The Detroit Evening Report

The Detroit Evening Report

The Detroit Evening Report is a three-minute daily round-up of the news that city residents need to know. Stories focus on the concerns, problems, passions and needs of Detroiters – specifically residents of color. On the weekends, we take a break from the news and spend some time with community members. Hosted by Sascha Raiyn, Jerome Vaughn, Tia Graham, Nargis Rahman, and Hernz Laguerre, Jr. Detroit Evening Report is a production of WDET, Detroit's NPR Station.

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The Detroit Evening Report
Cathedral Arts Apartments open in Detroit’s Gateway Community

In this episode of The Detroit Evening Report, Hernz Laguerre Jr. reports on new housing in Detroit’s Gateway Community. Plus, events around the city including theater, stargazing, drag shows and Black cinema.

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

00:03:58
Jun 13, 2025 5:9 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
New bill expands who can officiate Michigan weddings

Bill would allow friends, family to officiate weddings

A new bill would allow friends and family members to officiate wedding ceremonies without getting ordained.

Currently, Michigan law only permits certain city officials, judges, or ordained individuals—such as ministers—to perform weddings.

State Senator Veronica Klinefelt sponsored the bill. She says some religious leaders have denied couples based on personal beliefs. She shared her own experience:

“The priest I was seeing made the determination that I shouldn’t be getting married and wouldn’t conduct the ceremony. This year, I will be married 40 years. So I don’t know that he was any more equipped to make that call than my family members who were at that wedding.”

The bill would also expand officiating privileges to township clerks and state lawmakers. It has passed in the Senate and is now headed to the House.

Dearborn updates food truck regulations

The City of Dearborn has revised its food truck regulations, allowing permanent operations in areas zoned for commercial and light industrial use.

The update includes requirements for proper electrical hookups, propane storage, and sanitation. Trucks will not be permitted in business districts near restaurants to protect brick-and-mortar establishments, but they may operate in public parks if they meet city standards for power and waste disposal.

The new rules take effect September 1st.

Dearborn Summer Market returns this Friday

The Dearborn Summer Market returns this Friday at 4:00 PM in West Downtown Dearborn.

The market highlights downtown businesses, local vendors, and free kids’ activities including face painting, balloon twisting, and caricature art.

More information is available at dearbornsummermarket.com.

00:03:43
Jun 12, 2025 4:0 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
GM to invest $4B, shift SUV and EV production

Detroit casinos see slight revenue boost in May

Detroit’s casinos are reporting slightly improved revenues for the month of May. The three casinos say revenues rose to $114 million last month—up 1.2% from May 2024.

MGM Grand held the largest share of the market at 47%, followed by MotorCity Casino at 30%, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown with 23%.

The three casinos provided $13.4 million in taxes and wagering agreement payments to the City of Detroit last month. They also paid an additional $9.1 million in taxes to the State of Michigan.

Downtown Detroit Partnership rolls out summer fun at Campus Martius

The Downtown Detroit Partnership is working to spread the word about several of its summer events. The organization will once again bring 20,000 tons of sand to downtown Detroit to create “The Beach at Campus Martius,” giving kids a chance to play—and adults a chance to relax.

Other DDP events planned for the summer include trivia nights, a beach party, Thursday markets in Cadillac Square, and live music. Campus Martius Park will also host Movie Night in the D, where attendees can enjoy films under the stars.

Heidelberg Project launches summer series with ‘Second Saturdays’

The Heidelberg Project is kicking off a series of events beginning this weekend. The organization, known for its internationally acclaimed art installation, will once again host Second Saturdays throughout the summer.

Organizers say the goal is to activate the space where the Heidelberg Project is located and bring the community together.

This weekend’s event will feature Puppet Karaoke Detroit, scheduled to run from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Tigers hold MLB’s best record after win over Orioles

The Detroit Tigers continue to set the pace for the rest of Major League Baseball. They currently hold the best record in the league, with 44 wins and 24 losses.

Detroit beat the Orioles in Baltimore last night, 5–3. The two teams face off again tonight (Wednesday), with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

00:03:16
Jun 11, 2025 4:44 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
Detroit Evening Report: Travel ban rollout

New travel ban takes effect

President Trump’s latest travel ban targeting 12 countries—many of them Muslim-majority or located in South America and Africa—went into effect today. The proclamation blocks travel to the U.S. for individuals without a valid visa from: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Seven additional countries also face restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Last week, the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR Michigan) issued a community alert urging individuals from the affected countries to return to the U.S. by today if possible.

CAIR Michigan staff attorney Amy Doukoure says the new restrictions could have immediate consequences.

