Detroit officials are reassuring residents about the safety of the city’s water system.   

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The statement comes after the city sent federally mandated letters to thousands of residents about the materials used for water service lines.  Many Detroiters were concerned that the letters served as some sort of warning.

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Director Gary Brown held a news conference on Tuesday to let residents know there’s no reason to worry. 

“Our water is safe and some of the best water in the world. We’re a leader in the United States in delivering quality water,” he said. “We’re below the actionable level for lead at 12 parts per billion in the most recent testing results.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires municipalities with lead service lines to send out the letters. Brown says the city uses a special coating to prevent old service lines from leeching lead into the water. He says concerned residents can run water for three to five minutes in the morning to flush standing water out of the system. 

Detroit has 10 years to replace all of its lead service lines. Brown says the city has spent $100 million this year in its efforts to replace those lines. 

Other headlines for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024:

• The city of Detroit broke ground Tuesday on a project that will turn a historic school into affordable housing.
• AAA Michigan says you should pack your patience if you’re planning to take a trip over Thanksgiving, as 2.6 million Michiganders will be traveling over the holiday weekend.
• Gas prices continue to trend lower in metro Detroit, according to AAA Michigan, with the average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded now at $3.10 — down five cents from a week ago.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover Michigan State Police’s new campaign to encourage residents to sign up for emergency alerts; Detroit PAL’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive and more.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

MSP launches ‘Know Your Plan. Be Alert’ campaign

The Michigan State Police has launched the “Know Your Plan. Be Alert.” campaign, encouraging residents to sign up for alerts to stay informed during emergencies. Alerts would send information during severe weather, active shooter incidents, missing or endangered individuals and more. For more information or to sign up for alerts visit michigan.gov/miready and click on local alerts. 

State holds hearing on child care licensing rule changes

The state is updating its child care licensing requirements and wants to hear from residents. The proposed rules would tighten regulations on drinking water and add standards for outdoor nature-based childcare centers. They would also make it easier for teachers to qualify for a job at a childcare center. The state held a public hearing on the changes in Lansing on Tuesday. People can submit questions or comments on the changes by mail or email until 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22.

Cycling at the Velodrome

The Lexus Velodrome and Detroit Parks and Recreation are teaming up to offer an indoor cycling program for youth ages 13-17. The six-week program will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting on Jan. 7 and running through Feb. 11. Youth will learn the fundamentals of indoor track cycling from experienced competitors and coaches. Registration is open now and costs $10. For more information about this and other Parks and Recreation sports programs, visit dprdathletics.com. 

Detroit PAL hosting Thanksgiving Food Drive

Detroit PAL is partnering with APEX Leadership Academy and the Detroit NFL Former Players Chapter to offer thanksgiving meals to 500 families next week. Turkeys, dressing, cornbread, cranberry sauce and more will be distributed from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Detroit PAL’s headquarters, 1680 Michigan Ave., Detroit.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced last week that he will not seek reelection in 2025, ending a 12-year run that saw Detroit exit bankruptcy and begin the climb back to stability.

Anika Goss, CEO of Detroit Future City, joins Created Equal along with journalists John Gallagher and Darren Nichols to discuss what has happened over the last decade of Duggan’s leadership and what awaits the city’s next leader. 

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

Goss discussed how Detroit’s rate of Black homeownership has increased to its highest level since the housing crisis and the percentage of vacant land in the city has decreased over Duggan’s mayorship. However, she says there are still large income gaps within Detroit’s middle class, rates of educational attainment continue to decrease, and the city is facing the loss of the Black middle class to the suburbs.   

Gallagher pointed out that although Duggan’s leadership has correlated with an improvement in the city’s economy, there were many local grassroots efforts in place to promote economic recovery prior to Duggan’s first term. Gallagher also discussed how the economic improvements were often focused on Detroit’s downtown and Midtown areas rather than Detroit’s neighborhoods.

Nichols discussed how last year’s NFL Draft in Detroit was a culmination of the good press and excitement Duggan had built around the city. Nichols suggested that some of Duggan’s success could be attributed to his skills as a campaigner who spoke directly to city residents and presented himself as a fresh voice for change. He believes that the next mayor will have to similarly humble themselves and address the whole city. 

Nichols also said he believes housing and poverty rates will be the most pressing issues for the city’s next leader to address.  

“We can build affordable housing, but do those people have the finances to be able to do that? Do they have the credit to be able to do that? We have to keep in mind our realism as to what Detroit’s poverty rate means for affordable housing,” he said. 

Use the media player above to listen to the full conversation. 

Guests: 

• Anika Goss is the CEO at Detroit Future City.
• John Gallagher is a journalist, senior business columnist for the Detroit Free Press, and author of the book, “Reimagining Detroit: Opportunities for Redefining an American City.”
• Darren Nichols is a journalist and contributing columnist at the Detroit Free Press 

Listen to Created Equal with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.

