Ex-Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO William Smith was sentenced to 19 years in prison on Thursday for embezzling more than $40 million from the nonprofit over an 11-year period.

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Smith, 52, was employed as the Conservancy’s chief financial officer from 2011 through May 2024. Throughout the majority of his time in the role, Smith orchestrated various schemes to embezzle millions of dollars in funds from the organization, according to court documents.

The Conservancy funds — which are provided to the organization through private donors and public grants — were used by Smith to live a lavish lifestyle, spending enormous amounts of money on luxury items like designer clothing, jewelry, cruises, private jet travel and more.

Smith pleaded guilty in November to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. In addition to the 19-year sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Susan DeClercq ordered Smith to pay back around $48 million in restitution. 

Smith will remain free on bond for now, before reporting to prison at a later date. 

–WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

Other headlines for Thursday, April 24, 2025:

• Detroit will soon be the headquarters for the tech startup Churchspace. Nicknamed the “Airbnb for Churches,” the company provides a platform for churches to rent out their spaces and facilities for supplemental income. Churches interested in learning more can attend Churchspaces’ informational event on May 30. 
• The city of Dearborn unveiled its second inclusive playscape at Ford Woods Park, located at 5700 Greenfield Rd.
• The Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is hosting their 41st annual Art Auction Benefit “Canvas and Couture” from 3-6 p.m. this Sunday at the Detroit Delta Headquarters, 24760 West Seven Mile Rd., Detroit. The benefit showcases the works of local artists in various mediums.
• Detroit Fashion Revolution Week is wrapping up this weekend with several events.

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

The Michigan Immigrants’ Rights Center is raising concern over a new agreement Jackson County Sheriff’s Department has entered with Immigrations Customs and Enforcement.

Known as the Warrant Service Officer program, the contracts allow officers that work in jails to serve and execute administrative warrants for immigrants in their system, and detain them until ICE can come and finish the deportation process.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January that encouraged local law enforcement departments to enter into the special agreement.

Christine Sauve, a spokesperson for the Michigan Immigrants’ Rights Center, says the agreement will decrease public trust and could increase instances of racial profiling.

“Community members of all different immigration statuses are more likely to come forward and report crime or participate in investigations if they know that their local officers are keeping their work separate from that of immigration, customs and enforcement,” Sauve said.

MIRC is also concerned that patrols officers may also be encouraged to make more arrests of immigrant residents for minor infractions as well.

“Officers may only ask people for their immigration status and check if there’s an ICE administrative warrant depending on the color of their skin, or how they speak English with an accent or some other signifier on their clothing,” Sauve said.

The program does not provide any additional funding for the efforts of officers.

Sauve says local tax dollars should only be used to enforce local laws, and federal tax dollars can be used for the work of federal immigration enforcement.

The deer population has increased significantly in southeast Michigan, and as a result, so has the number of deer-related car crashes.

The high population has other negative impacts as well, such as crop damage and forest regeneration issues, leading some local communities to seek options for culling deer populations.

Chad Fedewa, a deer expert with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said the absence of natural predators in the area creates the perfect conditions for deer to repopulate quickly.

“Fifty to sixty years ago there weren’t many deer in southeast Michigan,” he said. “But over the decades, we’ve done a pretty good job of restoring deer populations in the state, and they have become very accustomed to living in and around people.”

Some people have suggested trapping and moving deer or sterilization, but Fedewa says those methods are more timely, costly, and not effective. Instead, he says, professional shooters are the most effective, practical and humane option for culling deer in urban areas.

“Sharp shooting methods [are] very effective, you can remove a pretty significant number of deer in a small amount of time,” Fedewa said. “And often these programs are done in conjunction with process where those deer do get donated to food banks.”

Regulated hunting and some archery programs have been used in the past to manage deer populations, but aren’t ideal for suburban and urban areas. Fedewa says professional sharp shooters would be optimally suited as they use specialized equipment that minimizes public disturbance.

The cities of East Lansing, Farmington Hills and Ann Arbor are all considering multiple strategies for managing deer population, including sharp shooting.

An independent study by the International Association of Assessing Officers has found that claims of systemic overassessments in Detroit are false, the city reported on Wednesday.

