year of Michigan’s oldest Memorial Day Parade this year. The parade will return to its original route in East Dearborn. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. on May 26, 2025.

The city is inviting military and veteran groups, marching bands, and community and school groups from Dearborn and neighboring communities to apply to be a part of the parade. Go to dearborn.gov/memorialday to sign up and get more information. All forms are due April 18.

Interfaith Day of Unity

The Interfaith Day of Unity is going down on Sunday, March 2 from 4-6 p.m. at the Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit. Organizers say this event will be a chance to experience the power of connection, peace and shared purpose.

There will be deep reflection from people of diverse faiths, vibrant culture with music, dancing and traditions, and a call for unity. For more information, visit detroitinterfaithcouncil.com.

Detroit Film Theatre celebrates Oscar Sunday

And finally, this Sunday is 97th Oscar Sunday. To celebrate, the Detroit Film Theatre is hosting their annual program showcasing the year’s nominees in both the short animation and short live action categories in a single ten-film presentation. There will be an intermission separating the categories. Watch the nominated films and make your own decisions as to which film should take home the coveted Oscar trophy. For tickets and more information, visit dia.org.

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

Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her second-to-last State of the State address and she urged Michiganders toward unity and togetherness. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben discuss the major elements of her speech and what stood out the most. Plus, Denise Donohue from the Michigan County Road Association joins the show to discuss potential road funding measures.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• Gov. Whitmer’s penultimate State of the State Address
• How critical is road funding?

Whitmer’s speech was filled with calls for unity and bipartisanship. Will these calls be answered by the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House in Lansing?

“We saw the Legislature strike a deal last week — a significant deal on minimum wage and paid sick time,” said Kasben. “So at this point, I would say anything is possible.”  

Other elements of Whitmer’s State of the State dealt with lowering costs, especially when it comes to housing, getting more men to sign up for post-high school education, and more.

In regard to road funding, Donohue told MichMash that this is the year that road funding should be substantially planned because there is a lot of focus on it.

“We talk about a rising tide of funding lifts all boats; [for] municipalities, counties and the state department of transportation. So for us, it’s been critical that we find new road funding for a while,” she said.

Donohue added that according to Senate Fiscal Agency figures, fewer gallons of gas were sold in Michigan than any time in the last 25 years (with an exception for COVID periods). With a portion of taxes from gas being given to road funding, that decrease hurts road funding as well.  

More from WDET:

• Whitmer asks for bipartisan cooperation, positivity in State of the State speech
• Federal money coming to three Michigan cities for safer, greener roads
• MichMash: Breaking down Governor Whitmer’s $83.5 billion budget proposal

After some compromise, the Michigan Legislature passes a revised version of the minimum wage/sick leave laws late Thursday. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the bills into law early Friday afternoon. As part of the weekly series MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben discuss the reactions. 

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• Whitmer signs minimum wage/sick leave bills
• Fallout from the compromised bills
• House Oversight Committee lays out policy plans

Roth shared how even though these compromised bills were the result of bipartisan efforts, some Democratic supporters aren’t too happy with the result. 

“Union and advocacy groups are traditionally democratic allies, and they are not happy with the outcome,” she said. “So there could be some fallout with democratic lawmakers who pushed for these changes and voted for them.”

We also covered how the Republican-led Michigan House is focused on its Oversight Committee and creating policy priorities. Kasben spoke with state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, the Republican chair of the Michigan House Oversight Committee, who laid out his plans for creating more transparency in the legislature.

DeBoyer said that this new structure of oversight is one that he believes should continue as is because it allows residents to become more comfortable with government. When asked whether Democrats claim that this is an attempt on the Republican-led House to play “gotcha” politics, he said:

“Only the guilty need to feel guilty, right? Only the guilty need to worry. I’m going to put this message out there right now. If anybody listens to this, if you’re behaving in a manner that you shouldn’t be behaving and you work in state government, you need to consider changing your ways.” 

More from WDET:

• New rules give Michigan House Oversight Committee greater subpoena power
• Detroit Evening Report: Gov. Whitmer signs new minimum wage, sick leave policies
• Michigan House passes minimum wage bill

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover significant cuts the Trump administration has made at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5 office in Chicago; a Valentine’s Day concert at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and more.

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

EPA Region 5 office faces cuts

The Environment Protection Agency’s regional office in Chicago is facing significant cuts that could affect Michigan’s ability to respond to environmental threats, Planet Detroit reports. That includes pollution from hazardous waste facilities owned by U.S. Ecology, and leaking from their underground storage tanks. This news comes after about $81 million in environmental justice funding for projects in Michigan was delayed by President Donald Trump’s plan to freeze federal grants.

There are also concerns the agency will be affected by staffing shortages due to the deferred resignation offer by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a nongovernmental task force led by Elon Musk. Union leaders are fearful that these changes may affect an EPA that is still recovering from losing staff during Trump’s first term as president.