Community members gathered in Detroit’s North End neighborhood on Tuesday to celebrate the completion of a new $7.3 million mixed-use affordable housing project.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

“The Beauton” will feature 29 new units, including 10 micro studio units, 15 studio units, two one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units — with rents based on 50-120% of area median income (AMI), and over half of the units at or below 80%. Rents for the micro units will be as low as $700 per month, and affordability is guaranteed for the next 12 years under the agreement.

“North End has seen a lot of new investment that can bring rent pressures for existing residents,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in a statement.  “The Beauton will bring 29 more units of much-needed affordable housing to North End to help make sure residents of all income levels can live in a growing and thriving neighborhood.”

Led by Detroit developer Charles Dickerson, the project was made possible by funding from several sources, including $1.5 million from the Detroit Housing for the Future Fund (DHFF); nearly $2.5 million from Capital Impact Partners; $1.5 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and additional support.

DHFF is a private investment fund aimed at directing funding to create and preserve affordable housing in Detroit. The fund is anchored by a $15 million commitment from JPMorgan Chase of the fund’s total $58 million raise and a $10 million guarantee from The Kresge Foundation.

Including The Beauton, the DHFF has funded 13 projects totaling 435 new or preserved affordable units in the city.

“Projects like The Beauton exemplify the power of partnership and the impact of the Detroit Housing for the Future Fund in creating affordable housing solutions that meet the needs of our residents,” said Julie Schneider, director of the city’s Housing and Revitalization Department.

Call 313-656-4233 for leasing information.

Other headlines for Friday, Nov. 15, 2024:

• A 3-year-old sloth bear named Jagger has found a new home at the Detroit Zoo. This is the first time a sloth bear has been in the zoo in decades, according to zoo officials. Officials also say that she’ll be spending the next few days getting acclimated to her new home before stepping outdoors.
• The 21st annual Detroit Tree Lighting ceremony is taking place from 4-9 p.m. next Friday, Nov. 22. The free event kicks off the holiday season with stellar performances by national and local musical acts and figure skaters. There will also be food trucks, and unique lighting attractions across Downtown Detroit.
• Tickets are still available for Dave Chappelle and Killer Mike’s Still Talkin’ That Sh*t tour stop at the Fox Theatre tonight at 8 p.m.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

This week, we have interactive cultural experiences, artisanal holiday markets and festive celebrations for our beloved Lions.

Plus, opportunities to spend time with your favorite WDET personalities. Read on to learn more.

Cultural experiences

On Friday, Nov. 15, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company will perform “Moving Justice” at the Detroit Film Theatre inside the DIA. Rooted in the African American experience, DCDC is a company of innovative dance artists steeped in the spirit of Sankofa – retrieving from a rich past while venturing forward. The program will include “American Mo’,” a celebration of the exquisite pride and love that accompanied the marches of the Civil Rights era, and “Nourishing Routes,” a love letter to the ancestors who left breadcrumbs of wisdom for future generations to find, ingest and employ in the long march to justice. This performance is 90 minutes long and begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit dia.org.

Also on Friday, Nov. 15, residents are invited to connect with the rich traditions of Michigan’s indigenous communities for a Celebration of Native American Culture from 7-8 p.m. at The Hawk Theater in Farmington Hills. This dynamic celebration will feature renowned Michigan performers and educators Reg and Marca Pettibone, along with special guests. Enjoy traditional drumming, songs, storytelling and various styles of powwow dance performed by champion dancers. This performance is open to all ages and tickets are $15. For more information, visit TheHawkTheatre.com.

Then on Saturday, Nov. 16, the DIA’s Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures auxiliary invites residents to an enchanting afternoon of culture and flavor with “Spiced Stories: A Celebration of Islamic Coffee, Tea and Cooking.” In connection with the special exhibition “The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World,” this program will feature musicians playing instruments related to the exhibition, presentations about coffee, tea, and cooking cultures from the Islamic world, and delicious samples of food and drink to enjoy. Guests will experience the rich heritage and artistry of the Islamic world through a sensory journey that promises to be both educational and unforgettable. This program is free with museum admission and is open to all ages. For more information, visit dia.org.

Holiday shopping

The Jingle & Mingle Underground Holiday Market returns to Ferndale for its second year this weekend. In the basement of the doT parking garage on Troy Street and Allen, visitors will find a secret society of artists, makers, authors and bakers. This limited-edition market will be open for two days only — Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit undergroundferndale.com.

Related: Jingle & Mingle Underground Holiday Market organizer Mark Loeb joins The Metro

The 9th Annual Royal Oak Market: Art Fair Edition will take place indoors at the Royal Oak Farmers Market on Thursday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Nov. 22. This festive event will feature 60 jury-selected artists, live entertainment, food vendors and alcoholic beverages for those over 21. The market will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days. For more information, visit theguild.org.  

