Michigan news

Parks Old Style Bar-B-Que, a Detroit smokehouse operating since 1964, announced its closure on February 8 after nearly 62 years of business through a handwritten note on its door. Founded by Edward Parks, a former manager of another historic Detroit barbecue establishment, the restaurant gained a loyal following through its unique spice blends and strategic location near North End factories and plants that served blue-collar workers. As Detroit's industrial base declined and the North End neighborhood deteriorated, traditional carry-out barbecue spots like Parks struggled to compete with newer dine-in restaurants that arrived in the 2010s. During its final days, the cash-only establishment saw long lines of customers coming to pay their respects, with the small location only accommodating three patrons at a time in its lobby.

Approximately 37 former residents of the Leland House, a low-rent Detroit apartment building, have been unable to access their personal belongings for nearly two months following a December evacuation caused by damaged electrical equipment. During a bankruptcy court hearing, a federal judge heard arguments about whether tenants should be allowed back inside, with fire officials citing safety concerns while tenant attorneys argued residents were promised access to their possessions. The bankrupt building faces financial obstacles including lack of funds to restore power or hire moving contractors, with estimates reaching $200,000 for packing services and $75,000 for partial electrical restoration. The court rejected a fast-track auction proposal for the 22-story building and scheduled further discussions for late February while requesting stakeholders develop alternative solutions for retrieving tenants' belongings.

President Trump has appointed 27 federal judges during his second term, with approximately 63 percent being white men and no women of color among them. This pattern resembles his first term's demographics but occurs alongside more aggressive rhetoric against diversity initiatives and judicial independence. Legal scholars emphasize that judicial representation affects not only symbolic fairness but also practical courtroom dynamics, as research shows decisions by women and judges of color face more challenges and these judges often receive less prestigious assignments. The appointments carry particular weight since federal appellate courts decide roughly 40,000 cases annually compared to fewer than 100 by the Supreme Court, meaning these judges will shape federal law for decades.

Michigan communities are experiencing an unprecedented wave of resistance to data center development, with at least 18 local governments implementing temporary moratoriums on new facilities following the state's passage of tax incentive legislation in 2024. Rural townships and cities across the state are grappling with proposals for massive hyperscale computing facilities that consume hundreds of acres of land and require energy equivalent to major cities, sparking concerns about lost farmland, environmental impacts, and whether taxpayers will bear financial risks if the AI industry falters. The controversy has created unusual political unity, with residents from diverse backgrounds opposing these projects despite industry claims that data centers provide essential infrastructure and tax revenue. While state leaders like Governor Whitmer support continued data center development, some gubernatorial candidates are making opposition to these facilities central to their 2026 campaigns, and legislators have introduced bills to revoke tax breaks and impose development restrictions.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Democratic officials are pushing back against President Trump's recent statements advocating for federal control of elections in Detroit and other cities he claims have experienced corruption. Trump has suggested multiple times this week that federal authorities should oversee or "nationalize" elections in areas he believes cannot count votes honestly, despite providing no evidence of fraud. Constitutional experts note that while states control election administration under the Constitution, Trump's comments represent a potential overreach of federal authority. Michigan Republicans have offered mixed responses, with former Governor John Engler dismissing the possibility while House Speaker Matt Hall avoided directly addressing Trump's proposal. # Key Takeaways

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has established a public reporting system for residents to document concerning activities by federal immigration enforcement agents operating within the state. The initiative, announced alongside various officials and advocates in Detroit, aims to monitor how increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration affects Michigan communities, particularly following violent incidents in Minnesota. While deportations and detentions in Michigan have tripled compared to the previous year, Nessel warns she will prosecute unlawful actions by federal officers and has already received over 5,000 public emails about immigration enforcement. The effort has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers who argue it interferes with legitimate law enforcement work, while Democratic officials and advocates emphasize the need to document activities and maintain community trust in local police. # Key Takeaways

Comedian Druski created a viral parody video mocking Black megachurch pastors, featuring an exaggerated character descending from the ceiling in designer clothes and performing theatrical stunts. Many viewers interpreted the skit as targeting Pastor Mike Todd of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who is recognized for unconventional preaching methods like getting haircuts during sermons. Todd addressed the controversy during a recent sermon, claiming he found the video humorous but criticized people for becoming distracted by the online debate instead of focusing on their spiritual responsibilities. Social media users responded with mixed reactions, with some arguing that Todd's extended discussion of the skit proved he was equally distracted, while others suggested he missed an opportunity for meaningful self-reflection about how megachurches are perceived. # Key Takeaways

