The City of Detroit launched a network of food pantries yesterday to help residents who normally rely on benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. 

The program, also sometimes called food stamps, has not been fully funded since Nov. 1 because of the federal government shutdown.  Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration has created a map of 85 certified food pantries.

“This is now live at DetroitMI.gov.  You can see the 85 sites.  Some are open one day a week.  Some are open five or six days a week.  And so you can go on the website, click on the one in your area that’s closest to you…and for example you can see this one gives you the address.” 

Duggan is also asking for volunteers to help hand out food to residents in need.  He says the plan should be feasible for the next two weeks. The city has authorized $1.75 million for the project.  

There’s no word on when the government shutdown might end. 

Additional headlines from Thursday, November 6, 2025

Chrysler recall
Chrysler is recalling 320,000 Jeep plug-in hybrid vehicles because of a battery problem that could cause them to catch fire. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the recall affects Jeep Wranglers from the 2020- 2025 model years and Jeep Grand Cherokees from the 2022-2026 model years.  Owners are advised to park the vehicles away from structures and not to plug them in. 

A repair for the problem has not yet been found.  There are reports of 19 fires and one injury possibly connected to the issue. 

DIA workers unionize

Employees at the Detroit Institute of Arts have formed the DIA Workers United union. It’s in partnership with with American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Culture Workers United Division.  The division of the union also represents workers at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The DIA Union campaign says it’s seeking “a fair, transparent, and respectful workplace that aligns with the values the museum shares with the community.” DIA representatives said in a statement they are supportive of the union, and respect the workers legal right to unionize. 

Last day to apply for Homeowners Property Exemption

Tomorrow is the deadline for homeowners to apply for the Homeowners Property Exemption – or HOPE – program. Those who qualify can received up 100% exemption on their property taxes for the current year.

Applications will also be taken for the 2024 tax year as well. Last year, over 10,000 homeowners received reductions on their taxes ranging from 10% to 100%. To see if you qualify or to apply visit detroit.mi.gov/hope. You can also visit city hall Friday, November 7th between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 

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’re highlighting ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, experiences that celebrate Detroit excellence and local markets to kick off your holiday shopping.

Plus, an opportunity to support arts education on the dance floor. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

Hockeytown Centennial FanFest

  MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit

  Thursday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 9

  $17.60 and up

A four-day celebration honoring a century of Red Wings hockey featuring alumni appearances, interactive exhibits, exclusive merchandise and more. General admission day passes start at $17.60, and 4-day passes and VIP tickets are also available starting at $125. The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Guest Artist Demonstration: Kelly Church

  DIA Art-Making Studio in Detroit

  Friday, Nov. 7

  Free with museum admission (free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties)

A drop-in workshop led by Pottawatomi/Ottawa/Ojibwe artist and educator Kelly Church as part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Participants will help create a collaborative woven black ash basket while learning about Church’s process and the history of the materials. The workshop goes from 1–5 p.m.

Carmina Burana featuring Detroit’s Audivi Choir

  DSO Orchestra Hall in Detroit

  Friday, Nov. 7 through Sunday, Nov. 9

  $20.95 and up

A performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Detroit’s Audivi Choir. The cantata, composed in the mid-1930s, is based on a famous medieval collection of poems about worldly pleasures and the ups and downs of fortune. Performances take place at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

We’re Still Here: Fighting Indigenous Erasure in the Media

  Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn

  Saturday, Nov. 8

  Free with registration

A discussion about how to combat anti-Indigenous racism featuring award-winning journalist and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Rebecca Nagle. She’ll break down the lack of accurate representation of Native Americans in pop culture, how that impacts Indigenous rights and how ordinary people can push back. The talk takes place at The Henry Ford’s Anderson Theater and doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Underground Music Academy Fundraiser

  Spot Lite in Detroit

  Saturday, Nov. 8

  $23–$29

A fundraiser to support ongoing construction at Underground Music Academy’s headquarters in Detroit’s North End, featuring DJ sets by Kindle, Disc Jockey George and WDET’s own Waajeed (host of The Boulevard). The party goes from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is 21+.

