The Detroit Evening Report

WDET
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Daily News
  • Updated Daily

The Detroit Evening Report is a three-minute daily round-up of the news that city residents need to know. Stories focus on the concerns, problems, passions and needs of Detroiters – specifically residents of color. On the weekends, we take a break from the news and spend some time with community members. Hosted by Sascha Raiyn, Jerome Vaughn, Tia Graham, Nargis Rahman, and Hernz Laguerre, Jr. Detroit Evening Report is a production of WDET, Detroit's NPR Station.

  1. 5h ago

    Mayor Mary Sheffield reports on dropped crime rates, credits ‘Occupy the Summer’ campaign

    The City of Detroit reported a drop in juvenile crime this past summer, despite the so-called "teen takeovers" in the city. Mary Sheffield is touting her Occupy the Summer Initiative as a major contributor to the drop in crime among young people. In April, the mayor announced a six-point community safety plan that included the 10-week long initiative, neighborhood action teams and promoting safe gun storage. Sheffield says she plans to bring the event back next year. "...the numbers really showed us that our strategy is working...that gives us more of a reason to advocate before the city council to make larger investments in our young people...we will have at least what we had this year and (will) continue to find ways to expand this project year-round." The city reports juvenile homicides dropped from nine last summer to one this summer. Nonfatal shootings among young people were down 22%. Additional Headlines for Oct. 6, 2026 DTE to host energy assistance, customer-centric events throughout October DTE Energy is hosting four resource events this month to help DTE customers apply for energy assistance, receive help with payment options, get shutoff protection and more. Funding for state energy assistance programs became available Oct. 1. The next resource event –the second of four - will be held Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Southfield Pavilion at 26000 Evergreen Road. Obama in Detroit to support El-Sayed and Benson campaigns Former President Barack Obama will be in Detroit later this month to campaign with state Democrats on the November ballot. The Oct. 24 event will include Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Jocelyn Benson, who is running for governor. President Trump told reporters outside the White House on Monday, Oct. 5 that he plans to return to Michigan in about a week and a half. He previously rallied with Republican candidates before the August primary election. Michigan health department launches app to assist with quitting tobacco The state health department has launched an app to help Michiganders quit tobacco in collaboration with National Jewish Health. The QuitLogix app is an extension of the Michigan Tobacco Quitlink online program. It offers encouraging messages, check-ins and goal reminders. It also lets users order Nicotine Replacement Therapy products. Residents can call the Quitlink hotline 24/7 for help quitting at 800-784-8669 or 800-Quit-Now or go to Michigan.gov/quitlink.  BLK GRL Conglomerate fundraises for Detroit People's Food Co-op The BLK GRL Conglomerate is hosting a Black Girl Cash Mob this weekend to support the Detroit People’s Food Co-op. The goal is to get 100 Black women to spend at least $20 at the Black-led community grocery Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. and to have them join as member-owners of the co-op. The Detroit People’s Food Co-op has launched a membership drive as it faces financial challenges two years after opening. It is located at 8324 Woodward Avenue.  Editors note: To become a member of Detroit People's Food Co-op, patrons must pay a one-time $200 fee in lump-sum or spread out over 10 months.

