Detroiters receive home deeds through Buy Back Program

The City of Detroit celebrated 88 Detroiters today who received deeds to their homes after successfully completing the Detroit Land Bank Authority’s Occupied Buy Back Program.

The Buy Back program gives Detroit residents who live or have lived in Land Bank owned homes a chance to become the new owner. Requirements included paying property taxes in full, completing financial literacy counseling, and attending homeownership workshops. Since its inception, the program has given deeds to 1,363 residents.

Additional headlines

State House votes on food assistance restrictions

The state House voted to require photos and signatures on cards loaded with money for state food or cash assistance.

Republican sponsors say it would cut back on fraud, though studies have shown fraud is rare and that extra layers of red tape often keeps people who need the benefits from getting them.

Democratic Representative Penelope Tsernoglou says the bill would add extra steps without effectively addressing fraud.

“This bill will cost our state millions of dollars annually with savings to the state being determined as ‘indeterminate, but likely negligible.’”

The bill now goes to the Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate, where its chances of passing are low.

Whitmer issues vaccine access directive

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive directive today that could lay the groundwork for the state to broaden access to the COVID-19 vaccine. But it doesn’t have a lot of specifics.

Currently, only those over the age of 65 or with underlying medical conditions can get the shot in Michigan without a prescription. That is under recent FDA restrictions.

Whitmer’s directive tells state health officials to remove barriers to vaccine access to ensure the shot remains widely available in Michigan. Other states are requiring insurers to cover vaccines recommended by their health departments, or broadly authorizing pharmacies to administer the shots.

Queer short film showcase at the Carr Center

Mighty Real/Queer Detroit is putting on a short film showcase called “Queer Diasporic Horizons.” The program is curated by artist and filmmaker Billy Gerard Frank.

The selection of queer short films explores themes of belonging, exile, and migration. The program line-up includes the films Never Stop Shouting by Abdellea Taia, The Distance of Time by Acrlos Omeno Palma, I Was Never Really Here by Abriel Arrahino and Vallerie Gabriel Bihina, and Carnival Queen by Sekyia Dorsett.

The showcase is Saturday, September 20 at 7 PM at the Carr Center on 15 E Kirby Street.

Women’s business workshop set for September 20

The Detroit Women’s Commission is holding a one-day business workshop for small women-owned businesses.

The event will provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to get all of their basic essentials done at one time, from getting their business license certified to registering a business.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, September 20 from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Northwest Activities Center.

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

While Donald Trump is in the United Kingdom meeting with prime minister Keir Starmer and the King of England, the highest-ranking U-S official on American soil is Vice President JD Vance. The VP visited Michigan yesterday, making a stop at a metal stamping plant in Howell.

Vance toured the facility before delivering a speech to a room of largely conservative supporters. The visit came one week after conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered by a gunman in Utah.

Vance shouted out Kirk for his embodiment of conservative values and success in attracting youth into the Republican party. Main talking points also centered around President Trump’s economic policy and deployments of the National Guard.

“We deserve to be safe in our communities again,” said Vance, “and that’s what the president is making happen.”

Vance told the crowd he would be happy to see the National Guard deployed in Detroit, calling on Governor Whitmer to ask for the White House’s assistance. That’s despite crime rates in the city trending down in recent years.

Vance said the White House’s economic policies will make things cheaper for families.

“We talk about no taxes on overtime,” said Vance, “which we are proud to deliver — the lowest taxes we’ve had in this country in a very long time.”

Michigan Democrats have countered the president’s spending bill and economic policies have hurt residents around the state, driving up prices on things like healthcare and groceries.

This weekend is ripe with opportunities to welcome fall and celebrate diverse cultures, plus musical performances and art fests galore! Next Thursday is the annual Spelling Bee fundraiser for the Dominican Literacy Center.

Don’t miss your chance to be present and support local organizations and businesses. 

Upcoming events

Ascension Exhibit by TYP

Big Pink (6440 Wight St, Detroit, MI 48207)

  Friday, Sep. 19 through Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

This art exhibit blends the designed environment with audio to immerse its audience in an intimate exploration of the relationship between life’s struggles and spiritual growth. The exhibit is open from 6-10 p.m. on Friday and from 12-10 p.m. on Saturday.