This is also your last weekend to take advantage of the DIA’s Museum Shop Double Discount Days. Now through Sunday, Nov. 17, DIA Members are invited to enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on all purchases, as well as free holiday gift bagging for all gift purchases. For more information, visit dia.org.

Lions celebrations

Statler French American Bistro, located just feet from Ford Field, will be hosting a Tailgate Patio Party on Sunday, Nov. 17 as the Lions take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at home. Guests can enjoy BBQ ribs and brisket along with mac n’ cheese, coleslaw and drink specials as a live DJ brings the energy up. The patio will be open starting at 10 a.m. and kickoff is at 1 p.m. There’s no cover charge but reservations are encouraged. For more information, visit statlerdetroit.com.

Then, keep the Lions pride going at the Detroit Historical Museum with their new exhibit, “Detroit Lions: Gridiron Heroes.” In partnership with the Detroit Lions and showcasing artifacts from both the team’s collection and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, this exhibition explores the franchise’s fascinating roots as well as the NFL of the 1930s, the team’s period of dominance in the 1950s, Hall of Fame-level star power players, and the Dan Campbell-led gritty Lions of today. The exhibition is on display now through August 2025 on the second level in the City of Champions Gallery. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, students, active military and first responders, and $6 for children. For more information, visit detroithistorical.org.

Station happenings

Join us on Monday, Nov. 18 for a no-obligation informational session about our upcoming Travel with WDET: Canadian Rockies trip! We’ll discuss travel itinerary and take questions about this once-in-a-lifetime train journey, featuring snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, rushing rivers and the sheer unspoiled wilderness of Canada. The informational session will take place on Zoom at 6 p.m., and attendance does not commit you to participating in the trip. For more information, visit wdet.org/events.

Related: Travel with WDET: Canadian Rockies

Then on Tuesday, Nov. 19, join WDET News Director Jerome Vaughn and a panel of experts for the third installment of Smart Politics, hosted at Shield’s of Midtown. We will reflect on Michigan’s effects on the 2024 presidential election, explore what worked and what didn’t, and take audience questions with our panelists. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and a $5 reservation fee is required to secure your spot. For more information, visit wdet.org/events.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will announce whether he will make another run for the city’s top job at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Many observers believe the three-term mayor could launch a bid to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2026, though it’s unclear how much name recognition Duggan has beyond Detroit. 

He is making his announcement to a group of city of Detroit employees. 

Listen to his announcement below. Check back for more updates to this story.

Across all religious groups, people of the Islamic faith have some of the lowest recovery rates from mental health challenges. That’s according to studies looking at Muslim communities in different parts of the world.

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

Some things have deepened those challenges, like the pain of experiencing Islamophobia or the reverberations of violence happening abroad — like the Israeli wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and the escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

A new mental health facility at the Islamic Center of Detroit marks an important milestone for people of the Islamic faith. Staff at the center believe it to be the first mental health clinic located within a mosque nationwide. The facility, called My Mental Wellness, offers free on-site and virtual therapy to people of all ages. 

Director of My Mental Wellness Danish Hasan and one of the center’s therapists, Takween Dwaik, joined The Metro to discuss the work they’re doing. 

One of the challenges that comes with providing mental health support to the community is a different cultural understanding around therapy in the Muslim world, Hasan says. This has also caused My Mental Wellness to think about how they’re communicating and introducing the services they provide to people.   

“Considering our location being in the heart of Detroit, neighboring Dearborn, there is a huge diaspora from across the Muslim world. And one of the things that we’ve realized is therapy is a concept that is so distant from them,” Hasan says. “The western world has really furthered the conversation regarding therapy. But in so much of the Muslim world, people are either struggling silently in their homes, or because of the stigma they’re being institutionalized in mental facilities, or they’re being taken to religious leaders, and this middle ground that we have in the western world of therapy doesn’t exist.”

He says that while that cultural gap poses some difficulties for the clinic, it also reinforces the importance of their work.

“We not only have to reduce the stigma, but also introduce the concept of therapy, and also do it in a faith-based approach.” 

Use the media player above to listen to the conversation.

More headlines from The Metro on Nov. 12, 2024: 

• Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. is a printer who moved to Detroit about a decade ago to practice his craft. He’s now building a studio on the East Side, and he recently pulled together his work in a book called “Citizen Printer.” The Metro’s Producer Sam Corey sat down with Kennedy to discuss why he loves printing, how Detroit influences his work and why he thinks it’s important that his art thrusts the ugly sides of history into the faces of his audience. 
• The city of Ferndale is known to gather for communal events. Whether it’s a city-wide yard sale or Ferndale Pride, Ferndale residents turn out. This weekend, the Jingle and Mingle Underground Holiday Market will make an appearance and quickly vanish like Santa in the night. Organizer Mark Loeb joined the show to discuss this year’s market
• Every generation thinks the musical era they grew up with is the best. But was that actually the case with the ’90s? Think about the R&B, the diversity of genres from Seattle grunge, the fact that it’s known as the golden age of hip-hop. No one can actually prove one era is better than another, but we can pay homage to the good music of each decade. Gary Graff joins the show to talk about his latest book, “501 Essential Albums of the ’90s.”

