Michigan news

A viral TikTok video showing a Black woman in active labor being forced to wait in a Dallas hospital's intake area has sparked widespread allegations of medical racism. The woman, Karrie Jones, was recorded screaming in pain while a nurse conducted routine intake questions, and her baby was born just 12 minutes after finally being admitted, following a wait of over 30 minutes. The video, posted by Jones' mother and viewed over 54 million times, prompted outrage from social media users who noted that pregnant women in active labor should be immediately taken to delivery suites. Dallas Regional Medical Center has announced it is investigating the incident, though the hospital has not confirmed reports that the nurse involved was terminated.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel plans to challenge DTE Energy's proposed natural gas rate increase of $237 million annually, which would raise residential customer bills by approximately 8 percent. Nessel has accused the utility company of inflating costs to boost corporate profits and claims her office has previously saved consumers over $4 billion by intervening in utility cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission. The commission itself has faced recent controversy after Governor Whitmer replaced a consumer-friendly commissioner with a former political advisor who previously worked for a House Speaker criticized for blocking utility reform legislation. DTE serves 1.3 million natural gas customers statewide, while utility companies remain powerful political donors in Michigan despite a citizen-led effort to ban their campaign contributions. # Key Takeaways

The March of Dimes 2025 Report Card reveals that the United States continues to struggle with preventable maternal and infant health crises, with a national preterm birth rate of 10.4 percent that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. Black mothers face the highest preterm birth rate at 14.7 percent, while mothers with Medicaid experience worse outcomes than those with private insurance. The crisis stems from multiple factors including maternity care deserts spanning hundreds of counties, unmanaged chronic conditions, loss of insurance coverage after childbirth, and systemic dismissal of concerns raised by Black and Native mothers. States in the South, including Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, received failing grades, though urban areas nationwide and states like Maryland and Virginia also struggle with significant racial disparities and access barriers.

The Michigan Chronicle, through its parent company Real Times Media (RTM), is partnering with a new private business club opening in downtown Grand Rapids called the Commerce Club. RTM CEO Hiram Jackson is both a co-founder and investor in the club, which represents over 50 business and civic leaders creating a 30,000-square-foot space in the historic 61 Commerce building. The club will feature professional amenities like coworking spaces, event venues, and a wellness center, with renovations starting early 2026 and opening expected by year's end. RTM will expand its presence in West Michigan by bringing signature programs like Pancakes & Politics to Grand Rapids and supporting the club's multimedia operations, reflecting Jackson's vision of evolving traditional media into community-building platforms.

Detroit Elevate, a new growth-stage business program launched by TechTown Detroit and the Gilbert Family Foundation, concluded its inaugural four-month cohort with 44 Metro Detroit entrepreneurs completing the initiative. The program provided comprehensive support including one-on-one coaching, strategic planning assistance, and customer visibility, delivering over $326,000 in technical assistance and 460 hours of virtual coaching to revenue-generating businesses seeking to scale. At the closing ceremony held at One Campus Martius, participating entrepreneurs showcased their businesses and competed for growth grants, with awards distributed based on business growth potential, presentation quality, and community impact. The program specifically targeted businesses owned by Black and Brown Detroiters who typically lack access to non-loan capital and growth resources, emphasizing practical acceleration tools rather than theoretical curriculum or requiring founders to start from scratch.

Former NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas has become the first NBA player to hold majority control of a publicly traded company through his leadership of Isiah Enterprises, a clean-tech firm focused on renewable materials and sustainable production. Thomas's journey began with studying natural plant fibers like rice, corn, and soy to develop alternatives to plastics, eventually leading to patented processes now used in automotive and packaging industries. He revitalized a near-bankrupt Michigan facility and transformed it into a sustainable manufacturing operation that now processes tens of thousands of pounds of renewable materials weekly and has shipped over 100,000 pounds of pelletized rubber compounds. Beyond business success, Thomas aims to create generational wealth opportunities for communities traditionally excluded from ground-level investment, encouraging families to become shareholders rather than lottery ticket buyers, with the ultimate goal of taking his company to NASDAQ.

Rapper Nicki Minaj is scheduled to address the United Nations in New York City on November 18th alongside Ambassador Mike Waltz and media advisor Alex Bruesewitz to discuss religious persecution of Christians. Her appearance coincides with the Trump administration threatening military intervention against Nigeria and designating it as a "country of particular concern" due to alleged systematic attacks on Christians. Nigerian officials have rejected these accusations, stating that extremist violence affects all citizens regardless of their religious beliefs. Nicki Minaj has previously spoken out against religious persecution and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to use her platform at the U.N. to address what she views as injustice. # Key Takeaways

The historic David Whitney Building in Detroit, which originally opened in 1915 and underwent a $94 million restoration before reopening in 2014, is now converting its upper hotel floors into 79 private condominiums. The units will range from one to three bedrooms with prices starting at $277,000 and exceeding $1 million for premium spaces, and residents will have access to full hotel services including concierge, housekeeping, and dining privileges. Developer The Roxbury Group is positioning this conversion as a continuation of the building's evolution while honoring Detroit's hospitality heritage and providing luxury downtown living. This project adds to Detroit's expanding downtown residential market alongside other developments like the upcoming Hudson's site condominiums.

