education

A recent poll commissioned by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson's campaign shows her leading the Michigan governor's race with 39% support, followed by Republican John James at 36% and Independent Mike Duggan at 20%. The survey of 800 likely voters, conducted by Impact Research in mid-February, contradicts previous independent polls that showed a tighter race with different configurations of the top three candidates. Duggan's campaign has questioned the credibility of Benson's internal polling, claiming independent surveys show her support closer to 30%. The race to replace term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer has created tensions within Democratic circles, particularly regarding Duggan's independent candidacy and his willingness to critique fellow Democrats.

Detroit At-Large Council Member Mary Waters emphasizes the importance of local government in addressing community needs that state and federal officials often overlook, citing her exchange with HUD Secretary Scott Turner about transitional housing quality. Waters has outlined several priorities for her current term, including strengthening the newly formed tenants rights commission, using the council's budget authority more assertively, and opposing additional funding for the Detroit Land Bank Authority. She successfully lobbied against a Land Value Tax proposal in the state legislature and plans to resist zoning changes that would allow higher-density housing in single-family neighborhoods. Waters, who previously served in the Michigan Legislature as the first Black woman Democratic floor leader, is being mentioned as a potential 2026 congressional candidate though she hasn't confirmed her intentions.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, running for governor, has proposed developing a statewide high-speed rail system to connect major cities and boost economic growth. The plan, which remains in development, aims to reduce travel times between cities like Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing while attracting young talent who prefer walkable communities with transit options. Michigan currently has only three Amtrak passenger lines running to Chicago, with infrequent service on freight-owned tracks. The proposal faces significant financial and political challenges, with implementation costs potentially reaching billions of dollars depending on whether the state pursues true high-speed rail or upgraded conventional service, though Benson suggests public-private partnerships could fund the project without tax increases.

Michigan's four-year high school graduation rate reached a historic high of 84% in 2025, up from approximately 83% the previous year, while the dropout rate decreased to 7.13%. The improvement was seen across various student populations, including economically disadvantaged students, those with disabilities, and students experiencing homelessness, with Detroit Public Schools achieving its highest graduation rate since the state adopted its current tracking formula. Districts attribute their success to expanded credit recovery programs, increased counseling services, mental health interventions, and career-focused learning opportunities that make education more relevant to students' interests. However, despite rising graduation rates, college readiness remains a significant concern, with SAT scores showing most students across the state falling below benchmarks in math and reading, prompting calls for more rigorous graduation standards that better prepare students for post-secondary success. # Key Takeaways

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against President Trump's sweeping global tariffs that were imposed using emergency powers legislation, determining that the Constitution grants tariff authority exclusively to Congress rather than the executive branch. Chief Justice Roberts authored the majority opinion while three conservative justices dissented, arguing the tariffs were legally permissible. The decision represents Trump's first major Supreme Court defeat on a cornerstone economic policy, though the administration indicated it may pursue tariffs through alternative legal mechanisms with different constraints. The contested tariffs, which Trump justified as responses to trade deficits and drug trafficking emergencies, were projected to cost approximately $3 trillion over ten years and had already generated over $133 billion in collected import taxes. # Key Takeaways

The U.S. Justice Department has launched Title IX investigations into three Michigan school districts—Detroit, Lansing, and Godfrey-Lee—examining whether they include gender identity content in classrooms and allow transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identity. Michigan's State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko strongly disputes the investigations, stating they are based on false claims about state requirements, emphasizing that local districts control their own curriculum and parents retain opt-out rights for sex education. The DOJ is demanding extensive documentation and threatening to terminate federal funding if districts don't comply, which could significantly impact these districts that rely heavily on federal grants. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and civil rights attorneys have condemned the investigations as politically motivated harassment designed to discriminate against transgender students, while some Republican officials have expressed support for the federal probes.

