michigan news

Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III has endorsed City Council President Mary Sheffield for mayor of Detroit, becoming the second former mayoral opponent to back her candidacy. Durhal made the announcement at In Harmony Cafe on Detroit's west side, emphasizing Sheffield's 12 years of experience and leadership in city government. He stressed that Detroit needs experienced leadership rather than a "rookie" in the city's top position, highlighting Sheffield's work on ordinances and neighborhood development. Sheffield, who will face Rev. Solomon Kinloch in the November 4 general election, expressed honor at receiving Durhal's endorsement and their shared commitment to neighborhood improvement.

Wayne State University has partnered with Detroit Public Schools Community District to launch "Warriors on the Rise," a guaranteed admission program that promises university entry to DPSCD juniors and seniors who maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete core English and math credits. The comprehensive initiative goes beyond admission by offering year-round support including mentoring, college prep workshops, academic advising, financial aid navigation, and transportation assistance. Beginning in February 2026, qualified students will receive invitations to join the program, followed by campus visits, summer social events, dual-enrollment opportunities, and ongoing family involvement. The program aims to transform Detroit students' access to higher education by removing barriers, building confidence, and creating clear pathways for success.

Michigan's Department of Education has proposed the first update to its K-12 health education guidelines since 2007, addressing contemporary challenges like the opioid crisis, smartphone use, and mental health concerns. The draft updates shift from grade-specific standards to more flexible grade ranges and emphasize ongoing "practices" rather than fixed "standards," borrowing from national health education updates and Massachusetts' model. While providing a framework that covers personal wellness, substance use, mental health, and sexual health, the guidelines ultimately allow local school districts to determine implementation, particularly regarding contentious areas like sexual health education. The update acknowledges that today's health challenges differ significantly from those in 2007, requiring schools to equip students with tools to navigate increasingly complex physical, mental, and social landscapes.

Kenneth Kelly, CEO of Detroit-based First Independence Bank and chair-elect of the American Bankers Association, recently testified before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee on modernizing deposit insurance. Representing the ABA, Kelly presented ten recommendations from a task force he chaired that aims to update the system created in 1933 and tested by recent bank failures like Silicon Valley Bank in 2023. The proposals focus on making deposit insurance more transparent, flexible during crises, and equitable across different-sized institutions, while maintaining its role as a stabilizing force in the U.S. financial system. Kelly emphasized that the current system, which guarantees deposits up to $250,000 and is funded through bank assessments rather than taxpayer money, needs improvements to reflect modern banking realities and prevent panic from spreading rapidly in today's digital environment.

of News Article President Trump recently suggested that TV networks giving him "bad publicity" should lose their broadcasting licenses, following the suspension of ABC host Jimmy Kimmel after he made comments about the Charlie Kirk murder suspect. This incident has raised questions about the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) authority to regulate broadcast content and revoke licenses. The controversy intensified when FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, suggested there could be "remedies" against Kimmel, prompting major station owners Nexstar and Sinclair to stop airing Kimmel's program. The situation has sparked debate about government censorship and political pressure on broadcasters, with critics arguing that corporate decisions were influenced by the Trump administration.

President Donald Trump announced a potential deal on TikTok's future in the US after a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though Beijing's confirmation was less definitive. The arrangement would reportedly allow US investors to acquire TikTok's American operations while licensing algorithm technology from ByteDance, avoiding a complete ban. Trump has repeatedly extended the deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok's US business, with the latest extension pushing it to December. The proposed deal aims to address national security concerns while preserving the platform's availability to its 170 million American users, though questions remain about algorithm ownership and Chinese government influence.

The Michigan House of Representatives recently passed a bill requiring photos and signatures on Bridge Cards used for food and cash assistance programs, with Republicans supporting the measure as an anti-fraud initiative and Democrats opposing it. The legislation's sponsor, Representative Jason Woolford, argued it would protect taxpayer funds in Michigan's multi-billion-dollar assistance programs, citing the state's 8% SNAP benefits overpayment rate reported by the USDA. However, Democrats countered that implementing these requirements would cost millions while producing negligible savings according to a House Fiscal Agency analysis, pointing to West Virginia's $10 million expenditure for a similar program with little evidence of fraud reduction. The bill now moves to the Democrat-controlled Michigan Senate, where it faces significant opposition.

