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MichMash Live (bonus episode): A Michigan politics look ahead

24 June 2025 at 21:17

The political leadership in Michigan will go through some major changes with the multiple elections being held in the next couple of years.

This week on WDET’s MichMash, Gongwer News Services’ Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss the future of Michigan politics and who has the best chance to win their respective races in the state. 

Also, Michigan political consultant and co-host of the Baldly Bipartisan podcast, Adrian Hemond, and Resch Strategies VP Anna Heaton joined the conversation.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

  • Sen. Gary Peters’ retirement
  • Mike Duggan’s chances as an independent in the governor’s race
  • How the voting landscape is changing

 

Michigan has never had an open governor’s race and an open senate seat in the same year, until now.

Many were surprised when Sen. Gary Peters announced his retirement earlier this year. Hemond said that Peters retiring breaks the norm for politicians.

“…the United States Senate is an exceptionally old institution and someone voluntarily retiring when they are around Medicare eligibility is actually unheard of,” he said.

Several candidates have thrown their hat in the ring to fill the open seat, including Democratic candidates Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, veteran Rachel Howard, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, and Michigan House Speaker Joseph Tate.  

On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, Kent Benham, Frederick Heurtebise and Genevieve Scott have all launched campaigns. Independent candidates in the race are Lydia Christensen and Craig Henley Johnson. 

When asked about the governor’s race, Heaton spoke about the challenges Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will face running as an Independent.

“When he first announced, Republicans were a little smug, thinking he’s just going to draw from the Democratic base,” she said. “In the most recent poll that I reviewed, you know, he’s equally liked by Republicans and Democrats — and really high favorability ratings.” 

Still, Heaton said name recognition across the state could pose a significant challenge for him outside the metro area.

Despite those challenges, Hemond thinks it would be a mistake to bet against Duggan.

“If there’s anyone in Michigan politics that can do it it’s Mike Duggan, both because of the skill that he has and the Rolodex that he has — outside of just politics right, which I think is super important; but also he has sky-high name ID in the metro Detroit media market, which is where half the people in Michigan live,” he said.

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The post MichMash Live (bonus episode): A Michigan politics look ahead appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Metro: James Craig’s mayoral campaign blends law enforcement and conservative politics

By: Sam Corey
18 June 2025 at 14:16

Come November, Detroit residents will decide who will lead the city into its next chapter. Nine candidates and a write-in say they have a path forward.

Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig is among them. Serving as chief from 2013 to 2021, he helped speed up police response times and implemented “Project Green Light” for businesses to get police attention more quickly, among other accomplishments. Craig also served as police chief in both Cincinnati and Portland, Maine.

After retiring from law enforcement, Craig ran for governor in 2022 on the Republican ticket, but was removed from the ballot due to alleged fraudulent signatures on his nominating petitions. He also ran for a Michigan U.S. Senate seat last year, but suspended his campaign after it failed to gain momentum.

Now, Craig is the only Republican candidate running for mayor of Detroit, and he says he’d use his experience rooting out waste in government to increase efficiency and utilize city resources better. 

He joined The Metro on Tuesday to talk about his mayoral bid and what sets him apart. Only two candidates will move forward to November’s general election following the Aug. 5 primary.

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.

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 »

More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro: James Craig’s mayoral campaign blends law enforcement and conservative politics appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Detroit Evening Report: High school aviation program restored to original airport site

17 June 2025 at 20:24

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple PodcastsSpotifyNPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Davis Aerospace High School returns to airport campus with expanded aviation training

Davis Aerospace Technical High School is returning to its original home at the Coleman A. Young International Airport—a move that will once again give students access to the runway and hands-on aviation training.

The school, which offers free aviation courses including drone certification and pilot licensing, was relocated in 2013 while the city was under state management. Since then, students have been unable to obtain federal certification in aviation mechanics due to lack of airport access.

Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says the move is meant to correct a decision made under emergency management.

