Michigan does not currently participate in a federal program that gives tax breaks to people for donating money to nonprofits that award scholarships for tutoring and private school tuition. Governor Whitmer is weighing whether to opt into the federal initiative.

If adopted, taxpayers in Michigan would receive a $1,700 tax break parents could use for private school tuition, tutors or after school programs. 

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently stopped in Hamtramck to promote the program. 

Detroit Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti says the program might help kids on an individual basis,“But I would just continue to say, you know, as a nation, we have to think about at scale investments. How do we improve institutions that benefit the majority of our children, not isolated improvement?” 

Teachers unions and Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern that the program would funnel money into private schools, and away from public schools and their students. 

Vitti says funding public schools should be the priority. “I’d rather see us use taxpayer dollars and not decrease taxpayer dollars in investing in large scale systems that benefit the majority of American children, not individual children or families.” 

Right now, people in Michigan can still make the donation and get the tax break; however, students in the state would not be eligible for the scholarships. Using public money for private schools is prohibited by the state constitution. 

-Reporting by Russ McNamara

Additional headlines for Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Gas prices rise

Gasoline prices surged overnight. AAA said Michigan drivers paid an average of $4.01 for a gallon of regular unleaded this morning. That’s 15 cents higher than it was yesterday. The national average is $4.14 a gallon, the highest in almost 4 years. 

GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says escalations between the U.S. and Iran have intensified concerns about disruptions in oil shipments. He adds prices will likely remain high until Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an order last week allowing Michigan gas stations to sell cheaper winter fuel blends through the end of June. 

Delta expands flights to Europe

Delta Air Lines is expanding flights from Metro Airport to Europe. The Detroit Free Press reports Delta will offer daily service to Rome in November and March, allowing passengers to take advantage of off-peak travel. 

Public Health Week

It’s Public Health Week in Detroit. The city’s health department is offering free services including health screenings, immunizations, lead testing, and overdose prevention resources.

Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed says health department staff will host free events through Saturday at various community centers. The goal is to make it easier for residents to get health care by bringing it to them. 

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

Detroit’s police department has been collecting wins. Homicides in 2025 hit their lowest point since 1965. Carjackings dropped by nearly half. 

But over the past two weeks, another picture has emerged from inside the department’s own forensic operation.

At recent Board of Police Commissioners meetings, former forensic technicians came forward to describe conditions within the Crime Scene Services unit. What they described raises questions about safety, evidence handling, and whether the integrity of criminal cases has been compromised.

A state workplace safety agency has already cited the unit. A resident has sent those findings to city councilmembers, police commissioners, and the Wayne County Prosecutor. And a commissioner who tried to visit the facility says she had to wait two weeks — and was still unsatisfied with what she saw.

Outlier Media’s March 31 newsletter first reported on these complaints. 

Noah Kincade coordinates the Detroit Documenters program at Outlier Media. He joined Robyn Vincent to discuss conditions inside the Detroit Police Department’s Crime Scene Services unit and the response from community members and stakeholders.

Editor’s Note: The Detroit Police Department is pursuing accreditation from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. The broadcast version of this story said the accreditation was national.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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

When President Donald Trump took office, he promised to crack down on immigration. He’s done that. 

Since January of 2025, at least 2,400 immigrants were arrested in Michigan alone. But President Trump and immigration officials are not following an orderly process. Officials are often skirting the law, or violating it. 

This was visible months ago in Minneapolis, when masked ICE agents shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti and thousands took to the streets. Here in Michigan, the work of ICE is harder to spot. But due to action in the courts, we’ve been learning more. 

Federal judges recently ruled that hundreds of people in Michigan were unconstitutionally detained as they never had a chance of being released on bond. 

For its part, the administration says it’s detaining the “worst of the worst.” But in many cases, non-citizens without a criminal record have been detained. 

So, what do ICE arrests and detentions look like in metro Detroit? What are the stories of those who’ve been detained? How are local police involved in the work? And, who’s fighting back? 

Violet Ikonomova is an investigative reporter for the Detroit Free Press. She spoke with The Metro‘s Robyn Vincent.

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

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This week on Visions, I have no theme, just good music. I play artists spanning from the 1960’s through 2026 with classics and new music discovery all in one episode.

