The State of Michigan is highlighting the need to take your iron pills. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect which is preventable by mothers taking daily folic acid supplements.  

This week is Folic Acid Awareness Week. 

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian is the chief medical officer for the state. She says taking supplements prevents serious birth defects. She says its important for people to take their supplements within the first month of pregnancy. 

Folic acid is also found in leafy greens, beans, peas, asparagus and citrus. A daily supplement is about 400 micrograms.  

Additional headlines for Sept. 14, 2026

Students encouraged to submit civil rights artwork

The City of Detroit’s Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department invites student artists to create artwork around civil rights. Artwork could be featured through the Civil Rights Summit: Civil Rights in the 21st Century. The summit takes place on Oct. 9th. Three awards will be presented by the Atellier School of Art. Submit artwork by Oct. 2.

Neighborhood Roads Fund invests in transit infrastructure

Governor Whitmer announces the first payments from the Neighborhood Roads Fund. It’s part of a $2 billion annual investment for Michigan infrastructure.

Whitmer says the funding will go toward bridge projects for counties, cities and villages. That includes $100 million to repair and replace bridges, $100 million for public transit and $40 million for rail grade separation projects to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion.  

Goal Line program expands after school programming

The city of Detroit investing more than $2 million in after school programs. The funding supports expanding the nonprofit Get On and Learn or Goal Line program. It had served 34 location and 1,000 students.

Now it will be expanded to include locations in four recreational centers and three libraries. Goal Line Executive Director Ricky Fountain says the investment will support an additional 1,000 students across the city.  

Any Detroit Public Schools Community District, Detroit chapter school, or homeschooled students is eligible to join for free.  

-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley 

Detroit Cultural Center hosts Educators Night

Detroit’s Cultural Center will welcome teachers to explore five venues Tuesday night.  

The Detroit Institute of Arts, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detorit Historical Museum, the Michigan Science Center and the main brain of the Detroit Public Library will be open for Educators Night.  

Annamarie Boruki from the Detroit Cultural Center Association says the event offers resources and special programs.  “Teachers will be able to connect with more than 80 nonprofit and educational organizations, enjoy workshops, performances, exhibits, and heads-on resources that they can bring back to their classrooms.”

The event is open to classroom teachers, homeschooling parents and school administrators. This is the fourth time the Cultural Center has hosted Educators Night.  

-Reporting by Sascha Raiyn

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The 39th District Court is hosting an amnesty program next month as part of Project Clean Slate. The program will be held throughout the month of September.

It’s designed for people who want to contact the court to discuss balances and payment options. During this period, late fees are waived and warrants issued for failure to pay will be canceled. That’s after payments are made in full. 

People will also have an opportunity to create payment plans to pay off dues. 

People can call 586-773-2010 for more information. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Michigan Reconnect program expands to 21-24 year olds

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expanding the Michigan Reconnect program. The program now includes Michigan residents between 21 and 24 to get a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate. Previously, people who applied to the program had to be 25 years old or older. More than 250,000 people have applied with 20,000 graduates. 

The program launched in 2021, helping adults without a college degree to go back to school. The funding comes from a $25 million investment in the Fiscal Year 2027 education budget. 

Detroit x Dearborn Block Party

The cities of Detroit and Dearborn are hosting a block party next month. The community event will have free food,  family-friendly activities and resource tables. Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield and Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud will be in attendance. 

The event takes place Sept. 19 on the corner of Tireman Ave and Miller Road from 12-3 p.m. 

Check out dearborn.gov/dearbornxdetriot to learn more. 

CAIR safety toolkit

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Michigan chapter released a new safety toolkit for mosques and Islamic schools through its Safe Spaces department. The toolkit was created in response to the deadly May 2026 shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

The toolkit includes guidance to institutions on emergency preparedness, accessing safety practices for emergencies and building relations with local law enforcement. 

Mosques and Islamic centers can get a copy by emailing cairmichigan@gmail.com or calling 248-559-2247. 

Michigan economy

Mortgage rates are running between 6 and 7% for the 30-year fixed loans. At the same time, Michigan faces a shortage of affordable housing.

Shreya Valampatti is a senior analyst at the Anderson Economic Group. She says policymakers need to create more housing opportunities for people with lower incomes. “If we make sure that we have enough housing stock for those income groups and demographics, we can make sure that some of the pressure is removed and we can see some easing in mortgage rates.”

State lawmakers are considering bills to loosen local zoning laws so that developers can build more multi-family homes. Many local governments oppose such changes. 

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