Jeezy concluded his 20th anniversary tour for "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101" with an 80-minute performance at Detroit's Fox Theatre, featuring a full band and the 25-piece Color of Noize Orchestra. The sold-out event had a formal atmosphere with fans dressed in tuxedos and gowns as Jeezy performed 12 songs from his landmark album before moving to other crowd favorites. At 48, Jeezy used this special Detroit performance, which was streamed live worldwide, to bridge his past and present while announcing upcoming projects including a DJ Drama mixtape and plans for a Las Vegas residency.

Detroit City Council president and mayoral frontrunner Mary Sheffield stated she would actively oppose any Trump administration attempts to deploy National Guard troops in Detroit, emphasizing this would not address public safety concerns. Her comments came after Vice President J.D. Vance suggested sending National Guard to Detroit to combat crime, despite the city reporting significant crime reductions in recent years. Sheffield highlighted the traumatic history of National Guard deployment during the 1967 Detroit Riots and advocated instead for community violence intervention programs, youth programming, education, mental health, and housing investments. The article notes that Detroit reported 252 homicides in 2023—the lowest number since 1966—though the per capita rate remains higher than in the past.

The Michigan gubernatorial race has intensified with competing Teamsters endorsements for two Detroit candidates. Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 endorsed independent Mayor Mike Duggan, while Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson secured endorsements from five local Teamsters unions representing a majority of the state's members. The endorsement announcements created controversy when Duggan's campaign initially claimed incorrectly that all ten local affiliate unions had endorsed him. Both candidates, along with other Democratic and Republican contenders, continue to seek labor support in the increasingly competitive race for governor.

NBA player Tobias Harris has launched a $4 million homeownership initiative in Detroit to address the city's affordable housing crisis. The program will provide up to 40% down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers in nine working-class neighborhoods, using a shared appreciation model designed to make homeownership more accessible than renting. Targeting individuals earning up to 140% of the area median income, the initiative aims to help 100-130 Detroiters become homeowners while addressing historical inequities in mortgage lending that have disproportionately affected Black communities. Harris hopes to eventually expand the program to $10 million in commitments to create greater impact in a city where housing costs are rising while incomes remain stagnant.

Detroit City Council Pro Tem James Tate has announced his intention to seek the Council presidency starting in 2026, running unopposed for reelection this November. As the longest-serving council member with 15 years of experience, Tate aims to build consensus and strengthen teamwork among the nine-member body, emphasizing the need for the council to work collectively rather than individually. The next council will have at least two new members as President Mary Sheffield and Council Member Fred Durhal III vacated their seats to run for mayor, potentially bringing significant changes to the body's composition. Tate plans to improve public understanding of the council's decision-making process and enhance resident participation in civic matters.

Esther Haugabook, a housing advocate who placed third in Detroit's municipal primary, has launched a write-in campaign for the District 5 city council seat. Citing frustrations with the lack of meaningful options on the ballot, Haugabook brings over 30 years of experience in community planning and development to her campaign. She will compete against primary winners Renata Miller, who received 23.17% of the vote and has secured several endorsements, and Willie Burton, who received 19.42% of the vote. District 5 is one of Detroit's most active council districts, containing downtown and Midtown areas, and is currently represented by Council President Mary Sheffield who is not endorsing any candidate.

Apple is opening its first Detroit retail store at 1430 Woodward Avenue on September 19, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models. The 11,200-square-foot location includes 6,500 square feet of retail space and is situated near the Shinola Hotel in an area developed by Bedrock, which pursued Apple for over a decade. This milestone store opening is expected to reduce the estimated $2.6 billion that Detroit residents spend annually outside the city for retail purchases while reinforcing downtown as a shopping destination. The store joins Apple's existing Michigan locations in Troy, Novi, and Ann Arbor, providing Detroit residents with more convenient access to Apple products and services.

The Michigan Senate is considering legislation to create a statewide "Silver Alert" system that would notify the public when vulnerable adults, particularly seniors with conditions like dementia, go missing. Sponsored by Senator Mallory McMorrow, the bill would implement emergency notifications similar to Amber Alerts for children, utilizing existing technology infrastructure to help locate missing seniors quickly. Advocates emphasize the urgency of the system, noting that nearly 60 percent of older adults with dementia will wander at some point, creating potentially life-threatening situations where rapid response is critical. The proposed system would cost relatively little to implement—approximately $20,000 annually—while the Michigan House has already passed a similar bill with strong bipartisan support, suggesting momentum for this public safety measure.