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched investigations into three Michigan school districts—Detroit Public Schools Community District, Lansing School District, and Godfrey-Lee Public Schools—to examine whether they are providing instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity without offering parents the ability to opt out their children. The investigations stem from Michigan's November 2025 revision of health education standards that incorporate LGBTQ+ topics into required health classes, which the DOJ suggests may violate Title IX and a recent Supreme Court ruling protecting parental religious rights. The DOJ is demanding extensive documentation of materials related to gender and sexuality topics across all grade levels and has threatened to withhold federal funding if districts fail to comply. These districts receive higher percentages of federal funding than wealthier districts, making the threat of losing such support particularly significant for their operations.

The RO Cares Foundation is organizing the Cool Kids Gala, a formal prom-style event specifically designed for children with special needs and their families at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial on April 4, 2026. The gala aims to create an elevated, luxurious experience rather than simply accommodating differences, featuring red carpet arrivals, professional photography, music, and grooming services. Founder Ro Johnson emphasizes that the event centers on celebrating these children and placing them at the heart of the experience, allowing them to feel confident and seen without barriers. The gala also provides emotional relief for families who typically face challenges navigating traditional social events, offering a supportive environment where inclusion is fundamental and parents can simply enjoy watching their children shine.

After a fire damaged the Grixdale Farms facility housing Hitha Healing House on December 12, 2025, the Detroit-based maternal wellness nonprofit has partnered with Brilliant Detroit to continue operations at their Central Hub location. The organization, established by Kayana Sessoms in 2022, provides holistic maternal health support to Black mothers who face disproportionately high mortality rates during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Through this collaboration, Hitha will maintain its programming including the Nurturing Roots initiative, which offers up to ten paid wellness sessions covering services from nutrition counseling to emotional support for new mothers. The partnership builds on a decade-long relationship between Sessoms and Brilliant Detroit, enabling a rapid response to keep critical maternal health services accessible to the community.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her final State of the State address on February 25, with expectations for a modest agenda given her remaining time in office and divided government. A Bridge Michigan analysis shows she has fulfilled or partially fulfilled 42 of 62 promises from her previous seven addresses, including major accomplishments like securing long-term road funding through a bipartisan deal and banning classroom smartphone use. Her approach has evolved from making direct promises to Michiganders toward issuing calls for legislative action, reflecting changing political dynamics as she worked with Republican, Democratic, and now divided legislatures. Notable failures from last year include lawmakers rejecting a proposed vape tax and missing both the July and October budget deadlines for the first time in 16 years. Political observers expect Whitmer to propose a shorter list of achievable items as she navigates her final year with a Republican-controlled House and Democratic Senate during an election year. # Key Takeaways

Detroit City Council members are demanding answers about why Leland House tenants have been unable to retrieve their belongings since the building's December evacuation following a transformer failure that cut power. The situation has grown more complicated because the property owner filed for bankruptcy, and the building cannot be safely accessed until power is restored. A federal judge has set a February 24 deadline for the city, building owners, and tenant representatives to develop a retrieval plan, while council members unanimously voted to pursue a nuisance abatement lawsuit against the property. The displaced tenants have suffered significant hardships, including job losses and missed housing opportunities due to lack of access to important documents and personal items. Council members criticized the city's code enforcement for failing to address known maintenance problems before the crisis occurred. # Key Takeaways

Detroit poet and cultural architect jessica Care moore composed and delivered a ceremonial poem honoring Mary Sheffield at her inauguration as Detroit's first woman mayor on January 8, 2026. The poem, titled "We Rise Higher," positions Sheffield's historic achievement within the legacy of Detroit's Black women leaders and the city's broader history of resilience and community organizing. Moore's work emphasizes that Sheffield's election represents not just a political milestone but a manifestation of generational perseverance, tracing back to Detroit's roots and the work of women who carried leadership responsibilities without formal recognition. The poem celebrates Sheffield's community-centered approach to governance, particularly her focus on pregnant mothers, babies, and fighting poverty as investments in the city's future. # Key Takeaways