You’ll hear classic cuts from Freddie Hubbard, Robert Glasper, Charlie Rouse, and Steps Ahead. I have new music discovery from Nicole McCabe, and Ralph MacDonald. New records from Caroline Davis, Irreversible Entanglements and Immanuel Wilkins. Plus Samara Joy, Walter Smith III, Joel Ross, Walter Bishop, Jr., and more.

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Visions Playlist for April 6, 2026

• “Sometimes I’m Happy (Take 1)” – Walter Bishop, Jr.
• “Swingin’ at the Haven” – Walter Smith III
• “Hope” – Nicole McCabe
• “Pools” – Steps Ahead
• “Smoke Rings and Wine” – Ralph MacDonald
• “COMPOSITION II (Live)” – Immanuel Wilkins
• “Reincarnation Of A Lovebird” – Samara Joy
• “Alone Together” – Robert Glasper Trio
• “Hostile” – Joel Ross
• “The Intrepid Fox” – Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter*, Joe Henderson* & Lenny White
• “Bitchin'” – Charlie Rouse
• “Panamanian Fight Song” – Irreversible Entanglements
• “Barbara Allen (for Geri)” – Caroline Davis
• “All Blues” – Ethnic Heritage Ensemble & Kahil El’Zabar

* indicates Detroit artists

About 1 in 31 children in the U.S. is now diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. Behind every statistic is a family trying to figure it out in real time, searching for support, resources, and spaces where their children feel understood and included.

One Detroit mother hustled harder for more. 

After her eldest son was diagnosed with autism, Tiera Moultrie saw first-hand just how much was missing for families like hers.

In 2020, she founded Autism In The D, with a mission to build community and create safe, inclusive spaces for children on the spectrum and their families. Since its founding, Tiera has had three children, with two living with ASD. The work she does is personal but it’s about more than her family. 

Autism In The D is hosting its 6th annual Weekend of Inclusivity, one of Detroit’s largest autism awareness walks. It’s not just about awareness, it’s about access to resources, connection, and making sure families don’t feel alone. This year will also welcome Detroit’s first autism-inclusive adaptive kids gym.

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

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More stories from The Metro

Excited about some new music in Big Sonic Heaven this week. We played two tracks from the much-anticipated album “Birding” from dreampop three-piece Deary, which was released this week. We also heard the new single from She’s Green, “Paper Thin,” from their upcoming EP, “Swallowtail,” which is due in July.

Plus, the latest from The Julies, Dead Can Dance, Searows, and Miki Berenyi Trio, along with your favorite shoegaze, dream pop, and post-punk.

• “Elysium, Honor Him, Now We Are Free” – Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard
• “Doot Doot” – The Fauns
• “In Violet” – Searows
• “Baby’s Breath” – deary
• “Love’s Easy Tears” – Cocteau Twins
• “I Think I Knew” – The Church
• “A Night Like This” – The Cure
• “Low December Sun” – Air Formation
• “Paper Thin” – She’s Green
• “Sweetness And Light” – Lush
• “I’m So Tired” – Deserta
• “Out Of Sight” – Hooverphonic
• “Nobody Loves You More” – Kim Deal
• “Neon Afterlife” – The Julies
• “All Mine” – Portishead
• “Island Of One” – Miki Berenyi Trio
• “Run” – New Order
• “Orange of the Westering Sun” – The Innocence Mission
• “Primal” – Slowdive
• “Smile” – deary
• “Everywhere” – Cranes
• “New You” – My Bloody Valentine
• “Fine Friend” – Pale Saints
• “Stranglehold” – The Churchhill Garden
• “Hazlewood” – Toothpaste
• “Halo” – Depeche Mode
• “Thin Circle” – Bug Teeth
• “Success Has Made A Failure of Our Home” – Sinéad O’Connor
• “Vanity (feat. Rachel Goswell)” – Drab Majesty
• “Coldsweat” – Sugarcubes
• “Our Day Will Come” – Dead Can Dance
• “The Worst Taste In Music” – The Radio Dept.

