Detroiters are bracing themselves for another round of storms on Wednesday night.

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Area residents dealt with sleet and rain during their morning commutes as scattered thunderstorms moved through the region. The National Weather Service has placed most of metro Detroit under a Flood Watch from 8 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday morning, with risk of high winds, heavy rain, and the possibility of hail or an isolated tornado.

The heaviest rainfall is expected to develop overnight, with NWS estimating up to two inches of rain. That could lead to rising water levels in creeks and streams. Low-lying areas could be affected as well, and residents who have experienced flooding during past heavy rain events are encouraged to check their basements through the evening to make sure water isn’t backing up.

Temperatures will rise into the 60s during the evening hours.  

Other headlines for Wednesday, April 2, 2025:

• The city of Highland Park issued a boil water advisory for residents this week after receiving complaints about low water pressure over the weekend. Officials say they’ve been working to modernize the city’s system by replacing water mains and installing master meters in different parts of Highland Park.
• Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed is stepping down to “consider a future opportunity in Michigan,” after serving in the position for two years, County Executive Warren Evans announced in a news release Wednesday.
• State Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) announced Wednesday that she is running for the U.S Senate seat that will be left open by outgoing Sen. Gary Peters.
• Detroiters are waiting to hear details about tariffs that President Donald Trump says he will implement Wednesday, on what he calls “Liberation Day.” Trump is expected to deliver late afternoon remarks about the subject in the White House Rose Garden. 

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

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered his final State of the City address Tuesday night, speaking to an invitation-only crowd at the new Hudson’s development in downtown Detroit.

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Duggan spent much of the speech reviewing the city’s successes over the past decade, and focused on some highlights of the past year — such as the lowest homicide rate since 1965 and growth in Detroit’s population for the first time since 1957.   

One of the big challenges for the Duggan administration was the need to eliminate abandoned homes.  There were 47,000 at the start of his tenure.  Last night, he predicted that by the end of the year there would only be 1,000 abandoned homes left in Detroit. 

“Detroit’s biggest battle for the last 12 years has been the neighborhoods, and the 47,000 abandoned houses. I thought we could bring every neighborhood back, and we started by demolishing at rates faster than anybody in the country. But to me the real test wasn’t how many we could knock down…but how many we could save,” he said.

Duggan credited much of the city’s turnaround to the ability of city leaders to work together, instead of fighting and blaming each other for existing problems. Duggan announced late last year that he would not seek a fourth term as mayor of Detroit.

In January, he declared his intentions to run for governor of Michigan – not as a democrat or a Republican – but as an independent. He’s been making stops in different corners of the state since then. 

Other headlines for Wednesday, March 26, 2025: 

• Detroit attorney Todd Perkins has sent out information saying he’ll formally announce the beginning of his campaign for mayor next week.
• Gas prices remain steady in metro Detroit, with AAA Michigan reporting the average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded is $3.10 — the same as it was a week ago. Prices did jump over the past couple of weeks.  Industry analysts say that price increase was due to higher gasoline demand as Americans travel for spring break.
• March Madness continues to capture the attention of metro Detroiters — especially with the state’s two largest universities — University of Michigan and Michigan State — still in contention for a national championship.

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

If you’re headed to the gas station to fill up your tank on Wednesday, you might be in for a shock. 

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Metro Detroit gas prices have jumped seven cents per gallon since Tuesday.  The average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded is now $3.10.  That’s up from $3.03 on Tuesday. AAA Michigan’s Howard Hughey says consumer demand is to blame. 

“As we roll into spring break for a lot of students and families next week, demand typically — as you know the law of supply and demand — as demand increases so do prices sometimes. And so I would assume that we may see a level off after this spring break travel or anticipated spring break travel.”

Gas prices around Michigan average $3.14 per gallon.  That’s up 12 cents from Tuesday.

