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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New emergency vehicles for Detroit Fire Department
The Detroit Fire Department received new fire and emergency medical services vehicles thanks to a nearly $11 million dollar investment from the city. This is part of the city’s efforts to upgrade their fleet and keep response times well below the national average.
The department received 10 new fire engines, 13 new ambulances, 3 battalion chief vehicles, and 3 new EMS Supervisor vehicles. Each vehicle is equipped with HAAS Alert Safety Cloud that sends real-time digital alerts to nearby drivers when emergency vehicles are approaching or stopped at an incident.
According to the city, these investments help improve a fleet in comparison to the decades old vehicles that were prone to break down.
Additional headlines from Thursday, October 16, 2025
- A proposal for transport at the recently restored Michigan Central Station
- Detroit sports update
- Convening for Dance and Culture is this weekend, hosted by TéMaTé Institute for Black Dance and Culture
- Listen to The Metro: Annual African dance conference uses dance as a tool for justice and equity
IndigiPitch connects Indigenous entrepreneurs and investors
A startup competition is soliciting business proposals from Indigenous entrepreneurs in Michigan. It's called IndigiPitch, and it's organized by 20 Fathoms, a tech startup incubator in northern Michigan.
Chief Financial Officer and Tribal Liaison Shiloh Slomsky says Native communities face more barriers to getting a business off the ground than other groups. "Number one is capital or access to representation at pitch events, or in front of venture capitals and even banking."
IndigiPitch will place entrepreneurs in front of investors. A panel of Indigenous judges will choose the winners in December and award cash prizes.
-MPRN
Additional headlines from Tuesday, October 14, 2025
- Urban Consulate’s Daring Ideas for the Future series will bring 3 MacArthur “geniuses” to Detroit this fall. Admission is free but registration is required. For more information visit urbanconsulate.com/daringfuture.
- The Detroit Free Press Marathon is this Sunday and organizers are inviting the community to come out to cheer the runners on. Runners in the International Marathon, the International Half-Marathon and the Motor City Half-Marathon versions of the race will wind through parts of Midtown, the Cass Corridor, Eastern Market and downtown. Police will start towing cars along the marathon route at around 2 a.m. Sunday morning and keep streets blocked until 2 p.m. Check marathon routes and get more information at freepmarathon.com/marathon/
- Michigan Central is hosting Halloween at the Station. The free family event includes an Outdoor Festival on the Michigan Central Lawn and LaCombe Street with an interactive science station arts and crafts, a selfie station, airbrush tattoos, cider, doughnuts and more. Inside, DJ sets and live painting. Costumes are encouraged but masks are not allowed. No registration is required for the outdoor festival. Register for Fridays at the Station at michigancentral.com/events/
- People in more than a hundred Michigan communities plan to join nationwide protests against the Trump administration this Saturday. That includes a "No Kings" rally at Roosevelt Park in Corktown, at Parkwood Plaza in Oak Park, and at Lathrup Village City Hall. Millions attended similar demonstrations across the country in June.
If there’s something in your neighborhood you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org
IndigiPitch connects Indigenous entrepreneurs and investors
A startup competition is soliciting business proposals from Indigenous entrepreneurs in Michigan. It's called IndigiPitch, and it's organized by 20 Fathoms, a tech startup incubator in northern Michigan.
Chief Financial Officer and Tribal Liaison Shiloh Slomsky says Native communities face more barriers to getting a business off the ground than other groups. "Number one is capital or access to representation at pitch events, or in front of venture capitals and even banking."
IndigiPitch will place entrepreneurs in front of investors. A panel of Indigenous judges will choose the winners in December and award cash prizes.
-MPRN
Additional headlines from Tuesday, October 14, 2025
- Urban Consulate’s Daring Ideas for the Future series will bring 3 MacArthur “geniuses” to Detroit this fall. Admission is free but registration is required. For more information visit urbanconsulate.com/daringfuture.
- The Detroit Free Press Marathon is this Sunday and organizers are inviting the community to come out to cheer the runners on. Runners in the International Marathon, the International Half-Marathon and the Motor City Half-Marathon versions of the race will wind through parts of Midtown, the Cass Corridor, Eastern Market and downtown. Police will start towing cars along the marathon route at around 2 a.m. Sunday morning and keep streets blocked until 2 p.m. Check marathon routes and get more information at freepmarathon.com/marathon/
- Michigan Central is hosting Halloween at the Station. The free family event includes an Outdoor Festival on the Michigan Central Lawn and LaCombe Street with an interactive science station arts and crafts, a selfie station, airbrush tattoos, cider, doughnuts and more. Inside, DJ sets and live painting. Costumes are encouraged but masks are not allowed. No registration is required for the outdoor festival. Register for Fridays at the Station at michigancentral.com/events/
- People in more than a hundred Michigan communities plan to join nationwide protests against the Trump administration this Saturday. That includes a "No Kings" rally at Roosevelt Park in Corktown, at Parkwood Plaza in Oak Park, and at Lathrup Village City Hall. Millions attended similar demonstrations across the country in June.
