Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd has been selected as Michigan’s third poet laureate. Boyd is an award-winning author and retired professor of African American Studies at Wayne State University.

Dr. Boyd has authored 13 books, nine of which are poetry collections. Her works “Death Dance of a Butterfly” and “Roses and Revolutions: The Selected Writings of Dudley Randall” were recognized as Michigan Notable Books. In 2023, the Kresge Foundation honored her as the Kresge Eminent Artist.

“I’m humbled that the powers that be decided that I was worthy. And it’s exciting,” said Boyd.

As poet laureate, Boyd will engage with students, educators and community members through readings and workshops. She plans to incorporate interdisciplinary arts into her programming, collaborating with musicians and other artists.

“I want to encourage people to appreciate poetry, to read it more and to realize how much can be gained from it,” Boyd said. “Poetry is the most intense form of writing — it is like dancing, while prose is like walking.”

Boyd succeeds Nandi Comer, who served from 2023 to 2024.

Boyd will serve a two-year term. More information about the Michigan Poet Laureate program can be found at michigan.gov/poetlaureate.

Consumers Energy is exploring the potential use of geothermal energy to heat and cool homes in some Michigan neighborhoods. The utility is conducting a study, funded by a grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission, to determine cost-effective locations where geothermal systems could have the greatest impact.

“Our focus is one on places where we know that customers really need help with paying their bills, and so we want to reduce their costs as much as possible. Which network geothermal is incredibly efficient,” said spokesperson Tracy Wimmer.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems rely on the Earth’s constant underground temperature of about 55 degrees. These systems use a network of pipes and pumps to circulate water, drawing heat into buildings during winter and dispersing it in summer.

The study will also identify which cities have poor air quality and would benefit most from reduced emissions.

“For example, you have a business that actually needs to keep it pretty cool year-round; they can be pushing that heat out, but then other homes nearby, for example, on the system, can be using that heat. So not only is it efficient for the individual homes, but it’s efficient for whole communities,” Wimmer added.

Consumers Energy expects to complete the study by the end of the year.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover new water rates, upcoming road closures and more.

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

Lower water rate hike approved

The Great Lakes Water Authority has voted to approve a water rate hike that is lower than it originally proposed. After listening to dozens of public comments, the authority lowered the proposed rate hike from nearly 8 percent down to 5.9 percent.

GLWA Board Member and Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Director Gary Brown thanked the board for working with Detroit’s finance team to decrease the hike.

“We could recognize in our rates in Detroit, it is not as low as most people will want. Certainly, we feel this will fit the needs of affordability in the city of Detroit. So again, thank you for working closely with us to get these numbers down.”

The decision comes a week after an authority-owned water transmission main broke and affected 400 homes in Southwest Detroit.

Legislation proposed to better track students

A new bill that would improve the tracking of students from one school district to another is expected to be introduced in the Michigan legislature.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard helped draft the bill. He says the goal is to ensure that confirmation of a student’s transfer doesn’t end at the request for transcripts. The new legislation is a response to an abuse and neglect case in Pontiac.

“That one school doesn’t presume the other school now has the kids, because what happened was they never actually moved to the new school, and the prior school district just dropped them from their enrollment.”

In the Pontiac case, three children never attended school after allegedly being left alone in their home by their mother for several years.

WSU raises free tuition threshold

Wayne State University is raising the income threshold for a free tuition program. The university is now offering free tuition to Michigan families that make $80,000 or less. The offer is renewable for up to four years.

Incoming freshmen must be applying to the university for the first time and be Michigan residents. Residents must be eligible for the Pell grant in 2025. They must be enrolled full time and have submitted their FAFSA by April 1, 2025.

Dearborn air pollution lawsuit settled

Pro-V Enterprises, an industrial waste processing company in Dearborn, has settled a lawsuit against the city for air pollution. The company has agreed to invest up to $4 million in improvements to its operations to mitigate air pollution by June 30.

The city claimed “fugitive” dust that the company’s trucking vehicles carried was a danger to residents’ health. The company is required to make improvements including planting trees, replacing stormwater systems and annual inspections.

Dearborn to provide free iftar meals

For the first time ever, Dearborn Public Schools will provide free iftar meals for students to take home during Ramadan. Middle and high school students can pick up the to-go meal during school hours, but cannot eat the meal at school. Ramadan starts Friday night.

I-696 closure starts Saturday

As a reminder for drivers, eastbound I-696 will be closing between M-10 (The Lodge) and I-75 freeways for two years starting Saturday, March 1. It’s the final phase of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Restore the Reuther project.

Westbound traffic will be maintained while both sides of the freeway will be rebuilt between Lahser Road and I-75. The project work includes rebuilding the roadway, bridge work and drainage structures.

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

Detroit Water and Sewerage will begin repairing damage caused by the massive water main break in Southwest Detroit next week.