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration can block Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood of Michigan while a larger legal challenge continues, immediately affecting nearly 14,000 patients who rely on Medicaid for essential healthcare services. Planned Parenthood will cover costs for already scheduled appointments through September 22, 2025, but after that date, Medicaid patients must either pay out-of-pocket or find alternative providers. The ruling threatens access to critical preventative services like cancer screenings, birth control, and STI testing, with potential consequences falling heaviest on low-income communities in urban areas like Detroit and Flint as well as underserved rural regions. Health experts warn this decision could worsen existing health inequities in Michigan, particularly affecting Black women who already face higher rates of cervical cancer and maternal health complications.

The Michigan Department of State has expanded its ID and voter registration program for returning citizens to Wayne County, partnering with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. This initiative, which has helped 20,000 formerly incarcerated individuals obtain state IDs or driver's licenses since 2020, brings mobile office vans to jails and prisons to process documents. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Sheriff Raphael Washington emphasized that Michigan citizens have the right to vote after exiting prison, addressing misconceptions about voting eligibility among those with criminal histories. The program aims to increase civic participation, especially in historically marginalized communities where voter turnout remains low.

Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and State Senator Jeremy Moss received bomb threats against their homes last week, prompting immediate responses from multiple law enforcement agencies. Both officials thanked police for their swift action in clearing the threats, which are now under investigation by the FBI and other agencies. Gilchrist expressed concern about the normalization of such threats in public service, noting he had to discuss the situation with his school-aged children. Moss, who is gay and Jewish, reported receiving an increase in bigoted messages prior to the threat, suggesting these incidents may be part of a broader attempt to instill fear in the political environment.

The Kresge Foundation has announced plans to relocate its headquarters from Troy to Detroit's Marygrove Conservancy campus while committing $180 million to improve the Livernois-McNichols corridor in Northwest Detroit. The five-year investment will focus on stabilizing housing, promoting homeownership, enhancing public spaces, and revitalizing commercial areas in the Fitzgerald, Bagley, University District, and Martin Park neighborhoods. The foundation will construct a 70,000-square-foot headquarters using $130 million in bonds rather than drawing from its $4 billion endowment, with completion expected by 2028 for its 130 employees. This move represents a return to Detroit for the foundation, which originally operated downtown before relocating to Troy in 1950.

Former Michigan State Senator Adam Hollier announced he's dropping out of the 13th Congressional District race to instead run for Michigan Secretary of State, as revealed in an interview on the Eastside Community Network's Black Detroit Democracy Podcast. Hollier emphasized his goal of protecting voter rights and expanding Michigan's elections, citing his military background and legislative experience as qualifications that distinguish him from other candidates. He discussed his stance on several contentious issues, including declining to call Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide and not committing to refuse corporate PAC money. Hollier previously received over $4 million from AIPAC's United Democracy Project during his 2022 Congressional run against Rep. Shri Thanedar.

Former Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins has endorsed City Council President Mary Sheffield in the upcoming mayoral election, despite their previous contentious primary battle. The endorsement took place at Cody High School beside a tree planted to honor Jenkins' brother who was killed by gun violence, highlighting both candidates' shared commitment to reducing gun violence through youth investment. Jenkins cited Sheffield's potential to become Detroit's first woman mayor, her commitment to public safety, and dedication to education as key reasons for the endorsement. Despite Sheffield expressing interest in having Jenkins join her administration should she win the November 4 election against Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., Jenkins indicated she's not currently interested in a cabinet position, stating she's enjoying her free time.

Former Michigan State Senator Adam Hollier has announced his candidacy for Michigan Secretary of State, joining Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie in the race to succeed term-limited Jocelyn Benson. Hollier, who withdrew from the congressional race in Michigan's 13th District, emphasized his background as a U.S. Army Paratrooper and his experience in the State Senate as qualifications for the position. He promised to protect voting rights, combat election interference, and make voting more accessible if elected. Hollier has secured endorsements from several local officials including Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and Detroit councilman Fred Durhal III.

Senator Joni Ernst's decision not to seek a third term in 2026 has created an open Senate race in Iowa, which Democrats view as a potential pickup opportunity despite the state's increasingly Republican trend. GOP Representative Ashley Hinson has already launched her campaign with endorsements from key Republican leaders, while other prominent Republicans like Attorney General Brenna Bird and former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker are being considered as potential candidates. Several Democrats have entered the race, including state Senator Zach Wahls and state Representative Josh Turek, hoping Ernst's retirement improves their chances of capturing the seat. Iowa has become more Republican-leaning in recent years, with Trump winning the state in the last three presidential elections and carrying it by 13 points in 2024.

