Michigan news

The Detroit City Council held its final meeting of the term on Tuesday, marking the departure of two members—Fred Durhal III and President Mary Sheffield—who left their seats to pursue mayoral campaigns. While Sheffield won the mayoral race and will take office next year, Durhal did not advance past the primary, and both positions will be filled by newly elected representatives. Council members spent time reflecting emotionally on their work together, with colleagues praising Durhal's expertise in municipal finance and his ability to collaborate across ideological differences. The remaining council members, all of whom won reelection in November, expressed commitment to working with incoming Mayor Sheffield while maintaining their legislative oversight role.

The Detroit Land Bank Authority and City Council have finalized a one-year agreement to collaborate on neighborhood stabilization efforts after operating without a formal contract since December 2023. The new memorandum of understanding largely mirrors the previous agreement from 2020, though it includes enhanced provisions for assisting residents in land bank-owned properties and introduces substantial discounts for community land trusts acquiring property. These trusts can now receive 50% discounts for beautification and affordable housing projects, with steeper 80% reductions available for developments dedicating at least 25% of units to low-income residents. The agreement officially recognizes a "blight emergency" in Detroit and authorizes the land bank to utilize its special state-granted powers for accelerated property disposition.

The Michigan Chronicle and Real Times Media are hosting an unveiling celebration for the 2025 Who's Who in Black Detroit Yearbook on December 5, 2025, at the Harmonie Club in Detroit's Paradise Valley. The publication recognizes outstanding leaders and achievers across metropolitan Detroit through various categories including Newsmaker of the Year, Living Legends, Game Changers, and Most Influential individuals, while also serving as a directory of all recipients from the Chronicle's annual recognition programs. The event will feature networking opportunities, red carpet moments, live music, and filming, with tickets priced at $125 including the yearbook or $90 without it. Community leaders Dr. Curtis Ivery and Evette Hollins have contributed written pieces that frame the collection of honoree profiles highlighting Detroit's continued progress and the people driving positive change. # Key Takeaways

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has partnered with U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib to support legislation addressing low compensation for musicians from streaming services. The Living Wage for Musicians Act, recently reintroduced by Tlaib, would establish a new streaming royalty system to provide fairer payments to artists, who currently earn as little as $0.003 per stream. With streaming services generating $11.7 billion in revenue and accounting for 84% of music consumption, artists need over 800,000 monthly streams to equal minimum wage earnings. Sheffield, who has long championed Detroit's music and hip-hop community, directed her legislative policy division to draft a supporting resolution, emphasizing Detroit's significant cultural contributions across multiple music genres.

Saksey's is a sophisticated cocktail lounge that successfully combines throwback tavern inspiration with contemporary execution and design sensibilities. The venue features luxurious, intimate decor including dark wood, velvet seating, and flattering low lighting that creates an upscale hideaway atmosphere better suited for small gatherings than large groups. The beverage program, led by Darryl Chan and Tara Wong, offers creative twists on classic cocktails priced between $19-$25, with a notable $28 mini martini flight providing good value. The food menu delivers elevated comfort fare anchored by a standout burger and playful items like caviar-topped lobster rolls, while the overall experience emphasizes intentional cohesion across all elements without feeling overly contrived. # Key Takeaways

Chubby Cattle Wagyu Shabu House has opened its first Michigan location in Novi, offering an all-you-can-eat Japanese-style hotpot experience centered around premium wagyu beef. The restaurant features three pricing tiers ranging from $48 to $78, with the highest tier providing access to exceptional Japanese A5 wagyu cuts that guests cook themselves in simmering broths. The establishment combines high-quality ingredients including seafood, sushi, and specialty broths with an anime-inspired, energetic atmosphere and a 90-minute dining time limit. Despite the upscale ingredient quality, particularly the A5 wagyu shoulder clod and chuck ribeye, the pricing remains notably accessible for the dining category, earning the restaurant an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars for its successful balance of culinary excellence and value. # Key Takeaways