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

The department will clean out and sanitize basements, as well as perform hot water heater, furnace and electrical repairs.

DWSD Director Gary Brown says residents whose water has been restored will still be under a water boil advisory.

“When we put a service line back in service, we must test the water for bacteria twice, 24 hours apart,” he said. “So it will take 48 hours for the testing to take place.”

Southwest Detroit residents who were affected by the water main break on Monday can now file a claim for losses on the city’s website. DWSD will work to cover deductibles and any losses outside of what insurance will cover, Brown said.

The city hopes to get all homes repaired and families moved back in within six weeks, he said.

Residents who need assistance to make a claim can call the city at 313-774-5261.

Other headlines for Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025:

• Reverend Solomon Kinloch Jr of Detroit-based Triumph Church launched his campaign for Detroit’s mayor Wednesday night.
• The Islamic Center of Detroit is hosting a deep dive into Malcolm X’s Wayne State speech and how his commitment to Islam shaped his activism at an event titled “100 years of Malcolm X: A Legacy Unfinished,” taking place at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the Islamic Center of Detroit.
• Detroit Parks and Recreation will continue its Winter Fest festivities this weekend with events planned at Rouge Park from noon to 4 p.m. and at the Butzel Family Center from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22.
• Detroit is looking for talent to perform at Detroit Parks and Recreation events. The city is looking for DJs, poets, singers and rappers, bands, dancers, and artists. Auditions for performers will take place from 1-5 p.m. on March 8 at the Northwest Activities Center.

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

With more snow expected to move through the area this weekend, the Detroit Fire Department is urging residents to use caution when heating their homes.

Nationwide, nearly 30 percent of residential fires between 2019 and 2023 were caused by alternative heating sources, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In Detroit, the fire department reported 73 residential fires and one death linked to alternative heating sources in 2024 alone.

Fire Chief Dennis Hunter said space heaters were responsible for 50 percent of those incidents.

“That’s one of the main culprits,” Hunter said. “People also tend to use outdoor heaters that should be used outdoors and not indoors. And if they run out of power, they tend to use generators which also should be used outdoors.”

Space Heater Safety Tips:

• Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
• Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people.
• Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
• Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
• Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
• Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic.
• Never block an exit.
• Keep children away from the space heater.
• Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet.
• Never use an extension cord.
• Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed.

The fire department is also warning residents not to use their ovens to heat their homes, as it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, Hunter stresses that generators should be placed at least 10 feet away from homes, with exhaust pointed away from windows.

“Generators are great if used properly,” Hunter said. “Do not ever put a generator in your home or in your garage. That CO is so strong from generators, it can even seep from the garage into the house.”

Hunter added that while kerosene heaters designed for indoor use are acceptable for short periods, they emit high levels of carbon monoxide. Residents should also ensure their fireplaces are properly vented before use.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips:

• Never use your stove as a primary heat source for your home; it is extremely dangerous and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and fires. Stoves are designed for cooking, not heating a room — overheating can occur.
• Kerosene heaters should only be used indoors for short periods.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
• During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
• A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
• Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO — only use outside.
• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.
• Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.

For more fire safety tips, visit the Detroit Fire Department website.

Some trees in Michigan are more susceptible to ice damage during freezing conditions according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. As ice builds up, branches can crack and break under the added weight, leading to tree damage and potential hazards. Weaker wood trees like Silver Maple, mulberries, and some elms are the most susceptible.

Fluctuating winter weather can cause long term damage to trees. Sunlight can warm the southside of thin-barked tree causing sap to melt and then refreeze when temperatures drop. This freeze-thaw cycle can rupture the bark, leading to internal damage.

Department of Natural Resources Forester Lawrence Law recommends covering the southside of the tree with burlap to provide shade.

“Once the tree has no leaves and it’s winter, it doesn’t fully warm up that side of the tree, so it won’t freeze again. It will just stay dormant within the bark there, and that tree is much more likely to not have frost damage on the bark,” says Law.

Law says tree maintenance can play a crucial role in minimizing ice storm damage.

“So trees that have not been maintained in terms of pruning every 5 to 10 years usually have poor branching, some weak unions amongst branches to the tree— especially those silver Maples that are very prevalent in Southeast Michigan.”

Law also suggests homeowners consult an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist, especially those with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), to determine tree risk during icy weather.

Law also says if branches fall on power lines, residents should avoid approaching them and report the issue to local utility companies immediately.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at Detroit Metro Airport intercepted an invasive seed bug late last year. The half-inch long bugs were spotted among fresh cypress cones, brough in for medicinal purposes by a traveler arriving from Jordan.

The species, identified as orsillus maculatus, is known for spreading spores and feeding on conifer cones. It poses a threat to certain trees, particularly bald cypress and other conifers, though the bug has also been seen in juniper and pine trees in other countries.