Michigan Central train station in Detroit, which was abandoned and deteriorating in the 2000s, has been renovated and now houses a new Boys and Girls Club facility on its fifth floor. The 13,000-square-foot space features an entertainment innovation incubator funded by a $1 million investment from Big Sean's Sean Anderson Foundation and Usher's New Look organization, along with an autonomous training center and innovation lab. The facility aims to prepare young people aged 14-24 for careers in entertainment, technology, mobility, and advanced manufacturing through hands-on access to professional-grade equipment and direct pathways to jobs. The Southeastern Michigan Boys and Girls Club chapter, which serves approximately 7,500 youth across metro Detroit, celebrated the opening with a media event featuring the celebrity donors and organizational leaders. # Key Takeaways

The Michigan Chronicle has opened nominations for its 2026 installment of the 40 Under 40 Awards program, which has been recognizing exceptional African American professionals for fourteen years. The program seeks to honor individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, professional achievement, and dedication to serving their communities while breaking down barriers in their respective fields. Eligible nominees must be African American professionals, executives, or business owners who have achieved notable success in their careers and actively participate in community service or organizational leadership roles. The nomination process requires detailed information about candidates' accomplishments, mentorship activities, community involvement, and professional backgrounds.

The Michigan Chronicle has opened nominations for its 2026 installment of the 40 Under 40 Awards program, which has been recognizing accomplished African American professionals for fourteen years. The program seeks to honor individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, professional achievements, and dedication to serving their communities while breaking barriers in their respective fields. Eligible nominees must be African American professionals, executives, or business owners who have achieved notable success, serve as positive role models, and actively participate in community service or organizational leadership. The 2026 class will specifically celebrate leaders advancing economic empowerment, diversity, faith-based and educational institutions, and political and community engagement.

Actor Quinton Aaron, famous for portraying Michael Oher in "The Blind Side," is currently hospitalized in Atlanta after collapsing while climbing stairs at his residence. Medical professionals placed him on life support due to a serious blood infection that caused his sudden collapse. Recent reports indicate his condition has stabilized, with Aaron now able to breathe independently and respond to family members. A fundraising campaign has been established to assist with mounting medical bills and living expenses while he undergoes treatment and testing to identify the underlying cause of his health crisis. # Key Takeaways

Saginaw fire captain and retired Marine Chedrick Greene won the Democratic primary for Michigan's 35th state Senate district special election with approximately 68.5% of the vote, defeating State Board of Education president Pamela Pugh who received 31.5%. Greene secured backing from labor unions and mainstream Democratic figures, while Pugh earned endorsements from progressive leaders including Representative Rashida Tlaib. The race drew controversy when Republican-linked groups ran advertisements supporting Pugh, suggesting GOP strategists viewed her as a weaker general election opponent. Greene will now compete against Republican Jason Tunney on May 5 to fill the seat that has remained empty for over a year.

A ballot committee called Americans for Citizen Voting reports gathering sufficient signatures to place a constitutional amendment on Michigan's November ballot that would impose stricter voting requirements. The measure would mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration, eliminate the current affidavit option for voters without ID by requiring provisional ballots with follow-up verification, and force the Secretary of State to audit voter rolls and remove anyone whose citizenship cannot be confirmed. The campaign, funded almost entirely by two nonprofits through approximately $6 million in donations, has faced opposition from voting rights organizations who argue it creates unnecessary barriers to voting. Supporters claim the changes represent common-sense reforms to election security, while critics view the proposal as an attempt to undermine voting accessibility that voters expanded through a 2022 ballot measure.

Augustus Tolton, born into slavery in 1854 Missouri, overcame extraordinary barriers to become the first publicly recognized Black Catholic priest in the United States after being ordained in Rome in 1886. Despite excelling academically and graduating as valedictorian from Saint Francis Solanus College, Tolton faced rejection from American seminaries due to racist exclusion policies upheld by white church leadership, forcing him to complete his training in Europe. Upon returning to America, he served parishes in Quincy, Illinois and Chicago, where he established St. Monica's church for the Black Catholic community, though he faced opposition from both white Catholic priests and Black Protestant ministers. Tolton died at age 43 in 1897 during a heat wave, but his legacy opened pathways for future Black priests, and he is currently a candidate for sainthood, having been designated "Venerable" by Pope Francis in 2019.

Black TikTok users orchestrated a coordinated campaign to boost Michelle Obama's Netflix documentary "Becoming" in response to the release of Melania Trump's new documentary. The effort, which involved streaming "Becoming" continuously and encouraging others to do the same, was timed to coincide with Melania's documentary premiere weekend, which received poor reviews with only a 10% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Creators framed the campaign as a demonstration of cultural power and an alternative to supporting Melania's film, which had been promoted by GOP-aligned voices. The grassroots streaming strategy successfully pushed "Becoming" into Netflix's top 10 movies list through collective action that included streaming parties and people playing the documentary on loop while doing daily activities.

