michigan news

Xiao Dong Wei, a Detroit-based composer and erhu virtuoso, is set to headline an upcoming performance at Detroit Shipping Company on September 26 as part of the Concert of Colors Neighborhood Programs series. The erhu is a traditional Chinese two-stringed violin, and Wei has built a diverse musical repertoire that incorporates classical music, alternative chamber styles, bluegrass, jazz, and rock through her ensemble Madame XD. Wei recently discussed her multifaceted career and creative projects during an interview with One Detroit's Chris Jordan, including details about her newly composed original symphony that she performed alongside the Michigan Philharmonic. The article also highlights BridgeDetroit's community-centered journalism approach and requests reader support for their reporting efforts. # Key Takeaways

Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and GOP-aligned groups are attacking Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed with claims that he supports abolishing prisons and releasing violent criminals, based on his 2018 gubernatorial campaign positions and participation in a 2020 pandemic-era panel discussion. While El-Sayed has advocated for criminal justice reforms including reducing prison populations and addressing cash bail, he has not called for eliminating prisons entirely and specifically limited his 2018 proposals to "low risk" individuals convicted as minors. The Republican attacks reference El-Sayed's proposal to review sentences of people convicted before age 18 and his 2020 comments supporting decarceration during COVID-19, omitting key context about his focus on risk assessment and public health concerns. Bridge Michigan's fact-check concludes that while El-Sayed did support policies that could release some prisoners early, the Republican characterizations misrepresent his positions by removing important qualifying details.

A Michigan state audit revealed that the Going Pro Talent Fund, designed to provide workforce training and credentials, improperly spent over $59 million reimbursing employers for basic on-the-job training instead of funding skills education as intended. Between 2022 and 2025, the program distributed $182.5 million to 3,296 businesses, but auditors found that one-third of this funding violated program requirements by covering orientation and new-hire onboarding rather than credential-granting training. This misuse potentially prevented $93 million in qualified applications from receiving funding, prompting calls for reform from lawmakers who believe taxpayer money should align with the program's stated purpose. Despite these findings, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity defended its approach and noted it has begun implementing improved review processes and record-keeping systems.

Tennis is experiencing a significant resurgence in Detroit, with new tournaments, leagues, and courts emerging throughout the area, alongside renewed interest in youth programs that now have waitlists. The sport's growth is particularly notable among communities of color, with national data showing Black tennis participation increased 75% and Hispanic participation rose 88% between 2020 and 2025. Organizations like the Seminole Tennis Club and city recreation departments are responding to this demand by offering free programs and improving public courts, making the traditionally elite sport more accessible. Communities like Hamtramck are reviving their historic tennis programs and renovating facilities to ensure a new generation of diverse players knows they belong in the sport.

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison is under investigation by the Office of Inspector General after calling activist Jahdante Smith to request removal of controversial photos involving Mayor Mary Sheffield from social media. Smith refused to take down the photos and was later detained by police who seized his phone in what authorities claim was an unrelated case, though Smith alleges retaliation. The Board of Police Commissioners voted to formally support Bettison despite the ongoing investigation, raising concerns about the civilian oversight body's ability to maintain impartiality. Bettison denies any wrongdoing and has refused to resign, while the FBI has reportedly been referred the public corruption aspects of the case. # Key Takeaways

The Detroit Public Schools Community District has reached a milestone where over half of its schools now have complete air conditioning, up from 34% in 2018, as part of a $700 million facilities improvement initiative funded by federal COVID relief money. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti reported that by the 2028-29 school year, roughly 81% of buildings will have full AC, though 19 schools will remain without complete coverage due to budget constraints requiring an additional $245 million. The district has been forced to dismiss students early on days when temperatures exceed 85 degrees, creating childcare challenges for families. To address immediate needs, the district is distributing industrial fans to all classrooms and portable AC units to schools with adequate electrical systems.

Michigan's chronic absenteeism rate decreased marginally to 27.2% in the most recent school year, marking the fourth consecutive annual decline since peaking at 38.5% in 2021-2022, though more than one in four students still miss significant amounts of school. This persistent attendance crisis coincides with declining academic performance, including third-grade reading proficiency dropping to a twelve-year low of just above 38%. School districts across the state have implemented various strategies to combat absenteeism, including financial incentives, inter-district competitions, and home visits, while a state report identifies student disengagement, economic hardship, and health problems as primary causes. Despite these efforts and some improvement, education officials acknowledge substantial work remains to bring attendance rates to acceptable levels. # Key Takeaways

Michigan's November 2026 midterm elections will determine leadership across multiple levels of government, with no incumbents able to run for several key positions due to term limits. Voters will choose a new governor between Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James, a new U.S. senator between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, and fill numerous legislative and judicial seats that could shift party control. The ballot also includes two significant statewide measures: one asking whether to convene a constitutional convention to potentially rewrite the state constitution, and another seeking to ban political donations from utility companies and large government contractors. These races and ballot questions will impact control of both state and federal legislative chambers, as well as shape Michigan's fundamental governing laws.

