michigan news

Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has announced her candidacy for governor of New Mexico, aiming to become the first Native American woman elected governor in U.S. history. Haaland, who already made history as one of the first Native American women in Congress and as the first Native American Cabinet secretary, will compete in the Democratic primary against Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman and former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima. The Democratic nominee will likely have an advantage in the general election, as New Mexico consistently votes Democratic despite being rural with high poverty rates. The gubernatorial race is one of 36 governorships up for election in 2026, which includes several politically significant contests in battleground states.

Arizona, once a Republican stronghold, has evolved into a critical battleground state with Democrats winning key statewide races in 2022 including the governorship. The 2026 gubernatorial race is shaping up to be competitive, with Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs fundraising for reelection while the Republican primary attracts national attention with Trump endorsing both Rep. Andy Biggs and Karrin Taylor Robson. State-level governance has become increasingly significant as policy decisions on issues like abortion have shifted from federal to state control, exemplified by Arizona's recent abortion law changes culminating in voters approving a constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights in 2024. The Arizona race is part of 36 governorships up for election in 2026, including several in states where the presidential vote differed from the party of the current governor.

Detroit City Council has voted to increase fines for parents whose children violate the juvenile curfew law, raising penalties to $250 for first offenses and $500 for second offenses while eliminating jail time as a sentencing option. Police Chief Todd Bettison supports the updated ordinance as an accountability measure aimed at changing behavior and addressing recent youth gun violence incidents in the city. The police department plans to use curfew violations as intervention opportunities to connect families with support services rather than processing minors through the juvenile court system. Critics question the effectiveness of curfews in reducing youth crime, citing studies showing little impact on violence rates, and express concerns that fines may create financial hardship for already struggling families without achieving the intended behavioral changes.

The article discusses campaign finance disclosures for Detroit's mayoral race, revealing that candidates have collectively raised $3 million, with only 28% coming from Detroit residents while 72% comes from outside the city. Council President Mary Sheffield leads in fundraising with nearly $800,000 raised this year, giving her a significant financial advantage over rivals Solomon Kinloch Jr. and Saunteel Jenkins. The article also covers the City Council's vote to update a parental responsibility ordinance with increased fines in response to youth violence, and residents' complaints about a problematic hotel in the Ravendale neighborhood allegedly attracting crime and prostitution.

Detroit city leaders have launched the $700,000 Detroit Startup Fund to support local entrepreneurs and strengthen the city's tech economy. Announced by Mayor Mike Duggan, City Council President Mary Sheffield, and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) officials, the fund will award 26 grants totaling $700,000 over the next year to help startups scale products and services that can improve city life and economic opportunity. The initiative includes 20 seed grants of $15,000 and six scale grants of $50,000, with specific eligibility requirements including Detroit-based operations and potential civic applications. City officials estimate the program will generate more than $1 million in local economic impact, with applications for the first round open through August 25 at detroitmi.gov/startup.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Board of Education filled its vacant seat by appointing Reverend Dr. Steve Bland, Jr., a longtime faith leader and public education advocate, during a special meeting on July 28. This appointment completes the seven-member board at a critical time as the district continues implementing its strategic plan, Blueprint 2027, while recovering from years of state oversight and building community trust. Rev. Dr. Bland's selection followed a transparent public process where 14 candidates were interviewed, reinforcing the board's commitment to local governance and community-centered leadership. The appointment represents another significant step in Detroit's ongoing journey to maintain local control of its school system after years of state emergency management that had negatively impacted resources and educational decision-making.

Detroit's nonpartisan mayoral primary election on August 5 will determine the two candidates who will compete in the November 4 general election, with campaign finance disclosures providing insight into candidates' financial backing. The top three candidates raised $526,560 from Detroit addresses, while $1.5 million came from non-residents, according to BridgeDetroit, which created an interactive map showing donation origins. City Council member Mary Sheffield leads the nine-candidate field with $737,176 raised, followed by Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. with $407,548 and nonprofit leader Saunteel Jenkins with $400,961. Donations came from various sources including political action committees, business leaders, church members, and individuals across Metro Detroit and beyond.

Detroit Public Schools Community District is actively reforming its curriculum to better represent Black history and culture beyond just slavery and civil rights, addressing the fact that only 13% of Michigan's K-12 curricula include meaningful Black historical content. Under Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti's leadership, the district has developed specialized programs including a Detroit History curriculum and the Detroit Perspectives Project, which incorporate local Black history, movements, and diverse literary works. Chief Academic Officer Leenet Campbell-Williams emphasizes their commitment to creating education that is both academically rigorous and culturally relevant for the district's predominantly Black student population. This initiative continues despite growing national pressure to reduce race-conscious education, as district leaders prioritize curriculum that authentically reflects students' identities and experiences.

of "Rep. Debbie Dingell's Fight Against Domestic Violence" Representative Debbie Dingell shares her harrowing childhood experiences with domestic violence, including a traumatic incident where her father, who struggled with prescription drug addiction and mental illness, threatened the family with a gun. Despite her reluctance to discuss these painful memories, Dingell uses her platform in Congress to advocate for domestic violence survivors through legislative action and awareness campaigns. Since first publicly speaking about her experiences during a 2016 House sit-in on gun safety legislation, she has established the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence and authored key provisions in the Violence Against Women Act. Dingell emphasizes that domestic violence affects families across all socioeconomic backgrounds and advocates for community resources to help survivors escape dangerous situations.

