According to AAA Michigan, about 1.3 million state residents will hit the roads this weekend. The auto group says this is the second highest state number on record for the holiday weekend. This follows a national trend, with estimates setting up a new national record, topping last year’s numbers by 1%.   

To avoid peak travel times, AAA suggests travelling between 9 p.m. on Thursday and 11 a.m. on Friday. Those traveling on Sunday will have little to no traffic, but those traveling on Monday will get the worst of it between noon and 5 p.m.    

Memorial Day Weekend travel is costing more across the country this year on average due to rising gas prices. The increase is connected to the War in Iran and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. This year, gas prices average $4.74 per gallon in Michigan. Last year the average was $3.13.    

Additional headlines from Friday, May 22, 2026

Local Catholic churches face restructuring

Local Catholic church members are bracing for change as the Archdiocese of Detroit begins a restructuring process.

According to a report from the Detroit News, about 22 churches could potentially no longer hold weekend masses in the foreseeable future. These changes could be connected to finances and dwindling church attendance.    

Listening sessions across the archdiocese are expected to take place this spring and early summer to consider plans.    

Sports  

MLB  

The Tigers are facing a 6-game losing streak as face the Baltimore Orioles this weekend. Detroit is at the bottom of the American League Central and hopes to turn things with a three-game series against the Orioles. 

First pitch for tonight’s game is at 7:15 p.m. at Oriole Park in Baltimore.   

Soccer  

Detroit City FC is facing Loudoun United FC  tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. Detroit has won their last two games and hopes to get their third victory tomorrow. The faceoff will take place at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia.   
   
Final Four ticket lottery

The Final Four is coming to Detroit and here is your chance to get some tickets. There is a lottery system you can enter for an application fee of $25. Fans who apply will be charged up front for the number of tickets they are requesting. You can only get up to 4 tickets. The available tickets are in the upper bowl at Ford Field and cost about $400 each.   

The deadline to enter the lottery is Sunday, May 31. Winners will be notified in the Fall.    

NBA   

And I know the NBA season is over, but there is news heading into the 2026-2027 season.    

The Pistons announced that they’ve reached a new television rights agreement with Scripps Sports. This move brings Pistons basketball to over‑the‑air television for fans throughout Michigan. The Pistons and Scripps Sports plan to collaborate on a direct-to-consumer streaming application in the future.   

Movement music festival

It’s Memorial Day Weekend so there is Movement in Detroit. The longest-running electronic dance music event in the world return for its 20th year.

From Saturday to Monday, you have access to witness more than 115 artists perform on a variety of stages.  Many performances and set pieces have been curated in order to celebrate the twenty years of existence. Three day VIP passes are sold out but single day, VIP  and general admission passes are still available.  

For more details go to movementfestival.com.

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DTE Energy is requesting another large rate increase, just weeks after its last increase was approved.  The Detroit utility is asking for another $474 million to pay for infrastructure improvements.  The Michigan Public Service Commission approved a DTE rate increase of $242 million dollars in February.  

If granted, the new proposed hike would add roughly 10% to the average resident’s utility bills.   DTE filed the new request on Tuesday. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says she will intervene in the case. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Detroit Regional Chamber releases poll 

The Detroit Regional Chamber has released a new poll showing the current state of primary races in the state.  

The survey, conducted by the Glengariff Group, shows Congressman John James leading all other Republican candidates running for governor in Michigan.  Perry Johnson and Mike Cox are second and third, respectively.  In the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, Congresswoman Haley Stevens leads the race, with Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow following.  

And just a reminder: a poll shows a snapshot in time.  It does not indicate future events.  Michigan’s primary elections take place on August 4.  

Highland Park CSO charges examined  

The city of Highland Park says it’s calling for a closer examination of its combined sewage overflow costs.  The city says it’s joining with other suburbs and the Great Lakes Water Authority to form a task force.  The purpose will be to find out why overflow rates are 10 times more than expected.  Highland Park is requesting an adjustment of $1.5 million for this year’s combined sewage overflow charges.  The task force is scheduled to meet in Dearborn on May 8th. 

No word on Gordie opening  

Metro Detroiters are still waiting for the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open – and there’s no word on when that might happen.  

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra tells the Detroit News that there are still issues that need to be worked out in the agreement between the two countries before the new span can begin operations.  

President Trump threatened months ago to stall the opening of the bridge.  Canada paid the full cost of construction.  Michigan is set to get a share of revenue generated by the bridge, once Canada’s costs are covered.   

Gas prices jump (again) 

Gas prices in metro Detroit continue to rise quickly.  The average for a gallon of regular gas is now $4.25.  That’s up 6 cents from Tuesday.  

