politics

The White House has confirmed discussions about naming the Washington Commanders' planned new stadium after President Trump, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating it would be appropriate recognition of his role in facilitating the $3.7 billion project at the former RFK Stadium site. Unlike typical NFL stadiums whose naming rights are sold to corporate sponsors for substantial fees, Trump reportedly wants the venue named as a tribute to his efforts rather than through a purchased arrangement. The president may announce this intention during Sunday's Commanders game, where he is expected to attend halftime ceremonies honoring veterans. This potential naming would join Trump's broader efforts to establish permanent markers in Washington, including White House renovations and other proposed monuments bearing his name. # Key Takeaways

Denzel McCampbell, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist and former charter commissioner, decisively won Detroit's District 7 City Council seat with 59% of the vote, defeating incumbent state Representative Karen Whitsett by nearly 3,000 votes. McCampbell's campaign attracted over $160,000 in donations from progressive supporters nationwide and benefited from extensive grassroots organizing by the Metro Detroit Democratic Socialists of America, who canvassed more than 18,000 doors on his behalf. His platform centers on shifting political power away from corporations toward residents through mechanisms like participatory budgeting, which would allow community members to directly decide how district funds are spent. Currently serving as managing director of Progress Michigan and having previously worked for Representative Rashida Tlaib, McCampbell plans to prioritize property tax relief and resident engagement when he takes office in January.

The Michigan Chronicle's Pancakes & Politics speakers' series, which has served as a prominent platform for civic discussions among government, business, and community leaders for twenty years, is partnering with the Detroit Auto Dealers Association for an unprecedented collaboration. The series will kick off its 21st season with a live forum at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show on January 15, 2026, at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit. This collaboration aims to merge important conversations about the evolving automotive industry with broader policy and community dialogues on a global stage. The partnership represents both organizations' recognition that the auto show transcends vehicle displays to encompass discussions about innovation, community impact, and future direction for the city and industry. # Key Takeaways

The historic Dearborn Inn, originally established by Henry Ford in 1931, has undergone a culinary transformation under Executive Chef Elliott Patti as part of its relaunch within Marriott's Autograph Collection. The hotel now features Clara's Table, a farm-to-table restaurant named after Clara Ford that emphasizes seasonal Michigan ingredients and regional storytelling through its rotating menu. Additionally, the Four Vagabonds cocktail lounge pays homage to Henry Ford's famous road-tripping companions through craft cocktails made with house-infused spirits and on-site herbs. Behind the culinary experience, the team prioritizes sustainability and partnerships with local Black and Indigenous farmers, creating a dining program that connects the hotel's rich history with contemporary values and innovative cuisine. # Key Takeaways

The historic Dearborn Inn in Michigan, originally opened by Henry Ford in 1931, has completed a major renovation that includes five reimagined Colonial Homes on its 23-acre estate. Each guesthouse honors influential American historical and literary figures—Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Barbara Fritchie, Patrick Henry, and Oliver Wolcott—through thoughtfully designed interiors that reflect their legacies while providing modern amenities. The homes, originally built in 1937, have been transformed through a collaboration between Ford Land and design firms into immersive historical experiences that blend period-appropriate aesthetics with contemporary comfort. Guests staying in these homes can access the inn's updated facilities, including a farm-to-table restaurant and cocktail bar, making the property a unique destination where visitors can literally live inside American history. # Key Takeaways

Detroit City Distillery hosted a Halloween-themed bourbon blending event at its 100 Proof Event Space in Eastern Market, where participants dressed in lab coats and created their own custom bourbon bottles. The two-hour interactive experience, led by an entertaining host named Michael, taught guests how to taste and identify different bourbon flavor profiles before guiding them through the actual blending process using professional distilling methods. Attendees received hands-on education about bourbon craftsmanship while enjoying a social atmosphere that combined learning with entertainment. The reviewer awarded the experience a perfect five-star rating and noted it appeals to both whiskey experts and beginners, recommending early booking due to high demand. # Key Takeaways

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has established Rise Higher Detroit, a transition initiative led by attorney Melvin Butch Hollowell, to prepare for her incoming administration. The effort aims to center community input through an extensive engagement process including citywide surveys, neighborhood events, and transition committees comprising policy experts and community advocates. Rather than using public or campaign money, the transition is funded through a collaborative fund housed at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan with support from various philanthropic organizations. The initiative will collect community priorities and translate them into actionable recommendations, including a 100-day priority list that Sheffield plans to implement immediately upon taking office. # Key Takeaways

Mary Sheffield made history by winning Detroit's mayoral race with an overwhelming 77% of the vote against Rev. Solomon Kinloch, marking one of the largest victory margins in the city's mayoral election history. The celebration at MGM Detroit drew numerous high-profile Michigan Democrats, including state party leaders, gubernatorial candidates, and judicial officials, who viewed the event as a significant milestone for the party. Sheffield becomes Detroit's first female mayor and is being recognized by party insiders as an emerging political power broker and next-generation Democratic leader. The gathering highlighted Sheffield's growing influence within Michigan politics, with several statewide candidates attending despite their own competitive races, while questions remain about whether she will endorse outgoing independent Mayor Mike Duggan's gubernatorial campaign.

