Michigan news

Employees of Hutch's Jewelry in Oak Park used social media to address concerns about the store's future following the recent death of their prominent jeweler, Darrel "D. Hasty" Hasty, who passed away unexpectedly in late February at age 33. The 33-year-old had become the public face of the business through his popular TikTok presence after the store's original owner, Dan Hutchinson, was murdered in a hire-for-hire scheme in 2022. Despite these consecutive tragedies, the jewelry store had experienced significant growth, including partnerships with the Detroit Pistons and attracting celebrity clients like Rick Ross and E-40. Employees AJ Williams and Jay Graves posted a video thanking supporters and confirming the store will continue operating, though specific plans for moving forward remain unclear.

Detroit has launched a new program to repair and replace deteriorating seawalls for low-income homeowners in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood, which experiences recurring flooding from the Detroit River and its connecting canals. The $1 million pilot initiative, funded by a Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant, aims to fix seawalls for 15-20 properties as a test case for broader flood mitigation efforts. This program supports a larger goal of removing the neighborhood from FEMA's flood hazard designation, which currently requires expensive flood insurance and limits federally funded home improvements. The seawall repairs are part of decades-long efforts to address water damage in the waterfront community, building on a 2022 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study that recommended strengthening shorelines to reduce flooding.

This article examines how historical exploitation of Black women in medicine, particularly the unconsented experimentation on enslaved women like Anarcha Westcott, continues to manifest in today's maternal health disparities. While Michigan has achieved record-low infant mortality rates, Black infants still die at nearly three times the rate of white infants, and Black mothers nationally face maternal mortality rates over three times higher than white women. The piece honors both the victims of medical abuse and pioneering Black midwives who built dignified care systems in their communities. The Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition (SEMPQIC) is working to address these inequities through hospital partnerships, doula access, and equity training programs.

Michigan State University Trustee Dr. Rema Reynolds Vassar describes being publicly confronted by MSU's president at what she thought was a social event after she wrote an op-ed criticizing the university's dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. She argues that the university has significantly reduced funding for student organizations supporting underrepresented groups and eliminated key equity positions while racial incidents on campus have increased. Vassar contends that Black women in leadership face retaliation when they challenge institutional power, noting that she was previously censured in 2023 for demanding release of files related to the Larry Nassar scandal. She maintains that her constitutional duty as an elected trustee is to provide oversight and advocate for students rather than protect administrators, even if this casts her as a "villain" in the administration's narrative. # Key Takeaways

Detroit's poet laureate jessica Care moore is organizing a haiku-themed open mic event on March 13th (313 Day) to celebrate the city through poetry and creative expression. Participants will share Detroit-themed haikus that can be recorded in an audio booth as part of a larger "Detroit Love" project. Following the open mic night, moore will lead a free community poetry workshop on March 15th where the Moore Art House will travel throughout different Detroit neighborhoods collecting haikus from residents. This initiative represents the beginning of a year-long citywide project that will showcase Detroit voices through public art, recorded works, and live performances.

Following the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of ICE agents in Minnesota, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced in February 2026 that Minneapolis-based agents would receive body-worn cameras. A public policy researcher has examined ICE's body camera policy and compared it to state and local policies to determine whether it can deliver the transparency and accountability being demanded by critics. The analysis reveals that ICE's current policy has significant gaps, including optional recording during vehicle pursuits and detainee transportation, prohibition of recording inside detention facilities, and allowance for facial recognition on recorded footage. The effectiveness of body cameras as accountability tools depends heavily on mandatory activation requirements, continuous recording protocols, restrictions on facial recognition technology, and robust enforcement mechanisms with consequences for policy violations.