The family of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. has issued a statement correcting misleading media coverage about his health status. The civil rights leader is currently hospitalized at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in stable condition while receiving treatment for progressive supranuclear palsy, a neurological condition he was diagnosed with earlier this year. Despite reports suggesting otherwise, he is not dependent on life support equipment and is breathing independently. The family expressed gratitude for medical care and public support, while his son Yusef confirmed that Reverend Jackson remains engaged in his advocacy work, recently calling for churches to provide food assistance during the holidays.

Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett traveled to Detroit to headline a fundraiser for Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist's gubernatorial campaign, generating significant social media attention with a viral video. Gilchrist is positioning himself as a progressive alternative to the Democratic establishment in a three-way primary race against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Benson currently leads the fundraising race with over $4.5 million raised, significantly outpacing Gilchrist's totals, though Gilchrist emphasizes his connections to working people rather than wealthy donors. Gilchrist has secured endorsements from progressive figures like Representative Rashida Tlaib and refuses corporate PAC money, while courting voters dissatisfied with mainstream Democratic leadership ahead of the August 2026 primary.

Michigan lawmakers held a hearing to document the severe impact of a 43-day federal government shutdown on the state's aviation system, particularly at Detroit Metro Airport. The shutdown forced essential aviation workers including air traffic controllers and TSA officers to work without pay for over a month, leading to significant flight cancellations and delays that disrupted travelers and strained an already understaffed system. The economic consequences extended beyond air travel, affecting federal workers who accumulated debt, passengers who absorbed unreimbursed costs, and local economies dependent on airport operations. Led by Senator Erika Geiss, the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee gathered testimony from airport officials, pilots, and federal employees to create a public record of how political dysfunction in Washington created tangible harm to Michigan residents and critical infrastructure. Though the shutdown has ended, witnesses emphasized that recovery continues as workers rebuild finances, airlines adjust schedules, and the aviation system addresses ongoing vulnerabilities. # Key Takeaways

The Detroit City Council delayed voting on two zoning proposals designed to make it easier to renovate abandoned institutional buildings and expand permitted land uses across the city. Several council members, including Mary Waters and Gabriela Santiago-Romero, argued the changes were being rushed without adequate community input and support, despite city planners noting that over 28 public meetings had been held across Detroit over the past year. The first proposal would enable adaptive reuse of former schools, churches, and government buildings by allowing approximately 50 new land uses without rezoning and cutting parking requirements in half. The second set of changes would revise zoning definitions, permit lofts in more districts, allow brewpubs in various areas, and expand the definition of "family" from two to four unrelated people living together. ---

The Motown Museum in Detroit marked a significant construction milestone with a beam-signing ceremony celebrating its $75 million expansion into The Motown Experience, a nearly 50,000-square-foot entertainment and education campus. Motown legends, including Martha Reeves and the son of Levi Stubbs, signed the final structural beam alongside museum leadership, symbolically anchoring the project's next phase. The expansion will add immersive exhibits, a performance theater, recording studio, and retail spaces to address overwhelming visitor demand that frequently causes the current historic house museum to sell out. Simultaneously, the museum appointed Dr. Kenya LeNoir Messer as its new CEO to oversee operations while Chairwoman Robin Terry continues leading the expansion through completion, scheduled for spring 2027.

Legendary actor Morgan Freeman, age 88, has publicly criticized the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence to replicate his distinctive voice, calling such practices both unethical and illegal. Freeman expressed frustration that AI-generated voice clones deprive him of rightful compensation for work that uses his recognizable voice, which he considers integral to his professional identity and livelihood. His legal team has been actively investigating multiple instances where his voice has been used without permission in online videos, advertisements, and AI applications. Additionally, Freeman voiced skepticism about fully digital AI-generated performers, arguing that audiences reject them because they lack authenticity and take opportunities away from real actors.

President Trump signed a short-term funding measure that ended a government shutdown lasting over 42 days, allowing federal operations to restart and employees to return to work. The extended closure created substantial backlogs across multiple agencies, including unprocessed tax documents at the IRS, depleted air traffic controller staffing at the FAA, and suspended food safety inspections at the FDA. Although furloughed and unpaid workers are guaranteed back pay, processing delays may extend their financial hardship for additional days or weeks. The funding bill only extends through January, creating uncertainty about another potential shutdown and causing some federal employees to consider leaving government service permanently.

