politics

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has stated that President Trump is not targeting Detroit for federal immigration enforcement partly because the city, unlike Chicago, is not a sanctuary city and cooperates with ICE detainer requests. This stance comes as Trump's administration launches "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago, targeting undocumented immigrants in a city that refuses to honor deportation requests for convicted criminals. Meanwhile, some Detroit residents are advocating for sanctuary city protections, with the Detroit Community Action Committee requesting the City Council create an ordinance protecting residents, particularly in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling that expands immigration agents' authority to stop individuals based on factors including ethnicity and language.

Phillip Pierce, the first Black secretary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, has initiated crucial research revealing the overlooked Black history of Michigan's popular tourist destination. His inquiries led to discoveries about Jean and Jeanette Bonga, formerly enslaved people who opened the island's first-known hotel in the 1780s, and Emma and Joseph Ford, Black business owners and civil rights activists who operated a restaurant on Main Street from 1890 to 1903. These findings have resulted in new historical markers and public recognition, highlighting that Black entrepreneurs and workers have been integral to Mackinac Island's hospitality economy from its earliest days through the present, where Caribbean seasonal workers continue to sustain the tourism industry despite limited Black business ownership today.

Former State Senator Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) is preparing to withdraw from Michigan's 13th District U.S. House race and is considering a run for Secretary of State instead, according to sources with direct knowledge of his plans. Hollier, who previously attempted to challenge incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar but was disqualified due to fraudulent petition signatures, has been encouraged by Michigan leaders concerned about threats to democracy. Although Hollier outpaced other candidates in fundraising during the latest reporting period with nearly $300,000 raised in his first 11 weeks, he may now pursue the Secretary of State position being vacated by Jocelyn Benson, who is running for governor. If Hollier runs for Secretary of State, he would need to be selected by Democrats during the state party's nominating convention next year.

Chicago's crime statistics show a significant decline, with violent crime down 11% in 2023 and homicides reduced by nearly a third through August 2024 compared to the previous year. Despite President Trump's characterization of Chicago as a "killing field" and his threat to send National Guard troops, the city ranks 29th out of 37 large US cities for violent crime rate according to FBI data. Governor Pritzker has rejected federal intervention, stating Chicago is successfully addressing violent crime on its own. While Chicago recorded the highest absolute number of homicides in 2023, it ranked tenth in homicide rate per capita among large US cities, contradicting claims that it has the highest murder rate.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers is facing significant backlash after calling for President Trump to deploy military troops to Detroit, claiming the city has become "a hub for violent crime." Detroit city officials, including spokesperson John Roach, strongly refuted Rogers' claims, highlighting a 90% reduction in carjackings since 2013 and noting that 2023 saw the lowest number of homicides since 1966. Political opponents, including Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and State Senator Mallory McMorrow, have condemned Rogers' request as unnecessary and harmful, with El-Sayed characterizing it as a "federal invasion." The controversy has also highlighted a potential inconsistency in U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens' position, as she criticized Rogers while having previously called for National Guard deployment in Chicago in 2016.

Detroit City Council has approved an ordinance allowing the city's law department to prosecute certain misdemeanors beginning in summer 2026, a change described as "historic" by city officials. The 8-1 vote transfers prosecution authority for crimes like retail fraud, larceny, and domestic violence from Wayne County to the city of Detroit. This shift aims to give Detroit more control over sentencing while allowing the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office to focus on violent crimes. The initiative will cost approximately $700,000 to hire four attorneys and two paralegals, though some council members have expressed concerns about funding sustainability once pandemic relief dollars expire.

Detroit residents are urging city officials to take a stronger stance against the potential deployment of federal troops in their city amid President Trump's considerations to mobilize the National Guard in "Democrat-run" cities. While Trump hasn't specifically mentioned Detroit, his previous actions of sending troops to Los Angeles and Washington D.C., along with his stated plans for Chicago, have raised concerns among Detroit activists. During a city council meeting, residents called for preparations to resist what they described as potential "illegal occupation," drawing parallels to the deadly National Guard deployment in Detroit in July 1967. Some residents view Trump's focus on Black-majority cities as deliberately targeted and are requesting preemptive action from local leadership.

