politics

Detroit City Council members are addressing urgent air conditioning failures in multiple apartment buildings during a dangerous heat wave affecting the city. Council Member Mary Waters and Council President Mary Sheffield are working with building inspectors and management to resolve outages at Whitmore Apartments and The Jefferson Apartments, where temperatures have reached dangerous levels. The situation is particularly concerning for senior residents, with management at The Jefferson promising repairs by Thursday and potentially offering rent credits to affected tenants. This crisis highlights broader heat vulnerability issues in Detroit, where a 2021 study estimated 47% of residential structures have limited or no access to air conditioning, while Wayne County remains under an extreme heat warning with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.

Detroit is preparing for its mayoral primary election on August 5, where nine candidates are competing to advance to the November general election. Despite the importance of local government in addressing community-specific challenges and managing nearly $3 billion in tax dollars annually, Detroit historically sees low voter turnout for municipal elections compared to presidential races. City Councilman Scott Benson highlights a concerning correlation between income and voter participation, noting that residents with lower incomes often face barriers to political engagement while candidates typically focus on likely voters in middle and upper-middle-class neighborhoods. Benson argues that increasing wealth among Detroit's Black families is not just an economic goal but a democratic necessity to ensure all residents' voices are heard in local governance.

Detroit's 67th annual Ford Fireworks show was marred by a shooting incident that injured two people near Spirit Plaza and Hart Plaza. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison reported that the non-life-threatening injuries to a juvenile male and female in their 20s resulted from a fight that broke out about a block away from the festivities. The city's policy of closing riverfront parks during the fireworks for safety reasons has sparked debate among residents about whether these closures effectively enhance public safety. Despite the incident, police reported no other serious injuries during the event, and many attendees enjoyed viewing the fireworks from alternative locations including the Detroit People Mover.

Detroit City Council District 5 candidates gathered at a BridgeDetroit-hosted forum to discuss their visions for reforming the Detroit Land Bank, which has faced criticism for its property management practices. Candidates including Esther Haugabook, Michael Ri'chard, Renata Miller, and others proposed various solutions ranging from restructuring the land bank to filing lawsuits against it or increasing city council control over its board appointments. The discussion highlighted concerns about favoritism toward developers, lack of transparency, and inequitable land distribution, with several candidates citing personal experiences with the land bank. This election marks the first new council person for District 5 since 2013, in an area experiencing more development than any other council district in Detroit.

The City of Detroit is taking proactive measures against a dangerous heatwave by opening cooling centers across the city as temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 90s with an even higher heat index. Three recreation centers—Patton, Heilmann, and Northwest Activities Center—will extend their hours through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., while other recreation centers and Detroit Public Library branches will also serve as heat relief locations during their regular hours. City officials are particularly concerned about vulnerable populations such as elderly residents, infants, those with chronic conditions, and people without air conditioning. The Detroit Health Department is urging residents to stay indoors during peak heat hours, drink water frequently, wear light clothing, and monitor for signs of heat-related illness as the heatwave is expected to continue into early next week.

Detroit has implemented new security measures at the Rosa Parks and Jason Hargrove Transit Centers, including metal detectors and increased security presence since late May. Transportation advocates report some riders are being denied access to wait inside the facilities, though officials maintain centers remain open to anyone actively waiting for buses. DDOT Director Robert Cramer acknowledges these concerns while noting positive feedback about enhanced safety perceptions, and is working to improve training and communication for security personnel. The City Council's Public Health and Safety Committee has scheduled a discussion for next Monday to address these issues, which are particularly concerning as Detroit faces excessive heat with temperatures expected to reach 96 degrees.

Highland Park, Michigan hosted an Economic Strategy and Branding Open House on June 10, 2025, to gather community feedback for updating the city's Economic Development Strategy, Master Plan, and Zoning Ordinance. Led by Principal Planner Donavan Smith, this event marked the third public engagement effort in a series designed to revitalize the former industrial hub. The initiative comes at a critical time as Highland Park works to establish a new identity focused on innovation, culture, and sustainability, with key developments including the Joe Louis Greenway project supported by $20 million in American Rescue Plan funds and a $10.5 million federal grant. Mayor Glenda McDonald's "The City in Motion" plan aims to rebuild the tax base and address infrastructure concerns frequently raised by residents like Ken Chambers.

Detroit City Council president and mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield has received an endorsement from EMILY's List, a national PAC supporting pro-choice women candidates. The organization emphasized the importance of electing Democratic, pro-choice mayors during the current Trump administration, with Sheffield specifically recognized for her advocacy work in Detroit. EMILY's List president Jessica Mackler praised Sheffield's efforts against workplace discrimination, support for affordable housing, and her stance on reproductive rights. Sheffield's campaign reports that additional national and local labor endorsements are anticipated in the coming week, adding to her growing list of supporters that already includes attorney Ben Crump, Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison, and several major local unions.

The Michigan Chronicle has hired Sam Robinson as a senior reporter to strengthen their political coverage during a pivotal time in Detroit's governance. Robinson, who brings over five years of experience covering politics and culture from outlets including Axios, MLive, and the Detroit Free Press, joins the publication as Mayor Mike Duggan's 12-year tenure ends and multiple City Council seats become available. His focus will be on the 2025 Detroit mayoral race, city council elections, and civic trends, with an emphasis on making political journalism accessible and relevant to Detroit residents. Robinson values the Chronicle's legacy of documenting Detroit's political history from Black perspectives and appreciates that the publication doesn't use a paywall, allowing his reporting to reach a wider audience.

