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.
Detroit Council Member Mary Waters has launched a write-in campaign for Michigan’s 13th congressional district.
Waters said in a statement that the people of Michigan deserve a representative who understands that public service is about delivering results, not chasing headlines. Her campaign focuses on lowering the cost of living, protecting seniors, and bringing critical federal resources back.
She originally launched a campaign last month but was disqualified for a lack of signatures.
Michigan overdose death rate has declined by 47% since 2021 according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. Preliminary data suggests overdose deaths have continued to decline for the fourth year in a row.
The department attributes the decline to strategic investments largely funded by opioid settlements prioritizing prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. The efforts include expanding harm reduction sites from 5 to 115 in 2025, and distributing over 1.8 million free naloxone kits, which resulted in nearly 34,000 reported overdose reversals.
Enrollment for Summer Discovery, a no cost summer learning program, is closing soon. Put on by United Way of Southeastern Michigan and the Ballmer group, Summer Discovery connects students entering kindergarten through 10th grade with learning and enrichment opportunities. Spots are still available at Detroit Public Schools Community District sites, Detroit Police Athletic league, Brilliant Detroit and more.
The program is open to all students across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. To apply visit summerdiscoverymi.org.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging is families to check their children’s toy boxes for Orb Funkee Monkee squeeze toys. The toy has been recalled because they may be filled with sand contaminated by asbestos.
The recall is for toys purchased from Walmart or Ollie’s Bargain Outlet stores between February 2025 and April 2026. Asbestos comes from minerals that create thin fibers when they crystallize and pose a human health risk when they enter the air.
As of June 18, the state health department had not received any reports of illness or injuries tied to these toys.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks is asking community members to fill out a survey to provide feedback about some of their parks. That includes the Lake St. Clair, Stoney Creek and Wolcott Mill Metroparks. It’s part of an effort to update their Park Master Plans to guide future projects, investments and facilities improvements.
The surveys are open until Wednesday, July 15.
The Jews of Color Initiative is hosting a national listening tour across the U.S., with a stop in Detroit next week. The organization aims to increase awareness of regional experiences and foster conversations about racial equity within the Jewish community.
CEO Ilana Kaufman says the tour is an effort to center the voices and experiences of Jews of Color while also hearing from community members and understanding local needs.
"Detroit is one of those smaller communities for us where we know that the community has a sense of connection, an ability to transcend or at least set aside conflict in service of not only interracial and cross-racial relationships, but also relationships across faiths."
The Detroit session will take place from 6-8 p.m. June 25. More information is available through the Jews of Color Initiative.
More information: https://thejoci.org/event/joci-national-listening-tour-detroit/
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is promoting resources during Gun Violence Awareness Month, including its Injury and Violence Dashboard, which provides data on violence trends across the state.
According to MDHHS, gun violence injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States among people ages 1 to 44. They are also the leading cause of death among children and adolescents.
MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel says the dashboards help communities, leaders and policymakers identify where additional work is needed to improve public safety.
The state also offers free gun locks at more than 100 locations across Michigan through Project ChildSafe, a program supported by the Michigan State Police.
More information is available at Michigan.gov.
The City of Detroit is hosting a Skilled Trades Task Force meeting this week to connect residents with employment opportunities and tuition-free apprenticeship programs.
The meeting will take place from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, at the Adam Butzel Complex in Detroit. Residents can also participate via Zoom.
More information: https://detroitmi.gov/events/skilled-trades-task-force-meeting-june-17-2026
The City of Detroit is hosting a meeting for retirees to share information and gather feedback from residents.
The City of Detroit Retirees Task Force hybrid meeting will take place from 1-3 p.m. June 18 at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center and on Zoom. The meeting is hosted by Councilmember-at-Large Mary Waters and Councilmember Denzel McCampbell.
https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/82953432101

State and federal agencies have announced $10 million in funding to support restoration efforts in the Detroit River.
The funding comes from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through Michigan's Make It in Michigan Competitive Fund. It is also part of the Great Lakes Legacy Act, a bipartisan cost-share program focused on addressing contamination in the Great Lakes.
EGLE Director Phil Roos says the Detroit River is an important natural resource and restoring it remains a priority.
The Detroit River was designated an Area of Concern in 1987 because of industrial pollution, untreated wastewater and stormwater runoff. EGLE and the EPA have been working to address contamination in the river since 2012.
Southgate’s Pride celebration is back on thanks to The Library Network, a library cooperative based in Novi. The celebration was canceled after Southgate city officials decided not to pay for a vendor at the event, stating the city should not be used to pay for social or political advocacy activities. So, the Library Network offered to pay the vendor instead.
The event is scheduled for 2-3 p.m. on Saturday at Southgate’ s Veterans Memorial Library, located at 14680 Dix Toledo Road.
Southgate’s event comes about a week after Madison Heights City Council reversed its decision to cancel its Drag Queen Storytime event during its Pride Week celebrations.
Cooling Centers are opening across Detroit to give residents a break from the heat.
High temperatures are known to pose health risks. Chief Public Health Officer and Director Ali Abazeed says these centers are an effective solution to keep at-risk residents healthy.