DIY Street Fair

Downtown Ferndale

  Friday, Sep. 19 through Sunday, Sep. 21

  Free

Over 150 local artists with quality crafted goods, along with food trucks and live music. The event runs from 6-11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Funky Ferndale Art Fair

Downtown Ferndale

  Friday, Sep. 19 through Sunday, Sep. 21

  Free

Browse a unique selection of fine 2D and 3D art pieces, make your own masterpieces, and enjoy spirited music, dance, and circus acts. Attend at no cost Friday from 5p.m. – 9p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to  5 p.m.

WDET is a partner of the Funky Ferndale Art Fair.

1st Annual Community Treehouse Fall Concert

Passage to Wellbeing Alley 

  Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

The inaugural Fall Concert at the Community Treehouse Center opens with a debut of “I Am Light” by Tammy Black, performed by the Urban Art Orchestra . Other performances include Detroit’s Queen of Blues Thornetta Davis, Detroit Reggae Rock and Soul Band and more! Bring your own seating. This event runs from 3-7 p.m.

Palmer Park Harvest Fest

Palmer Park Community Center

  Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

Take part in a Palmer Park tradition, celebrating the first official days of fall with apple tasting, cider and donuts available to the first 500 guests free of charge. You and your family can take part in the petting zoo, arts and crafts, and watch live entertainment from 1-4 p.m among an old growth forest.

DTE Community Concert

The Hawk

  Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

Enjoy a classical music program performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra that includes premiere selections from “313: Six Vignettes for Orchestra” by Detroit’s Composer Laureate Patrick Prouty. The music starts at 7 p.m. Reserve your tickets in advance.

Chicano Fest

Batch Brewing Company

  Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

Celebrate Chicano culture with live music, lowriders, lucha libre and more. Activities for all ages, from noon-10 p.m.

Brazilian Day Street Festival

Vamonos!

  Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

The 4th annual Brazilian Day Street Festival opens with a lively parade and offers dance workshops and competitions throughout the day. Canja de Boa will be performing live. Join anytime from noon-7 p.m.

Dominican Literacy Center Spelling Bee

Jam Brandy 

  Thursday, Sep. 25

  $40 or $35 for participants

The annual Dominican Literacy Center Spelling Bee raises funds for the organization to continue their mission of helping adults improving their reading and writing skills. This benefit is hosted by Stephen Henderson with guest Dame Wilburn from Moth Story Hour and goes from 6-9 p.m.

With the stroke of a pen, President Trump approved a $1.1 billion cut in July that ends federal support for public media, jeopardizing independent journalism across America. Now, rural and tribal stations face severe cuts or closure, and stations like Detroit Public Radio, which depends on hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in federal funding, might never be the same.

This should concern every American who cares about democracy. The U.S. stands among a select few nations with a truly free press, protected by the First Amendment. But democracy doesn’t sustain itself; it demands active support.

Here at WDET, I am proud to say our journalists are part of that scaffolding. We speak truth to power, hold government officials accountable, and bring you essential reporting that digs into what local leaders are doing and how it affects you.

How WDET works for its community

On The Metro, the daily news and culture show I co-host with Tia Graham, we put local leaders in the hot seat and amplify unheard community voices daily.

Without this type of independent journalism, democracy weakens.

I am also proud to say that, unlike so much of the media competing for your attention, public broadcasters like WDET do not chase clicks or corporate sponsors — our mission is rooted in the public interest. That independence makes us a watchdog against corruption, a provider of emergency alerts, and a trusted news source.

But because we inform people honestly, it upsets powerful people — those who benefit from public ignorance or propaganda.

Without a free press, power goes unchecked, transparency disappears, and trust erodes. In the absence of local independent media, who is holding city council accountable? Who is investigating your local school board or monitoring law enforcement transparency? Studies show when local news disappears, voter turnout drops, polarization rises, and people feel less connected to their community.

A rising trend

While the erosion of local journalism may feel gradual, the danger to press freedom is neither new nor confined to city limits. Around the world, journalists face harassment, imprisonment, and even death for pursuing the truth. We don’t need to look further than the Committee to Protect Journalists to see myriad documented examples of that, abroad and here in the U.S.

But let’s fix our gaze abroad for a moment, because this playbook — weakening independent media — is a timeless tactic deployed by authoritarian rulers across the globe.

In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has packed its public broadcaster with loyalists. This has silenced critical voices and rewritten national narratives.

In Poland, the ruling party seized control of public media, firing hundreds of journalists. It has turned it into a government mouthpiece.

Without a free press, power goes unchecked, transparency disappears, and trust erodes

In Greece, the government abruptly shut down ERT—public radio and TV—with no warning, claiming cost savings, then it hijacked its equipment. It was seen as an attempt to silence independent media.