All Things Detroit Holiday Shopping Experience & Food Truck Rally 2025

  Eastern Market Sheds 3, 4 and 5 in Detroit

  Sunday, Nov. 9

  $7–$15

A holiday shopping market featuring over 200 small businesses, including local artists, handmade gifts, craft goods and one-of-a-kind pieces. There will also be food trucks on site, Detroit DJs in every shed and photo ops with Santa. VIP ticket holders also get two hours of private shopping, an All Things Detroit tote bag and a surprise holiday gift while supplies last. VIP access starts at 10 a.m. and is $15 online. General admission starts at noon and is $7 at the door.

Downtown Detroit Markets & The Cadillac Lodge

  Cadillac Square in Detroit

  Wednesday, Nov. 12 through Jan. 4, 2026

  Free

A holiday shopping market featuring a curated collection of over a dozen Detroit vendors selling everything from apparel and accessories to snacks and skincare. The market area also includes the Cadillac Lodge, a heated tent that offers warm food and seating. Both the market and the lodge are open Wednesdays through Sundays starting at 11 a.m.

A heavy dose of throwback Thursday tracks with Kate Bush, Johnny Jenkins, Paul Simon and others. Plus a sprinkling of new music discovery with Khraungbin, English Teacher, Dry Cleaning, Night Bus and more.

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 November 6, 2025

• “Baby I’m Scared Of You” – Womack & Womack
• “Nightcall (Breakbot Remix)” – Kavinsky
• “Queen (Dan Kye Remix)” – Muzi
• “People Everywhere ii” – Khraungbin
• “Melhor Se Acostumar (Tour-Maubourg Remix)” – Pedro Mizutani
• Flor De Real” – Sessa
• “Free Fall” – Berlioz
• “Army Dreamers” – Kate Bush
• “Sleeping Volcanoes” – Cass McCombs
• “I Walk On Guilded Splinters” – Johnny Jenkins
• “Ritual Union (Maya Jane Coles Remix)” – Little Dragon
• “The World’s Biggest Paving Slab (Daniel Avery Remix)” – English Teacher
• “Hit My Head All Day” – Dry Cleaning
• “Angles Mortz” – Nightbus
• “N.I.T.A.” – Young Marble Giants
• “Mirror” – Jeff Tweedy
• “One of These Things First” – Nick Drake
• “Josh Tillman and the Accidental Dose” – Father John Misty
• “Kashmir” – Led Zeppelin
• “Once In A Lifetime” – WITCH
• “Heaven’s On Fire” – Radio Dept.
• “I’d Do It For Your Love” – Paul Simon
• “Psycho Killer” – Astrønne
• “Radio Silence” – James Blake
• “The Escape Engine” – Burning Airlines
• “Come On Let’s Go” – Broadcast
• “7 AM” – Jacqueline Taïeb
• “How Can I Lose” – Shirley Ann Lee
• “Half Full Glass Of Wine” – Tame Impala
• “All Along The Watertower” – Jimi Hendrix
• “Love Is a Hurtin’ Thing (12″ Version)” – Gloria Ann Taylor
• “Skindo Le-Le (S.U.M.O. Rebounce)” – A Bossa Elétrica

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.”

Thousands of women have been in the initial stages of a legal battle over hair products they believe made them sick.

In 2022, The National Institute of Environmental Health Science, found that women who use hair relaxers frequently increase their risk of developing cancer, and now over 10,000 women who have used the treatment are suing the manufacturers. The findings raise important questions about the risks associated with hair products—risks that are present everyday in a city dubbed the “Hair Capital of the World.”

Aisha Langford, a professor of public health at Wayne State University’s School of Medicine joined the show to explains the important takeaways for consumers and stylists who use relaxers.

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

Political junkies have their minds on the elections that just happened this past week. But one year ahead, there are a lot more elections in the state.

