Duggan Endorses Sheffield 

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has endorsed City Council President Mary Sheffield in her run to become Detroit’s next mayor.  The two appeared together this morning at a news conference on the city’s west side. 

Sheffield says she’s ready to move the city forward. 

“I am thankful for Mayor Duggan’s support.  I am ready,” says Sheffield. “I am prepared to lead Detroit to its next chapter.”  

Sheffield won just over 50 percent of the vote in this month’s primary election.  She’ll face Pastor Solomon Kinloch in the November general election. 

Additional headlines

Chandler Park upgrades 

Detroit officials gathered in Chandler Park this afternoon to celebrate upgrades to the eastside park. 

Top of the list is the new Chandler Park Fieldhouse.  The 130-thousand square foot facility includes an indoor sports turf field, multi-sports courts and fitness areas. 

Chandler Park already has an 18-hole golf course and the Wayne County Aquatic Center.  It’s Detroit’s fourth largest park. 

Duggan gains endorsements for governor

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan continues to collect endorsements for his gubernatorial campaign.  He appeared at Michigan Central Station Tuesday to tout 215 endorsements from current and former Democratic and Republican elected officials from around the state.  

Duggan says he’s making a statement with his decision to run for governor as an independent. 

“I know it would be a lot easier to get elected as a Democrat.  It would be a lot easier for all these folks up here not to have to step out and endorse an independent.  But I would have been part of the same old politics in Lansing.  And it is time to send an unmistakable message to tell the folks in Lansing that politics as usual is over.” 

Duggan announced last year that he would not run for a fourth term as mayor of Detroit.  Instead, he’s running to become Michigan’s next governor.  That election takes place in November 2026. 

WSU move-in traffic 

You can expect pedestrian and vehicle traffic to be heavy in Midtown Detroit over the next few days.  That’s because students are headed back to Wayne State University. 

Expect to see U-Hauls and other trucks carrying furniture and other belongings.  Move in at the school’s dorms began today. 

Classes begin on Monday.   

UDM volunteers during orientation

First year students at the University of Detroit Mercy are volunteering for projects in northwest Detroit today and tomorrow. 

They’ll work in parks and gardens and on block clubs in the area near the university. 

The volunteer work is the final part of the school’s orientation for incoming students.  It’s goal is to connect students with the area’s social and cultural networks. 

Federov #91 retired 

The Detroit Red Wings are retiring the jersey of All-Star Sergei Federov. 

Federov played 13 seasons with the Redwings, from 1990 to 2003.  He helped the team win three Stanley Cup Championships.  The Hockey Hall of Fame center scored 400 goals and had 554 assists for the Red Wings. 

A special ceremony to honor Federov and hang his jersey from the rafters at Little Caesars Arena will take place on January 12^th. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

 Detroit implements new alert system

A new city-wide alert system aims to notify the public more quickly about missing persons cases. The Detroit Police Department introduced the Emerald Alert Monday. It’s meant to provide emergency notifications for missing persons cases which don’t meet the requirements of an Amber Alert.

Police can send an Emerald Alert for cases where they suspect foul play or to look for someone with special needs. The city will transmit them through its Detroit Alerts 365 system.

Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley

Deadline for Home Heating Tax Credit approaches

Qualified renters and homeowners have until September 30^th to apply for the Home Heating Tax Credit.

Last year eligible applicants received an average of $180 to use toward utility bills. Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel says applying might get residents a credit and connect them to other resources like monthly energy discounts and expanded food assistance.

Some utilities offered claimants a $20 monthly credit last year. Anyone can apply using the state’s free tax preparation services. Renters or homeowners must meet income requirements.

Connect to this resource by calling 211 or at Michiganfreetaxhelp.org. 

Wayne County Invest in MI Kids campaign kickoff

Invest in MI Kids is kicking off its Wayne County campaign at Clark Park Friday.

