The 45^th annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games was held at Huntington Place in Detroit earlier this month. 

When the games began in 1981only 77 veterans gathered to participate. Now, over 500 vets compete in more than 20 events. 2026 marks the first time the games were held in Detroit and brought people from across the nation to the city.

“Detroit is proud to be home of more than 22,000 veterans,” Victoria Westbrooks addressed the crowd on behalf of Mayor Mary Sheffield. “And we are committed to supporting those who have served our nation. Hosting this milestone event is a reflection of that commitment and our city’s spirit of resilience.”

One of the many competitors was Lisa Maddox, who served in the Army for nine years. Maddox competes in many events including pickleball, table tennis, softball, basketball, field events and air pistol. She says she enjoys the wheelchairs games not only for sports, but for the unique opportunity it presents.

“There’s a camaraderie that not just having a disability but also being a veteran that is here. That is not the same in other adaptive competitions,” Maddox said.

Maddox says vets have a deep connection.

“Even though we’re different services we all went through what I call a ‘similar suck’ in BASIC training or bootcamp. It’s hell. And we all went through that BASIC training so that’s the similarity.”

William Ward served in the military for 16 years and has participated in the games for many years. At the 2026 games, he competed in the wheelchair slalom, a sort of obstacle course race.

“This is the one event that’s one of the toughest,” Ward says. “I stopped doing it for like the last two years and because it’s always a challenge, one of the hardest ones. I don’t know my results yet, but I think I did pretty good.”

 The Detroit games were the fourth for Air Force Veteran Eva De Jesus. She says the event has helped her grow as a person.

“It’s more than sports,” De Jesus says. “For me, it’s the community, the people you meet, how you see people in, sadly, worse conditions than you are and do more than you do. So, for me it’s just a learning and beautiful experience to be here.”

The 2026 Wheelchair Games’ opening ceremony was held on July 8 and it ended with a closing ceremony on July 14.

This story originally aired July 15, 2026.

Oakland County Parks and Bloomfield Hills Schools are working together to turn natural areas into public parks.

Officials say that this partnership is designed to protect the sites for the long term, give more residents easier access and keep school programs going.

Oakland County Parks Director Chris Ward and Bloomfield Hills Schools Superintendent Rick West say the plan will make the land more open to the community while preserving a special natural area in a suburban neighborhood.

Since Bloomfield Hills doesn’t have any public parks, this change is a big deal for local residents. Sites like the Johnson Nature Center may eventually connect to walking paths, including a safe route through the city. 

Students already use these sites for their lessons. A fifth-grade class took a field trip to the Johnson Nature Center recently to learn about the local watershed.

West says the center is a valuable natural area in the midst of the highly developed community. “It’s… nature at its best, right here, nestled in Bloomfield Township, and our students get to benefit from it. Our community gets to benefit from it, and that’s the richness of the partnership [with Oakland County Parks],” he says.

This agreement is a teamwork effort between the school district and the parks department, aimed at benefiting both recreation and education for students, local residents, and the entire county.

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

The Detroit Kite Festival returns to Belle Isle for its eighth year. The event takes place near the James Scott Memorial Fountain, on Sunday, July 12.

Besides an entry fee to the island, the Detroit kite festival will be free. Some activities include book nooks, music, bubble therapy as well as tents for cooling off and making a kite.

The Mint Artists Guild will be celebrating a ten year anniversary by hosting a Joy and Faces booth for complimentary face painting and crafts. They spent the last decade training and paying young adults from Detroit in the arts.

Lex Draper Garcia Bey is a fourth generation Detroiter and director of the Kite Festival. She’s also a co-executive director of the Black Bottoms Archive.

She became director of the Kite Festival after the founder had to step back. “I couldn’t stand the thought of me going to my absolute favorite festival and it feeling boring to me,” Draper Garcia Bey said.

She joined The Metro to chat about her experience with whimsy as she supports the event alongside volunteers.

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 stream on-demand. Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts 

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It’s the 4th of July weekend and many Michiganders are celebrating by going to their favorite parks to go swimming, hiking, camping and fishing. This week on MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow discuss the recent investments  put into parks. They are joined by Kristen Kosick. She is the chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation division.

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

In this episode

• How did the American Rescue Plan Act affect Michigan state parks?
• Which parks are getting massive renovations?
• Michigan’s state park infrastructure over the years.