Whitmer reports Operation Safe Neighborhoods successes

Michigan Go. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist announced Thursday that more than 800 illegal guns have been taken off the streets due to the Operation Safe Neighborhoods initiative. Since the operation began, law enforcement officials have conducted nearly 8,000 check-ins with felony offenders. During these sweeps law enforcement also recovered illegal drugs and ammunition. This statewide crackdown on guns is aimed at reducing gun violence by getting illegal firearms off the streets. The initiative is run under the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Project Clean Slate

The city of Detroit’s Project Clean Slate initiative is aimed at getting criminal records expunged for free. The goal is to help Detroiters with criminal records get beyond their past mistakes and the stigma associated with them. Legal services will be provided to assess a criminal record and determine how to expunge each record. For more information about this initiative go to detroitmi.gov.

Enjoy ‘Broadway Love Songs’ at the DSO

Today is Valentine’s Day and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will present “Broadway Love Songs,” featuring classic show tunes from “The King and I,” “Cinderella,” “South Pacific,” “West Side Story” and more this weekend, Feb. 14-16. For more information about showtimes or to purchase tickets, visit dso.org.

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, the city of Dearborn is pairing health and the arts. Plus, Verizon is celebrating the Super Bowl in the Motor City.

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

Dearborn receives arts and public health grant

The Dearborn Department of Public Health has been awarded a $12,000 grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council to support arts and culture programs that enhance public health. This grant allows the city to support programs that promote wellbeing through the arts and creative expression. The goal is to foster an environment that sustains connections and opportunities.

DPH will have events that weave public health education and fun creative activities for the city to engage with. For more information about this grant and the opportunities, go to dearborn.gov.

Detroit distributes essential supplies to unhoused residents

Last week, the Detroit Office of Cannabis Affairs joined forces with location organiztions to distribute essential supplies during the annual Detroit Unsheltered Homeless Survey.

Included in this distribution was 107 sleeping bag coats to individuals experiencing homeslessnes. Other resources that they gave out were hygiene kits, warm clothing, and general information about food banks and healthcare services.

The survey also includes a census that provides crucial data about the needs of the homeless population. The City of Detroit is aiming to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness and work toward a more equitable and inclusive city. For more information on this program, go to detroitmi.gov.

New exhibit to open in Southfield

Next Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m., Southfield’s Public Arts Commission is opening its first exhibit of 2025. ‘Convergence: Where Mastery Meets Vision’ will feature nine Michigan artists. The Art Commission also plans to hold a silent auction, community engagement events and install a 98-foot tall piece called “Nine Mile Crossing” that will stand at the corner of Nine Mile Road and Southfield Freeway. This all goes down at Southfield City Hall at 26000 Evergreen Road. The exhibit will close April 30.

Super Bowl FanFest comes to Detroit

To all the Super Bowl fans who are looking forward to the Chiefs and Eagles matchup on Sunday, Verizon is bringing the first-ever Super Bowl FanFest to 30 NFL cities across the country, and Detroit is on that list.

The experience will take place at Ford Field. According to the wireless carrier company, there will be food from local restaurants, meet and greets with local football legends, live music, games, and more to complete this unique football fan experience. Verizon customers can get tickets on a first-come-first-serve basis at verizonfanfest.com. The fandom starts at 4 p.m. on Feb. 9, followed by kickoff at 6:30 p.m.

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

Budget season is here, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has put forth a $83.5 billion proposal that targets environmental measures, mental health, a tax on vapes and more. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth welcomes the return of Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben as they sit down with Bridge Michigan’s deputy editor Jonathan Oosting to discuss what is likely to pass as the budget goes through subcommittees. 

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• Gov. Whitmer’s $83.5 billion budget proposal
• The new proposed tax on vapes
• Gov. Whitmer set to release plan for road funding next week

The legislature needs to pass and present the budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the governor by July 1, 2025. Budget director Jen Flood presented the administration’s spending plan.

“This is not a huge change from previous spending years,” Kasben noted. “The governor wants to boost funding for financial aid, continue funding for preschool for four-year-olds, free breakfast and lunch for schools…” among many other things.

The budget also is making news for what isn’t in it — anything new about road funding. The governor is planning to present that next week.  

Whitmer proposed a new tax on vapes and nicotine pouches. Oosting shared how the budget isn’t receiving strong opposition, but the general sentiment is to spend less than last year.  

“The House Appropriations Chair [State Rep. Ann Bollin] said she is concerned about youth vaping but isn’t sure a tax is something she can support,” he said. “A lot of lawmakers in the Republican House, they’ve signed pledges to not raise taxes at all.” 

This budget was released before the Whitmer’s State of the State Address, which is slated for Feb. 26, 2025. 

More from WDET:

• Michigan supplemental budget proposal includes money for Oxford High School investigation
• Efforts to end flavored tobacco product sales in Detroit get a boost from the CDC
• MichMash: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shares key points from her State of the State address

Good news for Detroit homeowners. Home values in the city increased an average of 19% in 2024, with 99% of neighborhoods seeing an increase compared to the previous year, according to the mayor’s office.