In Argentina, the far-right President Javier Milei dissolved Télam, the national news agency founded in 1945, accusing it of being “propaganda.” Observers say this is part of his battle with the press and comes amid deep cuts to the public sector.

In the Philippines, Congress refused to renew the license of its leading broadcaster. This move was widely viewed as retaliation for the network’s critical news coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

Again, I want to be clear: These tactics—defunding, censorship, co-option—are a familiar playbook among leaders who fear accountability. And the move to defund public media in the U.S. is part of that playbook. We cannot let this country go down the same path — a nation that has enshrined the free press in its Constitution.

Support public media

Public media’s history is rooted in education, service, and community connection. From classroom broadcasts in the early days of radio to today’s hard-hitting reporting that holds powerful people accountable, public media like WDET is an institution, both a Detroit one and one that prioritizes your access to information.

Today, your support means we can continue challenging the powerful and protecting your right, and your community’s right, to know. Please consider donating now at wdet.org/give because democracy depends on all of us.

An abbreviated version of this op-ed appeared in the Detroit Free Press.

Wayne State University President Kimberly Espy is resigning.  That’s according to a source with knowledge of the situation. 

Espy has reportedly been under pressure from the school’s board of governors to step down.  In recent weeks, there’s been criticism about the unexplained decision to place the dean of Wayne State’s Medical School on leave. 

A story by the Detroit News says the Interim Med School Dean resigned because his appointment did not follow proper channels.  Espy was also criticized for not fully engaging in the Detroit community.  She did not appear at an event on campus Monday to announce a program to make it easier for DPSCD high school students to attend Wayne State. 

Espy became the President of the university in August 2023.  A Wayne State Board of Governors’ meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday September 17, 2025

Mayoral Debate 

WXYZ-TV has announced that it will broadcast a Detroit mayoral debate on Wednesday, October 15. 

The television station will host City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch in its Southfield studios that evening.  Sheffield and Kinloch were the two candidates receiving the most votes in the city’s August primary. 

The October debate will be moderated by Chuck Stokes and Carolyn Clifford. 

679 Area Code 

Get ready to dial a few extra digits every time you call someone on your phone.  Starting October 7, residents will need to dial all 10 numbers when making a call.  In other words, all calls will need an area code. That’s to get folks ready for the new 679 area code.  That new code takes effect on November 7. 

Detroit residents seeking new phone numbers after that may receive a 679 area code once all 313 numbers are exhausted.   Residents in Wayne County suburbs such as Redford Township, Highland Park, Hamtramck and Dearborn will also be affected by the change. 

Fall safety

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is working to keep older adults from falling and getting injured. 

The department is collaborating with the Michigan Falls Prevention Council and the National Council on Aging.  They’re offering special online tools for risk assessment and fall prevention classes online. 

A webpage provides a directory of programs to help senior citizens stay healthy.  Residents can also call 2-1-1 to speak with a live operator about resources in the area. 

Next week is Falls Prevention Awareness Week. 

Detroit Grand Prix Dates 

The Detroit Grand Prix has confirmed its dates for next year. 

The race through downtown streets will take place on Sunday, May 31, 2026.  That’s the weekend after Memorial Day.  And as has been the case for many years, it’s the weekend following the running of the Indianapolis 500. 

Detroit Grand Prix organizers say 156,000 people came downtown to watch events over this year’s three-day weekend.  They say more than a million people watched the Grand Prix on television this year. 

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

The field for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate being vacated by Gary Peters is already crowded.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens and Michigan state senator Mallory McMorrow jumped in right away.

Abdul El-Sayed’s entry into the fray is not a surprise. An epidemiologist by trade, he served as health director for the City of Detroit – then ran for governor in 2018. He finished second in the primary to Gretchen Whitmer. El-Sayed picked up the most votes in Detroit.

El-Sayed returned to the world of public health and directed Wayne County’s health department. He resigned from that position in April to run for U.S. Senate.

In a conversation with Detroit Public Radio’s Russ McNamara, El-Sayed laid out his platform.

Challenging the system

“I want money out of politics, money back in your pocket, and Medicare for All,” El-Sayed said.

In short, there’s a brewing class war and politicians have made it too easy for people to become billionaires at the expense of the working class.

“The fundamental corruption of our politics has been the system that allows corporations and would be oligarchs and billionaires to buy politicians, who then rig the system so that corporations can charge you more for the things that you have to buy from them, and pay you less for the work that you have to do for them,” El-Sayed said.