CBP agriculturist Tyler Fox said the insect is especially concerning due to its potential to become invasive in Michigan, where cypress trees are planted for erosion control and ornamental purposes.

“A lot of the insects that come through actually are not problematic where they’re native,” Fox said. “But when something like this comes through that’s already been documented as problematic and arrives with no natural predators, the potential is very high for it to become invasive.”

Fox says the insect has the ability to blend in with tree bark, making it difficult to detect initially, which could delay the realization of a problem.

CBP officials emphasize the importance of travelers declaring any agricultural products they may be carrying to help prevent the introduction of harmful species.

Editor’s Note: Soon after the recording of this segment, Corewell Health reversed their previous announcement and will resume their previous policies on offering gender affirming care to minors. 

Corewell Health reversed its recent decision to stop providing gender-affirming care to minors, which had made it the first healthcare system the first in Michigan to limit care to transgender youth. 

Corewell Health said in a statement last week that they will not begin any new hormone therapy regimens nor perform gender affirming surgeries for minors. 

That statement came after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that threatens to eliminate funding to hospitals who do such treatments for patients younger than 19 years of age. 

In 2023, approximately 3% of high school students identify as transgender according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Trump’s executive order is being challenged in federal court. 

Corewell Health hospitals will resume offering hormone therapy and other gender-affirming care for minors that has been approved by physicians and family members.

Detroit Fire Department advises caution when using alternative heat sources

As a winter storm passes through and frigid temperatures are expected this weekend, The Detroit Fire Department is advising residents to exercise caution when heating their homes to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Residents should not use their ovens to heat their homes and need to check that their heating source is not designed for outdoor use prior to turning them on inside.

Fire Chief Dennis Hunter says improper use of alternative heating sources like generators are the biggest danger.  

“Generators are great to use, if used properly. They need to be at least 10 feet away from your home, that exhaust needs to be pointed away from the windows, and do not ever put a generator in your home or in your garage. For that matter, that carbon monoxide is so strong from generators, it can even seep from the garage into the house.” 

Hunter says kerosene heaters meant for indoors are OK to use, but only for short periods of time, as they emit a lot of carbon monoxide.  

He says residents should also ensure their fireplaced are properly vented.  

Department of Natural Resources shares avian flu precautions 

More than 300 birds were found dead from bird flu in Michigan since the start of the new year, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

Six samples tested positive for the bird flu as of January 30th. Birds that died from the virus have been found in Allegan, Shiawassee, Ingham, Eaton, and Washtenaw counties. The DNR says the risk of infection in humans is still low, but the virus can infect people who come in contact with infected animals or materials.

The DNR says if someone finds dead birds in their yard, they should double bag the carcasses and dispose of them in the trash for normal trash pickup. Be sure to wear shoes that can be disinfected and disposable or rubber gloves. Residents should protect their eyes and face with masks and eye wear to avoid accidental exposure to fluids that may contain the virus. If handling multiple birds, wear rain bibs, or a waterproof apron to protect clothing. 

Data shows the impact of red flag gun laws

New state data shows nearly three in every four red flag law gun requests in Michigan over the last year resulted in a confiscated gun. The Extreme Risk Protection Order Act was enacted last year. The law allows individuals to ask a judge to remove guns form a person who is deemed to be a risk to themselves or others. The State Court Administrative Offices reports that out of 391 requests, 287 were granted.

No petitioners were charged of filing false information and no respondents were charged with refusing or failing to comply with the order. 

Dearborn Public Schools awarded Meritorious Budget Award

Dearborn Public Schools was awarded the Meritorious Budget Award for the seventh year in a row. The award highlights the districts excellence for how they present their budgets. The district has a combined annual budget of 445 million dollars and 19,500 students. The award was presented by the Association of School Business Officials International. The groups MBA and Pathway to the MBA promote and recognize the best budget presentations practices in school districts.  

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 updates on Detroit’s finances and immigration rights. Plus, local events for community leaders, dads and journalists.

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

Detroit’s finances continue to improve

Experts are predicting Detroit will continue to its rebound from bankruptcy over the next few years. A report from the University of Michigan says by 2029, wages for Detroiters will increase while unemployment decreases by nearly 2 percent.

However, U-M economist Gabriel Ehrlich says policy changes by President Donald Trump could slow that growth.

“Obviously, we got a delay on those announced tariffs recently. But that’s the big wild card,” he says. “Protection for the domestic auto industry should help Michigan and should help Detroit, but other things are not going to be equal when you think about tariffs.”

Ehrlich adds that inflation has come down, leading to cuts in short-term interest rates, which should help Detroit’s auto and finance industries.

ACLU reinforces legal rights for students

The ACLU of Michigan and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center mailed out a letter to parents underlining the rights of children in schools. It’s in response to the Trump Administration rescinding a policy that kept places like schools and churches off limits to immigration enforcement.