A 42-year-old man, Bradford James Gille, has been charged with terrorism and assault with intent to murder after randomly stabbing 11 shoppers at a Walmart supermarket in Traverse City, Michigan. The victims, aged between 21 and 84, were attacked with a folding knife but are all expected to survive their injuries. Law enforcement arrived quickly at the scene, where armed citizens had already confronted and contained the suspect in the parking lot before deputies took him into custody without incident. Investigators, with FBI assistance, are still working to determine the suspect's motive for the attack, which has been classified as terrorism due to its intent to instill fear in the community.

At least 11 people were injured in a random stabbing attack at a Walmart supermarket in Traverse City, Michigan, with the victims being treated at Munson Medical Centre. A 42-year-old Michigan resident armed with a folding knife was apprehended, partly with the assistance of store customers who also helped treat the wounded. As of Saturday night, six victims were in critical condition and five in serious condition, with law enforcement including the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office and FBI personnel responding to the incident. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her concern for the victims and community affected by what Sheriff Michael Shea described as an apparently "random act" of violence.

The 3rd Annual Detroit Is Different Collard Green Cook-Off is moving to the Samaritan Center's Wellness Center Gym on July 26, 2025, with the theme "Bridging Detroit Through Culture and Cuisine." This free community event celebrates Detroit's urban farming heritage and Black culinary traditions, featuring eight local chefs competing for the Collard Green Cook-Off Champion title. Attendees receive one free tasting ticket upon entry and can purchase additional tickets for $2 each, allowing them to sample dishes and participate in voting alongside a panel of judges to determine the winner. The cook-off aims to connect generations, preserve cultural food traditions, and strengthen community bonds through the shared appreciation of collard greens.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has announced he will not seek a third term, opening up a competitive race in this key battleground state. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, a nurse and former public health official, has become the first major Democratic candidate to enter the primary, with several other prominent Democrats considering runs. On the Republican side, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and manufacturing executive Bill Berrier have already declared their candidacies. Wisconsin's political environment remains highly competitive, with voters consistently delivering close elections and often splitting tickets between parties, as evidenced by recent presidential and statewide races.

Victor Walker shares his deeply personal experience with kidney failure and dialysis, describing how invisible illnesses often go unrecognized despite their severity. He details the exhausting reality of dialysis treatment—a life-sustaining but draining process he undergoes three times weekly for four hours at a time while awaiting a kidney transplant. Walker highlights the significant racial disparities in kidney disease treatment, noting that Black Americans develop end-stage kidney disease at nearly four times the rate of white Americans yet face longer transplant wait times. Through his story, he advocates for increased awareness, early testing, and encourages more Black Americans to consider becoming living donors to address these healthcare inequities.

Detroit is receiving $410,000 in state funding through Michigan's Make MI Home initiative to support local entrepreneurs and recent graduates via two new programs. The City of Detroit was granted $210,000 to establish the Detroit Tech Fellowship for recent Michigan university graduates developing startups in sectors like AI and clean energy, while Michigan Women Forward received $200,000 for its Founder Forward program supporting existing founders and returning Michigan talent. These investments aim to address long-standing inequities in access to capital and resources, particularly for Black entrepreneurs in the majority-Black city, while focusing on both attracting new talent and retaining existing Detroit innovators. The initiatives represent part of a broader state strategy that recognizes Detroit's central role in Michigan's population growth and economic recovery.

Money Matters for Youth, founded by Gail Perry-Mason in 1996, is a comprehensive financial literacy initiative in Detroit that teaches students aged 8-18 about investing, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation. The program goes beyond basic financial education to provide holistic development through its annual five-day camp, where participants learn about multiple income streams, budgeting, and leadership skills. In partnership with One Detroit Credit Union, the program recently awarded $25,000 in scholarships to 25 Detroit-area teens, who also received collegiate checking accounts with no fees or minimum balance requirements. For nearly 29 years, Perry-Mason has mentored thousands of youth, creating a generational ripple effect with many former participants returning as volunteers and mentors.

