Detroiters who use I-94 to get to and from Metro Airport are about to experience some delays. The Michigan Department of Transportation is starting a three-year construction project this week.

Thirteen miles of the freeway from Dearborn to Romulus will undergo major renovations, including concrete work, bridge work, and the rebuilding of the Ecorse Road interchange. I-94 will be reduced to two lanes in each direction during construction. Officials say drivers will continue to have access to Metro Airport from I-94.

Airport security increased

The next time you go to Metro Airport, you might notice some differences. The Detroit Free Press reports the airport has installed 9,000-pound concrete barriers in front of the McNamara terminal entrance.

The change was prompted by an incident last month in which a man drove his car through the front door at the departure level of the McNamara terminal and into a ticket counter. No one was hurt. Officials say the crash was not an accident.

Additional headlines for February 4, 2026

Candidate forum on education

Several of Michigan’s candidates for governor will gather in Detroit on Friday to discuss education. The Michigan Education Association is hosting a forum on the subject, saying it gives state residents a chance to hear from candidates on the issue.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, former Attorney General Mike Cox, former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson are scheduled to appear. The forum runs from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Friday at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.

Ish celebration of life Sunday

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce will hold a tribute to Ismael Ahmed on Sunday. The community activist and civil rights leader died last weekend.

Ahmed had a major impact on metro Detroit, co-founding the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services. He also played a crucial role in the creation of the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.

The Celebration of Life in Honor of Ismael Ahmed takes place Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Ford Performing and Community Arts Center in Dearborn. The event is free and open to the public.

Pistons trade Ivey

The Detroit Pistons have traded guard Jaden Ivey in a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ivey goes to Chicago. The Pistons receive Kevin Huerter, Dario Šarić, and a first-round pick swap with the Timberwolves. Minnesota receives luxury tax relief.

Gaming Control Board issues warning

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is warning gamblers to protect themselves in the days leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. The agency says residents should only place bets with state-authorized sportsbook operators and online platforms.

Officials warn that unlicensed gaming can lead to identity theft or the loss of wagering money. The Gaming Control Board is also urging Michiganders to bet responsibly.

The American Gaming Association estimates more than $1.7 billion will be wagered on the Super Bowl. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Detroiters are dealing the many effects of frigid weather.  One of them is frozen infrastructure.  The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department says there are more than 50 active water main breaks across the city.  The results can include impassable streets, thick ice, and cars on the street frozen in place. 

City officials say there are also 275 fire hydrants that are out of service. 

DWSD Director Gary Brown spoke with WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley about the impact of the freezing weather. 

He says the department is getting many calls from residents dealing with frozen pipes inside homes.  Brown advises them to keep the house heated and insulate pipes on outside walls to keep pipes from bursting and damaging homes. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

Wayne State locked down 

Wayne State University was locked down for a couple of hours last night after a shooting in one of its residence halls.  Police say a fight between people who knew one another took place at the Chatsworth Suites, near the Student Center.  Shots were fired.  

Police were dispatched, but the people involved had already left the building  Students were advised to shelter in place as officers searched for the suspects.  A firearm was recovered.  Police determined there was no further threat to the campus community and the all-clear was given to around midnight.

No arrests have been made yet. 

Perry Johnson joins governor’s race 

Michigan businessman Perry Johnson says he’s running to become Michigan’s next governor.  The Republican announced his bid in a video earlier this week. 

“I know people say it can’t be done.  Nonsense.  We can make Michigan great again.  I’m Perry Johnson and I’m running for governor of the state of Michigan.” 

Johnson ran for governor in 2022, but his campaign did not collect enough valid signatures and failed to make the ballot.  He also ran for president in 2024.  Johnson joins the race for the Republican nomination with more than half a dozen other candidates.  The primary election takes place in August. 

Jared Goff going to Pro Bowl 

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is going to the NFL Pro Bowl.  He will take the place of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who will be busy preparing to lead that team in the Super Bowl.  Goff finished the season with more than 45-hundred passing yards – second best in the league. 

The Lions failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Detroiters are bracing for another round of dangerously cold weather.  Temperatures late this week are forecast to drop below zero with extreme wind chills.  A cold front will pass through the state, dropping high temperatures into the single digits on Friday and Saturday.  Friday night’s low will be 10 degrees below zero.  Wind chills could reach nearly minus 30. 