If there’s something in your neighborhood you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org
Mayoral debate on Wednesday
Detroit’s mayoral candidates have their only scheduled debate this week.
The Reverand Solomon Kinloch faces City Council President Mary Sheffield in the general election. Kinloch, a political newcomer, says city leaders haven’t done enough to increase affordable housing in Detroit. He votes to do that and continue pastoring his church if voters elect him.
“All of us got a responsibility, not to just do something from a spiritual perspective, but to do something social and political. That’s my rearing and my raising. I believe that this is a great opportunity to inspire an entire city that ordinary people can do some extraordinary things.”
Sheffield argues dealing with Detroit’s housing and financial issues demands someone with the kind of experience she’s gained over a dozen years on Council.
The debate will be on Channel 7 starting at 7 p.m this Wednesday, October 15.
Additional headlines for Monday, October 13, 2025
- Dearborn Heights City Council Chairman Mo Baydoun is now the Acting Mayor due to Mayor Bill Bazzi’s resignation. The U.S. Senate confirmed Bazzi’s nomination to serve as the Ambassador to Tunisia.
- The Detroit Repair Cafe is hosting a popup at the Moondog Cafe in Detroit Sunday, October 19. People can bring their clothes, electronics, bikes, toys and other things to fix for free. There is also free parking available.
- The Asian American-led group Rising Voices is hosting another artist salon in their series “We Belong Here - Asian American Ancestry, Authenticity and Healing." The program will be held at the Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit next Friday, Oct. 24. It will begin with a walking tour of Asian Americans and allies buried in the cemetery and be followed by a panel discussion about AAPI history in America and healing. It is free and open to the public.
- The international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse is looking for gifts and donations for Operation Christmas Child. Several drop boxes will be open next month for donations. Volunteers are collecting and delivering gifts for kids who have faced war, poverty or disaster. People can also donate $10 for a box of goodies to fill a shoebox full of gifts for a child. Collection week is November 17-24. Find the closest drop-box by entering your zip code on this Samaritan’s Purse page.
If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org.
Clean energy event centers equity and opportunity
Stacey Abrams to headline Detroit’s clean energy summit
If you’re interested in how you can be a part of a clean energy future, this event might be for you. The Resilience and Equity in the Clean Energy Sector Summit is happening next week, October 13 through 15, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Organizers say this is the largest clean energy gathering with Black and Brown folks in mind — not as the footnote but the headline.
The summit will offer hands-on workshops, tech showcases, career pathways, funding opportunities, and more. Plus, the featured speaker is national political activist Stacey Abrams.
For more information, visit therecessconference.com.
Pontiac celebrates 100 home repairs through city program
The City of Pontiac is announcing 100 completed home improvement projects at a press conference on October 14. This is all part of its Houses Through Home Repair Program, which aims to fix homes that need key repairs and upgrades.
City leaders will highlight improvements to plumbing, HVAC, roofing, porches, and more at the press conference at 1159 Eckman Ave. in Pontiac.
For details, go to pontiac.mi.us.
Detroit sports: Tigers battle Mariners, Lions face Chiefs
Before we get to the weekend activities, let’s check out sports.
MLB
The Tigers face the Seattle Mariners tonight in a winner-take-all matchup. The American League Division Series is tied 2-2, and the winner of tonight’s game moves on to the American League Championship Series to face the Toronto Blue Jays.
First pitch is at 8:08 p.m.
NFL
On October 12, the Detroit Lions face the Kansas City Chiefs in a Sunday night matchup you don’t want to miss. The Lions are 4-1 and leading the NFC North, while the Chiefs are digging their way out of the AFC West.
Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. at Arrowhead Stadium.
Wayne State hosts Mexican film festival with Detroit Consulate
Wayne State University is partnering with the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit to host a film festival of Mexican-based films on Wednesday, October 15, at noon. The event is free and will be held at La Plaza del Norte Building, 2835 Bagley Street.
