Tis the time of year for giving thanks, and we want to thank everyone out there who’s been tuning in to all of the local music shows featured during the evening hours on WDET, including (and particularly?) MI Local!

This week, we meet more of the unique personalities and creative minds behind the music coming out of metro Detroit, including the retro rock ‘n’ rollers known as Lyons Lane, and the mesmerizingly melodic alt-folk vibes of Jeffrey Jablonski, which means we ALSO had the opportunity to exclusively premiere some new songs!

Now, the night before Thanksgiving is notoriously known as “the busiest bar night of the year.” To the tons of folks home for the holidays who may or may not be lucky enough to not be saddled with turkey-duty at the break of dawn: this means that pretty much every local venue in town is hosting a great lineup of local music, from former MI Local guests Power Moonroof performing at UFO Bar, to WDET favorites like Deadbeat Beat at the Outer Limits Lounge!

Tonight, I’m shouting out a lineup over at Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti, featuring the alt-country indie-rockers Cowgirl: we kicked off the show with their song “How on a Hot Tin Roof.”

Speaking of Ypsilanti, we also heard from that town’s eminent indie-folk singer/songwriter, Matt Jones, with his new single “All My Stars,” from his forthcoming album, “The Good Life,” out on Dec. 12. Other new tracks include Kalamazoo-based songwriter Spencer LaJoye’s “Looks Like We’re Alive” and Detroit-based lo-fi duo The Long Stairs with “Running Cold.”

Mark Leo, the lead singer of the rock ‘n’ roll outfit known as Lyons Lane, stopped by the studio to premiere a new single, “Emma’s Addiction.” 

Leo spoke with me about his lifelong love of melodic rock ‘n’ roll and classic pop, as well as the development of this project with collaborator Tomcat Thompson. Leo, along with Thompson and saxophonist Matthew Stevens, treated WDET listeners to a live in-studio performance, covering “Love Potion No. 9.” Lyons Lane’s next show is on Dec. 13, at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor. 

Jeffrey Jabolnski, a Detroit-based alt-folk singer-songwriter, also came by the studio to hang out for an interview and live performance.

Jablonsky’s been writing and recording for years, and has been performing live around the scene for more than a decade. He also hosts the Ghost Light Sessions residency on the last Wednesday of each month this year and Wednesday will be the last show of the year for that series.

Jablonski let us premiere a new song while also treating listeners to a live in-studio performance, accompanied as a trio with acoustic guitar and wind instruments.

Joining Jablonski is Matthew Beyer (saxophone), Leslie Wacker (clarinet) and Todd McNulty (drums); McNulty, it should be noted, while not pictured below, actually performed with both Jablonski and, on the spot, sat in with Lyons Lane to add percussion to their set too! Always a fun time on MI Local!

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

• “Who Else” – Cowgirl
• “Running Cold” – The Long Stairs
• “All My Stars” – Matt Jones & the Reconstruction
• “Looks Like We’re Alive” – Spencer LaJoye
• “Something About You” – Premium Rat
• “Babytalk” – Lyons Lane
• “Love Potion No. 9” – Lyons Lane (live in WDET Studios)
• “Emma’s Addiction” – Lyons Lane
• “Tula” – Jeffrey Jablonski
• “Side By Side” – Jeffrey Jablonski

Muhith Mahmood said he is filing a recount after yesterday’s official election results deemed Adam Alharbi the winner of the Hamtramck mayoral election by only 6 votes. 

The results came two weeks after election day because 120 absentee ballots had to wait on signatures and other small fixes before being counted. 

An additional 37 votes from absentee ballots were excluded from the official count after they were found improperly stored in City Clerk Rana Faraj’s office. 

Faraj was suspended and is now under investigation. 

Mahmood said he isn’t upset by the election results. He said someone has to lose. 

“That’s just what democracy should be,” Mahmood said. “But the way canvassers denied or rejected 37 votes, that is concerning…I think that was not the right thing to do.” 

Mahmood told WDET he is filing for a recount. 

Alharbi told WDET that he’s glad the election is over. He also said he plans on contacting the FBI and DOJ to help remedy the continuous legal issues in the city elections. 

“I plan to bring awareness to people that have that language barrier and tell them not to give out their empty ballot to any candidate or any person,” Alharbi said. “I’m just gonna try to find any way possible to fight voter fraud and ballot harvesting.” 

Alharbi sued Mahmood after the election claiming he doesn’t live in Hamtramck and is ineligible to run for Mayor. 

He also filed for a restraining order that would have prevented the Wayne County Board of Canvassers from certifying Mahmood as the winner. 

On Monday, a judge denied the temporary hold on announcing the election results. 

Mahmood said he does live in Hamtramck. 

Alharbi said he will continue his suit against Mahmood—for now. 

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Michigan chapter, reports an increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sightings in metro Detroit.

CAIR-MI officials say community members have seen ICE vehicles in Wayne County. ICE also announced an increase in enforcement in the area.

CAIR-MI advises community members to be vigilant and aware of their rights, including asking to see a warrant and remaining silent except to request an attorney. The civil rights organization says people should have emergency contacts memorized and plans in place for their family members in case of an emergency. 

Additional headlines from Monday, November 17, 2025

Hamtramck Elections

The Wayne County Board of Canvassers decided Friday not to count 37 ballots from Hamtramck’s mayoral race found in the city clerk’s office the day after elections. The board still has to count 120 cured ballots in the race, which could swing the vote in either direction.