Exploring new music from Maurice Louca, who will be at Moondog Cafe later this month, plus selections from David Byrne, Menahan Street Band, and deep grooves from Fela Kuti and Celine Dessberg. We also take a quick trip to the moon in honor of the astronauts on Artemis II, with Norwegian space disco from Todd Terje and a bunch of Pink Floyd.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for April 6, 2026

• “Snoopy and Woodstock (Easter Beagle Edition)” – Vince Guaraldi
• “Juana La Cubana” – LA LOM
• “Jolly Papa (Ife cover)” – Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson
• “Polaris” – Maurice Louca
• “The Winner Is… (DeVotchKa Version)” – DeVotchKa
• “Transliterator” – DeVotchKa
• “We’ve Been Had” – Walkmen
• “Primos” – Adrian Quesada & Hermanos Gutiérrez
• “Together” – Misha Panfilov Sound Combo
• “Glass, Concrete and Stone” – David Byrne
• “Home Again” – Menahan Street Band
• “Selenge” – Céline Dessberg
• “Are You with Me Now?” – Cate Le Bon
• “If I Leave” – Mitski
• “Opposite People” – Fela Kuti
• “Inner City Blues” – Zara McFarlane
• “Bad Bad News (feat. Terrace Martin) [Ricky’s Vibe Tape]” – Leon Bridges
• “Beware The Stranger (Chris Seefried’s Ambient Excursion) [feat. Trombone Shorty]” – Lady Blackbird
• “untitled 03 l 05.28.2013.” – Kendrick Lamar
• “untitled 06 l 06.30.2014.” – Kendrick Lamar
• “She Raised Us in Sunset Park” – musclecars
• “Breathe (In the Air)” – Pink Floyd
• “On The Run” – Pink Floyd
• “Delorean Dynamite” – Todd Terje
• “Time” – Pink Floyd
• “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues” – Skip James
• “Blue Nile” – Alice Coltrane
• “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” – Dorothy Ashby
• “Lonely Girl” – Dorothy Ashby
• “Hot Water (Sly5thAve Remix)” – Adesuwa

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.”

Yemeni nationals living in the United States who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) have until April 13 to self deport or seek other legal residency through asylum or work visas.

In February the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem—who was fired last week—announced the end of TPS for Yemen.

The designation was first granted in September 2015 due to war in the country. Noem said conditions have improved, no longer warranting TPS. About 1,400 Yemeni nationals had TPS status as of last year according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

People who wish to self deport are encouraged to use the Customs and Border Protection CBP Home app to report their departure. That includes a complimentary plane ticket and $2,600.

People who do not leave or find alternative legal residency could be deported and banned from future immigration to the U.S.  

Additional headlines from Monday, April 6, 2026

Detroit Ride to Rise

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield launched the Ride to Rise program Monday. It allows all students living in Detroit to ride city buses for free. 

The program is aimed at reducing absenteeism, as well as providing transportation for students to get to after school activities such as tutoring, enrichment programs, and more. 

Sheffield says the program also brings more money back to the district. 

“It’s about $700,000 a year that they currently spend on bus fare for students. Bus passes, that money, again, will be redirected back into the school system. The school board and the superintendent will decide what…they use that money for,” she says. “We have been advocating for it to go back to after school programming.” 

The 6-month pilot allows any student to show their school ID to get on a D-DOT bus for free. That includes students who attend charter, private, and other city schools.  

-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley 

Pay gap widens

A new report shows Michigan’s gender pay gap widened in 2024. Women who worked full-time earned 79 cents for every dollar a man earned. That’s three cents less than the year before, as men’s wages grew faster. 

Sarah Javaid from the National Women’s Law Center lists other factors.  

“The bigger picture is that women are being impacted by caregiving duties, they’re impacted by state policies. Unpaid leave paid sick time. They’re impacted by what education and training they can receive, and they’re also impacted even way earlier than they enter the workforce.”

Javaid says supporting childcare, banning employers from asking about salary history, and increasing education access would help close the gender pay gap.  

-Reporting by Colin Jackson   

Michigan job data

Last year’s partial federal government shutdown made it hard for Michigan to collect statewide job data. The state’s last unemployment rate was 5% in January. Michigan lost jobs last year as more people left the workforce. 

The revised annual report shows unemployment remained essentially flat last year. Michigan showed a net loss of about 2,300 hundred jobs.

The Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information Director Wayne Rourke says Michigan’s workforce declined by 1.6% percent over the course of 2025. He says that’s largely due to older people retiring and exiting the workforce.

The new monthly federal jobs report for March showed the nation added jobs last month and the unemployment rate ticked down.  

-Reporting by Rick Pluta   

Arab American Heritage Month

Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared April as Arab American and Chaldean-American Heritage Month.

Dearborn, Michigan is home to the largest concentration of Arab Americans per capita in the U.S.  