It will feature conversations about political and social implications, history, and more. For more information, go to las.wayne.edu.
Beacon Park’s Cider in the City returns for two weekends
Beacon Park is hosting Cider in the City this weekend, October 11 and 12, and next weekend, October 18 and 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. both days.
There will be cider and donuts, cocktails, football on LED screens, and more.
For details, visit ciderinthecity.com.
Wayne State's plan to increase local enrollment
Wayne State University launched the Warriors on the Rise program last month that will offer guaranteed enrollment to qualified high school juniors in the Detroit Public Schools Community District.
The goal is to increase enrollment of students that come from the school district. Juniors with a 3.0 GPA will be automatically enrolled by DPSCD school officials. Families will then be invited to a meeting with the district to discuss the next steps.
Additional headlines from Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Residents in Corktown presented the developers of the new Detroit City Football Club stadium with a detailed proposal for community benefits.
- A marijuana industry group is suing the state of Michigan after Governor Gretchen Whitmer passed a plan that would add a 24% tax on cannabis. Michigan currently has a 10% excise tax on weed along with the 6% Michigan sales tax.
- The Detroit Land Bank Authority is investing $15 million to launch its Affordable Housing Pipeline. The project aims to restore underutilized multi-family buildings in the city. The first project in the Wade neighborhood will transform two historic 1920s buildings into 30 affordable housing units.
- Detroit will offer free bus rides to voters on Election Day. DDOT will waive fares for people who need a ride to the polls on November 4.
If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org.
Crime rate in Detroit continues to drop
"Had you deployed the National Guard again in this city? You're talking about 144 square miles, I doubt anybody would have had the National Guard at 7:30 on a Monday morning at Littlefield in West Chicago. That's not a practical way to do it. But I can assure you that right now, our CVI groups are figuring out who might be looking to retaliate against somebody and intervening."
Duggan praised efforts from community violence intervention programs as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Additional headlines from Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Count Day attendance increases
Chalkbeat Detroit reports almost 500 more students showed up on October first than on Count Day last fall. Those numbers may still get a bit higher since the district can count students who show up for school up to 10 days after the designated day.
The final count will be used to determine how much money the district will get from the state.
Interfaith educational tour showcases Detroit's Muslim community
The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metro Detroit is inviting Metro Detroiters to An Educational Tour of Metro Detroit’s Muslim Faith Communities later this month. Attendees will visit the Muslim Center Mosque and the Islamic Center of America. Lunch and transportation are provided.
The tour is October 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Neighborhood Vitality Index survey
Congress of Communities is encouraging residents to take the Neighborhood Vitality Index survey.
The survey takes about 20 minutes and collects information about the experiences and concerns of Detroit residents – from safety to healthcare to community resources. Survey takers will receive a $25 gift card.
For more information, and to see data from the 2024 survey, go to nvidetroit.org/survey.
Legacy Tour celebrates Detroit's Black professionals, HBCU alum
The Legacy Tour will spotlight Black professional excellence and historically Black college and university (HBCU) culture at events in Detroit this weekend.
Attendees will dress to impress at Suits and Stilettos at Fixins Soul Kitchen Friday night. On Saturday, HBCU alum are invited to ‘rock’ their school colors and Greek gear for the Rep Your Legacy Day Party at the Locker Room Lounge.
For tickets and information go to thelegacytour.myle.com.
Global Detroit launches leadership program for BIPOC, immigrants
Global Detroit is launching the New American Leadership Academy. It’s a free leadership program to empower people of color, with a focus on supporting immigrants, in developing leadership skills.
Participants will learn how to network and engage their local government in seven sessions between Oct. 28th and Nov. 22.
Interviews will be scheduled with potential participants. Email Summer Baraka at summer@globaldetroit.org for more information. Applications close Oct. 15.
Additional headlines from Monday, October 6, 2025
- Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says violent crime is down this year. He and other officials will presented the latest figures today. He talked about new state funding for the city's community violence intervention program. Last year Detroit saw the lowest number of homicides in the city since the 1960s, although the murder rate remained high because of the drop in population over six decades.
- The City of Detroit is hosting Fire Prevention Week between Oct. 5-11th. During the week, the Detroit Fire Department will host open houses and share fire prevention resources. Also carbon monoxide detectors, CPR training, and fire extinguisher training will be provided.
- Detroit’s Tech Town is hosting it’s 11th annual Toast of the Town. That's a lineup of several Detroit food trucks, entrepreneurs and networking opportunities. The event takes place Oct. 10 from 5-9 p.m. About 700 people are expected to attend. Tickets are $150.