Detroit City Council has passed an ordinance allowing city attorneys to prosecute certain misdemeanor offenses starting in July 2026, shifting this responsibility from Wayne County prosecutors. The measure, which passed 8-1, will cost Detroit an additional $750,000 annually and require six new staff members in the Law Department. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy supports the change as it will help her office focus on more serious crimes, though Council President Mary Sheffield opposed it citing concerns about funding and accountability. The city will prosecute quality of life offenses in 36th District Court while collecting a portion of fines and costs, though officials emphasized the program isn't intended to be funded through these penalties.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has acknowledged the Trump administration's contribution to reducing crime in Detroit through established partnerships with federal law enforcement agencies. In a CNN interview, Duggan specifically credited Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon for increasing federal prosecutors and enhancing support for gun violence initiatives. These comments sparked criticism after being summarized by media as Duggan crediting the Trump administration for Detroit's historic crime drop. Detroit has been recognized as a national leader in utilizing federal investments for police work, including $4.2 million in ARP funding for helicopter acquisition and upgrades.

Detroit recently launched the Emerald Alert system to address gaps in existing missing persons notification systems, successfully finding four missing individuals on its first day of operation. The new system works through the city's existing 365 Alerts network to send notifications for high-risk missing persons cases that don't qualify for Amber Alerts, including vulnerable children, those with special needs, and suspected non-domestic kidnappings. Created following the tragic disappearance of 13-year-old Na'Ziyah Harris in 2024, the system represents Detroit's response to longstanding concerns that missing Black residents didn't receive adequate attention. The Emerald Alert system sends text notifications and push alerts with descriptions of missing individuals and a dedicated tipline number to help mobilize community assistance.

Detroit recently implemented the Emerald Alert system to help locate vulnerable missing persons, which was successfully used for the first time to find 74-year-old Marjorie Louise Brown Kilpatrick and three teenage girls. Introduced by Council President Mary Sheffield and Police Chief Todd Bettison, the system addresses cases that don't meet Amber Alert criteria, including missing children under 10, persons with special needs, non-domestic kidnappings, and suspected foul play situations. The City Council allocated $80,000 in surplus funding to enhance the Detroit Police Department's 2025-26 budget specifically for a personal alert program focused on disabled residents prone to going missing. The Emerald Alert system sends notifications to subscribers of Detroit's existing 365 Alerts system, providing a critical resource for locating vulnerable missing people quickly.

Detroit City FC is pursuing a $192 million development in Corktown that includes a new soccer stadium, parking garage, and housing units. The project is unusual because it would be privately owned and pay property taxes, unlike other professional sports venues in Detroit. As part of Detroit's community benefits process, a neighborhood advisory council of residents will negotiate local investments in exchange for tax breaks that require City Council approval. Some residents have already expressed concerns about the impact area boundaries and potential neighborhood disruptions, while project developers emphasize community connections and economic benefits for Southwest Detroit.

The Gilbert Family Foundation is investing $4 million to strengthen Black-led businesses and community developers in Detroit, with funds split between Black Leaders Detroit ($2.1 million) and the Michigan Black Business Alliance ($2 million). This investment, announced during National Black Business Month, aims to create economic opportunities for historically underserved communities and is part of a larger $500 million commitment over ten years that began in 2021. BLD will expand their Building Fund which provides no-interest loans to Black developers working on residential projects, while MBBA will enhance programs like their Global Growth Accelerator to help second-stage businesses scale operations. These initiatives reflect the foundation's commitment to creating a more inclusive economic environment where Black entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute to Detroit's revitalization.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer marks August as Black Business Month in Michigan, highlighting her administration's ongoing efforts to support Black entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state. Her administration has implemented various initiatives including the Small Business Venture Capital program, which awarded over $40 million to connect tech startups with capital, and the MI Economic Opportunity Fund, a $10 million microloan program targeting women and entrepreneurs of color. The governor emphasizes efforts to reduce regulatory burdens for small businesses, including recent legislation benefiting small distillers and mixed spirit manufacturers. Michigan's business-friendly environment has earned it recognition as a top 10 state for business by CNBC for three consecutive years, though Governor Whitmer acknowledges more work remains to be done.

The Detroit City Council race in District 6 pits State Rep. Tyrone Carter, a former law enforcement official with decades of legislative experience, against incumbent Gabriela Santiago-Romero, a Democratic Socialist and the council's only Hispanic member. The contest highlights Democratic Party divisions, with Carter drawing support from older, moderate Black residents while Santiago-Romero appeals to Hispanic voters and is backed by grassroots and labor groups. Their most significant policy difference involves campaign financing, with Santiago-Romero refusing corporate PAC money while Carter has accepted funds from corporations like DTE Energy and Marathon Petroleum. Southwest Detroit's District 6 has a majority Latino population (57.2%), followed by African Americans (23.6%) and whites (16.9%).