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

Since 2015, consumer confidence in the economy has plummeted according to recent consumer survey data by the University of Michigan. But while confidence has declined, spending has remained strong. Why? And, how have rising gas prices factored into the economy?

Professor Joanne Hsu is the director of the monthly Surveys of Consumers at the University of Michigan. She spoke with The Metro’s Sam Corey.

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

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Automakers and auto suppliers are a huge part of metro Detroit’s economy. And they will likely have to change as the war unfolds. 

As America’s strikes against Iran continue, and the Strait of Hormuz remains in question, gas prices are rising, and more people are thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle. 

But despite interest, how much will EV sales actually increase for companies like Ford, GM and Stellantis — especially as car sales in general have plummeted over the past few decades?

John McElroy is an automotive analyst with Autoline. He spoke with The Metro‘s Robyn Vincent.

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

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The economy has undergone many drastic changes over the years. If you’re a millennial, change and chaos have been commonplace.

The Great Recession hit in the late aughts, reducing wealth. About ten years later, the pandemic occurred, causing many to stay at home and others to risk their health at work. Inflation deepened during President Joe Biden’s time in office. President Trump enacted tariffs. And now, the U.S. and Israel are at war with Iran. 

It’s hard to gauge all the consequences of this latest shock, but it’s a continuation of one thing: uncertainty. 

Rising gas prices and supply chain disruptions are now among the challenges small businesses must navigate. It might be why over half of small businesses owners in Michigan say they’re making operational changes to prepare for a recession, according to a recent survey. 

Which small businesses are hit hardest by the war in Iran and its disruptions? And, what could make them more resilient in the face of chaos?

Mark Lee is the president and CEO of The Lee Group, where he consults with small businesses across Southeast Michigan. He spoke with The Metro‘s Robyn Vincent.

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

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  it’s a deep dive into our archives for random thoughts and songs from recent guests NEEDTOBREATHE, Sting, Mon Rovia and Ye Vagabonds. Plus some from decades ago: the late Todd Snider, Rufus and Loudon Wainwright, Rosanne Cash and many more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for April 5, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Say That You Love Me” – Loudon Wainwright (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Grey Gardens” – Rufus Wainwright (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Better Broken” – Devon Gilfillian (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Undiscovered Country” – Rosanne Cash (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Shape Of My Heart” – Sting (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Where The Road Goes” – Rhett Miller (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Ozilline” – Indigo Girls (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Soundtrack” – Matt Nathanson (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “You’re The One” – Rhiannon Giddens (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Spittin’ On Fire” – Buddy & Julie Miller (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “I Get No Joy” – Jade Bird (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Life’s Too Short” – Todd Snider (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “The Long Surrender” – NEEDTOBREATHE (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “49 Tons” – Fred Eaglesmith (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Crooked The Road” – Mon Rovia (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Angel In The House” – Jonatha Brooke (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Riding With The King” – John Hiatt (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Purple Rain Drops” – Jalen Ngonda (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Ancient Light” – I’m With Her (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “The Flood” – Ye Vanagbonds (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “This Girl” – Punch Brothers (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Goodnight New York” – Vienna Teng (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “What You Won’t Do For Love” – Tre. Charles (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music classic April album releases from Seger, Sam & Dave, Gnarls Barkley, and Gillian Welch.

Also new Detroit tunes from Jack White and Ryan Racine, new Jill Scott, Samm Henshaw, a Prince cover from Low Cut Connie and much more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for April 4, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “G.O.D. And The Broken Ribs” – Jack White
• “Who Do You Love” – Bother Wallace
• “Project 10” – Satya
• “Sexistential” – Robyn
• “Don’t Bury Me” – Ryan Racine
• “Great Advice” – Courtney Barnett
• “Looking Back” – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (April 1976)
• “Too Much” – Dave Matthews Band (April 1996)
• “Hold On I’m Coming” – Sam & Dave (April 1966)
• “Money” – Foy Vance
• “Dixie Chicken” – Little Feat
• “Jump” – Inara George
  
• “Float” – Samm Henshaw
  
• “Tear My Stillhouse Down” – Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings (April 1996)

• “ThunderWave” – Thundercat ft. WILLOW
• “Wild At Heart” – Neil Diamond
• “Little Red Corvette” – Low Cut Connie
• “Amiss” – waterbaby
• “Stuck In My Mind” – JR JR
• “Sumthin’ Sumthin'” – Maxwell (April 1996)
• “Mother’s Little Helper” – The Rolling Stones (April 1966)
• “Crazy” – Gnarls Barkley (April 2006)
• “It’s Only Love” – ROZZI
• “Sad & Beautiful World” – Mavis Staples
• “Doctrine Of Love” – Jalen Ngonda
• “Beat On The Brat” – Ramones (April 1976)
• “Freedom” – Beyonce (April 2016)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

Today we celebrate Marvin Gaye’s birthday with a mix that honors his legacy and lasting influence, weaving his music throughout the show with reworks and classics. 