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City Assessment Director Alvin Horhn says the latest study proves those claims to be false.

“The [International Association of Assessing Officers] study shows Detroit residential property assessments at the level (50% of market value) required by State law — a fact which has been annually confirmed by the Wayne County Equalization Department,” he said. “This puts the issue to rest once and for all.” 

Over a two-year period the Coalition of Property Tax Justice has appealed hundreds of properties. But Horhn says most of those appeals were denied.

“I think that’s as telling as anything else,” he said. “They’re making these claims of overassessments, but even the ones that they appeal themselves, they overwhelmingly lose.”

The report will soon be presented to city council.

Other headlines for Thursday, April 17, 2025:

• The Michigan Department of Transportation is reminding drivers that the department does not operate toll roads after a recent text scam regarding unpaid tolls to MDOT.
• The Detroit Institute of Arts is bringing back its Inside|Out  program for its 16th year. The program brings reproductions of the DIA’s collection to outdoor spaces across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.
• The DIA is also presenting the 88th Annual Detroit Public Schools Community District Student Art Exhibition April 18 through May 25. The exhibition will feature a diverse array of artwork from paintings to drawings, photography, ceramics, and more.
• The Home Depot Foundation is expanding a former nursery nunnery on Detroit’s west side into a transitional housing facility for women and veterans in need. Updates were made to All Things Women Inc.’s facility on Thursday, with 100 volunteers participating.

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

Detroit’s General Service Department is looking to increase the tree canopy across the city to improve citizens’ quality of life. The department is accepting requests from residents for tree plantings in their neighborhoods.

The free program is open to residents and small businesses to plant a tree on the berm in front of their property.

Savion Stephens, tree planting program manager for the city of Detroit, says trees can help improve residents’ quality of life.

“And what that looks like is improving air quality over time, conserving water, reducing soil erosion, filtering runoff, reducing flooding, and even things like lowering energy costs and raising property values,” he said.

Trees are also known to trap pollutants such as dirt, ash, pollen and smoke which can help those with asthma.

Stephens says the city plants over 50 different species of tree throughout the city.

“They’re primarily urban tolerant trees for public and private property, including some native species like oak and elm,” he said.

The planting process involves three phases: utility marking, tree location marking, and tree planting. Eligibility for a tree is assessed based on site conditions, including utility lines and soil quality.

The city has planted up to 14,000 trees annually through this program.

Residents who would like to request a tree must fill out this form.

Detroit’s five reasons to plant a tree

1. Clean air. Trees absorb pollutants and improve air quality, reducing respiratory issues.
2. Cooler summer. A single tree can lower temperatures by up to 10°, providing shade and cutting cooling costs.
3. Stronger neighborhoods. Tree-lined streets increase property values and create a more welcoming community.
4. Flood prevention. Trees absorb excess rainwater, reducing the risk of street flooding.
5. Wildlife Habitat. Trees support birds, bees, and other beneficial wildlife, keeping our ecosystem balanced.

Michigan-based helicopter tour company, MyFlight, celebrated a groundbreaking for its new headquarters in Detroit on Wednesday.

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The 12,000-square-foot building will be at the Coleman A Young Municipal Airport. It’s the first new commercial development at the site in 60 years. 

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says this expansion is the beginning of more development projects for the airport. 

“Before spring is over, there’s going to be another groundbreaking down there of another corporate hangar for jets, and then there’ll be another after that,” he said. “Next year, they’re going to take that air traffic control tower and start to build a new one on the other side of the airport, to open up the airfield.”

Duggan says the airport also plans to build a new administrative building and make several runway safety improvements. 

MyFlight Tours headquarters is expected to open in late 2025. 

Other headlines for Thursday, April 10, 2025:

• The city of Dearborn reported a 34% drop of overdoses and six fewer deaths from overdose for the years 2023-2024. Dearborn Health Department’s Director Ali Abazeed says the department’s Narcan vending machine at the Dearborn train station has helped reduce those numbers.
• Michigan State University and Apple are partnering to bring a manufacturing academy to downtown Detroit. The free program will be open to small and medium businesses to help them implement advanced manufacturing practices, including AI and smart manufacturing techniques.
• The Matrix Theater Company is hosting an 18+ puppet karaoke event from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday, April 11. Participants can sing live or lip-sync, or have someone else puppeteer while you sing on stage or behind the curtain.
• The Detroit Zoo will be giving guests free entrance to the park this weekend with the donation of an old electronic device.
• April 15 is tax day, and the state treasurer is urging residents to use this weekend to get their taxes filed and out the way.

