Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson met with a group of community leaders on Friday to discuss planning for new zoning rules for data centers. The city passed a resolution last month supporting a two-year data center moratorium.

The group that met consisted of the city’s planning commission, members of the mayor’s administration and the Detroit Economic Development Corporation, as well as DTE Energy and other tech experts.

Residents across the state have spoken out against data centers, citing concerns over energy costs, lost farmlands, and air, noise, and water pollution. The group will hold its next meeting on May 8. 

Additional headlines for Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Senior Citizen Solid Waste Discount

The City of Detroit is looking to help ease property taxes for seniors by opening the Senior Citizen Solid Waste Discount applications early so that the 50% off discount can be applied to homeowners’ summer property tax bills. The deadline for early application is tomorrow, April 15.

The solid waste fee this year is $270, but with the discount seniors would only pay $135. To be eligible, homeowners must be at least 65 years old, their home must be their primary residence and the applicant must be listed as the property owner on the city’s tax rolls.

For more information or to apply visit detroitmi.gov/dtsc.

Volunteers needed for Motor City Makeover

The City of Detroit is looking for volunteers for this year’s Motor City Makeover program. The program is a city-wide cleanup and beautification effort set for three Saturdays in May. 

Volunteers clean up the city as well as plant trees and flowers and distribute vegetable plants. This year, youth can submit a design for a new Motor City Makeover T-shirt. For more information visit motorcitymakeover.org. 

Rising Voices hosts potluck, seeks to hire Community Navigator

The nonprofit group “Rising Voices” is hosting a potluck celebration called Feast of Resistance. This year’s theme is “building the table together” with the goal of celebrating Asian American and other immigrant communities by looking at how their stories live in the food they make and the spaces they create together.

The event will be held on Sunday May 2 from 5-9 p.m. at the Association of Chinese Americans Community Center. That’s at 32585 Concord Drive in Madison Heights. The event is free and open to the public. For more information on upcoming events check out their website: risingvoicesaaf.org. 

Rising Voices is also looking to hire a Community Navigator. The role is a full time, hybrid position for one year with the possibility of extending the position.

The Community Navigator will help connect community members to legal resources, mutual aid, and essential support. Lived experience, organizing, or volunteer work is welcome. Training will be provided.

Ford Fireworks nominated for national recognition

The Parade Company announced that USA Today has nominated the Ford Fireworks as one of the best places in the country to see fireworks this summer. The show is recognized as one of the largest of its type in the country. The public can vote online daily.

Voting ends on May 11 at 11:59 p.m.. The Ford Fireworks will be held on Detroit’s riverfront on Monday June 22. 

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

As tensions around ICE rise across the country, multiple Native American tribes in Michigan are asking their members to always carry identification in case they get stopped by immigration officers. 

Tribes in other states such as Minnesota have reported instances of members being targeted and detained by ICE agents. 

The Sault Ste Marie and Grand Traverse tribes, along with other tribal communities across the state, condemned ICE’s actions in a series of statements reminding people they are U.S. citizens. They say Tribal ID cards are a federally recognized form of identification. 

There are no reports of Michigan tribal members being detained at this time. Several tribes and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to multiple requests for comment. 

Additional headlines for Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

Flint water settlement

The process of paying out claims from the Flint water settlement is moving forward. So far, 4,400 people have secured their payment from the more than $600 million settlement with the state of Michigan, the City of Flint and several businesses. Nearly 26,000 people have qualified for a share of the settlement. 

Michigan implements stricter reading program requirements

The Michigan Department of Education is pushing for a stricter mandate for districts to implement “the science of reading” across the state. The Detroit News reports the department asked legislators to support mandatory training for elementary school teachers and require districts to choose from a list of approved reading programs. 

Holocaust Remembrance Day

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is next week and the Zekelman Holocaust Center is hosting a performance of Remembrance of Things Present to commemorate. The theatre performance by the Braid centers true stories of the children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors through dramatic storytelling and song.

The performance is Sunday, Jan. 25 at 2:30 p.m. at the Holocaust Center. Holocaust Remembrance Day is Jan. 27. It marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and honors the six million Jews and millions of others who were killed, tortured and persecuted by Nazis.

Admission to the museum is free Tuesday, Jan. 27. The Zekelman Holocaust Center is located at 28123 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills. 

Community conversation

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives is hosting a community conversation and celebration Saturday. The Springwells Summit is a space where residents can bring ideas and concerns about safety, flooding, transit, housing or any other issues. The summit is from noon-2 p.m. The afterparty is from 2-4 p.m. 

Accounting Aid Society seeks volunteers for tax season

The Accounting Aid Society hopes to recruit between 350 and 400 volunteers to provide no cost tax preparation services to low and no income families this tax season. No prior tax experience is required. Volunteers receive free training and certification.

The Accounting Aid Society activated 387 volunteers to process more than 23,000 tax returns last year and was responsible for more than $32 million in refunds in 2025. To learn more and get involved visit accountingaidsociety.org. 

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