Mayor Mary Sheffield has hired Dearborn’s former Chief Public Health Officer to fulfill the same role in Detroit. Ali Abazeed is credited with building Dearborn’s public health department from the ground up. He also worked in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the pandemic. 

Abazeed says he is looking for bold ideas to improve public health in Detroit. He is credited with achieving a 60% reduction in drug overdoses and expanding air quality testing in the city of Dearborn. Abazeed also brought the Rx Kids program to Dearborn, the same program Mayor Sheffield launched in Detroit earlier this year. 

Additional headlines from Monday, March 2, 2026

DPSCD offers Ramadan meals to students

Detroit Public Schools Community District is offering Ramadan meals to students fasting during the month-long holiday. Meals are available for pick up between 2 and 3:30pm from school cafeterias.

Each meal package includes one breakfast and one lunch distributed to students who attend school that day. Ramadan meals are available school days until March 17. 

Temple Beth El tour

Temple Beth El is opening its doors to the community for an exploration of history and faith. Attendees will learn about Judaism and the history of the Temple Beth El congregation and it’s impact on southeastern Michigan.

The evening includes a tour of the synagogue and a meal. The event is Tuesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. It’s a part of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metro Detroit’s Interfaith Odysseys program. Registration is $35 for individuals and $50 for families.

Southwest Detroit Loteria fundraiser

Community members and Wayne State University alumni are invited to play a Southwest Detroit edition of Loteria Wednesday. The event is a fundraiser for the joint alumni association for Wayne State’s Latino en Marcha, Chicano Boricua Studies and Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies programs.

This version of Loteria showcases people and businesses in Southwest Detroit. There will be Loteria-inspired merchandise for sale connected to each program. Funds support the Dr. Jorge Chinea Endowment.

A $100 donation buys a Loteria board. The event is Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Mexicantown Community Development Corporation at 2835 Bagley Street. 

Lunar eclipse

Metro Detroiters will be able to see a total lunar eclipse Tuesday morning…if the weather cooperates.

The moon will enter the Earth’s shadow overnight, and a partial eclipse will begin around 4:50 a.m. Totality will last for about an hour between 6 and 7 a.m., during which the moon will appear to be red. 

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