- The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) is launching a new handheld device to provide language translation services at Secretary of State offices. MDOS says they will roll out the Pocketalk devices to all branches by the end of October.
- Last week, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced the launch of the device at the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Translations are provided in Bangla, Spanish and Arabic, as well as 80 other languages.
- The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit is hosting a free 10-week entrepreneurship hybrid course for Detroit residents. Classes meet on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. from Oct. 14 through Dec. 16. The live classes will be held at The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, at 111 E. Kirby Street, Detroit. Registration for in-person and online sessions closes on Oct. 14.
If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org.
$1B boost for roads and schools in new Michigan budget
Michigan lawmakers pass 2026 state budget
After months of waiting and two missed deadlines, the 2026 state budget has finally passed. Michigan lawmakers agreed early Friday morning to add about $1 billion to road and bridge improvements, increase school funding, and decrease funding for some other programs. The budget also includes a new 24% wholesale tax on marijuana.
Now the budget is headed to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk, allowing her to finally fulfill her famous promise to “fix the damn roads.”
For more information and a breakdown of how this budget affects Michiganders, check out WDET’s political talk show MichMash. A bonus episode was released the same day as the budget to explain the details.
Additional headlines for October 3, 2025
District 3 residents organize “Stop the Violence” march
Residents of Detroit’s District 3 have organized a “Stop the Violence” march this Saturday (Oct. 4).
Alita Moore, executive director of the North Central Block Club Association, says the march is in response to a recent uptick in violence in the neighborhood.
“Our youth, our seniors, are very, very concerned. And so, before something like the National Guard comes in, we wanted to — on a local community level — show solidarity with our neighborhood police officers, with the people that work with us right here,” Moore says.
Moore hopes the event draws attention to a part of the city that feels neglected. The march will start at Farwell Recreation Center at noon.
Tigers advance; Lions prepare for Sunday matchup
Everyone is talking about the Tigers. Yesterday, the team beat the Cleveland Guardians in the wildcard round and is now heading to the American League Division Series, where they’ll face the Seattle Mariners. First pitch is tomorrow at 8:38 p.m. EST at T-Mobile Park.
Meanwhile, about four hours south of metro Detroit down I-75, the Lions face the Bengals in a Sunday afternoon matchup at 4:25 p.m. They’re coming off a dominant win against the Browns, 34–20. Their record is currently 3–1, putting them at the top of the NFC North.
Applications open for Detroit Legacy Business Project
Applications for the Detroit Legacy Business Project close on Monday, October 6 at 8 a.m.
This program is for businesses that have been serving the city for 30 years or more. Available grants include:
- One $50,000 grant
- Fourteen $15,000 grants
- Five $5,000 grants
- Ten $2,500 grants
For more information, visit detroit.gov/opportunities
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Dearborn reprints absentee ballot
The City of Dearborn says new absentee ballots will be mailed to residents after a printing error was discovered.
City Clerk George Darany says the original ballots included the name of a city council candidate who dropped out of the race.
Darany says people should throw away the old ballot and fill out the new one. Voters who have already submitted their ballot or those who do not send in the correct ballot will have their ballot ‘duplicated’—which does not mean counted twice.
“So in other words, we will have two people assigned to remove the ballot and put it into the duplicate new ballot, so everything they chose would be transferred to the new ballot," says Darany.
Voters should receive the new ballots in the next ten days.
Early voting begins in Dearborn October 25.
Additional headlines for Thursday, October 2, 2025
Mosques encouraged to increase security
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Michigan chapter is encouraging local mosques to step up protection after an individual threatened to burn down a mosque in Dearborn Heights this week.
CAIR Michigan Executive Director Dawud Walid says he’s concerned in light of the political climate and the attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc on Sunday.
“We encourage all mosques in the state of Michigan to review the care community safety kit an to make sure that they have the property security measures for the Friday congressional prayers.”
Walid says he hopes Dearborn Heights Police investigate the threats at The Islamic Institute of America as a potential hate crime.
He says several mosques in Michigan have received threats in recent weeks.
Detroit Public Schools fills District Board of Education seat
The Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education voted not to start a lengthy selection process to fill a vacant seat and will instead offer the seat to the runner up of the last special election.
Current board member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo is expected to resign and start as the city of Detroit’s next Ombudsman.
During a special meeting the board recommended leveraging the finalist from the July 2025 vacancy process, because it has been less than 90 days since a thorough, transparent, and public search was conducted.