ACLU of Michigan Attorney Miriam Aukerman says students have a constitutional right to education regardless of immigration status.

“Schools have the legal responsibility to respect students rights and to protect confidential student information, that also has not changed,” she says. “Schools are not required to let immigration enforcement officers into non-public school areas unless the officers have a judicial warrant”

Aukerman says schools should develop procedures for how to handle immigration enforcement, starting with requiring a judicial warrant for entry. 

313 Day DON Community Awards

Detroit’s Department of Neighborhoods has opened nominations for 313 Day Community Awards. Residents can nominate people, organizations or businesses who embody the “Spirit of Detroit” and are doing impactful work in the community. Nominations are open until Saturday, March 1.  Eligible nominees must impact the city of Detroit. Activities can include, but are not limited to, serving nonprofits, neighborhood groups, schools and faith-based organizations. Nominations can be submitted here.

Dearborn Daddy-Daughter Dance

Deaborn’s Daddy-Daughter dance is this weekend. The dance will be held Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.  The theme this year is Emerald City. The event will feature music, pizza, soft drinks and a keepsake for all daughters. The dance will be in the Lincoln Ballroom at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center at 15801 Michigan Ave. Tickets can be purchased at DearbornTheater.com.

Editor’s note: Tickets are currently sold out for the Saturday, Feb. 8 event.

Detroit Documenter orientation

Detroit Documenters is hosting an orientation for people who want to become a new Documenter. Documenters get paid to take notes or post live updates at public meetings. The workshop is mandatory for Documenters to get paid. Visit detroit.documenters.org to sign up.

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

Immigrants in Detroit aren’t the only ones feeling the effects of the Trump Administration.

A local nonprofit, Hey Y’all Detroit, has been delivering fresh produce and grocery boxes monthly to nearly 300 families in need. But their partnership with a Texas farm ended after workers there experienced several immigration raids.

“This was a huge blow,” said Charmane Neal, the founder of Hey Y’all Detroit.

“We had to, unfortunately, completely stop the produce delivery program. I mean not only is all of our supply gone now, but we don’t actually have the distribution center to do the logistics, and we also don’t have the vehicles or the manpower to actually run this program on the scale that we were running it on.”

Neal says the farm was the sole provider of produce and provided all logistics and a distribution center for the program.

Neal has decided not to reveal the name of the farm to protect the owners and workers. 68% of the farm’s workers were migrants and DACA recipients. Since speaking out, Neal says the farm has been raided three times. Some workers have been deported; others have stopped showing up to work out of fear.

The farm ultimately had to shut down.

However, Neal is attempting to rebuild. The organization has expanded its community gardens from two to four, secured partnerships with local farms, and increased efforts in food rescue programs. Additionally, Hey Y’all Detroit is working with Eastside Mutual Aid to host more free farmers markets in public parks.

But, Neal says even with all the new partnerships, she will only be able to help up to 100 families, instead of everyone she helped before.

However, Neal said she does have hope.

“We’ve raised $1,500 in the last 72 hours on our GoFundMe, like, I just can’t even believe it. That’s the most we’ve ever raised in a short amount of time. And so I feel very hopeful because I have the community, the community has Hey Y’all’s back, and I feel like, you know, we’ll raise another $1,000 by the end of this week.”

Neal said she is exploring collaborations with farms in Northern Michigan and Ohio and seeking funding for dedicated delivery vehicles.

Immigration activists held a “Know Your Rights” rally in Detroit last week to remind all immigrants how they can protect themselves if confronted by ICE.

Anxiety is high among immigrant communities in Detroit as President Donald Trump has called for increased deportation efforts across the country.

Some in the city have already been detained.

“I got a report yesterday of someone being deported after playing soccer here in southwest Detroit,” said Detroit City Councilmember Gabriella Santiago-Romero. “He was detained in front of his wife and kids after being here for over 30 years with no criminal record.”

Dr. Seydi Sarr from the African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs tells another story of an immigrant, a student whose visa expired in the middle of his school semester.

“On Wednesday, he got picked up because he was two days out of status. Today, as we speak, his lawyer is fighting for him to get bail,” Sarr said. “I didn’t say criminal. I didn’t say he broke any law. I say he was… his status was expiring in the middle of the semester, which happened to a lot of students, and he had to just renew it. Which he has been doing every year.”

These are just a few of the experiences immigrants have been talking about in the days since President Donald Trump signed several executive orders dealing with immigration in his first few days of office.

President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act earlier this week. The law gives Immigration and Customs Enforcement broad powers to detain and deport migrants who are accused of crimes.

Trump has also signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship and threatened to remove federal funding from sanctuary cities.

And the Trump Administration expanded a policy known as expedited removal, which allows some immigrants to be detained and deported without a court hearing.

