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Yesterday — 18 May 2025Main stream

Detroit Evening Report: Scattered storms expected to linger through the weekend in southeast Michigan

16 May 2025 at 21:07

Tornadoes may be possible for a second consecutive night across much of lower Michigan on Friday, with parts of metro Detroit likely to experience thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The strongest storms are expected to pass through the region between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., with winds up to 55 mph and up to 1-inch size hail possible.

Several counties in West Michigan, mid-Michigan and metro Detroit are still recovering from the severe storm that passed through the area overnight Friday, bringing high winds and power outages for thousands of residents.

Roughly 9,000 DTE  customers and 185,000 Consumers Energy customers were still without power as of Friday morning, according to outage maps. Officials warn to stay at least 20 feet away from downed power lines and to keep children and pets inside.

Residents can report fallen power lines to DTE Energy by calling 800-477-4747 or to Consumers Energy by calling 800-477-5050.

Other headlines for Friday, May 16, 2025:

  • The Detroit Fire Department is continuing its Summer Safety Series every second Wednesday of the month through August, covering seasonal fire safety tips, prevention strategies and more.
  • The Coleman A. Young Recreation Center has reopened after a five-year closure and $11 million renovation. The city of Detroit now has 13 recreation centers open to the public.
  • Movement Festival is coming to Hart Plaza Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, featuring more than 115 local and international techno artists across six stages. WDET is an official media partner for the event. Learn how you could win VIP passes to this year’s festival at wdet.org/movement.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

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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 Detroit Evening Report: Scattered storms expected to linger through the weekend in southeast Michigan appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Tornado watch, warnings in effect across southeast Michigan overnight Friday

16 May 2025 at 05:05

Several tornado warnings and watches were issued across southeast Michigan overnight on Friday, as a line of severe storms made its way across the state.

A tornado warning was in effect for Lapeer County, Genesee County, Livingston County and parts of Oakland County, according to the National Weather Service. A tornado watch was in effect for all of southeast Michigan through 5 a.m. Friday. Tornado warnings were issues for several West Michigan counties as well.

The storm left thousands without power in West Michigan, Mid-Michigan and metro Detroit, according to Consumers Energy, Great Lakes Energy, and DTE outage maps.

Friday will be mostly sunny with a high of 84 degrees. Rain is forecasted for Friday evening, with scattered thunderstorms expected to continue through the weekend.

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 Tornado watch, warnings in effect across southeast Michigan overnight Friday appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Detroit Thermal lacks green light for steam project in historic Lafayette Park — for now

15 May 2025 at 18:01
Detroit Thermal must wait at least a little longer before moving forward with a controversial steam project through Lafayette Park’s historic residential area. On Wednesday, the Detroit Historic District Commission stopped short of approving or rejecting the proposal, instead requesting more details from the company before making a decision.

Detroit families still seeking answers in wake of police misconduct scandal

14 May 2025 at 14:38
Nearly a year after a Metro Times investigation exposed the widespread misconduct of former Detroit Police Detective Barbara Simon, families of men still imprisoned because of her tainted cases are growing increasingly frustrated. Despite public promises, protests, and mounting evidence of wrongdoing, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has yet to meet with victims’ families or launch a transparent investigation into their loved ones’ convictions.

Before yesterdayMain stream

The Metro: Reflecting on motherhood ahead of Mother’s Day

By: Sam Corey
8 May 2025 at 16:41

No matter who you are, being a parent is a tough job. There’s no one definitive playbook for how to best love and guide your kids. 

And mothers are frequently the ones to care and nurture us, to keep us in line when it matters and to expose us to different people and places. 

The former U.S. Surgeon General said last year that parental stress is a significant public health issue. But we know that, in addition to the challenges, there are a lot of joys that come with motherhood. 

There are opportunities for creating stronger connections, for providing and maybe sometimes receiving care and for expanding love. 

And as Mother’s Day is coming up, we’re looking at what a day in the life of a mom is like. Today on The Metro, two mothers from different places in our region share their perspective on motherhood and what it means to them.