Mary Sheffield has made history by becoming Detroit's first female mayor and the youngest Black woman ever elected to lead a major U.S. city with over 250,000 residents. She defeated her opponent, Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., decisively after he was unable to overcome a 30-point deficit from the primary election. Sheffield comes from a multigenerational family of Detroit activists and community servants, with her grandfather fighting for Black workers' rights in labor unions and her father serving as a reverend focused on social organizing. Drawing on this legacy and combining advocacy with empathy learned from her nurse mother, Sheffield aims to use her historic position not merely as a symbolic first but as an opportunity to create lasting structural change and open doors for future women leaders in Detroit.

The Wayne County Airport Authority's proposal to open a cigar lounge at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport has sparked significant opposition nearly a year after its introduction. The Wayne County Commission recently passed a resolution against the plan, joined by Michigan House representatives who argue it would reverse 15 years of smoke-free protections that have been in place since 2010. Public health organizations and airport employees have overwhelmingly opposed the lounge, citing worker safety concerns and health risks from secondhand smoke, with polling showing 77% of Michigan voters against the idea. While the airport authority defends the proposal as responding to business interest and international travel culture, promising state-of-the-art ventilation systems, critics note that most major U.S. airports already ban indoor smoking entirely and warn against this backward step in public health policy.

Detroit's HOPE program provides income-based property tax relief to financially struggling homeowners, offering reductions ranging from 10% to 100% of their current year taxes to help prevent foreclosure. The application deadline has been moved earlier to November 7th, giving city officials more time to assist applicants with incomplete submissions and ensure qualifying residents receive support. This initiative addresses Detroit's historically high property tax foreclosure rates, which disproportionately affected Black homeowners, with over 10,000 residents receiving assistance last year alone. Homeowners must own and occupy their primary residence and meet income requirements to qualify for the annual program, which also may provide access to additional assistance for delinquent taxes. # Key Takeaways

Mary Sheffield, Detroit's 38-year-old City Council President and heavily favored mayoral candidate, has made affordable housing and eviction prevention central to her political career and campaign platform. After the tragic carbon monoxide deaths of two children whose unhoused mother had sought help from Detroit's housing system, Sheffield's initiatives have taken on renewed urgency. Her signature achievement, the 2022 right-to-counsel ordinance, has provided free legal representation to over 12,000 low-income households facing eviction, with approximately half retaining their homes and predominantly serving Black women with children. Sheffield's broader vision includes creating neighborhood hubs that consolidate housing assistance, job placement, mental health services, and childcare referrals, alongside programs for senior home repairs and youth after-school programming within two miles of every public school. # Key Takeaways

Two Michigan men, Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, along with an unnamed juvenile, have been arrested and charged with plotting a terrorist mass shooting targeting Detroit's Ferndale suburb during Halloween weekend. Federal prosecutors allege the suspects, who expressed support for ISIS online, purchased multiple AR-15 rifles and over 1,600 rounds of ammunition while conducting surveillance of areas frequented by the LGBTQ+ community. Authorities discovered the plot through monitoring encrypted communications and using an FBI informant who participated in the group's calls. The investigation, which began last year, culminated in raids that recovered weapons, ammunition, and tactical equipment from addresses linked to the defendants. # Key Takeaways

Kermit Williams, a lifelong Pontiac resident and mayoral candidate, argues that the city stands at a critical crossroads where growth must prioritize equity over displacement. While Pontiac is experiencing economic revival with an improved bond rating, a new recreation center, and a major downtown revitalization project, Williams warns this renaissance could become gentrification without intentional protections for long-time residents. He proposes mandatory Community Benefits Agreements for development projects, expanded home repair programs and inclusionary zoning to prevent housing displacement, and community-led planning for public spaces. Williams frames the election as a choice between growth that serves existing Black families and residents versus development that pushes them out, positioning himself as the candidate who will ensure prosperity is shared equitably. # Key Takeaways

