Mayoral debate tonight, Gordie Howe Bridge updates

Detroit voters will have an opportunity to see the two candidates for mayor debate each other tonight.  City Council president Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch will take part in the televised event at the WXYZ-TV studios in Southfield. 

Michigan Chronicle Executive Editor Jeremy Allen says many Detroiters have already made up their minds about who they’re voting for. “It’s pretty clear that people are either for Mary Sheffield or for Solomon Kinloch.  And there are – there’s really no in-between.  And so, what I’m seeing from the community is folks who are invested in this race are fully invested on one side or the other, and there’s no in-between.”

Tonight’s debate will be broadcast on WXYZ-TV 7 at 7 p.m. and streamed online. Citizen Detroit will hold a debate watch party beginning at 6 p.m. at UFO Bar – that’s 2110 Trumbull in Detroit.   

Additional headlines from Wednesday, October 15, 2025

• The Detroit Free Press announced Tuesday that’s it’s endorsing City Council President Mary Sheffield to become Detroit’s next mayor.  The Free Press says she’s more qualified to hold the city’s top job. The Detroit News and Michigan Chronicle have also endorsed Sheffield for mayor.
• The Detroit Fire Department is adding new vehicles to its fleet.  The department is getting 10 new fire engines and 13 new ambulances.  There are also six new supervisory vehicles. The city’s total investment is $10.7 million.  
• A mural of civil rights activist Rosa Parks is being unveiled today at the Rosa Parks Transit Center. City officials say the mural is part of efforts to make improvements at the center.
• The opening of the Gordie Howe bridge between Detroit and Windsor has been delayed. The “Gordie” is now expected to open sometime early next year.
• Gas prices are falling in Metro Detroit. The average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded is now $2.87.  That’s down 13 cents from a week ago, and 30 cents cheaper than last month at this time. Industry analysts say lower prices are a result of reduced consumer demand and the annual switch to a winter blend of gasoline, which is cheaper to produce. 

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.