Detroit City Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero has expressed concerns about a proposed resolution opposing President Trump's immigration enforcement policies, stating it could be ineffective and potentially endanger vulnerable communities. Activists urged the council to declare Detroit a sanctuary city and reject cooperation with federal law enforcement following Trump's deployment of military forces to Los Angeles to counter protests. Santiago-Romero, who represents immigrant communities in Southwest Detroit, emphasized that the city already has policies preventing police from enforcing immigration laws and questioned the efficacy of fighting fascism through resolutions. Assistant Police Chief Franklin Hayes confirmed that despite Trump's April executive order aimed at "unleashing" law enforcement with federal support, Detroit's policies regarding immigration enforcement remain unchanged.

Michigan's 340B Drug Pricing Program is at a critical juncture with Senate Bills 94 and 95 awaiting House approval, which would prevent manufacturers from obstructing access to discounted medications and link hospital debt collection to transparency requirements. Healthcare organizations like Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Michigan Medicine, Trinity Health Michigan, and Henry Ford Health strongly support the program, emphasizing how 340B savings fund vital community services including mobile clinics, mental health programs, and medication access for underserved populations. However, pharmaceutical manufacturers and business groups like PhRMA and Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition oppose aspects of the legislation, arguing that savings don't always reach patients directly and may increase costs for employers. The debate centers on transparency and accountability in how 340B savings are utilized to benefit vulnerable communities.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) is mobilizing its members to support Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr.'s campaign for Detroit mayor, with members and leaders rallying outside the UAW Solidarity House. The union, representing 120,000 members in Detroit, has pledged its full resources to help Kinloch's campaign through door-knocking and phone calls. Both UAW President Fain and Kinloch emphasized their shared commitment to supporting the working class, with Fain noting that their missions align in "lifting people up." Kinloch, a former UAW Local 235 member who worked at the Chevrolet Gear and Axle Plant, has positioned himself as a representative for working-class interests in Detroit.

The Farmington/Farmington Hills Democratic Club (FFHDC) is organizing a local "No Kings" rally on June 14 at the Farmington Hills Public Library to protest authoritarianism and political dynasties. The event, part of a worldwide movement, will feature speeches from local officials including Mayor Theresa Rich and State Representatives Samantha Steckloff and Jason Hoskins, followed by a march along 12 Mile Road. FFHDC Chair Lloyd L. Banks III emphasized that the demonstration serves as a reminder that democracy belongs to the people, occurring amid growing national concerns about democratic decline. The rally coincides with Flag Day and Trump's planned military birthday celebration in Washington DC, and will provide voter registration information and opportunities for future civic engagement.

Detroit City Council has postponed a decision on a $410,000 demolition contract for a historic building at 17205 Lahser Rd to explore preservation possibilities, despite safety concerns about the structure's condition. The demolition would be funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, but preservation would require finding alternative funding sources since ARPA funds are subject to federal deadlines. Additionally, the Council delayed a resolution to allocate $9.4 million in remaining ARPA funds across council districts for various community initiatives including mental health, neighborhood beautification, violence intervention, and home repair programs. Council meetings are canceled this week as members attend the Mackinac Policy Conference.

Opportunity Resource Fund, a community-based financial institution that has invested over $300 million to support underserved Michiganders, marks its 40th anniversary with a significant leadership transition. Christine Coady Narayanan, who built and led the organization for more than 35 years with a focus on economic justice and financial inclusion, is stepping down as CEO. Byna Elliott, a Detroit native with over 25 years of experience in the financial industry, will take over effective June 23, 2025, continuing OppFund's mission of providing capital to those excluded from traditional lending systems. This transition occurs at a critical time for Michigan, which faces widening racial wealth gaps and housing affordability challenges, positioning OppFund to deepen its impact under Elliott's leadership while maintaining its commitment to using finance as a tool for community empowerment.

Detroit's City Council was unable to proceed with its regular formal session on Tuesday when only four of nine members attended, resulting in a lack of quorum. Council President Mary Sheffield, along with Council Members Fred Durhal III, Mary Waters, and Angela Whitfield-Calloway were present, but five members were absent for various reasons including travel to professional conferences and illness. The meeting ended in less than an hour after in-person public comments, with Council operations director David Whitaker noting this was a rare occurrence that will delay council business until the next formal session. Technical issues also prevented online participants from joining public comments.

None of the 35 construction projects tracked by the city of Detroit met the local hiring requirement established by Mayor Mike Duggan's executive order, which mandates that at least 51% of the workforce on certain publicly funded projects be Detroit residents. In 2024, only 32% of construction hours were worked by Detroiters, dropping to just 14% when excluding members of local trade unions participating in Detroit's Skilled Trade Employment Program. Developers who fail to meet the requirement must pay fines, which totaled nearly $1.9 million in 2024 and support workforce training programs. Detroit faces significant challenges in developing a skilled workforce, as many residents lack the educational qualifications and transportation needed for apprenticeship programs.