Bedrock and General Motors are requesting $548 million in tax breaks and public subsidies over 30 years for their $2.2 billion Renaissance Center redevelopment and riverfront expansion project in Detroit. Despite the massive investment, developers expect only a 1% return, with representatives citing philanthropy and commitment to the city as their primary motivation. The ambitious project involves demolishing two 39-story towers, converting remaining structures into mixed-use spaces with housing and hotel rooms, and creating a 30-acre public riverfront park. While requiring substantial public support, the development is still projected to generate $301 million in net tax revenue for Detroit over three decades through a restructured payment system that redirects funds from the Downtown Development Authority to the city. # Key Takeaways

The Detroit Black Film Festival is returning for its seventh annual celebration, running from September 23-27 at multiple venues throughout the city. Festival co-directors Marshalle and Lazar Favors, along with filmmaker Zachary Cunningham, discussed the upcoming event with host Stephen Henderson. Their conversation covered the festival's scheduled programming, film selections, and a special "Taste of Black Spirits" event. Cunningham also shared insights about his filmmaking journey and provided guidance for emerging filmmakers in the industry. # Key Takeaways

Detroit is celebrating its annual Month of Design throughout September, featuring numerous artistic exhibitions and cultural events across the city. The festival, organized by Design Core Detroit, showcases local and international artists while operating under this year's theme "Design moves the future," which emphasizes how design practices can improve urban communities' quality of life. Notable exhibitions include Zahra Almajidi's "Casting the Net" at Playground Detroit, which explores Iraqi Marsh Arab heritage through metalwork and found objects, and "Anyspace? Whatever" at MOCAD, an interactive display examining technological systems in civic life. The celebration also includes the InVision Arts and Culture Festival, a community-focused event featuring local artists, vendors, live performances, and the launch of Vantage magazine's third issue.

Detroit's Office of Inspector General is investigating Police Chief Todd Bettison over his handling of social media posts involving activist Jahdante Smith and Mayor Mary Sheffield. The controversy centers on Bettison's August 5th phone call asking Smith to remove compromising photos of Sheffield and her ex-boyfriend Marvin Walker, followed by police seizing Smith's phone two weeks later during an unrelated investigation. Smith alleges the phone seizure was retaliation for refusing to take down the posts, while Bettison denies any improper influence and claims he acted personally rather than in his official capacity. The FBI has reportedly assumed control of the public corruption aspects of the case, while Detroit police have transferred all matters involving Smith and Walker to outside agencies.

A recent analysis by Chalkbeat reveals that Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is narrowing the performance gap with charter schools on standardized tests, with traditional public school students now surpassing charter school peers in math proficiency across nearly all grades. While charter schools still maintain an edge in reading and writing assessments, their advantage has diminished considerably compared to previous years when charters consistently performed better. Education researchers attribute DPSCD's progress to sustained, long-term systemic improvements rather than sudden fluctuations, though both traditional and charter schools in Detroit continue to lag significantly behind statewide performance averages. The comparison is complicated by the fact that charter schools operate independently with varying educational approaches and student demographics, and roughly half of Detroit's school-age children attend these independently-managed public schools. # Key Takeaways

Detroit's Office of Inspector General found that the Department of Transportation wasted over $40,000 in overtime pay by having city employees transport a dispatcher between their suburban home and downtown workplace for approximately one year. The arrangement, initiated by supervisor DeMarcus Garrett after the dispatcher submitted medical documentation stating they couldn't drive, involved paying paratransit driver trainers overtime to provide rides in city vehicles. While investigators determined Garrett showed poor professional judgment rather than outright abuse of power, the practice created unnecessary liability for the city, particularly after one driver had an accident during transport duty and required extended leave. The Inspector General's office has recommended policy reviews and supervisor training to prevent similar wasteful practices, while DDOT leadership has indicated the recommendations appear reasonable and will provide a formal response.