  2. 1d ago

    Hamtramck’s 2025 mayoral election under dispute

    Hamtramck’s last mayoral election is still disputed. A judge has ordered that the 37 absentee ballots found in the former city clerk’s office must be counted, despite a year-long legal battle. The candidates are former Hamtramck city council member Muhith Mahmood and current Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi. The Wayne County Board of Canvassers originally decided not to count the 37 ballots, which were turned in days after the election. Alharbi’s attorney says they are ready to challenge the ballots, even if they end up being counted, according to WXYZ. They also plan to continue challenging Mahmood’s residency, despite a Wayne County judge dismissing a lawsuit over his residency last December. Additional Headlines for Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 Forgotten Harvest hopes for 1 million pounds of food before year's end Forgotten Harvest is hoping to harvest 1 million lbs of food by the end of the year to feed people in need. Lori Setera is the assistant farm manager at the Forgotten Harvest Farms in Fenton, Michigan. She says a pound of food is equal to a meal.   “Our food here goes farmers market style, just how you see it here in these crates. A lot of our brick-and-mortar pantry partners don't have the equipment or the space to store these giant crates. Because of that, a lot of it ends up in mobile pantries.”   The farm supplements nutritious foods the organization distributes. They grow about 20 different crops such as cabbage, corn, broccoli, and peppers. Around 3,000 volunteers are needed annually to help plant, weed and harvest food. Forgotten Harvest Farms still needs more volunteers to meet their goal this year.  Virtual summit addresses race-based medicine The Collaborative to End Race-Based Medicine-Detroit and Wayne State University’s Office of Inclusive Excellence are hosting a virtual summit about race-based medicine.   The National Institutes of Health defines race-based medicine as "treating race as a biological or genetic trait rather than a social construct." This leads to misdiagnoses and poor health care outcomes for minority patients—especially for those in the Black community.   The collaborative is made up of international clinicians, legislators,  industry leaders and community members working toward ending race-based medicine through education, research and advocacy.  Panelists at the virtual summit will discuss how bias shapes health care and public health in an age of artificial intelligence. They will talk about how technology can help identify bias and potentially prevent harm.   The “Held to the Light: Race, Code & Consequence in the Age of AI” event takes place Oct. 29 from 3 - 5 p.m. Register for the event here. InterFaith Council  The InterFaith Council of Metropolitan Detroit is hosting a program highlighting coming-of-age traditions. The Rites of Passage Coming of Age Across Religions event will feature a bar/bat mitzvah, a confirmation, a Hindu tradition and a Muslim rite of passage. The program will talk about what it means for family, faith, identity and belonging. It will be held Thursday, Oct. 8 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the North Congregation Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The event is free with registration.

  3. 4d ago

    'Reclaim the Rivers' initiative budgets $90 million for clean-up and restoration

    State and local leaders announced a new waterway cleanup project in Detroit. The "Reclaim the Rivers" initiative will put close to $90 million toward removing toxic sediment, restoring fish habitat and public works projects along the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers. The money comes from settlements with polluters. It could attract federal and private funding. Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson says some of the cleanup has already started. He says the extra funding will help make more of the river usable. "Now that we have our federal and state partners coming in with the resources to be able to help, you can see what the results are and how families are flocking. As we clean up and expose more spaces to recreational uses, it allows more families to come down and enjoy our riverfront." Both the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers are listed as federal areas of concern for the Great Lakes region. Additional Headlines for Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 Wayne County commissioners unanimously support Google data center initiatives  Wayne County commissioners are unanimously supporting a package of community benefits and tax incentive for a proposed Google data center in Van Buren Township. Wayne County Executive Warren Evans had vetoed the incentives arguing Google proposing the massive date center gave officials too little time to analyze impact on the environment. Equal Opportunity Housing Commissioner Allen Wilson voted for the tax breaks in part, he says, to show "solidarity among his fellow members." "No disrespect to Chief Executive Evans. I think he does a great job for the county. At the end of the day, we have got to make a determination. We have to stand strong as a commission. If we don't stand strong as a commission, folks (will) keep stepping on you." For his part, County Executive Evans says he will work with the commission on the data center plan going forward. Van Buren Township officials are scheduled to consider the final site plan for the center in about two weeks. The Detroit Lions Sunday night football The Detroit Lions have a nationally broadcast Sunday night game on NBC. They match up against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 2-1 Lions are trying to build against the 1-2 Panthers. Kickoff of is at 8:20 p.m. Hijinks at the UniverSoul Circus happening at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre If you have the chance this weekend, check out the UniverSoul Circus at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. You’ll be able to see Detroit's own Fresh the Clownsss who brings a blend of Detroit Jit dancing and high-energy clowning. The show starts tonight at 7 p.m. Additional performances taking place in October can be found here.