"Folks in Detroit, especially our vulnerable populations.... if they don't have access to some of the critical infrastructure that we know is helpful in keeping and preventing extreme heat related health outcomes, then we want folks to know that these cooling centers are available. They're open and we want our residents to take advantage of them."
Detroit's cooling centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. on weekends. They are open to anyone.
Detroit’s Healthy Home Resource Day – HOPE event is coming earlier this year.
On Saturday, qualified residents can apply for Homeowners Property Exemption program to receive up to 100% property tax exemption. The exemption is given based on the homeowner’s income.
Those who make an appointment can get a free ride to and from any HOPE event. The next event is Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Samaritan Center on 5555 Connor Ave.
The Detroit Land Bank is hosting the first-ever Developers Conference focused on infill development opportunities.
Infill development is the process of building on vacant lots in established neighborhoods. The Detroit Land Bank currently owns 56,000 parcels of vacant land and is working to return them to productive use.
Attendees will learn about development opportunities, financing resources, permitting processes and more. The event is June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield launches a new summer recreation program for kids today. It's part of her response to recent teen takeovers downtown, and it's supposed to give them something creative to do.
More than 1,500 young people have registered for the Occupy The Summer activities, which include late night basketball games and longer hours at nine recreation centers. The city will give away 700 bicycles this afternoon.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority abruptly canceled festivities planned for the Gordie Howe Bridge ribbon cutting tomorrow.
Windsor Detroit Bridge officials said that the US and Canada have agreed to push back the opening of the span in order to take, “the necessary time to resolve outstanding issues”. The statement did not say what those issues are.
President Trump has planned to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge saying that he wants the bridge crossing to be a better deal for the US. Bridge officials haven’t clarified whether the construction of the span is complete.
Local nonprofit Healing Choices is hosting a charity event on Sunday June 14 to support domestic violence survivors. It’s the Healing Choices Charity Car Show at Metro Beach featuring classic cars, hotrods, muscle cars and more.
The Detroit Police Department will be at the event to showcase some of their vehicles. And The organization will also provide resources to survivors.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $10 per ticket and can be purchased at the park entrance.
FIFA
Detroit City FC AND the El Paso Locomotive FC tied yesterday 1-1. Before the game the rain was non stop at the Keyworth Stadium but they were still able to have their match. Their next game is Saturday June 13 at 7 p.m.
Also the Fifa World Cup starts today with co-host Mexico playing the opener in Mexico City against South Africa.
The United States plays their first game against Paraguay tomorrow at 9 p.m. EST at the Los Angeles stadium in Inglewood.
MLB
The Tigers lost against the Minnesota Twins yesterday 6-4. We’ll have the results of today’s tie breaker game of this three game series on tomorrow’s DER.
NBA
Last night, NBA history was made. The New Knicks had the largest finals comeback in history after erasing a 29 point deficit yesterday against the San Antonio Spurs.
Final score was 107-106.
And last but not least, to celebrate America’s 250th year the Henry Ford Museum is showcasing 250 acres of special programming, new exhibitions, exciting events and more to highlight the history of American innovation.
Some of the exhibits will be:
Wayne State University has announced the inaugural director of its Detroit Center for Black Studies. Dr. Richard D. Benson comes from the University of Pittsburgh where he was an associate professor. His work has focused on the Black radical tradition in education. The university cites Benson’s work as an examination of the intersections of Black intellectual traditions, education, activism, and social movements.
The Detroit Center for Black Studies, it says, is being established to “create an interdisciplinary… Detroit-rooted center for scholarship, teaching and public engagement that reflects both the richness of Black Studies and the unique intellectual context” of the city.
One of the companies contracted to build arrays for Detroit's Solar Neighborhoods program has been sold. The city is looking to DTE Energy to take over.
The company Lightstar was contracted to build 63 acres of solar fields in the Gratiot/Findlay and State Fair Neighborhoods for phase one of the project and 19 acres in the Houston-Whittier/Hayes neighborhood for phase two.
Detroit Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives Trish Stein told city council that tax credits for the project are scheduled to expire by July 4, so a decision needs to be made soon. "You heard it today, the residents came and they talked to you about some have got their energy efficiency upgrades, some have not. Ninety-seven of those 209 homeowners have not had their energy efficiency. They have been waiting for over a year."
Stein says DTE is ready now to take over the project. Lightstar was expected to start construction early this year.
Officials will cut the ribbon on the new Gordie Howe International Bridge in southwest Detroit on Friday. The Detroit News and the Free Press cited sources with knowledge of the plans who did not want to be identified.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority would not confirm the reports but said it expects to open the bridge for traffic soon.
Trump threatened to block the opening unless Canada agreed to share toll revenue with the United States. Canada paid for construction and co-owns the bridge with the state of Michigan.
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told a Senate panel that Customs and Border Protection agents are ready to go.
-Reporting by Pat Batcheller
A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks Michigan worst in the Midwest for overall child wellbeing. The Kids Count Data Book bases its scores on education, health, economic wellbeing and other factors.
The data come mostly from 2024, meaning the impact of some recent steps the state has taken don’t show up.
-Reporting Colin Jackson/MPRN
Arab Americans for Progress, Pluto Press and Source Booksellers are bringing a conversation about media bias and Palestine to the Arab American National Museum Thursday. Adam Johnson, author of the book “How to Sell a Genocide” will speak with moderator Bilal Baydoun.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to register on Eventbrite.