Severe cold weather can lead to frostbite—skin damage caused by freezing temperatures—or hypothermia, where the body’s temperature falls below 95 degrees.  If that happens, get medical attention immediately.  

Throughout the cold spell, Detroit’s recreation centers and libraries will serve as places you can go to get warm.   

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026

City helps residents with tax credits 

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has helped to launch a program aimed at getting city residents to claim the tax credits they’re entitled to.  The city is working with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the Accounting Aid Society, and the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency.  The coalition will advise Detroiters on how to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credits when doing their taxes this year.  

Residents making less than $69,000 per year can get free tax preparation through the program.  Officials say the city helped Detroiters get $450 million in Earned Income Tax Credits last year.  Residents can call 2-1-1 or visit www.getthetaxfacts.org for more information. 

Heart attack numbers drop 

The American Heart Association says the number of fatalities from heart attacks and strokes is down in the United States. The organization says there were 915,000 deaths related to cardiovascular disease in 2023.  That’s down from 941,000 in the previous year.  

Despite the reduction in fatalities, heart attack remains the largest cause of death in the U.S., followed by cancer, accidents, and stroke.  

The Heart Association says African-American communities continue to have a disproportionately higher risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. 

Lincoln moves HQ to Detroit 

Automotive News and the Detroit Free Press are reporting that Lincoln will move its headquarters into the Michigan Central Depot in Corktown.  

The division of Ford Motor Company is currently housed in the company’s Glass House on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, but that building is closing and will be torn down.  Ford’s world headquarters has moved to a new building in Dearborn near the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. 

Gas prices rise 

Gas prices in metro Detroit have jumped in the past month.  A gallon of self-serve unleaded now averages $2.89.  That’s up from $2.79 in late December.  

Analysts say prices remain relatively inexpensive because of low demand and production of winter formulations of gasoline.  Even so, AAA says Michigan is still one of the 10 most expensive states in the country for gas. 

Winter car care

With the extreme cold weather we’re expecting this week, keep your gas tank at least half full.  Make sure your tires are properly inflated and you have windshield wiper fluid.  Get your battery checked.  Driving with an emergency kit, including first aid materials, a flashlight, snacks, a shovel and a blanket is a good idea in case you get stuck in the snow. 

AAA Michigan says if you get stranded, stay in the car for shelter unless it’s not safe to do so.  Call for help and put your hazard lights on.  

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Detroit Auto Show officially begins Wednesday as the event’s media and industry days get underway.  Hundreds of journalists from around the world are in town to see the latest offering from Detroit’s automakers and other manufacturers.  

Detroit Auto Dealers Association executive director Sam Klemet says this year’s show will be unlike any other in recent history. “It’s one thing to look into the rearview mirror of what has been.  That kind of takes your eyes off the road ahead.  I think that people who come to the 2026 show will have a very different, positive engaged experience that we haven’t had in a number of years.  So, I think it will be a show that really resets the tone of what the Detroit Auto Show is all about.” 

The charity preview takes place on Friday evening.  The show opens to the public on Saturday and runs through Jan. 25 at Huntington Place in Detroit. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

NACTOY awards announced 

The 2026 North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year awards were announced today.  A group of 50 automotive journalists rate the vehicles on several criteria, including design, safety, technology and performance.  

The 2026 Car of the Year is the Dodge Charger.  The Truck of the Year is the Ford Maverick Lobo.  And the Utility Vehicle of the Year is the Hyundai Palisade. 

Trump speaks to Detroit Economic Club 

President Trump traveled to Detroit Tuesday to connect with the auto industry.  He toured the Ford Rouge plant in Dearborn and talked with company leaders before heading into the city to speak to members of the Detroit Economic Club at the Motor City Casino.  

During his wide-ranging remarks, the president touted the strength of the economy and claimed that affordability is a “fake word”. He also made allegations of rigged elections and called for stronger voter identification requirements. 

Trump protests shadow Econ Club event 

Hundreds of demonstrators showed up outside of the Motor City Casino Tuesday to protest against President Trump and his administration’s policies, particularly those involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  

The protest was peaceful, but Detroit Police did arrest a couple of people for failing to move when ordered to do so. 