More headlines for Wednesday, March 19, 2025:

• Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration has announced the date of his State of the City address, next Tuesday, March 25.  The invitation-only crowd will get a chance to see the new Hudson tower development downtown, on the site of the old Hudson’s department store. Duggan is expected to talk about his administration’s accomplishments over the past year. This will be his final State of the City address, as he has started a campaign for governor of Michigan as an independent instead of seeking reelection.  
• Mayor Duggan, City Council President Mary Sheffield and others were on hand Tuesday for the opening of a new residential substance abuse treatment center.  The Anchor at Mariners Inn is a $26 million project that will expand the agency’s services and allow for more residents to be housed there. Duggan says Mariners Inn has been a cornerstone of recovery in Detroit for decades. The development has 40 residential units for those recovering from substance abuse, and another 44 for those transitioning from homelessness.
• The historic Dearborn Inn is reopening after a two-year long restoration project.
• March Madness is underway. The annual NCAA men’s basketball tournament began this week, with a field of 68 teams vying to become national champions.  Both Michigan and Michigan State have been selected to take part in the men’s tournament. Michigan’s first games is Thursday night at 10. against UC-San Diego.  Michigan State plays Bryant at 10 p.m. on Friday. The NCAA women’s tournament is also taking place. Michigan plays the winner of Wednesday’s Iowa State – Princeton game, Friday morning at 11:30.  Michigan State plays its first-round game against Harvard Saturday afternoon at 4:30. 

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 share the latest news on cleanup efforts in Southwest Detroit after the water main break; highlight special events planned for 313 Day and more.

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Cleanup continues in Southwest Detroit

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department said Wednesday it’s making good progress on repairing damage from a major water main break in Southwest Detroit. DWSD Director Gary Brown says fixing residential furnaces, hot water tanks, electrical and plumbing issues are a priority.

“We’re addressing [those issues] first so that we can get people back in their homes while we take care of a punch list of other smaller things while they’re still in the home,” he said.

Brown says he hopes to meet his goal of getting the neighborhood back to normal within six weeks. Dozens of families are still staying in hotels until repairs are completed. 

Michigan report shows unemployment uptick

Michigan gained jobs in January, but not enough to rein in an increase in the state’s monthly jobless rate — which is now 5.3%. The new state jobs report was released on Thursday by the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. Michigan’s January unemployment rate is 1.3% higher than the national rate. Part of that is due to turbulence in the manufacturing sector of the economy.  

–Reporting by Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

Pensole Lewis College of Business launches annual Light School 

The Pensole Lewis College of Business – formerly known as Lewis Business College – has started an annual “Light School” program. The school is offering free night classes across multiple design disciplines such as apparel, footwear and graphics. The experience is funded by the Detroit Pistons, Stock X and the college. Each of the classes runs for six weeks. 

–Reporting by Michale Coffey, WDET

Michigan gas prices steady

Gas prices remain steady in metro Detroit, according to AAA Michigan. The average price for a gallon of self-serve unleaded is $3.01.  Last week, gas was $3.02 per gallon. Prices are down about 14 cents per gallon from the average a month ago. 

Detroiters celebrate 313 Day 

Happy 313 Day Detroit! Named for the city’s legendary area code established in the 1940s, and taking place each year on March 13, 313 Day offers an opportunity for residents to celebrate all things Detroit. There are several events and activities planned around the city, including at the Masonic Temple, Robert C. Valade Park, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, the Joe Louis Greenway and more. Several small businesses like City Bird, Atwater Brewery, Buddy’s Pizza, Mezcal Mexican Restaurant and others have special deals for the day. Many Detroit area McDonald’s locations are also offering a 313 Day meal, which includes a double filet-o-fish, four-piece McNuggets, medium fries and a Vernors Boston Cooler ice cream drink. 

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 former Detroit Police Chief James Craig’s mayoral candidacy announcement; President Donald Trump’s nomination of Dearborn Heights mayor Bill Bazzi as the next U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia; and more.

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James Craig for mayor of Detroit

Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig announced his plans to run for mayor of the city Wednesday morning at an event at the Executive Cuts barber shop in Detroit.

“I stand before you, not as a candidate, but as someone who has walked these streets,” he said.

Craig — who served as Detroit’s police chief from 2013 until 2021 — has previously run for governor of the state and for one of Michigan’s U.S. Senate seats. He campaigned for both of those offices as a Republican.  Craig is now one of several candidates seeking the mayor’s job, including City Council president Mary Sheffield, former Council president Saunteel Jenkins, current Councilmember Fred Durhal III, pastor Solomon Kinloch and attorney Todd Perkins. 

Bill Bazzi named US ambassador to Tunisia

President Donald Trump has nominated Dearborn Heights mayor Bill Bazzi to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia.  Trump made the announcement on his TruthSocial platform. 