El-Sayed says that means—much like his run for governor in 2018—that he isn’t taking money from corporations.

And despite his progressive credentials, El-Sayed claims he sees political challenges in a different framework.

“I don’t believe in left and right,” El-Sayed says. “I instead believe, ‘are you part of the system locking people out, or are you working for the people who want to unlock the system?’ For them, I’m focused on unlocking the system.”

“If you’re willing to have an honest conversation, if you’re willing to be truthful and direct and specific about what you want to do, people are willing to listen.”

‘I’ve been Abdul my whole life‘

El-Sayed says he understands that there are some people who won’t vote for him because he is Muslim.

“You get pretty good at explaining yourself, and I’ve learned that when people get past the name, they’re a lot more interested in what you have to say,” El-Sayed said.

He says he’s not about the change who he is, or his message.

“I’m the guy named Abdul who stood up and took on corporate polluters. I’m the guy named Abdul that helped to rewrite the state’s lead laws after Flint, when we had every school, daycare and head start in Detroit tested for lead in the water. I’m the guy named Abdul who put glasses on tens of thousands of kids faces,” El-Sayed said.

The Democratic Party and Gaza

One of the recurring threads to last year’s presidential election was the Biden Administration’s indifference to Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza. Vice President Kamala Harris largely refused to engage with Palestinians, and pro-Palestinian activists. At the Democratic National Convention, organizers refused to let a Palestinian speak.

On Tuesday, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory found that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza.

“I want our tax dollars to stop killing children,” El-Sayed said. “You don’t have to be a human rights expert to see the deaths of 18,500 kids, the attempt to render their homes unlivable, to destroy their parents lives and livelihoods and to ship them off into another place because they happen to speak the same language, and call that what it’s called.”

Polling has shown that people who identify as Democrats are largely against sending more bombs to Israel—something that is not reflected in party leadership.

“The fact that our party was on the wrong side of that obvious truth for a very long time is itself an indictment,” El-Sayed said.

El-Sayed says he has had many discussions about difficult subjects at campaign stops across the state.

“If you’re willing to have an honest conversation, if you’re willing to be truthful and direct and specific about what you want to do, people are willing to listen.”

Wayne State University President Kimberly Espy is resigning. That’s according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Espy has reportedly been under pressure from the school’s board of governors to step down. In recent weeks, there’s been criticism about the unexplained decision to place the dean of Wayne State’s Medical School on leave.

A story by the Detroit News says the Interim Med School Dean resigned because his appointment did not follow proper channels. Espy was also criticized for not fully engaging in the Detroit community. She did not appear at an event on campus earlier this week to announce a program to make it easier for DPSCD high school students to attend Wayne State. Espy became the President of the university in August 2023.

A Wayne State Board of Governors’ meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m.

Detroit anti-violence organizer Eric Ford died Monday. Ford was the founder of Detroit 300.

Police Chief Todd Bettison says Ford was a “massive voice” for Community Violence Intervention. Bettison called him a “superhero to his community” and said he will be truly missed.

Ford’s family says he died of natural causes. He was 58.

Additional headlines from Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Duggan reports city budget surplus

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says the city is ending the fiscal year with a $60 million budget surplus.

He is proposing City Council set aside a portion of that money for a Corporate Income Tax reserve. Federal spending cuts are expected to cause a shortage in the taxes collected from businesses in the city. And Duggan says tariffs have already caused a 50% drop in manufacturing income taxes.

He says council should set aside $42 million to cover these gaps, “so that next year there is no conversation about having to deal with cutbacks or deficits, the city will remain in strong financial situation.”

If approved by City Council, the city’s total cash reserves would increase to $544 million. 

Michigan Central Drone Day

Michigan Central’s Drone Day is tomorrow. Organizers promise youth workshops,‘dronut launches from the roof and the longest commercial delivery flight in the city to date.

The event will showcase a collaboration between Aerialoop, Newlab at Michigan Central, Airsapce Link and the state’s Office of Future of Mobility and Electrification and Department of Transportation.

Its drone deliveries are expected to be five times more energy efficient than delivery by electric vehicles. 

DCFC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

The Detroit City Football Club is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a special ticket package that adds a themed DCFC shirt to a game ticket purchase.

The Pablo’s Tacos Pack option gets 2 ticket holders into the club’s City Supporters section and a voucher good for 2 tacos and a drink from the Pablo’s Tacos Food Truck at Saturday’s game against Lexington SC.