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is expected to announce whether he will make another run for the city’s top job this week.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Duggan has helped guide the city as it emerged from the largest-ever municipal bankruptcy in U.S history. And this year, Duggan reached one of his long-sought goals — that Detroit’s population had grown after decades of decline.

Many observers believe the three-term mayor could launch a bid to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2026, though it’s unclear how much name recognition Duggan has beyond Detroit. 

—Reporting by Quinn Klinefelter, WDET

 Other headlines from Monday, Nov. 11, 2024:

• President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations is causing concern among Michigan’s immigrant communities.
• The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is providing a $1 million grant to help build 60 new units of affordable housing on vacant land in Detroit’ Corktown neighborhood.
• Hamtramck voters approved a $2.7 million non-homestead millage for the Hamtramck Public Schools District.
• Stellantis is laying off 400 workers at a logistics facility in Detroit. The Detroit Free Press reports the automaker notified the affected employees last week. The company also announced plans to eliminate a shift at a Jeep factory in Toledo early next year, cutting more than 1,000 union jobs. Stellantis is under pressure to cut costs due to falling sales and profits. The United Auto Workers criticized the layoffs, accusing corporate leaders of mismanagement. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The holidays are right around the corner. The days around Thanksgiving and Christmas are known for many things: pretty lights, hearty food and lots of time with family members.

But what do we do when quality time with family becomes contentious? Do we confront the situation head on and work through the tension, or do we pretend the tension doesn’t exist? That’s one of the key questions the new film from Detroit filmmaker Christine Swanson asks.

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

“Albany Road,” debuting Nov. 15, stars Renée Elise Goldsberry (“Hamilton,” “Anything’s Possible”) and longtime actress Lynn Whitfield (“The Retirement Plan,” “The Chi,”). The story follows a high-powered woman on her way to the most important meeting of her life and while on her way is forced to share a rental car during a snowstorm with the mother of her ex-fiance.

Swanson joined The Metro on Friday to discuss the project. As writer and director of the film, Swanson said she wanted to explore some serious themes, but in a comedic form.

“It’s almost like a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down-type of approach. So when you have someone who has great comedic timing — like Renée Elise Goldsberry, who’s the original Angelica Skylar from ‘Hamilton,’ — and then you match her up with the legendary Lynn Whitfield, most people are gonna walk away thinking I did not know Lynn Whitfield was just funny, but then the humor takes a serious turn,” she said. “So is equal parts hilarious and equal parts gut wrenching.”

More headlines from The Metro on Nov 8, 2024: 

• It’s Detroit Documenters Friday on The Metro. The Detroit Documenters play a crucial role in improving our access to public information. They’re at all the city’s public meetings, taking thorough notes on what local officials and community members are saying. Recently, they spent some time at a different kind of meeting than what’s normally on their docket. The meeting was part of University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions series. This one focused on community violence intervention. Detroit Documenter Perry Sylvester and Noah Kincade, coordinator for the Detroit Documenters, joined the show to tell us more.
• Starting a business can be tough especially if you aren’t familiar or understand how to get started. Some don’t have the connections that could support their growth. For the last three years Creator Con has stepped up to fill in the gaps. This year, the two-day conference will convene at the Cambria Hotel in Detroit. Attendees will learn about branding, the creative process, and more. Creator Con Founder Robert Courtney joined The Metro to share more about the event.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

A new “experiential entertainment” venue is coming to downtown Detroit.

Real estate firm Bedrock has partnered with Cosm to offer a “shared reality” venue to create a brand new way for Detroiters to experience sports, music and art.

The venue will feature an expansive 12K resolution dome screen — 87 feet in diameter — immersing fans in a shared virtual reality that simulates them being courtside, pitch-side, or in the front row of a concert at famous destinations.

Detroit will be the company’s fourth location, said Jeb Terry, president and CEO of Cosm.

“Detroit is a city with passionate, diverse fan bases,” he said. “When you experience the energy downtown, it’s clear that Detroit is the ideal location for our Midwest anchor.”

Cosm aims to provide a range of price points to make the venue accessible to all, ensuring it becomes a go-to destination for Detroiters. VIP experiences will be offered with amenities such as in-seat food service and exclusive views.

The new venue will be part of a multi-level market hall district by Bedrock, designed to bring 24/7 entertainment to Detroit. Cosm promises daily programming that spans live sports, music events, immersive art and more.

Cosm is expected to open in 2026.