Local business pitch competition
The Arab American Women’s Business Council and the New Economy Initiative are announcing their 2025 Pitch Competition. Local Small Businesses and entrepreneurs can pitch their ideas and compete for seed money. Cash prizes between $1000 and $3000, and a grand prize of $5000 will be offered.
The application deadline is October 17. Eligible applicants must be in the ideation phase or have a business less than five years old.
The event will take place at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn on November 19. Visit the Arab American Women’s Business Council’s Facebook page for more information and to apply.
Michigan avoids state shutdown as federal government closes
State and national budget updates
Michigan leaders have avoided a state government shutdown, even though the governor has not yet signed a budget by the midnight deadline. Lawmakers in Lansing reached the framework of a budget agreement late last week but released little information because many details had yet to be worked out. They’ve approved a bill to fund state government for one week to give them time to finalize their deal.
The federal government failed to reach a budget deal by its midnight deadline, resulting in a shutdown. About 30,000 federal employees live in Michigan, but it’s not clear right now how many might be affected. U.S. Mail service will continue as normal, and Social Security checks will be delivered. TSA agents will continue to work at Metro Airport because they’re considered essential workers, but they will work without pay. That could lead to longer lines at the airport. It’s not immediately clear what other service changes might affect Detroiters.
Additional headlines for October 1, 2025
Truck restrictions
The City of Detroit is announcing new restrictions today on truck traffic in Southwest Detroit. The area has dealt with semi-trucks traveling through neighborhoods for years to get from I-75 to the Ambassador Bridge. The travel clogs streets and adds to pollution in the area. The city says there will be new truck routes to keep commercial avenues freed up, and police will increase their enforcement. The new rules take effect on Monday. Truck traffic in Southwest Detroit should be further alleviated when the Gordie Howe Bridge opens next year. That structure will allow heavy trucks headed to Windsor to move directly from I-75 onto the bridge without traveling through neighborhoods.
I-75 cap
The Downtown Detroit Partnership is holding a public meeting tomorrow to discuss the future of I-75 downtown. The organization is working with the City of Detroit and the Michigan Department of Transportation to consider ways of connecting the downtown area to nearby neighborhoods. The collaboration is looking at the feasibility of placing a cap over I-75 between Third and Brush.
The plan calls for a series of parks over the freeway, which would provide space for residents, similar to the plazas over I-696 in Oak Park. The online public meeting takes place tomorrow from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. There’s more information at DowntownDetroit.org/i75cap.
Dodge Fountain
The City of Detroit is shutting down the Dodge Fountain in Hart Plaza for the rest of the year. The Construction and Demolition Department is working to make sure the structure is properly winterized so that no damage occurs during the cold weather. The fountain did not operate properly for several years, but it was repaired in 2024. The water will be turned off for the winter, but the city says the fountain’s lights will continue to operate. The fountain will return to warm-weather operations in the spring.
Tigers win on Tuesday
The Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Guardians yesterday in their American League Wild Card game. Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal threw 14 strikeouts for the Tigers. Game two in the best-of-three series is scheduled to take place this afternoon at Progressive Field in Cleveland. First pitch is at 1:08 p.m.
Whitmer urges Trump to reconsider new H1B visa cost
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she shared her concerns with President Trump about his new H1B visa policy which makes the price of applying for a visa $100,000.
H1B visas allow companies to bring in international workers for specialized jobs requiring higher education. Whitmer says she told President Trump that raising the application cost of those visas by around 10,000% could hurt Michigan's economy.
Whitmer adds the state's medical and automotive industries could be directly impacted by visa policy changes, saying large numbers of Canadian workers in fields like nursing and engineering rely on the visas.
Additional headlines from Tuesday September 30, 2025
- A group of local community organizations is hosting the State of Southwest: A Municipal Candidate Forum on October 11 from noon to 3 p.m. in the El Nacimiento warehouse at 7000 W Vernor Hwy. Candidates for mayor, City Council District 6 and at-large seats have been invited to hear personal testimonies and concerns from residents of Southwest Detroit before sharing their plans to address the problems.
- The state is relaunching a resource guide for Michigan tribal communities. The Native American Resource Guide will be produced by the Department of Lifelong Education Advancement and Potential in partnership with Michigan State University’s Native American Institute. The guide will include a list of tribal, state and federal contacts, education, legal and health resources, scholarship opportunities, genealogical research tools and artwork from Native artists from Michigan. Print copies can be requested at nai@msu.edu.