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

Over 3,000 faculty, staff and students at the University of Michigan held an emergency meeting after the university announced it would close its Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

The closure is a response to the Trump administrations efforts to end DEI programming at colleges across the country.

The announcement, which reportedly resulted in at least 10 staff terminations, came as a shock to many across campus.

“It was just kind of, you know, a mixture of faculty and students and staff that were concerned about what’s going on and kind of felt blindsided by this,” said Mariel Krupansky, a lecturer at U-M.

Concerns raised during the meeting included the treatment of non-union staff, job security for DEI-aligned roles, and broader implications for academic freedom.

Krupansky also shared fears that decentralizing DEI programs could leave students without accessible resources.

“I predict that students will have more trouble finding out that they even exist and know that they have access to them,” she said.

Krupanksy said while she believes that DEI programs may have been an imperfect tool, the university’s decision was not reflective of the whole campus.

“I think the fact that over 3,000 people tried to show up to an emergency meeting… is evidence of that,” she said. “For those people who are doing that work every day, this is devastating.”

UM-Flint took a different approach to the announcement and rebranded DEI efforts under the umbrella of “Wolverine Hub of Opportunity, Persistence, and Excellence,” or HOPE.

“The fact that U of M Ann Arbor chose not to go that route, I think is telling,” Krupansky said.

She adds that the university’s decision to close the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion under threats from the Trump administration sends a bad message.

“President Ono, the regents and other university administrators are telling [Trump’s administration] that the university can be threatened into compliance and that they are not willing to litigate or challenge executive orders that clearly extend beyond the executive’s constitutional power,” Krupansky said.

University staff, faculty, and students launched the website umdeidefense.com to keep the campus up to date on future news and efforts to push back on the decision.

The University of Michigan responded to an interview request by saying it’s “passing on interview opportunities at this time.”

The nonprofit Greening of Detroit says the severe flooding caused by a recent water main break in Southwest Detroit may have affected the trees there, but they won’t know until May or June.

The Greening of Detroit plants city-tolerant trees that can sustain conditions like heavy pollution and flooding from clogged storm drains — or in this case — a water main break. The nonprofit planted nearly 250 trees in Southwest Detroit in 2021.

Fai Foen, director of green infrastructure at the Greening of Detroit, said the group chose urban tolerant trees to protect them from issues like this.

“We plant trees in Southwest and other parts of the city that might be exposed to pollution, air pollution, whether it’s manufacturing or a highway,” she said.

Foen says people are more of a danger to trees than the environment.

“You know, like, if it’s in a park, you know, the kids see the branch there may grab it. Or, like you can’t control for all the individuals that walk by a tree and just want to give it a good grab,” Foen said. “And I think the hidden trees that are being mown and maybe nicked at the base of the tree causes damage, but it’s like a death from like 1,000 cuts over a longer period of time.”

Foen said the flooding did not last long enough to have a lasting effect on the trees. But they won’t know for sure how much they were affected until the trees wake from their dormant period.

Michigan lawmakers are debating the best way to increase funding to maintain the state’s roads, but a new report from the Citizens Research Council argues that there are ways to make better use of the money the state already has available. 

Eric Paul Dennis, a research associate of infrastructure policy at the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, says the biggest road block the state faces in distributing funds effectively for roads is Public Act 51.

“It was supposed to be a 15-year-long construction program. It was scheduled to sunset originally in 1967,” Dennis said. “And the idea was once we used these construction dollars to build out a road network, that law would be sunset and it would be replaced with something more appropriate for ongoing maintenance.”

However, instead of replacing the law with a more sustainable road funding approach, lawmakers have repeatedly amended it.

“I believe it’s now been amended over 300 times,” he said.

Dennis said one of the main criticisms of the current system is the outdated methodology used to distribute funding. He added that the state has better equipment and technology to assess the condition of roads, and can make better decisions on allocating funds based on that.

