On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump promised to make the federal government more efficient. So far that effort has led to attempts to shut down diversity programs.

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

Now, the president is reportedly weighing an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

State Superintendent Michael Rice says the president’s actions are attempts to marginalize certain segments of the population.

“The president isn’t trying to return control of schools to states and local districts, which have always been in charge of education. He’s trying to exercise control over who is served and how what gets taught and what does not,” Rice said.

Michigan schools get over $2 billion from the federal government per year. Most of Trump’s efforts to shut down federal agencies have been stopped by lawsuits.  

Other headlines for Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025:

• The Detroit Public Library is inviting patrons to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Bridgerton-style afternoon ball from 2-4 p.m. this Sunday at the Main Library. 
• The Michigan Science Center’s planetarium is getting an upgrade thanks to a $2.5 million grant from the Ballmer Group. 
• The Center for Success Network and the Oak Park Public Library are partnering to host a party celebrating the life and work of Langston Hughes. The event, also celebrating the start of Black Children’s Book Week, is set for 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, and will take place at the Oak Park Library.
• The Station at Michigan Central is hosting “Great Migrations at the Station” this Black History Month. The series explores the stories of Black Americans who arrived in Detroit between 1910 and 1970 and helped shape the city. 

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