Detroit casino revenue surpasses $1 billion 

Detroit’s three casinos earned more than $1.2 billion in revenue last year, according to numbers released by the Michigan Gaming Control Board Tuesday.  Nearly 80% of that came from slot machines. 

The three casinos are reporting lower revenues for December.  The gaming houses brought in $105.1 million last month.  That’s down more than 5% from December 2024.  MGM Grand held nearly half of the city’s gaming market at 49%.  Motor City controlled 29 % and Hollywood Casino at Greektown held 22% of the market.  

The three casinos paid $12.4 million in taxes and wagering agreement fees to the City of Detroit last month.  They paid another $8.4 million in taxes to the State of Michigan in December. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Flu cases are on the rise across Michigan.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control say the state has a “very high” level of doctors’ visits for respiratory illnesses.  That’s the top category in the country.  

Doctors recommend children and adults over 65 get a flu vaccine to prevent serious illness and limit the risk of hospitalization.  Officials say only about a quarter of Michigan residents have received a flu vaccine this season.   

The state says 8% of emergency room visits last week were because of flu-related illnesses.

Additional headlines for Jan. 7, 2026

Homicides fall

The number of homicides in Detroit continues to fall.  

The city had 165 murders last year.  That’s the lowest number since 1964.

The police department says other crimes, such as non-fatal shootings and carjackings also fell last year. 

DTE introduces new fee 

DTE Energy will soon begin charging a fee for customers who pay their bills by credit or  debit card.  That’s according to the Detroit Free Press.  Residential customers will pay $2.99 per transaction.  Business customers will be charged $9.99 per transaction when they pay by debit or credit.  The Detroit utility says the fee will go directly to third party vendors who  process those payments.  The change is set to take effect on March 2^nd. 

Gas prices 

Gas prices have risen slightly in metro Detroit over the past week, but they remain below $3 per gallon.  Triple A Michigan says the average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded is $2.83.  That’s up about five cents from a week ago.  Last year at this time, Detroiters were paying an average of $3.!0 per gallon. 

Temperature rising

Detroiters can expect a bit of a weather warm-up in the next couple of days.  The National Weather Service says temperatures will rise into the upper 40s tomorrow and we might even break a record with a high forecast to be in the upper 50s on Friday.  

The reality of winter returns on Sunday and Monday though, with highs in the 30s. 

Morton fired

The Detroit Lions have fired offensive coordinator John Morton after a disappointing season.  The team failed to make the playoffs this year with a record of nine wins and eight losses.  

Morton called plays for the offense in the first 10 games of the year, but head coach Dan Campbell was not pleased with the team’s inconsistent performance.  Campbell took over offensive play-calling duties in game 11.  

Morton became offensive coordinator last year after the departure of Ben Johnson, who left the Lions to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears.  Chicago won the NFC north division this season and is headed to the playoffs.  The Lions finished last in the division this season. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Over the holidays…the Detroit Evening Report team is sharing some of the stories we produced for the radio this year. Today, we hear a story from WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley.

A survey by the Entertainment Software Association found that 86% of veterans turn to gaming to reduce stress and anxiety. Bre’Anna Tinsley spoke to Stephen Machuga, who founded a nonprofit that supports mental health for veterans through gaming. Before creating Stack Up, Machuga spent eight years in the army.

That’s just part of Bre’Anna Tinsley’s interview with Stephen Machuga who founded the veteran support nonprofit Stack Up. You can hear the full story at wdet.org.

Additional headlines for December 31, 2025

First Day Hike

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is encouraging Michiganders to spend the first day of 2026 outdoors. The “First Day Hike” is an option for state and national parks. The Friends of Maybury State Park host a New Year’s Day hike every year. Recreation passes are required for vehicles entering state parks. You can find Michigan trails close by or across the state at michigan.gov/dnrtrails.

New year wishes

Decked Out Detroit’s “Create” program is offering a holiday crafting workshop tomorrow (Thurs). The Shadow Boxing New Year’s Wishes Workshop is a chance to make a shadow box and fill it with wishes for 2026. The workshop is from 1 to 3 p.m. at 1413 Woodward Avenue. Search for “create by decked out Detroit” on Eventbrite to register.