“We’ve gone about reforming the school district,” Vitti says. “Sometimes everyone’s quick to get rid of everything and say nothing worked in the past, and this was the complete opposite of that. This was about bringing something back that absolutely made sense and should have never been taken away from the district and the city.”

The airport’s three-level terminal will be converted into the school’s new campus, which is scheduled to open in fall 2026. The relocation is expected to allow the high school to expand its enrollment to 200 students.

Principal Michelle Davis says this year, nine students passed their FAA drone certification course, and four passed the written portion of the private pilot’s license test. With the move, those students will be able to fly next year—something the school hasn’t been able to offer since 2013.

The relocation will cost nearly $15 million, with funding split between the school district and the state.

Detroit mayoral candidates clash over jobs, housing at debate

Affordable housing and job creation were at the forefront of a spirited Detroit mayoral debate held Monday night at Wayne State University. About half of the candidates running for the city’s top office took part in the event.

City Council President Mary Sheffield said Detroit must find ways to use downtown investment to lift up neighborhoods across the city.

Reverend Solomon Kinloch Jr. pledged to lead both his congregation and the city if elected mayor, while former Detroit Police Chief James Craig described himself as a “proven leader.”

But the most pointed moment of the evening came during closing remarks from former City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, who targeted each of her rivals with sharp criticism:

“More guns in schools… locking up our kids… Craig is your guy. If you want a part-time mayor who’s working two full-time jobs… Kinloch is ready. If you want a mayor who shows up on Instagram but doesn’t show up for meetings… follow Mary. Thank you.”

The crowd responded audibly before Craig replied:

“Gloves are off now!”

Kinloch pushed back in his final statement, saying:

“Detroit cannot build up by tearing others down.”

District 5 voters invited to meet City Council candidates at Eastern Market

BridgeDetroit is hosting a Meet the Candidates event this Wednesday at Eastern Market for residents of Detroit’s District 5. All seven candidates running to replace City Council President Mary Sheffield are expected to attend.

The event offers voters a chance to ask questions, hear directly from the candidates, and enjoy a meal—Greek food will be served.

District 5 residents are encouraged to bring their curiosity and their appetite. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance.

Event Details
What: Meet the Candidates – Detroit City Council District 5
When: Wednesday, June 19, 2025
Where: Eastern Market
RSVP: Reserve your spot on Eventbrite

Detroit Public Library celebrates Juneteenth with family events across the city

The Detroit Public Library is celebrating Juneteenth all week long with family-friendly events at branches across the city.

At the Main Library on Woodward Avenue, the annual Juneteenth Celebration takes place Wednesday and will feature special guests from the Midwest Invitational Rodeo. Visitors can enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, lawn games, arts and crafts, face painting, line dancing, and more. The event also marks the kickoff of the library’s Summer Reading Program.

Other highlights this week include:

  • Movie night at the Campbell Branch
  • A Juneteenth Jamboree at the Edison and Elmwood Park branches
  • Storytimes, storytelling, and history programs for all ages throughout the city

To explore the full schedule of events, visit detroitlibrary.org.

The post Detroit Evening Report: High school aviation program restored to original airport site appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Metro: Meet Todd Perkins: Attorney, advocate, and Detroit mayoral hopeful

16 June 2025 at 17:40

Come November, Detroit residents will decide who among them will lead the city into its next chapter by taking Mike Duggan’s place as mayor.

Today’s episode of The Metro features Todd Perkins, one of the ten mayoral candidates, as well as an Attorney, Founder and owner of The Perkins Law Group. He speaks with our host Tia Graham about what he thinks makes him the one for the job.

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

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 »

More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro: Meet Todd Perkins: Attorney, advocate, and Detroit mayoral hopeful appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Metro: What Detroit’s Latino community wants from the next mayor

12 June 2025 at 18:52

As Detroit’s mayoral race begins to take shape, residents will have to decide which candidates will address the issues most important to them. The candidates have outlined the issues they believe will improve the lives of Detroit residents, but what do residents and community leaders believe needs to be addressed by the next mayor?