- The Hamtramck Neighborhood Arts Festival is this weekend. The city’s creative community invites visitors to their home studios and front porches as well as to coffee shops, galleries and parks throughout the city. Organizers say the festival is meant to show that art is for everyone and that all are welcome. For more information visit hnaf.org.
- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed sightings of a small alligator roaming on Belle Isle. The agency says it doesn't know how the reptile got there, but it reminds people that releasing pets or wild animals on Belle Isle or other state parks is illegal and harmful to native creatures.
Flags at half-staff following Grand Blanc church attack
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered public buildings to fly flags at half-staff in memory of those who were killed in yesterday's attack at a church in Grand Blanc Township.
Police say a former Marine drove his truck through the doors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, started shooting at the hundreds of people worshiping inside, then set the building on fire. Police identify the killer as Thomas Sanford of Burton, a former Marine who served in Iraq.
Investigators say at least four people died and eight others were hurt.
Officers fatally shot the gunman in the parking lot. The FBI is leading the investigation, trying to find a motive.
Additional headlines from Monday, September 29, 2025
Arab Con
People from across the nation gathered for ArabCon this past weekend. The event was put on by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the largest Arab American grassroots civil rights organization in the U.S. The group hosts this annual convention as a way to promote cultural heritage, and bring together community leaders, activists, artists, and entrepreneurs.
United Way preparedness
United Way and Verizon are raising awareness for emergency preparedness as part of a community resiliency initiative. Marcus Coleman Jr. is the Vice President for Community Resiliency Strategy at United Way Worldwide. He says the organization was created in response to crisis and now there are 1,100 branches in 35 countries. Coleman says United Way is hosting workshops to teach people about preparedness. People can find out more about workshops and tips at unitedway.org/prepare.
Operation Warm
The national nonprofit Operation Warm manufactures and distributes coats and shoes to students in need at Title I, or low-income, elementary schools. Operation Warm has two gifting events coming up this year: one in Warren in October and one in Detroit in November. Families whose children attend a Title I school can ask their school to join the Operation Warm wishlist and stay in the know about upcoming distributions.
Michigan receives federal approval for revised EV charging plan
State to use $52 million in frozen funds to expand network
Michigan is moving forward with its revised electric vehicle charging plan after receiving federal approval. The US Department of Transportation approved the state’s plan under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, allocating $52 million remaining from an original $110 million. The Trump administration froze the $52 million in February.
One of the biggest challenges for electric vehicles is the limited number of charging stations. Michigan plans to fund a total of 83 stations. Two are already operational and four more are under construction. The rest are still being planned.
Read more from the Detroit News
More details from MDOT
Additional headlines
Detroit’s economic outlook shows steady growth
The city of Detroit held its regular biannual revenue estimating conference this week to review its economic outlook. State law requires these independent revenue conferences to be held in September and February each fiscal year.
The Detroit Economic Outlook for 2024–2030 projects that the city will see an increase in jobs, wages, and resident employment in the next five years. The forecast also shows moderate growth for payroll jobs, while Detroit wages are expected to outpace the state average.
Read the city’s full economic outlook
Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit highlights innovation
The City of Detroit is participating in the Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit this weekend. The event will feature competitions awarding $175,000 in funding for new tech ideas.
The three-day summit is hosted by the organization Black Tech Saturdays and will showcase innovation and economic mobility. It will also include pitch competitions and opportunities for Detroiters of all ages to explore the power of technology.
The city’s Office of Innovation and Technology will present Youth Tech Fest at the summit to introduce technology to the next generation.
Learn more at DetroitMI.gov
Follow the summit at Black Tech Saturdays
Detroit Lions and Tigers weekend matchups
The Detroit Lions had a commanding performance on Monday against the Baltimore Ravens, beating them 38–30. According to ESPN, the game was one of the most viewed Monday night matchups in the last 20 years. This Sunday, the Lions face the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field with kickoff at 1:00 p.m.
In Major League Baseball, the Detroit Tigers will face the Boston Red Sox this weekend. The Tigers are currently in second place in the American League Central and could move back to the top with a series win.
Detroit Fiber Festival returns Sunday
The Detroit Fiber Festival takes place this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event brings together fabric artists, makers, and vendors from across Metro Detroit. This year’s focus is sustainability in sourcing textiles and materials.
There will also be lectures and demonstrations on preservation, highlighting how period fabrics and textiles are used in costuming.
