The GOP-led Michigan House passed two bills this week to curb some of the changes to the state’s minimum wage and paid sick leave laws set to take effect next month following a Supreme Court ruling. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow talk to Danielle Atkinson of Mothering Justice and state Rep. Bill Schuette (R-Midland) about the general support and opposition towards the change. They also discuss Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s entry into the 2026 gubernatorial race.

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

In this episode:

• Jocelyn Benson’s bid for Michigan governor
• Pros and cons of Michigan’s new minimum wage, paid sick leave laws
• Michigan House passing bills to scale back new minimum wage/sick leave laws

Last summer, the Michigan Supreme Court struck down the controversial “adopt and amend” tactic used by the Legislature in 2018 to gut a voter-approved initiative to increase the state’s minimum wage and expand paid sick time. As a result, the state’s minimum wage is set to increase to $12.48 per hour beginning next month, and all Michigan companies will be required to provide their workers at least 40 hours of earned paid sick time annually.

But the ruling has created contention at the state capitol, and bills passed in the Michigan House on Thursday aim to scale back the paid sick leave and minimum wage laws before they take effect.

Atkinson says she opposes the changes House Republicans have presented, stressing the importance of paid sick time for all workers — especially the state’s most vulnerable populations.

“People who work in small businesses that often are exempt from policies. Individuals that are working to survive the effects of domestic violence,” she said. “We wanted to make sure this law covered ‘safe days,’” or paid days off for those facing unforeseen circumstances.

Schuette called the new paid sick leave law an “unworkable policy” for most small businesses in Michigan and said it will result in fewer opportunities and fewer jobs.

“I think this is about protecting both employees and small businesses, it’s both sides,” Schuette said. “That’s why you’re seeing a lot of workers saying ‘I like my current structure…I like to be able to bank my leave [of absence]’…It would be better to have small businesses with flexibility in their paid time off policy, than this one size fits all, top-down dogma.” 

The House bills now go to the Democrat-controlled Senate.

More from WDET:

• House committee advances bills to slow minimum wage increases, scale back paid sick leave guarantee
• MichMash: Michigan minimum wage increase to take effect in February
• Detroit Evening Report: Gov. Whitmer advocates for guaranteed paid leave in Michigan

This week on MichMash, Executive Director of The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) Kimberly Bezy sat down with host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow to discuss the intricacies of auto insurance in the state and the organization’s unique relationship to state government.

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

In this episode:

• State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt entering the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial race
• The MCCA’s relationship with the government
• Why the MCCA is in a shortfall

As of June 2024, the MCCA had $22.5 billion in assets and about $24.5 billion in liabilities. Bezy explained the shortfall was due to the recent change in the no fault reform.

“That changed it a little bit about our forecast for how much we would be paying those injured claimants and some investment options, those obviously change which is what resulted in us being in deficit position,” she said.

Roth and Gorchow also spoke about the slowly evolving 2026 race for governor in Michigan.

State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbit was the first Republican candidate to announce his bid for governor. His announcement followed Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s surprise announcement in December that he plans to run for governor as an independent.

Both Roth and Gorchow noted how Nesbitt’s campaign announcement video echoed much of the Republican talking points that brought the party success in the last election, with Gorchow adding that Nesbitt could be a formidable candidate.

“A democrat who shall remain nameless said something about Nesbitt that sums him up pretty well. This democrat said on the one hand Nesbitt is a really good legislator who is good to work with on policy, but on the other hand Nesbitt is such a good political tactician that they feared having to go up against him during campaign battles.” 

The Michigan gubernatorial election is taking place Nov. 3, 2026.

More from WDET:

• MichMash: Sen. Nesbitt on trying to find ‘common ground’ with Michigan Democrats
• MichMash: Efforts to improve auto no-fault insurance stall in Michigan Legislature
• State House Holds First Hearing on Duggan, Leonard Auto No Fault Overhaul

The state’s 103rd Legislative session began on Wednesday, with Republicans taking the majority in the House of Representatives. But Democrats still hold a majority in the state Senate, requiring bipartisan efforts in the Legislature to get bills passed into law.

This week, MichMash host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow discuss the first day back in session and some of the new legislative developments being drafted. Then, Gorchow sits down with Republican state Rep. Joseph Aragona to discuss his goals for this new Legislature and the likelihood for bipartisanship.

