Michigan news

Shawn Smith made history by serving as head referee for Super Bowl 60 between the Seahawks and Patriots, marking a significant achievement for the Detroit native and Ferris State University graduate. Smith's path to officiating football's biggest game began at Cody High School in Detroit and continued through college athletics at Eastern Michigan University and Ferris State, where he earned an accountancy degree in 1994 while starting to officiate high school games. He progressively advanced through officiating ranks from Pop Warner and flag football to Division II, major collegiate conferences including the Big Ten, and ultimately joined the NFL in 2015. His Super Bowl assignment came during his 11th NFL season and eighth year as a referee, representing decades of dedication that started on Michigan youth football fields.

The Gordie Howe Bridge connecting Detroit and Canada has taken 14 years to reach near-completion, involving complex international agreements, extensive construction including 12 additional highway bridges on the American side, and creative financing where Canada funded construction to be repaid through tolls. President Trump has threatened to delay the bridge's scheduled opening this year over trade disputes, jeopardizing a critical infrastructure project for the nation's busiest northern border crossing. Detroit currently has inadequate crossing capacity with only the privately-owned Ambassador Bridge handling 8,800-10,000 trucks daily, causing significant congestion, while the smaller Buffalo region has five crossings to Canada. The new six-lane bridge with dedicated pedestrian and bike paths would add crucial capacity and modernize trade infrastructure at a time when the aging Ambassador Bridge is losing traffic to more distant crossings, threatening Detroit's economic position as a trade gateway.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, running as a Democrat for governor, has received endorsements from the Black Mayors of Michigan organization and various other Black elected officials throughout the state. The endorsement highlights Benson's commitment to protecting residents and ensuring economic equity, particularly for Black communities. Her campaign centers on creating an affordable Michigan by investing in underserved populations and addressing issues like Black maternal healthcare and prescription drug costs. Benson leads the Democratic field heading into the August primary, where she faces multiple opponents from both parties in the race to succeed term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

The Detroit NAACP launched its 71st annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner campaign on February 12 with a kickoff reception emphasizing urgent action against contemporary injustices. Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony, the branch president, invoked the organization's 117-year history of multiracial civil rights advocacy while warning attendees that past accomplishments are insufficient given today's resurgence of discrimination and attacks on diversity. The event featured significant financial commitments, including $250,000 from Huntington Bank and $50,000 from Dennis Archer Jr., who assumed a leadership role as community co-chair. Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield and other civic leaders reinforced their support for the organization's mission, with the formal dinner scheduled for April 26 to honor three local leaders for their civic contributions.

The Anderson Economic Group has calculated that delaying the Gordie Howe International Bridge opening would cost approximately $7 million weekly, with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority losing $5 million and taxpayers bearing $2 million in customs plaza expenses. President Trump has threatened to block the bridge's opening—despite Canada funding all upfront construction costs—unless Canada meets unspecified demands related to trade negotiations, tariffs, and other grievances. The bridge, connecting Detroit to Windsor and under construction since 2018, represents a critical trade link given the integrated nature of US-Canada manufacturing, particularly in the automotive sector. Trump's threat has generated pushback from Michigan Democrats and some Republicans, though certain GOP leaders view it as appropriate negotiating leverage, while business leaders warn of severe economic consequences for both nations.

The Trump administration has eliminated the EPA's 2009 "endangerment finding" that classified greenhouse gases as harmful to public health, removing the legal basis for federal climate regulations on power plants, vehicles, and industry. While officials claim this deregulation will save industry over $1.3 trillion and reduce consumer costs, these projections ignore health impacts from increased pollution and higher fuel expenses from less efficient vehicles. Michigan faces particularly severe economic consequences, with projections showing the state could lose approximately $5.5 billion in GDP by 2035 from these environmental rollbacks. The changes create uncertainty for Michigan's auto industry, which needs regulatory stability for long-term planning, though state utilities must still comply with Michigan's 2023 law requiring 100% clean energy by 2040. Legal challenges are expected, with critics arguing the EPA has abandoned its public health protection mission.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is implementing major security enhancements following two violent incidents involving students with weapons at separate schools. The school board approved $4.3 million in funding to hire 38 additional security guards for the remainder of the academic year, bringing the total number of guard vacancies the district is working to fill to 41. A pilot program introducing new security screening technology will be tested at 10 schools, and the district has already begun requiring all school visitors to present photo identification, be photographed, and wear badges displaying their name and image. These measures respond to an October stabbing at Gompers Elementary-Middle School and a January boxcutter incident at Denby High School that prompted board members to demand increased security personnel.