In the past, the policy was primarily used to remove undocumented immigrants who had been in the country for less than 14 days. With the expansion of enforcement, immigration officials are authorized to detain any undocumented immigrant who has been in the United States for less than two years.

Ruby Robinson is an attorney with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. He advises people to carry some sort of proof with them that they have lived in the U.S. for more than two years. He also advises residents to create a plan of action in advance, in case they are approached by ICE.

“In emergencies we are flustered. We don’t think clearly,” Robinson said.  “If you can take some time in advance and think about what needs to happen to your family, what needs to happen to your children, what are the medications that they’re on? Write this down. Share it with others.”

Robinson says the Constitution provides rights to everyone in the country, regardless of immigration status, when interacting with law enforcement.

He advises undocumented immigrants not to open their doors without proof of a warrant signed by a judge. Robinson says it’s rare that an agent would have one.

“ICE’s focus is civil immigration enforcement. They do not conduct criminal prosecutions. It is exceedingly rare for ICE to have a warrant signed by a judge because they are focused on civil immigration enforcement, not on criminal matters.”

Santiago-Romero says the recent enhanced deportation efforts are hurting widespread parts of Detroit communities.

“People are fearful. Children aren’t going to schools. Businesses are having their employees not show up. Their clientele is not coming to our bars and restaurants. This will impact all of us. Not only are we destroying families, we [are] destroying our community,” Santiago-Romero said.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was also present at the rally and shared similar sentiments.

“For all our immigrant neighbors, I love you. I know you work hard. You are not criminals. You are not rapists. You are not these things they say you are,” Tlaib said.

Know Your Rights

• You have the right to remain silent and to contact an attorney
• You have the right to due process and to have your case heard before a judge
• Do not volunteer ANY information
• You do not need to provide your immigration status or place of birth
• Do not show or use any false or fraudulent documentation, including a fake name
• You do not have any obligation to sign any document without speaking to an attorney
• Do not sign a document you do not understand
• Ask to see a warrant before you open the door., should ICE visit your home or place of work

Additional resources

Michigan United will be providing “know your rights” trainings for volunteers across the state. Santiago-Romero also advised residents pick up “Know Your Rights” cards from her office. The red wallet sized card lists immigrant’s constitutional rights, and can be presented to law enforcement if they are detained. These cards can be ordered at ilrc.org/red-cards. Cards are available in multiple languages.

• Preparing Your Family for Immigration Enforcement (ENGLISH) – here
• Preparando Su Familia Para Encuentros Con Inmigracion (ESPAÑOL) – aquí
• إعداد عائلتك لتطبيق قوانين الهجرة(ARABIC) – هنا
• We Have Rights – for a list of helpful videos to help immigrants navigate encounters with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Search – To help find an immigration lawyer
• A Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace
• Preparing your Family for Immigration Enforcement
• Guide for Police Encounters with a Foreign Driver’s License
• What can noncitizens for to prepare for the new Administration
• ACLU Know your Rights resources
• Student Rights to Education (via MIRC)
• Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) has a 24/7 immigration hotline (1-800-243-0302), providing direct support and guidance for individuals in need.
• Red Cards for Know Your Rights – available to print and download, or order, in multiple languages

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover a Detroit coalition’s efforts to spread the word about tax credits available to residents; Detroit Councilman Fred Durhal III’s announcement that he’s running for mayor and more.

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

Detroit coalition spreads word on tax credits

The city of Detroit and community partners came together at Wayne Metro Community Action Agency in Detroit on Wednesday to encourage people to fill out their taxes this year to access credits and money.

The organizations are offering free tax services for households who make less than $67,000 a year.

Avec O’Brien, chief financial officer at United Way of Southeastern Michigan, says families receive money, but so does the community.

“Money that our families are using then to buy goods to engage in services that in the end result in making our economy our local economy bloom and thrive,” O’Brien said. “So, it helps all of us. We are a community.”

People can call 2-1-1 or visit the website getthetaxfacts.org to schedule an appointment before April 15.

Reporting by Nargis Rahman, WDET

Fred Durhal running for mayor

Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III announced to supporters Wednesday night his plans to run for mayor of Detroit. 

Durhal joins Council President Mary Sheffield and Heat and Warmth Fund CEO Saunteel Jenkins in the race. Mayor Mike Duggan is running for governor next year as an independent.

Belle Isle study aims to improve island’s accessibility

The results of a 2.5-year study are in, and some major changes could be coming to Belle Isle.

The study, conducted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Belle Isle Conservancy, suggests relocating some parking lots to more popular locations and creating new bike lanes.

Conservancy CEO Meagan Elliot says one of the first changes to be made will be converting Central Avenue into what she calls a pedestrian promenade.

“So basically, like a walking stretch for everyone with shade and the ability to take your bike or roll down the center, as opposed to, you know, being a place to drive,” she said.

