michigan news

Michigan’s public school children face potential disruptions in their access to free meals due to federal proposals. Currently, schools qualify for universal free meals if 25% of their students participate in federal aid programs like SNAP or TANF. However, congressional Republicans aim to raise this threshold to 60%, which could disqualify hundreds of schools, particularly in Black, brown, and rural communities. This change could impact the physical and mental health of over half a million students. Michigan currently spends $200 million annually to maintain universal meal programs, but federal cuts could strain these efforts.

The Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) has launched the #DontTouchMe movement in Detroit to address systemic failures in protecting child abuse survivors. This initiative was sparked by cases like Na’Ziyah Harris and a 12-year-old who reported misconduct by her stepfather, a police officer. The campaign demands accountability and reforms to support survivors. NSO provides same-day and next-day support for survivors and advocates for mandatory trauma-informed training for law enforcement, judges, and investigators.

Hiram E. Jackson, CEO of Real Times Media and Publisher of the Michigan Chronicle, was honored with the renaming of his childhood Boys & Girls Club of Highland Park in his honor following a $2 million renovation. The Hiram E. Jackson Club is the first Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan to be named after an African American, marking a significant milestone in the organization's history. Jackson, who joined the club at age 6 in 1971, has maintained a five-decade relationship with the organization, progressing from member to coat checker to volunteer, board member, and eventually becoming the first Black chairman of the BGCSM board where he helped select the current president and CEO. The newly renovated facility includes state-of-the-art amenities like the Big Sean Studio, Innovation Lab, and Mental Health & Leadership Room, and is projected to generate $5 million in return on investment to families.

The Detroit City Council recently passed a $3 billion budget for 2025-26, revising roughly $36 million of Mayor Mike Duggan's initial proposal to better align with residents' needs across areas including affordable housing, youth employment, senior transit, and small business equity. This marks the 12th consecutive balanced budget since Detroit's 2014 bankruptcy exit and is Duggan's final budget as mayor, with his veto deadline set for April 11. Detroit's financial structure relies on four main revenue sources: $432 million from income tax, $292 million from casino wagering taxes, $174 million in property taxes, and $253 million in state revenue sharing. Council members negotiated through late nights to redirect funds toward core community needs, managing to reshape 2% of the General Fund and 1% of the entire budget despite only $1.58 billion being eligible for discretionary changes.

Flint City School District is facing significant financial strain after the U.S. Department of Education abruptly moved up the deadline for federal reimbursement requests tied to pandemic relief by one year, retroactively enforcing it without public warning. This decision places nearly $42 million meant for Michigan schools in jeopardy, with Flint potentially losing $1.4 million of its expected $15.6 million from the American Rescue Plan. Statewide, 27 school districts had similar contracts, with twelve expecting approximately $40 million in reimbursements under the American Rescue Plan and fifteen more anticipating $1.9 million from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The cuts threaten infrastructure projects and essential programs serving vulnerable students, particularly in communities already burdened by environmental and systemic injustice like Flint, Benton Harbor, and Pontiac.

Detroit artists Asaka The Renegade and Sam Watson recently competed in T-Pain's March Music Madness competition, with Asaka ultimately winning the contest. The competition, personally funded by Grammy-winning artist T-Pain, offered an impressive prize package including a single deal with Nappy Boy Entertainment, a feature from T-Pain, marketing support, a new car, and studio equipment. Despite facing thousands of competitors and a scandal where another contestant attempted to block Asaka from advancing through underhanded tactics, Asaka persevered and emerged victorious on April 1st. Both artists, who are signed to CM2 Entertainment, view this achievement as a significant milestone for themselves and for Detroit's music scene, with Asaka now focusing on his upcoming record with T-Pain.