After standing vacant for 17 years, the historic Highland Towers building in Highland Park will be demolished using pandemic relief funds at an estimated cost of $1 million. The Art Deco apartment building, which once housed wealthy auto executives, has been empty since 2009 when DTE shut off power for non-payment and residents were forced to leave. City and Wayne County officials announced the demolition as part of a larger $5 million blight elimination initiative, though community members express mixed feelings about losing the historic structure. The building now mainly serves as shelter for homeless individuals and has deteriorated beyond preservation efforts. Local residents hope to have input on what replaces the site while expressing concerns about potential gentrification.

A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from demoting Senator Mark Kelly from his retired Navy captain rank, ruling that the action constitutes unconstitutional retaliation against Kelly's First Amendment rights. The case stems from a video Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers released advising service members they could refuse illegal orders from the Trump administration. Judge Richard Leon strongly criticized the government's position, asserting that retired military members retain full free speech protections unlike active-duty personnel. While a grand jury previously declined to indict the lawmakers on seditious conspiracy charges, Hegseth has announced plans to immediately appeal the judge's ruling.

At Michigan's first gubernatorial forum featuring all major candidates, independent candidate and former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan defended his administration's approach to federal immigration enforcement, stating the city has refused for twelve years to sign agreements making local police extensions of ICE. While Duggan emphasized Detroit police don't inquire about immigration status to maintain community trust, he acknowledged the city honors federal detainer warrants for undocumented immigrants arrested for crimes. Democrats and immigration activists criticized Duggan for not doing enough to protect residents, citing incidents where Detroit police assisted ICE operations that resulted in chaotic arrests and detentions. The forum also included Democratic candidates Jocelyn Benson and Chris Swanson, who offered their own perspectives on resisting aggressive federal immigration enforcement. # Key Takeaways

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is hosting a Black-Owned Business Market on February 14th as part of its Black History Month celebration, featuring nearly 30 local Black-owned small businesses in its Museum Promenade. The free marketplace, running from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will showcase diverse products including specialty foods, handmade jewelry, personal care items, books, apparel, and art, with no museum admission required. Vendors were carefully selected based on their products, community initiatives, and connections to American history themes that align with the museum's mission. The event aims to support Black entrepreneurship while providing metro Detroit residents an accessible opportunity to shop locally and invest in their community during the Valentine's Day weekend. # Key Takeaways

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has unveiled her final budget proposal, totaling $88 billion, with $21.4 billion dedicated to school aid that includes raising the minimum per-student state funding to $10,300. The education-focused budget emphasizes early literacy improvement through substantial investments in tutoring, teacher training, and research-based reading curricula, responding to Michigan students' continued struggles with reading proficiency. Additional proposals include a back-to-school sales tax holiday in August and various tax increases on cigarettes, vaping products, and casino internet services to offset federal revenue declines and rising costs. The budget now moves to the state legislature, which must approve it by July 1, though lawmakers failed to meet this deadline last year, creating uncertainty for schools and other organizations.

The Legacy Tour is bringing a two-day cultural celebration to Los Angeles during NBA All-Star Weekend in February 2026, designed specifically for Black professionals and HBCU alumni to network and celebrate their heritage. The weekend includes two distinct events at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood: an upscale "Suits & Stilettos" evening on February 13th and a spirited "Rep Your Legacy" day party on February 14th where attendees can showcase their school or organizational pride. Co-founded by Ted Riley and Kevin Lloyd, the multi-city tour aims to strengthen community bonds while honoring Black excellence and cultural impact through entertainment and meaningful connections. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the United Negro College Fund to support educational opportunities for future generations. # Key Takeaways

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has unveiled a proposal to address a Medicaid funding crisis caused by President Trump's recent tax and spending legislation, which threatens the state's ability to tax insurance providers. Her plan includes approximately $800 million in new taxes targeting vaping products, e-cigarettes, digital advertising, and sports betting promotions, alongside $150 million in departmental efficiency savings. The proposal has encountered immediate rejection from Republican House leadership, who control the chamber and refuse to support any tax increases, insisting the state must operate within existing budgets. With over 2.6 million Michigan residents—roughly one in four—relying on Medicaid for health coverage, the state faces difficult choices between raising revenue, cutting services, reducing provider payments, or restricting eligibility if the funding gap cannot be closed.

Community Leadership Revolution Academy and Washtenaw My Brother's Keeper are hosting a free community event on February 28 that celebrates Black history through interactive programming spanning morning to afternoon. The centerpiece is an open house featuring Dr. Khalid el-Hakim's Black History 101 Mobile Museum, a nationally recognized traveling exhibition that transforms spaces into living historical archives with artifacts and narratives. The event includes a live reading from the youth literacy book "ABC's of Black History," a documentary screening, and hands-on activities designed to help young people personally connect with historical figures. The full day of programming begins with a mentorship breakfast, continues with youth-focused leadership activities, and concludes with the family open house experience at South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy.