Fifteen-year-old Blaire Johnson from Bloomfield Hills will participate in a major educational tour with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Interlochen Arts Academy in March 2026, celebrating America's 250th anniversary. The tour involves collaboration among the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, with performances featuring a newly commissioned cello concerto by Wynton Marsalis and other contemporary works. Students from Interlochen will perform alongside professional orchestra members, many of whom are alumni of the institution, under conductor Cristian Măcelaru. The four-city tour holds special significance as it marks the centennial anniversary of the partnership between Interlochen and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which dates back to 1926. # Key Takeaways

A federal judge has ordered DTE Energy and its Zug Island subsidiary, EES Coke Battery, to pay $100 million in penalties for violating the Clean Air Act through excessive sulfur dioxide emissions. The ruling also requires the company to obtain proper permits, establish a community air quality committee funded with $20 million, and fund local environmental improvement projects. Judge Gershwin Drain determined that DTE exercised substantial control over the facility's operations despite the company's claims of non-responsibility, making them legally liable for the violations. The decision follows an EPA lawsuit and September bench trial that revealed the facility emitted over 14,000 tons of excess sulfur dioxide between 2019 and 2023, impacting residents in Southwest Detroit and surrounding communities. DTE has announced plans to appeal the ruling to the 6th Circuit Court.

A Black special education teacher, Linda Davis, was killed in Savannah, Georgia when her vehicle was struck by another driver fleeing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation. The driver, Oscar Vasquez Lopez, a Guatemalan national with a removal order but no criminal record, initially stopped for ICE officers but then fled, running a red light before causing the fatal collision. Local police emphasized they were not involved in or aware of the federal operation, which has raised questions about pursuit policies since the county maintains a no-chase rule to protect residents. Davis, who was heading to work on a staff preparation day, is being mourned as an exceptional educator who dedicated herself to supporting special education students.

The Detroit Federation of Teachers is preparing to negotiate a new contract as their current agreement expires June 30, with immigration support protections as a major priority following increased federal enforcement that has led to at least five student detentions and declining enrollment in immigrant communities. The union is seeking mandatory staff training on immigration issues, contract language reinforcing the district's sanctuary status, and protections for immigrant employees, despite the district having provided only limited training to some staff members. Additional bargaining priorities include competitive salary increases to attract and retain teachers, paid maternity leave to replace the current unpaid 16-week policy, and more resources for special education programs where unrealistic evaluation timelines are causing staff burnout. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti acknowledges enrollment drops and increased absenteeism in Southwest Detroit schools due to ICE fears and says the district is working with community leaders to support affected families, though union leadership argues much more needs to be done.

Detroit Public Schools Community District is grappling with severe special education teacher shortages, particularly for autism spectrum disorder programs, as part of a broader statewide crisis affecting Michigan schools. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti is advocating for the Michigan Department of Education to streamline certification requirements and provide incentives to attract more educators to special education roles. The shortage stems from multiple barriers including lengthy training requirements, costly credentialing processes that often require duplicate student teaching experiences, and lack of financial incentives despite additional qualifications. While some initiatives like tuition reimbursement grants and alternative certification pathways exist, advocacy groups and families emphasize the critical need for adequately trained teachers, as improperly prepared educators can result in harmful disciplinary practices and inadequate services for vulnerable students.

Reverend Jesse Jackson, the renowned civil rights leader and political activist, died Tuesday at age 84 at his Chicago home while surrounded by family, after battling progressive supranuclear palsy and Parkinson's disease. Throughout his career spanning decades, Jackson championed causes affecting poor and marginalized communities, including voting rights, employment opportunities, education, and healthcare, while also pressuring corporations through his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to create more equitable workplaces. Jackson maintained especially strong ties to Michigan and Detroit, winning the state's 1988 Democratic presidential primary, launching initiatives like the Rainbow PUSH Automotive Project in Detroit, and regularly appearing at rallies, protests, and community events throughout the state. Despite severe health challenges in recent years, he remained active in advocacy work until his final months, appearing at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and participating virtually in meetings about telecommunications equity. Political and community leaders across Michigan mourned his passing, remembering him as a mentor, humanitarian, and transformative figure whose 1988 presidential campaign helped pave the way for Black political candidates nationwide.

Reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed away Tuesday morning, profoundly influenced Michigan politics and civil rights activism throughout his career. Beginning in 1970, he launched economic boycotts in Detroit demanding corporations hire Black workers, later establishing a field office in 1998 to increase minority representation in the auto industry. Jackson made history in Michigan during his 1988 presidential campaign by becoming the first Black candidate to win a major party's state nomination, capturing 55% of the Democratic caucus vote and briefly leading the race. Political leaders across Michigan, including Governor Whitmer and former Mayor Duggan, remembered his decades-long commitment to Detroit through regular visits, advocacy work, and personal counsel. His legacy includes championing working people's rights, strengthening Black political power, and maintaining an unwavering dedication to equality and justice.

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans delivered his 11th State of the County address, emphasizing how the county has transformed from financial crisis to stability through eleven consecutive balanced budgets and improved credit ratings. His "One Wayne County" vision proposes treating the county's 43 fragmented municipalities as a unified community, with major initiatives including expanded countywide transit that voters will decide on, workforce development programs in aviation to meet future industry demands, and student loan assistance for residents carrying $7 billion in debt. The county has achieved significant public safety improvements, reducing homicides by 49 percent since 2020, while launching practical support programs like Rx Kids that has already distributed over $1.5 million to more than 900 families with newborns. Evans is pivoting from crisis management to ambitious expansion, betting that a decade of fiscal discipline has earned him the credibility to unite a historically divided region around shared opportunities and infrastructure investments.

Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., the renowned civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, passed away peacefully on Monday night, February 16, at the age of 83. Throughout his six-decade career, Jackson worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement and later led transformative voter registration campaigns during his 1984 and 1988 presidential runs that registered millions of new voters. His advocacy work extended internationally, addressing racial discrimination, economic inequality, healthcare, education, and human rights issues on a global scale. Jackson leaves behind a profound legacy as both a humanitarian leader and devoted family man whose vision for justice and equality will continue through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. # Key Takeaways

Wayne State University students participated in a December medical mission to Mexico's Yucatán region through Humanity First International, a nonprofit organization that provides healthcare services to underserved communities. The volunteers, working alongside licensed physicians, delivered free clinical care, screenings, and medications to 231 patients across two rural communities, Umán and Yobaín, where residents face limited healthcare access. The experience gave pre-medical students hands-on clinical exposure they cannot obtain in traditional classroom settings, while demonstrating how students can make meaningful contributions before graduating. The mission organizers selected these rural locations specifically because they lack adequate health services, and the program aims to both serve communities in need and provide relief to the local Mexican healthcare system. # Key Takeaways

First Tee of Greater Detroit, a nonprofit organization that uses golf to teach youth essential life skills, has expanded its Board of Directors by adding five prominent national leaders with diverse professional backgrounds. The new appointees include executives from technology companies like Microsoft and AT&T, along with professionals from communications, law, and creative media industries who collectively bring extensive high-level organizational leadership experience. This strategic board expansion aims to strengthen the organization's capacity to deliver character development and leadership programming to young people throughout Southeast Michigan. Organization leadership emphasized that these appointments will support strategic growth initiatives and help expand access to their youth development programs across the region.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is conducting a series of five community forums to gather resident input on her policy agenda while introducing her transition team to the public. The first forum on February 2nd focused on economic empowerment and workforce development, where residents discussed topics including looking to Cleveland's success as a model for retaining talent. Sheffield's administration is emphasizing transparency by conducting this transition process publicly rather than behind closed doors, with Chief of Staff David Bowser explaining they want residents' voices integrated into the next four years of governance. The mayor has already announced several anti-poverty programs in her first week, and three additional forums on topics including infrastructure, public safety, neighborhoods, and education are scheduled for February and March. # Key Takeaways