“We can automate data collection now, computers do everything. We send that data to a mapping server or something, and that can give us much more precise, much more usable information about what our road network looks like,” Dennis said.

A significant portion of that funding has been directed toward expanding highway capacity rather than maintenance.

“The money that we are getting, we’re spending a decent part of that putting down more and more pavement,” he said.

But Dennis said adding more roads will only increase spending in the long run.

“When you do that, you’re imposing long-term maintenance liabilities. Thinking about things like that, I think, would go a long way in assuring that we can get to a financially stable situation in our road funding,” he added.

Detroit attorney Todd Perkins announced his bid for mayor this week, making him the eighth candidate to enter the race to succeed Mike Duggan.

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The North End resident vowed to cut the city’s property and income taxes. Perkins says lower taxes will send a positive message about Detroit’s future.

“I think that the idea of reducing taxes, starting off with a reduction, would be a sea change, and would be into the idea of spurring growth, not only bringing people back to the city, but also bringing companies back to the city,” he said during a press event on Wednesday.

Perkins’ campaign also includes a promise to add 8,000 new homes to the city and rehabilitate 2,000 existing vacant properties.

“I want to put people in homes. My preference is, is people want that white picket fence with the plot of land? But the reality is, getting people into quality housing is the most important thing,” he said.

He also intends to conduct a comprehensive audit of the city’s finances to ensure fair assessment and spending.

“I want to study those issues, and I want to make sure that people who are being taxed, are being taxed fairly, because I don’t want to run people out of the city.”

Perkins also vowed to improve public safety by putting more closed-circuit TV cameras in the most crime-ridden areas.

Running on the campaign slogan “Better Days Ahead,” Perkins believes his experience as a lawyer and his deep connections with residents of the city makes him the perfect candidate for mayor.

“I’m excited for what’s to come,” he said.  “I’m excited about leading, and working as a partner with other cities, as the mayor, as a servant to the citizens of (the) city of Detroit, and I just believe better days are ahead with the right leadership.”

–Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley, WDET News

Other headlines for Thursday, April 3, 2025:

• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has recognized April as Arab American Heritage Month to celebrate the contributions of Arab Americans in various sectors. 
• The city of Detroit is hosting a Public Health Week next week, April 8-12, with free health screenings, wellness resources and activities, Narcan distribution, immunizations and more.
• The city of Detroit on Thursday unveiled $700,000 worth of improvements to Milan Park, including new trees, a second playground, fitness equipment and a renovated soccer field.
• The city of Detroit, block clubs and community groups are joining forces to clean up neighborhoods next month as part of the annual citywide clean-up and beautification initiative, Motor City Makeover 365.
• The MENA Chamber of Commerce is hosting its first MENA Heritage Night with the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, April 9.

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

Today on the Detroit Evening Report, we cover the ramifications of last night’s storms, new city-wide projects and upcoming community events.

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Power outages across the state

DTE Energy says about 22,000 customers had no power this morning after severe thunderstorms Sunday night caused widespread damage in the lower peninsula. Consumers Energy reported 163,000 homes and businesses were without electricity as well. DTE estimated power would be returned to 95 percent of customers by the end of the day.

Monroe Streetscape Project breaks ground this week

The Greektown Neighborhood Partnership will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the Monroe Streetscape Project on Wednesday, April 2. The project will focus on improving the safety and accessibility for pedestrians in the corridor. Improvements include wider sidewalks and outdoor café spaces, a flexible, curb-less roadway, and reduced lanes to slow traffic. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026.

Career and education assistance program launches

The City of Pontiac is collaborating with Oakland80 to launch a series called Career and Education Navigators to assist residents in applying for financial assistance to attend college, find jobs, and get other services. Multiple resources will be available to job seekers and residents looking to further their education, including locating scholarships, financial assistance to pay for books, supplies, childcare and transportation. It will also include job seeking services.

The events are free and open to all Pontiac residents. The program kicked off today, March 31, in Pontiac City Hall and will take place every Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit pontiac.mi.us.

MDOT looking for snowplow designs

The Michigan Department of Transportation is accepting applications for 2025-2026 Paint the Plow Program. MDOT is looking for submissions from students on creative and original designs to be painted on snowplow blades in an effort to communicate safe winter driving practices for all Michigan residents.