In the message, Trump praised Bazzi’s time as a U.S. Marine, and his career at Ford Motor Company. Bazzi became the mayor of Dearborn Heights in early 2021. He’s the second metro Detroit mayor nominated by Trump for an ambassadorship. Trump nominated Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib to become the next ambassador to Kuwait. Both Bazzi and Ghalib must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before the appointments become effective. 

Detroit casinos report revenue dip last month

Detroit’s three casinos are reporting lower revenues for the month of February. Together they posted revenues of $98.8 million.  That’s down 6.4% from the same month last year. 

MGM Grand has the largest share of the market at 47%. Motor City has 27% and Hollywood Casino at Greektown has 24% of the market. Casino profits continue to provide taxes for Detroit. The three gaming houses provided the city with $11.7 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments. The casinos also paid $7.9 million in state gaming taxes last month. 

Detroit Fire Department continues safety webinars

The Detroit Fire Department is holding another of its safety webinars at 6 p.m. this Wednesday to address fire risks associated with cooking, smoking and lighting candles at home.

The city says nearly a quarter of all home fires in Detroit are connected to cooking. Residents walking away from items left on the stove are a major problem. Webinars on other topics are scheduled for April 9, May 14 and June 11.  You can join any of those webinars at DetroitMI.gov/safetyseries. 

City of Detroit to begin yard waste pickup

The city of Detroit says it will begin picking up yard waste again, beginning on March 31. Residents can place grass clippings, leaves and small twigs in paper lawn bags to be collected weekly. Branches and larger twigs should be bundled together and placed at the curb.  Yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected. Detroit’s yard waste program is scheduled to continue until mid-December, when it will take a break for the winter months. 

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

President Donald Trump has paused auto tariffs on vehicles imported from Canada and Mexico for one month.

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.

“We spoke with the Big Three auto dealers. We are going to give a one-month extension on any autos coming through [the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement],” she said. “Reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2, but at the request of the companies associated with USMCA, the president is giving them an exemption for one month, so they are not at an economic disadvantage.” 

Trump spoke with representatives of General Motors, Ford and Stellantis this week. He imposed 25% tariffs Tuesday on imports from Canada and Mexico, including vehicles. 

Those taxes would have eventually raised car and truck prices for Americans by thousands of dollars. 

Other headlines for Wednesday, March 5, 2025:

• Detroit officials will present $300,000 in grants Wednesday night for legacy businesses in the city as part of a new initiative to support small businesses, called the Detroit Legacy Business Project.
• Lafayette Coney Island has reopened after passing inspection by the City of Detroit. The legendary downtown Detroit restaurant had been closed since late January because of health code violations.
• The exterior of the new Hudson’s Detroit building has been completed after builders say the last external panel of glass was installed Tuesday.
• Gas prices in Detroit are under $3 per gallon for the first time in a while, according to AAA Michigan. Analysts say lower crude oil prices have contributed to the trend, but gas prices could rise in coming weeks because of tariffs on imports from Canada. 

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

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her seventh State of the State address at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

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She’s expected to outline her administration’s plans for the next year in the address, covering key topics like her plans for job growth, lowering costs and improving the state’s roads. 

Whitmer initially campaigned on the theme “Fix The Damn Roads,” but critics complain that there’s been only marginal improvements in recent years. 

The address will be held in the Michigan House Chambers in front of a joint session of the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate, and will be broadcast live throughout the state.

“Michigan is a state on the move as we continue working together to create good-paying jobs, fix our roads, and invest in our students and schools,” Whitmer said in a statement. “I look forward to delivering my 2025 State of the State Address where I will lay out my plan to build on our years of strong, bipartisan progress and strategic, fiscally responsible leadership.”

Tune in to WDET 101.9 FM or stream the address live at wdet.org to hear Whitmer’s full remarks and the Republican response, or watch the livestream below.

More headlines for Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025:

• Motorists throughout metro Detroit are preparing for the closure of eastbound I-696 in the city’s northern suburbs. The freeway will be closed between I-75 and Lahser Road starting on Saturday. This phase of the reconstruction project is expected to last two years.
• The Great Lakes Water Authority is seeking a rate increase for water and sewer service. The agency is holding a public hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday, on Zoom and in person at the Water Board Building, 735, Randolph St., Detroit, to discuss the rate increase request.
• The city of Detroit has announced the grand opening of 86 new affordable housing units in the area near Woodward between downtown and Midtown.
• Officials from the Detroit Lions are in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Combine, an event that gives the league’s 32 teams a chance to review hundreds of college players in advance of the April draft.

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 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.