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

Detroit homeowners gained $1.4 billion in new wealth last year from the appreciation in the value of their homes. This is the second largest gain in the city’s history.
This rise in value will be reflected in the city’s annual proposed property tax changes for 2025.

Even though the values increased, taxes won’t see a large increase due to the tax cap protections in the Michigan Constitution. Any home purchased prior to 2024 that gained value would see a property tax increase of 3.1% or less compared to last year’s rate. Only when the home changes ownership will the cap be lifted — and the new amount for the new owner will be based on the State Equalized Value the year following the transfer — and that new tax is protected by the cap.

For more information on how these changes affect you go to detroitmi.gov.

Other headlines for Friday, Jan. 31, 2025:

• The Detroit Police Athletic League will host a workshop for girls ages 11-17 on Saturday, Feb. 15, designed to help them learn how to construct a self-care routine and set goals through team building activities.
• The 67th annual Detroit Boat Show will open at Huntington Place on Saturday, Feb. 1 and run through Feb. 8.
• The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will present Prokofiev & Price featuring American Concert Violinist Randall Goosby and Conductor Christein Reif at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. For tickets go to dso.org.

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

Many in Washington and across the state of Michigan were shocked by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters’ announcement this week that he will retire from Congress when his term ends in January 2027. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow discuss who could possibly fill the vacant seat. Plus, Detroit Mayor and Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan joins the show to share more about his decision to run for governor as an independent. 

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• Sen. Gary Peters announcing his retirement from the U.S. Senate
• Who could potentially take Peter’s seat in 2027
• Mayor Mike Duggan shares why he chose to run as an independent

The aftermath of Peters’ announcement is potentially creating shifts into prospective candidates vying for Michigan political leadership. Roth expressed how the news give Democrats another hurdle to overcome.

“Democrats must be fuming,” she said. “Not to mention we might see some spill over effects on the governor’s race.” 

Speculation might influence potential gubernatorial candidates such as Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and State Sen. Mallory McMorrow to change their minds and consider the soon-to-be open Senate seat.

Later on in the show, Mayor Duggan shared what inspired his decision to run for governor as an independent, saying it was more of a logical assessment than a risky maneuver.  

“Look at the Gallup poll that they did for the last 40 years on party preference. Last year when they said, ‘What party are you associated with?’ [The polls showed] that 27% were Democrats and [those numbers] were dropping; 27% were Republicans and [those numbers] were dropping; 43% were independents and rising.” 

Duggan said he feels confident that he will be able to work with both parties better as an independent candidate. 

The Michigan gubernatorial race and U.S. Senate election will be on Nov. 3, 2026.

More from WDET:

• Detroit Evening Report: Activists, leaders share resources for immigrants; Gary Peters won’t seek reelection + more
• Democratic US Sen. Gary Peters says he’s already working with former campaign foes
• Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will run for Michigan governor in 2026 as independent

The GOP-led Michigan House passed two bills this week to curb some of the changes to the state’s minimum wage and paid sick leave laws set to take effect next month following a Supreme Court ruling. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow talk to Danielle Atkinson of Mothering Justice and state Rep. Bill Schuette (R-Midland) about the general support and opposition towards the change. They also discuss Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s entry into the 2026 gubernatorial race.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• Jocelyn Benson’s bid for Michigan governor
• Pros and cons of Michigan’s new minimum wage, paid sick leave laws
• Michigan House passing bills to scale back new minimum wage/sick leave laws

Last summer, the Michigan Supreme Court struck down the controversial “adopt and amend” tactic used by the Legislature in 2018 to gut a voter-approved initiative to increase the state’s minimum wage and expand paid sick time. As a result, the state’s minimum wage is set to increase to $12.48 per hour beginning next month, and all Michigan companies will be required to provide their workers at least 40 hours of earned paid sick time annually.

But the ruling has created contention at the state capitol, and bills passed in the Michigan House on Thursday aim to scale back the paid sick leave and minimum wage laws before they take effect.

Atkinson says she opposes the changes House Republicans have presented, stressing the importance of paid sick time for all workers — especially the state’s most vulnerable populations.

“People who work in small businesses that often are exempt from policies. Individuals that are working to survive the effects of domestic violence,” she said. “We wanted to make sure this law covered ‘safe days,’” or paid days off for those facing unforeseen circumstances.

Schuette called the new paid sick leave law an “unworkable policy” for most small businesses in Michigan and said it will result in fewer opportunities and fewer jobs.

“I think this is about protecting both employees and small businesses, it’s both sides,” Schuette said. “That’s why you’re seeing a lot of workers saying ‘I like my current structure…I like to be able to bank my leave [of absence]’…It would be better to have small businesses with flexibility in their paid time off policy, than this one size fits all, top-down dogma.” 

The House bills now go to the Democrat-controlled Senate.

More from WDET:

• House committee advances bills to slow minimum wage increases, scale back paid sick leave guarantee
• MichMash: Michigan minimum wage increase to take effect in February
• Detroit Evening Report: Gov. Whitmer advocates for guaranteed paid leave in Michigan