Pastor Lawrence W. Rodgers is marking his fifth anniversary leading Detroit's Second Baptist Church, a historic 190-year-old congregation located in the rapidly changing Greektown entertainment district. Under his leadership, the church has expanded community outreach programs addressing homelessness, mental health, addiction support, and youth development, while balancing preservation of its significant legacy with modern needs. Second Baptist has deep roots in Black liberation, having served as an Underground Railroad station from 1836 to 1865 and establishing Detroit's first school for Black children in 1839. Rodgers emphasizes youth STEAM education and workforce preparation as essential tools to prevent Detroit's next generation from being excluded from future economic opportunities, recently securing grant funding to support these initiatives. # Key Takeaways

Thomas H. Watkins, who passed away in December at age 88, was a pioneering newspaper publisher who established the New York Daily Challenge as the first Black-owned daily newspaper in New York City's history. Operating from Bedford-Stuyvesant, he built a financially successful enterprise that at its height generated nearly $30 million annually while providing employment for dozens of African Americans across various departments. Beyond the Daily Challenge, Watkins expanded his media empire by founding and acquiring several other regional publications, creating a substantial Black press infrastructure throughout the New York-New Jersey area. Throughout his career, he championed economic independence for Black communities, secured major corporate advertising for Black publications, and served as a long-time leader in the National Newspaper Publishers Association while advocating fearlessly for civil rights and community empowerment.

In 2016, Detroit's education system underwent significant transformation following teacher-organized sick-outs that highlighted severely deteriorated school building conditions. The year concluded with a major legislative restructuring that created a new district for educating students while preserving the original Detroit Public Schools entity specifically to collect tax revenues and manage substantial debt that had nearly pushed it into bankruptcy. This pivotal year marked a turning point for the city's struggling school system through both grassroots teacher activism and state-level governmental intervention. The changes implemented during this period have continued to shape Detroit's educational landscape over the following decade. # Key Takeaways

A decade after Detroit teachers organized mass sick-outs in January 2016 to draw national attention to hazardous school conditions including rats, roaches, mold, and collapsing infrastructure, the district has made significant but incomplete progress. The protests, which occurred during state emergency management of the schools, prompted building inspections and led to over $700 million in federal COVID relief funding being invested in renovations and rebuilding. However, this investment addresses only a fraction of the district's $2.1 billion in infrastructure needs, meaning many students still attend schools with substantial problems. Current Superintendent Nikolai Vitti acknowledges the improvements while emphasizing that inequitable state funding formulas continue to hinder the district's ability to provide facilities comparable to suburban schools, with Detroit receiving approximately $3,000 less per pupil than some other districts.

The Detroit City Council exercised its oversight authority by questioning Mayor Mary Sheffield's administration officials about multiple city service issues, including snow removal at bus stops and maintenance problems at senior housing facilities. Buildings Department Director David Bell reported that inspectors were sent to investigate elevator malfunctions at several senior apartment complexes, with some cases referred for legal action, while announcing plans for quarterly elevator inspections and increased code enforcement. The city is also working to improve rental property compliance, which currently stands at only 15% registration, with a goal of reaching 35% by 2026. General Services officials explained their snow removal operations cover over 270 bus shelters citywide, prioritizing high-traffic and 24-hour routes. # Key Takeaways

Detroit City Council Member Mary Waters has proposed legislation requiring law enforcement officers working in Detroit to display proper identification, including their name, badge number, and face, with exceptions for undercover operations and protective equipment. The proposal was inspired by a Minneapolis incident where masked ICE agents killed Alex Pretti. Separately, the Board of Police Commissioners is considering strengthening requirements for releasing body camera footage, with activists pushing to reduce the release timeframe from 30 days to seven days and expand the types of incidents covered. The City Council also held a closed session to discuss whether the Board of Ethics can hire independent legal counsel separate from the city's Law Department to avoid conflicts of interest.

Detroit City Council members addressed false claims that Southwest Detroit residents received preferential treatment following last year's major water main break that flooded hundreds of homes in the Central Southwest neighborhood. Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero refuted assertions that immigrant communities got special resources, explaining that residents actually had difficult experiences seeking reimbursement and many needs remain unmet nearly a year later. The controversy emerged as Detroit faces another wave of winter water main breaks, with 51 occurring across the city in late January. Council members are exploring solutions including an emergency fund for affected residents, though legal barriers may prevent direct financial assistance from the city.