The program is open to all Michigan high schools. The application deadline is Friday, May 16. Selected schools will be notified before the end of the 2025 school year and arrangements will be made for the delivery of their plow blade in the fall. Interested schools can visit michigan.gov/painttheplow for more information and to submit their design.

Easter Funfest Carnival planned for April 19

The Detroit Department of Recreation is hosting the Easter Funfest Carnival on Saturday April 19. The event will feature bike giveaways, an Easter basket giveaway, carnival rides and food trucks. There will also be an Easter egg hunt, Oompa Loompa sack race, face painting, pony rides and a petting zoo. The carnival will run between 1–5 p.m. at Lasky Recreation Center. For more information, visit their Facebook event page.

Detroit yard waste collection begins

Yard waste collection in Detroit begins today, March 31 and ends December 19. The curbside pickup will occur alongside weekly trash pickup. For more information, visit detroitmi.gov.

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

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Thursday that over 90 percent of the families displaced by the water main break and subsequent flooding in Southwest Detroit have returned to their homes.

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The city has replaced 125 furnaces and 126 hot water heaters in affected homes, with just a few left that need replacing.

Resident Deanna Dooley has lived on Rowan Street for 20 years. She says she was impressed with the response from the city.

“When we woke up in the middle of the night, none of us knew what we were going to do,” she said. “But within 24 hours, at least we all felt safe again. We weren’t whole, but we were safe.”

Dooley says her furnace, hot water heater and all the electrical wiring in her basement were replaced and her family is back in their home.

Homeowners who still need to make a claim have until Thursday, April 3 to file. Duggan says the emergency hotline for repairs will be discontinued on Sunday. Anyone who still needs help can call 877-311-3664. The Notice of Claim form can be found in English and Spanish at detroitmi.gov. 

Other headlines for Thursday, March 27, 2025:

• President Donald Trump announced yesterday  25 percent tariffs on cars and light duty trucks imported into the US. That will have an impact on Detroit’s Big Three automakers. Ford Motor Company has three plants in Mexico, and reportedly sent roughly 176,000 cars from there to the US just in the first half of 2024. General Motors imported about 750,000 vehicles into the US from Canada or Mexico last year. Stellantis also has assembly plants in Mexico and Canada. Congresswoman Debbie Dingle supports the tariffs, but says car companies and suppliers need time to adjust to them. She says while the tariffs could bring companies back to the US, it won’t happen overnight.
• Detroit City Councilmember Fred Durhal is hosting a career support and opportunities event for returning citizens. The Dress for Success resource fair will provide professional support and other help to returning citizens in Detroit. Residents can pick up donated business casual attire, receive help writing resumes and get interview etiquette training. The event will be Friday, March 28 from 2–4 p.m. at Covenant Community Care on 17625 Joy Road. To register and learn more, visit @freddurhal3 on Instagram.
• Signup for the Plan Detroit Policy Workshops is now open. The workshops allow Detroit residents to sound off on decisions that will affect Detroit neighborhoods, environment, culture, transportation and economy. Participants will sit in on guided discussions, collaborate with residents and work directly with city planners to develop policy recommendations. Workshops begin on Saturday, April 12 at the Joseph Walker Williams Community Center. To register, visit plandetroit.com.

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

Editor’s note: The above audio incorrectly states that the Detroit Department of Transportation is seeking $2 million budget increase to hire more bus drivers and replace old buses. The correct figure is $20 million.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we share the latest on the shooting at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital; a rally against cuts to Medicaid outside Michigan Congressmen John James’ office and more.

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Suspect arrested in Troy hospital shooting

Police have arrested a man suspected of shooting a co-worker inside a parking garage at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital Thursday morning. Troy police say the shooting took place just after 7 a.m. The 25-year-old victim is in stable condition after being shot in the arm. The hospital, nearby schools and some roadways were locked down during the search.

Rally for Medicaid

Roughly 100 unionized health care workers and others depending on Medicaid payments gathered outside the office of Michigan Congressman John James on Wednesday, asking him to vote against cuts.