Le Rouge starts a four-match homestand series against Lexington. Ballet Folklorico will perform at halftime. For more information and to buy tickets go to detcityfc.com.

Correction for recent Detroit Evening Report

Lastly… we reported earlier this month on the Carr Center’s exhibit “In the Life: Black Queerness – Looking Back, Moving Forward” presented by Mighty Real Queer Detroit. The exhibit spans a variety of media and features work from more than a dozen artists.

It is open through October 11^th at the Carr Center location at 15 E Kirby Street. Our previous report directed listeners to the wrong Carr Center location. We apologize for the error. 

If there’s something in your neighborhood you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org

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

Ford Motor Company announced Monday that its moving its headquarters for the first time in 70 years. The new headquarters will be located west of Greenfield Village in Dearborn.  

The new Henry Ford II World Center is a 2.1 million square foot state-of-the-art building. It will serve as a global center to promote innovation, collaboration, and transformation. Among the changes are six Design Studios and a Design Showroom, which can hold 10 vehicle turntables with 64-ft micro LED screens for product review. 

The new facility will have 4,000 employees and 12 acres of greenspace.  

The building is a Net-Zero Energy Building, using a central energy plant for hot water and steam and DTE MI Green Power Program to have a net-zero carbon goal. There are also energy-efficient systems, including water saving measures and waste reduction strategies in place.  

The headquarters is on a historic site—the 1953 Product Development Center, where the Mustang, F-Series and Ford GT were created. The former headquarters known as the ‘Glass House’ will be torn down over the next 18 months, with plans to repurpose it for community use. 

A public grand opening of the new building is scheduled for November with some employees shifting to the new location. 

The project is slated to be completed in 2027. 

Additional headlines from Monday, September 15, 2025

Dearborn career fair

The Arab American Women’s Business Council and Dearborn Economic Development are hosting their annual career fair. Registration is required as spots are limited.

There will be on-site recruiting, scholarship opportunities, and expert career guidance. There is also resume writing assistance and prizes available.  

Refreshments will be provided.  

The career fair takes place at the University of Michigan – Dearborn Fairlane Center South in the Michigan Room East on September 24 from 6-8 p.m.

Hispanic Heritage Month 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recognizes September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Michigan. The designation aims to celebrate the “rich history, vibrant culture and bright future of our Hispanic community,” Whitmer says in a release. 

Whitmer has appointed 18 Hispanic and Latino people as judges and to various boards and commissions in the state.  

Michigan’s Center for Data and Analysis estimated the Hispanic or Latino population is nearly 600,000 people in Michigan. 

Parts of Southwest Detroit are designated as historic areas, commemorating decades of entrepreneurship in the city. 

End of Summer Fiesta

La Jalisciense is hosting a patio party. The End of Summer Fiesta will host local vendors, a DJ, food and drinks.

The party will take place on September 27th from 2-8:30 PM at the La Jalisciense 3923 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI. 

District 1 meeting this week

The City of Detroit District 1 is hosting a charter-mandated community meeting on Wednesday. There will be resource tables for Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental (BSEED), land bank, and public works, along with the water and sewage department.

The meeting will be held on September 17 from 7-8:30 p.m. in person at the New Saint Mark Baptist Church, located at 24331 Eight Mile West in Detroit or virtually on Zoom.  

DDOT meeting this week

The Department of Transportation or DDOT is hosting a virtual community meeting this week. The meeting is to gather feedback about DDOT services, fares and routes.

The meeting takes place on Thursday, September 18, at 5 p.m. The Zoom call-in number is 1 (312) 626-6799.  

If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org.

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

Ford Motor Company plans to move out of its world headquarters in Dearborn, but it’s not moving far.

Chairman Bill Ford and CEO Jim Farley announced the automaker’s operations will relocate from the iconic Glass House on Michigan Ave. to a new facility on Oakwood Blvd. across from the Henry Ford Museum.

In a joint statement, Ford and Farley say it’s not just a new building.

“It’s a catalyst for innovation and a physical symbol of our Ford+ transformation,” the executives say.

Ford+ encompasses all the company’s operations, including vehicle production, design, engineering, and innovation.

The Deuce you say!

The new headquarters will keep the old one’s name—the Henry Ford II World Center. The grandson of Henry Ford led the family business from 1945 to 1980.

Bill Ford and Jim Farley say the new building will be twice as large as the Glass House and hold twice as many employees. Some have already moved in during construction.

“Our team is working hard to wrap up construction as hundreds of employees are collaborating in the building already,” the executives say.