LeJuan Burt, VP of Maintenance at SMART transit, argues that public transportation is crucial for reducing Southeast Michigan's substantial carbon footprint, where drivers logged nearly 100 billion miles in 2023 and produced over 141 million metric tons of CO2. SMART buses can significantly reduce emissions by taking up to 60 cars off the road per bus, with per-person emissions dropping 37-40 percent when buses are full compared to solo driving. The transit agency has been expanding its electric bus fleet since 2022 through partnerships with DTE and Proterra, operating zero-emission vehicles powered by renewable energy from their Oakland Terminal hub in Troy. SMART is working to overcome barriers to transit adoption through on-demand services, technology upgrades, and infrastructure improvements like dedicated transit lanes, positioning public transportation as essential to Michigan's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. # Key Takeaways

The Property is Power initiative has launched two separate homeownership programs specifically designed to address historical barriers that have prevented Black families from buying homes. The first program eliminates down payment requirements entirely, accepting credit scores as low as 580 and imposing no income limits, allowing qualified families to purchase homes without upfront cash. The second is a lease-to-own pathway where a government entity purchases the home and families lease it for 12 months while building credit before assuming the mortgage. Together, these programs aim to close the racial homeownership gap by providing flexible, accessible pathways that acknowledge the systemic discrimination Black families have faced through redlining, discriminatory lending, and limited financial opportunities. # Key Takeaways

Dr. Portia Lockett shares her personal journey of navigating the holiday season after her son was murdered in December 2020, describing how formerly joyful traditions have become painful triggers. She explains that while grief remains present through empty chairs and bittersweet memories, she has learned to find "glimmers" of hope in small moments like her granddaughter's laughter, prayer, and the work of the Azal Benne Lockett Foundation helping others with burial expenses. Rather than choosing between joy and pain, she now gives herself permission to feel both emotions simultaneously during the holidays. The article concludes with seven practical tips for others experiencing grief during the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of honoring feelings, setting boundaries, and extending grace to oneself.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer acknowledges that Michigan families are struggling with rising costs and economic uncertainty, particularly as they approach Thanksgiving. She attributes much of the price increases to widespread federal tariffs implemented over the past nine months, which have driven up costs for food, healthcare, and retail goods across the state. While she cannot control federal tariff policy, the Governor highlights her administration's efforts to provide relief through state-level measures in the recently signed bipartisan budget. These measures include tax credits for working families, elimination of taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security, expanded road infrastructure investment, healthcare access protection, and free school meals for all public school students. # Key Takeaways

Detroit City Distillery is hosting two holiday-themed events at Eastern Market to celebrate the season and showcase their craft spirits. The celebrations begin November 26 with Whiskey Wonderland at their Tasting Room, featuring festive cocktails and limited-edition bottles. Two days later on Black Friday, the distillery will hold its inaugural Black Friday Market at their newer 100 Proof venue, offering exclusive merchandise and re-releasing popular bourbon varieties including Hot Honey Bourbon and a special Rouge & Gold Bourbon collaboration with Detroit City Football Club. These paired events demonstrate the distillery's commitment to small-batch, locally-sourced spirits while highlighting both their cozy traditional space and modern event venue.

The Pentagon announced it is investigating Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, for alleged misconduct after he appeared in a video with five other Democratic lawmakers who have military backgrounds encouraging service members to refuse unlawful orders. Kelly learned about the investigation through a Pentagon social media post and stated he would not be intimidated from holding the administration accountable. President Trump had previously accused Kelly and the other lawmakers of "seditious behavior, punishable by death" in response to the video, though he later walked back those comments. Because Kelly is a military retiree, he remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which allows the Pentagon to potentially recall him to active duty for court-martial or impose administrative measures. # Key Takeaways

The Detroit Department of Transportation has secured a $50.8 million federal grant to purchase 53 new hybrid buses that will replace aging diesel vehicles in the city's fleet. This funding announcement coincides with newly approved union contracts that significantly increase compensation for both DDOT mechanics, who will earn up to $34.50 hourly, and bus operators, who received a $6 per hour wage increase. The improvements are part of the broader DDOT Reimagined initiative designed to transform a transit system previously plagued by delays and unreliable service into a more efficient operation serving over 150,000 daily riders. Combined with previous federal grants for 76 buses, Detroit will have replaced 44% of its entire bus fleet with new vehicles by 2027.