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

In this episode:

• House Republicans’ legislative priorities this session
• Likelihood of movement on FOIA expansion bills
• Republicans’ focus on government oversight

Roth noted that a coveted spot for a bill is to be House or Senate Bill No. 1, and this year’s Senate Bill 1 is Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) expansion — something we’ve talked about a lot on this show. 

It’s an issue that was killed during lame duck last year, and one that Gorchow said is hard to be optimistic about this session after multiple terms of inaction and with Republicans in control of the House.

“When a minority party becomes the majority party, they often get cold feet about this idea. See the House Democrats last term,” Gorchow said, adding that there are no firm commitments from House Republicans yet on this issue.

Still, Gorchow said, it’s “a clear message from the Senate that they want this done quickly.”

Aragona, a second term House Republican serving Clinton Township in Macomb County, says while he’d be supportive of FOIA expansion, his priorities this year will revolve around updating Michigan’s tipped wage and sick leave policies, as well as on expanding government oversight via the House Oversight Committee.

“We’re trying to bring a higher value for the tax dollars that people give state government throughout Michigan,” Aragona said, referring to House Republicans’ oversight priorities. “These subcommittees are meant to try and encompass the breadth of state government, and [to address] issues we’ve seen in the past where we haven’t gotten answers.”

More from WDET:

• MichMash: Michigan Legislature’s final days cover EVs, charter schools + more
• FOIA expansion, minimum wage, sick leave bills lead off legislative session in Lansing
• MichMash: Looking back on the state’s top political stories of 2024

The city of Detroit is providing convenient parking, free transportation and more for the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, taking place now through Jan. 20.

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

Those attending the show can park at a city parking facility, private garage/lot or street parking meter close to a People Mover station and ride for free to the Huntington Place station.

The People Mover will also be operating earlier on the weekends during the Detroit Auto Show, from 6:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday.

Individuals can also park anywhere along the Woodward Corridor between New Center and downtown and ride the QLine for free and get dropped off two blocks from Huntington Place.

The city is also restricting traffic in certain areas around the auto show,  including on Washington Boulevard, Atwater, Shelby, Bates, Congress, Fort, Griswold, Cass and westbound Jefferson.

For more information about traffic and transportation during the Detroit Auto Show, visit the city of Detroit’s website.

Other headlines for Friday, Jan. 10, 2024:

• The Detroit Auto Show’s co-executive director Sam Klemet spoke with WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter about what to look forward to at this year’s event.
• After a stellar performance against the Minnesota Vikings for the final game of the regular season, the Detroit Lions are 15-2, No. 1 in the division, No. 1 in the NFC conference and No. 1 in the hearts of passionate Detroit Lions fans.
• Grammy nominated and Soul Train Award winner Chanté Moore is gracing the stage of Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel on Friday, Jan. 17.

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

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s office released a report today stating that Detroit saw a historic drop in violent crime in 2024.

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

Detroit ended last year with 204 criminal homicides, a 19 percent drop from 2023 and its fewest homicides since 1965. Preliminary numbers show that Detroit ended the year with 606 non-fatal shootings, which is a 25 percent drop from the previous year and 48 percent drop from 2022.

The city is attributing these drops to city, county, state, federal and community partners. Special attention is being focused on the community violence intervention initiative ShotStoppers, and their work in the community.

The six ShotStopper groups are New Era, Detroit 300, Force Detroit, Wayne Metro/Denby Alliance/Camp Restore, Detroit’s People’s Community and Detroit Friends & Family. Together, these community violence intervention groups beat the citywide average of 35 percent of violent crime reduction.

To read more of this report, visit detroitmi.gov. 

Other headlines for Friday, Jan. 3, 2025:

• This Sunday, Jarod Goff and the Detroit Lions go against Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings. The winner of this game will clinch the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the conference playoffs, meaning they will get a bye week and home field advantage throughout the playoffs — as long as they aren’t eliminated, of course. The loser will be the best team in NFL history by winning percentage to have failed to win a division title. So, in short, a lot is on the line with Sunday night’s prime time matchup. The game will take place at 8:20 p.m. at Ford Field.

• Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington Hills is moving to a new location, and this weekend is your last chance to visit the arcade and museum in its original home. They will be open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is also free! Marvin’s has vintage coin-operated machines and nostalgia-inducing games, as well as the newest video games available too. They are moving because their original shopping center was purchased by a developer and is being demolished and redeveloped. They’ll be moving to Orchard Mall in West Bloomfield and the owner says the new location will be three times larger than the previous location. After this weekend, they plan to reopen in the late spring. For updates, visit their Facebook page. 

• Next weekend, comedic rock star Kevin Hart is coming to the Motor City on for a three-day, back-to-back weekend affair. The Grammy-nominated stand-up comedian will be at the Fox Theatre on Jan. 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 12 at 7:00 p.m. for his “Acting My Age” tour. This is Hart’s ninth tour and although he has sold out arenas before, he is looking to create more of an intimate environment for this comedy hour. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com. 

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

This week on the Detroit Evening Report, we’re reflecting on some of the stories we’ve reported on at WDET this year that show how special the people and places in our community truly are.

We also share some news about what’s happening in the community over the holidays. 

Today, we hear some of WDET reporter Nargis Rahman’s interview with fiber artist and educator Fatema Haque, who helped realize the first exhibit of Bengali arts and culture at the Hamtramck Historical Museum. She spoke about some of the community programming created around the exhibit.

Other headlines for Friday, Dec. 27, 2024:

• Premier Pet Supply and Ruff Life Photography are helping pet owners and their fur babies set the tone for 2025 with New Year’s Pet Photos from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, at Premier Pet Supply’s downtown location for a $10 donation. All proceeds will be donated to local rescues.
• Detroit History Tours and The Detroit History Club are offering a variety of holiday tours this weekend. The “Detroit Home for the Holidays: Snazzy Brunch’ Bus Tour” starts at the Detroit History Club and includes a visit to the Detroit Yacht Club for brunch, homes in Indian Village, the Downtown Winter Market and the historic Fisher Building. The brunch tour starts at 10:30 a.m. There is also a late lunch tour at 3 p.m. A Christmas Lights Crawl starts at 6 p.m. and takes attendees to the Beacon Park Winter Wonderland, Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo, and Campus Martius — home to Detroit’s official city Christmas tree, Menorah and Kwanzaa Kinara — heated outdoor shopping stalls, a beer garden, and ice-skating.
• The Preservation of Jazz Monday Night Music Series will host a tribute to Nina Simone at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30, at Aretha’s Jazz Café . Tickets are $35 and doors open at 6 p.m.
• White Feather Holistic Arts is having a New Year’s Eve Bowl Burning Ceremony in Windsor. Attendees will be guided in a ritual focused on releasing old energies and inviting in new ones. The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Pre-register by emailing info@whitefeatherarts.com or calling 519–996–6409.

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

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

• Dysfunction in the state Legislature that bookended 2024
• The Republican comeback in the 2024 election
• Political stories to keep an eye out for in 2025

Gorchow says what played out in the Michigan Republican Party in 2024 is a good subtext for the entire year, in that it captured the arc of the Republican comeback.

A year ago, Kristina Karamo was chair of the Michigan Republican Party, and nothing was going well. She was turning against former allies in the party, donors had closed their wallets and the party was broke and in disarray.

But party members removed her and put former Congressman Pete Hoekstra in charge.

“Pete Hoekstra really saved what was a sinking ship,” Gorchow said. “He reestablished the party as at least an active presence in campaigns; some key groundwork was laid to assure that state House Republicans were no longer totally on their own — which they were until he was in charge.”

Roth reflected on the most recent dysfunction in the Legislature during lame duck, noting that the Democrats’ gameplan of playing it safe until the 2024 election didn’t go as planned.

“It seemed like their thinking was, ‘In 2024, there’s an election year. We don’t want to pass anything that’s going to come back to haunt us during the election. So we’re going to save everything for after that election.’ That seems like such a bad idea, because nobody likes to have these marathon sessions,” she said.

But after 54 Republicans and Democratic Rep. Karen Whitsett refused to participate in last week’s legislative session, the state House was brought to a standstill — leaving all bills on their agenda dead on the floor.

“Presidential election cycles, at least in the Trump Era, has become the good session for the Republicans,” Gorchow said. “For decades it was the opposite.” 

The state House will be back in session in early January, with Republicans at the helm.