A Dearborn park will be the home of a new visual art project depicting the children of Gaza. The City of Dearborn, Jewish Voice for Peace-Detroit, the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, and ACCESS present this “Wall of Tears” artwork to the community.
Artist Phil Buehler created the 100 foot long, 7.5 ft tall outdoor mural that includes the names, ages and stories of over 18,000 children who were killed in Gaza since October 2023. An opening night event will be held for the exhibition on Thursday, June 11 at the Dearborn PEACE Park East from 5-7 p.m.
The Wall of Tears has previously been displayed in cities around the world, including New York and San Francisco. New murals will also be built in Mexico City, Dallas and Portland.
Another installation called “Gaza City” will be displayed at the Henry Ford Centennial Library on Saturday, June 13 at 2 p.m. That installation will also be presented by Jewish Voice for Peace-Detroit and the U.S. Palestinian Community Network.
The event will feature a screening of "The Voice of Hind Rajab " and speakers including Huwaida Arraf, a civil rights lawyer who recently joined the Freedom Flotilla. This installation is a collaboration between Phil Buehler and Palestinian photojournalist Shroug Alaiya.
The Michigan House voted last week to revive the requirement that kids learn to read within one grade level by third grade or risk repeating a year in school.
Republican supporters argue its necessary to address the state’s lagging reading scores. Many educators counter that holding kids back a grade does nothing to improve their reading.
Democratic Representative John Fitzgerald says teachers need more resources to improve literacy. “We want to give educators and those around kids the tools that they need to give students the best opportunity for success, and just telling kids you have to read at third grade reading is not going to do it. It’s the resources and we want the result of that policy.”
State lawmakers repealed Michigan’s third-grade reading law a couple of years ago when Democrats controlled the Legislature.
-Reporting by Colin Jackson
The state corrections department says an inmate at the Huron Valley women’s prison died Saturday morning. The Detroit Free Press reports that Ashley Hoath fell ill and was taken to an emergency room, where her condition worsened, and life-saving measures failed. Hoath was serving time for killing her boyfriend in 2017.
She’s the third Huron Valley inmate to die in less than a month. The state is investigating the other two deaths.
-Reporting Pat Batcheller
The City of Hamtramck is hosting a town hall meeting today. The meeting is to help residents understand their water bill structure. City representatives will discuss changes that are taking place. Arabic and Bangla translators will be available. The town hall is scheduled for June 8 at 7 p.m. People can also watch the meeting at the City of Hamtramck YouTube page.
The Madison Heights City Council voted to cut “Drag Queen Story Time” from their Pride festival days before the event. The story time event would have featured drag queen performer Jadein Black reading books to children during the city’s celebrations.
Council members voted 4-3 to cancel it, due to concerns about the “appropriateness” of a drag queen reading to children.
Black told Fox 2 she was surprised the city canceled the program. Black says instead she will be performing a drag queen story time this weekend at Sidetrack in Ypsilanti.
A new 20,000 square foot hangar opened at the Coleman A. Young International Airport on Detroit’s east side Wednesday.
It’s the first new facility to open at the airport in 60 years.
Mayor Mary Sheffield says it’s the start of many investments in store for the airport. “We are continuing major investments into our airport, including runway and taxi upgrades, safety enhancements, the upcoming My Flight helicopter tour facility in the new Benjamin Davis Aerospace Academy that will be opening this fall.”
The new hangar was planned, designed, and built by Avflight. The company has operated at the city airport since 2011.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District says nearly 84% of high schoolers were paid for attendance this year. That’s roughly 12,800 students who received at least one $100 visa gift card for showing up to class everyday between January and May this year.
District officials say absenteeism decreased by 10 percentage points this school year compared to 2023-24 before the incentive program began. The district launched the initiative last year as part of an effort to curb chronic absenteeism.
Friday is National Donut Day, and Detroit staple Dutch Girl Donuts is celebrating by offering free donuts at its new second location in New Center.
Customers can receive two free donuts while supplies last from 8-10 a.m. at its location on 2820 E. Grand Boulevard.
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit targeting a millage proposal on the August primary ballot that would prevent Wayne County communities from opting out of the SMART bus system.
The group Not SMART Wayne filed the suit, claiming the Wayne County Transit Authority did not follow disclosure and notice requirements before placing the millage on the ballot. The judge dismissed the case for insufficient evidence.
Matthew Wilk is an organizer of Not SMART Wayne. He says the battle is not over. “So we are going to fight this at the ballot box. We’re going to make sure everybody knows exactly what they’re doing. I think it is wholly inappropriate to have a tax, a special double tax on Detroiters. It’s 650,000 Detroiters and we’re going to let the world know about it.”
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans applauded the judge’s decision. Evans says expanding the SMART bus system will provide an affordable alternative, especially when Detroiters are dealing with high gas prices. Voters will see the millage proposal on the August 4 ballot.
-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley
The city of Dearborn has launched a new unit to stop aggressive driving. The city says the unit will watch for driving behaviors that may cause accidents and threaten the public’s safety.