As the government shutdown enters its second month with no resolution in sight, federal SNAP benefits that help millions of low-income Americans buy food are set to expire on November 1st. The impending loss will disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including single mothers, LGBTQ+ individuals, elderly residents, and disabled Americans who depend on this assistance for basic nutrition. Community organizations like churches and food pantries across cities including Detroit, Dallas, and Chicago are scrambling to expand their services to meet the anticipated surge in demand, though leaders warn these emergency measures cannot fully replace federal support. The crisis comes at a particularly challenging time as families already struggle with high food costs and housing expenses, forcing many who never previously needed assistance to seek help from local food distribution programs. # Key Takeaways

Michigan state lawmakers are developing emergency legislation to address a federal delay in SNAP benefits that threatens food assistance for approximately 1.4 million residents. The Senate Democrats passed a $71 million supplemental spending bill, while House Democrats proposed a separate $600 million plan to fund SNAP through December, following the USDA's announcement that the program will pause on November 1 during the federal shutdown. The emergency funding would support various food assistance programs, including direct SNAP benefits, food banks, and agricultural surplus systems. With nearly 13% of Michigan households relying on SNAP—many being families with children, seniors, or disabled individuals—state officials warn the pause will create widespread food insecurity, particularly as winter approaches and food prices remain elevated.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris disclosed in a recent podcast interview that she experienced significant disappointment with former President Joe Biden during the 2024 campaign. Rather than providing encouragement before her debate with Donald Trump, Biden used their phone call to complain about Harris allegedly criticizing him to Pennsylvania voters, which she found self-centered and inappropriate timing. Harris suggested Biden lacked enthusiasm for his own June 2024 debate performance against Trump, which ultimately led to his campaign withdrawal. Despite these tensions, Harris maintains she still has affection for Biden and hasn't ruled out another presidential run if she believes she can positively impact the country's direction.

The long-vacant Arthur Murray building on Detroit's East Side is being transformed into 32 apartments and commercial space as part of the city's Strategic Neighborhood Fund initiative. This redevelopment project in the East Warren-Cadieux corridor represents a deliberate effort to extend reinvestment beyond downtown Detroit into neighborhoods that have experienced decades of disinvestment. The development will feature affordable housing at multiple income levels, with units designated for families earning between 60 and 100 percent of the Area Median Income, alongside 8,000 square feet of commercial space for community organization Activate Detroit. Backed by $2.2 million in state grants and support from multiple local economic development organizations, the project exemplifies a partnership model designed to create inclusive growth while honoring the building's historic significance as a former dance studio franchise.

Detroit City Council passed a new ordinance in an 8-1 vote mandating that the Detroit Police Department publicly release body camera footage within 30 days following officer-involved shootings. However, police accountability advocates and some officials are criticizing the law's numerous exceptions that could allow authorities to delay or block footage release, including provisions permitting the prosecutor's office and corporation counsel to withhold videos until charging decisions are made. The law applies specifically to incidents where officers discharge firearms that could strike individuals or use force resulting in death or serious injury. While supporters argue the ordinance represents progress that can be improved later, critics contend the 30-day timeframe and built-in exemptions undermine community trust and transparency.

Detroit held a memorial service for Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick at Greater Emanuel sanctuary, drawing thousands of residents, city leaders, and dignitaries to honor her decades of public service. Kilpatrick, called "Nataki" by loved ones, broke barriers as Michigan's first Black woman on the House Appropriations Committee and later chaired the Congressional Black Caucus, securing billions in federal funding that transformed Detroit's infrastructure. Her son, former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, delivered an emotional eulogy reflecting on her faith-driven leadership and the lessons she taught him, including her steadfast support during his incarceration. Speakers emphasized how she practiced equity before it became popular, viewing government as a tool for community care and ensuring her legacy would inspire future generations of Black women in public service.

The Detroit City Council passed a new ordinance 8-1 requiring police to publicly release body camera footage within 30 days when officers discharge firearms at people or cause serious injury. Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway introduced the measure after a year of development, acknowledging it contains imperfections but can be amended over time like other legislation. However, police accountability advocates and community groups opposed the final version due to numerous exceptions that allow delays or exemptions, including footage from federal task forces, ongoing investigations, and potential civil litigation concerns. The Detroit Police Department supports the ordinance, though critics argue the loopholes enable police to control narratives and conceal misconduct rather than ensuring genuine transparency. Additionally, the council selected five Detroit figures to receive honorary street signs from among 23 candidates.