Ambra Redrick runs the nonprofit Teen Hype in Detroit. She has two biological daughters and her husband has two children that she helps raise as well. Lori Goldman is a mom of four.

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.

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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: Reflecting on motherhood ahead of Mother’s Day appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Metro Detroit election results: Voters approve school bonds in Ferndale, Redford

7 May 2025 at 19:49

Voters across metro Detroit made key decisions on school funding, local government changes, and city leadership in the May 6 special election.

To learn more about this special election visit the “Michigan special elections: What metro Detroiters should know before May 6” published on May 2, 2025

✅ Ferndale voters approved both a school improvement bond (70% yes) and a Headlee override millage (58% yes).

✅ Redford Union School District passed a $44 million bond proposal with 54% support.

✅ Southgate Community Schools saw all three of its funding proposals pass.

❌ Mount Clemens voters rejected a $91.8 million bond proposal for school upgrades, with 67% voting no.

❌ Lamphere Schools in Madison Heights also failed to secure an $85 million bond, with 58% opposed.

❌ Clawson voters turned down two charter amendments related to city council size and term lengths.

🏛 In Wyandotte, Mayor Robert DeSana was reelected with 79% of the vote. Six city council members were also elected, and three administrative offices were uncontested.

For full details, visit the Detroit Free Press election coverage.

Know your rights

Voter intimidation hotlines:

  • English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
  • Spanish bilingual: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
  • Arabic bilingual: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
  • Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali (all bilingual): 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
  • American Sign Language video-call: 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683)

Michigan’s primary election will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Check back for updates to WDET’s Voter Guide as the election gets closer.

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 Metro Detroit election results: Voters approve school bonds in Ferndale, Redford appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Dearborn Heights cops say supervisor coerced them into sex, sent dick pics over Snapchat

7 May 2025 at 15:38
Two police officers are suing the Dearborn Heights Police Department, alleging their former supervisor used his position of power to sexually harass, coerce, and assault them — sometimes inside the station — while top brass ignored repeated red flags. In a lawsuit filed Monday in Wayne County Circuit Court, Officers Maxwell Bearden and Hashim Zrien say former Sgt. Jordan Dottor sent them explicit photos, pressured them to perform sex acts, and threatened retaliation when they resisted.

Detroit’s El Club closes over ‘police intimidation’ on Cinco de Mayo weekend

5 May 2025 at 20:03
A popular Southwest Detroit music venue called El Club closed down Saturday to avoid what its general manager described as “police intimidation.” The closure comes one year after Detroit police were heavily criticized for swarming businesses participating in the city’s Cinco de Mayo festival and threatening attendees with arrests if they didn’t disperse.

Alo Yoga announced as first retail tenant of Hudson’s Detroit tower

2 May 2025 at 16:47
Shopping is finally returning to the long-dormant site of Detroit’s former J.L. Hudson Department Store and the new home of Dan Gilbert’s Hudson’s Detroit tower. Gilbert’s Bedrock announced the first tenant for the building will be athletic apparel store Alo Yoga. It will be the Los Angeles-based company’s first Detroit location.

Michigan special elections: What metro Detroiters should know before May 6

2 May 2025 at 10:00

Communities across Michigan — including several in metro Detroit — will be holding special elections on Tuesday, May 6, for a range of local ballot measures and races.

Michigan voter information: 

Check if you’re registered, find your polling place, or view a sample ballot here.

Macomb County

Mount Clemens

Voters in the Mount Clemens Community School District will have a $91.8 million bond proposal and millage reduction on their ballots.

The district says the funding would be used to renovate and revitalize its historic buildings, make critical infrastructure improvements, create modern learning spaces, and address safety and security needs.

Find more information about the bond proposal at mtcps.org.

Oakland County

Ferndale

In Oakland County, voters in Ferndale will see another Headlee override operating millage proposal on their ballot.