The Dearborn police department has acquired three Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles for the special unit. Those cars will be able to more easily blend in with normal traffic.
The city says police officers issued more than 33,000 traffic citations last year.
Metro Detroit gas prices are trending downward despite continued hostilities in the Middle East.
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular in the area is now $4.28. That’s down 29 cents per gallon from last week at this time.
Analysts say talk of a possible peace deal has helped push prices lower. But the U.S. and Iran have both launched strikes in recent days – and there’s no clear word on when the situation might be resolved.
The vital Strait of Hormuz remains closed to commercial ship traffic. Twenty percent of the world’s crude oil typically passes through that waterway.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District will demolish Cooley High School this summer. That’s according to reporting by Bridge Detroit and Historic Detroit. The high school was originally built in 1928 and closed in 2010.
There were efforts to save the building. The non-profit Life Remodeled had offered in 2023 to purchase the site from the district, but that offer was rejected.
And the Michigan Department of Education is looking to recognize teachers for their hard work.
The Teacher of the Year program was created to acknowledge the achievements of educators in the state. Anyone can nominate a teacher using the form on the state Department of Education website until September 23.
The winner of the award will be announced in the spring.
Detroit Police want to extend their contract with ShotSpotter before it expires at the end of the month. But as WDET's Bre' Anna Tinsley reports, DPD officials tell city council they're searching for alternatives to the technology.
Detroit City Council has expressed concerns about ShotSpotter's surveillance tech in the past and they have questions about the effectiveness and security of the system.
DPD Officer Mathew Pencil frequently responds to ShotSpotter incidents in the city's ninth precinct.
He told council members that hearing gunfire is so common in the city, that sometimes residents won't even call 911. "Sometimes residents are afraid. Sometimes they can't tell where they came from, or they assume someone else will call. ShotSpotter doesn't hesitate, it doesn't panic, it doesn't look away. It alerts immediately, and it gives the chance to intervene while seconds matter on the street."
Pencil says ShotSpotter's surveillance is the reason police responded after 66 shots were fired in one neighborhood on the night of August 17, 2025, minutes before anyone called 911.
The city's Public Health and Safety Committee voted to postpone a decision on the contract until next week in order to hear from residents first.
-Reporting by Bre'Anna Tinsley
About a thousand UAW members went on strike at the Dauch Corporation factory in Three Rivers Monday. Dauch is the company once known as American Axle. The Three Rivers plant is the company’s largest in Michigan. It makes axles for General Motors.
The union says Dauch is refusing to restore fair wages after the workers took cuts during the Great Recession. UAW President Shawn Fain kicked off the strike with a video saying “no contract…no axles."
The Detroit News reports the strike could disrupt production of pickup trucks in Flint if it goes on for more than a couple of weeks.
This weekend, you might want to pop into Detroit’s first ever Pheasant Flock Party. Brewery Faison and the Detroit Bird Alliance are co-hosting the event Saturday where Michiganders and Michigeese can partake in a bird festival block party.
There will be a bird impersonation pageant, a “crow-off," bird-themed workshops and games, a “pheasant strut” (as one does) and a meet and greet with Fabio the Pheasant.
The Pheasant Flock Party is Saturday from noon until 6 p.m. at Brewery Faison at 1087 Beaufait Street on the city’s east side.
Vault of Midnight hosts its monthly game night Sunday in Hamtramck. This month’s featured games include Wondrous Creatures, High Society Yokai Carnival, some tiny games and more.
Detroit Vault of Midnight Game Night is every first Sunday from 5 - 8 p.m. at Florian East Lagers and Ales at 9350 Joseph Campau in Hamtramck.
The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) automatically registers eligible people to vote if they apply for or renew a state ID or license as of 2019. Now voters can opt out of registration if they choose.
In 2018, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment to automatically register those applying for a state ID and drivers license. Now they will also receive mail notifying them of the registration. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for preregistration or registration.
The new changes add an option to opt out by mail with a pre-stamped, pre-addressed envelope from the MDOS. Voters can also send a written request to their city or township clerk to cancel their registration.
The City of Detroit is hosting a community conversation to improve access to services for people who are deaf, blind or hard of hearing. The “Building Barriers & Building Bridges” event will focus on improving access and inclusion in the city.
Presenters include Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, the Ombudsman for the City of Detroit; Jade E. Matthis, the Director of Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity; and Christopher Samp, the Director of the Office of Disability Affairs.
The event takes place Tuesday, June 2 from 5-7 p.m. at the Wayne County Community College District NW Campus. That’s 8200 W. Outer Drive, Detroit, Michigan.
An American Sign Language Interpreter will be available. Light refreshments will be served.
The Michigan Chronicle is hosting an event on mental health for Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. The Safe Space: How to Support Black Men’s Mental Health panel will feature Black community leaders. Practitioners will also share resources and lead a guided meditation. Joseph Williams, Head of Content at Word in Black, will moderate the event.
Speakers include Dr. Jason Phillips, a therapist and life coach; Brian Sims, a healthcare entrepreneur and community organizer; and Senbi Akau Spruill, a meditation leader. The event will be held virtually on June 3 from 6-7:15 p.m.
Gesher Human Services is hosting free homeownership classes next week. It’s part of National Homeownership Month. The Homeownership Empowerment Week is a series of classes from June 8-12 to guide potential and current homeowners on purchasing and managing homeownership.