That’s true for the governor’s race, where a slate of Democratic and Republican candidates, in addition to an independent candidate, are running for the seat. 

Currently, Congressman John James and former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox are in the lead for the Republican nomination. Why? And, what do they need to do to win?

Producer Sam Corey spoke to longtime Michigan Republican strategist Jeff Timmer to find out.

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, YouTube, or NPR or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Hey Detroit, Chris Campbell here from the Progressive Underground dropping in for our Pick of the Week.

For this week’s pick, we spotlight Mexican and Colombian artist, producer, singer, rapper, and multi-instrumentalist Dani Bojorges-Giraldo, otherwise known as St. Panther.

Based in Los Angeles, they glide between soul, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and alt-pop. The forthcoming album is “Strange World,” due any day now. For this single, the influence is clear and intentional, channeling D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” into a modern torch song that smolders and slow burns musically.

So let’s check it out, here’s St. Panther with “The Deal,” and it’s my Pick of the Week.

That was St. Panther with “The Deal,” from the upcoming album “Strange World.”

If that pocket pulled you in, lock in with us every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET for The Progressive Underground. We dive into future soul, nu-jazz, B-sides, and deep grooves from across the musical spectrum.

For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. Catch you next time.

Does it ever feel like nothing feels quite like it used to, or has it always felt that way? Well, we’re pondering that notion on this week’s MI Local, with the newly formed minimalist electro-post-punk duo known as Power Moonroof!

The band is comprised of Rachel Kayuk on synth, vocals, and tambourine, and Deleano Acevedo on guitar, vocals, and bongos, but there’s also some other instruments that they tend to bring on stage—a little bit of a controlled-chaos vibe.

They’re wearing cowboy hats in a lot of their recent promotional images, but this ain’t exactly country. Power Moonroof’s debut album, “Nothing Feels Quite Like What It Used To,” is a darkly dreamy blend of post-vaporwave swoons, breathy falsettos, and slick guitar snarls, kinda like a gnarly melding of DEVO-esque rambunctiousness with The Kills’ edgy allure.

Kayuk and Acevedo joined me live in-studio to premiere a couple of songs from their forthcoming album: “Graffiti Cover-Up,” “Hotwax,” and “Live Like That,” with the latter featuring contributing vocals from John Brannon, lead vocalist from the iconic Detroit-based hardcore punk institution, Negative Approach.

Joining Power Moonroof in the studio was Stef Chura, a Detroit-based singer-songwriter who released two acclaimed indie-rock albums between 2017-2019, who then moved south for a spell, relocating back here in 2023.

Within the last year, Acevedo joined Chura’s band, as she works toward releasing her third album sometime in early 2026. Chura, along with Power Moonroof, are playing a show on Thanksgiving Eve at the UFO Bar with former MI Local guest Valerie Salerno, who performs as Dick Texas, and Mutual Heaven, with DJs Charles Trees and Kenjiro. Power Moonroof will have vinyl copies of their new album available at this show!

During our chat, we talked about the origins of Power Moonroof, which grew out of another concurrent band known as Mango Star. Acevedo also detailed his recent onboarding to Stef Chura’s band, while Chura, herself, treated WDET listeners to an exclusive in-studio performance of her song, “All I Do Is Lie.”

We also listened to a solid bit of newly released tracks by local artists; find the full playlist below!

• “Come 2 Me” – Molly
• “Visions” – Atlas the Kid
• “Bad Idea” – Ritual Howls
• “Conversations” – Scott Masson
• “satellite” – bonnie hook
• “Speed Table” – Winged Wheel
• “Long Dirt Driveway” – Dick Texas
• “Graffiti Cover-Up” – Power Moonroof
• “All I Do is Lie” – Stef Chura, live in WDET Studios
• “Live Like That” – Power Moonroof
• “Hotwax” – Power Moonroof

Mary Sheffield will become Detroit’s next mayor.  The City Council President defeated Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Jr. in Tuesday’s general election by a wide margin, winning more than 75 percent of the vote.  Sheffield went into the final campaign with overwhelming financial and voter support.  The new mayor-elect addressed hundreds of supporters at the MGM Grand just after 10 pm.   