Ferndale voters rejected a previous iteration of the Headlee override in November, with roughly 54% of residents voting against it. City council members voted in January to include an adapted proposal on the May 6 ballot that aims to address some of the concerns cited by residents during town halls and listening sessions. If passed, the millage would take effect on residents’ Summer 2026 tax bills.

More information about the proposal, including the changes that were made and its potential cost impact on residents, can be viewed at ferndalemi.gov.

Additionally, voters in the Ferndale School District — which includes portions of Pleasant Ridge, Oak Park and Royal Oak Township — will have a school improvement bond on their ballot.

The $114.8 million bond proposal would not increase voters’ tax rates, according to the district, and would enable “transformational improvements” at its middle and high school buildings. Among the updates would be a new academic wing, modernized classrooms, updated fine arts spaces, safer school entry points, and improved student services.

For more information about the school bond proposal, visit ferndaleschools.org.

Clawson

Voters in Clawson will have two charter amendment proposals on the ballot.

The first is asking voters to determine the size of city council. A “yes” vote would maintain the city’s four-member council — excluding the mayor — rather than expand the council by two additional members, as adopted by council in 2023.

The second charter amendment relates to the council members’ term limits, and can only be passed in conjunction with the first amendment.

The full proposals can be viewed at cityofclawson.com.

Madison Heights

Residents in the Lamphere School District will see an $85 million, 30-year school improvement bond proposal on the ballot.

The district says the funding is needed to enhance school safety and security, expand learning opportunities, and update school infrastructure. If passed, the cost to homeowners would be 4.15 mills ($4.15 per $1,000 of taxable property value).

For more specifics on what the bond funding would be used for, visit lamphereschools.com/bond2025.

Wayne County

Southgate

Voters in the Southgate Community School District will see three proposals on the May 6 ballot.

Proposal 1 is a “zero tax rate increase” millage to levy a $28 million bond for updating maintenance and athletic facilities, school buildings, HVAC systems and school security; and to acquire and install instructional technology, among other improvements.

Proposals 2 and 3 — a non-homestead operating millage renewal and 2-mill hedge — would maintain the current millage rate if passed, allowing the district to retain $5 million for staffing, instructional and extracurricular programming, maintenance and operations.

Residential tax rates on primary residences would not increase if any of these initiatives pass, according to the district. However, the millage rate would decline over the next few years if the bond proposal is rejected.

View more information about each proposal at southgateschools.com.

Redford

Residents in the Redford Union School District will have a $44 million bond millage proposal on the ballot that would fund “essential infrastructure” improvements, including updated school buildings, athletic fields, parking lots and more.

View more information at redfordtwp.gov.

Wyandotte

The city of Wyandotte will be holding a general election on May 6 for the offices of mayor, city council, clerk, treasurer and assessor. Residents can view a sample ballot at wyandotte.net.

Visit Michigan.gov for a complete list of local elections by county.

Know your rights

Voter intimidation hotlines:

  • English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
  • Spanish bilingual: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
  • Arabic bilingual: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
  • Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali (all bilingual): 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
  • American Sign Language video-call: 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683)

Michigan’s primary election will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Check back for updates to WDET’s Voter Guide as the election gets closer.

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 Michigan special elections: What metro Detroiters should know before May 6 appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Warren police pull suicidal man from overpass as he screams, ‘No, no, no!’

1 May 2025 at 19:10
Warren police officers pulled a man from the top of a freeway overpass on Easter Sunday, preventing what they said was a clear attempt to take his own life. Officers were dispatched to the Groesbeck interchange above I-696 shortly before 7 p.m. after multiple 911 calls reported a man climbing the protective metal fence and appearing ready to jump.

A warm April gives way to May showers for Metro Detroit

30 April 2025 at 20:14

Southeast Michigan is wrapping up April with temperatures trending slightly higher than average, according to the National Weather Service. Despite several days in the 80s, early April brought cooler conditions.