The price is 45 cents per gallon more than just a week ago.  Analysts say crude oil prices remain high because of the war in Iran, but refinery problems here in the Midwest are adding to the steep price increases.   

Pistons try to stave off playoff elimination 

The Detroit Pistons face playoff elimination if they don’t win tonight.  The team plays the Orlando Magic in game five of a best of seven series tonight.  Orlando leads the series three games to one.  

The Pistons finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, but they’ve failed to carry that dominance into the playoffs.  

Game five takes place tonight at 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.  The game will not be televised.  You can watch it on Prime Video or listen to it on WWJ radio. 

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

Candidates planning to run in Michigan’s August primary election had until Tuesday at 4 p.m. to file their paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office.  That includes a few new candidates who filed at the last minute.  

Detroit City Councilmember Mary Waters filed to run in the Democratic primary for the 13^th Congressional District.  She faces incumbent Shri Thanedar, state Representative Donovan McKinney and realtor John Goci.  

The State Board of Canvassers still has to approve the candidates’ petition signatures before they can appear on the August primary ballot. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Leland House up for auction 

Downtown Detroit’s Leland House apartment building is up for auction.  The Detroit News reports that bidding for the building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will start next week.  

The Leland House was built in 1927 and served as a luxury hotel for many years, before being turned into an apartment complex.  Tenants were forced out of the building late last year, after the owner declared bankruptcy, and the city declared the building uninhabitable. 

Clean air hearing tonight 

Michigan regulators are holding a public hearing tonight to discuss metro Detroit’s air quality status.  Planet Detroit is reporting that state regulators want to declare that southeast Michigan is meeting federal ozone standards.  If approved, the action could weaken clean air standards in the area.  

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy will hold the virtual meeting at 6 p.m. tonight.  You can call call 855-758-1310 to attend and use code 847 4896 8640  or you can join the meeting on Zoom.  

Pistons Game 2 preview 

The Detroit Pistons will try to rebound from a loss in their first game of the NBA playoffs.  The Orlando Magic beat them Sunday at Little Caesars Arena.  The Pistons brought the best regular season record in the NBA’s Eastern Conference to the playoffs, but that didn’t stop the Magic from taking the first game.  

Cade Cunningham had 39 points in the loss.  Game 2 in the nationally-televised best-of-seven series takes place at Little Caesars Arena tonight at 7 p.m. 

NFL Draft starts Thursday 

The Detroit Lions are making their final preparations for this week’s NFL Draft.  The team has the 17^th pick in the first round of the draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh.  

Football analysts suggest the Lions could use that pick to get an offensive lineman, edge rusher or cornerback.  The first round of the NFL draft starts at 8 p.m. Thursday.  The event will be televised live on ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network. 

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

President Donald Trump gave a primetime address last night about the war in Iran. He told Americans that nearly all his objectives for the war has been met and that the war would end in the next two to three weeks, but his timeline has shifted before.

This extension of the war could mean the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed during that time. This comes as the price for a gallon of gas in the US rises to $4. The Washington Post even found that there was a 56% increase in Google searches for most fuel-efficient gas cars in the month of March.

For Detroiters looking for cheaper gas prices you can look at the Gas Buddy app. As for today, the app says that the SNK Gas Station on the corner of Michigan Avenue and South Merriman Road in Inkster is $3.29 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel.

According to AAA, the best way to save gas is maintaining good tire pressure, driving at a moderate pace on the highway and avoiding slamming on brakes and accelerating.

Additional headlines from Thursday. April 2

Closings tomorrow 

Tomorrow is Good Friday, a Christian celebration commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. Because of that most City of Detroit offices will be closed. Normal police, fire and water services will be provided.

Also of note tomorrow is the Detroit Tigers home opener, so be aware of street closings. The streets directly around Comerica Park with be closed off. These include Witherell between Adams and Montcalm, and Brush between Madison and Montcalm.

Sports

March Madness

Michigan is in the final four and will be going up against fellow No. 1 seed Arizona. The game will be at 8:49 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NBA

With a win over the Toronto Raptors yesterday, the Detroit Pistons clinched the division title—something they haven’t done in the last 18 years. And now they only need to win two more games to clinch the No. 1 seed in the East.

They play tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.

NHL

After a tough March, the Red Wings have a smaller chance of making it to the playoffs. According to reports they have a 40% chance as they look to face the Philadelphia Flyers tonight.

Game starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center

Soccer

Detroit City FC beat the Flint City Bucks yesterday 1-0 in the second round of the US Cup. Their next game is against Rhode Island on April 4 at 4:00 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.

Animation festival

Detroit’s 11th annual International Festival of Animation is going down on April 4. There will be a 93 minute mix of 19 animated shorts showcasing works from Michigan and international animators.

This event will be held at the historic Senate Theater in Detroit. 

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