The first class is in person at the Gesher headquarters building at 29699 Southfield Road in Southfield, Michigan. People can sign up for a 30 minute slot to get a free credit report with a financial education counselor between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The rest of the classes will be held on Zoom between June 9-12 at noon.
Detroit has a 54% homeownership rate, which is 9% less than the national average. Gesher Financial Education Manager Laltsha Cunnigham says June is a great time to access homeowner resources. She says the courses are aimed to quote, “make home ownership a reality for more families.”
The City of Detroit offers up to $25,000 in down payment for pre-paid or closing cost assistance when people purchase a home through $9 million in funds from the Community Development Block Grant and the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief.
Gesher courses will cover debt management, the path to ownership, and what to do if homeowners default on their mortgage. Classes will be taught by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certified homebuyer education counselors.
To register, visit geshermi.org/events or call 248-233-4299.
If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Editor's note: Corrections on the timeline of automatic registration, the mandated notification of automatic registration and opt-out process have been made to text but are not reflected in the broadcast version of this podcast. We apologize for the error.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer turned heads this week when she said she will not run for president in 2028.
Speaking with Fox 2's Roop Raj at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference, Whitmer said she plans to take time off after her tenure as governor ends.
"I'm looking forward to taking a break...there is time until 2028. There will be a robust group running for president. I will not be one of them."
Later in the day, during a conversation with Tricia A. Keith, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Whitmer clarified her remarks.
"I never knew I would run for governor. I should know better. Never say never."
Whitmer said she does not want to be distracted by speculation about future political plans and remains focused on governing through the end of her term in November.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation on Mackinac Island earmarking $152 million in state funding for improvements at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
The funding is intended to prepare the base for new F-15EX fighter aircraft announced by President Donald Trump in 2025.
Whitmer said the investment was made possible through bipartisan cooperation.
"We secured the KC-46 tanker mission thanks to President Biden...last year we secured the F-15EX fighter mission thanks to President Trump. Together these missions will lock in Selfridge's future."
The governor said the base supports 5,000 families through jobs and emphasized the economic impact of the investment.
Tigers open series against White Sox
The Detroit Tigers begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox this weekend.
The Tigers remain near the bottom of the American League Central standings and are looking to gain ground with a strong showing in Chicago.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Detroit City FC faces Charleston Battery
Detroit City FC travels to South Carolina this weekend for a USL Championship Eastern Conference matchup against the Charleston Battery.
The clubs last met March 28, when Detroit earned a 1-0 victory at Keyworth Stadium behind a strong defensive performance.
Saturday's match will be played at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Detroit to host transportation technology conference
Detroit will host transportation leaders from across the country during the Intelligent Transportation Society of America Conference and Expo, taking place June 9-12 at Huntington Place.
Organizers expect more than 3,000 public- and private-sector transportation professionals and 170 exhibitors to attend the annual event.
The conference will feature more than 100 sessions focused on real-world deployment of intelligent transportation systems, including artificial intelligence, automated vehicles and connected mobility solutions.
More information is available at ITSAmericaEvents.com.
The Detroit Parks Coalition is expanding its We Walk Detroit program. The group will take one-hour walks multiple times a week starting in June at parks across the city. It’s part of a larger slate of free, all-ages programming focused on wellness and recreation.
The coalition is made up of several park organizations, including the Belle Isle Conservancy, Chandler Park Conservancy, Clark Park Coalition and Friends of Rouge Park. Some programming is aimed at providing safe, free activities for youth during the summer.
For more information about events, visit detroitparkscoalition.com/events.
A new food pantry is coming to Detroit next month. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced it is moving its On-the-Go pop-up food distribution center in Wayne County to its MDHHS office in Detroit to improve accessibility for residents.
The department hosts the food pantries in partnership with Forgotten Harvest. Residents will be able to schedule appointments. Culturally appropriate food options are offered when available, including halal and kosher foods.
For more information about dates and times the pop-ups will be open, visit forgottenharvest.org.
The general manager of the new Detroit Professional Women’s Hockey League team, Manon Rheaume, says she’s excited and focused ahead of the league’s draft next month.
“The draft class this year is going to be unbelievable. The number of players that’s going to be ready to play right away in the league is incredible,” she said.
Detroit is hosting the event June 17 at Little Caesars Arena.
Rheaume was the first woman to sign a professional hockey contract and play in an NHL game. She represented Canada on two gold medal-winning International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship teams and the silver medal-winning team at the 1998 Olympics. She performed the ceremonial puck drop at the PWHL’s first game at Little Caesars Arena in 2024.
Rheaume named Westland native Josh Sciba head coach. Sciba has been the assistant coach for the PWHL’s New York Sirens.
The group Muslim Youth Connection is hosting the 313 Bazaar on May 31 from noon to 5 p.m. More than 70 vendors will sell handmade art, jewelry, Islamic items, clothing and more.
The event will take place at the Islamic Institute of America Mosque, located at 700 N. Beech Daly Road in Dearborn Heights.
For more information, visit Muslim Youth Connection’s Instagram page at @mycmedia.