  4. 5d ago

    Detroit People’s Food Co-op asks for support to stay open

    The Detroit People’s Food Co-op is seeking more residents to buy into the neighborhood grocery store. The co-op is running out of money. They launched a campaign looking for 500 new owners and are asking customers to spend $10 when they come in. The co-op opened in 2024 to fill a gap. The city had almost no Black owned grocery stores. The goal was for Detroiters to own their food system, not just to shop within it. However, the people who this store was built for may not be able to afford it. The U.S. Census Bureau reports 34% of Detroiters liven in poverty. The co-op says it is bringing in close to $3 million a year. Before it opened, It projected about $80,000 a week— which is more than $4 million.   Additional Headlines for Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 Mayor Mary Sheffield makes effort to ensure a full Count Day Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is partnering with school districts to make sure students are in their seats for Count Day. The city has launched a series of radio, newspaper, and social media ads.  Fall count day is used to measure the in-school attendance of students—that number dictates how much money the school district receives from the state.   Sheffield says she wants families, parents and students in the city to understand the importance of showing up for Count Day.   "We oftentimes talk about schools being underfunded or Detroit kids not getting the quality education that they deserve. One way that we can control that is by making sure our kids are in school, that they're accounted for, and that we get the funding that is allocated to us for books, for teachers, for facility improvements." This year’s Count Day is on Wednesday, Oct. 7.   First of its kind Jim Crow museum to open at Ferris State University Ferris State University will now feature more than 30,000 artifacts from the Jim Crow era in its new museum space.   David Pilgrim founded the museum. He says the new building expands what can be taught about that period in American history.   “In our old space, we did have room to show how African Americans pushed back against oppression with activism, with achievements and quite frankly, with just living everyday lives of dignity.” The new building also includes a reading room, seminar space, and recording studio for visitors who want to share their own Jim Crow stories and how it affects them.   Intergenerational Wisdom Exchange Program (WiSE) bridges generational divide at Wayne State Univeristy A new 10-week program is pairing older Black adults from Detroit with Wayne State University students to improve social connection and digital literacy.  Dr. Rodlescia Sneed, WiSE’s program director and an assistant professor in Wayne State’s Institute of Gerontology and Department of Psychology, says social connections are important for health and well-being. Many need technology to maintain a social connection.  “It was our goal to increase social connection and reduce loneliness among older adults, while also improving their technology skills, so that we could make improvements that impact their health and well-being.” Sneed says the program focuses on developing one-on-one connections to reduce barriers for older adults to learn digital literacy.  The first half of the program is focusing on sharing life stories of Detroiters. The second half of the program is learning digital literacy.  For more information on the program, you can contact Sneed at sneedrod@wayne.edu. Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

  5. 6d ago

    New housing initiatives in north Corktown

    This week the city announced two initiatives to support new homes, increase neighborhood investment and expand pathways to homeownership as well as housing affordability. The first initiative involves the city’s Housing and Revitalization Department. They are looking for development proposals for 16 city-owned parcels in the neighborhood of North Corktown. The goal is to create 20 new homes for rent or purchase. The second initiative revolves around the city launching the 2026 Small Buildings Programwith a notice of Funding Availability. This effort would expand the opportunities fordevelopers to rehabilitate and build housing across the city with $2.5 million supporting the rehab. City leaders say these programs will continue citywide efforts to increase housing throughout Detroit. There is also a desire for mixed income, high-quality housing and low income housing. To learn more about these two efforts, visit https://detroitmi.gov. Additional headlines for Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 Arab American Women's Business Council to host a Nov. networking and pitch event The Arab American Women's Business Council (AAWBC) is hosting a pitch competition on Nov. 19, 2026 from 5:30-8 p.m. Organizers say this competition is to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among local business owners. Participants are competing for seed funding. The event is also meant to be a moment to share fresh ideas and network. For more information, please see the event's information page. Red Wings to open regular season play Friday The Detroit Red Wings season opener is going down Oct. 2 against the New York Rangers. Puck drop is 6:30p.m. this Friday at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit PWHL team news Detroit's PWHL organization announced that Hockey Hall of Famer Danielle Goyette and Stanley Cup champion Jimmy Howard have joined the team in the roles of assistant coach and goaltending coach, respectively. Their home opener happens Dec. 12 against the New York Sirens. The Get Down returns to A2 and Detroit The Get Down is back for a two-day music festival from Oct. 3-4 in Ann Arbor and Detroit. The festival will be led by master drummer and composer Ali Jackson and will bring international guest musicians and world class artistry to showcase their talent. Tickets for the musical event can be found here.