Mayoral candidate Adam Alharbi sued opponent Hamtramck City Councilman Muhith Mahmood alleging residency fraud. The votes will be certified by tomorrow November 18.  

Closing parishes

The Archdiocese of Detroit announced a two-year process to reconstruct parishes in Southeast Michigan.

Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger said over the weekend that there has been a decline in Catholics attending Mass, in ordained priests and “participation in the sacraments.” The changes include downsizing from 200 parishes which once served 1.5 million Catholics to today’s population of about 900,000 worshipers, half of whom he says are not baptized nor attend Mass regularly.

Weisenburger says there are also several aging church buildings and a shortage of priests. The new structure will move from a Families of Parishes model to a “pastorate” model, grouping one or more parishes into a single pastor’s team.

Parishioners will have opportunities to share their input through two listening sessions at each parish. The new changes will be announced in early 2027. Changes will take place by July 2027. Restructuring can be monitored at restructuring.aod.org.  

Keith Center grant to expand AI tool 

Wayne State University Law School’s Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights received a $350,000 grant to expand a disinformation tool.

The VERDAD: Verifying and Exposing Disinformation and Discourse AI-powered tool monitors U.S.-based ethnic radio stations for disinformation for Latino media. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awarded the grant to develop and enhance the tool. The expansion includes adding more states and adding languages including Arabic, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese.

The award-winning journalist Martina Guzmán founded the tool. Guzmán says the tool works as a civil rights safeguard to empower voters. Since the VERDAD tool’s inception last year, more than 320 academics and journalists have registered to use the tool.  

Healing asthma event  

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Michigan chapter, is hosting a program for people with asthma.

HEAL Asthma MI is a free program to help Michigan residents with resources and tools. Participants must be medically diagnosed with asthma, be 18 and up and face challenges to getting fair or equal health care.

To sign up, contact 248-406-4254 or email aafahealasthma@gmail.com. 

Free turkeys

The Islamic Center of Detroit is hosting a Turkey distribution this weekend.

The distribution takes place Saturday, Nov. 22, from 1-4 p.m. The mosque is providing halal turkeys. The Islamic Center of Detroit also has a food pantry open every Saturday from 2-5 p.m., located at 14350 Tireman Street in Detroit.  

The Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance, in collaboration with the Oak Pointe Church, is hosting a Turkey Giveaway on Monday, November 24 at 10 a.m. People can pick up a free turkey at the Brennan Pool Building at 21415 Plymouth Road in Detroit. First-come first-served.  

If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org.

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

As the weather gets colder, we’ve got some cozy events to keep you warm — including intimate performances, accessible art sales and seasonal celebrations.

Plus, the Dance Theatre of Harlem returns to Detroit. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

Sweet Tooth exhibition

  Hatch Art Center in Hamtramck

  Ongoing through Dec. 7

  Free

An art exhibition centered around the idea that we need sweetness in our lives to counteract the bitterness around us. The exhibit features works by 18 artists in a variety of mediums, including paintings, photography, sculptures and more. Hatch Art Center is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., and on Thursdays and Fridays from 6–9 p.m.

Royal Oak Market: Art Fair Edition

  Royal Oak Farmers Market

  Thursday, Nov. 13 and Friday, Nov. 14

  Free

An indoor fine art fair featuring 60 juried artists showing a wide variety of works, including painting, jewelry, ceramics, glass, photography and more. There will also be live musical performances, food vendors and adult beverages. The fair is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days.

Jalasat / جلسات: Victor Ghannam, Roger Kashou and Noon

  Adeni Tea Room in Dearborn

  Friday, Nov. 14

  Free

A new pop-up performance series from the Arab American National Museum that celebrates Arab and Arab American expression through intimate performances of poetry, music and conversation in accessible environments. The first show features musical performances by Victor Ghannam, Roger Kashou and Noon (Farah Afra and Layan Srour). Admission is free and open to the public, and the show goes from 7–9 p.m.

Winter at The Station

  Michigan Central in Detroit

  Friday, Nov. 14 through Dec. 28

  Free, $15–$88

A family-friendly celebration of the season featuring festive decor, interactive exhibits, holiday shopping, live music and more. Special programming will also take place throughout the month, including dance performances, artist workshops and more. General admission is free and open to the public, but some of the special programming is ticketed, ranging from $15 to $88. Parking is $5 per vehicle. The Station is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Sugar Hill Clay’s 2025 Seconds Sale

  Sugar Hill Clay in Detroit

  Saturday, Nov. 15

  Free

The third annual ceramic seconds sale from Sugar Hill Clay, where experiments, tests and imperfect pieces from the studio are available for discounted prices, starting at $5. This sale is a fundraiser to help the studio purchase new shared tools and create new programming for their members to improve their community experiences. The sale goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ferndale Underground Holiday Market

  Underneath the doT Parking Garage in Ferndale

  Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16

  Free

An underground holiday market featuring unique gifts from over 90 local artists, makers, authors and bakers. Admission is free but canned food donations are welcome. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Dance Theatre of Harlem

  Detroit Opera House

  Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16

  $70–$150

A highly-anticipated Detroit performance by the Dance Theatre of Harlem, with a program featuring iconic works by Robert Garland, Jodie Gates and more. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Limited tickets remain for the Sunday show.