Elliot says other plans include the creation of more trails and improving wayfinding and direction signage. The changes are part of a 10-year plan to improve safety and mobility.

Immigrant Rights group calls out Duggan

The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center released a statement denouncing what they call anti-immigrant comments from Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.

Duggan has in recent news referred to undocumented immigrants as “illegal.” The Center called the use of the word “inappropriate, dehumanizing, and an insult.”

Since 2010, immigrant advocates have encouraged press and government officials to drop the I-word. The release said Duggan should instead be thanking the immigrant community for contributing to the growth of the city. The Center says in 2022, undocumented immigrants contributed nearly $129 million in state and local taxes, and filled important jobs in manufacturing, construction and hospitality.

Submissions sought for Twin Cities Arab Film Festival

The woman-led contemporary arts organization Mizna is seeking film submissions for their 2025 Twin Cities Arab Film Festival. They are accepting narrative, documentary, experimental and animated films of feature and short lengths. They are looking for films made by filmmakers from the Southwest Asian and North African – or SWANA- community. All accepted submissions will be considered for Audience and Jury Awards. Submissions are due May 11. 

Mockery Zero Proof grand opening

A new nonalcoholic bottle shop and bar celebrated its Grand Opening on Thursday. Mockery Zero Proof opened in the Live6 neighborhood…featuring zero-proof beers and wine flights. The bar also serves alcohol free alternatives to traditional cocktails.  Mockery Zero Proof is located at 7400 W McNichols Road.  

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved a $217 million rate hike for DTE Energy.

One condition of the increase by the MPSC order includes allocating $87 million for the utility’s tree trimming program.

MPSC Chair Dan Scripps says improving service reliability is the commission’s main goal.

“We’re supportive of a number of investments specifically tied to improving reliability performance, including $87 million in additional funding for the tree trim surge program, which brings the five-year total that we’ve approved under this program to just under $500 million.”

DTE Spokesperson Rachel Steudle says the utility trims about a million trees every year.

“We have 31,000 overhead line miles and by the end of this year we will have trimmed every one of those miles to our enhanced specification,” Steudle said. “We’ve been executing this work since about 2019. So this year in particular, we’re touching over 6000 miles.”

Steudle says the utility has amplified its efforts to clear away overgrown trees in the last six years.

The rate hike is offset by a power supply cost adjustment made at DTE in November. Residents should not see an increase in their monthly bill. Steudle says customers experience a 40% increase in service reliability after trees are trimmed in an area.

The utility rate hikes are set to take effect on Feb. 6.

The city of Dearborn announced this week a significant decrease in major crime in 2024. 

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

Officials reported a 30% decrease in burglary, 35% drop in home invasions and a 22% reduction in vehicle theft. 

Police Chief Issa Shahin credits the decrease to the use of technology like drones and infrared cameras. He also announced the future implementation of a real-time crime center that will integrate real-time video feeds from public and private cameras into a centralized hub, allowing officers to monitor, analyze, and respond to incidents more efficiently. 

“This initiative highlights the collaborative public private partnerships, where businesses and residents who opt in can share securely, share their access to their surveillance cameras,” he said. 

The crime center is expected to launch in the next several months. 

“Today, we celebrate meaningful progress — but we remain focused on the work ahead,” Shahin added. “Public safety is not a destination; it’s an ongoing journey that demands innovation, collaboration, and trust.”

Other headlines for Thursday, Jan. 23, 2024:

• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed 19 bipartisan bills to protect schools, homes and communities from gun violence. That includes creating a new School Safety and Mental Health Commission.
• Two new housing projects are coming to Detroit’s Grandmont Rosedale Neighborhood. Renovations are complete on two formerly vacant buildings now called The Residence at West Outer Drive, adding 35 new affordable housing units. A block away, construction begins on Minock Park Place, a new mixed-use development on Grand River that will add 42 units of affordable senior housing and retail space.
• Local nonprofit Hey Y’all Detroit has announced they will be postponing their free produce distribution campaign as a result of President Trump’s deportation sweeps in Texas. The organization gives away free boxes of produced to over 260 families through a partnership with a farm in Texas. However the farm’s workforce consisted of 68%  immigrants and DACA recipients. 

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

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on Wednesday announced two more east side neighborhoods as finalists for phase two of the city’s Solar Neighborhood project.  

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

All homeowners in the Houston Whittier/Hayes and Greenfield Park communities have already entered written agreements for voluntary buyouts by the city.  

Duggan says he would not use eminent domain against homeowners, but he will for speculators.  

“You all know how I feel about the speculators in this town who have bought up vacant lots across the city to try to hold us up,” he said. “The fact that we can use eminent domain means we can buy those vacant lots for their worth. They can’t hold us up.” 

The two neighborhoods create an additional 61 acres of solar arrays. 

Phase one of the project already secured 104 acres of land, bringing the total to 165 acres acquired. 