The automaker will hold a grand opening at the new facility in November. Construction should be completed in 2027.

An era ends

Ford built the Glass House in 1953 and opened it in 1956. It is one of the most recognizable buildings in Metro Detroit. Ford and Farley say the structure’s age and industry changes necessitated the move.

“The future of our industry demands a different kind of space, one that is more connected, more flexible, and built for the speed of a technology—and software—connected company,” according to their joint statement.

Once the Glass House is empty, crews will demolish it and work with the City of Dearborn to find a new use for it. Demolition will take about 18 months.

Meet La Cecille: Detroit’s multi-disciplinary artist

Morgan Hutson, known as La Cecille, is an actress, singer, songwriter, producer, and dancer who weaves ancestral knowledge into every note and performance. Her music moves from R and B to electronic, reflecting the multi-disciplinary style that defines her artistry.

La Cecille has been singing her entire life, listening and learning from Detroit’s greats. Just like her mentors and teachers, Detroit itself has become an essential character in her story.

For many, growing up in Detroit feels almost magical. For La Cecille, it truly was, shaping the artist she is today.

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to bring attention to a crisis that touches far too many families.

This month is a reminder that life can feel overwhelming as we juggle family, work, friends, and everything in between. Too often, what gets left behind is our own well-being. And when mental health goes unaddressed, the consequences can be devastating.

Suicide rates in the U.S. climbed between 2000 and 2018, dipped briefly, and remain elevated today. On average, one person dies by suicide every 11 minutes. Behind those numbers are real people—neighbors, loved ones, friends—whose struggles too often remain invisible until it’s too late.

Lori Edelson, a psychotherapist and the owner of Birmingham Maple Clinic, joined the show to raise awareness and share how we can spot the warning signs.
 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

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

More stories from The Metro

In 2020, 15 Republicans tried to cast Michigan’s electoral votes for President Trump, even through President Biden won the state by 154,000. In this episode of MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow break down how the legal case against these electors unraveled.

Then, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Counties Steve Currie joins the show to talk about how the state budget affects local governments.

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

Kresge Foundation moves headquarters to Detroit

The Kresge Foundation announced that it will relocate its headquarters from Troy to the Marygrove campus in northwest Detroit. Along with the move, the foundation says it will invest an additional 180 million dollars in the Liv-Six community over the next five years.

Kresge CEO Rip Rapson says the organization will build a new headquarters on the campus while also strengthening nearby neighborhoods.

“We will, working alongside neighborhood residents and community partners, invest in housing stabilization, home ownership, commercial corridor revitalization, small business support, public spaces enhancements and financial assistance in the Fitzgerald, Bagley, University District and Martin Park neighborhoods,” Rapson said.

The foundation had considered a return to the city for many years, but a renovation of its Troy offices in 2014 delayed those plans. The new headquarters at Marygrove is expected to be completed by 2028.

Apple store opening downtown

Apple will open its downtown Detroit store on September 19 on Woodward just south of John R. The announcement comes the same week the company unveiled its newest devices. Apple also revealed plans for a manufacturing academy in Detroit to complement its developer academy partnership with Michigan State University.

Jeezy concert livestream

Rapper and entrepreneur Jeezy is bringing something special to Detroit. His Friday night concert at the Fox Theatre will feature a live orchestra and will also be livestreamed on his official YouTube channel.

Detroit is one of 23 stops on Jeezy’s tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, first released in 2005.

Weekend sports

The Detroit Tigers face the Miami Marlins this weekend at Loan Depot Park. First pitch for tonight’s game is at 7:10 p.m.

The Detroit Lions take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday, September 14. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.

The Tonight Show heads to Detroit

Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show is coming to Detroit this Sunday, September 14, for an episode that will air September 15 on NBC. The show will be filmed at the Detroit Opera House and will feature special guests Keegan-Michael Key, Detroit Pistons All-Star Cade Cunningham, and Grammy-winning rapper and actor Common, who recorded his first album in Detroit.

This is the Tonight Show’s first visit to the city and is being presented in partnership with Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit nbc.com.

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

This week, we’ve got chances to shop from local makers, see performances by rising musicians and explore artifacts from Techno history. Plus, a celebration of vegan food. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

Strange Beautiful Music 18

  Various locations in Detroit

  Thursday, Sep. 11 through Saturday, Sep. 13

  Free, $23–$34

An annual multi-day event celebrating new music in Detroit, spanning a wide range of genres — including jazz, free improvisation, Techno, electronica, Neo-soul, ambient and genre-defiant. Concerts take place at three local venues over three days, including a show at the Detroit Institute of Arts, which is free for residents of Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties, on Friday from 7–8:30 p.m.