The federal 8(a) Business Development Program, designed to help disadvantaged small businesses access federal contracts, is facing significant rollbacks amid broader political attacks on diversity initiatives. While Black-owned businesses represent nearly a quarter of eligible firms, they receive only a small fraction of federal contract dollars, making 8(a) their primary entry point into government contracting. The Small Business Administration has dramatically reduced new admissions to the program in 2025 and suspended over 1,000 active participants, raising concerns that enforcement is being used as justification for elimination rather than improvement. Critics claim the program is vulnerable to abuse, but supporters argue that dismantling it would further consolidate contracts among established firms and harm small businesses that depend on federal work. The author contends that policymakers should focus on reforming and strengthening the program rather than abandoning one of the few tools available to expand economic opportunity for disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

Michigan's cannabis industry is facing severe economic pressure after a 24% wholesale tax took effect in January 2026, layered on top of existing consumer taxes totaling 16%. The tax was inserted into a road funding package last fall without operating as standalone marijuana legislation, and the industry argues it violates the voter-approved 2018 legalization framework. State Senator Jonathan Lindsey has introduced bipartisan legislation to repeal the wholesale tax amid mounting evidence of market contraction, including the first annual sales decline since recreational legalization began, with sales dropping from $3.27 billion in 2024 to $3.17 billion in 2025. The combination of market saturation, historically low prices, new competition from Ohio's legal market, and the additional tax burden has resulted in over 550 business closures in recent years and thousands of job losses, pushing operators toward what industry observers describe as a survival situation.

A feature story examines how caregiving at American House in Livonia extends beyond medical tasks to emphasize emotional connection through active listening and conversation. Staff members view their caregiving roles as a calling rather than simply a job, requiring genuine compassion that cannot be taught like technical skills. Senior residents report that having others show interest in their lives and stories provides significant emotional benefits, including boosted self-esteem and a sense of being valued. The facility's approach recognizes that social engagement and storytelling serve therapeutic purposes, helping residents maintain mental sharpness and overall happiness through meaningful human interaction.

"Be Happy," a new Lifetime film executive produced by Mary J. Blige and directed by Gabourey Sidibe, follows Val, a Black mother experiencing loneliness and disconnection after her children leave home and her marriage grows distant. The emotional core centers on the evolving mother-daughter relationship between Val and her daughter Kayla, played by Michigan-raised actress Nzingha "Zing" Ashford, who brings personal authenticity to the role based on her own close bond with her mother. When Val visits her pregnant daughter in New Orleans seeking clarity and space for self-discovery, Kayla provides a safe haven for her mother's transformation, illustrating a generational shift where daughters become caretakers and supporters of their mothers. The film resonates particularly with Black families and Detroit audiences by depicting the often-unspoken dynamic where mothers, who sacrificed and provided for years, are given permission to rediscover their identities beyond caregiving roles.

Detroit's new Mayor Mary Sheffield made headlines by wearing expensive Cartier "buff" glasses to a boxing match at Little Caesars Arena, greeting the crowd with the local phrase "what up doe!" This fashion choice came amid the sudden death of Darrel "D. Hasty" Hutch, a widely-admired Detroit jewelry ambassador who educated over 90,000 TikTok followers about authentic luxury items, particularly Cartier glasses with buffalo horn frames. Hasty's videos legitimized Detroit's distinctive jewelry culture and helped shift perceptions of the city beyond poverty stereotypes, treating items like gold chains as investments and self-expression rather than excessive luxury. The mayor's public display of Cartiers represents both a connection to her constituents and a tribute to Hasty's influence in bringing Detroit's authentic jewelry culture into the mainstream, following similar embraces by figures like Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Pistons' "Jewelry Cam."

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is highlighting the state's poor education performance, with Michigan ranking 44th nationally in reading assessments and only 38.9% of third graders demonstrating proficiency in English language arts. During her final State of the State address, she advocated for increased investment in literacy programs, including universal pre-kindergarten, evidence-based teaching methods, and expanded tutoring opportunities. While many of her proposals build on existing initiatives, such as the Great Start Readiness Program that currently serves 51,000 students, she is requesting significant budget increases including $181.1 million for pre-K expansion and $135 million for extended learning programs. A 2024 state law will mandate dyslexia screening, evidence-based reading instruction, and teacher training beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. # Key Takeaways

Teen HYPE, a Detroit-area youth organization, will present "Unseen," a theatrical production addressing the crisis of missing Black girls, on March 5-6 at the Prechter Center in Taylor. The play, written by Teen HYPE alumna Mallory Childs, confronts the stark disparity that Black children represent over 36 percent of missing children cases while comprising only 14 percent of the child population. The production challenges communities, schools, and individuals to examine their responses when Black girls disappear and question whether they react with appropriate urgency or dismiss these cases too quickly. Teen HYPE, which has impacted more than 55,000 young people through various programs, empowers youth to write and perform productions that tackle difficult social issues adults often avoid.

