The Detroit Public Schools Community District is considering paying parents, giving away bikes, and providing gas cards for carpools in an effort to end chronic absenteeism. 

Last year the district launched a program that allowed high school students to earn up to $1,000 for perfect attendance. The new financial incentives would be offered to families of kindergarten to second grade students in neighborhoods with the highest concentrations of poverty.

The idea is still being workshopped among DPSCD board members. 

Additional headlines from Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Sea wall repair program

Detroit is launching a $1 million sea wall repair program in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood. The project will repair or replace sea walls along canals fed by the Detroit River.

The program is prioritizing 15-20 properties and could help remove the neighborhood from FEMA’s flood hazard map. A survey in 2025 found 70% of the neighborhood’s waterfront properties have sea walls in fair or poor conditions.

Once properties are selected, construction is expected to continue through 2027. Applications are underway online or through the phone by calling 313-628-2232. 

New parks over I-75

The Downtown Detroit Partnership is moving forward with plans to build three large park caps over I-75 between Third Avenue and Brush Street. The caps will reconnect neighborhoods to the downtown area that were separated by the highway.

Officials say the project will also improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, reduce highway noise, and create new public gathering spaces. Plans are currently undergoing a feasibility study that will run through 2026, with construction possibly starting between 2026 and 2028. Officials are gathering public input before final recommendations are made. 

Detroit Tigers and Red Wings launch sports network

The owners of the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings have created a regional sports network to broadcast their games. Detroit SportsNet will carry the Tigers on cable, satellite, and streaming platforms this season. Red Wings games will continue to be available on FanDuel Sports for the rest of this season and will switch to the new network next season.

Both teams and many others across the country are terminating their deals with FanDuel’s parent company because it failed to make scheduled payments for the rights to carry their games. 

Gas prices

Gasoline prices rose by almost 14 cents per gallon overnight. AAA says Michigan drivers are paying an average of almost $3.13 cents for the cheapest grade of gas this morning. It was about $2.99 yesterday. The average price in metro Detroit rose from $3.03 a gallon yesterday to $3.13 today. 

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

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. 

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

Mayor Mary Sheffield announced that Winnie Liao will be taking over as the new chief operating officer of Detroit today.  

Liao’s main duties will include focusing on the way residents and businesses interact with city government and making it easier for Detroiters to access basic services.  She will supervise 16 different departments, including the Fire Department and Detroit Water and Sewerage. 

“Together, we’ll ensure that city services are equitable, efficient, innovative and customer-focused.  We will have a city government that works for all,” says Liao.

Liao will begin her new job next week.  She previously worked at Mastercard and the Michigan Secretary of State’s office. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

DPSCD invests $79 million in projects 

The Detroit Public Schools Community District will invest $79 million dollars to improve city schools and reduce neighborhood blight.  The district says the one-time investment comes from surplus funds.  

DPSCD says it will spend $32 million to tear down nine old school buildings and 11 other vacant properties.  Funds will also be spent to improve paving and fencing at certain facilities.  Some of the money will be used to help build a new athletic complex at Cooley High School. 

Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles closes 

Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles has closed.  The northwest Detroit eatery posted the news on Instagram.  The restaurant thanked its patrons and says it’s onto new ventures.  Kuzzo’s opened on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion, otherwise known as Livernois, back in 2015. 

Detroit casinos report January revenue 

Detroit’s three casinos posted revenue of $103.9 million in January.  That’s up just under a percentage point from January 2025.  

MGM Grand continued to hold the lion’s share of the market at 49%.  Motor City Casino controlled 30%.  Hollywood Casino at Greektown had 21% of Detroit’s gaming market last month.  

The three casinos provided the city with $12.3 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments in January.  They paid another $8.4 million to the state of Michigan. 

Verlander returns to Tigers 

Major League Baseball pitcher Justin Verlander is returning to Detroit.  The Cy Young award winning right-hander started his career with the Tigers in 2005.  He spent 12 and a half seasons with Detroit before being traded to the Houston Astros, where he won World Series in 2017 and 2022.  He has signed a one-year contract with Detroit worth $13 million.  

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