According to AAA Michigan, about 1.3 million state residents will hit the roads this weekend. The auto group says this is the second highest state number on record for the holiday weekend. This follows a national trend, with estimates setting up a new national record, topping last year’s numbers by 1%.
To avoid peak travel times, AAA suggests travelling between 9 p.m. on Thursday and 11 a.m. on Friday. Those traveling on Sunday will have little to no traffic, but those traveling on Monday will get the worst of it between noon and 5 p.m.
Memorial Day Weekend travel is costing more across the country this year on average due to rising gas prices. The increase is connected to the War in Iran and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. This year, gas prices average $4.74 per gallon in Michigan. Last year the average was $3.13.
Local Catholic church members are bracing for change as the Archdiocese of Detroit begins a restructuring process.
According to a report from the Detroit News, about 22 churches could potentially no longer hold weekend masses in the foreseeable future. These changes could be connected to finances and dwindling church attendance.
Listening sessions across the archdiocese are expected to take place this spring and early summer to consider plans.
MLB
The Tigers are facing a 6-game losing streak as face the Baltimore Orioles this weekend. Detroit is at the bottom of the American League Central and hopes to turn things with a three-game series against the Orioles.
First pitch for tonight’s game is at 7:15 p.m. at Oriole Park in Baltimore.
Soccer
Detroit City FC is facing Loudoun United FC tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. Detroit has won their last two games and hopes to get their third victory tomorrow. The faceoff will take place at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia.
Final Four ticket lottery
The Final Four is coming to Detroit and here is your chance to get some tickets. There is a lottery system you can enter for an application fee of $25. Fans who apply will be charged up front for the number of tickets they are requesting. You can only get up to 4 tickets. The available tickets are in the upper bowl at Ford Field and cost about $400 each.
The deadline to enter the lottery is Sunday, May 31. Winners will be notified in the Fall.
NBA
And I know the NBA season is over, but there is news heading into the 2026-2027 season.
The Pistons announced that they’ve reached a new television rights agreement with Scripps Sports. This move brings Pistons basketball to over‑the‑air television for fans throughout Michigan. The Pistons and Scripps Sports plan to collaborate on a direct-to-consumer streaming application in the future.
It’s Memorial Day Weekend so there is Movement in Detroit. The longest-running electronic dance music event in the world return for its 20th year.
From Saturday to Monday, you have access to witness more than 115 artists perform on a variety of stages. Many performances and set pieces have been curated in order to celebrate the twenty years of existence. Three day VIP passes are sold out but single day, VIP and general admission passes are still available.
For more details go to movementfestival.com.
Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has dropped out of the race to become Michigan’s next governor.
Duggan wrote in a letter posted to his campaign website that unified anger over the war in Iran and rising gas prices made it difficult to continue his pitch for unified and bipartisan leadership. He also said he was unable to build “serious national fundraising support.”
Duggan entered the race as an independent. A recent poll by the Detroit Regional Chamber showed him polling in third place.
Teen takeovers are taking place across the country, and one in Detroit ended in the shooting of a 14-year-old boy Sunday.
City officials have responded with stricter curfews and community outreach. But one police commissioner says that approach is not working.
District 3 Police Commissioner Darius Morris is criticizing Mayor Mary Sheffield’s approach to the teen takeovers in downtown Detroit.
After the first teen gathering in April, Sheffield held a news conference with organizers, touting a partnership with the teens to find more appropriate recreational activities.
Morris says when he spoke with organizers of more recent takeovers, he discovered Sheffield’s plan had an unexpected result.
“So I contacted him. I said, ‘Hey, what’s up with what are you doing involved in this? I taught you better than that. Why are you engaged in this?’ And he said, ‘Well, we’re doing it because we’re trying to get exposure and we’re trying to meet the mayor and do a TikTok video like the first group of people did,’” Morris said.
Morris says city officials and police are being forced to do the job parents should be doing, and he wants to see parents take more responsibility for the whereabouts of their children.
A federal judge has closed Detroit’s bankruptcy case, ending almost 13 years of court supervision.
The ruling comes as the city makes final payments to unsecured creditors totaling about $10 million.
Detroit filed for Chapter 9 protection in 2013. The process allowed the city to shed about $7 billion in debt and restructure another $3 billion.
Mayor Mary Sheffield thanked the city’s financial and legal teams, as well as retirees who went about 10 years without pension payments. The city resumed those payments four years ago.
Visitors to Belle Isle will notice traffic pattern changes underway.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced traffic pattern changes and a new two-way bike lane on the island. The changes were recommended in the 2025 Belle Isle Park multimodal mobility plan.
Central Avenue will transition to two-way traffic from Picnic Way to Portage Way.
Central Avenue’s scenic route through the flatwoods will flip from eastbound to westbound to help ease traffic congestion near the beach area.
A new dedicated two-way bicycle track will loop around the perimeter of the island, allowing cyclists to circle the entire island without crossing vehicle traffic lanes.
Construction on the changes has already started. The project is expected to be completed by the first week of June.
Severe storms raced through metro Detroit Tuesday, bringing strong winds, heavy rains and even hail. Streets throughout Detroit were left with large puddles, causing drivers to avoid them. Wind gusts knocked down trees and broke limbs in some places.