Detroit City Council is considering zoning changes designed to stimulate housing development by small local builders, primarily targeting R2 residential districts that cover two-thirds of the city's land area. The proposal would allow higher-density housing like fourplexes and townhouses to be built without special approval, reduce parking requirements, and make it easier to develop vacant lots in response to the city falling short of needed housing production by 1,100 units annually. However, four council members want to delay the decision until next year, expressing concerns that the complex changes are being rushed despite 27 public input meetings already held. The debate reflects tension between addressing Detroit's urgent housing shortage and ensuring adequate time for community review and understanding of the proposals. # Key Takeaways

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield has established a commanding fundraising advantage over challenger Reverend Solomon Kinloch Jr. in the mayoral race, according to the most recent campaign finance disclosures filed before the November 4 election. Sheffield has accumulated approximately $2.7 million in total campaign contributions since launching her candidacy, maintaining over $772,000 in reserve funds, while Kinloch has raised roughly $661,000 and spent nearly all of it. Sheffield's donations have come from diverse sources including local residents, suburban business executives, and out-of-state contributors, with her campaign hosting approximately 30 fundraising events at upscale venues. In contrast, Kinloch's recent funding has primarily consisted of small grassroots donations from residents ranging from $25 to $100.

Former Illinois sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson testified in court about his decision to fatally shoot 36-year-old Sonya Massey in her Springfield home after she called police about a suspected prowler in July. Grayson claimed he chose to use his firearm instead of his stun gun because he doubted the taser would work effectively through Massey's clothing, and he interpreted her religious statement "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus" as a threat while she held a pot of boiling water. Prosecutors presented evidence that Grayson's official report omitted key details captured on body camera footage, including profane threats he made before shooting, and expert witnesses testified that he faced no credible threat. Grayson now faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and official misconduct, while his partner testified that Massey never made him feel threatened during the encounter.

Detroit's HOPE program provides income-based property tax reductions ranging from 10% to 100% for financially struggling homeowners who own and live in their primary residences. The application deadline has been moved earlier this year to November 7th, giving city officials more time to follow up with incomplete applications and help residents qualify for relief. Last year, over 10,000 Detroit homeowners benefited from this program, which addresses the city's ongoing crisis of property tax foreclosures that have particularly harmed Black homeowners. The program requires annual reapplication and can also open doors to additional assistance for clearing past-due property taxes.

Dr. Mary Edwards experienced devastating losses when her mother, brother, sister, and husband all died from cancer within a short span of time. After her husband's death in 2004, she herself was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in 2007 following a routine mammogram. Rather than succumbing to fear given her family history, she chose to fight back by visualizing her recovery, setting five-year goals, and adopting a positive mental outlook. She underwent outpatient surgery twice to remove the cancer and is now cancer-free, determined to break the cycle of cancer deaths in her family.

The Michigan Chronicle, Detroit's long-established community newspaper, will raise its single-issue price from $1 to $2 beginning November 5, 2025, marking its first price adjustment in approximately twenty years. The publication cites increasing operational expenses including printing, distribution, and news gathering as reasons for the change, while emphasizing that it remains among the region's most affordable newspapers. Despite the print price increase, all digital content on the Chronicle's website and social media platforms will continue to be available at no cost to ensure broad community access. The newspaper frames this adjustment as a necessary adaptation to current media industry economic challenges while reaffirming its dedication to delivering quality journalism to Detroit residents. # Key Takeaways

Baller Alert, a major digital media platform with 18 million social media followers and over 1.2 billion monthly impressions, has named Detroit native Chloe Gibert as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Gibert, who previously worked on marketing campaigns for brands like Adidas and Claire's, will lead brand partnerships, platform expansion, and content strategy while connecting cultural relevance with business objectives. She was attracted to the role because Baller Alert is a female-founded company that actively shapes cultural conversations rather than simply reporting on them. In her new position, Gibert aims to build on the platform's legacy by ensuring its work enhances culture while maintaining authenticity and community engagement with its Gen Z and millennial audience.

A $24 million housing development project in Detroit's West Village has sparked concerns among east side residents who voiced their opinions to the City Council. The project, proposed by Arrive Community Development and Ethos Development Partners, would transform an underutilized parking lot at Butzel Family Recreation Center into a four-story building with 48 affordable housing units, retail spaces, and park improvements. Some community members worry the development might displace longtime residents and continue a pattern of gentrification, while developers insist it's an "anti-gentrification" initiative designed to preserve affordability with units targeting households earning 30-80% of the area median income. The project requires several City Council approvals including a land sale and special tax breaks before proceeding.

The Detroit City Council has voted 7-2 to ban smokeless tobacco and alternative nicotine products like Zyn in city stadiums, with violations potentially resulting in a $100 fine after an initial warning. Council Member Fred Durhal III led the proposal, partnering with the organization Knock Tobacco Out of The Park, arguing that the ban helps prevent children from being influenced by unhealthy habits associated with sports. The ban applies to everyone in stadiums, including athletes and employees, though it excludes vaping products which are already prohibited under existing venue policies. Some council members opposed the measure, arguing it overreaches into adults' freedom to use legal substances and may be ineffective since similar bans already exist.