Marshalls Good Stuff Social Club hosted a day-long event at BasBlue in Detroit on August 9th, curated by Amber Lewis of Social N The City, with Black women as the central focus. The event featured various educational sessions including financial guidance from Vivian Tu ("Your Rich BFF"), who explained debt management strategies like the snowball and avalanche methods, as well as a business panel featuring artists like Destinee Rose. Additional activities included a DJ-backed speed networking session led by BasBlue's Liza Gordon and a creative self-portrait workshop called "A Portrait of Confidence" facilitated by Lauren Hom and Rachael Renae. The comprehensive experience included personalized color analysis, food from women-led culinary teams, and Marshalls gift bags, creating what the author describes as "a love letter to self-worth."

Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway is facing potential consequences after her taxpayer-funded newsletter included campaign solicitations from Police Commissioner Linda Bernard, who is seeking re-election as a write-in candidate. Reverend Lucious Conway, a competing candidate, has filed multiple complaints and a lawsuit alleging improper use of public resources for campaign purposes. The Michigan Bureau of Elections determined Whitfield-Calloway violated rules by using the government communication platform GovDelivery to distribute campaign messages, though she claims it was an unintentional oversight. The Board of Ethics will hear Conway's complaint at their August 20 meeting while the Bureau of Elections continues its investigation.

Michigan transportation officials have paused the I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project, a $500+ million plan to replace a Detroit freeway with a surface boulevard that was intended to reconnect neighborhoods divided by the original 1964 construction. The Michigan Department of Transportation cited rising costs, durability concerns, and public opposition as reasons for delaying the project that had been scheduled to begin construction this year. The original freeway destroyed the historically Black neighborhoods of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley, displacing over 100,000 residents and erasing hundreds of Black-owned businesses and cultural landmarks. Critics, including Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, argue the current plan lacks genuine commitments to affordable housing, opportunities for descendants of displaced families, and protections for Black-owned businesses that would make the project truly reparative.

Detroit's mayoral primary election has narrowed the field to Council President Mary Sheffield, who led with 51% of the vote (43,572 ballots), and Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr., who secured second place with 17% (14,893 votes). Sheffield's campaign successfully combined digital communication with grassroots organizing and substantial labor support, raising approximately $1.3 million—more than double any other candidate. Kinloch leveraged his leadership at Triumph Church and crucial endorsement from the United Auto Workers (UAW), focusing on movement-building and values-based messaging rather than large-scale media campaigns. The two candidates will now advance to the general election, representing contrasting leadership approaches—Sheffield's legislative experience versus Kinloch's community and faith-based organizing.

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield led the mayoral primary with 51.2% of the vote, while Senior Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. secured second place with 17.6%, advancing both candidates to the November 4 general election. Sheffield holds a significant fundraising advantage, having raised $1.3 million compared to Kinloch's $408,000. The election represents a choice between Sheffield's legislative experience and policy background versus Kinloch's faith-based community leadership approach. This election is particularly significant as it will determine who succeeds Mayor Mike Duggan and could potentially result in Detroit's first Black woman mayor.

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield has emerged as the leading candidate in the mayoral primary election, securing 52% of votes with 72% of precincts reporting. She will advance to the November 4 general election alongside senior pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr., who received 17.3% of votes. The winner will become Detroit's first new mayor since Mike Duggan took office in 2014, with Sheffield potentially becoming the city's first Black woman mayor in its 324-year history. The election comes during a major transition for Detroit government, with every City Council seat also up for grabs following redistricting.

Detroit faces a significant political transition in 2025 with its first mayoral election in over a decade, alongside every City Council seat, city clerk, and Board of Police Commissioners position being contested. The election comes at a critical time as remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds—less than $100 million of Detroit's original $826 million allocation—must be allocated before they expire next year. Despite the importance of these races, voter turnout has been concerningly low in recent elections, with just 24% participation in 2021's mayoral race and only 18% in 2023's citywide races. Detroiters have multiple voting options available, including early voting from July 26 to August 4 for the primary and October 25 to November 3 for the general election, with the primary scheduled for August 5 and the general election for November 4.

