politics

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis has announced $34.1 million in Affordable Housing Program grants for 2025, with Detroit receiving over $4.6 million to support housing development amid rising construction costs and limited affordable inventory. The program, operating for over thirty years, provides crucial gap financing for nonprofit developers working on projects serving low- to moderate-income households, with this year's funding expected to create or rehabilitate 1,578 affordable units across Indiana and Michigan. Detroit faces significant housing challenges, requiring thousands more deeply affordable units for residents earning below 50 percent of area median income, while much of its rental stock predates 1960 and requires expensive rehabilitation. The funding fills critical financing gaps that often delay or prevent affordable housing projects from moving forward, particularly in long-disinvested neighborhoods where rental income cannot cover full construction costs.

Detroit developers Mark Bennett and Oren Goldenberg have announced plans to transform 28 acres of the abandoned Packard Plant into a mixed-use development called "Packard Park," honoring the site's history as an underground electronic music venue. The $50 million project will include affordable housing units, Detroit's first indoor skate park, a Museum of Detroit Electronic Music, and a new industrial building designed to create 300 permanent manufacturing jobs. The city has demolished much of the deteriorating complex since 2022, spending approximately $17 million on demolition after winning a court battle against the plant's previous owner. This represents the latest attempt to redevelop the site that has sat largely abandoned for over 60 years and became a symbol of Detroit's industrial decline.

Mary Sheffield's historic election as Detroit's first woman mayor was powered by a strategic campaign led predominantly by Black women, particularly the team at 98Forward, Detroit's longest-standing Black-woman-led PR firm. Brittni "Bee" Brown served as communications lead, heading a tight-knit team that maintained strict narrative control and discipline throughout the campaign, resulting in Sheffield winning 77 percent of the vote. The victory represents not just a personal achievement but a generational milestone for Black women in Detroit politics, who have long served as the backbone of political operations without holding executive authority themselves. Sheffield's landslide win reflects decades of labor by Black women political organizers, strategists, and community leaders whose work shaped Detroit's political landscape while rarely receiving recognition or power.

The Detroit community organized the annual All-Star Giveback event at the 8th Precinct Station on November 25, just before Thanksgiving, to distribute free turkey dinners to struggling families and individuals. The drive-up food distribution operated on a first-come, first-served basis and accommodated both vehicles and pedestrians to ensure broad access. Multiple corporate sponsors like Meijer, DTE Foundation, and Detroit Medical Center joined forces with nonprofit organizations including Forgotten Harvest and STAND to make the event possible. The gathering featured participation from NBA celebrities, Michigan's lieutenant governor, local radio stations, and numerous volunteers who created a festive atmosphere that emphasized community unity and collective support during the holiday season.

The Detroit City Council concluded its year by approving major sports infrastructure projects worth nearly $300 million combined, including a new soccer stadium for Detroit City FC in Corktown and a WNBA practice facility along the east riverfront. The DCFC project secured tax breaks and a community benefits agreement requiring $1.2 million in community investments over 12 years, union-friendly wages, and youth soccer programs, while the $50 million WNBA facility received $4.4 million in tax incentives without undergoing a full community benefits process. The council also finalized a one-year agreement with the Detroit Land Bank Authority to address neighborhood blight after operating nearly two years without formal terms. The session marked the final meeting for two council members who vacated their seats to run for mayor, with new representatives set to be sworn in for January. # Key Takeaways

Detroit's Spirit Plaza, located between Woodward Avenue and Hart Plaza near the Spirit of Detroit sculpture, is undergoing another renovation after work was temporarily halted due to procedural requirements. The Detroit City Council has now authorized modifications that will add winter-ready amenities including covered stages, permanent seating with umbrellas, artificial turf, and an enclosed playground, while maintaining fire lanes and the existing United Way Torch. Originally established in 2017 and made permanent in 2019 despite some opposition to closing Jefferson Avenue access, the plaza has evolved into a popular gathering spot for food trucks, performances, and community events. The $2.9 million project with Michigan Recreational Construction aims to address previous concerns that the space felt temporary and lacked programming. # Key Takeaways