We also spin a pair of Talking Heads covers from Rosie Lowe and Astrønne, adding a modern twist to those iconic tracks. The playlist goes into Latin with rhythms fromTito Puente and Ray Barretto and finishes strong with Sly & The Family Stone, Dolly Parton, and Sade. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for April 2, 2026 

• “Hang on in There” – Mike James Kirkland 

• “Reaching for Our Star” – Sharon Revoal 

• “A Funky Space Reincarnation” – Marvin Gaye 

• “You Can’t Blame Me” – Johnson, Hawkins, Tatum & Durr 

• “Come Around and Love Me” – Jalen Ngonda 

• “Monsters” – Jordan Rakei 

• “Contour” – Pino Palladino & Blake Mills 

• “Give It To Me Baby” – Jarina De Marco 

• “Burning Down The House” – Rosie Lowe 

• “Psycho Killer” – Astrønne 

• “California Stars” – Billy Bragg & Wilco 

• “Goodbye Mr. Blue” – Father John Misty 

• “Tangled Up In Blue” – Bob Dylan 

• “I’m Getting Back Into Getting Back Into You” – Silver Jews 

• “A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off” – The Magnetic Fields 

• “Mama, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut” – Bo Diddley 

• “Gone Daddy Gone” – Violent Femmes 

• “Voodoo Woman” – Koko Taylor 

• “Oye Como Va” – Tito Puente 

• “Son Con Cuero” – Ray Barretto 

• “Summer Maddness S.A.” – Karriem Riggins 

• “Run To My Mother” – Tall Black Guy x Nate Smith x Marvin Gaye 

• “What’s Going On (Paul Oakenfold x Kilanova Remix)” – Marvin Gaye 

• “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” – Marvin Gaye 

• “Thank You for Talkin’ to Me, Africa” – Sly & The Family Stone 

• “Just Like a Baby” – Sly & The Family Stone 

• “Hold Me” – Sault 

• “If I Should Die Tonight (SaLaAm ReMi’s Piano Mix)” – Marvin Gaye 

• “I Want You (A Cappella with Bass & Congas)” – Marvin Gaye 

• “I Couldn’t Love You More (Jam Master’s Deep Rework)” – Sade 

• “Jolene (Todd Terje Remix) [Mixed]” – Dolly Parton 

• “Lady Day & John Coltrane (feat. Rahsaan Patterson) [12″ Version]” – Brian Jackson & Masters At Work 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

The WNBA and its players association have reached a new collective bargaining agreement, one that many say could reshape the future of women’s sports.

The momentum was already building.

Before the announcement, The league was already set to expand to 18 teams by 2030, with new franchises launching in Toronto and Portland this year, followed by Cleveland in 2028, and Detroit and Philadelphia in 2030.

Of course, player salaries are going up, but this seven-year deal goes far beyond pay.

The WNBA isn’t just adding teams, it’s adding games. The regular season could grow from 44 to as many as 50 games by 2027, and 52 games by 2029. 

And just as important, the agreement addresses what players call “cadence” or the pace of the schedule. It’ll add in new safeguards aimed at reducing long road stretches and improving travel demands.

Risa Isard is Director of Research and Insights at Parity. She joined The Metro to discuss why this deal is so crucial, and what means for the future of women’s professional sports. 

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

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Sometimes, history reaches out to make itself known. 

A historic preservationist was going through an old, forgotten truck when she discovered something extraordinary: decades old journals. 

As she began to read through them, she realized they held more than family memories, they held the words of her mother’s journey to the United States. The long forgotten journals revealed a surprising connection to one of Detroit’s most famous figures. 

During World War II, Albert Kahn, the legendary architect who shaped much of Detroit’s skyline, quietly helped support her family. 