Detroit faces a pivotal election year in 2025 with every major city leadership position on the ballot, including a new mayor for the first time in over a decade, all City Council seats, city clerk, and seven Board of Police Commissioners positions. The election coincides with the final allocation of Detroit's remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with less than $100 million left of the original $826 million received. Despite the significance of these elections that directly impact housing, public safety, education, and infrastructure, Detroit has struggled with low voter turnout—just 24% in the 2021 mayoral election and 18% in 2023 citywide races. Multiple voting options are available to residents including early voting from July 26 to August 4 for the primary and October 25 to November 3 for the general election, along with absentee voting and same-day registration.

The race for Michigan's governorship in 2026 is shaping up to be highly competitive as term-limited Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer cannot seek reelection. The Democratic primary features Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and others, while the Republican field includes Representative John James and several former state officials. Adding complexity to the race, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent candidate in what is expected to be one of the closest gubernatorial contests in 2026. Michigan remains a crucial swing state with a history of alternating between Democratic and Republican governors, having supported different parties in recent elections with very narrow margins.

JPMorganChase volunteers recently spent a day renovating and cleaning the Pope Francis Center in Detroit, a facility that serves over 200 homeless individuals daily. The Center, established in 1990, provides over 110,000 meals, 2,550 laundry loads, and 6,000 showers annually, along with medical, dental, and legal support to Detroit's most vulnerable citizens. This volunteer effort represents a decade-long partnership between JPMorganChase and the Pope Francis Center, with the bank providing both financial services and volunteer support. The Center has expanded its impact through the Bridge Housing Campus, which opened in September and offers transitional housing and comprehensive support services to help people transition from homelessness to permanent housing.

Detroit City Council has voted to increase fines for parents whose children violate the juvenile curfew law, raising penalties to $250 for first offenses and $500 for second offenses while eliminating jail time as a sentencing option. Police Chief Todd Bettison supports the updated ordinance as an accountability measure aimed at changing behavior and addressing recent youth gun violence incidents in the city. The police department plans to use curfew violations as intervention opportunities to connect families with support services rather than processing minors through the juvenile court system. Critics question the effectiveness of curfews in reducing youth crime, citing studies showing little impact on violence rates, and express concerns that fines may create financial hardship for already struggling families without achieving the intended behavioral changes.

The article discusses campaign finance disclosures for Detroit's mayoral race, revealing that candidates have collectively raised $3 million, with only 28% coming from Detroit residents while 72% comes from outside the city. Council President Mary Sheffield leads in fundraising with nearly $800,000 raised this year, giving her a significant financial advantage over rivals Solomon Kinloch Jr. and Saunteel Jenkins. The article also covers the City Council's vote to update a parental responsibility ordinance with increased fines in response to youth violence, and residents' complaints about a problematic hotel in the Ravendale neighborhood allegedly attracting crime and prostitution.

of "Rep. Debbie Dingell's Fight Against Domestic Violence" Representative Debbie Dingell shares her harrowing childhood experiences with domestic violence, including a traumatic incident where her father, who struggled with prescription drug addiction and mental illness, threatened the family with a gun. Despite her reluctance to discuss these painful memories, Dingell uses her platform in Congress to advocate for domestic violence survivors through legislative action and awareness campaigns. Since first publicly speaking about her experiences during a 2016 House sit-in on gun safety legislation, she has established the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence and authored key provisions in the Violence Against Women Act. Dingell emphasizes that domestic violence affects families across all socioeconomic backgrounds and advocates for community resources to help survivors escape dangerous situations.

A 42-year-old man, Bradford James Gille, has been charged with terrorism and assault with intent to murder after randomly stabbing 11 shoppers at a Walmart supermarket in Traverse City, Michigan. The victims, aged between 21 and 84, were attacked with a folding knife but are all expected to survive their injuries. Law enforcement arrived quickly at the scene, where armed citizens had already confronted and contained the suspect in the parking lot before deputies took him into custody without incident. Investigators, with FBI assistance, are still working to determine the suspect's motive for the attack, which has been classified as terrorism due to its intent to instill fear in the community.

At least 11 people were injured in a random stabbing attack at a Walmart supermarket in Traverse City, Michigan, with the victims being treated at Munson Medical Centre. A 42-year-old Michigan resident armed with a folding knife was apprehended, partly with the assistance of store customers who also helped treat the wounded. As of Saturday night, six victims were in critical condition and five in serious condition, with law enforcement including the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office and FBI personnel responding to the incident. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her concern for the victims and community affected by what Sheriff Michael Shea described as an apparently "random act" of violence.