Detroiters are dealing the many effects of frigid weather.  One of them is frozen infrastructure.  The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department says there are more than 50 active water main breaks across the city.  The results can include impassable streets, thick ice, and cars on the street frozen in place. 

City officials say there are also 275 fire hydrants that are out of service. 

DWSD Director Gary Brown spoke with WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley about the impact of the freezing weather. 

He says the department is getting many calls from residents dealing with frozen pipes inside homes.  Brown advises them to keep the house heated and insulate pipes on outside walls to keep pipes from bursting and damaging homes. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

Wayne State locked down 

Wayne State University was locked down for a couple of hours last night after a shooting in one of its residence halls.  Police say a fight between people who knew one another took place at the Chatsworth Suites, near the Student Center.  Shots were fired.  

Police were dispatched, but the people involved had already left the building  Students were advised to shelter in place as officers searched for the suspects.  A firearm was recovered.  Police determined there was no further threat to the campus community and the all-clear was given to around midnight.

No arrests have been made yet. 

Perry Johnson joins governor’s race 

Michigan businessman Perry Johnson says he’s running to become Michigan’s next governor.  The Republican announced his bid in a video earlier this week. 

“I know people say it can’t be done.  Nonsense.  We can make Michigan great again.  I’m Perry Johnson and I’m running for governor of the state of Michigan.” 

Johnson ran for governor in 2022, but his campaign did not collect enough valid signatures and failed to make the ballot.  He also ran for president in 2024.  Johnson joins the race for the Republican nomination with more than half a dozen other candidates.  The primary election takes place in August. 

Jared Goff going to Pro Bowl 

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is going to the NFL Pro Bowl.  He will take the place of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who will be busy preparing to lead that team in the Super Bowl.  Goff finished the season with more than 45-hundred passing yards – second best in the league. 

The Lions failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021. 

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

City of Detroit is partnering with organizations to extend stand-by shelters and respite locations due to the extreme cold coming this weekend.

The Neighborhood Service Organization will open from Friday Jan 23 at 6 p.m. to Tuesday, Jan. 27 at noon. This site can only accept single adults.

Pope Francis Center is sheltering people through Jan. 27 at noon as well. They are also only accepting single adults. And the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is operating through Jan. 27 at noon. They are accepting families and single adults.

Residents seeking relief from the bitter cold may also visit Detroit recreation centers and public library branches during regular operating hours.

Any individuals sleeping outside and needing help after hours can go to a police precinct to be connected with an outreach team for help with overnight services.

Additional headlines for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

Due to the deep freeze this weekend, the Detroit Zoo and the Belle Isle Nature Center are closed today and Saturday. Animal care staff worked to ensure the animals continued to receive the care they need. The parks hope to be open on Sunday, but they will monitor the weather forecast before making that decision.

The National Weather service issued a cold weather advisory for all of southeast Michigan that lasts until Saturday morning. The agency says exposed skin could be damaged in as little as half an hour, and they say pet owners should not leave their animals outdoors.

Wayne County Juvenile Detention hosts open interviews

The Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility is hosting open interviews for two critical roles from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center. They will host a hiring event for individuals interested in becoming one of their Juvenile Detention Specialists or a Crisis Response Team Specialist.

For more information go to waynecountymichigan.gov.

Sports

NBA

The Detroit Pistons are on a 4 game winning streak and hope to extend that today when they face the Houston Rockets. Tipoff for the game is at 7 p.m.

NFL

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper announced his retirement via Instagram on Thursday. Skipper was dealing with a lower back injury all season. He said he will pursue coaching in his future.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is performing at the Detroit Opera House Jan. 24-25. The program will feature works from contemporary choreographers and Tony Award–winning Broadway choreographer Bob Fosse.

For more information go to detroitopera.com.

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

The Lions entered the 2025 NFL season with the highest expectations possible: win the Superbowl. They unfortunately fell short of those goals, missing the playoffs completely.

For now, the player’s work is over, but work for the team’s front office and coaches is just beginning. Changes to the staff and roster are imminent and some of those adjustments have already begun. 

Jeremy Reisman is the Editor in Chief of the Pride of Detroit publication. He joined The Metro to explain how we got here and what needs to be addressed . 

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

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

More stories from The Metro

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says the city generated a $105 million budget surplus in the last fiscal year. 

He credits strategic decisions by city staffers for the savings.  It’s the 11th annual budget surplus in a row.  The mayor says the city now has a rainy-day fund of more than half a billion dollars. 

The announcement was part of Duggan’s last news conference as mayor of Detroit.  He is now running as an independent to become Michigan’s next governor. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

Sheffield swearing in 

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has announced that she’ll have a public swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 9.  The celebration will give Detroiters a chance to watch the proceedings in person or online. 

Sheffield and members of Detroit City Council will officially be sworn into office on New Year’s Day.  The Jan. 9 event will take place at the Detroit Opera House.  It’s free and open to the public.  

Government offices closed 

Christmas Day is a federal and state holiday, meaning government offices will be closed Thursday.  That includes the post office – so there will be no mail delivery.  Detroit government offices will also be closed Thursday. 

Most private businesses will be closed for the holiday as well. 

Last minute shopping 

Expect malls and shopping centers to be very busy tonight as consumers rush to pick up a few last-minute gifts before Christmas. 

Don’t wait too late, though.  Several retailers will close early tonight – and won’t be open at all on Thursday.  That includes the region’s major grocery stores. 

CVS will be open on Christmas Day, but hours may vary by location. 

Gas prices fall 

If you’re on the road over the holidays, there’s good news for you.  Gas prices have been falling.  In metro Detroit, a gallon of self-serve regular now averages $2.84.  That’s roughly where it was a week ago, but that price is 21 cents cheaper than last month at this time. 

Metcalf suspension 

The NFL has suspended Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf for two games following an altercation with a fan during the team’s game in Detroit last Sunday.  

Metcalf will miss this weekend’s game in Cleveland and the regular-season finale against Baltimore. CBS-TV cameras captured the confrontation between Metcalf and a fan during the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 29-24 win over Detroit.

The fan leaned over the railing and exchanged words with Metcalf before the Steeler ended the confrontation by swinging his arm at the fan’s face. (AP) 

Lions-Vikings 

And the Detroit Lions play their next to last game of the regular season on Christmas Day.  The team travels to Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North battle. 

The Lions’ playoff hopes are holding on by a slim thread after their loss to Pittsburgh. 

Detroit now has a record of 8 wins and 7 losses. The Vikings have seven wins and 8 losses.  

Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. ET Thursday.  The game will be televised on CBS 62. 

DER holiday schedule

Detroit Evening Report will take a break for Christmas Day – then we’ll have a week of special stories for the holidays. 

From all of us here at WDET, merry Christmas and happy holidays!

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