Democratic candidates across multiple states are making their opponents' handling of sexual abuse cases and ties to sex offenders a central campaign issue, attempting to flip traditional Republican advantages on crime messaging. In Texas, Senate candidate James Talarico is attacking Attorney General Ken Paxton over plea deals in sexual abuse cases and his failure to meet with Jeffrey Epstein survivors, while in North Carolina, Democrats are targeting Michael Whatley for repeatedly elevating a convicted sex offender within the state GOP. Arizona's gubernatorial race features criticism of Republican Andy Biggs for blocking legislation that would have addressed law enforcement corruption enabling child abuse within a polygamist cult. This cross-party appeal strategy comes as the Epstein files gain national attention and polling shows Republicans traditionally hold advantages on crime issues, prompting Democrats to leverage their prosecution backgrounds and attack Republicans on sexual abuse accountability.

A debate between the two major party candidates running for Michigan Secretary of State—Democratic Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Republican County Clerk Anthony Forlini—is scheduled for October 8th at the University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy. The one-hour event will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Annenberg Auditorium and will be moderated by Bridge Michigan's Jordyn Hermani alongside Zach Gorchow from Gongwer Michigan. This is currently the only confirmed debate for candidates seeking to replace Jocelyn Benson, the term-limited Democratic Secretary of State who is pursuing the governorship. The debate will be livestreamed and open to the public with limited seating available through a lottery registration system.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has extended the deadline for SNAP recipients in Wayne County to apply for replacement benefits after severe storms caused widespread power outages and food spoilage earlier in the month. Households now have until September 23rd to submit their claims, instead of the typical 10-day window, due to the exceptional severity of the weather events that included a confirmed tornado in Detroit. Eligible recipients can receive reimbursement based on their lost food's value, with amounts limited to their regular monthly benefit maximum. Those affected must contact the department by phone or submit a specific affidavit form through the state website to claim their replacement benefits. # Key Takeaways

A Michigan State University education professor argues that strong school-family partnerships are crucial for improving student literacy outcomes, particularly as Michigan students continue struggling with reading proficiency following the COVID-19 pandemic. The author emphasizes that families should be viewed as co-educators rather than occasional volunteers, with their cultural knowledge and lived experiences valued equally in educational decisions. Based on decades of research, including work with African American families in Louisiana, the professor developed interactive reading programs that demonstrate specific strategies to families rather than just telling them to "read to your child." The article provides practical recommendations for both educators and families to build genuine partnerships through early relationship-building, two-way communication, and empathetic conversations that recognize family strengths and knowledge. # Key Takeaways

Michigan recently increased state funding for English language learners by $12.5 million, bringing the total budget to $75.3 million, but a significant gap remains in how the state allocates these resources. Unlike every other state that funds ELL services, Michigan excludes students approaching English proficiency from receiving adequate funding, even though state and federal law require districts to provide them services. The current funding formula provides decreasing amounts based on students' WIDA assessment scores, with no additional funding for students scoring 4.0 and above, and only $225 per student for those scoring between 3.0 and 3.9. This leaves approximately 24,000 English learners without dedicated state funding despite their legal right to at least 150 minutes weekly of English language development instruction, forcing districts to divert general fund money or leave higher-proficiency students underserved. # Key Takeaways

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared an end to the United States' largest cyclospora outbreak, which infected over 12,000 people across 21 states in recent months. The intestinal parasite, which causes severe diarrhea, resulted in 570 hospitalizations and two deaths among individuals with underlying health conditions. Health officials traced the outbreak to contaminated lettuce imported from central Mexico by Taylor Farms, a major supplier to American food establishments. The company initiated a voluntary recall of the affected lettuce, and Taco Bell removed the supplier's products from its menu, while the CDC continues investigating the infection's origins.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced $2.2 million in city funding to expand the GOAL Line Detroit after-school program by adding seven new locations throughout the city. The expansion will extend free programming and transportation to approximately 1,000 additional K-8 students, bringing total enrollment to around 3,700 children across 40 sites. For the first time, all seven City Council districts will have access to the program, which offers enrichment activities including robotics, tutoring, and athletics. The initiative addresses long-standing gaps in affordable, quality after-school care for Detroit families, particularly helping working parents who struggle with transportation and managing work schedules around their children's school dismissal times.

President Donald Trump has announced plans to distribute $500 refunds to approximately one million Americans who purchase health insurance through the federal Affordable Care Act marketplace without receiving subsidies. The administration claims these payments will reimburse consumers for excessive user fees charged to insurance premiums during the Biden presidency, alleging that collected fees created a surplus beyond what was necessary to operate the exchange. The refunds, scheduled to begin in October, will reach residents across 30 states who paid full-price premiums without income-based assistance. This initiative represents Trump's most significant direct intervention in the Affordable Care Act since his return to office, following his unsuccessful first-term efforts to completely repeal the healthcare law.

