The 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference is coming to an end, and Governor  Gretchen Whitmer is outlining her top priorities before leaving office.

Securing a semiconductor plant by the end of 2026, she says, would help Michigan stay competitive in the age of artificial intelligence. Whitmer added that it would also make Michigan an economic magnet — one she imagines could help grow the state’s population. She said she’ll be seeking federal support to make it happen.

Tackling childhood literacy is another priority. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only a quarter of Michigan’s 4th graders can read at a proficient level.

And of course, the “fix the damn roads” governor emphasized the need for a sustainable, long-term plan to fund road repairs. Whitmer stressed that while challenges remain, bipartisanship is still possible.

June is right around the corner, which means Pride Month is almost here — and Ferndale Pride is kicking things off on May 31. According to organizers, the event strives to support and uplift all LGBTQ+ communities. Expect live musical performances, drag shows, food, a variety of vendors, and a kids’ area. For more information, visit ferndalepride.com.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while the month is wrapping up, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is hosting a Sound Bowl Meditation Workshop on June 5. It’ll take place at Gabriel Richard Park and introduce attendees to basic techniques and the science behind sound healing. Best of all — it’s free, which is the perfect price for peace of mind. Just bring a yoga mat or blanket. For more information, visit detroitriverfront.org.

In this episode of The Detroit Evening Report, we cover Detroit parks national ranking, Sister Pie temporarily closing, community milestones, and hepatitis screening and vaccines. 

The Mackinac Policy Conference is underway on Mackinac Island. Politicians, business executives and non-profit leaders are talking about the future of the city and the state.

In this episode of The Detroit Evening Report, we cover lingering building vacancies downtown, brewery closures, sports updates and more.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected]. 

On this episode of Detroit Evening Report Weekends, we hear a local woman's story of discovering and trying to address her mother's hoarding.

Brenda McGadney says her work as a social worker focused on gerontology did not prepare her to identify her mother as a hoarder or to address it.

Hoarding disorder affects about 3% of the population. Older adults and people who experience depression and anxiety are more susceptible to the condition than others.

McGadney told WDET's Sascha Raiyn that she turned to family, clergy and community professionals for help. They weren't prepared to help either. Now, McGadney is working to increase awareness about the disorder and to advocate for a Hoarders Task Force in Wayne County.

Listen to the episode using the media player above.

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Holiday travelers planning to venture up north for some time outdoors this weekend may be met with potential hazards and changes to the landscape following a recent ice storm, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Plus, it's going to be a busy weekend in the Motor City. We have the Movement Electronic Movement Festival May 24-26, Detroit Tigers games against the Cleveland Guardians; The Weeknd is performing at Ford Field May 24-25, and much more. For that reason, the city is encouraging folks to plan parking in advance and to use public transportation when possible. 

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A new survey from a Detroit researcher has revealed that Black women disproportionately experience evictions in the city.

Dr. Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, a social epidemiologist at Ohio State University — and native Detroiter — surveyed nearly 1,500 Black women in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties for the Social Epidemiology to Combat Unjust Residential Evictions (SECURE) Study. She found that more than half of the women who said they experienced eviction were forced out of their homes illegally.

Other headlines for Thursday, May 22, 2025:

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Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has announced an effort to reduce the regulatory process for opening small businesses in the city.

Plus, Organizations supporting underrepresented small businesses and entrepreneurs in Michigan have received nearly $9 million in grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has lifted the emergency order on the city of Flint's drinking water. The EPA announced Monday that Flint's water system is now in compliance with lead standards and has replaced over 97% of lead pipes carrying water to homes.

Also, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected].

The Coalition for Property Tax Justice held a press conference last week to encourage Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree to place a moratorium on tax foreclosures for home valued at $50,000 or lower.

Plus, Detroit City Council has confirmed Tanya Stoudemire as the city's first female Chief Financial Officer. 

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