General Motors and Dan Gilbert's Bedrock are advancing their $1.6 billion plan to transform Detroit's Renaissance Center after receiving approval for $75 million in public funding from the Detroit Downtown Development Authority. The ambitious redevelopment involves demolishing two of the complex's towers and its connecting podium structure to improve riverfront access and create an entertainment destination comparable to Chicago's Navy Pier. The remaining structures would be converted into mixed-use spaces, including hotel rooms, apartments, and office space, with an observation deck added to the iconic central tower. The project requires additional state legislative approval to expand the Transformational Brownfield Program funding cap, and GM will relocate its headquarters to Bedrock's Hudson's Detroit building in January.

Communities First, Inc. is hosting a "Community Candor Live" event on November 21 at the Henry Ford Pistons Performance Center, focusing on women's authentic leadership in Detroit. The morning panel discussion will feature four prominent female leaders from various sectors including philanthropy, energy, sports, and corporate development, moderated by Essence Wilson, the organization's Chief Strategy Officer. The event aims to provide an honest dialogue about women's leadership while offering networking opportunities and a live Q&A session for attendees. Communities First, Inc., which serves over 35,000 people across Michigan and Indiana through various community programs, has secured support from major corporate partners for this gathering. Registration is available for $25, with the event running from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. and including breakfast.

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has launched "Rise Higher Detroit," an expansive transition initiative featuring 18 policy committees led by prominent local figures from various sectors including finance, healthcare, education, and public safety. The transition team, headquartered at Marygrove Conservancy in a Detroit neighborhood rather than downtown, represents the first time a mayoral transition has operated from within the city's residential areas. More than 795 residents submitted resumes for administrative positions, demonstrating significant community interest in Sheffield's incoming administration, which begins January 1st. The committees, chaired by leaders ranging from banking executives to community activists, will meet weekly through year's end to develop recommendations for Sheffield's first 100-day plan, with a focus on creating policies that benefit all Detroit neighborhoods, not just the downtown core.

The federal government reopened after a historic 43-day shutdown when President Trump signed legislation extending funding temporarily through January for most agencies and through September for programs like SNAP. The shutdown caused approximately 900,000 federal workers to be furloughed and 700,000 to work without pay, while threatening food assistance for over 40 million Americans who depend on SNAP benefits. Black communities faced disproportionate harm due to higher reliance on federal safety-net programs and greater vulnerability to economic disruptions. Michigan took emergency action to maintain SNAP payments after the Supreme Court paused federal funding, while state lawmakers addressed related issues including airport staffing reductions and medical debt relief. Although immediate funding is restored, the underlying policy conflicts remain unresolved, particularly regarding Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire, leaving many households facing potential premium increases and coverage loss.

The sixth-ranked Michigan Wolverines defeated Wake Forest 85-84 in overtime during the first-ever Wolverine-Deacon Basketball Challenge held at Detroit's Little Caesars Arena. Michigan built a 13-point halftime advantage behind strong shooting, but Wake Forest mounted a second-half comeback to take a seven-point lead before the Wolverines rallied to force overtime with a late tying layup. In the extra period, Michigan's Elliot Cadeau sank a decisive free throw with 14 seconds remaining, and Wake Forest's final shot attempt fell short. UCLA transfer Aday Mara dominated with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks to earn Most Outstanding Player recognition, though Michigan's poor three-point shooting and 17 turnovers revealed concerns moving forward. # Key Takeaways

Detroit made a significant impression at Art Basel Paris 2025 through the Detroit Salon initiative, which showcased over 20 local artists across three exhibitions at venues including the Palais de Tokyo. The presentations, curated by leaders from Cranbrook Art Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts, highlighted Detroit's deep artistic heritage rooted in the 1960s Black Arts Movement while demonstrating its contemporary creative vitality. The programming extended beyond visual art to include musical performances featuring Detroit DJs and the Detroit Public Schools All-City Marching Band, offering international audiences a comprehensive experience of the city's cultural output. For the author, a leader with the DIA's Founders Junior Council, seeing artists whose work her organization had acquired for the museum's permanent collection displayed on this global stage validated years of intentional investment in Detroit's Black artistic community. # Key Takeaways

Dr. Bryanne Standifer-Barrett, a Detroit-based board-certified internist and menopause specialist, is challenging the cultural silence surrounding menopause in Black women's health through education and community building. She is organizing "The Glow Through It" dinner event in Southfield to create space for open dialogue about perimenopause and menopause, addressing the documented reality that Black women experience earlier onset and more severe symptoms than white women while receiving inadequate treatment. The physician, who teaches internal medicine and advises health companies, advocates for reframing menopause as an empowering life transition rather than something to endure quietly. Her work emphasizes health equity and the need to normalize conversations about midlife changes affecting women. Through this event and her broader platform, she aims to provide Black women with knowledge, community support, and validation of their health experiences.