More from WDET:

• MichMash: Potential ‘difficult lame duck session’ looms for Democrats
• MichMash: Will Chatfield embezzlement charges push legislature to act on financial disclosures?
• Detroit Evening Report: Mary Sheffield enters 2025 Detroit mayoral race

Democratic control of the Michigan Legislature crashed to a halt on Thursday, Dec. 19, after GOP lawmakers and Democrat Karen Whitsett of Detroit refused to show up to session. MichMash host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow uncover why things went so poorly during these legislative sessions with Gongwer staff writer Elena Durnbaugh.

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

In this episode:

• The Michigan House adjourns without voting on major items.
• What caused the dysfunction in the Michigan House.
• How things are looking for the Democrats come the new legislature in January.

Many state legislators expressed disappointment and shock after lone Democrat Whitsett and 54 Republicans walked out of session on Thursday, leaving everything on the agenda dead on the floor. 

House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) attempted to force the House members back to session by issuing a “call of the House,” but failed to rally the quorum needed to conduct business, resulting in the body adjourning until next year.

Durnbaugh said many lawmakers — including Whitsett — were frustrated by House Democrats’ lack of action on their own legislative priorities.

“Whitsett was told that the [water affordability bill] was something that was going to be voted on,” Durnbaugh said. “She was apparently under the impression that it was going to proceed, but those negotiations fell a part and so [did] Whitsett’s cooperation with the House.”

Gorchow noted how the lack of cooperation in the house also affected bipartisan legislation, including a bill that would have provided greater public funding and assistance for juvenile justice.

“[The bill] was sponsored by a House Republican and it went to Senate, where it passed with bipartisan support,” Gorchow said. “The Senate made one tiny change, they took out an effective date that was outdated — which meant it had to be approved again by the House — but the House couldn’t do it because they didn’t have a quorum and now that bill is dead.”  

Democrats will lose their majority in the House in January when the new legislative session begins.

More from WDET:

• Democrats, Republicans kill lame duck in Michigan House
• Michigan House Republicans stage walk out
• MichMash: Democrat Karen Whitsett facing backlash over abortion stance

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover Thursday’s fizzled session in the Michigan House after GOP lawmakers walked out; Detroit’s new executive director of transit and more.

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

Michigan House adjourns early

Democratic leaders in the Michigan House failed to muster a quorum during Thursday’s session, effectively killing legislation left on the agenda before Republicans take over the House in the New Year.

Democratic Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash said he was “disappointed” and “shocked” that 54 Republicans and one rogue Democrat — Karen Whitsett, of Detroit — “refused to show up,” bringing the House to a standstill.

“Goal posts kept moving and the conversations fell apart,” Aiyash told WDET’s Russ McNamara.

Among the dead legislation was a gun control measure to ban bump stocks, as well as a measure to expand the state’s Freedom of Information Act to include the governor’s office and Legislature.

Duggan names new executive director of transit

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan named Detroit People Mover General Manager Robert Cramer as Detroit’s new executive director of transit this week.

Cramer will take over for G. Michael Staley, who announced last week that he is leaving the role. Cramer has served as the general manager of the People Mover for two years, where he oversaw the service and infrastructure improvements. Staley will remain in charge until Cramer takes over on Jan. 6.

Duggan says he aims to bring the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) back to pre-pandemic service levels by expanding the service in 2025. Over the next two years, there will be at least 84 new buses, which represents nearly 30% of the DDOT fleet.

Southfield Christmas Bar Crawl

The 2024 Southfield Christmas Bar Crawl is set for 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday. Dec. 23.

Experience Southfield’s holiday spirit with what organizers are saying will be a festive bar crawl featuring exclusive holiday-themed cocktails, live entertainment and more. Participating venues include BLVD, Starter’s Bar & Grille, North Bar & Grille, and Salt + Ko. You can also participate in the ugly sweater contest by posting a photo on social media using the hashtag #southfieldbarcrawl2024. Visit eventbrite for more information.

Motor City Kwanzaa celebration

Witness the largest Kinara lighting in the world right in the heart of the city at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26. Activist, author, professor of Africana studies and the creator Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga, will be in attendance via satellite. The event will take place in Cadillac Square between Bates and Woodard in Downtown Detroit.

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

The nonprofit Rising Voices is urging the public to advocate for the “Teach MI History” bill package introduced this month in the Michigan Senate.

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

The proposed legislation would require all Michigan school districts to incorporate curriculum on the histories and contributions of communities of color. The bills — introduced by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), and Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) — would also require cultural competency training for teachers and create a “cultural advisory board” within the Michigan Department of Education.