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens, a candidate for Michigan's open Senate seat, has secured endorsements from former Representative Brenda Lawrence and more than a dozen members of the Congressional Black Caucus as she competes in the Democratic primary. Stevens is actively positioning herself as the candidate best able to earn support from Black voters in the Senate race, emphasizing her record of fighting for Michigan jobs and Black-owned businesses. The endorsements come as she faces two Democratic challengers—state Senator Mallory McMorrow and former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed—in the upcoming August primary. Lawrence, who represented Metro Detroit for four terms before retiring in 2023, praised Stevens' career accomplishments, including her role in saving Michigan jobs during the Obama administration's auto industry rescue. Stevens had previously secured an endorsement from Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, the state's first Black Speaker, as part of her strategy to build support among Black political leaders.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is emphasizing a bipartisan approach to governing, attending President Trump's State of the Union address with Senator Elissa Slotkin while other Michigan Democrats boycotted the event. Sheffield praised Governor Whitmer's collaborative leadership style during her final State of the State address, highlighting shared priorities including affordable housing development, education improvements, and literacy programs. The mayor has been building relationships with Republican leaders, including House Speaker Matt Hall, to advance Detroit's interests at the state level. Sheffield supports reducing regulatory barriers to housing construction in Detroit, though she expresses concerns about potential limits to local control over zoning decisions.

Detroit's economic transformation over the past decade has been driven by strategic investment in a concentrated downtown district centered around major sports venues and entertainment facilities that attract over 15 million annual visitors. This anchoring strategy has catalyzed billions in commercial development, attracted major corporations like Google and Microsoft, and diversified the city's economy beyond its historic automotive industry dependence into technology, healthcare, education, and hospitality sectors. The growth has spurred significant residential and hotel development, with seven new residential buildings and six hotels opening since 2017, plus additional projects currently under construction. Major healthcare and education initiatives, including partnerships between the Detroit Pistons, Henry Ford Health, and Michigan State University, are further strengthening the city's transformation by developing mixed-use spaces and talent pipelines. This coordinated approach has created thousands of jobs while positioning Detroit as a sustainable, world-class destination with recognition from outlets like the New York Times.

During Black History Month, a Detroit radio series called "Black Church in Detroit" featured an interview with Dr. Theron Williams, a Detroit-born pastor and founder of The Bible is Black History Institute. Dr. Williams discussed how scholarly research, historical analysis, and DNA evidence have documented the significant presence of people of African descent throughout biblical texts. The conversation explored why highlighting this African presence is important and how Dr. Williams has developed educational materials, including books and curricula designed specifically for children to learn about this often-overlooked aspect of biblical history. The interview also touched on how this information has influenced his congregation's understanding and his pastoral ministry in Indiana. # Key Takeaways

With the Texas Democratic primary less than a week away, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett has emerged as the frontrunner in the Senate race, leading her opponent James Talarico by double digits in recent polling after the race was tied in January. If successful in the primary and general election, Crockett would become Texas's first Black woman U.S. Senator and the first Black woman elected to the Senate from any Southern state, continuing a legacy established by Texas Black women leaders like Barbara Jordan, Eddie Bernice Johnson, and Sheila Jackson Lee. Her candidacy is part of a historic 2026 election cycle that could see as many as five Black women running for Senate seats, building on the current unprecedented moment of two Black women serving simultaneously. Despite being outspent by her primary opponent, Crockett has drawn significant attention from Republicans, with Governor Greg Abbott spending over three million dollars on attack ads against her, signaling that they view her as a formidable general election threat.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer used her final State of the State address to outline key priorities for her last year in office, with particular emphasis on addressing the state's literacy crisis after Michigan students ranked 44th nationally in fourth-grade reading. The governor proposed a multi-faceted agenda including $250 million in literacy-related spending, creation of a state-level affordable housing tax credit, and new protections against medical debt burdens. While calling for bipartisan cooperation and even thanking President Trump for supporting a military mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Whitmer also pledged to protect LGBTQ+ residents and vowed to continue opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge despite federal opposition. The address received mixed reactions, with Republicans willing to collaborate on literacy issues while criticizing her past education policies, and some Democrats disappointed by her limited criticism of Trump administration immigration enforcement actions.