A new report from Pure Desire Ministries reveals that pornography use is widespread among faith communities, with 61% of U.S. adults viewing pornography and 75% of surveyed Christians admitting to using it, including 67% of pastors. Ashley Jameson, who works with Pure Desire Ministries, trains church leaders on addressing this addiction and emphasizes that brain imaging shows pornography affects the brain similarly to heroin, causing physical damage that can be reversed through treatment and neuroplasticity. The issue remains largely hidden because people fear judgment and removal from leadership positions, with half of users keeping their behavior secret and most lacking support systems. Jameson, who discovered her own husband's pornography addiction and has personal experience with trauma-related addiction, travels internationally to help faith communities address this problem through honest conversation and structured recovery programs.

The Motor City Cruise, Detroit Pistons' G League affiliate, has signed Detroit native Ray Williams to their roster. The 6-foot-4 guard earned this opportunity after impressing coaches during a fall open tryout and training camp, though he initially didn't make the opening roster. Williams, who played five seasons at Wayne State University where the Cruise plays home games, was a two-time GLIAC All-Defensive Team member and helped lead the Warriors to their first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in nearly ten years. His signing fills a roster spot created by center Charles Bediako's temporary departure for Team Canada national team duties during the FIBA World Cup qualifying window. # Key Takeaways

Fifth grader Lyric Weathers from Schulze Academy for Technology & Arts won The Skillman Foundation's 34th Float Design Contest with her submission "Cultures are Around the World," which will appear as an actual float in Detroit's 99th America's Thanksgiving Parade on November 27. The competition invited students in grades 4-8 from Detroit public and charter schools to create designs based on the theme "My Dream for the World," with Lyric's vision of cultural unity selected from hundreds of entries. Five additional students received Honorable Mention awards, and their designs will be featured on the skirt of Lyric's float. The partnership between The Skillman Foundation and the Parade Company aims to provide Detroit youth with a platform for artistic expression while contributing to the city's beloved holiday tradition, which will be broadcast to millions of viewers nationwide. # Key Takeaways

BasBlue, a Detroit community hub supporting women and gender-diverse individuals, has launched a free weekly Community Supper program to address growing food insecurity affecting city residents. The initiative responds to increased grocery costs, reduced SNAP benefits, and strained household budgets by offering complimentary Monday dinners from 5-7 p.m. without any eligibility requirements or paperwork. Local Detroit chefs, including teams from Folk Detroit, Baobab Fare, and Fried Chicken and Caviar, prepare rotating menus that celebrate the city's diverse culinary traditions. The program has already served over 100 meals and operates with support from Plum Market, providing a dignified, welcoming space where families, elders, and individuals can gather for nourishment and community connection. # Key Takeaways

Six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds released a video reminding service members of their right to refuse unlawful orders, prompting President Trump to accuse them of sedition and suggest they should face trial or death. The President posted multiple social media messages calling for their arrest, while the White House later claimed he was merely "defining the crime of sedition" rather than literally threatening execution. This confrontation occurs against a backdrop of increasing political violence in America, with 85% of citizens believing such violence is rising, and recent incidents including assassinations, arson attacks, and threats against politicians from both parties. Democratic leaders condemned Trump's rhetoric as dangerous, while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the President and called the lawmakers' video inappropriate, announcing that the Justice Department and Pentagon would review the matter.