Detroit Rising Development and Facilities Management Group are partnering to transform a long-vacant Midtown building into a mixed-use development called The Five and Dime. The $2 million redevelopment project will convert the property at 3700 3rd Avenue into a food and beverage marketplace designed to support emerging small businesses, with residential units added above the commercial space. The developers, who previously created Detroit Shipping Company, plan to create ten apartments on the upper level while establishing a collaborative environment for startup food vendors below. The building, which has sat empty for ten years, will undergo extensive renovations including updates to all major building systems and structural improvements. # Key Takeaways

Detroit City Council unanimously approved tax incentives and plans for two major sports facilities during its final 2024 session: a $198 million soccer stadium for Detroit City FC in Corktown and a $50 million WNBA practice facility on the city's east riverfront. The soccer stadium project includes a comprehensive community benefits agreement requiring $1.2 million in community investments, union neutrality, and other commitments, while the WNBA facility avoided such requirements by qualifying as a smaller Tier 2 project. This disparity has sparked debate about reforming Detroit's community benefits ordinance, with some officials advocating for alternative approaches like an arena tax to generate community revenue. Both projects received substantial tax breaks totaling over $120 million combined, despite concerns from labor advocates that arena workers often face poverty wages and lack benefits.

The Detroit City Council held its final meeting of the term on Tuesday, marking the departure of two members—Fred Durhal III and President Mary Sheffield—who left their seats to pursue mayoral campaigns. While Sheffield won the mayoral race and will take office next year, Durhal did not advance past the primary, and both positions will be filled by newly elected representatives. Council members spent time reflecting emotionally on their work together, with colleagues praising Durhal's expertise in municipal finance and his ability to collaborate across ideological differences. The remaining council members, all of whom won reelection in November, expressed commitment to working with incoming Mayor Sheffield while maintaining their legislative oversight role.

The Detroit Land Bank Authority and City Council have finalized a one-year agreement to collaborate on neighborhood stabilization efforts after operating without a formal contract since December 2023. The new memorandum of understanding largely mirrors the previous agreement from 2020, though it includes enhanced provisions for assisting residents in land bank-owned properties and introduces substantial discounts for community land trusts acquiring property. These trusts can now receive 50% discounts for beautification and affordable housing projects, with steeper 80% reductions available for developments dedicating at least 25% of units to low-income residents. The agreement officially recognizes a "blight emergency" in Detroit and authorizes the land bank to utilize its special state-granted powers for accelerated property disposition.

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has partnered with U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib to support legislation addressing low compensation for musicians from streaming services. The Living Wage for Musicians Act, recently reintroduced by Tlaib, would establish a new streaming royalty system to provide fairer payments to artists, who currently earn as little as $0.003 per stream. With streaming services generating $11.7 billion in revenue and accounting for 84% of music consumption, artists need over 800,000 monthly streams to equal minimum wage earnings. Sheffield, who has long championed Detroit's music and hip-hop community, directed her legislative policy division to draft a supporting resolution, emphasizing Detroit's significant cultural contributions across multiple music genres.

Saksey's is a sophisticated cocktail lounge that successfully combines throwback tavern inspiration with contemporary execution and design sensibilities. The venue features luxurious, intimate decor including dark wood, velvet seating, and flattering low lighting that creates an upscale hideaway atmosphere better suited for small gatherings than large groups. The beverage program, led by Darryl Chan and Tara Wong, offers creative twists on classic cocktails priced between $19-$25, with a notable $28 mini martini flight providing good value. The food menu delivers elevated comfort fare anchored by a standout burger and playful items like caviar-topped lobster rolls, while the overall experience emphasizes intentional cohesion across all elements without feeling overly contrived. # Key Takeaways

