Michigan news

A warehouse facility in Highland Park, Michigan, was identified in media reports as a potential site for a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center, prompting concern among local officials and community members. Ashley Capital, the development firm operating the 446,500 square-foot Means Logistics Park building, has clarified that the property is currently leased to DTE Energy and therefore unavailable for such use. Local leaders including Highland Park Mayor Glenda McDonald and State Senator Stephanie Chang have expressed opposition to any ICE facility in their area and have been attempting to contact federal officials for verification. The reports stem from a Washington Post story revealing Trump administration plans to establish 16 detention facilities capable of holding over 80,000 immigrant detainees to accelerate deportations.

Following a Washington Post report identifying Highland Park as one of 16 potential sites for new federal immigrant processing facilities, local officials and a property developer have pushed back against the claim. Ashley Capital's vice president confirmed that the warehouse building mentioned in the report is already leased to DTE Energy and cannot be used for immigration detention purposes, though it remains unclear how the location ended up on the reported list. Highland Park Mayor Glenda McDonald and State Senator Stephanie Chang have expressed opposition to hosting such a facility and are attempting to get clarification from federal authorities, who have not responded to their inquiries. The controversy comes amid broader concerns about increased immigration enforcement in Michigan communities and follows the recent detention of students from a Detroit high school at a separate ICE facility.

Detroit experienced a transformative 2025 marked by historic political change and economic revival alongside serious infrastructure and equity challenges. Mary Sheffield became the city's first female mayor, bringing a progressive agenda focused on crime reduction, economic development, and racial equity, while the city celebrated two consecutive years of population growth following decades of decline. Major downtown developments like Hudson's Detroit opened to the public, and violent crime rates dropped significantly due to community intervention programs. However, the year also exposed critical vulnerabilities including aging water infrastructure failures, a federal SNAP benefits pause that threatened food security for 1.4 million Michiganders, the rollback of DEI programs across institutions, a tragic homelessness crisis that killed two children, contaminated fill-dirt used on residential properties, and federal tariffs threatening the auto industry's profitability and workers' profit-sharing. # Key Takeaways

Detroit has concluded its fiscal year with a $105 million budget surplus, marking the eleventh consecutive year of surplus revenue since exiting bankruptcy in 2014. The surplus, which exceeded initial projections by nearly two-thirds, resulted from disciplined spending across city departments, higher income tax collections, and strategic debt management, while the city now maintains over $548 million in total reserves. Outgoing Mayor Mike Duggan, who is leaving office after twelve years to run for governor, emphasized this achievement reflects strong collaboration with City Council and demonstrates Detroit's financial transformation from a bankrupt city under state control to one with investment-grade bond ratings. Incoming Mayor Mary Sheffield, who takes office January 1, has pledged to maintain fiscal discipline while directing resources toward neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, and homeowner tax relief. The decision on allocating the surplus will rest with Sheffield's administration and the new City Council as they begin budget planning in February.

The Michigan Chronicle's Pancakes & Politics series will launch its 21st season earlier than usual with a special Auto Show Edition on January 15, 2026, at Detroit's Huntington Place. This collaborative event brings together automotive industry leaders, policymakers, and community members to discuss Michigan's evolving role in the auto sector, including electric vehicle technology, manufacturing, and economic development. Panel discussions will address critical topics such as smart city technology, EV infrastructure, and workforce development as Michigan works to maintain its leadership position in automotive innovation. Tickets are currently available for purchase, and organizers expect strong attendance for this highly anticipated conversation about Detroit's economic future and the automotive industry's transformation.

Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty from Ohio has filed a lawsuit challenging the Kennedy Center board's decision to add President Trump's name to the performing arts facility. Beatty, who serves as an ex officio trustee, contends that federal law grants only Congress the authority to rename or add memorial designations to the federally governed institution. The controversy emerged after the board voted to include Trump's name and quickly installed new signage, with Beatty claiming she was muted when trying to voice her objection during the meeting. Federal law has prohibited additional memorials in the Kennedy Center's public areas since 1983, following Congress's decision to rename the center after President Kennedy in 1963. # Key Takeaways

Former First Lady Michelle Obama discussed her close friendship with director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele during a Jimmy Kimmel interview, revealing that the Obamas had plans to meet with the couple on the evening they were found deceased in their Los Angeles residence. The Reiners' son Nick has been arrested and is being held without bail after authorities determined he was responsible for his parents' deaths. Michelle Obama defended the Reiners' character and criticized President Trump's disparaging comments about Rob Reiner, in which Trump claimed the director suffered from "Trump Derangement Syndrome." Obama praised the Reiners as decent, courageous individuals who demonstrated passion and commitment to their family, country, and principles of fairness.

Professional tennis player Venus Williams, age 45, has married Italian actor and model Andrea Preti, age 37, in a multi-day celebration held in South Florida. The couple first met at Milan Fashion Week in 2024 and became engaged in January 2025 after six months of dating. Their wedding festivities spanned five days and included various events such as a yacht gathering, bridal shower, pool party, and culminated in an official courthouse ceremony on December 19th followed by a Saturday celebration. The couple had previously participated in a symbolic ceremony in Italy in September, but legal complexities for foreign nationals led them to hold their official wedding in Palm Beach, Florida.

Watch Night, a Black American tradition observed on New Year's Eve, traces its origins to December 31, 1862, when enslaved and free African Americans gathered secretly to await the Emancipation Proclamation's implementation at midnight. While the tradition was adapted from Moravian and Methodist religious practices, Black communities transformed it into a unique celebration combining Christian worship with anticipation of freedom. Today, Watch Night services continue in Black churches nationwide, featuring late-night worship, fellowship meals, and the symbolic countdown to midnight that once marked the moment freedom legally arrived. The tradition persists despite changing safety concerns that have altered service times, maintaining its role as one of the oldest cultural observances in the Black community. # Key Takeaways

This article highlights faith-based books authored by Black writers and published by Black presses, addressing the significant lack of diversity in religious publishing where only about 16% of religious titles come from Black creators. The piece emphasizes how the predominantly white publishing infrastructure, with roughly 72% white professionals, has historically limited which faith stories receive attention and support. To counter this narrow representation, the author recommends several titles ranging from children's books to adult devotionals that incorporate Black experiences and theological perspectives. These recommended works cover themes including daily devotion, overcoming fear through faith, children's self-worth, and family prayer, offering readers more inclusive spiritual perspectives for the holiday season.

Nearly a decade after Flint, Michigan switched its water source to the corrosive Flint River without proper treatment, settlement payments have finally begun reaching affected residents. Administrators approved approximately 26,000 claims and started distributing the first wave of roughly 7,000 property damage payments in mid-December 2024, with nearly 3,000 payments issued by late December. The water crisis, which began in April 2014 when cost-cutting measures led to untreated river water leaching lead from aging pipes, disproportionately affected Flint's majority-Black population in what was officially termed environmental injustice. While property damage payments are now flowing with a $1,000 cap per parcel, the larger health-related claims—particularly for young children exposed to lead—have not yet begun distribution despite comprising the vast majority of the settlement fund.

The Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity has selected Pastor Orville K. Littlejohn as its next president, with his term beginning January 1, 2026, following Pastor Richard White III's three-year leadership. Littlejohn, who currently serves as the council's First Vice President and leads Messiah Baptist Church, was nominated without opposition and brings extensive experience from leadership roles across multiple Baptist organizations and as chaplain for Detroit Police Department's 12th Precinct. The transition represents significant community interest because Detroit's faith leaders play crucial roles as first responders during crises, community conveners, and partners in addressing social needs when government resources fall short. The formal leadership handoff will occur during a ceremony on January 25, 2026, at Littlejohn's church, marking a new phase in how area Baptist clergy will coordinate their advocacy and service efforts. # Key Takeaways

