The Detroit Public Schools Community District is considering paying parents, giving away bikes, and providing gas cards for carpools in an effort to end chronic absenteeism. 

Last year the district launched a program that allowed high school students to earn up to $1,000 for perfect attendance. The new financial incentives would be offered to families of kindergarten to second grade students in neighborhoods with the highest concentrations of poverty.

The idea is still being workshopped among DPSCD board members. 

Additional headlines from Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Sea wall repair program

Detroit is launching a $1 million sea wall repair program in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood. The project will repair or replace sea walls along canals fed by the Detroit River.

The program is prioritizing 15-20 properties and could help remove the neighborhood from FEMA’s flood hazard map. A survey in 2025 found 70% of the neighborhood’s waterfront properties have sea walls in fair or poor conditions.

Once properties are selected, construction is expected to continue through 2027. Applications are underway online or through the phone by calling 313-628-2232. 

New parks over I-75

The Downtown Detroit Partnership is moving forward with plans to build three large park caps over I-75 between Third Avenue and Brush Street. The caps will reconnect neighborhoods to the downtown area that were separated by the highway.

Officials say the project will also improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, reduce highway noise, and create new public gathering spaces. Plans are currently undergoing a feasibility study that will run through 2026, with construction possibly starting between 2026 and 2028. Officials are gathering public input before final recommendations are made. 

Detroit Tigers and Red Wings launch sports network

The owners of the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings have created a regional sports network to broadcast their games. Detroit SportsNet will carry the Tigers on cable, satellite, and streaming platforms this season. Red Wings games will continue to be available on FanDuel Sports for the rest of this season and will switch to the new network next season.

Both teams and many others across the country are terminating their deals with FanDuel’s parent company because it failed to make scheduled payments for the rights to carry their games. 

Gas prices

Gasoline prices rose by almost 14 cents per gallon overnight. AAA says Michigan drivers are paying an average of almost $3.13 cents for the cheapest grade of gas this morning. It was about $2.99 yesterday. The average price in metro Detroit rose from $3.03 a gallon yesterday to $3.13 today. 

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

Since late last year, “Heated Rivalry”—a series about two male hockey players who fall in love— has taken the country by storm. 

The show’s stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, have made appearances at major events across North America. But before the “Heated Rivalry” story charmed the audience on screen, it seduced its readers as the second book in author Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series. 

Now the story represents the cultural moment we are in now: Romance novels exploded in popularity after the pandemic and LGBTQ+ romance stories are becoming more prevalent. To encapsulate the moment, we want to spotlight the queer love stories that came before it.

Queer love stories are not new, and “Heated Rivalry” scratches the surface of the plethora of stories that have been and continue to be written about LGBTQ+ romance.

Erin Bell, the director of the Writing Center at the University of Detroit Mercy and a researcher of women’s writing and literature, joined to help us pull back the layers of non-traditional love stories. 

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

Detroit has a housing problem. But in this city, compared with others across the country, the issue isn’t about a lack of housing — it’s the fact that too many existing homes need critical repairs.

Tens of thousands of Detroiters live in substandard housing. The stock often has leaky roofs, electrical problems — things that, if they’re not functioning, make a home unlivable. 

The city has spent tens of millions of dollars on home repairs. But that number is not nearly enough to meet the need, which totals over $1 billion.

Briana Rice is a civic life reporter at Outlier Media. She’s among the reporters who worked on Outlier’s “Beyond Repair” series. It explores Detroit’s home repair crisis. 

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

Tonight, we heard some stellar new tracks, including Fever Ray’s “The Lake (Cinematic)” from the upcoming movie, “The Bride!” It’s pretty darn cool! Plus, She’s Green is back with a new release, a great new track from Apparat, and Deary hits another home run with their song, “Alfie.” 

We also discussed a few important opportunities to vote for your favorite bands and radio hosts. Jeff Buckley and New Order/Joy Division are nominated to be inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cast your vote here.

Also, Detroit’s Dreampop duo Bluhm is nominated for Detroit’s best local act. Cast your vote for them and WDET’s own Ryan Patrick Hooper for radio host, and Jerome Vaughn and Pat Batcheller for radio news or sports reporter.

Listen to the full episode above, on-demand for two weeks at wdet.org.