Nancy Finegood is the former director of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, preservation consultant and a board member of the Albert Kahn Legacy Foundation Detroit. 

She joined The Metro and explained what she found and the unexpected ways the past can show up in our lives.

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.

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Governor Whitmer signed an executive order allowing higher vapor fuels to be sold in southeast Michigan until July 1. The move allows the cheaper winter gas blend to be sold for the next three months. 

High vapor gas helps cars run smoothly when it’s cold outside. It’s less expensive to make, but worse for the environment. 

Whitmer hopes allowing it will lower prices at the pump amid the ongoing war in Iran. 

But GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says there’s no guarantee that the higher vapor mix will make it to consumers. 

“Even with a waiver… refineries have generally already made a transition over to cleaner… more expensive blends of gasoline for the summer. So even if Michigan allows it… that doesn’t mean refineries are going to go back to producing something different.” 

If refineries do revert to winter blend, DeHaan says it could lower gas prices by around 5 to 7 cents per gallon. 
 
AAA says Michigan drivers are paying an average of $3.86 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas this morning. That’s about 20 cents cheaper than it was last week. 

Additional headlines for April 3, 2026

DPSCD seeks student influencers

Detroit Public School Community District is now employing Student Influencers in their on going effort to grow enrollment. 23 students will be hired to share positive messages about their schools.

To apply, current students must make a 60 second Reel about themselves and submit it via direct message to DPSCD’s Instagram account. For more information visit the district’s account on Instagram, under the handle detroitk12.

Detroit Music Hall screens ‘Dream Girls’

This weekend Detroit Music Hall will host a special screening of the movie “Dream Girls.” It’s the 20th anniversary of the film releasing and the 45th anniversary of the Broadway show.

The screening will be hosted by actress Raven-Symone and will also feature special live performance from Jennifer Holiday, who played Effie in the Broadway performance.

Tickets are on sale now at the Music Hall Box Office and Ticketmaster. The screenings will be on April 4 at 7:00 p.m. and April 5 at 3:00 p.m. 

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

Chicago-based artist Will Miller aka Resavoir  joined In The Groove to talk about his evolving sound and recent work, including his 2023 album “Horizon.” The project, created with guitarist Matt Gold, grew out of years of friendship and a shared love of Brazilian music, drawing inspiration from artists like Luiz Bonfá and Milton Nascimento. The record also features guitarist Mei Semones, whose distinctive style adds another layer to the album’s acoustic textures. 

Before stepping into his solo work, Miller spent much of his 20s touring and recording with the band Whitney, contributing to ttheir sound across multiple releases. Now, with his latest album “Themes for Dreams,” he’s embracing a more genre-less approach. “That’s sort of musical terrain that I’ve always been interested in occupying,” Miller says, “just taking the inspiration as it comes and not trying to box it into any one thing.” While often labeled jazz, the record leans into something more atmospheric, echoing Brian Eno. 

That approach carries into the concept behind “Themes for Dreams,” which was inspired by the idea of music designed to aid sleep and guide listeners into a dreamlike state, similar to Glenn Gould’s interpretations of Bach’s “Goldberg Variations.” “It’s meant to sort of guide you into the nether world of dreaming,” Miller explains, embracing both active and passive listening experiences. 

The State of Michigan and the City of Romulus have sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to stop them from converting a warehouse into an ICE detention center.

This week on MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben talks with Attorney General Dana Nessel to discuss her concerns about the department’s actions and much more.

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

In this episode

• Why did the State of Michigan and the City of Romulus sue the U.S. Department of Homeland Security?
• Attorney General Nessel’s take on Pres. Trump attending Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship.
• Data centers in Michigan
• What Attorney Nessel plans to do after leaving office this term. 

Nessel felt that the legality of the Romulus warehouse purchase was in question, and even pointed out the irony of the DHS operation.

“They are taking people who mostly have no criminal records of any kinds and [saying] that these people didn’t come into the state properly so we are going to detain you or deport. Well, DHS didn’t come in to Romulus properly. They are not abiding by the laws. So I think it’s a bit of hypocrisy by the federal government.” 

Nessel said they filed a preliminary injunction so that DHS could not proceed with the project while the legal battle evolves. 

More from WDET:

• Detroit Evening Report: Michigan and city of Romulus file lawsuit to halt ICE detention center

• The Metro: Data centers, coming to a community near you