Cindy Gamboa is the Executive director of MI Poder– a non profit civic engagement organization that services Michigan’s Latino population- and she’s joined  The Metro today to shed light on the subject.

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

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 »

More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro: What Detroit’s Latino community wants from the next mayor appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Metro: Detroit’s Mayoral Candidates face off over transit issues at public forum

9 June 2025 at 16:13

After serving in office for more than a decade, Mike Duggan is in his final term as mayor of Detroit. That has led to a crowded mayoral race, with nine people formally entering to have their names appear on the August primary ballot. Two candidates will advance to the November general election.

Whoever becomes Detroit’s next mayor will have a number of issues to tackle and one of them is transit. The city’s bus and streetcar systems are in need of upgrades. Meanwhile, Southeast Michigan as a whole still lacks a truly regional transit system.

With so many candidates in the race and so many topics to cover, Detroiters are eager to know where they stand on transit. A nonprofit called Transportation Riders United hosted a forum last week, giving each candidate a chance to discuss how they would address transit issues if elected.

Today on The Metro, WDET reporter Alex McLenon joins us to talk about the hour-long forum. The discussion included how DDOT has reimagined its service plans. The department spends a significant amount of time and money training and paying drivers, yet many of those drivers leave for higher wages at SMART after completing their certification.

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

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 »

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The post The Metro: Detroit’s Mayoral Candidates face off over transit issues at public forum appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Watch: Detroit mayoral debate at the Mackinac Policy Conference

29 May 2025 at 21:36

Detroit mayoral candidates debated housing, public safety, education and more during a forum Thursday, May 29, at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Five candidates participated in the debate, hosted by The Detroit Regional Chamber, including Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, former Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, Detroit Councilman Fred Durhal III, Detroit pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr., and former Detroit Police Chief James Craig. Detroit News Editorial Page Editor Nolan Finley and BridgeDetroit founder and journalist Stephen Henderson will serve as moderators.

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 Watch: Detroit mayoral debate at the Mackinac Policy Conference appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Metro at MPC: Axios reporter Annalise Frank previews the Detroit mayoral debate

28 May 2025 at 21:54

Countless media organizations and journalists attend the Mackinac Policy Conference to gain a better understanding of what business, nonprofit and political leaders are doing to try to improve the state.

Annalise Frank, a reporter covering Detroit for Axios, is among them. She joined The Metro to talk about the Detroit mayoral debate planned for Thursday night and what else she is covering at this year’s conference.

There will be five candidates participating in tomorrow’s debate, including Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, Former Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, Detroit Councilman Fred Durhal III, Detroit pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr., and former Detroit Police Chief James Craig.

She says she is hoping to get a sense of what business and philanthropic and political leaders want to see from Detroit’s next leader.

“Mayor Mike Duggan is not running for reelection, so it’s kind of a new time for Detroit next year,” she said. “So what are the policy priorities; how do we grow population in Detroit; how do we improve neighborhood corridors — there’s just so much to talk about and limited funding to do it.”

WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

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.

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 »

More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro at MPC: Axios reporter Annalise Frank previews the Detroit mayoral debate appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Metro at MPC: Saunteel Jenkins on what sets her apart in Detroit’s mayoral race

28 May 2025 at 21:48

The next mayor of Detroit is not just tasked with managing the city, they also manage relationships with business and policy leaders from across the state.

Detroit’s mayor regularly attends the Mackinac Policy Conference to help build those relationships. But this election season, the candidates vying for that seat are here making their case for why they should be elected the next leader of Michigan’s largest city.

Saunteel Jenkins is one of those candidates. The former Detroit City Council president most recently served as the CEO of The Heat and Warmth Fund – otherwise known as THAW. She joined The Metro to talk about how her past experience has prepared her for the role, and what her priorities would be as the city’s next mayor. 