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans has announced a $7.5 million commitment to bring the Rx Kids program to six cities across the county, providing direct cash payments to pregnant women and families with newborns. Eligible mothers will receive $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly for their baby's first six months, with no conditions or work requirements attached. The program, which originated in Flint and demonstrated success in reducing preterm births and improving maternal health, has already expanded to multiple Michigan communities with $270 million in state support. This evidence-based initiative aims to address economic instability during critical early development periods in communities that have historically faced disinvestment and systemic inequity.

Lionsgate has released the trailer and set an April 24, 2026 theatrical release date for "Michael," a comprehensive biographical film about pop icon Michael Jackson directed by Antoine Fuqua. The movie stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, supported by an ensemble cast including Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller portraying key figures from the singer's life. Though production concluded in 2024, the film experienced significant delays due to legal complications requiring extensive reshoots and editing adjustments. The biopic aims to chronicle Jackson's evolution from child performer in Gary, Indiana to global entertainment phenomenon, emphasizing his artistic legacy and creative achievements rather than tabloid controversies.

Detroit's November 4th mayoral election between Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch achieved a 22% voter turnout, representing the highest participation in a municipal election since 2013, yet still meaning that over three-quarters of registered voters did not cast ballots. While Michigan has implemented reforms making voting more accessible, including automatic absentee ballot mailings and permanent absentee voter lists, Detroit's municipal election participation remains significantly lower than in state and federal contests. Officials and poll workers attribute the low turnout to voter apathy, with some suggesting that consolidating local elections with presidential elections could boost participation. The winning candidate, Mary Sheffield, interpreted her victory as a mandate despite the relatively low overall voter engagement.

Dr. Theodore T. Turman has completed his first year as the seventh president of Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, focusing on connecting theological education with urban community needs. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration and listening while strengthening partnerships between the seminary and local organizations throughout the city. Drawing on his Detroit roots and extensive background as a pastor, chaplain, and educator, Dr. Turman has worked to position ETS as both a spiritual anchor and practical resource for urban ministry. The seminary is experiencing growth in enrollment and community engagement as it redefines its role under his people-centered approach. # Key Takeaways

Real Times Media has opened nominations for its Who's Who in Black Detroit yearbook, which recognizes outstanding Black leaders and professionals who are shaping the city's culture and community. The publication is part of a nationwide series that has been documenting Black achievement across major American cities for over thirty years, serving as both a celebration and historical archive. Nominations are being accepted until November 17th from anyone, including self-nominations, requiring a professional headshot and 150-word biography highlighting professional and community contributions. The honorees will be celebrated at an exclusive event on December 5, 2025, where the yearbook will be officially revealed and distributed. # Key Takeaways

Detroit's Reparations Task Force has delivered a comprehensive 558-page report to City Council proposing various programs to address historic injustices against African American residents caused by municipal policies. The 13-member body, established through a 2021 ballot initiative and formed in 2023, spent two years documenting historical harms and developing recommendations that range from direct cash payments and housing grants to police reform and water shutoff moratoriums. Proposed funding mechanisms include new taxes on downtown entertainment and casinos, along with clawing back developer tax breaks, though total costs remain undetermined. The task force's work has concluded, and implementation decisions now rest with City Council, while Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield's team reviews the proposals.

The Detroit Youth Choir is partnering with Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church to present a Christmas concert called "Soul Holidays: A Celebration of the King!!" on December 13, 2025. Now in its 29th year, the choir will blend traditional holiday music with gospel and contemporary elements in a performance designed to celebrate both the spiritual meaning of Christmas and community togetherness. General admission tickets are available for $25, with proceeds supporting youth arts programming in Detroit. Following the concert, the organization will hold open auditions on January 3, 2026, for students aged 8-18 who wish to join the nationally recognized ensemble that has evolved from its church-based origins while maintaining strong community ties. # Key Takeaways

Bedrock has launched a holiday celebration at Nick Gilbert Way, a new public plaza connecting the redeveloped Hudson's Block in downtown Detroit. The seasonal programming, running through early January, aims to recreate the nostalgic experience of the original J.L. Hudson Department Store that served as Detroit's holiday destination for generations. The festivities include a massive historical American flag display, vintage holiday window exhibits curated with the Detroit Historical Society, local vendor markets, food service, and family activities like meeting Mrs. Claus and mailing letters to Santa. The initiative seeks to revive Detroit's downtown holiday traditions while supporting local businesses and honoring the memory of Nick Gilbert, after whom the plaza is named.