Several attorneys general filed a new lawsuit to prevent the U.S. Department of Education from terminating school-based mental health grants. Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel has joined the lawsuit.  

The projected cuts equal about $6 million in funding from Michigan schools and universities. Members of Congress allocated $1 billion to address school shootings. The grants are focused on bringing in 14,000 mental health professionals into low-income rural schools. Programs have provided services to over 775,000 students across the U.S.  

Nessel’s office says in a statement that grantees were notified in April last year that their grants may be terminated for conflicting with the Trump administration’s priorities or be targeted for perceived DEI initiatives.  

A court order last year says the administration should not eliminate programming for mental health care in schools. The department said it would review grants at the 6-month mark and make further funding determinations. However, the department plans to terminate funding by this month, prompting the new lawsuit.  

The attorneys general allege that termination of the grants violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution. Termination of the grants would also disrupt the pipeline to get more mental health professionals into the field and lay off those who are already working to address the concerns. 

Additional headlines from Monday, July 13, 2026

DOJ says it will send poll monitors to Detroit

The Trump administration is questioning how Michigan conducts elections. That includes demanding lists of registered voters and threatening Michigan’s Secretary of State with criminal charges if any non-U.S. citizens cast a ballot. The U.S. Justice Department said it intends to send monitors to polls in Detroit, Lansing and East Lansing. All Democrat-led cities. 

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey says allegations that the city had long lines and a lack of ballots at polls are not true. 

Winfrey says Detroit’s election system is transparent and above-board, and she welcomes legal poll monitors watching it in action.  

“And transparency strengthens public confidence. So we don’t mind groups coming in to observe… as long as they don’t get in the way of processing voters and the voting process.” 

President Trump has often made baseless claims that Detroit’s elections were rigged against him despite investigations finding no evidence of any widespread voting fraud. 

-Reporting by Quinn Klinefelter. 

Oncology app

There’s a new app for oncology clinical trials. The Barbara Ann Karmonos Cancer Institute has launched a new version of the KCI Clinical Trials App, where clinicians and people can find out updated information about clinical trials for more informed care.  

People can use the app to contact specialists for questions about trials and learn about opportunities or referrals. Karmanos offers clinical trials for various kinds of cancers including brain, gastrointestinal, and sarcoma. Visit karmanos.org/clinicaltrails to learn more. 

Rising Voices art exhibition

The Asian American advocacy group Rising Voices is hosting an artist exhibition. It will display the art of Michigan Asian American artists Chelsea Koga, Maikue Vang, Navjeet Kaur and Julia Koza. There will also be performances and time for networking.  

The “Revolution, Resistance and Joy,” exhibition opening night takes place July 17 from 6-9 p.m. at the Swords Into Plowshares Gallery in Detroit. The event is free with registration.  

Sazon Festival

There’s a Latin food festival coming to Detroit. Latin City is hosting this outdoor, family-friendly festival with food and music.

The Sazon Latin Food Festival will showcase flavors from the Caribbean, Central and South America. Space is limited. The event takes place Sunday, July 26 at the Batch Brewing Company from 12-5 p.m. Registration is free but spots are limited.  

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Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson met with a group of community leaders on Friday to discuss planning for new zoning rules for data centers. The city passed a resolution last month supporting a two-year data center moratorium.

The group that met consisted of the city’s planning commission, members of the mayor’s administration and the Detroit Economic Development Corporation, as well as DTE Energy and other tech experts.

Residents across the state have spoken out against data centers, citing concerns over energy costs, lost farmlands, and air, noise, and water pollution. The group will hold its next meeting on May 8. 

Additional headlines for Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Senior Citizen Solid Waste Discount

The City of Detroit is looking to help ease property taxes for seniors by opening the Senior Citizen Solid Waste Discount applications early so that the 50% off discount can be applied to homeowners’ summer property tax bills. The deadline for early application is tomorrow, April 15.

The solid waste fee this year is $270, but with the discount seniors would only pay $135. To be eligible, homeowners must be at least 65 years old, their home must be their primary residence and the applicant must be listed as the property owner on the city’s tax rolls.

For more information or to apply visit detroitmi.gov/dtsc.

Volunteers needed for Motor City Makeover

The City of Detroit is looking for volunteers for this year’s Motor City Makeover program. The program is a city-wide cleanup and beautification effort set for three Saturdays in May. 

Volunteers clean up the city as well as plant trees and flowers and distribute vegetable plants. This year, youth can submit a design for a new Motor City Makeover T-shirt. For more information visit motorcitymakeover.org. 

Rising Voices hosts potluck, seeks to hire Community Navigator

The nonprofit group “Rising Voices” is hosting a potluck celebration called Feast of Resistance. This year’s theme is “building the table together” with the goal of celebrating Asian American and other immigrant communities by looking at how their stories live in the food they make and the spaces they create together.

The event will be held on Sunday May 2 from 5-9 p.m. at the Association of Chinese Americans Community Center. That’s at 32585 Concord Drive in Madison Heights. The event is free and open to the public. For more information on upcoming events check out their website: risingvoicesaaf.org. 

Rising Voices is also looking to hire a Community Navigator. The role is a full time, hybrid position for one year with the possibility of extending the position.

The Community Navigator will help connect community members to legal resources, mutual aid, and essential support. Lived experience, organizing, or volunteer work is welcome. Training will be provided.

Ford Fireworks nominated for national recognition

The Parade Company announced that USA Today has nominated the Ford Fireworks as one of the best places in the country to see fireworks this summer. The show is recognized as one of the largest of its type in the country. The public can vote online daily.

Voting ends on May 11 at 11:59 p.m.. The Ford Fireworks will be held on Detroit’s riverfront on Monday June 22. 

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