The Detroit Opera is staging a production of "The Handmaid's Tale" based on Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel, featuring two singers from its Resident Artist Program in prominent roles. Travis Leon Williams portrays Luke, Offred's husband who appears as a ghost from the past, while Brianna J. Robinson plays Moira, Offred's friend who symbolizes resistance and hope within the totalitarian regime of Gilead. Both artists discussed the unique challenges of performing this opera, including its difficult, angular musical composition that mirrors the discomfort of the story's oppressive setting. The performers emphasized the importance of self-care when dealing with such emotionally heavy material and expressed hope that audiences will recognize parallels between the opera's themes and current real-world issues regarding freedom and human rights. # Key Takeaways

A Detroit couple, Emily Weiss and Gabrielle Durnen, discovered nearly four years after purchasing their home that the Detroit Land Bank Authority claimed interest in their property, threatening to take it away due to an undisclosed agreement from a decade-old mass land sale to developer John Hantz. The situation stems from a 2013 deal where Hantz acquired roughly 2,000 properties with obligations to rehabilitate or demolish them before selling, but these requirements weren't properly fulfilled before homes were resold to individual buyers through intermediary developers. After weeks of pressure and media inquiry, the land bank reversed course and agreed to release its claim on the couple's home, though the incident highlights systemic problems with how the agency makes special arrangements with large developers that create unequal treatment and legal vulnerabilities for ordinary homebuyers. Housing advocates argue the land bank's practice of offering preferential deals to developers while inadequately monitoring compliance creates due process issues and leaves unsuspecting residents vulnerable to losing their homes despite doing everything correctly during the purchase process.

Detroit has opened the Benjamin O. Davis Veterans Village, a $16 million affordable housing complex featuring 50 one-bedroom apartments on the city's east side. The development specifically serves homeless veterans and individuals with disabilities, with rent capped at 30 percent of residents' monthly income through housing vouchers. The facility provides supportive services including mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and employment assistance, along with communal amenities like a media room and dog park. This project addresses Detroit's growing homelessness crisis, which saw a 33 percent increase in chronically homeless individuals between 2024 and 2025. # Key Takeaways

Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her eighth and final State of the State address in Lansing, highlighting achievements from her tenure while emphasizing bipartisan cooperation, though she faced mixed reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Her speech focused heavily on addressing housing affordability through regulatory reform, increased construction targets, and tax credits, with plans to build 115,000 new homes by eliminating burdensome regulations. While she celebrated Democratic accomplishments like LGBTQ+ protections and retirement tax repeals, progressive advocates expressed disappointment that promised initiatives, particularly around childcare and truly affordable housing, remained unfulfilled. Whitmer drew particular criticism from some Democrats for praising President Trump's investment in a Macomb County military base while not addressing controversial federal immigration enforcement actions. Republican leaders indicated willingness to collaborate on property tax relief and utility rate reductions, though they criticized increased state spending under Democratic control.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address, outlining priorities for her last year in office while reflecting on seven years of achievements. She emphasized three main focus areas: improving K-12 literacy through universal prekindergarten and evidence-based reading instruction, expanding affordable housing through increased construction and zoning reforms, and protecting healthcare access by addressing medical debt and stabilizing Medicaid funding amid federal cuts. Whitmer highlighted Michigan's progress under her administration, including tax cuts for seniors and workers, infrastructure improvements, expanded education funding, and protections for civil rights and reproductive freedom. Despite national economic uncertainty and political division, she emphasized Michigan's resilience and called for continued bipartisan cooperation to address challenges facing families, young people, and workers.