Rising Voices is urging voters to contact their representatives to make a case for the bill package. For more information on that and the bill itself, visit the organization’s website at risingvoicesaaf.org.

More headlines for Monday, Dec. 16, 2024:

• A historic industrial building in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction neighborhood has been renovated into 161 loft-style apartments, called Piquette Flats.
• This Saturday, Dec. 21, is the Kwanzaa Kinara “Make and Take” Workshop at Alkebulan Village.
• Detroit Music Hall is getting ready to host A Magical Motown Christmas on Friday, Dec. 20.

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

The Michigan Senate has passed a bill that bans the sales and possession of “ghost guns.” Ghost guns are guns that are put together by an individual, not a manufacturer, using parts from a kit or using separate pieces. Because of how these guns are assembled, they don’t have serial numbers and are, therefore, very difficult to identify and track.

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

3D-printed guns are also banned in similar bills that were passed the same day. There were more than 45,000 suspected ghost guns reported to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms from 2016 to 2021, according to the agency.

One of the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), stated that the weapon used to kill the United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson in New York was likely a ghost gun, according to law enforcement.

These bills are part of a multitude of bills the Michigan Legislature is working on in overtime as their lame duck session comes to a close soon.

Other headlines for Friday, Dec. 13, 2024:

• Another set of bills being considered in Lansing would establish a “duty to intervene” law, restrict no-knock warrants, make it a felony to tamper with body cameras and require law enforcement agencies to create policies about the use of force. The duty to intervene law would require police departments to check if prospective hires had been previously fired for poor conduct, which has happened numerous times, according to a 7 Action News investigation.
• The City of Detroit is reminding residents that there are warming centers and respite locations to provide relief from these frigid temperatures. For more information, contact the Detroit Housing Services Helpline at (866) 313-2520.
• The Detroit Opera Youth Chorus is having their Winter Fantasy performance on Sunday, Dec. 15. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for the 2 p.m. concert. The concert will showcase various musical styles including folk tunes, holiday classics, highlights from ‘The Sound of Music’ and more. For tickets, go to detroitopera.org

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

The final days of the current iteration of the Michigan Legislature are upon us as the Republican majority in the House begins in January. Education and the environment are two of the many topics circulating these legislative sessions. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow sit down with Jane McCurry from Clean Fuels Michigan to discuss biofuels, carbon capture and electric vehicles. Then, they switch gears and chat with Chalkbeat’s Hannah Dellinger about charter schools. Finally, Zach reports live from the Michigan State Capitol where all of these topics come together in this exciting, jam-packed episode.

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

In this episode:

• The legislative sessions before the end of lame duck session.
• Electric vehicles and their future in Michigan.
• Democrats want transparency from charter schools

McCurry shared that the among all the bills going through legislative sessions, there are some that are top of mind and show the most potential to pass.

“We know there are various priorities and opportunities in lame duck. The bill that we see the most opportunity for is that sustainability fuel bill,” McCurry said.

Electric vehicles are another topic that has occupied the headlines. McCurry hopes that EVs are included in future vehicle options for Michiganders.  

“I think it’s unfortunate that EVs became a political football, because I really do believe that automotive innovation transcends political boundaries, especially in Michigan,” she said. “There is no EV mandate. Plainfield, Mich. is a strong proponent of vehicle choice, and we want to make sure that consumers have access to all of the fuels, including electrification.”

Charter schools are another topic being discussed during these legislative sessions. Dellinger said that Democrats are not dismissing charter schools, but just want more transparency with how they operate.

“The hearing that they had, they were not arguing about the efficacy of the charter schools or the performance of students at the schools,” she said.

Dellinger added that although the data questions if charter schools are performing at the same level as public schools, those discussions on performance aren’t happening legislatively.  

More from WDET:

• Legislative FOIA bills reach new ground
• MichMash: The environmental dilemma of Michigan’s ‘low carbon fuel standard’ bill
• Electric vehicles, mobility trends shape the future of revamped Detroit Auto Show

Detroit officials announced this week that all six Community Violence Intervention (CVI) zones in the city reported significant reductions in violent crime — all exceeding the average citywide reduction rates and some, by significant margins.