The canopy of a gas station on Detroit’s west side was knocked over by the winds, forcing its closure. The Mobil station at Plymouth and Hubbell remains out of operation today.
Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters announced last month that she was running for Congress in Michigan’s 13th District. She made the announcement just before the filing deadline. But Waters has now been disqualified from running for failing to gather sufficient petition signatures.
Waters tried to run for the job in 2024, but came in second to incumbent Shri Thanedar in that year’s Democratic primary. She was re-elected to Detroit City Council last year.
Congressman Thanedar is running against State Representative Donovan McKinney in this year’s August primary election.
Politicians, industry leaders and philanthropists are making last-minute preparations for the Mackinac Policy Conference. They’ll travel to Mackinac Island next week to network, discuss policy and learn from one another.
The annual event is held by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Speakers will include Governor Gretchen Whitmer, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Professor Cornel West. There will also be a debate between the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate.
You can hear coverage of the Mackinac Policy Conference on WDET beginning Tuesday, May 26.
Metro Detroit gas prices have fallen slightly in the past few days, but are still nearly two dollars per gallon higher than they were at the beginning of this year. The average price for a gallon of self-serve unleaded in the area is now $4.74. That’s down eight cents from a week ago.
Motorists planning to head out on the road for the Memorial Day holiday weekend should still plan for prices that remain near $5 per gallon. AAA says Michigan is one of the 10 most expensive states when it comes to gas right now.
The NAACP is calling on college athletes to boycott southern schools in response to a Supreme Court decision impacting the Voting Rights Act. NBC News reports the civil rights organization launched the “Out of Bounds” campaign this week.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled recently that using race to create two majority Black Congressional districts in Louisiana was unconstitutional.
The NAACP is asking Black recruits to withhold their commitments to attend certain colleges, most of which are in the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference. The boycott could have a financial effect via national sports television deals, ticket sales and alumni gifts.
A former Detroit Police sergeant accused of raping six women and girls will stand trial. The Detroit Free Press reports Benjamin Wagner faces 20 charges, including criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping.
Prosecutors allege that he committed the crimes between 1999 and 2003, attacking females ranging from 14 to 23 years old. He was charged in March, based on DNA evidence from a rape kit that sat in storage for years. The survivors testified against Wagner at his preliminary hearing.
His lawyer argued some of their stories had changed over the years. A judge ruled that enough evidence exists to let a jury decide.
The Department of Homeland Security wants to end Temporary Protected Status for Burmese refugees. TPS allows those fleeing dangerous conditions in their home country to live and work in the U.S.
TPS status was granted when the U.S. declared the mass killings of the Rohingya people a decade ago to be genocide. A federal judge postponed the effort to end Temporary Protected Status for Burmese refugees. DHS claimed conditions were safe enough for refugees to return.
The city currently has a backlog of 6,300 sidewalk repair requests. Some residents have been waiting up to five years for a response.
Detroit City Council approved an $8 million contract two weeks ago to fix the sidewalks and allocated an additional $1.5 million in carry-over funds from the previous budget.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield says when she was on city council, she constantly received questions about sidewalk repairs. "Oftentimes I think we think about big developments and big investments that residents want and deserve in their neighborhoods, but it's also about simple quality of life things like lights and sidewalks that residents deserve to get addressed."
Officials say the backlog should be cleared by the end of this construction season. The city is now taking requests for 2027.
-Reporting by Bre'Anna Tinsley
Monsanto and the state of Michigan have reached a settlement to help pay for cleaning up PCB contamination.
PCBs are a class of chemicals that had a wide range of industrial uses before they were banned. They're linked to cancer, weakened immune systems and neurological disfunction, among other things.
PCBs are particularly troublesome because they persist in the environment and build up in the food chain. For example, the state has had to issue advisories warning people not to eat certain types of fish because of contamination.
Attorney General Dana Nessel says Monsanto has agreed to pay somewhere between $108 million and $240 million once the settlement is paid in full. As part of the deal, Monsanto does not acknowledge any wrongdoing.
It will be up to the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the Department of Natural Resources to develop cleanup plans.
-Reporting by Rick Pluta
Local governments in Michigan are sitting on $176 million from the nationwide opioid settlement. The attorney general's office reports that cities, townships, and counties have spent less than 20% of the money they've received since checks started going out in 2023. The funds are supposed to help communities reduce drug overdoses and deaths. An adviser to the Michigan Association of Counties tells Bridge Michigan some local governments are preparing to spend part of that money this year.
Last year, Michigan recorded the fewest drug-related deaths since 2013.
Hamtramck is hosting an Eid gathering next weekend for Eid Al-Adha. There will be rides, food and shopping vendors. Organized by community leaders. The festival will take place from May 28-31 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Keyworth Stadium.
The City of Detroit is hosting a Skilled Trades Task Force meeting. The meeting is for those who are interested in building in Detroit. People can also learn more about how to apply for tuition free apprenticeship programs. The meeting will be held on May 20 from 4-6 p.m. at the Farwell Recreation Center. That’s located at 2711 Outer Drive E, Detroit, MI 48234.
The Hamtramck based studio D’Artillery is hosting a fashion show. The Behind the Seams showcase is a celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month. The women-only event features clothes and accessories made by women in the sewing training program.