A study examining Detroit's Little Caesars Arena, which opened in 2017 with $863 million in costs including $324 million in public funds, found the venue had minimal impact on the city's hospitality industry. Researchers analyzed lodging data from 2015 to 2022, comparing Detroit's growth patterns with Grand Rapids, Michigan, which had no major sports venue. While both cities experienced similar growth in short-term rentals, the arena's sporting events showed no positive effect on lodging demand. Only major concerts at the venue increased short-term rental occupancy, and only for properties within one mile of the arena, with no impact on hotels. # Key Takeaways

Wall Street investors and institutional buyers are systematically purchasing single-family homes in Black and working-class neighborhoods, creating structural barriers that prevent first-time homebuyers from building wealth through property ownership. These corporate entities use cash offers and algorithmic pricing to outcompete families who rely on traditional financing, transforming neighborhoods from owner-occupied communities into rental properties that extract wealth rather than build it. This investor dominance artificially inflates home prices, weakens civic engagement, and perpetuates racial wealth inequality by denying Black families access to homeownership—historically their most reliable path to intergenerational wealth. The article argues this is not a market anomaly but a deliberate business model that began after the 2008 housing crisis and continues today. To counter this trend, the author calls for strategic responses including policy interventions, collective community investment, and grassroots education about the critical importance of property ownership.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, running as a Democrat for governor, has received endorsements from the Black Mayors of Michigan organization and various other Black elected officials throughout the state. The endorsement highlights Benson's commitment to protecting residents and ensuring economic equity, particularly for Black communities. Her campaign centers on creating an affordable Michigan by investing in underserved populations and addressing issues like Black maternal healthcare and prescription drug costs. Benson leads the Democratic field heading into the August primary, where she faces multiple opponents from both parties in the race to succeed term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is implementing major security enhancements following two violent incidents involving students with weapons at separate schools. The school board approved $4.3 million in funding to hire 38 additional security guards for the remainder of the academic year, bringing the total number of guard vacancies the district is working to fill to 41. A pilot program introducing new security screening technology will be tested at 10 schools, and the district has already begun requiring all school visitors to present photo identification, be photographed, and wear badges displaying their name and image. These measures respond to an October stabbing at Gompers Elementary-Middle School and a January boxcutter incident at Denby High School that prompted board members to demand increased security personnel.

At Michigan's first gubernatorial forum featuring all major candidates, independent candidate and former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan defended his administration's approach to federal immigration enforcement, stating the city has refused for twelve years to sign agreements making local police extensions of ICE. While Duggan emphasized Detroit police don't inquire about immigration status to maintain community trust, he acknowledged the city honors federal detainer warrants for undocumented immigrants arrested for crimes. Democrats and immigration activists criticized Duggan for not doing enough to protect residents, citing incidents where Detroit police assisted ICE operations that resulted in chaotic arrests and detentions. The forum also included Democratic candidates Jocelyn Benson and Chris Swanson, who offered their own perspectives on resisting aggressive federal immigration enforcement. # Key Takeaways

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has unveiled her final budget proposal, totaling $88 billion, with $21.4 billion dedicated to school aid that includes raising the minimum per-student state funding to $10,300. The education-focused budget emphasizes early literacy improvement through substantial investments in tutoring, teacher training, and research-based reading curricula, responding to Michigan students' continued struggles with reading proficiency. Additional proposals include a back-to-school sales tax holiday in August and various tax increases on cigarettes, vaping products, and casino internet services to offset federal revenue declines and rising costs. The budget now moves to the state legislature, which must approve it by July 1, though lawmakers failed to meet this deadline last year, creating uncertainty for schools and other organizations.