This article chronicles significant events in African American history occurring between December 24-30 across different years. The entries document various struggles and achievements, from the 1881 Edgefield Exodus where over 5,000 Black residents fled South Carolina violence to resettle in Arkansas, to the 1929 "Don't Buy Where You Can't Work" economic boycott campaign. The timeline also celebrates cultural milestones including Jupiter Hammon's groundbreaking 1760 poem, the 1966 founding of Kwanzaa, and the births of influential figures like James Brown and Denzel Washington. Additionally, it records tragic events such as the 1951 bombing murder of civil rights activists Harry and Ethel Moore, while highlighting successful resistance like the Crafts' daring 1848 escape from slavery and various civil rights victories.

Tattoo inks, originally formulated for industrial uses like car paint rather than human injection, contain complex chemical mixtures that interact with the body's immune system in ways researchers are only beginning to comprehend. Once injected into the dermis, ink particles become trapped in skin cells and can migrate through the lymphatic system to accumulate in lymph nodes, potentially affecting immune function and inflammatory responses. Recent scientific investigations reveal that certain tattoo pigments may trigger prolonged inflammation, interfere with vaccine effectiveness, and break down into potentially carcinogenic compounds when exposed to sunlight or laser removal. While tattoos don't currently show strong links to cancer in human populations, the lack of consistent global regulation and long-term studies means the cumulative health effects of these permanent chemical exposures remain largely unknown. The growing prevalence of larger, more colorful tattoos has intensified concerns about chemical burden and the need for stricter oversight and transparency in the tattoo ink industry. # Key Takeaways

Mary Sheffield will be inaugurated as Detroit's first female mayor on January 9 at a free public ceremony held at the Detroit Opera House. The investiture event will include performances by local artists and will be accessible both in person and via livestream on city platforms. Sheffield has emphasized making the ceremony publicly accessible because she views this as a milestone for all Detroit residents, not just herself. As part of her transition process called Rise Higher, she has been gathering community input for her first 100 days in office while her team reviews over 1,200 job applications for administration positions. # Key Takeaways

The Detroit City Council has welcomed two new members—Renata Miller, who fills the District 5 seat vacated by Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, and Denzel McCampbell, who replaces Fred Durhal III. While members were sworn in during a December 9th orientation, a public inauguration ceremony is scheduled for January 9th at the Detroit Opera House. A major question facing the reconstituted council is who will serve as its next president, with Council Pro Tem James Tate expressing interest in the position that Sheffield previously held. Meanwhile, outgoing member Durhal will join Sheffield's administration as director of state government affairs, and outgoing Mayor Mike Duggan announced he is leaving office with a $105 million budget surplus.

The Rev. Joseph C. Alsay has been appointed as the eleventh dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit, marking a historic milestone as the first Black leader of Michigan's oldest Episcopal church founded in 1824. Alsay brings experience from transforming St. Augustine of Canterbury in Oklahoma City, where he successfully grew membership and brought together diverse political and community groups over his 15 years there. His vision for the Detroit cathedral focuses on creating a welcoming environment while expanding beyond the current 130-member congregation to serve more residents. Alsay officially began his new role on November 30, 2024, the first Sunday of Advent, and aims to make the Midtown church a more accessible and relevant community space.

The Leaders in Training (LIT) program run by Urban Neighborhood Initiatives in Southwest Detroit's Springwells neighborhood provides youth aged 14 to 24 with career preparation through paid internships, mentorship, and skills development. The initiative has evolved from seasonal job placements into a comprehensive year-round workforce development program that helps young people overcome systemic barriers to employment and education. A key success story is 21-year-old Wayne State student Melany Sanchez, who joined as a college freshman and now mentors younger participants while receiving support including scholarship connections and educational supplies. The program emphasizes building positive adult relationships and currently has five of its six career pathways led by former participants, demonstrating how it creates sustainable community leadership from within the neighborhood.