Detroit Public Schools Community District is exploring multiple new strategies to combat its chronic absenteeism crisis, which affected nearly 61% of students last school year—roughly 30 percentage points above the state average. The district is considering targeted financial incentives like gift cards for families in high-poverty neighborhoods, expanded gas card programs for carpooling, and bicycle distribution programs similar to one that helped reduce absenteeism by over 14 percentage points at one high school. New Mayor Mary Sheffield has begun working with the district on transportation improvements, including potentially expanding city bus routes in areas with the highest absenteeism rates. While the district has made progress reducing chronic absenteeism by nearly 16 percentage points since 2021-22, board members are pushing for additional measures including more attendance agents, stricter early pick-up policies, and community partnerships to address systemic barriers like inadequate transportation and poverty.

Historian and genealogist Dr. Carolyn Carter reflects on how historical silence and erasure have obscured the stories of enslaved and free Black Americans, whose lives were documented merely as property or omitted entirely from official records. She argues that recent restrictions on teaching histories of enslavement and racial violence amount to deliberate erasure rather than avoiding division, as these histories represent actual genealogy and lived experiences for Black families. Carter emphasizes that Black communities have preserved their own memories through alternative archives like family Bibles and oral traditions when excluded from official documentation. She contends that honest confrontation with difficult histories is essential for accountability and that remembering represents dignity and survival rather than burden. The piece asserts that unity built on silence is merely erasure, and that students need to understand historical causes and struggles rather than sanitized outcomes. # Key Takeaways

President Trump delivered a nearly two-hour State of the Union address focusing on his first-year accomplishments while promoting priorities including healthcare reform, immigration restrictions, and voter identification requirements. The speech celebrated Michigan-connected Olympic hockey players, with Trump announcing he would award goaltender Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom, though the women's gold medal team declined to attend citing scheduling conflicts. Trump defended his tariff strategy despite a recent Supreme Court defeat, claiming the import taxes are "saving our country," even as economic experts and the Congressional Budget Office have found these costs are largely borne by U.S. companies and consumers rather than foreign nations. The address featured numerous disputed claims about economic performance, drug prices, immigration numbers, and tax policies, with fact-checkers noting exaggerations regarding topics from gas prices to foreign investment commitments. # Key Takeaways

BridgeDetroit and the University of Michigan Detroit Center hosted their third "Workshop of Democracy" event on February 19, bringing together environmental justice activists and advocates to address air quality, water affordability, and related issues in Detroit. Panelists including Monica Lewis-Patrick, Aurora Harris, KT Morelli, Owólabi Aboyade, Nick Leonard, and Shalanda Baker shared their personal journeys into environmental activism while emphasizing the inseparable connection between environmental concerns and social justice in Detroit. The discussion covered obstacles such as privatization, gentrification, and systemic legal failures, while celebrating victories including the closure of Detroit's incinerator and a $100 million settlement with DTE. Participants stressed the importance of grassroots organizing, self-care, community relationships, and using creativity to counter dominant narratives about the city. # Key Takeaways

Detroit educator Jessie Feliz, who grew up in the Brightmoor neighborhood, has established a comprehensive learning center on Schoolcraft that addresses a critical gap in accessible community education. The facility provides afterschool tutoring and enrichment programs for children aged 5-12, while also offering adult language courses and specialized programming for neurodiverse learners, including those on the autism spectrum. With support from a $50,000 Motor City Match grant that funded essential accessibility improvements and building renovations, the center employs four staff members and can serve up to 30 students simultaneously. Feliz developed the center's offerings based on her teaching experience in multiple locations and her personal experience raising an autistic son, creating an inclusive space that addresses the practical needs of Brightmoor families who previously had limited local educational resources. # Key Takeaways

Following a December 2025 electrical outage that forced residents to evacuate the Leland House apartment building in Detroit, a federal bankruptcy judge has approved a plan to temporarily restore power so former tenants can retrieve belongings they left behind. The city's Corporation Counsel emphasized that the building cannot be sold until tenants' property is removed, addressing concerns from residents who said they were initially told the building would remain accessible. Detroit City Council members, responding to pressure from displaced tenants and advocates, are exploring acquiring the property to convert it into affordable cooperative housing. The situation highlights a broader crisis in Detroit where approximately 85% of rental properties fail to meet city code requirements, prompting calls for better coordination between health and code enforcement departments.