• “The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove” – Dead Can Dance
• “Clusters” – Emma Anderson
• “Blush” – The Secret French Postcards
• “Icing Sugar” – The Cure
• “Alfie” – Deary
• “Inhaler” – Hooverphonic
• “Double Dream” – Bluhm
• “Rubber Ring” – The Smiths
• “Only Hinting” – Clinic Stars
• “Blew It” – Liquorice
• “Mettle” – She’s Green
• “Morning Theft” – Jeff Buckley
• “skin in the game” – Slowdive
• “Hum Of Maybe” – Apparat
• “Everywhere” – Cranes
• “The Lake (Cinematic)” – Fever Ray
• “Atmosphere” – Joy Division
• “Gold” – Sigur Ros
• “Cry In The Wind” – Clan Of Xymox
• “Coast is Clear” – Curve
• “Cave” – Future Islands
• “Obviously” – A Shoreline Dream
• “Octopus” – Starrgazy
• “Crushed” – Cocteau Twins
• “Sapphire Door” – Soft Blue Shimmer
• “Burrow” – AtticOmatic
• “Paradise” – New Order
• “Poison Berry” – Night Swimming
• “Wop-a-Din-Din” – Red House Painters
• “Fly to the Ceiling (feat. Rosa Rocca)” – Theis Thaws, Tricky
• “Harold and Cindy Hospital” – Severed Heads
• “Blackhole” – Basement Revolver
• “Leave Them All Behind” – Ride
• “Burst” – Snowcuffs

Mayor Mary Sheffield has hired Dearborn’s former Chief Public Health Officer to fulfill the same role in Detroit. Ali Abazeed is credited with building Dearborn’s public health department from the ground up. He also worked in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the pandemic. 

Abazeed says he is looking for bold ideas to improve public health in Detroit. He is credited with achieving a 60% reduction in drug overdoses and expanding air quality testing in the city of Dearborn. Abazeed also brought the Rx Kids program to Dearborn, the same program Mayor Sheffield launched in Detroit earlier this year. 

Additional headlines from Monday, March 2, 2026

DPSCD offers Ramadan meals to students

Detroit Public Schools Community District is offering Ramadan meals to students fasting during the month-long holiday. Meals are available for pick up between 2 and 3:30pm from school cafeterias.

Each meal package includes one breakfast and one lunch distributed to students who attend school that day. Ramadan meals are available school days until March 17. 

Temple Beth El tour

Temple Beth El is opening its doors to the community for an exploration of history and faith. Attendees will learn about Judaism and the history of the Temple Beth El congregation and it’s impact on southeastern Michigan.

The evening includes a tour of the synagogue and a meal. The event is Tuesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. It’s a part of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metro Detroit’s Interfaith Odysseys program. Registration is $35 for individuals and $50 for families.

Southwest Detroit Loteria fundraiser

Community members and Wayne State University alumni are invited to play a Southwest Detroit edition of Loteria Wednesday. The event is a fundraiser for the joint alumni association for Wayne State’s Latino en Marcha, Chicano Boricua Studies and Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies programs.

This version of Loteria showcases people and businesses in Southwest Detroit. There will be Loteria-inspired merchandise for sale connected to each program. Funds support the Dr. Jorge Chinea Endowment.

A $100 donation buys a Loteria board. The event is Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Mexicantown Community Development Corporation at 2835 Bagley Street. 

Lunar eclipse

Metro Detroiters will be able to see a total lunar eclipse Tuesday morning…if the weather cooperates.

The moon will enter the Earth’s shadow overnight, and a partial eclipse will begin around 4:50 a.m. Totality will last for about an hour between 6 and 7 a.m., during which the moon will appear to be red. 

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

New research shows the presence of trees where people live may significantly impact human heart health.

The results find that those living in greener neighborhoods have lower risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases.

Peter James is a lead researcher of the study at the University of California – Davis.

Using over 350 million Google Street View images analyzed with deep learning, James’s team identified street-level vegetation and linked it to long-term health data.

However, areas with more grass were linked to higher cardiovascular risk.

James says trees help by cooling neighborhoods, filtering air, reducing noise, and promoting activity and social interaction. “We’ve evolved as human beings to be in nature….this is our natural setting, not staring at a computer screen….that’s where we thrive… out in trees and nature,” James says. 

This story is a part of WDET’s ongoing series, the Detroit Tree Canopy Project.

People voted for President Donald Trump, in part, because he promised to shake things up. Change is happening in many spaces, including those related to public health.