Other headlines for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025:

• Dearborn Public Schools announced two more schools will be getting vape detectors in the restrooms as part of the district’s anti-vaping campaign that launched last spring.
• Pages Bookshop in Detroit’s historic North Rosedale Park is closing its doors after a decade. The owner of the independent bookstore, Susan Murphy, announced in email she will be retiring at the end of the month.
• Wayne State University is hosting a National Day of Healing from Racism event at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the university’s Student Center. This year’s theme is Reclaiming Humanity through Co-Liberation and Solidarity. The free event will feature bystander intervention training, an art therapy session and performances.
• The next Detroit Department of Transportation Monthly Community Input Meeting is taking place at 5 p.m. next Thursday, Jan. 16. Residents can give input on services, fares, routes and more. For more information about the virtual meeting, email ddotcomments@detroitmi.gov. 

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

Regional Michigan unemployment rates increased in November, according to data collected by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Regional jobless rates in the state ranged from 3.6 to 6.5 percent in November.

“Michigan regional unemployment rate gains were primarily due to workforce advances across most labor market areas over the month,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs also rose over the month in the majority of Michigan metro areas.”

All 17 Michigan regions had unemployment rate increases over the year, with a median increase of 1.4 percent.

Other headlines for Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025:

• The Detroit Fire Department is kicking off a Safety Series with webinars to help keep residents safe. The webinars will focus on many forms of fire prevention — from cooking safety to lithium-ion battery best practices. The webinars will also cover how families can create a fire safety plan and best practices when using open fire — like with grills, fire pits and fireworks. The webinar will kick off Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. Visit detroitmi.gov for more information.

• Cinema Detroit is screening the short-film collection ‘From Ground Zero: Stories from Gaza’ in Hamtramck this month. The collection features 22 short films by Palestinian filmmakers showing life in Gaza during the war. It is shortlisted for the Oscars’ Best International Film. The collection includes a mix of genres such as fiction, documentaries, animation and experimental cinema. The screening will take place Sunday, Jan. 12 at Planet Ant Theater in Hamtramck. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the screening begins at 5:30 p.m.

• Bowers School Farm in Bloomfield Township is opening its winter attraction, Winter Glow Tubing. The location features a 200-foot neon lit tubing hill. Visitors can enjoy other activities like sledding, snowshoeing and a winter bonfire. General admission is free to explore the farm and visit animals like Marty the calf and Kronk the llama. There is also a new winter playscape for kids. The grand opening is Saturday, Jan. 4 at noon. Tickets are $17 each with discounts for families purchasing four or more.

• Here’s a reminder for City of Detroit residents during snowy weather: Crews will plow a 16-foot path down residential streets, not curb to curb, during snowy weather. Residential streets are plowed only when snow is 6 inches or more. Contractors will plow residential streets by district. The City of Detroit is in charge of plowing over 650 miles of major roads and over 1,880 miles of residential streets. Wayne County clears freeways and county roads, and the Michigan Department of Transportation clears major arteries like Gratiot, Woodward and Grand River.

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. 

First we revisit a conversation WDET’s Hernz Laguerre Jr. had with Morgan Hutson, an artist who performs as Supercoolwicked. She spoke about her show, “Negro Spiritual” at the University of Michigan Museum of Art earlier this month.

Other headlines for Dec. 26, 2024:

• Detroit lights the 30-foot tall Kwanzaa Kinara in Campus Martius around 5 p.m. tonight, celebrating the first day and the first principal of Kwanzaa – Umoja (oo-moh-jah) or unity. The Kinara joins the 26-foot Menorah lit on Wednesday to mark the first day of Hannukah, and the 66-foot Christmas tree already on display in Campus Martius.
• Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Garden Bowl’s Kwanzaa & Kulture: Community Bowling Day from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday. Tickets cost $35 for adults and $10 for youth, and cover two hours of bowling, soft drinks and food. 
• KAN Books will hold a free celebration of all seven principals of Kwanzaa from 3 to 7:30 -p.m. Friday evening. There will be a traditional Kwanzaa ceremony with candle lighting, live performances, music and a community marketplace.
• The Detroit Institute of Arts is open for family fun throughout the holiday break. The DIA’s Artmaking Studio is offering drop-in workshops in paper snowflake making every day through the end of the year, and visitors 6 years old and up can use museum supplies to draw in its galleries. Friday, the Detroit Film Theatre will screen “Animated Fantasy Shorts of the Silent Era at 3 p.m. The DFT continues its holiday silent film offerings with “Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood” at 3 p.m. Sunday, and with the 1924 silent film “The Last Laugh,” screened with the live score performed by Little Bang Theory at 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.Films are free with museum admission. General admission is always free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties. 

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

There’s a lot of attention on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs at universities across the country.