Markets open until January 4

Shopping at the Downtown Detroit Markets and warm drinks at the Cadillac Lodge at Cadillac Square are also available New Year’s Day and through January. For more information, visit downtowndetroit.org.

Pistons at home

The Pistons host the Miami Heat at Little Caesars Arena New Year’s Day. The game starts at 7 p.m.

Stay safe

And of course, there will be plenty of New Year’s Eve celebrations tonight.  Make sure to select a designated driver if you plan to drink. 

Diana Ross

If you’re staying home tonight, Motown legend Diana Ross will headline Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve.  The live New York based show featuring several artists starts at 8 p.m. on ABC television.

Happy New Year!

The Detroit Evening Report will take a break for the holiday, but we’ll be back on Friday – ready to bring you all things Detroit in 2026. 

From all of us here at WDET, Happy New Year!

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says the city generated a $105 million budget surplus in the last fiscal year. 

He credits strategic decisions by city staffers for the savings.  It’s the 11th annual budget surplus in a row.  The mayor says the city now has a rainy-day fund of more than half a billion dollars. 

The announcement was part of Duggan’s last news conference as mayor of Detroit.  He is now running as an independent to become Michigan’s next governor. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

Sheffield swearing in 

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has announced that she’ll have a public swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 9.  The celebration will give Detroiters a chance to watch the proceedings in person or online. 

Sheffield and members of Detroit City Council will officially be sworn into office on New Year’s Day.  The Jan. 9 event will take place at the Detroit Opera House.  It’s free and open to the public.  

Government offices closed 

Christmas Day is a federal and state holiday, meaning government offices will be closed Thursday.  That includes the post office – so there will be no mail delivery.  Detroit government offices will also be closed Thursday. 

Most private businesses will be closed for the holiday as well. 

Last minute shopping 

Expect malls and shopping centers to be very busy tonight as consumers rush to pick up a few last-minute gifts before Christmas. 

Don’t wait too late, though.  Several retailers will close early tonight – and won’t be open at all on Thursday.  That includes the region’s major grocery stores. 

CVS will be open on Christmas Day, but hours may vary by location. 

Gas prices fall 

If you’re on the road over the holidays, there’s good news for you.  Gas prices have been falling.  In metro Detroit, a gallon of self-serve regular now averages $2.84.  That’s roughly where it was a week ago, but that price is 21 cents cheaper than last month at this time. 

Metcalf suspension 

The NFL has suspended Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf for two games following an altercation with a fan during the team’s game in Detroit last Sunday.  

Metcalf will miss this weekend’s game in Cleveland and the regular-season finale against Baltimore. CBS-TV cameras captured the confrontation between Metcalf and a fan during the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 29-24 win over Detroit.

The fan leaned over the railing and exchanged words with Metcalf before the Steeler ended the confrontation by swinging his arm at the fan’s face. (AP) 

Lions-Vikings 

And the Detroit Lions play their next to last game of the regular season on Christmas Day.  The team travels to Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North battle. 

The Lions’ playoff hopes are holding on by a slim thread after their loss to Pittsburgh. 

Detroit now has a record of 8 wins and 7 losses. The Vikings have seven wins and 8 losses.  

Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. ET Thursday.  The game will be televised on CBS 62. 

DER holiday schedule

Detroit Evening Report will take a break for Christmas Day – then we’ll have a week of special stories for the holidays. 

From all of us here at WDET, merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield says she will retain Todd Bettison as the city’s police chief.  

In a statement released Tuesday, Sheffield praised Bettison’s results – citing Detroit’s record drops in violent crime – including the lowest homicide rate since the mid-1960s.  

Bettison had a 27-year long career in the police department, before becoming Detroit’s Deputy Mayor in 2022.  Mayor Duggan made him Police Chief earlier this year after former Chief James White left to become the head of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. 

Additional headlines from Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Sewer tunnelling project  

The Great Lakes Water Authority is starting a new project with the goal of alleviating sewage overflows in parts of Southwest Detroit.  The authority will hold a ceremony Thursday to launch the assembly and operation of a tunnel-boring machine.  