In recognition of Healthy Aging Month in September, a radio show devoted its entire program to examining aging and caregiving issues specifically within the African American community. Host Stephen Henderson interviewed Ronald Taylor, who leads the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, for an in-depth discussion covering multiple dimensions of elderly wellness including physical health, mental health, social connections, and financial stability. Taylor highlighted how African American seniors face distinctive obstacles that are made worse by long-standing systemic inequalities and racial disparities in healthcare and social services. The conversation addressed critical concerns affecting older populations such as healthcare access, transportation options, housing security, and cognitive health, while stressing the need for proactive planning to help seniors maintain their preferred quality of life.

The "Faith in Detroit" project, spearheaded by Christ Church Cranbrook alongside Detroit PBS and partner organizations, continues its series exploring faith-based community initiatives. In this segment, project leader Father William Danaher conducts an interview with Sheree Walton, who serves at Church of the Messiah. Walton discusses her leadership position at the Mustard Tree Co-op, a cooperative enterprise established by her church. The conversation centers on her spiritual conviction regarding the positive development and prosperity of the local community where the cooperative operates. # Key Takeaways

In recognition of National Hunger Action Month in September, a nonprofit leader discusses efforts to combat food insecurity in the United States. Adrian Lewis, who leads Forgotten Harvest as President and CEO, explains his organization's operational model of collecting excess food that would otherwise go to waste and channeling it through local charitable organizations to reach people in need. The interview with host Stephen Henderson explores both the obstacles the nonprofit currently encounters, such as decreased availability of surplus food supplies and increasing costs to maintain operations, and the creative initiatives the organization has developed to serve more people more effectively. # Key Takeaways

BridgeDetroit, a local news organization, is launching community engagement initiatives to connect directly with Detroit residents and students. Their Engagement Editor is visiting classrooms to teach young people about journalism and local government, while their Porchside program brings reporters into neighborhoods to listen to residents' concerns and questions. The organization is seeking $7,500 in donations to fund these community outreach efforts and the investigative reporting that stems from these conversations. Unlike many news outlets, BridgeDetroit maintains a no-paywall policy, making all their journalism freely accessible to Detroit residents regardless of their ability to pay. # Key Takeaways

Following an F2 tornado that damaged Detroit's east and west sides, City Council members are pushing to reduce the city's dependence on DTE Energy, citing longstanding problems with power outages and rising costs under what they describe as a near-monopoly system. The council unanimously approved extending the mayor's emergency declaration after the September 3rd storm affected 115 locations, including dozens of businesses and homes, while crews cleared over 250 fallen trees from more than 60 blocked streets. Council members referenced alternative energy models in communities like Ann Arbor and Wyandotte as potential options for Detroit to explore, with the mayor's office agreeing to study diversification strategies. Additionally, the council discovered that some senior housing facilities lack functional backup generators as required by city ordinance, prompting enforcement actions and concerns about future storm preparedness costs.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is experiencing its most competitive board election since 2016, with 34 candidates competing for five available positions. The race is particularly significant because only two current board members are seeking reelection, while the board's president and vice president are stepping down, and another seat opened due to a member's death. Candidates who responded to a Chalkbeat questionnaire presented various approaches to addressing the district's key challenges, including poor student attendance rates, declining enrollment numbers, and upcoming budget constraints affecting academic support staff. This election will likely reshape leadership oversight of Michigan's largest school district.

Michigan political candidates are increasingly calling for regulations on automated license plate reader cameras, particularly those operated by Flock Safety, which has contracts with at least 125 local government agencies statewide. Privacy advocates and residents express concern that these roadside cameras, which photograph every passing vehicle, infringe on privacy rights and enable widespread surveillance without adequate transparency about data storage, access, and sharing. While law enforcement agencies praise the technology for helping solve crimes and locate missing persons, critics point to reports of data being used for immigration enforcement and abortion-related searches through local police performing lookups for federal partners. Both Democratic and Republican candidates across various races are now advocating for stronger oversight, though they disagree on specific approaches. Legislation is currently pending in Michigan's House and Senate to establish statewide regulations including data retention limits and restrictions on system usage.

Mayor Mary Sheffield has signed an executive order addressing Detroit's home repair crisis, particularly affecting senior residents, by appointing home repair expert Heather Zygmontowicz to coordinate fragmented city programs. The city faces ongoing challenges with expensive and widespread repair needs, previously funded through federal pandemic relief, though resources remain insufficient for the high demand. Two assistance programs are now accepting applications: Critical Home Repair for vulnerable households including seniors and families with children, and Detroit LeadSafe Housing targeting families with young children and expectant mothers. Applications will be accepted through the city's Neighborly system for a two-week period in September. Zygmontowicz's role includes conducting annual home repair assessments, developing fundraising strategies, and recommending policy improvements.