Jeff Mills presents Star Chronicle

  Spot Lite in Detroit

  Thursday, Sep. 11 through Saturday, Sep. 13

  Free, $34–$80

A multi-media artist residency curated by Techno pioneer Jeff Mills, featuring film screenings, live music, and an exhibit of personal art and artifacts. Show doors open each night at 9 p.m. and admission is $34 per day or $80 for a three-day pass. The exhibition is free and open to the public 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Fridays at The Station: Charity and DJ BJ

  The Station at Michigan Central in Detroit

  Friday, Sep. 12

  $15

A monthly evening event featuring live performances, food and drinks at Michigan Central. This month’s event features a special performance by singer Charity, joined by DJ BJ. The event goes from 5–10 p.m. and music starts at 7:30 p.m.

The Hawk Makerspace 3rd Anniversary Open House

  The Hawk in Farmington Hills

  Saturday, Sep. 13

  Free

An open house for community members to check out The Hawk Makerspace, a shared technical and creative studio in Farmington Hills. There will be live demonstrations of the studio’s professional-grade equipment, giveaways, refreshments and discounts on studio passes. The event goes from 3–7 p.m.

Common Ground’s 51st Birmingham Street Art Fair

  Downtown Birmingham

  Saturday, Sep. 13 and Sunday, Sep. 14

  Free

A longstanding fine arts fair featuring 90 juried artists along Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham. The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Ypsi Vegan Fest 2025

  Downtown Ypsilanti

  Sunday, Sep. 14

  Free

An event celebrating vegan foods in an effort to make veganism more accessible. There will be local vendors, cooking demonstrations and talks by vegan advocates. The event goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to all — vegan or not.

Eastern Market After Dark

  Eastern Market Shed 2 in Detroit

  Thursday, Sep. 18

  Free

A district-wide night market featuring galleries, open studios, retailers, brand activations and live music. The market is open from 6–11 p.m.

The Detroit Department of Public Works announced a new effort to keep the city clean with a recycling pilot program at bus stops.

The department also unveiled two electric garbage trucks that will be used to collect recycling.   

The pilot program will place 800 new recycling cans at the bus stops.  

Public Works Deputy Director Sam Krassenstein says bottles and cans are the number one thing people throw away when waiting for the bus.  “And that’s what we’re trying to capitalize on by diverting that to keep that out of the landfill and keep that out of the streets.”  

Krassenstein says the pilot aims to increase recycling rates from 45% to nearly 100%.   

The $500,000 investment was funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, DTE, and City Council.   

Additional headlines for Thursday, September 11, 2025

Non profit offers free homecoming dress drawing

High school students in southeastern Michigan could get a free homecoming dress this weekend. 

Alison Vaughn is the CEO of Jackets for Jobs.  

She says her non profit and Comerica bank are hosting a homecoming dress giveaway on the lower level of the Samaritan Center in Detroit this weekend.  

“Homecoming is one of the young girls’ biggest moments of high school, and so we wanted to make them feel like Cinderella and the belle of the ball, if you will, and make them feel good and confident. And we know those events are very costly.”  

Vaughn says anyone can come get a free homecoming dress and accessories from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday or from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Samaritan Center on 5555 Conner Street.  

Corewell terminates gender affirming care for minors

Corewell Health is the latest Michigan hospital to end gender affirming care for minors. The hospital announced it will no longer prescribe puberty blockers or hormone therapy to minors because of “the serious risk of legal and regulatory action.”

That pressure is coming from the Trump Administration. Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan’s hospital system, announced it will also stop gender affirming care last month.  

Corewell Health made a similar announcement in February this year before backtracking due to protest.

Dearborn improving business exteriors with grant funding

The City of Dearborn is celebrating the completion of the first façade improvement project on Warren Avenue at Nadia’s Pharmacy.

The city’s initiative awards up to $200,000 in Community Development Block grant funding, with a 10% business match to improve the exterior of selected businesses.

The goal of the project is to modernize, enhance, and create a cohesive business aesthetic along Warren Avenue between Lonyo Avenue and Greenfield Rd.

Nadia’s Pharmacy is the first to complete repairs. 

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The Huron-Clinton Metroparks Board of Commissioners voted to authorize its attorneys to enter into the sale of the Flat Rock Dam to the City of Flat Rock for $5, Metroparks officials told The Metro. The offer also includes Metroparks providing $3 Million to the city for an improved fish ladder.

