The Detroit Department of Construction and Demolition gave city council an update on the removal of the contaminated dirt in the city on Monday. 

The Department has replaced tainted backfill in more than 100 properties. That’s out of the 450 lots that were identified. The average cost of the fill removal and replacement is about $36,000 per site. 

Department Director Tim Palazzo says they have tightened up process for approving construction fill materials over the last several months. “The first thing is that we collapsed the number of sites and sources from which we receive fill material down to seven public pits. These only excavate native sand, gravel, soil from longstanding operations.” 

Palazzo says they inspect those sites on a monthly basis and send their staff—as well as a third-party environmental consultant—to oversee operations at the sites. He says they have also started sampling the fill before it even leaves the source site.

-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley 

Additional headlines for Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Community discussion about ICE

The Southfield Neighbors Action Committee is hosting a community discussion Wednesday about ICE enforcement in Southfield. “What Does It Mean To Be A Good Neighbor When ICE Moves In?” will be moderated by Kermit Williams, political director of Oakland Forward.

Panelists include Elida Reyes from Community Action for Empowerment, Lauren Fink from Southfield Neighbors Action Committee, Dr. Patricia Talley from Mexico Negro and U.S. House Representative Rashida Tlaib.

The event is Wednesday from 6:30- 9 p.m. in Room 115 at the Southfield Pavilion at 26000 Evergreen Road.

Good Food for Michigan

Dearborn Public Schools has received a state grant designed to bring more Michigan-grown food to its cafeterias. The Good Food for Michigan Project is giving the district more than $460,000. Dearborn schools serve more than 3 million meals to around 20,000 students at more than 30 sites. 

The Good Food for Michigan Project is a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, the Center for Good Food Purchasing, and the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.  

Detroit Riverfront hosts art exhibit

People visiting Detroit’s Riverfront and Southwest Greenway can now take in a little bit of the DIA’s art collection. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is hosting the museum’s Inside Out project featuring large-scale reproductions of 7 works. The pieces will be in place until October.

Girls soccer clinic

The Hamtramck Parks Conservancy and the city’s recreation department are partnering to offer a girls soccer clinic on August 17. Women coaches and trainers will work with girls between the ages of 10 and 17 years old. Balls, nets and pennies are provided.

The clinic runs from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Veterans Park Soccer Arena at 8684 Joseph Campau. 

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

Dearborn Public Schools has a new superintendent. After several rounds of interviews, the school board chose Mike Esseily to lead the district on Monday. 

Esseily served as the Executive Director of Special Populations, overlooking special education, English language programs and mental health programs in the district. He previously worked as the Director of Special Education. He was also a special education teacher and served as an assistant principal.  

Dearborn Public Schools has 20,000 students and 2,700 staff according to the school district’s website.  

The search began after former superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko was hired as the State Superintendent. Mike Esseily is the first Arab American Muslim superintendent in the district. If he signs the contract, his new role begins on July 1, 2026.  

Additional headlines for Thursday, May 7, 2026

Detroit Healthy Homes resource fair

The City of Detroit is hosting a Healthy Homes resource fair. The resource and foreclosure prevention event will also offer HOPE Application Assistance, Payment Plans and a chance to talk with staff from the Department of Water and Sewerage, the Wayne County Treasurer’s office with Eric Sabree, the Property Assessment Board of Review, and the Department of Neighborhoods.

The event takes place on Saturday at the Islamic Center of Detroit from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. That’s 14350 Tireman Ave., Detroit, MI. Lyft services will also be provided if needed. Call 866-313-2520 to schedule a ride.  

Michigan aging poll

The Michigan Poll on Aging finds that many Michigan residents 50 and up find the state a favorable place to live as they age. The latest survey says 82% of older adults in Michigan say that it’s an “excellent, very good or a good place to live as they age.” However, half of older adults say cost of living, housing and transportation are barriers.

The survey also finds that despite opportunities, there are several challenges to create quality life for older adults. About 84% of Michigan residents say they believe older adults receive quality healthcare. Older adults who live in Southeast Michigan say its easy to find healthcare.  

Detroit Compost Week

A Detroit-based coalition is sharing the results of a 4-month pilot study on food waste solutions. That’s ahead of Compost Awareness Week, beginning May 8.