The $87 million infrastructure project will eventually build a three-quarter mile long tunnel that will redirect excess rainwater and snow melt away from the normal system into the Oakwood Retention Treatment Basin.  The GLWA says that should reduce sewage levels and overflows into the Rouge River.   

The tunnelling is scheduled to begin in the spring. 

North Corktown housing 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced a new housing development in Detroit’s North Corktown neighborhood.  

The project will create 23 new apartments and retail space.  About 30% of the apartments will be classified as affordable housing.

The state is providing a $1.5 million grant from its Revitalization and Placemaking program.  The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation is also providing a $530,000 low-interest loan for the project. 

Trump addresses the nation 

President Donald Trump says he will deliver an address to the nation tonight.  He announced the action Tuesday on his Truth Social platform.  The president did not immediately say what the subject of his speech would be.  

The live address from the White House takes place at 9 p.m. and will be available on select broadcast and online platforms. 

Windsor street renaming 

Just across the river, the Chaldean Association of Windsor is holding a special street renaming ceremony.  

A section of Marentette Avenue will get the secondary name “Chaldean Way.”  Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and other officials will be on hand for the ceremony.  The association says there are thousands of Chaldeans living in and around Windsor. 

 The event takes place at 3 p.m. on Friday. 

Christmas Eve one week away 

And Christmas Eve is just a week away.  That means many merchants around Detroit will be busier than normal as residents do their holiday shopping.  

Many large retailers will have extended hours to accommodate additional shoppers.  Independent stores may have expanded hours too, but check before you go.  

And if you haven’t been downtown in a while, you can look for several new shops, especially along Woodward Avenue near the new Hudson’s building.  

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Detroiters had to deal with a messy commute this morning – as snow overnight turned to rain, making a slushy mess on area roads and sidewalks.  While northern suburbs received as much as five inches of snow, the city got about two inches before rain moved in. 

The National Weather Service says the rain is expected to turn back into snow this evening.  Temperatures will drop through the day as a cold front moves into town.  Make sure to shovel your sidewalks or driveways today, because any slush will freeze tonight, with lows dropping to around 19 degrees.  Highs for the rest of the week will only be in the 20s.   

The Detroit Public Schools Community District closed today because of the weather.  Students, teachers and staff got to stay home and all district buildings remained closed.  Hundreds of other schools in metro Detroit were also closed today. 

With temperatures expected to fall into the 20s over the next few days, the City of Detroit has put out a list of places where residents can warm up.  The city’s 13 recreation centers will be available.  Some will be open until 7 p.m.; others until 9 p.m.  Detroit Public Library branches are also places where you can go to warm up. 

Additional headlines from Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Detroit casino earnings rise slightly 

Detroit casinos brought in just over $108 million in revenue last month.  That’s up one-tenth of a percentage point from November 2024. 

MGM Grand retained the top spot in Detroit with 47% of the market share.  Motor City had 30%.  Hollywood Casino at Greektown controlled 23% of the market. 

The three casinos paid $13.2 million in taxes and development agreement payments to the City of Detroit last month.  They paid another $8.6 million in taxes to the State of Michigan.  

Kilpatrick wants restitution cut 

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick wants to have a federal judge reduce his restitution payments. 

Kilpatrick appeared on WJR saying assets previously seized and restitution already paid should cover the remainder of what he owes the city. 

The Detroit News reports Kilpatrick owed the city hundreds of thousands of dollars last year at this time.  He was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison on racketeering conspiracy and other charges, but President Trump commuted his sentence in 2021.   

Court refuses to block marijuana tax 

A Michigan Court of Claims judge has declined to block a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana in the state less than a month before it’s scheduled to go into effect.

However, Judge Sima Patel allowed the challenge to the tax to proceed.

The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association claims the new tax is unconstitutional because it improperly alters a 2018 ballot measure that legalized the drug. Patel disagreed, writing that the new law was “another tax,” not an amendment to the ballot measure.  

Detroit celebrates free “Rides to Care” 

The City of Detroit is celebrating its “Rides to Care” program.  Over the past year, the service has provided more than 20,000 free roundtrip rides for pregnant women and caregivers of babies up to a year old to get to medical appointments. 

The goal of the program is to make it easier for those women to get to important prenatal and early childhood medical care. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.