  6. Sep 29

    City plans to place 200 new benches, improve bus shelters

    DDOT bus riders will soon have more places to sit as they wait for a ride. Mayor Mary Sheffield says the city will work to install more than 200 new benches at bus stops over the next year. Workers will also install or upgrade more than 200 bus shelters to improve customer service. Additional Headlines for Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2026 Detroit Legacy Business Grant applications closing soon Applications close soon for the Detroit Legacy Business Grant. Small businesses that have operated in the city for 30 years or more can apply for grants ranging from $5 to $50,000. Money can be toward projects including signage, inventory, building repairs, renovations and professional services. Applications close Oct. 5. For more information, email DetroitLegacyBusiness@degc.org.  Ives Field restoration celebrated in Highland Park Highland Park leaders celebrated the revival of Ives Field today. The city used almost $1 million in state and county funds to install new playground equipment, a pickleball court, a covered picnic shelter, and improvements to the baseball field and walking path. Mayor Glenda McDonald and others cut the ribbon at the park on Pitkin Street this afternoon.  Volunteers wanted on Halloween in Chandler Park The Chandler Park Conservancy is looking for a few good hands to help with its Halloween Night festivities. The annual Trunk or Treat Halloween Party will be held at the Chandler Park Fieldhouse and include games, candy, food and Halloween activities. Volunteers, candy donations and people willing to pass out candy from their own decorated vehicles are needed. Donations are being accepted at the Fieldhouse at 12300 Chandler Park and at the Samaritan Center at 555 Conner Street until Oct. 28.  Those interested in volunteering can email aallen@chandlerparkconservancy.org or fill out this form. Ethiopian cooking classes continue in Midtown Konjo Me is offering another round of Ethiopian cooking classes. Participants will learn to cook an authentic vegetarian dish, an authentic meat dish and will learn about Ethiopian spices and cooking techniques. The class is Thursday, Oct. 15 at Konjo Me’s Detroit Shipping Company location at 474 Peterboro. Registration for the event can be found here.

  7. Sep 28

    MDHHS awards $1.5 million for community violence intervention initiatives

    Five organizations are receiving $1.5 million in awards from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for community violence intervention efforts. MDHHS acting director Ashley Epkey says the money goes toward reducing firearm violence and adverse outcomes in communities.  MDHHS says community violence includes homicides and nonfatal shootings, which cause substantial harm and trauma to communities, especially in “racially segregated and historically disinvested neighborhoods.” Community violence is a public health problem, which can lead to people developing chronic diseases and avoiding resources such as recreational spaces and access to healthy food outlets.  The funding hopes to strengthen community violence intervention services for groups with a high likelihood of firearm violence. Proposals were accepted based on measurable efforts that integrate public health and safety. Each organization was awarded $300,000 for a 2 year project that spans Sep. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2028.   Two organizations in Detroit were awarded funds. The first is Detroit Life is Valuable Everyday, or DLIVE. DLIVE will use a hospital-based violence intervention program model to help with post-injury recovery, retaliation, mortality risk and victim services. The second one is Detroit Peoples Community. Detroit Peoples Community will implement five evidence-based community violence intervention strategies to serve people in the Detroit ZIP codes 48219 and 48235.  Additional headlines for Monday, Sept. 28, 2026 Local leaders agree: data center regulations are needed Local government leaders across Michigan say they support state regulations for data centers. The University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State and Urban Policy interviewed village, township and county officials. Center director Stephanie Leiser says almost 60% of those who responded think setting rules should be a high priority for lawmakers. 55% expect strong opposition to data centers.   Speaking on those survey percentage points regarding data centers, Leiser notes, “It’s coming through loud and clear that they (local government officials) really think the state needs to step up and help with things like decommissioning plans, health and environmental impacts, water use and discharge.”  Leiser says the survey shows more opposition in rural communities, where 53% of local politicians say data centers' costs outweigh their benefits.  Gun safety a necessary step in suicide prevention       Suicide deaths are the second leading cause of death for people aged 10-34 years old as of 2024. That’s according to a new report by the Michigan Suicide Prevention Council.   Lindsay DeCamp is the State Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She says increased access to firearms contributes to suicide. “Research shows that states with higher rates of household gun ownership have significantly higher rates of suicide. Storing firearms securely and limiting access for those that are in heightened risk can help reduce suicide.”   DeCamp says societal, community and individual-level factors such as unemployment, feelings of despair and social isolation remove protective factors against suicide.   The council recommended two priorities: sustaining state funding for suicide prevention infrastructure and aligning policy and licensure to educate professionals across sectors in risk assessment and prevention.  If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or harm, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988 for confidential emotional support 24/7.  Spirit of Detroit given to immigrant business leader  Mohammed Abdul Muhit received a Spirit of Detroit award from the Detroit City Council last week, recognizing his service, leadership, and commitment to Detroit’s small business community. Muhit is the District 3 Business Liaison and the associate director at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.   Muhit, who immigrated to the Detroit area in 2016, says he’s grateful for the opportunity to give back. “It’s really a wholesome experience from day one that I started living here. From day one, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work in the city administration with a lot of great people every day.”   Muhit previously worked at Global Detroit as a community organizer and engagement specialist focusing on the Banglatown neighborhood before joining the DEGC.  Skilled Trades Task Force meets for apprenticeship info  The City of Detroit is hosting a Skilled Trades Task Force Meeting. At this meeting, people can find out about tuition-free apprenticeship programs.   The meeting will take place at the Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center on Sept. 23rd from 4-6 p.m. That’s located at 11687 American Street, Detroit, MI 48204.