Chubby Cattle Wagyu Shabu House has opened its first Michigan location in Novi, offering an all-you-can-eat Japanese-style hotpot experience centered around premium wagyu beef. The restaurant features three pricing tiers ranging from $48 to $78, with the highest tier providing access to exceptional Japanese A5 wagyu cuts that guests cook themselves in simmering broths. The establishment combines high-quality ingredients including seafood, sushi, and specialty broths with an anime-inspired, energetic atmosphere and a 90-minute dining time limit. Despite the upscale ingredient quality, particularly the A5 wagyu shoulder clod and chuck ribeye, the pricing remains notably accessible for the dining category, earning the restaurant an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars for its successful balance of culinary excellence and value. # Key Takeaways

LeJuan Burt, VP of Maintenance at SMART transit, argues that public transportation is crucial for reducing Southeast Michigan's substantial carbon footprint, where drivers logged nearly 100 billion miles in 2023 and produced over 141 million metric tons of CO2. SMART buses can significantly reduce emissions by taking up to 60 cars off the road per bus, with per-person emissions dropping 37-40 percent when buses are full compared to solo driving. The transit agency has been expanding its electric bus fleet since 2022 through partnerships with DTE and Proterra, operating zero-emission vehicles powered by renewable energy from their Oakland Terminal hub in Troy. SMART is working to overcome barriers to transit adoption through on-demand services, technology upgrades, and infrastructure improvements like dedicated transit lanes, positioning public transportation as essential to Michigan's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. # Key Takeaways

Dr. Portia Lockett shares her personal journey of navigating the holiday season after her son was murdered in December 2020, describing how formerly joyful traditions have become painful triggers. She explains that while grief remains present through empty chairs and bittersweet memories, she has learned to find "glimmers" of hope in small moments like her granddaughter's laughter, prayer, and the work of the Azal Benne Lockett Foundation helping others with burial expenses. Rather than choosing between joy and pain, she now gives herself permission to feel both emotions simultaneously during the holidays. The article concludes with seven practical tips for others experiencing grief during the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of honoring feelings, setting boundaries, and extending grace to oneself.

Detroit City Distillery is hosting two holiday-themed events at Eastern Market to celebrate the season and showcase their craft spirits. The celebrations begin November 26 with Whiskey Wonderland at their Tasting Room, featuring festive cocktails and limited-edition bottles. Two days later on Black Friday, the distillery will hold its inaugural Black Friday Market at their newer 100 Proof venue, offering exclusive merchandise and re-releasing popular bourbon varieties including Hot Honey Bourbon and a special Rouge & Gold Bourbon collaboration with Detroit City Football Club. These paired events demonstrate the distillery's commitment to small-batch, locally-sourced spirits while highlighting both their cozy traditional space and modern event venue.

The Detroit Department of Transportation has secured a $50.8 million federal grant to purchase 53 new hybrid buses that will replace aging diesel vehicles in the city's fleet. This funding announcement coincides with newly approved union contracts that significantly increase compensation for both DDOT mechanics, who will earn up to $34.50 hourly, and bus operators, who received a $6 per hour wage increase. The improvements are part of the broader DDOT Reimagined initiative designed to transform a transit system previously plagued by delays and unreliable service into a more efficient operation serving over 150,000 daily riders. Combined with previous federal grants for 76 buses, Detroit will have replaced 44% of its entire bus fleet with new vehicles by 2027.