Wayne County has returned over $3.8 million to former property owners who lost their homes through tax foreclosure, following Michigan Supreme Court rulings that determined counties could no longer retain surplus auction proceeds exceeding tax debts. This marks a reversal of decades-old practices where properties were seized for unpaid taxes and sold at auction, with counties keeping all profits even when sale prices vastly exceeded what was owed—a system that disproportionately harmed Black homeowners and low-income Detroit residents. The legal changes stemmed from two landmark cases that established former owners' rights to remaining proceeds after taxes and fees are deducted, with retroactive application to foreclosures before December 2020. While payments represent a step toward accountability for a system that stripped families of generational wealth during Detroit's foreclosure crisis, challenges remain around awareness, eligibility, and the lengthy court approval process required for claims.

A University of Florida researcher studied the economic impact of Detroit's Little Caesars Arena, which opened in 2017 with $863 million in construction costs including $324 million in public funds. The analysis examined lodging industry data from 2015 to 2022, comparing Detroit's short-term rental and hotel performance with Grand Rapids, Michigan, which has no major sports venues. The research found that sporting events at the arena had minimal positive impact on lodging demand, though major concerts significantly boosted short-term rental occupancy within one mile of the venue. Despite Detroit's overall economic growth and population increase after 60 years of decline, the study suggests the arena's effect on the hospitality sector was limited and comparable to cities without such facilities. # Key Takeaways

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has enacted legislation prohibiting smartphones in public school classrooms during instructional periods, with implementation set for fall 2026. The bipartisan compromise allows students to keep phones at school and use them during non-instructional times like lunch and between classes, while basic phones without social media access remain permitted during class. School districts must establish and publicly post their enforcement policies, though the law includes no penalties for non-compliance and exempts private schools and medically necessary devices. A complementary law mandates that schools develop protocols for smartphone access during emergencies such as active shooter situations. Michigan joins approximately three dozen states implementing similar policies aimed at reducing classroom distractions and improving student engagement.

The Wayne County Airport Authority is hosting a major outreach event on February 23rd in Novi to connect contractors and business owners with approximately $750 million worth of construction and concession opportunities at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Willow Run Airport over the next two years. The day-long event features separate morning and afternoon sessions covering construction projects and concession programs, along with detailed procurement guidance including bidding and contract management procedures. The initiative particularly emphasizes opportunities for Black-owned and disadvantaged businesses through DBE and ACDBE certification programs, which have previously helped Michigan companies like Rowe Trucking and Value Engineering expand significantly through public contracts. Registration for the event remains open until February 19th, with organizers positioning it as a transformational opportunity for businesses to access one of the region's largest infrastructure markets.

Detroit's first Black woman mayor, Mary Sheffield, assembled 18 transition committees with over 330 members to guide her administration's early priorities and policy development during November and December. These committees, covering areas from education to arts and culture, comprised residents, professionals, and scholars who worked to narrow down priorities and develop recommendations for Sheffield's first term. Key focus areas emerging from the committees include combating chronic student absenteeism in Detroit schools, improving transportation access for students, and building a sustainable creative economy that supports local artists. An action plan incorporating the committees' recommendations is scheduled for public release on April 11, Sheffield's 100th day in office, while a citywide survey collecting resident feedback on priority topics remains open through March 6. # Key Takeaways

The Detroit Tenants Union has requested that the city use eminent domain to seize Leland House, a 22-story residential building that was evacuated in November following a power failure, and transform it into affordable housing for the displaced residents who cannot return. Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett expressed caution about this approach, noting that city council must determine whether there's adequate public purpose and questioning whether spending tens of millions on repairs is fiscally responsible. Separately, council members are addressing another housing crisis involving a 26-unit westside building owned by cryptocurrency company ReaIT, where residents lost water and heat after a pipe break, with four households receiving city assistance while others left before help arrived. Council members have raised concerns about tracking all displaced residents and expressed frustration that evacuated tenants are being placed in hotels outside Detroit, creating transportation challenges.

President Trump has threatened to block the scheduled 2026 opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, demanding unspecified concessions from Canada related to trade disputes involving dairy tariffs, liquor boycotts, and China trade talks. The White House claims Trump can amend the bridge's presidential permit and objects to Canada's control over crossings and land ownership on both sides, despite the project being a joint 50-50 ownership between Canada and Michigan. Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and several Democrats have challenged Trump's characterization of the deal as unfair, noting that Canada financed the entire bridge while Michigan received half-ownership without investment. The dispute represents another escalation in deteriorating U.S.-Canada relations, though Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed confidence following a conversation with Trump that the issue would be resolved.

