Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

University of Michigan names interim president

The University of Michigan Board of Regents has named Domenico Grasso as the university’s interim president, effective immediately.

“President Grasso is widely admired for his visionary work leading University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he has held the role of chancellor since 2018,” the Board of Regents wrote. “We have full confidence that President Grasso will provide steady leadership during this critical time of transition.”

They will affirm the appointment during their next board meeting May 15, which is scheduled to take place in Dearborn.

The regents cited several significant successes at the Dearborn campus as examples of Grasso’s effective leadership, including the transition to a need-based financial aid model, the increase of its four-year graduation rate by 16% and the tripling of external research funding that allowed the campus to achieve R2 status.

“Being asked to serve as the interim president of the University of Michigan is a profound honor,” said Grasso who, in addition to his chancellorship and his position as an executive officer of the Ann Arbor campus, is a professor of public policy and sustainable engineering at UM-Dearborn. “I offer my gratitude to the board and my promise to the community to meet this opportunity with energy, integrity and dedication to our shared mission.”

Grasso will lead the university during the search for the next president. He has expressed his desire to serve in the interim role only and says he will not apply for the permanent presidency.

Grasso earned his Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Michigan in 1987.

Former president Santa J. Ono announced last week he had been named the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Florida.

Ono says he expects to assume his new role later this summer.

He succeeded former U-of-M President Mark Schlissel in October 2022.

The post University of Michigan names interim president appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Detroit Evening Report: MDOT announces plans for I-94 overhaul

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is preparing
metro Detroiters for the upcoming reconstruction of I-94.

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

The “Restore 94” project, which will begin early next year, is a $353 million overhaul of 12.7 miles of freeway in the communities of Allen Park, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn, Romulus and Taylor and Melvindale — from east of I-275 to west of Michigan Avenue.

Restore 94 will repair 12.7 miles of the I-94 freeway from east of I-275 to west of Michigan Avenue.

MDOT held two public information sessions Downriver this week about the project, where residents shared concerns about construction noise and increased traffic. MDOT says studies are
being done to see how both could be mitigated.

At least two eastbound and westbound lanes of I-94 will be open during the construction, but occasional closures may occur, MDOT said.

The Restore 94 project comes as reconstruction of I-696
has eastbound traffic shutdown from
M-10 to I-75. That closure will last until 2027.

Other headlines for Friday, March 28, 2025:

  • The nonprofit Focus: HOPE is partnering with Skilltrade and Detroit at Work to offer a medical assistant training program beginning Saturday, March 29. Eligible candidates must
 have a high school diploma/GED, be 18 years old or older, and
have reliable transportation. Space is limited.
  • Arab Women United is accepting artist submissions for their
Arab Heritage Art Celebration in April.
 The event, held during Arab American Heritage
Month, will showcase the creativity of Arab artists. The lineup
 includes live-art performances, henna-drawing opportunities,
 poetry, music and more.
  • Madness is still taking over March with the NCAA March
Madness tournament and two hometown favs. The Michigan
State Spartans and the University of Michigan Wolverines have two big match ups Friday night that you can watch at Parlay Detroit.
They are having a watch party that will last until 2 a.m., with live entertainment by DJ Trust. Tip off for the Michigan State-Ole Miss game is at 7:09 p.m.
Tip off for the University of Michigan-Auburn game is at 9:30 p.m.

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

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

The post Detroit Evening Report: MDOT announces plans for I-94 overhaul appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

❌