Michigan is experiencing a severe decline in local journalism, with 40% of newspapers lost since 2005 and more than half of counties down to one or no local news outlets. This crisis prompted a summit at the Detroit Athletic Club on July 22, organized by the Local Media Association and partners, where media leaders discussed the consequences of declining local coverage and potential solutions. The gathering highlighted alarming statistics, including the loss of 58% of journalism jobs in Michigan over 15 years, and emphasized the critical role local journalism plays in maintaining community accountability and democracy. Leaders from various media organizations stressed the importance of partnerships, diversified funding models, and community engagement as pathways to rebuilding local news infrastructure.

Detroit Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero is working with Mayor Mike Duggan's administration to create an ordinance that would redirect commercial truck traffic away from residential neighborhoods in Southwest Detroit. The proposed measure follows recommendations from a 2024 report and aims to address serious health concerns, as Detroit has significantly higher asthma rates than the national average, with 16% of children affected. Medical experts and community organizations testified about the harmful effects of truck-related air pollution, noting that Southwest Detroit's position as an international commercial gateway has led to heavy truck traffic through residential areas. The proposed ordinance would ban trucks from specific streets near homes, schools, and parks, directing them to alternative routes instead.

The Trump administration has frozen $171 million in congressionally approved education funding for Michigan, affecting critical programs that support vulnerable students. Michigan has joined over 20 states in filing a lawsuit against this sudden halt of funds for six essential programs that provide services for immigrant students, English learners, after-school care, and other educational support. The freeze has left school districts and nonprofit education providers scrambling to maintain programs that were already planned for the 2025-2026 school year, with funding typically received by April now under "review" as of July 1. This unexpected decision particularly impacts organizations like SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers EcoSchool, which provides crucial after-school and summer programs for nearly 1,000 children in low-income rural communities across Michigan.

Center Field Detroit, a two-day dance intensive created by the nonprofit Autumn Sun, will take place July 31-August 1 at the Joseph Walker Williams Center for Metro Detroit student dancers ages 12-18. The program offers up to 200 youth the opportunity to train with elite instructors from three prominent HBCUs: Jackson State University, Southern University, and Texas Southern University. This initiative provides culturally grounded education through dance while equipping participants with skills for auditions, higher education, and creative careers, regardless of their experience level. Arriving at a time when many institutions are scaling back diversity efforts, Center Field Detroit represents a commitment to investing directly in young people's cultural heritage and future opportunities.

Michigan is experiencing a competitive U.S. Senate race following Democratic Sen. Gary Peters' retirement, with Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow emerging as top Democratic contenders alongside state Rep. Joe Tate and Abdul El-Sayed. On the Republican side, former Rep. Mike Rogers is running again after his narrow 2024 loss to Sen. Elissa Slotkin, with Rep. Bill Huizenga expected to join the race. Although Michigan is a presidential battleground state that has alternated between parties in recent elections, it has consistently elected Democratic senators for the past 30 years, with the last Republican senator elected in 1994. The state has a strong tradition of electing women to leadership positions, and if either Stevens or McMorrow wins, Michigan would join four other states currently represented by two women senators simultaneously. # Who is affected * Michigan voters * Democratic and Republican Senate candidates (Stevens, McMorrow, Tate, El-Sayed, Rogers, and Huizenga) * The Democratic Party, which needs to hold competitive seats like Michigan to regain Senate control * The Republican Party, which currently holds a three-seat Senate majority * Women in politics, as Michigan could potentially add to states with two female senators # What action is being taken * Multiple candidates are actively campaigning for the open Senate seat * Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow are competing for the Democratic nomination * Former Rep. Mike Rogers is running again on the Republican side * Rep. Bill Huizenga is expected to enter the Republican primary # Why it matters * This race impacts control of the U.S. Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority * Michigan is a crucial swing state in both presidential and congressional elections * Democrats need to retain this seat to have a chance at regaining Senate control in 2026 * The election could potentially add Michigan to the list of states represented by two women senators * Michigan has consistently elected Democratic senators for 30 years despite being a presidential battleground # What's next No explicit next steps stated in the article.

The Equitable Internet Initiative (EII) and Michigan Central have launched a partnership called the Southwest Equitable Internet Initiative to provide affordable high-speed internet for $10 per month to residents in Detroit's 48216 and 48209 ZIP codes. This initiative addresses a significant digital divide, as over one-third of Detroit households lacked broadband access in 2015, with low-income areas being disproportionately affected. What makes this program unique is its community-centered approach, training and employing local residents as Digital Stewards who build and maintain the network infrastructure. The initiative plans to connect 200 homes annually for five years, ultimately serving 675 households in these underserved neighborhoods.