“In this administration, everyone will have a seat at the table.  From our block clubs to our non-profits to our faith institutions, to our unions and the voices of our most vulnerable.  Because, guess what.  This city belongs to all of us.”  

About half an hour before Sheffield spoke, Pastor Kinloch delivered a fiery concession speech. 

“As the senior pastor of Triumph Church, I want you to know that fire just got re-ignited because, for the rest of my days, I’m going to keep on fighting for the citizens of the great city of Detroit. I love you and God bless you, my sweet Detroit.”  

Mary Sheffield will take the oath of office to become Detroit’s first woman mayor in January. 

Additional headlines from Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Detroit City Council Races 

In the at-large Detroit City Council race, Mary Waters and Coleman Young won the two available positions, defeating Janeé Ayers and James Harris.   

In District 2, Angela Whitfield Calloway defeated Roy McAlister, Jr. 

In District 3, incumbent Scott Benson beat challenger Cranstana Anderson.   

Renata Miller won the City Council election in District 5, beating Police Commissioner Willie Burton for the job.  This is the seat that will be vacated by Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield. 

Gabriela Santiago-Romero retains her council seat in District 6.  She beat challenger Tyrone Carter.  Santiago-Romero says she’ll continue working to protect residents in Southwest Detroit.  

“Making sure that we’re protecting immigrants…that was a huge task of mine to make sure that we leave the National Guard outside of the city, that we fight back against any kind of threats to our residents. And just making sure that we are prioritizing our neighborhoods.”  

Santiago-Romero will serve her second term in office, beginning in January. 

And Denzel McCampbell defeated Karen Whitsett in District 7.  That’s the seat that incumbent Fred Durhal left to run for mayor in the August primary. 

Dearborn Mayor 

Dearborn voters have elected Mayor Abdullah Hammoud for a second term.  He told a crowd supporters in Dearborn on Tuesday night that the city is a place for everyone to call home. 

Hammoud won with more than 70% of the votes in his bid against challenger Nagi Almudhegi. Hammoud became the city’s first Arab American and Muslim mayor in 2021, after mobilizing volunteers for clean-up efforts from catastrophic floods. 

Dearborn voters also overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to divide the city into wards for districted elections. 

Hamtramck Mayor 

The race to become the next mayor of Hamtramck was the closest of the night.  

Adam Alharbi won the race by just 11 votes.  He defeated Councilman Muhith Mahmood.  Those results are unofficial at this point.  A recount might be possibility.  

Incumbent mayor Amer Ghalib did not seek re-election because he was nominated to become the next U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait. 

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

More election coverage

In this edition of 5-on-5, we shine a light on one of the most vital soul bands of the modern era, Durand Jones & The Indications.

Formed in Bloomington, Indiana in 2012, the group began as a side project among Indiana University music students Durand Jones, Aaron Frazer and Blake Rhein. What started as a dorm-room experiment with old tape recorders and stacks of vintage 45s evolved into one of the defining acts of the contemporary soul renaissance. With a sound that channels Curtis Mayfield’s falsetto grace, the Dells’ harmony stacks, and the grit of southern gospel, the Indications stand at the crossroads of then and now.

Their music resonates deeply with the retro-soul community and has found special embrace within the Chicano lowrider movement, a testament to the timeless reach of their sound. Ahead of their tour stop in Detroit tonight, let’s trace their evolution in five songs that capture their essence.

Five essential tracks by Durand Jones & The Indications

1. “Make a Change” (Durand Jones & The Indications, 2016)

We begin with a spotlight of a track from their self-titled debut album found on Colemine Records, a label founded in 2007 and dedicated to putting out timeless sounding music. The project was recorded on a Tascam 4-track in the band’s Bloomington basement and reintroduced the urgency of late-’60s era protest soul, anchored by Jones’ preacher-like vocal delivery and Frazer’s dynamic percussion.