The Motor City Contractor Fund is recruiting Detroit-based contractors for its fourth cohort before a January 30 application deadline, aiming to help local small and mid-sized construction businesses compete for projects in Detroit's $5 billion revitalization boom. Since launching, the program has provided over $2 million in capital support, nearly $2.5 million in lending, and $365,000 in grants to address barriers like limited access to capital, bonding, and technical assistance that prevent local contractors from securing large-scale development work. The fund, backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation, Invest Detroit, and Barton Malow, combines financial resources with hands-on support to strengthen business operations and competitive positioning. By helping local contractors succeed, the initiative aims to retain wealth in Detroit neighborhoods, create jobs, and ensure outside firms don't monopolize the city's development opportunities.

The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office has received a $75,000 federal grant to document and preserve the architectural legacy of Nathan Johnson, a pioneering Black modernist architect who shaped Detroit's built environment from the 1950s through his death in 2021. The funding will support hiring a preservation consultant to conduct a comprehensive study of Johnson's career and buildings, with the goal of nominating at least one of his properties to the National Register of Historic Places and creating documentation to facilitate future listings. Johnson, who became Detroit's Board of Education's first Black architect in 1965, designed dozens of churches, commercial buildings, and civic projects including People Mover stations, while also mentoring other Black architects throughout his career. The project, conducted in partnership with Noir Design Parti, aims to correct Johnson's relative absence from official Michigan architectural histories and provide property owners access to preservation incentives like tax credits and grants. # Key Takeaways

The article warns about common and costly mistakes people make with beneficiary designations on financial accounts and insurance policies. Many individuals fail to update beneficiaries after major life changes like divorce or remarriage, which can result in assets going to unintended recipients since beneficiary designations override wills and trusts. The author illustrates this problem through a fictional scenario where a woman's life insurance proceeds went to her ex-husband instead of her current family because she never updated the designation after remarrying. The piece emphasizes the importance of regularly reviewing and updating beneficiaries on all accounts, including life insurance, retirement accounts, and bank accounts, to ensure assets pass according to one's current wishes. # Key Takeaways

Dr. Anthony O. Kellum argues that the Trump administration's policies since January 2025 represent a systematic dismantling of systems that have supported Black Americans' economic advancement over six decades. By eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies, educational institutions, and corporate contractors, these policies directly threaten Black access to education, employment, and homeownership. Kellum contends that removing equity protections will constrict the pathways that lead to stable employment and mortgage eligibility, ultimately widening both the Black housing gap and wealth gap. He emphasizes that this regression is deliberate rather than accidental, and calls for Black communities to maintain political engagement while building alternative support systems and community-driven capital sources. # Key Takeaways

DTE Energy concluded its 2025 United Way fundraising campaign by raising nearly $2 million through employee participation and a matching contribution from the DTE Foundation. Employees engaged in various creative fundraising activities including cookoffs, raffles, trivia contests, bingo events, and themed gatherings like Worktoberfest and karaoke parties. The campaign also featured volunteer service projects, such as an August backpack drive at Beacon Park where workers filled bags with school supplies for students. The funds will support United Way programs including 2-1-1, a service that helps connect community members to essential resources like food, shelter, and utility payment assistance. # Key Takeaways

A utility company is offering energy-saving advice to customers during the holiday season when home appliances experience increased usage. The guidance includes lowering thermostats when hosting guests, switching to LED holiday lights with timers, and using alternative cooking appliances instead of ovens to reduce natural gas consumption. For those traveling during the holidays, recommendations include adjusting thermostats to lower settings without turning them off completely and unplugging unnecessary electronics. The company also promotes its Bill Analyzer Tool, which allows customers to review their previous year's energy consumption patterns and identify opportunities for savings. # Key Takeaways