“I had to build coalitions with legislators in Lansing and in D.C., and work on both sides of the aisle to bring resources home for our families,” she said. “There are a lot of things that I did as the CEO over the last decade that correlates with the job of the mayor.”

WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

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.

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 »

More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro at MPC: Saunteel Jenkins on what sets her apart in Detroit’s mayoral race appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Early voting ends on Sunday for three Oakland Co. communities

2 May 2025 at 22:29

Early voting ends Sunday in Oakland County for three communities — Clawson, Ferndale and Madison Heights — with special elections on Tuesday.

Early voting hours on Saturday and Sunday are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be no county-run central voting site for this election at Waterford Oaks County Park.

Voters can cast ballots early at municipal sites, by absentee ballot at their city clerk’s office or in person on Election Day, Tuesday, May 6, when polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All absentee ballots must be returned to the municipal clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on election day.

Clawson

Voters will decide two city charter amendments.

Proposal 1, if approved, would maintain the city council at four members plus the mayor. If the proposal is defeated, the council will expand to six seats plus the mayor, as stated in the city charter approved in 2023.

Proposal 2, if approved, would set terms of office for the city council members to four years, with elections every two years. If defeated, the three candidates with the most votes win 4-year terms and the candidate with the fourth highest vote wins a 2-year term of office.

Early voters can cast their ballots at the Troy Community Center, (use the east entrance), 3179 Livernois Road in Troy.

On Tuesday, voters will find an information booth outside City Hall, 425 N. Main St. hosted by a group called Clawson Votes Matter. Sam Paulus of the Paulus Group said the main effort of Clawson Votes Matter is to get the city council to pass a cannabis ordinance and create a process for retailers to set up shop.

Voters approved legalizing marijuana sales with 3,826 yes votes and 3,270 no votes. The yes votes represent just under 54% of those who cast ballots.

Paulus said the council’s delay is a form of ignoring the voters’ wishes. He said the same was true for Tuesday’s ballot proposals aimed at reversing a charter amendment approved by voters in 2023.

City officials did not respond to questions from The Oakland Press.

Ferndale

City voters will be asked to approve a 10-year, 5.4 millage to replace money lost through the Headlee Act rollbacks. If approved, the city would receive nearly $5.4 million starting in 2026.

Taxes on a property with a state-equalized value of $150,000 would increase by $174 a year, or $14.52 each month.

Voters in the Ferndale public school district will decide a 30-year, $114.8 million bond question. The money would be used to pay for additions and renovations to Ferndale’s middle/high school buildings as well as for new equipment, furniture and upgrading fine art spaces and athletic fields and improved technology.

The district serves Ferndale, Oak Park Precinct 9 and Precinct 10, Pleasant Ridge, and Royal Oak Township Precinct 1.

Early voters can cast their ballots at the Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd. in Hazel Park or Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd. in Oak Park.

Madison Heights

Voters in Madison Heights’ Lamphere school district – those living in Precincts 5 through 9 – will decide a 30-year, $85 million bond proposal.

If approved, the bond will increase property taxes on a home with a state-equalized value of $200,000 by $415 a year or $34.58 each month.

The district will use the money for remodeling facilities, buying new equipment and furniture, upgrading playgrounds, athletic fields and adding secure entrances at school buildings. A gym will be added to the high school and district technology will be upgraded, including equipment for the middle-school robotics program.

Early voters can cast their ballots at the Leo Mahany/Harold Meininger Senior Community Center, 3500 Marais Ave. in Royal Oak.

Learn more at https://www.oakgov.com/government/clerk-register-of-deeds/elections-voting/voter-information or contact your municipal clerk’s office.

"I voted early" sticker. Peg McNichol/MediaNews Group

August primary ballots set for a handful of city offices in Oakland County

25 April 2025 at 21:47

The Aug. 5 primary ballot in some communities reflects an increase in interest in running for local office.

In Pontiac, for example, six candidates have filed to run for mayor, up from five in 2021. In Southfield, three candidates are running for mayor.