More from WDET:

• Detroit Evening Report: Detroit Parks Coalition expands We Walk Detroit program
• The Metro: First-time campers welcome at Metroparks’ newly renovated Walnut Grove Campground
• Oakland County upgrades parks system with ‘Mission 26’

Though Clark Park became famous for hosting ice hockey during the winter, they are teaming up alongside Chandler Park with Motown Lacrosse to teach children box lacrosse this summer.

For those unfamiliar, founder of Motown Lacrosse Liam Mcllroy  says, “it’s a more fun version to train and compete in.”

As the U.S. celebrates a 250th birthday, these practices also serve as a secret history lesson; lacrosse began on Native American soil before the country was founded. “Lacrosse is the oldest team sport here in America,” says Mcllroy. He’s excited to be leading the next generation through the sport.

He joins The Metro to discuss the dynamics of box lacrosse from the costs to the indigenous roots behind the game.

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 stream on-demand. Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts 

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Keweenaw County will become home to Michigan’s first public forest authority. 

The Nature Conservancy purchased 32,000 acres of forest land in Keweenaw County in 2022. Recently, county commissioners voted to create a local board to manage 20,000 acres of land in partnership with the conservancy. 

Robin Meneguzzo is the CEO of the Keweenaw Community Foundation. She says residents have four goals for forest management. “One is to protect the cultural and historical features of the land. One is to keep it a working, healthy, and intact forest, the third was to maintain government revenues, and the fourth was to maintain public access.” 

Newly expanded legislation opened the door for the forest authority by allowing small rural communities in Michigan to manage their own forest resources.

Meneguzzo says the project is uniting members of the community. “This is a really amazing example of a community coming together that has very different views on how land should be used or managed.” She says 29 different groups worked together for around 4 years to complete the project.

Meneguzzo says the forest covers around 15% of Keweenaw County’s footprint and is used for hunting, fishing, foraging, and hiking. 

Voters can choose forest authority board members in the November general election.

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

Reported Lyme Disease cases in Michigan nearly quadrupled between 2022 and 2025.

Blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), which transmit Lyme Disease hitch rides on hosts like white-tailed deer to migrate across the state. The disease is now endemic across much of southern Michigan, including Southeast Michigan.

In areas where Lyme disease is prevalent, it’s estimated up to 50% of adult deer ticks harbor the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease, Borrelia burgdorferi.

Blacklegged ticks are most commonly found in heavily wooded areas with lots of brush or dry leaf piles. 

Identification

There are several kinds of ticks in Michigan, including the dog tick. Only Blacklegged ticks (Deer ticks) carry Lyme disease, so identifying the species of tick, if possible, is an important part of diagnosis.

Prevention

There are several prevention methods that, used together, help reduce tick bites. Follow safety instructions with particular attention for children and pets.

• Daily tick checks after spending time outdoors where ticks are prevalent
• Apply EPA-approved insect repellents such as DEET, Picaridin, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus,
• Treat clothes with Permethrin
• Wear light-colored clothing and tuck your pants into your socks. 

Symptoms

Lyme disease symptoms may include rashes, muscle or joint pain, headaches, and even neurological issues such as Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis). If you’ve been bitten by a tick or suspect that you have, doctors can administer an prophylactic dose of doxycycline within 72 hours to reduce the chances of contracting Lyme.

However, if you miss this window, duration of treatment with antibiotics goes up as time from contracting illness and symptom severity increases.

Guests

• Dr. Jean Tsao, professor and tick researcher in Fisheries and Wildlife department at Michigan State University
• Dr. Peter Gulick, professor of Medicine at Michigan State University

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

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“Black Summers” – a book about growing up in the urban outdoors –  is a compilation of writings from Detroiters. In it they detail what it’s like to experience a summer here. But it’s not just about playing tag at the park or barbeques on Belle Isle. The book balances the joys and freedoms that come with the season while remaining very aware of how our racial history at one point restricted it. 

The 33 entries in the book range in their style and depth. Together they paint a picture of what it’s like to be outside in Detroit. Desiree Cooper is the editor of the book. She joined the program to explain how she weaved these pieces together. 

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

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Detroit officials gathered at the Adams Butzel Recreation Center yesterday to unveil their summer crime prevention program.  Called “Occupy the Summer,” the initiative looks for ways to keep teens actively and productively engaged once the weather warms up.  

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison says the overall idea is to find more ways to keep the community safe. “We know that as the temperatures rise,  our children, our seniors, our community – everyone is waiting to come outside.  We see year after year, violence and gun violence start to rise.” 