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

Detroit saw a citywide average drop in shootings and homicides of 35% from August through October compared to the prior two years, according to the city. During that same time frame, violent crime inside the city’s six CVI zones plummeted to rates ranging from 37% to 83%.

This is the first time this happened since the launch of the ShotStoppers CVI initiative in July 2023.

The $10 million program, financed through the American Rescue Plan Act, provides quarterly funding to each CVI group to implement violence prevention strategies in their respective communities. The six CVI groups include New Era, Detroit 300, Force Detroit, Wayne Metro/Denby Alliance, Detroit People’s Community and Detroit Friends and Family.

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said that he expects the city’s 2024 crime data to “shatter” last year’s results — which showed a 57-year low in the number of homicides. The city has expanded the program through the summer of 2025 due to the program’s success.

Other headlines for Friday, Dec. 6, 2024:

• The city of Detroit is reminding residents that there are warming centers and other resources available to help protect people from the cold and help with housing security and other needs.
• The artist known as Supercoolwicked is performing her new show, “Negro, Spiritual” at 8 p.m. on Friday at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. Her work examines the human condition, spirituality and freedom through an experimental musical. If you miss Friday’s show, the show will be released via’s Supercoolwicked’s social platforms at a later date.
• Noel Night festivities are taking over Midtown on Saturday, with businesses and organizations throughout the city’s cultural district planning to welcome thousands of visitors throughout the day. If you plan on joining the fun, make sure to stop by WDET Studios for a tour of the station, a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate and more! For a full schedule of events, visit  noelnight.org/schedule.

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

The Michigan Legislature has been stagnant on expanding the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to cover the governor’s office, and there isn’t a clear explanation as to why. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow sat down with Lisa McGraw, public affairs manager for the Michigan Press Association, to examine the status of the bills. 

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

In this episode:

• The history of FOIA expansion in Michigan
• The likelihood of bipartisan support with FOIA after lame-duck
• Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s gubernatorial bid as an independent

The governor’s office and state legislature are exempt from FOIA requests under current Michigan law, making the state’s government among the least transparent in the country, according to the Center for Public Integrity.

McGraw says the battle in the Legislature to expand FOIA laws has been fought for a long time, and because of the history of both parties showing the lack of political will to follow through, she doesn’t have much faith that there will be bipartisan buy in.

“I actually have spoken to my members about what our next steps are. I plan to meet with my public policy team in the near future to discuss what our public policy priorities will be next year, and I’m afraid [FOIA] might not be one of them,” she said. “Speaker-elect [Matt] Hall said he supports it so we’ll see. The governor has also expressed support, but we haven’t heard from her at this time.”

Duggan makes independent bid for governor

Gorchow and Roth also discussed Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s announcement this week that he’ll be running for governor of Michigan in 2026 as an independent.

They both went back and forth with ideas and thoughts as to why he made this decision. Gorchow share that Duggan may be making this decision based on political history.

“Men have done very poorly in Democratic primaries where a woman is running in the last three decades,” he said. “In U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races in the last 30 years, a man has not won since 1994”

Duggan, the city of Detroit’s 75th mayor, will conclude his final term in 2025.  

More from WDET:

• MichMash: State Sen. Jeremy Moss seeking more transparency in Michigan government
• Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will run for Michigan governor in 2026 as independent
• MichMash: Potential ‘difficult lame duck session’ looms for Democrats

A transportation bill introduced last year to encourage the use of “clean fuels” has environmental and animal activists concerned about its potential impacts. Environmentalists say Senate Bill 275 would incentivize reliance on biofuels, which could lead to more Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), also known as “factory farms” in the state. This week on MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow dives into this under the radar issue with Oakland County physician and activist Dr. Cheryl A. Ruble. Also, Zach sits down with Gongwer staff writer Elena Durnbaugh to discuss a new approach to fixing the roads in Michigan. 

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

In this episode:

• Different legislative approaches to fixing Michigan’s roads
• The “low carbon fuel standard” bill and how it impacts the environment
• The benefits and drawbacks of “clean fuels”

Michigan’s ‘clean fuels’ bill

In April 2023, the Michigan Legislature introduced a package of clean energy bills that were signed into law before the end of the year — all but S.B. 275, Ruble says. The bill would enact a low carbon fuel standard, or clean fuel standard, that would award carbon credits — also known as offsets — for the production of alternative fuels like biogas.