“We might also see people who have a valid visa who don’t quite make it into the United States by June 9, unable to actually enter on the visa that they’re issued. And we will definitely see people who are here on a current valid visa, being unable to travel outside of the United States and then reenter once the travel ban takes effect.” 

Doukoure says the policy mirrors previous bans issued during Trump’s first term. She warns it will likely separate families and increase anxiety among communities from the affected countries.

Local ICE protests

About 50 protesters gathered near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Detroit on Sunday, voicing opposition to the Trump administration’s mass deportation raids.

Russ McNamara reports from the protest.

Leah Checchini of Hazel Park attended the rally. She says her father immigrated from Argentina and believes everyone deserves the same opportunity.

“Just seeing everything that’s going on around me—I have a lot of friends who are in the process of getting their papers taken care of—so watching what’s happening to people like them is enraging, to say the least.”

More protests are planned in cities across the country.

Fall prevention resources available for Michigan seniors

Several groups are coming together to offer fall prevention resources for seniors. Each year, about 30 percent of Michiganders 65 and older report falling in their homes.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Aging, Community Living and Supports Health Services, the Michigan Falls Prevention Coalition, and Oakland University have partnered to connect people with health care providers, community organizations, and fall prevention resources.

People can explore safety planning tools, physical wellness services, and daily life support online at mi211.org. You can also call 211 for help finding resources.

The website was made possible by a $408,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund Healthy Aging initiative.

Learn more at mifallsprevention.org.

00:04:19
Jun 9, 2025 4:5 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
InsideOut Literary Arts celebrates 30 years with new mural

Detroit’s “largest and oldest literary nonprofit,” InsideOut Literary Arts, celebrated its 30-year anniversary last week by unveiling a new Detroit City Walls mural along the Avenue of Fashion.

Other headlines for Friday, June 6, 2025:

  • Money Matters for Youth is looking for help to keep their student trip to Washington D.C. alive.
  • Motor City Pride is taking over downtown this weekend, June 7-8 at Hart Plaza, with the parade beginning at noon on Sunday.
  • The city celebrated the opening of the Orchard Village Apartments with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, bringing 48 affordable units across four buildings to the Old Redford neighborhood.
  • Michigan’s First Native American Music and Cultural Festival, Vibes With the Tribes, is coming to the Russell Industrial Center this Saturday, June 7, with doors opening at 2 p.m.

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

00:03:59
Jun 6, 2025 4:45 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
Dearborn receives 'Tree City USA' status for 38th year

The Arbor Day Foundation has renewed Dearborn's "Tree City USA" status for its efforts to maintain a healthy tree canopy. 

Timothy Hawkins, Dearborn's public works director, says the city has kept the title for 38 years. 

"We continually make the investment to be a Tree City, and we continually plant more than we remove to maintain our tree city status," Hawkins said.

He says the city planted 1,200 trees in 2024 and removed about a 1,000 due to disease or construction.

Other headlines for Thursday, June 5, 2025:

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

00:03:11
Jun 5, 2025 7:6 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
Michigan families, caregivers prepare for possible Medicaid cuts

Experts say Medicaid cuts passed by the U.S. House could result in millions of people losing health care — including more than 700,000 people in Michigan. 

Michigan resident Janae Wouldfolk says the cuts would change her life. A union liaison for AFSCME Local 140 who has worked at the Detroit Medical Center for 27 years, Wouldfolk cares for her 74-year-old mother and 19-year-old disabled son, Shemar.

On today’s episode of the Detroit Evening Report, she spoke with WDET’s Sascha Raiyn about her concerns. 

Other headlines for Tuesday, June 3, 2025:

  • The Department of Homeland Security has agreed to restore the visas of four international college students — two at Wayne State and two at the University of Michigan. The American Civil Liberties Union sued the government, which has stripped visas from thousands of students across the country this spring and threatened to deport them. A federal judge dismissed the case after the Trump administration agreed not to terminate their status based solely on cursory background checks.
  • Tiff Massey’s “Baby Bling” will be added to the Detroit Institute of Arts’ permanent collection. DIA Director Salvador Salort-Pons broke the news on WDET’s The Metro on Monday. Baby Bling is one of the pieces featured in Massey’s year-long “7 Mile + Livernois” exhibit that closed at the museum in May. After the success of the exhibit, the museum says it plans to re-install its contemporary African American galleries in a more prominent location near Diego Rivera Court in October. 

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

00:03:25
Jun 3, 2025 5:4 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
Detroit Fire to launch nurse triage program in 2026

In this episode of The Detroit Evening Report, we highlight the Detroit Fire Department’s new Nurse Navigation program, a luxury hotel coming to Michigan Central Station, and the latest closure in the Bobcat Bonnie’s restaurant chain.