Learn more at Detroit Month of Design
Entrepreneur and lender match program announced
The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation announced a new platform that will match entrepreneurs with the best fitting lender.
The website is designed to help small businesses navigate financial options through partnerships with local Community Development Financial Institutions.
Applicants visit the website, submit the criteria for the type of loan and amount they need, and the algorithm will match them with the best lenders.
DEGC Senior Vice President Derrick Headd calls the hub a central command center for the city’s small business ecosystem. “One place where you can find financing options, technical assistance, and service organizations. Everything you need to have a thriving company.”
Lenders participating in the hub include ProsperUS, Detroit Development Fund, Invest Detroit and more.
Eligible applicants must be located in the city, have documented cash flow, and cannot be affiliated with any business prohibited by federal law.
Additional headlines for Thursday, September 25, 2025
Pastors seek high voter turnout this mayoral election
- A coalition of pastors is working to educate and mobilize their flocks to decide between City Council President Mary Sheffield and Reverend Solomon Kinloch. Al Williams leads Lift Every Voice and Vote Detroit. He admits its hard motivating voters in the city. “I think that the history of our mayoral elections, past two or three mayoral elections, have shown us that the excitement has gone down every single mayoral election. Yes, it has made it a challenge.”
- A proposed Detroit ordinance would require police to release body camera footage within 30 days of police shootings and other incidents including the use of non-lethal weapons like tasers, pepper spray, tear gas, bean bags and rubber bullets. Exceptions apply to footage captured during federal or state task force operations, footage prohibited by court order and footage determined to be prejudicial to a civil matter.
- The City of Detroit and the Detroit Public Library will be hosting the James Baldwin Sidewalk Libraries across the city. Detroit ACE and the Charles H. Wright Museum also partnered to launch the reading campaign. Boxes designed to help residents find or donate books by and about author James Baldwin will be placed in Detroit neighborhoods. The initiative completes the work started by artist Sabrina Nelson, whose landmark exhibit on Baldwin debuted last fall. The initiative is being launched during Black Reading Month in Detroit.
- The College for Creative Studies in Detroit is now offering a fashion business management degree. The degree will take 90 credits and just over three years to complete. Students will learn merchandising, styling, marketing strategy, brand development, trend forecasting, and fashion communications. No portfolio is required for admission.
Teachers' unions lobby while waiting for state budget
Michigan’s teachers’ unions will gather in Lansing Wednesday in an effort to get lawmakers to pass a budget.
The American Federation of Teachers-Michigan and Michigan Education Association “lobby day” happens just a week before the state deadline to pass a budget. Public schools, community colleges and public universities have started the academic year without information about their funding.
If the Republican House and Democratic Senate don’t agree on a budget by October 1, the state government could shut down.
AFT President Randi Weingarten will discuss state and federal education issues at a public education town hall at Eastpointe High School Monday. For more information visit aftmichigan.org.
Additional headlines for Tuesday, September 23, 2025
- Pulaski Elementary-Middle School in Detroit has had the biggest decrease in chronic absenteeism in the state, according to Chalkbeat Detroit. In a report released last week, 14 of the top 15 schools with the most success in addressing the problem were Detroit schools.
- The Arab American Chamber of Commerce Tejara Innovation Hub has opened applications for its Trailhead program. The 6-week course provides support for new and aspiring entrepreneurs with up to a thousand dollars in funding and $2500 in support services. Applications close October 7.
- Entrance to Michigan’s National Parks is free Saturday in honor of National Public Lands Day. River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe is the closest national park to Detroit.
- The Friends of Rouge Park are hosting the third annual Mountain Bike Ramble on October 11 from noon-5 p.m. The free event provides the equipment and instruction for youth and inexperienced riders.
Proposal seeks to improve representation on Dearborn's city council
The group Dearborn Wants Wards has been pushing for districted elections in Dearborn. The measure is now officially on the ballot as Proposal 1 in the general election in November.
Mona Mawari is a community organizer for the . She says the group had to go to court after submitting more than 8,000 signatures for the petition.
“To ensure that the the proposal was going to be on the ballot in November, we had followed up with the city multiple times and weren't getting a clear answer and a clear response.”
Mawari says Dearborn Wants Wards volunteers are campaigning door-to-door and organizing town halls and phone banks to spread the word about the measure. The group says districted elections would provide better representation for the city’s east and south sides.