In Michigan, and across the country, fewer people are getting vaccinated, more people are sick, and less individuals have health insurance. Life is also different for people who lead local public institutions. 

Kate Guzman is the Oakland County Health Officer. She spoke with The Metro‘s Robyn Vincent about the current measles outbreaks, the rise in flu cases, and what she’s doing to try to keep people healthy during President Trump’s second term in 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, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Diving into new music from Bon Iver, Jill Scott, Momoko Gill, Mitchum Yacoub, Commodo 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 March 2, 2026

• “Motions” – Mansur Brown
• “Just A Western” – Nilufer Yanya
• “Carried Away” – HER
• “Pressha” – Jill Scott
• 2close2farr” – Momoko Gill
• “Para Sempre (feat. Elin Melgarejo)” – Thievery Corporation
• “Paradise (feat. Thalma De Freitas)” – DJ Center & Sly5thAve
• “I Love You Too Much” – Stevie Wonder
• “Leisure Suit Preben” – Todd Terje
• “Cumbia No Get Enemy” – Mitchum Yacoub
• “Pedro Navaja” – Willie Colón & Ruben Blades
• “Down By The River” – Buddy Miles
• “The House of the Rising Sun” – Minoru Muraoka
• “Deep Harbour (feat. Alfa Mist)” – Commodo
• “Beige Days” – SOYUZ
• “Midnight (acoustic)” – Jessie Ware
• “Seventeen” – Sharon Van Etten
• “School of Eyes” – Wye Oak
• “HEAVENLY FATHER (Mediolanum, Milan, IT. Nov 05 2022)” – Bon Iver
• “Pyjamarama (Live)” – Roxy Music
• “It All Feels Right” – Washed Out
• “Sleepyhead 2025” – Passion Pit & SOFI TUKKER
• “See-Line Woman” – Danielle Ponder & Bryce Dessner
• “My Moon My Man” – Feist
• “The Moon Was Yellow (Live At The Hickory House,1956)” – Jutta Hipp
• “Come Together” – Ike & Tina Turner
• “New Case” – Upchuck
• “Power of the Moon” – Ezra Furman
• “Everything Is Simple” – Widowspeak
• “The Big Idea” – Lily Talmers
• “Defense” – Panda Bear
• “Disintegration” – The Cure
• “Diving Woman” – Japanese Breakfast

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.

If you have lived in Detroit for a while, you’ve heard the city’s revival narrative. The magazines, the national news, the awards —they proclaim Detroit is back. Many Detroiters have bristled at this. Back from where? They never left.

That phrase — “Detroit never left” — is the counter. It is emblazoned on T-shirts, stickers, and murals. Detroiters utter these words to take back the narrative. But from whom?

In her new book, “Detroit Never Left: Black Space, White Borders, Latino Crossings,” Nicole Trujillo-Pagán makes the case that powerful outsiders have long defined Detroit’s problems at the expense of residents. 

She argues foundations, banks, the state, and national media used words like “blight” and “vacancy” to define the city’s problems in ways that benefited themselves while excluding Detroiters.

She joined Robyn Vincent on The Metro to discuss how Detroit’s comeback has looked different depending on where you stand.

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 Visions, I bring in the month of March, and Women’s History Month, with an episode of all women jazz artists. I include women on every show, and I make sure the women I include aren’t just vocalists. That’s a common stereotype about women in jazz, that they’re just singers. But there are incredible instrumentalists, composers, arrangers, and vocalists alike who are just as important as their male counterparts within the jazz canon.

You hear from Detroit’s Marion Hayden, Gayelynn McKinney, Geri Allen and Alice Coltrane. I include two all-female groups Artemis and Alliance. I also play some of the greats from past and present: Mary Lou Williams, Sarah Vaughn, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kris Davis, Ingrid Jensen, Amina Claudine Myers, Regina Carter, and more.

I hope this episode is a mix of those familiar to you and some new music discovery. Happy listening!