Detroit Fire plans nurse triage program to ease ambulance demand

The Detroit Fire Department hopes its new “Nurse Navigation” program will help reduce response times.

Instead of dispatching an ambulance for minor calls, a third-party service would connect those calls to certified nurses via telehealth.

The department handled 158,000 medical runs last year, with 40% classified as Code Threes — less serious calls.

Fire Commissioner Charles Simms says the program would help free up ambulances to respond to higher-priority emergencies.

“If we have, you know, 40 ambulances out there per day, but a large majority are responding to Code Threes, they may not be readily available for Code Ones and Code Twos. This program will allow them to be ready to respond to just Code Ones and Twos.”

Simms explains that Code One and Two calls are more severe, life-threatening emergencies like chest pain or cardiac arrest. A Code Three call might be something like a sprained ankle or knee pain.

A dispatcher would connect Code Three calls to a nurse, who would guide the patient through their options.

“That dedicated nurse will talk to the patient to determine whether they need telehealth care, can manage with self-care, or should go to urgent care — and guide them through that process.”

Nurses would also help arrange appointments with primary care physicians and could even order free transportation.

City Council approved $650,000 to launch the Nurse Navigation program. Simms says they’re still looking for a third-party provider, and the program is expected to launch in early 2026.

Luxury hotel coming to Michigan Central Station in 2027

Luxury hospitality brand NoMad will open a hotel inside Michigan Central Station in 2027. The hotel will have 180 rooms and occupy the top five floors of the building. It will include 30 suites, a wellness facility, a restaurant, and a bar.

Brand officials say they plan to showcase local artists and makers throughout the hotel and guest rooms.

Ford Motor Co. led the restoration of the train station after it sat empty for 30 years. Company officials say the hotel is the next vital step in the redevelopment.

Bobcat Bonnie’s closes Ferndale location

Ferndale restaurant Bobcat Bonnie’s closed its doors today. It’s the latest shutdown for the small chain.

In March, Bobcat Bonnie’s closed its Corktown location after 10 years in business. Other locations in Wyandotte, Ypsilanti, Clinton Township, and Grand Rapids have also closed over the past year. Plans to open a Kalamazoo location have been scrapped.

The Ferndale location will sell all its furniture, dishware, art, and other items on Tuesday, June 3. Lansing is now the chain’s only remaining location.

00:03:19
Jun 2, 2025 3:8 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
DER Weekends: WDET’s Shustho series explores how mental health barriers affect Bangladeshi women

On this episode of Detroit Evening Report Weekends, we listen to the last story in WDET reporter Nargis Rahman’s series Shustho. 

The four-part series explores the barriers Bangladeshi women face in accessing high-quality health care, and efforts to bridge those gaps. 

Michigan is home to the third largest population of Bangladeshis in the U.S., most living in the metro Detroit area. 

In this story, we discuss how Bangladeshi mental health care workers are working toward breaking the stigma and filling the gap for more counselors in the Bangladeshi community. 

00:17:26
May 31, 2025 7:0 AM
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The Detroit Evening Report
Whitmer focuses on Michigan’s future at Mackinac conference

Whitmer outlines top goals before leaving office

The 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference is coming to an end, and Governor  Gretchen Whitmer is outlining her top priorities before leaving office.

Securing a semiconductor plant by the end of 2026, she says, would help Michigan stay competitive in the age of artificial intelligence. Whitmer added that it would also make Michigan an economic magnet — one she imagines could help grow the state’s population. She said she’ll be seeking federal support to make it happen.

Tackling childhood literacy is another priority. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only a quarter of Michigan’s 4th graders can read at a proficient level.

And of course, the “fix the damn roads” governor emphasized the need for a sustainable, long-term plan to fund road repairs. Whitmer stressed that while challenges remain, bipartisanship is still possible.

Ferndale kicks off Pride Month celebrations

June is right around the corner, which means Pride Month is almost here — and Ferndale Pride is kicking things off on May 31. According to organizers, the event strives to support and uplift all LGBTQ+ communities. Expect live musical performances, drag shows, food, a variety of vendors, and a kids’ area. For more information, visit ferndalepride.com.

Free sound bowl meditation on the riverfront

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while the month is wrapping up, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is hosting a Sound Bowl Meditation Workshop on June 5. It’ll take place at Gabriel Richard Park and introduce attendees to basic techniques and the science behind sound healing. Best of all — it’s free, which is the perfect price for peace of mind. Just bring a yoga mat or blanket. For more information, visit detroitriverfront.org.

00:02:47
May 30, 2025 2:40 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
Detroit parks climb in national ranking

In this episode of The Detroit Evening Report, we cover Detroit parks national ranking, Sister Pie temporarily closing, community milestones, and hepatitis screening and vaccines. 