The Occupy the Summer initiative will keep several Detroit recreation centers open until 11 p.m., expand youth programming, hold cultural activities and bring back midnight basketball.  The program kicks off June 12 and runs until August 14. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Casino revenues are up 

Detroit’s three casinos are showing improved financial numbers for April.  Revenues hit $118.9 million for the month.  That’s up nearly 8% compared to April 2025.  

The Michigan Gaming Control Board says MGM Grand showed the greatest year-over-year increase at 14.3%  MGM also retained the largest share of the market in Detroit at 49%.  Motor City controlled 29%, while Hollywood Casino at Greektown pulled in 22%.  

The three casinos paid $14 million in wagering taxes and development agreement fees to the City of Detroit last month.  They paid another $9.6 million in taxes to the state of Michigan. 

Gas prices continue rising 

Gas prices in metro Detroit continue to rise.  The average price for a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded was $4.82 this morning.  AAA Michigan says that’s up a nickel from yesterday.  Crude oil prices remain high, with very little traffic passing through the critical Strait of Hormuz.  Refinery problems in the U.S. are also impacting gas prices in Michigan. 

Pistons prepare for game five 

The Detroit Pistons play game five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals tonight.  They take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena.  Detroit had a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series last week, but the Pistons have lost two straight games to Cleveland.  

Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff says the team didn’t play up to its potential in game four on Sunday afternoon, losing 112 – 103.  Game five starts tonight at 8 p.m.  It will be televised on ESPN.    

Lions play Patriots in Germany 

The NFL announced this morning that the Detroit Lions will play the New England Patriots in Germany this season.  The teams are scheduled to meet on November 15 in Munich.  The Patriots won the AFC East last season and advanced into the playoffs.  

The Lions failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2022.  The full NFL schedule will be released Thursday night. 

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

One of two public campgrounds in Wayne County is reopening this summer after extensive renovations.

Located in Lower Huron Metropark, the Walnut Grove Campground features 15 ADA-accessible campsites and connects to the Iron Belle Trail, Huron River Water Trail and the rest of the 13-park, 25,000 acre Huron-Clinton Metroparks system.

While camping outdoors requires some equipment and knowledge, those resources are within reach, and the new campground is more accessible than ever, says Amy McMillan, CEO of Huron-Clinton Metroparks.

“One of the great things about these improvements is we have barrier-free camping now, if you have mobility issues or have a stroller you need to push around, it’s absolutely perfect for that.”

A number of education and community events are available for camp-curious metro Detroiters, including a Family Campout Night on July 24-25, and weekend programs for first-time campers to try out equipment for the first time.

“You kind of get that up north feeling being right here next to Belleville,” says McMillan.

You can reserve campsites online, with dates open early May through Mid-October.

Guests:

• Amy McMillan is the CEO of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.
• Holly Clegg is the Park Operations Manager at Lower Huron Metropark.

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

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Large groups of teenagers have been gathering in downtown Detroit organized on TikTok and Snapchat. It’s part of a national trend being called “teen takeovers.” Most of the kids were just hanging out. But some of these gatherings turned chaotic. There have been brawls, vandalism, and an attempted robbery on Woodward. On April 11, a gun was fired, though no one was hurt.

Two of the 16-year-olds who organized the first gathering sat next to Mayor Mary Sheffield at a press conference last week. Daveion Page said he did it because he was bored. Danasha’ Tidwell said the violence that followed was “harmful and very unacceptable.”

Where can Detroit kids go to be safe and have fun? And, what’s the responsibility of a city to help grow and develop young people? 

Jerjuan Howard is the first director of Detroit’s new Office of Youth Affairs. He’s also an Army veteran, founder of the Umoja Debate League, and the owner of a new bookstore on Puritan Avenue. 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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In this episode of CuriosiD, listener Katie Byerly asks the question:

What is Detroit ballroom and hustle dancing?

The short answer

Detroit ballroom and hustling are two distinct dance styles. Ballroom is a partnered dance traced back to the 70s that was loosely based on the Cha-Cha and accompanied by R&B or Soul Music. Detroit, or “urban ballroom”, is a smoother, more fluid dance style, as opposed to more structured and formal standard or Latin ballroom dances.

Hustling is another name for line dancing. It’s a group dance often set to specific songs. You might have heard the songs “Wobble” by V.I.C, or “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid played at parties to get people on the dance floor.

Detroit Hustles

The most famous line Dance would be the Electric Slide, popularized in the 1970s. It’s done to many songs. But in Detroit, it most famously was danced to the song “My Eyes Don’t Cry” by Stevie Wonder.

There are hundreds of variations of line dances that go along with specific songs across different cultures.