Pontiac

Six filed for the Pontiac mayor’s seat being vacated by Mayor Tim Greimel, who is running for the District 10 Congressional House seat.

Pontiac’s mayoral candidates:

•  Gill Garrett, Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy and former school board president.

•  Mark E. Holland, Sr., a former city councilman and former deputy mayor who ran for the District 9 commission seat in 2017 and for Pontiac’s school board in 2012.

•  Mike McGuinness. Current city councilman and board president.

•  Deirdre Waterman, former two-term Pontiac mayor.

•  Kermit Williams, Oakland Forward’s executive director and former city councilman and board president.

•  Wendell Woods, former teacher

Three are running for Pontiac’s new at-large council seat: Adrian Austin, Marcus Bowman; Rev. William Parker, Jr., an incumbent councilman; and Sennel K. Threlkeld, an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy who works in Pontiac.

Sixth District candidates are Cassandra Bradford, Regina K. Campbell and Troy F. Craft. Craft is currently a Pontiac school board trustee.

Southfield

Long-time Mayor Ken Siver has two opponents for the next 4-year term: Sylvia Jordan who has served 17 years on the council and has previously run for the mayor’s seat, Ryan Foster, who has run for council twice, state senator once and last year campaigned for Congress.

Oakland County Clerk's office. (Peg McNichol/MediaNews Group)

Early voting starts Saturday for a handful of Oakland County communities

25 April 2025 at 20:49

Early voting starts Saturday for a handful of Oakland County communities with measures on the Tuesday, May 6, ballot.

Voters can cast ballots in person on Election Day, early at municipal sites or by absentee ballot.

There will be no county-run central voting site for this election at Waterford Oaks County Park.

Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through May 4. Thursday’s early voting hours are noon to 8 p.m.

Election day hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All absentee ballots must be returned to the municipal clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on election day.

Clawson

Voters will decide two city charter amendments.

Proposal 1, if approved, would maintain the city council at four members plus the mayor. If the proposal is defeated, the council will expand to six seats plus the mayor, as stated in the city charter approved in 2023.

Proposal 2, if approved, would set terms of office for the city council members to four years, with elections every two years. If defeated, the three candidates with the most votes win 4-year terms and the candidate with the fourth highest vote wins a 2-year term of office.

Early voters can cast their ballots at the Troy Community Center, (use the east entrance), 3179 Livernois Road in Troy.

Ferndale

City voters will be asked to approve a 10-year, 5.4 millage to replace money lost through the Headlee Act rollbacks. If approved, the city would receive nearly $5.4 million starting in 2026.

Taxes on a property with a state-equalized value of $150,000 would increase by $174 a year, or $14.52 each month.

Voters in the Ferndale public school district will decide a 30-year, $114.8 million bond question. The money would be used to pay for additions and renovations to Ferndale’s middle/high school buildings as well as for new equipment, furniture and upgrading fine art spaces and athletic fields and improved technology.

The district serves Ferndale, Oak Park Precinct 9 and Precinct 10, Pleasant Ridge, and Royal Oak Township Precinct 1.

Early voters can cast their ballots at the Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd. in Hazel Park or Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd. in Oak Park.

Madison Heights

Voters in Madison Heights’ Lamphere school district – those living in Precincts 5 through 9 – will decide a 30-year, $85 million bond proposal.

If approved, the bond will increase property taxes on a home with a state-equalized value of $200,000 by $415.00 a year or $34.58 each month.

The district will use the money for remodeling facilities, buying new equipment and furniture, upgrading playgrounds, athletic fields and adding secure entrances at school buildings. A gym will be added to the high school and district technology will be upgraded, including equipment for the middle-school robotics program.

Early voters can cast their ballots at the Leo Mahany/Harold Meininger Senior Community Center, 3500 Marais Ave. in Royal Oak.

Learn more at https://www.oakgov.com/government/clerk-register-of-deeds/elections-voting/voter-information or contact your municipal clerk’s office.

Polling place voting sign. Peg McNichol/MediaNews Group
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