Additional headlines from Monday, August 22, 2025
- ProsperUs Detroit and the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services or ACCESS are hosting a Neighborhood Business Lab in October. The team will provide business insights to area residents. The neighborhood lab takes place in two time slots: on October 1st from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. OR 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the ACCESS Hamtramck office, 9301 Joseph Campau Avenue in Hamtramck.
- Dearborn is creating a state-of-the-art children’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics or STEAM Center. It will be located at the city’s Esper Library at 12929 Warren Avenue.
- Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms, has appointed Captain Jamal Mickles as the Chief of the Detroit Fire Department Training Division. Mickles has 20 years of experience and takes over after Chief Alfie Green retired after 34 years with the Detroit Fire Department.
If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org.
Detroit Evening Report: Michigan jobless rate dips to 5.2%
Michigan unemployment rate drops slightly in August
Michigan’s monthly unemployment rate fell to 5.2 percent in August, according to a report from the Michigan Department of Technology. The shift reflects about 14,000 fewer people holding or seeking jobs. It also marks the fifth consecutive month that the state’s workforce has shrunk.
Wayne Rourke, Michigan Labor Market Information Director, says the drop is not necessarily a sign of improvement.
“While the number of unemployed people are decreasing, the number of employed is not going up. So, these people are just leaving the labor market and not looking for a job.”
Reasons for leaving the workforce include aging out, discouragement, and the cost of childcare keeping people at home.
Detroit Auto Show unveils 2026 anthem
The Detroit Auto Show has announced its 2026 anthem: My Drive, My City, My Show. The song will be written and performed by Detroit hip hop artist Gmac Cash.
Organizers say the track captures the spirit of the Motor City, where cars and culture are deeply connected.
The 2026 Detroit Auto Show takes place January 14–25 at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit. Learn more at detroitautoshow.com.
Waste to Wonder 2025 highlights design and sustainability
September is Detroit’s Month of Design. As part of the festivities, Ecosphere Organics is hosting an event called Waste to Wonder 2025: Art and Design in Action.
The outdoor block party and creative showcase will feature interactive installations made from repurposed food waste materials. Organizers say the event will celebrate community, art, and imagination.
The showcase will be held at Sanctuary Farms on Lakeview Street. Details are available at DetroitMonthofDesign.org.
Work in Progress Coworking Tour at Spotlite
On Wednesday, September 24, Spotlite will host the Work in Progress Coworking Tour.
The event is led by Amber Lewis, Chief Energy Officer of Visit Detroit, and is geared toward creatives and professionals looking to network or find collaborative spaces. Attendees can take part in advising sessions, LinkedIn and resume reviews, a happy hour, and more.
RSVP information is available on Spotlite Detroit’s Instagram.
Anti-violence advocate Eric Ford has died
Detroit anti-violence organizer Eric Ford died Monday. Ford was the founder of Detroit 300.
Police Chief Todd Bettison says Ford was a “massive voice” for Community Violence Intervention. Bettison called him a “superhero to his community” and said he will be truly missed.
Ford’s family says he died of natural causes. He was 58.
Additional headlines from Tuesday, September 16, 2025
- Duggan reports city budget surplus: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says the city is ending the fiscal year with a $60 million budget surplus. He is proposing City Council set aside a portion of that money for a Corporate Income Tax reserve. Federal spending cuts are expected to cause a shortage in the taxes collected from businesses in the city. And Duggan says tariffs have already caused a 50% drop in manufacturing income taxes.
- Michigan Central Drone Day is tomorrow. Organizers promise youth workshops,‘dronut launches from the roof and the longest commercial delivery flight in the city to date. The event will showcase a collaboration between Aerialoop, Newlab at Michigan Central, Airsapce Link and the state’s Office of Future of Mobility and Electrification and Department of Transportation.
- DCFC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month: The Detroit City Football Club is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a special ticket package that adds a themed DCFC shirt to a game ticket purchase. The Pablo’s Tacos Pack option gets 2 ticket holders into the club’s City Supporters section and a voucher good for 2 tacos and a drink from the Pablo’s Tacos Food Truck at Saturday’s game against Lexington SC. For more information and to buy tickets go to detcityfc.com.
Correction for recent Detroit Evening Report
Lastly… we reported earlier this month on the Carr Center’s exhibit "In the Life: Black Queerness – Looking Back, Moving Forward" presented by Mighty Real Queer Detroit. The exhibit spans a variety of media and features work from more than a dozen artists.
It is open through October 11th at the Carr Center location at 15 E Kirby Street. Our previous report directed listeners to the wrong Carr Center location. We apologize for the error.
If there’s something in your neighborhood you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org