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 Mar. 2, 2026

• “Amsterdam After Dark (feat. George Coleman)” – Ingrid Jensen
• “Higher Ground” – Regina Carter*
• “All Blues” – Mary Lou Williams
• “Mismatch” – Yvonne Rogers
• “Perhaps” – Marion Hayden*
• “Ladies Day” – Bobbi Humphrey
• “Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry” – Sarah Vaughn
• “Pisces” – Geri Allen* & The Mary Lou Williams Collective
• “Little Jump” – Terri Lyne Carrington
• “Jo Jar” – Nicole Mitchell, Tomeka Reid & Mike Reed
• “Blues Melba” – Melba Liston
• “The Very Thing (feat. esperanza spalding & Tony Malaby)” – Kris Davis
• “Jaya Jaya Rama” – Alice Coltrane*
• “Conjure Man” – Gayelynn McKinney*
• “Louisville” – Amina Claudine Myers Trio
• “Linger (feat. Sharel Cassity & Colleen Clark)” – Alliance
• “Violets for Your Furs” – Jutta Hipp & Zoot Sims
• “What the World Needs Now is Love” – Artemis

* indicates Detroit artists

A$AP Rocky has always pushed against the edges of hip-hop. After spending time focused on fatherhood and acting, he returns with something different again, leaning into psychedelic textures, alt-rock energy and post-punk attitude.

Some critics are connecting it to a broader movement of Black artists exploring indie rock spaces, sometimes called afro-grunge. 

Whatever name you give it, the mood is hypnotic, experimental and bold. Rocky lets the atmosphere breathe while he floats across it. Here’s “PUNK ROCKY.” My Pick of the Week.

That was A$AP Rocky with “PUNK ROCKY.” If you appreciate when artists color outside the lines, join us every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET and wdet.org for multi-genre journeys.

For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. We’ll see you next time. Peace.

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, we’re joined by the 4-piece Irish band Ye Vagabonds, playing songs from their 4th album “All Tied Together.” This is the band’s first album with no instrumentals, trad songs, and it’s all in English. Their new songs reflecting on their early days entering the Dublin music scene!

Also this week, Alison Mosshart on the SongWriter Podcast preview, and archives from Graham Nash, I’m With Her and much 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 March 1, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Undercurrent” – Perfume Genius
• “Keeper” – Courtney Marie Andrews
• “Sweet Ice Tea” – Tinsley Ellis
• “Somewhere Down In Georgia” – Mon Rovia
• “Marguerita” – Graham Nash (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “True Love Will Find You In The End” – Beck
• “Forever Never Lasts” – Rachael & Vilray (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Sitric Road” – Ye Vagabonds (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “The Flood” – Ye Vagabonds (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Low & Lonely” – AV & The Inner City
• “Only A Fool” – The James Hunter 6
• “Big Money” – Jon Batiste
• “Ancient Light” – I’m With Her (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Radio – Duo” – Alison Mosshart (SongWriter Podcast)
• “Can You Run?” – Rissi Palmer
• “Aeroplane” – Zach Bryan
• “Ripple” – The Dandy Warhols
• “Darkest Hour” – Bob Weir
• “Only A River” – Josh Ritter (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “I’ll Change For You” – Mitski
• “Nothing Comes Easy” – Joy Oladokun
• “Long Grass” – Ye Vagabonds (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Danny” – Ye Vagabonds (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)

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

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music on the final day of February, we’ll jump into historical March releases from the past 60 years including Seger, Anita Baker, Iggy Pop, Marvin Gaye and many more.

Also new music this week from Jill Scott, Mitski, Jose Gonzalez and the upcoming HELP (2) compilation!

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 February 28, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Red Dragon Tattoo” – Fountains Of Wayne
• “Random Name Generator” – Wilco
• “You Went Away Too Long” – The Womack Sisters
• “A Perfect Storm” – Jose Gonzalez
• “Bruises” – Chris Bathgate
  
• “I Want You” – Marvin Gaye (March 1976)
• “Sweet Love” – Anita Baker (March 1986)
• “Gardenia” – Iggy Pop (March 2016)
• “Be Great” – Jill Scott ft. Trombone Shorty
• “This Time For Real” – Chet Faker
• “Nothing I Could Hide” – Arlo Parks
  
• “Big Bang Baby” – Stone Temple Pilots (March 1996)
• “Takin’ It To The Streets” – The Doobie Brothers (March 1976)

• “That White Cat” – Mitski
• “Doctrine Of Love” – Jalen Ngonda
• “That’s The Way God Planned It” – Billy Preston
• “We All Go Back To Where We Belong” – R.E.M.
• “Everybody Hurts” – Al Green
• “The Freshmen” – The Verve Pipe (March 1996)
• “Soul Kiss” – Joe Jackson (March 1986)
• “Moonlight Becomes You” – Frank Sinatra (March 1966)
• “These Boots Are Made For Walking” – Nancy Sinatra (March 1966)
• “Bad Blood” – Neil Sedaka
  
• “Pictures” – Gnarls Barkley
• “Like A Rock” – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (March 1986)

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

Performer and comedian Bridget Everett joined In The Groove ahead of her Detroit appearance to talk about the music, freedom and emotional release that define her genre-blurring live shows. 