“It has the noble goal of reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. That’s very important to reduce greenhouse gases and try to get us out of this climate crisis that we are in. The problem is that it would incentivize biogas, made from manure, using these on-farm, industrial scale anaerobic digesters,” she said. “You’re essentially monetizing manure.”

Critics of the bill say it would have devastating effects on communities, leading to an increase in CAFO operations in the state and, in turn, an increase in pollution and manure runoff into nearby waterways.

Fresh takes on fixing Michigan’s roads

When the Legislature comes back in session in December, there will be a limited time where Democrats will maintain their trifecta in state government.

Durnbaugh says Democrats may use that window to pass legislation focused on finding new ways to fix Michigan’s roads.

“As time has gone on, the need for a solution has become more pressing,” Durnbaugh said. “There needs to be a solution. It needs to be something that, people in both caucuses can be on board with.” 

Michigan’s 103rd State Legislature is set to take over on Jan. 1, 2025.

More from WDET:

• Federal money coming to three Michigan cities for safer, greener roads
• Whitmer announces federal funding to boost Michigan’s green initiatives
• Michigan aims to tackle clean energy goals in Upper Peninsula

More from Gongwer News Service

• Whitmer nudges Legislature on road funding

A new program from the Detroit Health Department will provide free rides to doctor visits for new and expectant mothers for one year.

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

The “Rides to Care” program will provide all Detroit women who are pregnant, and anyone who takes care of an infant up to one year of age, with free transportation to and from prenatal visits, postpartum visits and pediatric visits for the baby.

The program aims to remove a common barrier to expectant mothers and their babies receiving proper care: access to transportation.

“Every expectant mother and new mom in Detroit deserve the security of knowing they can get to their prenatal or postnatal appointments so their baby can have their best start in life,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in a statement. “With Rides to Care there is no reason to miss a vital medical appointment, because free roundtrip transportation to every doctor’s office visit is now an automatic benefit to them as a Detroiter.”

The service is available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Participating residents’ health care providers must be located in Detroit or up to five miles outside the city.

To book a ride, call 313-876-0000.

Other headlines for Friday, Nov. 22, 2024:

• The Toyota Mobility Foundation has selected 10 semifinalists to receive $3 million to participate in its Sustainable Cities Challenge to develop innovative solutions for Detroit’s iconic Eastern Market. 
• The Rink at Campus Martius Park opens for its 21st season on Saturday, Nov. 23, with a variety of celebrations planned throughout the weekend.
• Ray J is passing through the Motor City on Saturday to host Slow Jams: An Ultimate R&B Experience at the Detroit Shipping Company.
• The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be passing through metro Detroit on Monday, Nov. 25, after an evening event in Windsor, Ontario.

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

Now that the election is over, we are in lame duck session. This week on MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow sits down with Detroit News reporter Beth LeBlanc. They discuss how Democrats will move forward after losing the majority in the Michigan House. 

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

In this episode:

• Defining a lame duck session and how this one will compare to others
• Democrats’ lame duck priorities
• Mike Duggan’s announcement that he will not seek reelection

The Michigan Legislature returned to the Capitol this week to set their agenda for their “lame duck” session.

The term refers to an outgoing politician or, in this case, the period of time between Election Day and the end of a legislative session, which is at the end of December. Michigan Democrats will have a short window of time to cross items off their to-do list before the 2023-24 session wraps up and Republicans take control of the Michigan House in January.

LeBlanc compared this lame duck session to 2018, saying that there are similarities.

“When Gov. [Rick] Snyder was leaving office and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was coming into office, there were some late night sessions that year and a lot of legislation that got through,” LeBlanc said. “I think people are kind of preparing for something similar, but it depends on if Democrats are able to find some consensus within their caucus.”  

LeBlanc and Gorchow also discussed the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial election and the rumors of a potential run for the office by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who announced this week he would not seek reelection for mayor next year.

Although there hasn’t been any official announcement, LeBlanc says his chances to run are great.

“I think Duggan has built a name for himself, within Detroit. A lot of the state has looked at what he’s done in Detroit, so I think he has a good chance to get through the primary,” she said. “That has a lot to do with who else is in the primary at that point.

-MPRN’s Rick Pluta contributed to this report.

More from WDET:

• Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announces he will not seek reelection
• View Michigan’s 2024 general election results
• Two term-limited GOP lawmakers have very different takes on lame duck