Fred Durhal Jr., a highly respected Michigan legislator and community advocate, died at age 73 on November 19, 2025, leaving behind a powerful legacy of public service spanning several decades. Throughout his career serving Detroit in the Michigan House of Representatives from various districts and terms, including 2008-2014 as Dean Emeritus, Durhal earned recognition for his compassionate advocacy for working-class families, marginalized populations, and Detroit's most vulnerable residents. His leadership extended beyond legislation to community revitalization efforts, youth programs, and affordable housing initiatives, while he maintained a reputation for integrity and bipartisan cooperation. The father of current Detroit City Councilmember Fred Durhal III, he is remembered by family, colleagues, and former political opponents alike as a mentor, tireless fighter for equity and justice, and devoted family man who exemplified genuine commitment to improving lives in his community. # Key Takeaways

The Rx Kids program, which provides direct cash payments to expectant and new mothers, has expanded to six Wayne County communities but excludes Detroit due to jurisdictional reasons. The initiative offers eligible mothers $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly for six months after birth, targeting areas with high child poverty rates. Detroit was not included because it operates its own independent health department, while the county-administered program only serves municipalities without their own health departments. Since launching in Flint in 2024, the program has distributed $17 million to over 3,900 families and will now serve 17 Michigan municipalities total. Wayne County selected the six participating cities—River Rouge, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, and Dearborn—based on demonstrated need and their reliance on county health services.

Australian mining company Fortescue has cancelled construction of a $210 million electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Detroit's Milwaukee Junction neighborhood, eliminating 600 promised jobs that would have paid over $45,000 annually. The company attributed the cancellation to uncertainty created by recent changes to federal clean energy tax credits included in a Republican-led budget bill. Democratic lawmakers, including State Senator Stephanie Chang, are demanding accountability and criticizing the cancellation as a major setback for local employment, environmental improvements, and Detroit's clean energy manufacturing ambitions. Michigan and Detroit officials had offered approximately $23.7 million in combined tax and brownfield incentives to attract the project, which would have converted the former Fisher Body plant into an advanced manufacturing center for EV chargers, batteries, and hydrogen generators. # Key Takeaways

A $29.3 million affordable senior housing development has opened on the site of Michigan's only Historically Black College and University in Detroit's northwest side. The Dr. Violet T. Lewis Village features 105 income-restricted apartments for seniors, combining two restored historic buildings from the original Lewis College of Business campus with new construction. The development serves residents earning between 30% and 80% of area median income, with rents ranging from $468 to $1,408 monthly depending on unit size and building type. Financing came primarily through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and various state, city, and private sources, transforming the long-vacant Meyers Road campus into active community housing while honoring Dr. Lewis's educational legacy.

The City of Detroit, along with development partners MHT Housing and Kirsten's Touch led by Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, has initiated construction on four buildings that will create 211 affordable housing units on previously vacant property adjacent to the historic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center. The $83 million development includes 159 affordable housing units across three buildings (Brewster I, II, and III) serving residents earning 30-80% of area median income, plus 52 permanent supportive housing units at The Sanctuary at Brewster specifically designed for homeless individuals with wraparound services. Financing comes from multiple sources including Michigan State Housing Development Authority tax credits, Comerica Bank's $40 million investment, and various other banking and community development partners. The project, scheduled for completion in 2027, also includes the restoration of the historic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center where the KRONK Gym will reopen, with that facility targeting a 2026 completion date. # Key Takeaways

The National Entrepreneurs Association (NEA), led by Dr. ZaLonya Allen, hosted its 2025 conference at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield on October 24th, focusing on the theme of "Collaboration." The full-day event brought together business owners, leaders, and innovators for eight breakout sessions covering critical business topics such as marketing strategies, artificial intelligence, funding, cybersecurity, and mental health. Keynote presentations were delivered by former NFL player Jon Jansen on media collaboration and Paula Tutman on the power of working together, while attendees networked over lunch and participated in panel discussions. The conference successfully facilitated meaningful business connections and partnerships, with sponsors including Comerica Bank, Lawrence Technological University, and the City of Southfield supporting the NEA's mission to provide entrepreneurs with resources and networking opportunities to grow their businesses.