Australian mining company Fortescue has cancelled construction of a $210 million electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Detroit's Milwaukee Junction neighborhood, eliminating 600 promised jobs that would have paid over $45,000 annually. The company attributed the cancellation to uncertainty created by recent changes to federal clean energy tax credits included in a Republican-led budget bill. Democratic lawmakers, including State Senator Stephanie Chang, are demanding accountability and criticizing the cancellation as a major setback for local employment, environmental improvements, and Detroit's clean energy manufacturing ambitions. Michigan and Detroit officials had offered approximately $23.7 million in combined tax and brownfield incentives to attract the project, which would have converted the former Fisher Body plant into an advanced manufacturing center for EV chargers, batteries, and hydrogen generators. # Key Takeaways

The BUILD Institute, a Detroit-based entrepreneurship support organization founded in 2012, has announced it will pause operations at the end of 2025 to reassess its mission delivery, programming, and business model. Since its inception, BUILD has graduated over 1,700 participants focused on underrepresented entrepreneurs, with alumni generating approximately $56 million in annual labor income and supporting more than 560 operational businesses in Detroit. The organization will continue all scheduled programming through December 2025 to honor existing commitments while exploring new partnership models and approaches to serve its network of over 3,000 alumni. The board frames this decision as a strategic recalibration rather than a failure, responding to shifting funding landscapes and the evolving needs of Detroit's neighborhood-based business ecosystem. # Key Takeaways

Detroit City Council unanimously voted to maintain the temporary suspension of Gayanga Co., a demolition contractor owned by Brian McKinney, amid serious allegations of environmental violations and financial misconduct. Testing revealed that 47 out of 51 demolition sites where the company used backfill dirt exceeded state pollution limits, with nearly 30 sites considered unsafe for human contact, allegedly due to contaminated soil from Northland Mall. The company owes subcontractors over $1 million in unpaid work and operated without required bonding, leaving vendors with little recourse to recover their money. The scandal has drawn additional scrutiny because McKinney briefly dated Council President and Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield in 2019, before the city approved millions in contracts with his company.

Rolling Out, a media brand with 25 years of experience in Black cultural marketing, has launched Rolling Out Music, an integrated music and cultural marketing platform rather than a traditional record label. The venture combines its acquired MusicXchange technology platform with Rolling Out's existing influencer networks, event production capabilities, and film studio to create a comprehensive ecosystem connecting artists, brands, and audiences. The platform debuts with holiday song "This Winter" featuring R&B artist Kevin Ross and offers Fortune 500 companies multiple partnership opportunities including sponsorships, influencer campaigns, and content integration. Rolling Out Music aims to provide brands with authentic cultural access while empowering artists through transparent partnerships and diverse distribution channels across major markets.

The Detroit City Council has unanimously approved brownfield tax incentives worth $34.5 million for a development project that will bring a WNBA franchise to the city on a contaminated former Uniroyal manufacturing site along the Detroit River. The project includes a $50 million WNBA practice facility and headquarters, plus a separate youth sports development academy to be run by a nonprofit organization. By structuring the WNBA facility as a standalone $50 million project, developers avoided triggering Detroit's Community Benefits Ordinance requirements that apply to developments valued at $75 million or more, meaning they won't need to negotiate formal benefits contracts with surrounding neighborhoods. The project has received support from community residents and former basketball stars who welcome both the return of women's professional basketball and new youth sports facilities to Detroit.

The Detroit City Council unanimously voted 9-0 to uphold the Office of Inspector General's suspension of Gayanga, a major demolition contractor, and its owner Brian McKinney while investigating contaminated dirt spread across the city. Environmental testing revealed that 42 of 47 demolition sites filled by Gayanga exceeded state pollution standards, with 62% deemed unsafe for direct human contact out of roughly 2,400 residential sites the company had worked on. McKinney claims he purchased dirt from a city-approved vendor and the city shares responsibility, but Inspector General Kamau Marable says evidence points to multiple sources and inaccurate self-reporting by the company. The hearing was particularly significant because Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, who previously dated McKinney and had authorized millions in city contracts to Gayanga, presided over the proceedings and voted to uphold the suspension without offering commentary.