The project is collecting signatures in an effort to change the state constitution to raise taxes on people who make more than 500-thousand dollars who file taxes as single filers or a million dollars for joint filers to better fund schools in the state. Critics have said the change would affect small businesses. Organizers say the language of the petition and amendment only target individuals. Friday’s event will include food trucks, music and “fun.”

It runs from 5pm to 8pm at Clark Park. 

Neighborhood Advisory Council informational meeting

City Council Member Gabriela Santiago Romero is inviting residents from the area where Detroit City Football Club is developing its new stadium to join an educational event tomorrow to learn about the Community Benefits Ordinance and the Neighborhood Advisory Council.

The law requires developers to engage with the community about the impact of large projects and to identify benefits to the community. A Neighborhood Advisory Council is created to represent the community in discussions with developers.

DCFC’s AlumiFi Stadium in Southwest Detroit is expected to cost $150million to build. Projects over 75 million trigger the CBO requirement.

Wednesday’s meeting starts at 6:30 on Zoom. Register here

Free sports clinic sampling in Chandler Park

Chandler Park is hosting a free sports clinic sampling event Wednesday. Youth are invited to come to check out a variety of sports, including golf, pickleball, ultimate frisbee, rugby, lacrosse, soccer, track, volleyball, flag football, tennis, baseball and yoga.

The event runs from 1pm to 6pm with sports scheduled in particular time slots throughout the afternoon. Participants must wear closed toe shoes and parents must stay if children will be participating in any sport.

The event also celebrates the indoor sports facility the Parks and Rec department has opened at Chandler Park. Vendors, DJs and food trucks will be on hand.

Set your GPS to 12300 Chandler Park Drive. 

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

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Soul food is one of the most identifiable American cuisines. 

The dishes were crafted from the scraps that were left behind for Black people at a time when slavery was the law of the land. With a little ingenuity and a lot of determination, those leftovers became a main attraction for Black families and the rest of the country eventually caught on.

This weekend, collard greens will be placed center stage as Detroiters gather in Chandler park to celebrate the soul food staple. The 3rd annual Collard Green Cook-Off will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, bringing together food, culture and community.

Khary Frazier  is the founder of Detroit is Different, the organization hosting the event. He joined The Metro on Tuesday to share what’s in store this year and the importance of celebrating Black culture, community and culinary excellence in the city.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

The city of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation has announced the return of its annual Detroit Bike Summit at Chandler Park this weekend.

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

The ride will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, and is free and open to all ages. This year’s theme is “Eastside Bound,” focusing on community, clean transportation and active mobility on Detroit’s east side.

“Detroiters deserve access to safe, fun, and convenient ways to get around their neighborhoods,” said Tim Slusser, chief of the Office of Mobility Innovation, in a press release. “We’re excited to bring the Bike Summit to Chandler Park and highlight the importance of active mobility and community-led solutions.”

In addition to a full day of riding, there will be food trucks on site, music and more. The first 100 people to register will be eligible to receive a prepaid lunch voucher. The actual bike ride begins at noon, leaving from Chandler Park. Riders will bike to Detroit’s Maheras-Gentry Park and back — a seven-mile ride.

Visit detroitmi.gov for more information. 

Other headlines for Friday, June 27, 2025:

• The city of Detroit is one of 50 finalists in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ sixth Mayors Challenge — a competition to encourage innovation in local government that improves life in cities around the world. The city will receive $50,000 to test its idea for improving Detroit’s property information systems.
• Detroit’s Rouge Park is turning 100 years old this year. To celebrate the milestone, the nonprofit Friends of Rouge Park is hosting a free, three-day festival at the park this weekend, June 27-29.
• Since May 31, local nonprofit group Black Leaders Detroit has been participating in the national Ride for Equity — a 1,600-mile bike ride through the midwest aiming to raise money and create awareness around equitable funding practices for entrepreneurs of African descent.
• The Rocket Classic continues this weekend at the Detroit Golf Club, with more than 150 athletes taking part in the 7th annual tournament. It will be televised on CBS Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

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