The album would draw parallels to Stax and Daptone artists, but the Indications would bring a Midwestern humility to their message.

“Make a Change” was one of the heartbeats from the album, which was a call for empathy and social transformation framed in the language of classic rhythm and blues. The album would earn underground acclaim, prompting a reissue by Dead Oceans record label in 2018 and launching the band on a new trajectory.

2. “Too Many Tears” (American Love Call, 2019)

Up next, we move from the grassroots of activism to the elegance of reflection with a standout from their 2019 sophomore album, American Love Call.

Recorded in Brooklyn, the album fused lush strings, vocal duets and spiritual undertones reminiscent of The Impressions and The Delfonics. This album marked a leap in craftsmanship – a full band statement produced with the care of a lost Atlantic Records session. “Too Many Tears” finds Jones and Frazer trading vocals over a slow-burn arrangement that captures heartbreak and endurance in equal measure.

3. “Witchoo” (Private Space, 2021)

Next up, the group trades melancholy for groove, diving headfirst into the dancefloor of the 1970s with “Witchoo,” a track that made them music festival favorites. If American Love Call was candlelight and confession, then their 2021 album release Private Space was mirror ball and liberation. This album expanded their sonic reach, blending Philadelphia-style strings with disco basslines, congas and synth textures. Recorded at the Diamond Mine studios in New York, Private Space showcased the full bloom of the Jones-Frazer partnership, a balance between Jones’ grit and Frazer’s falsetto shimmer.

4. “Lovers’ Holiday” (Flowers, 2025)

From the dancefloor, we move to their latest phase – a sonic bouquet that reaffirms the band’s devotion to melody, message and emotional truth. The 2025 release of their album Flowers presents the band’s most refined and contemplative work to date. Recorded after an extended break that included Jones’ acclaimed solo album and two solo albums by Frazer, the group reunited with a sound steeped in maturity and grace.

“Lovers’ Holiday” channels the sensual restraint of early-’70s Marvin Gaye and the craftsmanship of Thom Bell. The production is more panoramic complete with harps, horns and gospel textures woven seamlessly. The lyrics celebrate intimacy as a spiritual act, signaling a band confident in its evolution.

5. “Been So Long” (Flowers, 2025)

From a 4-track in an Indiana basement to world stages and cross-cultural resonance, Durand Jones & The Indications embody the revival and reinvention of true soul music that speaks to the conscience while keeping you moving. They have been able to move effortlessly through the genre, painting timeless tracks that feel both authentic and effortless, while they forge a path in their own lane.

Our final track, “Been So Long,” epitomizes the emotional centeredness of the Flowers album, a masterwork that bridges nostalgia with modern perspective. The song’s bittersweet melody and layered harmonies present the sound of a group that’s lived through change, while still believing in the redemptive power of soul music.

If you dig artists who embody the spirit of true soul music, keep listening to The Progressive Underground every Saturday at 6 p.m. on 101.9 FM and wdet.org. See you next time.

Durand Jones & The Indications will perform at St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

More from The Progressive Underground:

• Pick of the Week (May 6): ‘Flower Moon’ by Durand Jones & The Indications
• 5-on-5: Snoh Aalegra, the cinematic songstress who feels every note
• After the silence: What D’Angelo’s life and music taught us about soul and survival

Unofficial results say that Adam Alharbi beat Muhith Mahmood in Hamtramck’s mayoral race by 11 votes in Tuesday’s election—but officials say the race isn’t over. 

Hamtramck City Clerk Rana Faraj says 150 absentee ballots were rejected for not having a signature on the ballot or for ballot signatures that didn’t match city records. 

“Letters are sent to the voters so that they know that they have until this Friday, 5 o’clock, to correct the ballot. Since the race was so close with just 11 votes difference, with 150 ballots pending to be corrected, it’s really anybody’s race at this point.”