00:03:31
May 29, 2025 2:29 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
The Mackinac Policy Conference is underway

The Mackinac Policy Conference is underway on Mackinac Island. Politicians, business executives and non-profit leaders are talking about the future of the city and the state.

00:03:16
May 29, 2025 10:33 AM
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The Detroit Evening Report
Ice storm damage could affect holiday travel up north, DNR says

Holiday travelers planning to venture up north for some time outdoors this weekend may be met with potential hazards and changes to the landscape following a recent ice storm, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Plus, it's going to be a busy weekend in the Motor City. We have the Movement Electronic Movement Festival May 24-26, Detroit Tigers games against the Cleveland Guardians; The Weeknd is performing at Ford Field May 24-25, and much more. For that reason, the city is encouraging folks to plan parking in advance and to use public transportation when possible. 

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

00:03:08
May 23, 2025 4:54 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
New survey spotlights higher eviction rates of Black women in metro Detroit

A new survey from a Detroit researcher has revealed that Black women disproportionately experience evictions in the city.

Dr. Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, a social epidemiologist at Ohio State University — and native Detroiter — surveyed nearly 1,500 Black women in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties for the Social Epidemiology to Combat Unjust Residential Evictions (SECURE) Study. She found that more than half of the women who said they experienced eviction were forced out of their homes illegally.

Other headlines for Thursday, May 22, 2025:

  • Entrepreneurs looking to open a small business in Detroit may soon see less red tape. Two ordinances will be presented to city council this week aimed at streamlining business licensing in Detroit. The reforms will include eliminating the business licenses for restaurants and extending the permits to two years for other businesses.
  • Many families are struggling to meet their basic needs in Wayne County, according to the latest ALICE Report from the Michigan Association of United Ways. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. The organization found that just over half of households in Wayne County experienced financial instability in 2023. The rates were 38% in Macomb County and 31% in Oakland County.
  • The Department of Insurance and Financial Services is warning residents to be wary of people offering services for repairs after a storm. Scammers often appear after disasters, promising quick repairs and asking for cash up front or refusing to give ID.
  • The Belle Isle Conservancy shared plans for a public square at the park with the City Council this week. The conservancy and the state are wrapping up a preliminary design this month for the Belle Isle Commons.

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

00:03:45
May 22, 2025 4:51 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
EPA lifts emergency order on Flint drinking water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has lifted the emergency order on the city of Flint's drinking water. The EPA announced Monday that Flint's water system is now in compliance with lead standards and has replaced over 97% of lead pipes carrying water to homes.

Also, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

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

00:04:08
May 20, 2025 4:41 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
DER Weekends: 'Shustho' series explores how health insurance access, community care impacts Bangladeshi women

On this episode of Detroit Evening Report Weekends, we listen to the third story in WDET reporter Nargis Rahman's series Shustho.

The four-part series explores the barriers Bangladeshi women face in accessing high quality health care, and efforts to bridge those gaps.

In this story, we visit the Health Unit on Davison Avenue (HUDA) — the largest free health clinic in Wayne County — to learn about the services it provides to members of the community without health insurance. 

Stay tuned to DER Weekends throughout the month of May to hear the entire four-part series.

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

00:20:18
May 17, 2025 8:0 AM
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The Detroit Evening Report
Scattered storms expected to linger through the weekend in southeast Michigan

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.

Plus, 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.

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

00:03:18
May 16, 2025 5:5 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
Michigan man arrested for alleged plot to attack US army base in Warren

A former Michigan National Guardsman was arrested by the FBI on Wednesday for his role in an alleged plot to attack a U.S. Army Base in Warren.

Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, is accused of planning a mass shooting at Detroit Arsenal and the United States Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) headquarters, on behalf of the terrorist organization ISIS.

Other headlines for Thursday, May 15, 2025:

  • Two Hamtramck City Council members have been accused of fraud and perjury, after an internal investigation found that they do not live in Hamtramck. 
  • Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says the city has gained almost 7,000 new residents since last year, citing the Census Bureau's latest population estimate.
  • Inflation rose in metro Detroit, but not by much. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says consumer prices in March and April were up 1.4% from the same period last year, and .8% higher than the previous two months. The index covers the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area.  
  • Detroit Disability Power is inviting voters throughout metro Detroit to join the National Polling Access Audit Coalition for its Voting Access Summit. The virtual event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday next week.

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

00:03:07
May 15, 2025 5:7 PM
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The Detroit Evening Report
Detroit casinos report revenue uptick; restoration begins on Lee Plaza Hotel and more

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, Detroit's casinos have reported a slight uptick in revenue last month. Plus, restoration has begun on the city's historic Lee Plaza Hotel, and more.

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

00:04:47
May 14, 2025 4:45 PM
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