DTE Energy has launched its Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan to assist Michigan households struggling with energy costs during winter months. The two-year program provides qualifying customers with predictable monthly payments calculated according to their income levels and energy consumption patterns. Participants can receive up to $3,000 in forgiveness for overdue balances they have accumulated. The initiative works alongside Michigan's expanded Energy Assistance Program, which now covers families earning as much as 60% of the state's median income, extending eligibility to households making around $70,000 annually for a family of four. # Key Takeaways

A viral TikTok video showing a Black woman in active labor being forced to wait in a Dallas hospital's intake area has sparked widespread allegations of medical racism. The woman, Karrie Jones, was recorded screaming in pain while a nurse conducted routine intake questions, and her baby was born just 12 minutes after finally being admitted, following a wait of over 30 minutes. The video, posted by Jones' mother and viewed over 54 million times, prompted outrage from social media users who noted that pregnant women in active labor should be immediately taken to delivery suites. Dallas Regional Medical Center has announced it is investigating the incident, though the hospital has not confirmed reports that the nurse involved was terminated.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel plans to challenge DTE Energy's proposed natural gas rate increase of $237 million annually, which would raise residential customer bills by approximately 8 percent. Nessel has accused the utility company of inflating costs to boost corporate profits and claims her office has previously saved consumers over $4 billion by intervening in utility cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission. The commission itself has faced recent controversy after Governor Whitmer replaced a consumer-friendly commissioner with a former political advisor who previously worked for a House Speaker criticized for blocking utility reform legislation. DTE serves 1.3 million natural gas customers statewide, while utility companies remain powerful political donors in Michigan despite a citizen-led effort to ban their campaign contributions. # Key Takeaways

The March of Dimes 2025 Report Card reveals that the United States continues to struggle with preventable maternal and infant health crises, with a national preterm birth rate of 10.4 percent that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. Black mothers face the highest preterm birth rate at 14.7 percent, while mothers with Medicaid experience worse outcomes than those with private insurance. The crisis stems from multiple factors including maternity care deserts spanning hundreds of counties, unmanaged chronic conditions, loss of insurance coverage after childbirth, and systemic dismissal of concerns raised by Black and Native mothers. States in the South, including Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, received failing grades, though urban areas nationwide and states like Maryland and Virginia also struggle with significant racial disparities and access barriers.

The Michigan Chronicle, through its parent company Real Times Media (RTM), is partnering with a new private business club opening in downtown Grand Rapids called the Commerce Club. RTM CEO Hiram Jackson is both a co-founder and investor in the club, which represents over 50 business and civic leaders creating a 30,000-square-foot space in the historic 61 Commerce building. The club will feature professional amenities like coworking spaces, event venues, and a wellness center, with renovations starting early 2026 and opening expected by year's end. RTM will expand its presence in West Michigan by bringing signature programs like Pancakes & Politics to Grand Rapids and supporting the club's multimedia operations, reflecting Jackson's vision of evolving traditional media into community-building platforms.

Rapper Nicki Minaj is scheduled to address the United Nations in New York City on November 18th alongside Ambassador Mike Waltz and media advisor Alex Bruesewitz to discuss religious persecution of Christians. Her appearance coincides with the Trump administration threatening military intervention against Nigeria and designating it as a "country of particular concern" due to alleged systematic attacks on Christians. Nigerian officials have rejected these accusations, stating that extremist violence affects all citizens regardless of their religious beliefs. Nicki Minaj has previously spoken out against religious persecution and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to use her platform at the U.N. to address what she views as injustice. # Key Takeaways

The historic David Whitney Building in Detroit, which originally opened in 1915 and underwent a $94 million restoration before reopening in 2014, is now converting its upper hotel floors into 79 private condominiums. The units will range from one to three bedrooms with prices starting at $277,000 and exceeding $1 million for premium spaces, and residents will have access to full hotel services including concierge, housekeeping, and dining privileges. Developer The Roxbury Group is positioning this conversion as a continuation of the building's evolution while honoring Detroit's hospitality heritage and providing luxury downtown living. This project adds to Detroit's expanding downtown residential market alongside other developments like the upcoming Hudson's site condominiums.