The Detroit Community Composting Collective Project (DCCCP) is a partnership between several organizations to bring residents, farmers and organizers together to tackle food waste. The pilot was launched last April to train 100 Detroiters in community composting. The coalition partnered with six local farms.  

The coalition says Detroit throws away 251 million pounds of food waste each year. The coalition’s work hopes to reduce food waste in landfills.  

An event will be held at the Detroit Food Commons Friday, May 8 from 6-9 p.m. to share the results from the pilot program and discuss ways for community-led solutions.  

Mosquito season awareness

Michigan’s health department is encouraging people to be aware of mosquitoes and ticks. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) says people should take precautions to protect themselves and pets. The agencies suggest that people remove standing water in pools, trim tall grass and keep lawns mowed to reduce mosquito and tick habitats. 

They also recommend stacking firewood neatly and in dry areas. 

People can also use repellent on exposed skin to protect themselves against mosquito bites, keep pesticides away from children and pets and bathe after spending time outdoors to find any ticks. Officials also advise people to wash their clothes with hot water to kill ticks. For more information visit Michigan.gov.  

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Three finalists have been chosen in the search for Dearborn Public Schools superintendent. The finalists were chosen during a special meeting over the weekend. Thomas Ahart, Mike Esseily and Moussa Hamka will move forward to the next round of interviews with district officials and stakeholders this week. 

A meet and greet will be held on April 22 from 7:20-8:45 p.m. for community members to meet the candidates at the Administrative Building. Finalists will be interviewed by the Board of Education on April 23. A final decision will be made on May 4 during a special meeting. 

The superintendent search was initiated when Former Superintendent Glenn Maleyko stepped down to become the State Superintendent.  

People can follow updates at the district’s YouTube page @DearbornPublicSchoolsVideo or at dearbornschools.org.

Additional headlines for Monday, April 20, 2026

Night of Innovation, Bet on Dearborn Expo

The Night of Innovation event cohosted by the City of Dearborn’s Economic Development Department and the American Arab Chamber of Commerce is a shark tank style pitch competition for prizes. The top prize wins $25,000. That takes place on May 12 from 5-8 p.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

The following day, the Bet on Dearborn Expo returns for a third year. The expo brings entrepreneurs, business resources, community services and networking together. The event takes place on May 13 from 4-8 p.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.  

Visit betondearborn.com for more information and to register for free. 

Dream of Detroit training

The nonprofit Dream of Detroit is hosting a community organizing training. The training will teach leaders principles of community organizing based on faith, storytelling and collective power. 

The training takes place May 2 from 1-6 p.m. and Sunday May 3. RSVP at dreamofdetroit.org. 

ICE impacts immigrant families—even if they’re here legally  

A recent study shows that some immigrant families in Michigan remain in constant fear because of the Trump administration’s ICE raids. 

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) found the crackdown has disrupted the lives of immigrants regardless of legal status. Researchers say children and parents are missing doctors’ appointments and other routine activities over concerns that ICE could arrest them.

Elizabeth Gonzalez is an organizer with the Congress of Communities in Southwest Detroit. She says ICE agents showing up at schools and childcare centers affects kids needing educational opportunities. “We depend on our Head Start centers and our Head Start programs. Unfortunately, enrollment has dropped due to parents and children being scared of ice surrounding centers and schools.” 

But Gonzalez has a message for the community: “Estamos unidos para proteger a nuestros niños. We are united to protect our children.” 

CLASP recommends that lawmakers restore prohibitions against ICE agents operating at schools, houses of worship and hospitals. 

– Reporting by Russ McNamara

Bill Kubota inducted into Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame

Senior Producer at Detroit PBS Bill Kubota was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame this weekend for his contributions to journalism in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. 

Kubota is known for his work for Detroit Public Television’s weekly public affairs program One Detroit. Detroit PBS says Kubota dedicated his life’s work to working in Detroit since the 1980s as a trailblazer in video journalism. He’s also worked as a producer with several national news outlets.

Kubota’s work encompasses overlooked stories, from civil rights to environmental justice and the formerly incarcerated. Kubota is the treasurer for the Michigan chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association. 

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