“Overall, I think we are coming in just slightly above normal,” meteorologist Trent Frey told WDET. “We did have a couple of really hot days. We had 83 degrees on the 18th and then we had 80 [degrees] on the 23rd and 82 [degrees] again on the 24th.”

Rainfall totals for the month are near typical levels, with just under 3 inches. 

Frey say a low-pressure system is expected to move in Thursday into Friday, bringing widespread showers and a drop in temperatures.

“This week is kind of a microcosm of the whole month,” Frey said. “We’ll be kind of up and down the rest of this week.”

Looking ahead to summer, Frey says the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center gives southeast Michigan a 30% to 40% chance of warmer-than-normal conditions.

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 A warm April gives way to May showers for Metro Detroit appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Detroit Thermal seeks to calm fears over steam project in historic Lafayette Park

30 April 2025 at 19:21
Detroit Thermal is seeking to reassure Lafayette Park residents that its plan to connect steam heat to a high-rise apartment building won’t damage the neighborhood’s historic character or pose a threat to children who play nearby. In a statement Wednesday, the private utility company said its proposed work to reconnect 1300 Lafayette to the underground steam network would not involve installing any ventilation stacks in a neighborhood playground, would not require removing trees, and would fully restore the landscape after completion. “For months, we’ve sought advice and guidance from our Lafayette Park neighbors and carefully developed a plan to provide clean, affordable, and reliable heat,” company spokesman Harvey Hollins III said.

Redford man charged after allegedly throwing kittens from moving car, running one over

29 April 2025 at 18:32
A Redford man is facing felony charges after allegedly throwing two kittens from a moving vehicle at a Detroit gas station and then running over one of them. Brandon Lee Dwayne Littke, 25, was charged with animal torture and abandonment following the April 21 incident at a gas station on the 24800 block of West Seven Mile Road.

Lafayette Park residents rise up as steam project threatens heart of historic development

29 April 2025 at 14:22
This story was updated at 3:40 p.m. with a response from Detroit Thermal. A battle is unfolding in picturesque Lafayette Park, where residents are trying to stop a private utility company from digging up parts of their nationally recognized neighborhood to install high-pressure steam infrastructure that they say would damage the historic character of the area and endanger children.

Activists, elected officials say immigrants are ‘disappearing’ at Detroit’s Ambassador Bridge

24 April 2025 at 16:04
A Venezuelan man who took a wrong turn near the Ambassador Bridge in Southwest Detroit was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), prompting outrage from immigrant advocates and elected officials who say the facility where he was held is being used to secretly hold families in inhumane conditions. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, joined the ACLU of Michigan and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) on Thursday to demand an end to what they described as unlawful detentions and “disappearances” at CBP’s site near the U.S.-Canada border.

Advanced medical facility coming to failed jail site in Detroit, creating 90 jobs

22 April 2025 at 16:44
BAMF Health, a Grand Rapids-based medical technology company, plans to open a state-of-the-art facility that is expected to create 90 new jobs and inject nearly $94 million in investments into Wayne County. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday that the Michigan Strategic Fund approved support for the project, which will include a Theranostics Center and radiopharmacy offering cutting-edge treatment for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.

Detroit’s Psychedelic Healing Shack up for sale as owner clashes with city

21 April 2025 at 19:03
​​ The owner of the Psychedelic Healing Shack, a spiritual and wellness center that was raided by Detroit police last year, has put his Woodward Avenue property up for sale. Robert Pizzimenti, known to many as Dr. Bob, says the move is not because he wants to leave but in protest of what he describes as relentless harassment by the city.

Think tank urges next Detroit mayor to focus on reversing the shrinking middle class

21 April 2025 at 14:05
As Detroit prepares for a new mayoral election, Detroit Future City is calling on the next administration to prioritize building a stronger middle class, warning that the city’s long-term stability depends on it. The think tank, which develops strategies for a more equitable city, published a new report that outlines a strategy aimed at three key areas: expanding middle-class neighborhoods, helping Detroiters gain wealth, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure.

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