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to ban DEI at universities and businesses. And after a scathing New York Times article characterized DEI at the University of Michigan as a failure, concerns are high about what’s next for DEI on campus. 

Not long after, the university’s Board of Regents held a private meeting to discuss DEI’s future. Regent Sarah Hubbard later appeared on “Fox and Friends,” saying the board was taking a “critical look” at DEI programs and spending. 

U-M’s university-wide DEI strategy is aimed at increasing diversity and making the campus more inclusive. Programs like the Go Blue Guarantee —which provides free tuition to in-state students under a certain income level —and Wolverine Pathways, which offers educational support for grade school students, are part of the university’s DEI initiatives. 

“We’ve spent a significant amount of money, more than just about any other university in the country, pushing behind these DEI programs,” Hubbard said. “And we really need to understand if we’re getting what we want out of that investment.” 

– University of Michigan Regent Sarah Hubbard

DEI also supports resources like non-binary bathrooms, accommodations for disabilities, and tools for students facing discrimination. There’s even a push to diversify who the university accepts donations from. 

But Hubbard says the board is questioning whether these initiatives are actually making a difference. 

“We’ve spent a significant amount of money, more than just about any other university in the country, pushing behind these DEI programs,” Hubbard said. “And we really need to understand if we’re getting what we want out of that investment.” 

All of this has left students, faculty, and staff uncertain about the future of DEI. 

“There is kind of a multi-dimensional or layered context to where these concerns are coming,” said Mariel Krupansky, a lecturer at U-M. 

She says part of the tension comes from Hubbard’s public comments about defunding DEI — but there’s more to it. 

Recently, Provost Laurie McCauley decided to eliminate diversity statements from faculty hiring and promotion processes. Those statements were meant to reflect someone’s commitment to DEI, but McCauley — with input from an eight-person committee — said they put too much pressure on faculty to take specific stances on moral and political issues. 

“It’s not just that decision,” Krupansky added, “it’s the larger context in which it was made and how it’s being portrayed to the public.” 

At the Dec. 5, 2024 Board of Regents meeting, students and faculty spoke out, asking the board not to cut any DEI programs. Regent Michael Behm was direct in his response.

“I don’t know where these assumptions have come from,” Behm said. “I think we just want you to know there are no plans to make any cuts to any of those programs.” 

But some students and faculty are still uneasy, especially as a new presidential administration that has openly rejected DEI takes office next month. 

President-elect Trump has vowed to ban DEI and eliminate the Department of Education. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance has called DEI divisive and introduced the “Dismantle DEI Act” earlier this year. 

Melissa Borja, an associate professor of American culture, says she was reassured by the Board of Regents’ response to student and faculty concerns. 

“Our community is at its best when we lean into our core values — being bold, being courageous, and being truthful,” she said. “And when we focus on our core missions of research, teaching, and serving the people of Michigan.” 

Robert Sellers, a professor of psychology and U-M’s first chief diversity officer, says the university has weathered similar challenges before. 

“For 20-plus years, Michigan has been fighting issues related to anti-affirmative action,” he said. “We’ve developed DEI in a way that’s legal, always legal. It would be up to the president to define what part of our DEI initiatives isn’t.” 

For now, the Board of Regents says it’s staying the course and keeping an eye on what’s to come. 

AAA has integrated its roadside service with two popular navigation apps, Waze and Google Maps, to alert drivers when they’re approaching an auto club tow truck.

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

The goal is to warn those using the navigation apps to slow down and move over when they see an emergency vehicle stopped ahead, as required by state law.

AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland says the alerts could save lives.

“Tragically, about two emergency responders are killed every month, and thats far too many deaths,” Woodland said. “They occur because drivers are either not paying attention or do not realize they’re approaching someone on the roadside.”

AAA responds to over 30 million calls for roadside assistance across the country, amounting to about one call every two seconds.

Woodland says if someone’s car or truck breaks down, they should stay inside the vehicle if it’s safe and wait for help to arrive.

The auto club expects a record number of people to travel over the holidays, predicting that more than 119 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Saturday and New Year’s Day.

Reporting by Pat Batcheller, WDET News

Other headlines for Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024:

• The Michigan Muslim Community Council will continue its “Days of Ihsan” campaign on Dec. 25, partnering with local organizations to hand out holiday gifts and food to over 300 low-income Detroit families.
• Detroit’s homicide rates have dropped drastically again this year, with the Detroit Police Department reporting the city is on pace to break last year’s record of lowest homicides since 1966.
• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill Monday that will extend the maximum length of time Michigan workers can receive unemployment insurance benefits by six weeks.
• Most city of Detroit offices will be closed beginning Christmas Eve for the holiday season and will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2. Normal Police, fire and bus services will be provided.  Garbage, bulk and recycling will not be picked up on Christmas or New Year’s Day. Friday’s collection will take place on Saturday.  

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