Everett says Detroit audiences have always stood out to her, even if she can’t quite explain why. “You can’t really put your finger on it,” she says. “I walked away feeling really loved and loving it.” That sense of connection, she explains, is what she hopes audiences feel during her performances, a chance to let go and have fun together. 

On Monday, Everett brings her live show to The Fillmore Detroit for a one-night performance.

Everett first built her reputation performing in New York’s underground cabaret scene before expanding her audience on tour with comedian Amy Schumer, who encouraged her to bring her boundary-pushing performances to new cities. Everett describes her show as a mix of rock concerts, cabaret and stand-up comedy, driven by unpredictability and inviting audiences to let loose. “Being flexible with what people expect a performer to do is thrilling,” she says, adding that the goal is to create a space where audiences can simply have fun. 

Music has always been central to her work. Performing songs like Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run,” she says, “there’s a different feeling when you are singing a song and living inside of it,” describing the unexpected sense of freedom she found performing it live. Growing up in Kansas, discovering artists like Joan Jett helped shape the fearless energy she brings to the stage today.

Her current tour balances chaos with quieter moments, including a performance of Elton John’s “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” which serves as the emotional centerpiece of the night. “You have a couple bangers, and then you have a tender moment,” Everett says. “It’s as much for them as it is for me.” 

For generations, we’ve all heard fairy tale love stories. We learn early on in life who gets to be loved and who doesn’t. 

Oftentimes, those characters from those stories are written through a specific lens. Rarely do these great romantic tales center Black characters or characters of color at all. 

Black love stories are seen as a niche genre.

The State of Racial Diversity in Romance Publishing Study tracks the publication of books written by authors who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color) in the traditional romance genre.

According to findings, only 11% of the books published within the romance genre were from writers of color. 

So, what does it mean to call Black love “niche”? And who decides which love stories are universal?

Sylvia Hubbard is an author of over 70 romance novels. She joined The Metro’s Tia Graham to talk more about diversity within the romance genre.

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

Daniel Estrin, NPR

TEL AVIV, Israel, WASHINGTON, D.C., and AMMAN, Jordan — Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Saturday against Iran as part of a major military campaign intended to topple the Islamic regime, President Trump said.

Trump said that other Iranian leaders were also killed.

“He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do,” Trump posted on Truth Social. He added, “The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”

Khamenei was killed by an Israeli strike, a person briefed on the strike told NPR. The NPR source requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly. Trump did not confirm that the strike was carried out by Israel.

Iran has not confirmed the death of Khamenei or other leaders.

The wave of airstrikes began after sunrise in Iran, with huge explosions ringing out in the capital Tehran. Videos showed large plumes of thick smoke.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the attack a “gross violation” of its national sovereignty. A statement said the airstrikes hit both military and civilian targets.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society relief group said more than 200 people were killed in strikes across Iran.

“They have hit many targets around me and we hear fighter jets and missiles exploding,” said a resident in western Tehran reached by phone before communications were cut in Iran. Like other Iranian residents interviewed by NPR, they did not want to use their names for fear of arrest. “People were panicking and trying to get to their homes. Children are running out of school.”

Iranian state media said one of the airstrikes hit a girls’ primary school in southern Iran, killing at least 85 children, according to the local prosecutors office. The prosecutors said more girls were still buried under the rubble. Saturday is the start of the Iranian school and work week. NPR is asking Israeli officials for comment on the report a school was hit.

Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, told NPR on Saturday it was aware of reports about civilians being harmed.

“We take these reports seriously and are looking into them,” Hawkins said. “The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimize the risk of unintended harm. Unlike Iran, we have never — and will never — target civilians.”

Iran responded with missile and drone launches of its own, spreading the conflict to the wider region. Air raid sirens wailed in Israel as it came under attack. Several countries in the Gulf also reported Iranian strikes, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. The Jordanian government, which also hosts major U.S. military bases, reported it downed 49 drones and ballistic missiles threatening its territory.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” Trump said in an eight-minute video posted on Truth Social.