This decision follows months of community engagement and feedback, signaling a victory for organizers who opposed Huron-Clinton Metroparks’ proposal to partially remove the dam.

“It’s a positive sign and appears to have the potential to be something that will be reasonable and fair for everyone. The devil will be in the details,” John Webb, a member of the the Flat Rock Dam Coalition, told The Metro.

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks Board of Commissioners also agreed to delay action on ‘partial removal’ plan, “Alternative 2” in the feasibility study, until its November meeting. 

Three proposals

A two-year feasibility study conducted by Huron-Clinton Metroparks produced three options for the future of the dam.

• Full removal of the dam
• Leave the dam as-is, but improve the fish ladder
• Partial removal of the dam, with construction of rock arches

Metroparks CEO Amy McMillan recommended partial removal, saying it would maintain similar water levels of the impoundment and preserve recreation activities like kayaking and fishing.

But community activists and elected officials were not satisfied with the proposal.

Community opposition

Elected officials joined a chorus of community voices opposed to full or partial dam removal. Rep. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown) wrote a letter to the Metroparks board members urging a no vote on dam removal.

Flat Rock’s mayor, Steve Beller, also both spoke at an August 14 board meeting after its city council unanimously passed a resolution to urge Metroparks not to remove the dam.

Brad Booth, president of the Flat Rock Dam Coalition joined the Metro on Wednesday to discuss his group’s concerns over the Metroparks’ proposal to partially remove the dam and replace it with ‘rock arches.’

When who we are and what we believe in conflicts with the traditions that we’re raised in, life broadly leaves us three choices: we can change who we are to fit the tradition, we can leave the tradition behind, or we can try to change the tradition to fit our ideals.

That last choice requires courage. Change is not easy, and when it comes to a tradition like religion, many become upset when people start tinkering with how things are done. 

But that’s exactly what Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie has been doing. The rabbi who runs an alternative Jewish synagogue in New York City grew up in Israel under a lineage of orthodox rabbis. But Rabbi Lau-Lavie and his congregation at Lab/Shul don’t practice orthodox Judaism, they’re doing something unique and experimental. 

The new documentary, “Sabbath Queen” explores the life of Rabbi Lau-Lavie and more. Tomorrow, the rabbi will be at an event at the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit. The film will be screening Sunday at the DIA. 

Sandi DuBowski is the filmmaker. He spoke with Cary Junior II.

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More stories from The Metro

Michigan mass transit agencies are waiting to find out how much money they will get from the state in 2026.

Lawmakers have until October 1 to approve a budget and send it to Governor Gretchen Whitmer to sign.

Transit proposals are similar

The governor, the state House, and the state Senate have all approved $226 million for local bus operating revenue. The House budget proposal adds $60 million in new revenue for transit systems that serve more than 100,000 people. The Senate plan includes $15 million in new funding.

The Michigan Public Transit Association analyzed all three budget plans. It says bus systems would lose an average of 5 or 6 percent in state funding if the $226 million figure is approved.

SMART, Southeast Michigan’s regional bus service, gets about a quarter of its funding from the state. General Manager Tiffany Gunter says the governor’s proposal would cost SMART about $8.6 million.

“We obviously don’t know where those cuts would come from directly today,” Gunter says. “This would have a horrible effect on the region’s ability to move mobility forward.”

Cuts jeopardize improvements

Gunter, who became SMART’s GM in August, says state budget cuts threaten plans to improve customer service. That includes expanding the Flex program, which lets people in about a dozen communities schedule shuttle rides seven days a week.

“We wouldn’t be able to move forward with those improvements to the service and those enhancements, because we just wouldn’t have the funding to do so,” she says. “We’d be looking at areas where we could pull back service instead.”

While the House proposal is more generous than either Whitmer’s or the Senate’s, Gunter says the devil is in the details. To get a share of the extra $60 million, a transit system must get at least 10% of its revenue from rider fares. Gunter says SMART’s farebox recovery ratio is 4%.

“43% of our riders are either seniors or people with disabilities, and those individuals pay a half fare,” she says.

Most funding comes from regional tax

60% of SMART’s revenue comes from a regional transit millage, which enables the agency to offer fare discounts.

Gunter says her goal is to ensure that SMART buses are safe, convenient, and reliable.

“We’re not just moving people here,” she says. “We know that what we do every day gives people access to opportunity.”

SMART says it carries an average of almost 11 million riders per year.