The fashion showcase will be Saturday June 13 from 5-8 p.m. at 9528 Joseph Campau, in Hamtramck.
The City of Dearborn is launching its Spring Sweep. This is a joint effort by the city and residents to clean their properties. The city will be doing inspections on tall grass and overgrowth, trash and unauthorized storage or placement of items on lawns. Residents are asked to clean their properties from leaf accumulation or debris.
The city says violations are not tickets, but residents must inform the city when corrections have been made. The city’s code enforcement is refining its process. For more information visit Dearborn.gov/Property.
A creative new learning space is coming to Detroit’s District 5. The name of the space is Kraftologie and it is a place for inclusive, hands-on crafting.
Owner Trice Clark is able to bring her vision to life because of a $100,000 grant from the Comerica Hatch Detroit contest by Tech Town. Hatch Detroit is an organization that supports small businesses and encourages residents to vote on what businesses they want in their neighborhood. Clark beat out three other finalists in the May 13 Hatch-Off that followed weeks of public voting and live pitches from the four finalists. More than 30,000 votes were cast in this year’s competition.
This contest has been going on for more than 15 years and past winners included dining restaurant Baobab Fare, Sister Pie and Batch Brewing Company. For more information go to hatchdetroit.com.
The former Lewis College of Business campus was reborn into a senior housing community. The long vacant landmark located on Detroit’s northwest side is now the Dr. Violet T Lewis Village, named after the American businesswoman and educator who founded the school in 1928. This affordable senior housing has 105 units and is for residents 55 and older.
The project is a mix of historic preservation with new build and will help supply a housing market that’s experiencing a shortage. The village is fully income-restricted, serving households at roughly 30% to 80% of area median income, or about $20,000 to $70,000 per year. Developers say the project is designed to help longtime Detroit residents age in place and expands affordable housing for seniors.
MLB
The Detroit Tigers fell to the New York Mets again with the score 4-9. It doesn’t help that the Mets are the last place team in the National League East.
The Tigers now look to bounce back this weekend against the Toronto Blue Jays with a three game affair at Comerica Park. First pitch for today’s game is at 6:45 p.m.
NBA
And the Pistons face elimination in Game 6 of their series against the Cleveland Caviliers. The hometown heroes will potentially have to face Donovan Mitchell and James Harden without sharpshooter guard Duncan Robinson due to lower back soreness.
Game 6 in Rocket Arena will be one to watch. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m.
Detroit City FC face off against Forward Madision FC as part of the USL Cup. The game starts tomorrow at 6 p.m.
NFL
Detroit Lions defensive end Myles Adams is showing up to the Salvation Army’s upcoming sports pop-up event at the Rochester Hills thrift store.
The one-day-only pop-up will showcase hand-selected sports inventory like jerseys, athletic apparel and Detroit fan gear all at thrift store prices.
Adams spent the majority of the 2025 season on the team's practice squad and was resigned this offseason because of the positive impression he left on Head coach Dan Campbell’s practice squad.
And the Distinctively Detroit Tour is bringing you 90s sitcom nostalgia with Wazzup, Detroit! If you are a fan of the show Martin and the show’s Detroit’s ties, this is for you!
The tour will start at the William V. Banks Broadcast Museum where the star character Martin stepped into the world of broadcasting. The museum is the former WGPR building. Then the tour will go to Martin’s former apartment at the Garden Court Apartments. For more information go to distinctivelydetroit.com. This is all going down tomorrow May 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Detroit population grew for a third straight year. A city that has been losing residents for decades is making a come back. In 2025 the Motor City gained about 5,000 new residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2024 Detroit had nearly 7,000 new residents.
The total population in 2025 is about 649,095. Grand Rapids was the only other city to add more than one thousand people.
The Census shows that Detroit also grew at a faster pace than other major cities that had 250,000 residents or more.
In July of 2026, Detroiters will be paying higher water and sewer bills. The Great Lakes Water Authority voted to increase water rates by 5.8% and sewer rates by 4.26% earlier this year. This mimics an increase they did in 2025.
This increase worsens the affordability gap, where some residents can’t afford the high costs. There are pushes for a statewide water affordability plan from different coalitions backed by the People’s Water Board Coalition. This plan would connect water bills to the household income in the hopes of creating a stable and equitable revenue source.
NBA
The Detroit Pistons face elimination on the road tomorrow after suffering a tough loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday in Game 5 of their series. Last night’s game went into the overtime and the Pistons struggled to overcome some late runs that ended with the game score 117—113.
The Pistons will have to win tomorrow’s game to bring it back to Detroit for a win or go home Game 7.
Tomorrow’s game will be at the Rocket Arena. Tip off is at 7:00 p.m.
MLB
The Detroit Tigers face loss against the Mets yesterday in the score 2-3.
The is the second straight loss to the Mets keeping the home team at the bottom of the American League Central Division.
Detroit Arts Institute is showing a screening of Son of Detroit. It is a film about the Motor City told through the lens of one unique family. Director Jeremy Xido returns to Detroit after 20 years to reconnect with the Black family who raised him as he confronts societal and racial struggles.
The screening is on Sunday, May 17 at the Detroit Institute of Art. For more information go to dia.org.