Faraj said after voters correct their ballots at city hall, it could take up to a month for the ballots to be certified by Wayne County. 

Even after all ballots are accounted for, there is still a possibility for a re-count. 

More election coverage

A heavy dose of new music discovery from Chronixx, Don Was, Butcher Brown, Lawne, Detroit’s own MRKT, Momoko Gill and more.

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 November 5, 2025

• “8 Ball” – Underworld
• “Roscoe (Beyond the Wizard’s Sleeve Remix)” – Midlake
• “Visions (Ela Minus Remix)” – José González
• “Futures (feat. José González)” – Zero 7
• “The Magician” – Andy Shauf
• “Jump Into The Fire” – Harry Nilsson
• “Hold You in My Arms (20th Anniversary Remaster)” – Ray LaMontagne
• “Genesis” – Chronixx
• “Hold Me” – Sault
• “Beyond” – Leon Bridges
• “For You (Many Selves Version)” – Kadhja Bonet
• “Ritual Union” – Little Dragon
• “African Rumble” – Timo Lassy
• “Nubian Lady” – Don Was
• “Colors of Autumn” – Nujabes
• “N8 Medley (Live at Audio Gold)” – Lawne
• “Survivor” – Chronixx
• “Espionage (feat. Charlie Hunter)” – Butcher Brown
• “Flex FM” – Joy Orbinson
• “Bodysnatchers” – Radiohead
• “Kenya” – Os Ipanemas
• “Monotropa” – MRKT
• “Babystar (Momoko Gill Remix)” – Matthew Herbert & Momoko Gill
• “HOURS:AFTER” – Butcher Brown
• “BIG POPPA” – Kassa Overall
• “I Can’t Help It” – Michael Jackson
• “I Love You Too Much” – Stevie Wonder
• “Messages From The Stars” – The RAH Band
• “The Darkness That You Fear” – The Chemical Brothers
• “Dream Of You” – Lionlimb & Angel Olsen
• “Get Me Back In the Game” – LL Burns

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.”

Voters across Michigan wrapped up a midterm election yesterday that, for many, began weeks earlier during the state’s early voting window. For voters with physical disabilities, the right to cast a ballot is protected in state law and under federal protections like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Help America Vote Act. 

Yet audits in metro Detroit have repeatedly found the opposite on the ground. Last year, Detroit Disability Power reported that only 13% of polling places were fully accessible across nearly 300 sites. The Metro’s pre-election coverage highlighted widespread problems with entrances and accessible voting machines in metro Detroit. 

On the heels of the midterm election, The Metro team wondered: What did access for disabled voters look like during early voting and on Election Day? 

Eric Welsby, policy and advocacy lead at Detroit Disability Power, joined Robyn Vincent to discuss the persistent barriers he observed, and what can be done about it.

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

Leading up to this year’s election The Metro has discussed how Detroit’s turnout needs to improve. According to the city’s unofficial results, nearly 22,000 more people voted this year than in the 2021 mayoral election.

After a quick update on turnout in Oakland County with clerk Lisa Brown, we were joined by Al Williams, who leads ground efforts with Lift Every Voice and Vote in Detroit. The non-profit organization encourages voting by working with local churches. 

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

For the first time, a woman is mayor-elect for the City of Detroit.

Mary Sheffield is a 38-year old Black woman and the current Detroit City Council President. In becoming mayor, she’ll have a much brighter spotlight flashing on her. And many agree that that light, because of her gender, will carry scrutiny that Mayor Duggan never had to face. 

Notably, Detroit already has many women leading organizations and departments across the city. So how significant is Sheffield’s win? And, what kinds of things might she need to be concerned about that a man wouldn’t?

To discuss all this now, we have Raquel Constañeda-Lopez served on Detroit City Council at the same time as Sheffield. Now she runs an organization called Restorative Democracy, which supports women of color who hold public office. 

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, YouTube, or NPR or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Dearborn voters have elected Mayor Abdullah Hammoud for a second term. 