Source: Donald J. Trump via Truth Social

Tense lead-up to the strikes

The joint U.S.-Israeli attack — called “Epic Fury” by the Pentagon and “Roaring Lion” by Israel — came after weeks of escalating tensions and a major U.S. military buildup in the region. The U.S. had said it was trying to negotiate a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program, holding the most recent round of talks on Thursday in Geneva. But Trump said those efforts had failed.

In the run-up to the military strike, analysts speculated on whether Trump might choose a brief, limited attack — as he has done previously in Iran and many other cases over the past year — or if he would opt for a more expansive operation. The initial impression — and the president’s own words — pointed to a large-scale, open-ended bombardment.

“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated,” Trump said, adding, “We’re going to annihilate their navy.”

The president claims Iran was rebuilding its nuclear program ahead of the attack — Trump had often said the program was “totally obliterated” in the U.S. and Israeli attacks last June.

Trump also told the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to surrender: “Lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitored Iran’s program for years, as well as other nuclear experts, have said there’s no evidence that Iran has resumed the enrichment of uranium, the centerpiece of the program.

Prior to launching the attack, Trump said he preferred a negotiated deal, but would also welcome regime change. Otherwise, he offered little insight into his ultimate goal in Iran.

But in his video, he made clear that he wants Iran’s religious leadership, which has ruled for 47 years, to fall.

Speaking directly to the Iranian people, he told them to take shelter for now, while bombing is taking place. Then, he added, “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations.”

However, the Iranian security forces brutally suppressed mass street protests last month. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency says more than 7,000 people were killed. Trump has put the death toll at 32,000 without citing his source.

A Tehran resident reached by NPR said Saturday that internal security forces were flooding the streets in some residential neighborhoods.

“Many of them are on the streets on motorbikes, showing off their guns,” she said. “They want to create fear.”

There’s no sign the U.S. will send ground troops into Iran, and military analysts say it will be extremely difficult to topple the government with air power alone.

Therefore, it’s impossible to say whether Iran’s leadership might be vulnerable to a domestic uprising, or if it would be able to crush protests as it did earlier this year.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday condemned the strikes by the U.S. and Israel, as well as the retaliatory strikes by Iran. 

“We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security. Military action carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world,” Guterres said during an emergency UN Security Council meeting. “Let me be clear: There is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes. Lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations.”

Hundreds of targets struck

Israel’s military said it completed its biggest air force operation in the country’s history, with about 200 fighter jets hitting about 500 targets in western and central Iran, including aerial defense systems and missile launchers, expanding Israel’s aerial superiority over Iran.

An Israeli military official told reporters that the U.S. and Israeli militaries spent months building up an extensive bank of targets in Iran and were looking for the right moment to strike when senior Iranian officials would meet. The official said three separate gatherings of senior officials were struck simultaneously Saturday morning. The official said several central government figures were killed, without identifying them.

Hours before Trump announced the supreme leader’s death, NPR was told by a person briefed on the strikes that Israel’s assessment was that Supreme Leader Khamenei was hit, and later, from another source with knowledge of the strikes, that he was killed by an Israeli strike.

That account conflicts with what Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier told NBC News — that Khamenei and Iran’s president were still alive “as far as I know,” as were other top officials.

The military said the operation was conducted with “full synchronization and coordination” between the Israeli and U.S. militaries.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said the goal of the joint U.S.-Israeli attack is to “remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran.”

“Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands,” Netanyahu said in a video.

A person briefed on the operation told NPR it was expected to last a few days, with Israel’s military focusing on targeting Iran’s missile program.

Israel has closed its airspace to all passenger flights, and civil defense protocols have been activated. Regional military forces remain on high alert.

A 48-hour state of emergency was declared nationwide. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel, with authorities warning civilians to enter bomb shelters.

Trails of smoke streaked the sky above Tel Aviv as Israeli interception systems fired at incoming missiles. A hospital in central Israel began moving operations to an underground fortified compound.

In the Gulf, several countries offered details on Iranian attacks.

Bahrain’s government said an Iranian airstrike hit the U.S. naval base that is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

The United Arab Emirates, another U.S. ally, said it intercepted Iranian missiles. It said shrapnel from one of the missiles killed a national of an unspecified Asian country in Abu Dhabi.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday afternoon that the president has spoken with leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

NPR’s Michele Kelemen contributed to this report. Aya Batrawy contributed reporting from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Rebecca Rosman contributed from Paris.