Protesters say cuts to the federal portion of Medicaid could cost health care workers their jobs, and force nursing homes to close. Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib joined the rally — miles away from her own constituents — to argue that the votes of three or four of her Republican colleagues could save the insurance program.

“Because Medicaid cuts would devastate so many of my families in my district. And I know if John James could just join us to choose the people that elected him, not Trump or Elon Musk, and all of us will have his back if he chooses to do the right thing,” Tlaib said.

Congressional Republicans are considering changes in Medicaid to help cover the cost of President Trump’s planned tax cuts. 

Auto industry braces for layoffs

Car dealers and UAW local leaders are bracing for possible layoffs as a result of the Trump Administration’s tariff war.

Inventory on car lots are high and consumer confidence is weakened as buyers contend with potential price increases. Many UAW leaders told the Detroit Free Press they are concerned the tariff war will disrupt production at plants. Last week, President Trump announced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from all countries, which will impact carmakers. 

RenCen’s Tower 600 sold

The Renaissance Center’s Tower 600 was sold in a small auction Wednesday for $9.2 million. The winner is currently unknown.

The bidding started Monday at $2.75 million. The auction comes at a time when the future of the rest of the Renaissance Center is in limbo. Tower 600 has 334,000 square feet and is only 11% occupied. 

DDOT seeks budget increase

The Detroit Department of Transportation is asking for a $20 million budget increase to hire more bus drivers and replace old buses. DDOT officials told city council they expect to hire 63 more drivers and replace 45 buses. The department is also looking to add or upgrade at least 60 shelters with solar lighting, USB charging ports, and improved access and benches. DDOT runs 169 buses in the morning and 179 in the afternoon. The department’s current budget is near $170 million.

Volunteers sought for Southwest Detroit care packages

The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) is holding an event on Saturday to collect and assemble care packages for the residents that were affected by the recent flood in Southwest Detroit. ACCESS will be accepting donations of items such as personal, feminine, and dental hygiene products; pillow and blankets, and non-perishable food items. The nonprofit is still looking for volunteers. The event will be held between noon and 2 p.m. at the ACCESS Headquarters Gym in Dearborn. 

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

Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd has been selected as Michigan’s third poet laureate. Boyd is an award-winning author and retired professor of African American Studies at Wayne State University.

Dr. Boyd has authored 13 books, nine of which are poetry collections. Her works “Death Dance of a Butterfly” and “Roses and Revolutions: The Selected Writings of Dudley Randall” were recognized as Michigan Notable Books. In 2023, the Kresge Foundation honored her as the Kresge Eminent Artist.

“I’m humbled that the powers that be decided that I was worthy. And it’s exciting,” said Boyd.

As poet laureate, Boyd will engage with students, educators and community members through readings and workshops. She plans to incorporate interdisciplinary arts into her programming, collaborating with musicians and other artists.

“I want to encourage people to appreciate poetry, to read it more and to realize how much can be gained from it,” Boyd said. “Poetry is the most intense form of writing — it is like dancing, while prose is like walking.”

Boyd succeeds Nandi Comer, who served from 2023 to 2024.

Boyd will serve a two-year term. More information about the Michigan Poet Laureate program can be found at michigan.gov/poetlaureate.

Consumers Energy is exploring the potential use of geothermal energy to heat and cool homes in some Michigan neighborhoods. The utility is conducting a study, funded by a grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission, to determine cost-effective locations where geothermal systems could have the greatest impact.

“Our focus is one on places where we know that customers really need help with paying their bills, and so we want to reduce their costs as much as possible. Which network geothermal is incredibly efficient,” said spokesperson Tracy Wimmer.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems rely on the Earth’s constant underground temperature of about 55 degrees. These systems use a network of pipes and pumps to circulate water, drawing heat into buildings during winter and dispersing it in summer.

The study will also identify which cities have poor air quality and would benefit most from reduced emissions.

“For example, you have a business that actually needs to keep it pretty cool year-round; they can be pushing that heat out, but then other homes nearby, for example, on the system, can be using that heat. So not only is it efficient for the individual homes, but it’s efficient for whole communities,” Wimmer added.

Consumers Energy expects to complete the study by the end of the year.