Hammoud won with more than 70% of the votes in his bid against challenger Nagi Almudhegi.

He told a crowd of about 250 people at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center Tuesday night that the city is built on coexistence across faiths, backgrounds, and political views. 

“To our Arab American community, to our Polish, Irish, and Italian American families, to every new neighbor and every long time resident, white, Black or brown, to every faith and every background, Dearborn is a place where you are seen, where you are valued, and where you belong.” 

Hammoud became the city’s first Arab American and Muslim mayor in 2021 after mobilizing volunteers for clean-up efforts from catastrophic floods. 

Hammoud ran on a bid to continue the work he started four years ago. He said, “The way to win re-election campaigns is to treat people with dignity, to meet them in their homes and in their communities, listen to their needs, and deliver change that their families can see and can feel. That’s what we’re doing in Dearborn.” 

Also in Dearborn, voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to create a ward system for districted city council seats. 

More election coverage

In Northwest Detroit, District 7 went to Denzel McCampbell.

He defeated Democratic Michigan State Representative Karen Whitsett, who angered many in her party by caucusing with Republicans during last year’s lame duck session.

McCampbell is a former communications director for Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and a Democratic Socialist. He says his message resonates with Detroit voters.

“When we’re talking about delivering on basic needs, making sure that folks can have housing, that they can have food on the table in there, and have what they need to thrive, I think that’s what this moment is about, and we have to make sure that we not only build on it, but work together to deliver on that as well.”

McCampbell says he has a good relationship with Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield after working with her on the Detroit charter commission.

“When I was on the charter Commission, we worked on the Detroiter Bill of Rights, and I really look forward to meeting and coming together on how we can really make sure we’re serving our neighborhoods and really delivering for our neighborhoods, especially in District 7.”

McCampbell is now the second Democratic Socialist on city council after Gabriela Santiago-Romero won re-election.

More election coverage

Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — also known as EBT and Bridge Card in Michigan —  is still uncertain. Yesterday, the Trump administration announced the use of designated emergency funds to pay for half of what card holders normally receive. That’s after the government shutdown froze monthly EBT disbursements on November 1, 2025.

Nearly a quarter of Wayne County residents rely on SNAP benefits to eat.

With the uncertainty surrounding federal funding, community organizations across metro Detroit have been stepping up to fill the gap and ensure people are fed and cared for.

BasBlue, a community organization and gathering place for women and nonbinary people, is located in Midtown, Detroit and was established in 2021.

On Monday, they hosted a first-ever “Community Supper” in response to SNAP benefits uncertainty resulting from the government shutdown.

Ellen Gilchrist, BasBlue CEO, joined the Metro to discuss why now was the time to provide meals to the public.

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

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

More stories from The Metro

It’s Election Day in America, and once again, the question is what kind of country do we want to be?

In state after state, new voting laws have made it harder to cast a ballot. Meanwhile, election workers across the country face threats and trust in the process is eroding.

But there is also new energy and a strong current of change moving through the country. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, leads the mayor’s race. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow are pushing bold, grassroots campaigns. Progressives like Omar Fateh and Katie Wilson are gaining traction in Minneapolis and Seattle, respectively.

Their popularity says something: voters want affordable housing, clean water, buses that run, health care that works, food that is fresh and cheap. And that demand, more than any single race, may be democracy’s last line of defense.

So today, as Americans vote, The Metro’s Robyn Vincent turns to E.J. Dionne, a New York Times columnist and Brookings scholar, to help read this moment and unpack what it tells us about the future of American democracy.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Mary Sheffield won the race for Detroit mayor on Tuesday, defeating Solomon Kinloch Jr. to become the first woman elected to lead the city.

Sheffield, the Detroit City Council president, received more than 50% of the vote in August’s all-party municipal primary. The office is officially nonpartisan.

Sheffield will succeed three-term incumbent Mike Duggan, who did not seek reelection. The Associated Press declared Sheffield the winner at 9:12 p.m. EST.

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