Comerica Bank hosted a Día del Niño (Children's Day) celebration in Detroit, partnering with the Detroit Institute of Arts and Latino Press to honor the traditional Mexican holiday celebrated on the last day of April. The event brought together over 100 students from Harms Elementary School in Southwest Detroit for art appreciation, financial literacy education, and cultural activities. Since launching its Día del Niño initiative in 2021 with a small donation drive in Dallas, Comerica has expanded the program to impact more than 7,000 children and families across multiple communities over five years. The bank's efforts earned an Honorable Mention for Volunteerism from the ABA Foundation's Community Commitment Awards, marking Comerica's third consecutive year receiving recognition from the foundation for various community programs. # Key Takeaways

The Better Business Bureau of Michigan held its 2025 Torch Awards for Ethics Luncheon on November 10 at Schoolcraft College, celebrating businesses that demonstrate exceptional integrity and ethical practices. The event featured keynote speaker Mark S. Lee and was hosted by investigative reporter Rob Wolchek, with finalists representing Michigan businesses from across the state competing in six categories. A significant highlight was Comerica Bank's recognition for achieving 100 years of BBB accreditation, making it only the sixteenth business nationwide to reach this milestone, while McNaughton-McKay Electric Company celebrated 75 years. BBB of Michigan's CEO Lisa Frohnapfel also announced upcoming AI-driven training programs and the organization's first AI Summit planned for next year to help businesses adapt to evolving technologies. # Key Takeaways

The BUILD Institute, a Detroit-based entrepreneurship support organization founded in 2012, has announced it will pause operations at the end of 2025 to reassess its mission delivery, programming, and business model. Since its inception, BUILD has graduated over 1,700 participants focused on underrepresented entrepreneurs, with alumni generating approximately $56 million in annual labor income and supporting more than 560 operational businesses in Detroit. The organization will continue all scheduled programming through December 2025 to honor existing commitments while exploring new partnership models and approaches to serve its network of over 3,000 alumni. The board frames this decision as a strategic recalibration rather than a failure, responding to shifting funding landscapes and the evolving needs of Detroit's neighborhood-based business ecosystem. # Key Takeaways

The 12th Annual Black Friday Scholarship Bootcamp, organized by Fresh Perspectives Seminars, will take place in Southfield, Michigan on November 28-29, 2025, to help Metro Detroit families navigate college financing challenges. Founded by scholarship expert Gwen Thomas, known as "The Scholarship Guru," the event has previously assisted over 10,000 students in securing more than $30 million in scholarships. This year's programming will address current obstacles in college funding, including reduced financial aid availability and changing admissions requirements, while providing practical guidance on test preparation, essay writing, and financial literacy. The bootcamp aims to prevent families from falling into debt traps and predatory lending situations by teaching them how to access scholarships and understand the college financing system properly.

Covenant House Michigan will host its 12th annual Sleep Out event on November 20th in Detroit, where participants will spend a night sleeping on cardboard and tarps to raise awareness and funds for youth homelessness. The event comes as Michigan reported over 35,000 homeless students during the 2023-2024 school year, many of whom struggle to maintain focus on education while lacking stable housing. Since 1997, Covenant House Michigan has served more than 80,000 young people aged 18-24, providing not just emergency shelter but comprehensive services including education support, job training, mental health care, and housing assistance. The overnight gathering will include a candlelight vigil, discussions about root causes of youth homelessness, and conversations with young people who have experienced housing instability. Proceeds from the event support the organization's round-the-clock programs that last year provided over 29,500 nights of shelter and helped 160 youth secure stable housing.

Wayne County has introduced the Rx Kids initiative with a $7.5 million investment to address maternal and infant health challenges by providing direct cash payments to expectant mothers in economically distressed areas. The program offers eligible pregnant women $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly for their baby's first six months across six selected communities: River Rouge, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, and Dearborn. This local launch follows Michigan lawmakers' approval of $250 million in state funding to expand Rx Kids statewide in the upcoming budget cycle. The initiative, originally piloted in Flint in 2024, has already distributed $17 million to nearly 4,000 families and now operates in 17 Michigan communities showing positive maternal and infant health outcomes.