This is a developing story. Follow along for live updates from NPR. 

Michigan’s lawmakers are beginning to issue public statements following President Donald Trump’s acknowledgment that the United States is risking American lives in military action involving Iran.

So far, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib have shared their reactions. Additional responses are expected.

Sen. Gary Peters: “Our Constitution requires this check for a reason”

In a Facebook post, Sen. Gary Peters said the president is “risking American lives by dragging us into another ‘war’ in the Middle East, without Congress’ approval.”

Peters wrote that the Constitution requires congressional authorization “for a reason” and said the American people “don’t want to send their sons and daughters to another unjustified forever war across the world.”

WDET’s Russ McNamara interviewed Peters on Sunday, March 1, following the attack.

Sen. Peters emphasized the the unclear goals of the operation in the long term and critiqued Republicans in congress for failing to question the president and exercise their checks on his power. He also stated that potentially starting another war in the Middle East goes against the will and priorities of the American people, and that it will likely further international tensions and distrust of the U.S. among allies.

“This is not a simple decision to make. It has significant consequences, including for the Iranian people. So it is one that cannot be taken lightly, and why you need to have a full discussion about what your goals are and what you hope to accomplish,” said Peters. “And are you actually advancing global stability, or are you making things more unstable?

Sen. Peters also shared concern for how vital personnel to counter terrorism have been used to bolster Immigration and Customs Enforcement, leaving gaps in U.S. security.

Peters’ team said he plans to support the Iran War Powers Resolution that is expected to go in front of congress this week. He voted in favor of Tim Kaine’s War Powers Resolution when the Trump administration launched strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities last June. 

Rep. Rashida Tlaib: “The American people do not want a war with Iran”

In a statement released from Detroit, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib said, “The American people do not want a war with Iran.”

Tlaib criticized what she called the Trump administration’s “illegal war of aggression on Iran,” saying it has “already killed dozens of children” and risks igniting “a catastrophic regional war.”

She said Congress “must stop the bloodshed by immediately reconvening to exert its war powers.”

Tlaib also said Iran is “a bad actor” and that the United States must ensure the country never produces nuclear weapons. She referenced a prior diplomatic agreement on nuclear proliferation, saying President Trump withdrew from it during his first term “without a plan for what comes next.”

Tlaib called on the administration to immediately brief Congress on the strikes, including its next steps, end goal and strategy, to ensure the action “protects, not weakens, our homeland security.”

Daniel Estrin, NPR

TEL AVIV — The U.S. and Israel have launched strikes against Iran with the goal of toppling the regime, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday.

Iran retaliated by launching missiles at Israel and a U.S. naval base in Bahrain. An Iranian official said all Israeli and U.S. interests in the region were now considered legitimate targets.

The joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran comes after weeks of escalating tensions and a major U.S. military buildup in the region, as the U.S. and Iran tried to negotiate a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program. Trump said those efforts had failed.

“Bombs will be dropping everywhere,” President Trump said, addressing Iranians in a video posted to his Truth Social account. “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations.”

The Israeli military said in a statement its fighter jets were striking “dozens of military targets” in Iran with “full synchronization and coordination” between the Israeli and U.S. militaries following months of joint planning.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the goal of the joint U.S.-Israeli attack is to “remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran.”

“Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands,” Netanyahu said in a video.

A person briefed on the operation told NPR it was expected to last a few days, with Israel’s military focusing on targeting Iran’s missile program.

“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” Trump said.

Israel has closed its airspace to all passenger flights, and civil defense protocols have been activated. Regional military forces remain on high alert.

A 48-hour state of emergency has been declared nationwide. Air raid sirens have been sounding across Israel, with authorities warning civilians to enter bomb shelters.

Trails of smoke streaked the sky above Tel Aviv as Israeli interception systems fired at incoming missiles. A hospital in central Israel began moving operations to an underground fortified compound.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. It’s menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world,” Trump said.

Trump said the U.S. had “sought repeatedly to make a deal” but Iran “rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions.”

Trump told the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to “lay down your arms… or you will face certain death.”

Iranian government media reported rocket fire in parts of the capital, Tehran. State television has broadcast footage showing smoke rising after a blast in the city. The extent of the damage and potential casualties has not yet been confirmed.

The strike follows weeks of speculation about potential military action against Iran, particularly amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the Middle East.

This is a developing story and will be updated.