Temple University student Jerome Deangelo Richardson and Ian Davis Austin were arrested by federal authorities in connection with a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where demonstrators confronted Pastor David Easterwood about his dual role as both a religious leader and interim ICE field director. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests, emphasizing prosecution of those who disrupt religious services, with Richardson facing conspiracy against rights charges and violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. The 21-year-old student turned himself in at a Philadelphia location and had previously assisted journalist Don Lemon with coverage of immigration enforcement protests in Minneapolis. Richardson defended the demonstration as a faith-based action exposing the contradiction between Easterwood's pastoral duties and his leadership position within ICE operations. # Key Takeaways

Curtis Hertel Jr., a former Michigan state senator, took over as Michigan Democratic Party chair in February 2025, replacing Lavora Barnes who had led since 2019. Hertel has gained attention for aggressively challenging former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's independent gubernatorial campaign, accusing him of avoiding confrontation with Trump and using Republican tactics to win votes. The party faces internal criticism over its lack of Black candidates in statewide races, with Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist currently the only Black candidate running for major offices. Hertel acknowledges Democrats failed to connect with voters in 2024, losing ground across Michigan, and emphasizes the need for earlier community engagement, better messaging, and grassroots candidate development rather than last-minute appeals for votes. # Key Takeaways

Georgia Tech has proposed renaming its student center after civil rights leader John Lewis, who represented Atlanta's 5th congressional district in Congress for many years. Although Lewis never attended Georgia Tech, he frequently visited the campus, mentored students and faculty, and advocated for important federal student aid programs like Pell Grants. The student center currently honors Fred B. Wenn, a longtime university employee who helped establish the Yellow Jacket Club and Ramblin' Wreck Parade, and the university plans to install a commemorative plaque for him inside the renamed building. The Georgia Board of Regents is scheduled to review this renaming proposal.

The federal government has launched an innovative Medicaid payment program for sickle cell disease gene therapies that holds pharmaceutical manufacturers accountable for treatment success through rebates and discounts if therapies fail to work as promised. Two FDA-approved gene therapies, costing between $2.2 million and $3.1 million per patient, offer potential cures for approximately 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease, half of whom rely on Medicaid coverage. Under this outcomes-based model, 33 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have enrolled, though specific financial terms remain confidential between CMS and participating states. This approach represents a significant departure from traditional pharmaceutical payment systems where drugs are paid for regardless of effectiveness, and could serve as a template for future expensive gene therapies currently in development. # Key Takeaways

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is considering allocating $79.4 million in surplus funds toward critical infrastructure repairs and improvements across its facilities. The proposed spending would address numerous facility issues including demolishing and boarding up vacant buildings that cost the district over $71,000 annually in maintenance fees, repaving parking lots at dozens of schools, and upgrading athletic facilities and fencing. This investment comes on top of an existing $700 million facility master plan funded by federal COVID relief money, though the district still faces approximately $2.1 billion in total infrastructure needs identified in a 2018 assessment. District leaders emphasize that while surplus funds can address some urgent repairs, more equitable state funding dedicated to school infrastructure is essential for closing the remaining gaps in facility needs.

Former Michigan State Senator Adam Hollier has withdrawn from the Democratic primary for Secretary of State to instead pursue a seat in the 3rd state Senate district, which encompasses Detroit's Eastside, Highland Park, and parts of Oakland County. Hollier, who previously exited a congressional race to run for Secretary of State, claims he brings the most experience and resources to the state Senate contest. He will face Democratic opponents John Conyers III and Eboni Taylor, who has secured an endorsement from current seat-holder Senator Stephanie Chang. The Secretary of State race now features Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist alongside Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and former appointee Suzanna Shkreli competing for the Democratic nomination.

A Detroit-based development firm called Promised Land Realty, co-owned by Trevor Sarter, has revealed plans for "The Garvey," a new apartment building to be constructed at the intersection of Dexter Boulevard and Davison Avenue on Detroit's west side. The project takes its name from both civil rights leader Marcus Garvey and Sarter's grandfather, Marcus Garvey Woodson, who previously worked as a chief land appraiser for the city. The development has received approval from the Detroit Building Authority and has secured a retail partnership with Neighborhood Grocery. According to Sarter, the project aligns with Mayor Mary Sheffield's goals for equitable, community-focused development in Detroit neighborhoods.

Apex Digital Solutions, a Microsoft Solutions Partner focused on AI and security solutions, is moving its headquarters to Detroit's Jefferson Hub in the Midtown area and creating an Experience Center by mid-2026. The new facility will showcase Microsoft workplace technologies through hands-on demonstrations and educational workshops for various business stakeholders. This relocation represents the company's dedication to contributing to Detroit's technology sector and local job creation. The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation views this move as reinforcing the city's status as an innovation hub and attracting companies invested in workforce development. The Jefferson Hub location will enable Apex Digital to better support hybrid work innovation while strengthening Detroit's expanding tech ecosystem.