Saunteel Jenkins, who finished third in Detroit's 2025 mayoral primary, has officially endorsed City Council President Mary Sheffield for the November general election. Jenkins cited alignment on key issues including reducing violence, keeping children safe, and strengthening Detroit schools as reasons for her support. The endorsement adds significant momentum to Sheffield's campaign as she seeks to become the first woman and first Black woman elected mayor in Detroit's 325-year history. Sheffield has also secured the endorsement of outgoing Mayor Mike Duggan, further strengthening her position as she builds a coalition of support heading into the general election less than two months away.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has stated that President Trump is not targeting Detroit for federal immigration enforcement partly because the city, unlike Chicago, is not a sanctuary city and cooperates with ICE detainer requests. This stance comes as Trump's administration launches "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago, targeting undocumented immigrants in a city that refuses to honor deportation requests for convicted criminals. Meanwhile, some Detroit residents are advocating for sanctuary city protections, with the Detroit Community Action Committee requesting the City Council create an ordinance protecting residents, particularly in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling that expands immigration agents' authority to stop individuals based on factors including ethnicity and language.

A Michigan judge has dismissed criminal charges against 15 Republicans who attempted to pose as electoral college members to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory in favor of Donald Trump. Judge Kristen D Simmons ruled that the group, which included prominent state Republican Party officials, was legally exercising constitutional rights when they secretly met and signed documents claiming to represent Michigan. The judge determined they sincerely believed election irregularities existed and weren't sophisticated enough to understand the electoral process fully. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed disappointment with the ruling and is considering an appeal, while similar cases are pending in other states including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Wisconsin.

Lisa Harrison, a senior sales immunology specialist at Johnson & Johnson, has been appointed as Society Ambassador of the American Heart Association's Metro Detroit Board of Directors for a two-year term that began July 1. In this leadership role, Harrison will guide healthcare, business, and community leaders to advance the Association's mission in Metro Detroit. Harrison, who lost both her father and father-in-law to heart disease complications, brings over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience and multiple accomplishments from her current role at Johnson & Johnson. Southeast Michigan American Heart Association Executive Director Sara Hegarty praised Harrison's passion and expertise, noting she will be "instrumental in driving impact across the Metro Detroit community."

Phillip Pierce, the first Black secretary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, has initiated crucial research revealing the overlooked Black history of Michigan's popular tourist destination. His inquiries led to discoveries about Jean and Jeanette Bonga, formerly enslaved people who opened the island's first-known hotel in the 1780s, and Emma and Joseph Ford, Black business owners and civil rights activists who operated a restaurant on Main Street from 1890 to 1903. These findings have resulted in new historical markers and public recognition, highlighting that Black entrepreneurs and workers have been integral to Mackinac Island's hospitality economy from its earliest days through the present, where Caribbean seasonal workers continue to sustain the tourism industry despite limited Black business ownership today.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited multiple schools in Detroit as part of a national tour promoting conservative education policies including school choice and opposing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. McMahon, appointed by President Trump, is conducting a fifty-state tour focused on "returning education to the states" and expanding parental choice in education. Her Detroit school visits weren't publicly announced and included Renaissance High School, Washington Parks Academy, and Pembroke Academy, with Republican House Speaker Matt Hall joining her at Renaissance High. Democratic Representative Regina Weiss criticized the visit, pointing to potential education budget cuts for Detroit schools and arguing that Michigan demonstrates the need for federal oversight rather than elimination.

Porcha Woodruff, a Black pregnant woman, was wrongfully arrested for carjacking in Detroit after facial recognition technology misidentified her in surveillance footage. Despite her subsequent release and the charges being dropped, U.S. District Judge Judith Levy dismissed Woodruff's civil rights lawsuit against the officer who pursued the arrest warrant. The case highlights the persistent inaccuracy of facial recognition technology in identifying Black faces and its real-world consequences when used in policing. In response to this and similar incidents, Detroit police have amended their policy to not make arrests based solely on facial recognition results, though Woodruff's attorney has confirmed an appeal of the court's decision is underway.