The DTE Foundation and Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan have launched a new interactive exhibit called "Energy MVP - From Rookie to Legend" at the JA Finance Park in Detroit. This hands-on installation showcases career opportunities in renewable energy, skilled trades, engineering, and emerging technologies through real-world simulations and scenarios. DTE employees contributed actual equipment and personal tools from their careers to make the exhibit authentic and engaging. The exhibit aims to connect thousands of students annually with high-paying career pathways in Michigan's evolving energy sector, from electric vehicle infrastructure to solar technology. # Key Takeaways

The DTE Foundation has announced a $300,000 commitment to combat increasing food insecurity throughout Michigan by supporting six established partner organizations that distribute meals to families in need. This donation represents part of a larger initiative, bringing the Foundation's total hunger-relief investment this year to over $1 million across 39 organizations operating statewide. Foundation leaders and partner organizations emphasized that addressing hunger strengthens entire communities, not just individual recipients. The funding will help these organizations expand their meal distribution capabilities and maintain services during a period of heightened need across the state. # Key Takeaways

Michigan's Senate voted 23-13 on December 16 to restore $634 million in work project funding that House Republicans had eliminated one week earlier through a rarely used procedural mechanism. The original cuts, which removed approximately $645 million from previously approved projects serving vulnerable populations, sparked intense backlash from affected organizations, local governments, and the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, who demanded accountability through press conferences and coordinated advocacy. Five Republican senators crossed party lines to join Democrats in reversing the funding cuts, which had impacted essential programs including childhood cancer treatment, fire safety equipment, environmental projects, and maternal health initiatives. The restored funding legislation now returns to the Republican-controlled House for final consideration, while questions about the constitutionality of the budget maneuver remain under legal review. This reversal demonstrates how organized community resistance successfully challenged unilateral budget decisions that disproportionately harmed Black, low-income, rural, and medically vulnerable communities.

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has appointed David Bowser as her chief of staff, a key leadership position in her incoming administration. Bowser previously worked as a senior policy advisor on Sheffield's campaign and currently serves as director of transition operations for her transition team. He brings extensive experience from various roles in the Duggan administration, where he focused on housing, health equity, and human services, including helping establish programs like Code Blue and the Detroit Housing Services Office. In his new role, Bowser will manage citywide communications, internal administrative functions, and high-priority mayoral projects while also serving as a senior advisor to Sheffield.

The Judson Center is launching a new infant mental health program in Oakland County with $150,000 in funding from the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, distributed as $75,000 annually over two years. The "Our Early Years" pilot program will serve families involved with child welfare services and those experiencing poverty-related trauma, focusing on strengthening caregiver-child relationships for children from birth to age three. This initiative responds to concerning Michigan data showing that 68% of adults and 58% of youth have experienced adverse childhood experiences, with infants under one year representing 11% of child maltreatment victims in 2023. Additionally, Judson Center's CEO Lenora Hardy-Foster received the foundation's "Mental Health Hero" Award, which provides $25,000 to her organization along with support for leadership renewal time. # Key Takeaways

The article argues that Trump's executive order challenging birthright citizenship, currently before the Supreme Court, would reclassify millions of U.S.-born residents—predominantly Latino, African, Caribbean, and Asian Americans—as non-citizens eligible for deportation. The author contends this immigration pause targeting "Third World" countries is part of a calculated strategy to prevent America from becoming a majority-minority nation by 2040, despite demographic shifts already showing non-white youth as the majority in numerous states. The piece draws parallels between current anti-immigrant rhetoric and Nazi Germany's scapegoating tactics, highlighting discriminatory enforcement where Black and Brown migrants face militarized responses while European immigrants receive preferential treatment. Beyond immigration restrictions, the author argues that systemic policies affecting healthcare access, environmental quality, and economic opportunity in communities of color constitute a coordinated form of demographic control designed to maintain white political and economic dominance. # Key Takeaways