  8. Sep 25

    ShotStoppers program significantly decreased gun violence, says University of Michigan report

    Since Detroit has launched ShotStoppers three years ago, the city has seen a 45% decrease in homicides and nonfatal shootings, according to a University of Michigan analysis.   ShotStoppers is a community violence intervention program that empowers the community to stop violence in their neighborhoods separate from law enforcement responses.  The program funds selected community-based organizations known as community violence intervention teams to create intervention plans to address violence in their respective zones.  Each team gets about $175,000 per quarter to support their efforts. The focus is on areas in Detroit that have historically experienced high levels of gun violence. Teams can get an additional $175,000 in performance-based bonuses if they successfully reduce gun violence at a higher rate than the city.   In the rest of the city homicide victimizations have dropped by 12% and nonfatal shooting victimizations have dropped by 26% in within the last year according to the city.   Additional headlines for Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 Preston Townhomes  The City of Detroit joined nonprofit development company GenesisHOPE and real estate firm Cinnaire Solutions to celebrate the grand opening of new apartments called Preston Townhomes. This is a $14 million affordable housing development bringing 31 new, high-quality homes to Detroit families. Jeanine Hatcher is the Executive Director of GenesisHOPE who spearheaded the project. Josh Bails, Development Director of Housing and Revitalization Department shared that Hatcher was adamant about getting as many affordable units as possible.   “When we do a large apartment building that's affordable housing, almost all the units end up being studios and one bedrooms, and we claw and we fight for as many two-bedroom units as we can get in a project, and it usually ends up being just a handful. Janine [Hatcher] and her team came into this with a mission and a vision of 'if we're going to have affordable housing, we want to have affordable housing for families.' And that is something that is incredibly difficult to do, but they would not compromise... And to see that many 100% units sized for families in a project is almost unheard of." The building is built on the former site of Detroit Eastern High School and transform a once vacant building to necessary housing for the city.   Sports  NFL   The Lions are trying to bounce back from last week’s tough loss to the Buffalo Bills. They face off the New York Jets on Sunday at Ford Field. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. MLB The Tigers face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend as they try to climb out the American League Central. They are currently second to last in their division.  SoccerDetroit City FC face off against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Keyworth Stadium. Game starts at 7 p.m.  Coffee Week For all of our Caffeine junkies, today marks the start of Dearborn’s third annual Coffee Week. Going down from Friday, Sept. 25 to Friday, Oct. 2, these seven days celebrate way more than coffee—art, culture, and community as well. According to organizers, coffee shops will host activations and there will be fun activities scattered throughout the week.

See All (1.1K)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The Detroit Evening Report is a three-minute daily round-up of the news that city residents need to know. Stories focus on the concerns, problems, passions and needs of Detroiters – specifically residents of color. On the weekends, we take a break from the news and spend some time with community members. Hosted by Sascha Raiyn, Jerome Vaughn, Tia Graham, Nargis Rahman, and Hernz Laguerre, Jr. Detroit Evening Report is a production of WDET, Detroit's NPR Station.

Information

You Might Also Like