And Detroit has popularized a few of its own, such as the Tamia Hustle danced to the song “Can’t Get Enough” by Tamia.  Or the In the Line of Duty hustle created by a former Detroit police officer and danced to the song “Feels So Right” by Janet Jackson.

And then there is the Turbo Hustle created by Detroit’s own legend, Frederick “Fast Freddy” Anderson.

“Right, right, right, left, left, left. That’s mine… I created that,” said Freddy. “But what they did, after a while, somebody took my name off of it. They had the same music. It started with me.”

In the original version, you can hear him saying “Freddy’s on the move” at the beginning of the song.

Freddy says he created the Turbo Hustle in the now closed Northland Shopping Center.

“We had a contest inviting groups to come in, and we all migrated and put this together, but I was the one who put the foundation to it, and we put it together, and that’s how it became the Turbo,” said Freddy.

Creating this line dance is only one of Freddy’s accolades. He’s had an extensive career in dancing, DJ-ing and modeling, since appearing on Detroit’s popular TV show The Scene in the 1970s and 80s. Now, at nearly 80 years old, Freddy can be found still emceeing parties across the city.

“This means an awful lot to me. You see, I take it seriously. People that generally don’t dance, they get up and dance for me,” Freddy said.

Freddy also teaches classes at rec centers in Detroit. On multiple days he can be found in senior homes for his class, “Getting Down While You Sit Around.”

Freddy says ballroom and hustling are easy ways to get people on the dance floor comfortably and without any social stakes.

“It’s an exceptional thing, because, you know, a guy takes a girl out, they don’t have to go on one side of the room, and you dance by yourself. This is thing that we all, we all do together, and to see a room full of people do it is truly exceptional.”

Hustle Classes

Finding a place to learn the steps to these dances isn’t difficult. Freddy is only one of dozens of instructors across the city teaching hustle and ballroom classes.

On Wednesday’s at Shield’s Pizza in Southfield Steven “Silk” Sturkey can be found teaching hustle classes from 6-8 p.m.

Silk says there are simple basic steps that make up a hustle.

“Like a cha, cha box, square, tick, walk, easy, reverse, full, turn, half, turn, pivot. There’s tons of names for each. Most of the moves are recycled. It’s just the choreography of the moves, where they go, how they go, the timing,” Silk said.

Silk has been teaching classes since 2012. He says in his time, there were more restrictions to becoming an instructor and an instructor certificate was required.

“Nowadays, it’s not so stringent. But from where I came from, there is a deep history the instructors that instructed me were instructed by instructors, and it was kind of passed down from generation to generation, so to speak,” Silk said. 

It’s a community

Detroit’s community of hustlers and ballroom dancers is tight knit, but still welcoming to newcomers and beginners.

Ask Maurice Franklin, better known as DJ RocWitMoe. He hosts the city’s Dancing in the D event in Downtown Detroit’s Spirit Plaza.

RocWitMoe says the hustle community feels like family.

“Because it gives a community feel. Because there’s a certain amount of people that do hustling and ballroom, not that it’s a community that’s closed off, you know?” RocWitMoe said.

“I mean, it’s a community where other people could come in, but it’s a community style to where everyone pretty much knows, you know everyone else. So we looked at more like as a family, rather than, you know, just people out partying.”

RocWitMoe says while hustling and line dances are seem more prevalent as they are done at almost every party, ballroom is also still very popular among Detroiters.

He’s been hosting several ballroom events called the Ballroom Bash at the Norwood on Woodward. The next one will be on May 1.

RocWitMoe says events like these are good for the city because they give people a fun, safe outlet.

“You know, people working day in and day out, you know, doing what they got to do to feed their families and everything you need that outlet. And it can’t be the head banging club scene,” RocWitMoe said.

“But you may still want to go somewhere and you know, maybe have a cocktail or two and then go home. And that in between part where you can have a release and a getaway from regular life is what you know ballroom is.”

WDET’s CuriosiD series answers your questions about everything Detroit. Subscribe to CuriosiD on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Have a question about Southeast Michigan’s history or culture? Send it our way at wdet.org/curious or fill out the form below. You ask, we answer.

More CuriosiD

Detroit teenagers have been gathering in large numbers downtown over the past few weeks.

On its face, there’s a simple explanation: as the weather warms up, teens are looking for somewhere to be. But there was a time when Detroit teenagers already had those places. So what happened to them?

Pete Saunders, an urban planner and publisher of the Substack The Corner Side Yard, thinks these gatherings are signaling something deeper about how American culture changed. He joined the show to discuss why these teen gatherings are happening  across the U.S.

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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