Kuzzo's Chicken & Waffles, a beloved Black-owned soul food restaurant on Detroit's Avenue of Fashion, is permanently closing after 11 years of serving the community. The establishment became much more than an eatery, functioning as a vital community gathering space where Black Detroit families celebrated milestones, shared post-church meals, and created lasting memories over comfort food. While the owners promise the brand will continue in some form and hint at future ventures, they have not provided specific details about their next steps or closure timeline. The closing represents a significant loss for the Livernois corridor, a historic area for Black-owned businesses that continues facing challenges related to rising costs and economic pressures. The restaurant's departure has resonated emotionally throughout Detroit, where it earned a permanent place in the city's cultural memory.

Detroit has launched Rx Kids, a cash assistance program that provides pregnant mothers with $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly for their baby's first six months, with no income requirements. The program, which began in Flint and has already served over 5,700 families across 29 Michigan communities, aims to address maternal and infant health disparities by reducing financial stress during critical early months. Early data from Flint shows promising results, including significant reductions in evictions, postpartum depression, and NICU admissions among participating mothers. The Detroit expansion is particularly significant given that nearly half of the city's children under five live in poverty and Black mothers face disproportionately higher maternal mortality rates, making financial stability a crucial health intervention.

A federal judge dismissed the Department of Justice's lawsuit against Michigan over the state's refusal to provide an unredacted voter registration list. The DOJ had requested complete voter data from Michigan and nearly every other state as part of efforts to identify noncitizen voters, but Michigan only provided a redacted version to protect personally identifiable information under state and federal privacy laws. Judge Hala Y. Jarbou ruled that none of the three federal laws cited by the DOJ—the Civil Rights Act of 1960, the National Voter Registration Act, and the Help America Vote Act—actually require states to disclose this information. This marks the third federal court dismissal of similar DOJ lawsuits, following comparable rulings in California and Oregon cases.

Abraham Aiyash, who previously served as Michigan House majority floor leader representing Hamtramck and Detroit from 2020 to 2024, has announced his candidacy for the state's newly redrawn first Senate district currently held by Senator Erika Geiss. The district boundaries were reconfigured by the Michigan Citizens Redistricting Commission after legal challenges regarding racial bias, now encompassing parts of Detroit and several Downriver communities. Aiyash is facing a competitive Democratic primary against Justin Onwenu, a former economic development official under Mayor Mike Duggan, in a race characterized as contrasting progressive approaches. Central to Aiyash's campaign platform are utility rate reform—specifically proposing to freeze DTE rates by extending the window between rate cases to five years—along with universal childcare and eliminating Detroit's higher auto insurance costs.

Four Michigan gubernatorial candidates participated in an education forum hosted by the Michigan Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, to present their platforms before the November election to replace term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Democratic Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, Independent former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and Republican former Attorney General Mike Cox answered member-submitted questions about education policy. Cox drew criticism from the largely Democratic audience for suggesting experienced teachers earn six figures and opposing universal free school lunch programs, while other candidates supported increased teacher starting salaries and free meals for all students. The candidates also discussed equitable education funding models and protecting students from federal immigration enforcement, with varying approaches to working with ICE.

Justin Onwenu, a Detroit Democrat running for Michigan's District 1 State Senate seat, has secured endorsements from five of Detroit's nine City Council members, including Council President James Tate. The attorney, organizer, and adjunct law professor is positioning himself as someone who can effectively represent Detroit's interests in the state capital and deliver tangible results on issues like affordability and neighborhood investment. Onwenu has already accumulated over 50 endorsements from local officials, labor unions, and community leaders across the newly redistricted district, which includes parts of Detroit and several smaller Wayne County cities. He faces Abraham Aiyash in what will be a Democratic primary contest scheduled for August. # Key Takeaways

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer plans to propose a $625 million education budget investment specifically targeting the state's struggling literacy rates among elementary students. The initiative comes as Michigan's third-grade reading proficiency has dropped to a historic low of 38.9%, and fourth-graders continue performing below national averages on standardized assessments. Whitmer's "Every Child Reads" proposal emphasizes a comprehensive approach that includes expanding preschool access, improving teacher training, updating curriculum materials, and providing wraparound support services. The budget proposal, which will be presented to the state legislature, reflects growing urgency around Michigan's stagnant literacy performance while other states implementing early reading programs have shown improvement. # Key Takeaways

Detroit's extremely high property tax rates are discouraging residents and businesses from moving to or staying in the city, despite generating relatively little revenue. Jared Fleisher, CEO of major developer Bedrock, recently proposed three tax reforms at the Detroit Policy Conference: increasing taxes on vacant land to discourage speculation, implementing new taxes on visitors who use city services, and restructuring development incentives to be smaller but spread over longer periods. Tax policy expert Eric Lupher from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan analyzed these proposals, finding them complex and not without risks but potentially helpful for focusing reform discussions. The proposals aim to shift Detroit's tax burden away from residents while encouraging productive investment, though questions remain about their actual revenue generation and behavioral impacts.