The retirement of Democratic Senator Dick Durbin has triggered a competitive primary race for Illinois' U.S. Senate seat, with several diverse candidates entering the field. Democratic Governor JB Pritzker has endorsed Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and is expected to financially support her campaign, while Representatives Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi are also seeking the nomination alongside longshots Awisi Bustos and Anthony Williams. The primary could make history for representation, as the election of Stratton, Kelly, or Bustos would result in a record three Black women serving in the Senate simultaneously, while Krishnamoorthi would become only the tenth Asian American to serve in the chamber. Although the general election in heavily Democratic Illinois is unlikely to be competitive, the primary is expected to attract national attention and significant financial investment.

The Detroit Police Department is regaining control of the Detroit Detention Center after a decade of state operation by the Michigan Department of Corrections, which will end its oversight in August 2023. This transition marks a significant milestone for Detroit, as the state originally took over the facility in 2013 when the police department was under federal oversight for civil rights violations in its precinct lockups. The city will purchase the 49-acre state-owned property for $1, including two buildings at the Mound Road location, and will save the $11-14 million it had been paying annually for state operation. DPD officers are being trained to ensure past issues that led to the state takeover do not recur, though the facility will likely need upgrades, particularly to its air conditioning system.

Puerto Rico residents receive federal food assistance through the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP), a more limited version than the mainland's SNAP program, with benefits that cover significantly less despite high food costs. The recent tax and spending package passed by Congress has frozen mechanisms used to increase NAP funding, further straining a system where benefits average only $115 per person monthly compared to SNAP's $364 for a family of two. Recipients like Diane Call Fragoso describe the challenges of stretching insufficient benefits in Puerto Rico's expensive food system, which is still recovering from Hurricane Maria and plagued by frequent power outages that risk food spoilage. Over 40 percent of Puerto Rico's population lives below the poverty line, with women comprising almost 3 in 5 NAP recipients, yet transitioning to the more responsive SNAP program faces significant political and infrastructural obstacles.

Detroit Fire Department is receiving all-new mattresses across its stations as part of a $92,000 city initiative to improve firefighter wellness and workplace conditions. The project, championed by City Council Member At-Large Mary Waters, replaces all 200 aging bedding units that had been causing discomfort and potentially hindering firefighter effectiveness. This investment follows an earlier donation of recliners to battalion headquarters from Gardner White furniture retailer in March. The mattress replacement addresses critical rest needs for firefighters who work 24-hour shifts, with officials noting that adequate sleep is essential for operational readiness and long-term wellness of first responders.

Three Detroit entrepreneurs, Racheal Allen, Ebony Cochran, and Jessie Hayes, have established community-focused business schools designed specifically for underserved Detroit entrepreneurs, particularly Black women. These initiatives—Operations School, Detroit Wealth Club, and The Hayes Institute of Esthetics & Entrepreneurship—address the systemic barriers that have historically limited access to business education and capital for Black entrepreneurs in Detroit. Despite Black women being the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs nationally and Detroit having one of the highest concentrations of Black women-owned businesses, less than 1% of venture capital reaches Black women entrepreneurs. These grassroots institutions provide culturally relevant training, mentorship, and infrastructure to build wealth, foster entrepreneurship, and create lasting economic opportunities within Detroit's communities.

The Detroit Pistons are preparing for the 2025 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (July 11-17) with a roster featuring recent draft picks, returning two-way players, and various prospects. Top prospects include 2024 fifth overall pick Ron Holland, known for his defensive skills and slashing ability; 2024 second-rounder Bobi Klintman, a versatile stretch-forward; and 2025 second-round selection Chaz Lanier, valued for his scoring prowess. The Summer League team will be coached by Pistons assistant Vitaly Potapenko, with the organization using this opportunity to evaluate talent for limited open roster spots, two-way contracts, and G League assignments as part of their ongoing rebuild.

Triumph Church pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., who is running for mayor, is strategizing how to leverage a recent IRS rule change that now allows pastors to campaign for candidates from the pulpit. The IRS officially ended the "Johnson Amendment" restriction that previously prohibited churches from engaging in political campaigns while maintaining their tax-exempt status. According to Kinloch's campaign spokesperson, they immediately began brainstorming ideas after the ruling, suggesting a massive church-based get-out-the-vote effort is forthcoming. Political strategists note this change could significantly impact elections by allowing pastors to directly endorse candidates and distribute campaign literature in churches, though they caution excessive politicking might alienate congregations.

Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., pastor of Triumph Church and Detroit mayoral candidate, is exploring how to leverage the recent IRS rule change that now allows churches to engage in political activities while maintaining their tax-exempt status. This change effectively strikes down the "Johnson Amendment," which previously prohibited churches from endorsing or opposing political candidates from the pulpit. According to Kinloch's campaign spokesperson Dan Lijana, they began strategizing immediately after the ruling, with plans for a major church-based get-out-the-vote effort while still respecting his congregation's spiritual needs. Political strategists note this ruling could significantly impact campaigns through direct pulpit endorsements and church-based political mobilization, though they caution pastors to balance political messaging with their primary religious duties.