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

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Lower water rate hike approved

The Great Lakes Water Authority has voted to approve a water rate hike that is lower than it originally proposed. After listening to dozens of public comments, the authority lowered the proposed rate hike from nearly 8 percent down to 5.9 percent.

GLWA Board Member and Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Director Gary Brown thanked the board for working with Detroit’s finance team to decrease the hike.

“We could recognize in our rates in Detroit, it is not as low as most people will want. Certainly, we feel this will fit the needs of affordability in the city of Detroit. So again, thank you for working closely with us to get these numbers down.”

The decision comes a week after an authority-owned water transmission main broke and affected 400 homes in Southwest Detroit.

Legislation proposed to better track students

A new bill that would improve the tracking of students from one school district to another is expected to be introduced in the Michigan legislature.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard helped draft the bill. He says the goal is to ensure that confirmation of a student’s transfer doesn’t end at the request for transcripts. The new legislation is a response to an abuse and neglect case in Pontiac.

“That one school doesn’t presume the other school now has the kids, because what happened was they never actually moved to the new school, and the prior school district just dropped them from their enrollment.”

In the Pontiac case, three children never attended school after allegedly being left alone in their home by their mother for several years.

WSU raises free tuition threshold

Wayne State University is raising the income threshold for a free tuition program. The university is now offering free tuition to Michigan families that make $80,000 or less. The offer is renewable for up to four years.

Incoming freshmen must be applying to the university for the first time and be Michigan residents. Residents must be eligible for the Pell grant in 2025. They must be enrolled full time and have submitted their FAFSA by April 1, 2025.

Dearborn air pollution lawsuit settled

Pro-V Enterprises, an industrial waste processing company in Dearborn, has settled a lawsuit against the city for air pollution. The company has agreed to invest up to $4 million in improvements to its operations to mitigate air pollution by June 30.

The city claimed “fugitive” dust that the company’s trucking vehicles carried was a danger to residents’ health. The company is required to make improvements including planting trees, replacing stormwater systems and annual inspections.

Dearborn to provide free iftar meals

For the first time ever, Dearborn Public Schools will provide free iftar meals for students to take home during Ramadan. Middle and high school students can pick up the to-go meal during school hours, but cannot eat the meal at school. Ramadan starts Friday night.

I-696 closure starts Saturday

As a reminder for drivers, eastbound I-696 will be closing between M-10 (The Lodge) and I-75 freeways for two years starting Saturday, March 1. It’s the final phase of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Restore the Reuther project.

Westbound traffic will be maintained while both sides of the freeway will be rebuilt between Lahser Road and I-75. The project work includes rebuilding the roadway, bridge work and drainage structures.

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

Detroit Water and Sewerage will begin repairing damage caused by the massive water main break in Southwest Detroit next week.

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The department will clean out and sanitize basements, as well as perform hot water heater, furnace and electrical repairs.

DWSD Director Gary Brown says residents whose water has been restored will still be under a water boil advisory.

“When we put a service line back in service, we must test the water for bacteria twice, 24 hours apart,” he said. “So it will take 48 hours for the testing to take place.”

Southwest Detroit residents who were affected by the water main break on Monday can now file a claim for losses on the city’s website. DWSD will work to cover deductibles and any losses outside of what insurance will cover, Brown said.

The city hopes to get all homes repaired and families moved back in within six weeks, he said.

Residents who need assistance to make a claim can call the city at 313-774-5261.

Other headlines for Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025:

• Reverend Solomon Kinloch Jr of Detroit-based Triumph Church launched his campaign for Detroit’s mayor Wednesday night.
• The Islamic Center of Detroit is hosting a deep dive into Malcolm X’s Wayne State speech and how his commitment to Islam shaped his activism at an event titled “100 years of Malcolm X: A Legacy Unfinished,” taking place at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the Islamic Center of Detroit.
• Detroit Parks and Recreation will continue its Winter Fest festivities this weekend with events planned at Rouge Park from noon to 4 p.m. and at the Butzel Family Center from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22.
• Detroit is looking for talent to perform at Detroit Parks and Recreation events. The city is looking for DJs, poets, singers and rappers, bands, dancers, and artists. Auditions for performers will take place from 1-5 p.m. on March 8 at the Northwest Activities Center.

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