The Detroit Evening Report

Hamtramck’s race for mayor is over—for now.  The Wayne County Board of Canvassers has certified the results of this month’s contest. 

Adam Alharbi has won the election for mayor by just six votes.  The outcome of the contest was controversial, with more than three dozen ballots thrown out after they were found in the office of City Clerk Rana Faraj.  

Losing candidate Muhith Mahmood tells WDET that he will ask for a recount.  He says the 37 ballots should not have been ignored. “Canvassers denied a legitimate 37 votes.  That is concerning, because this is not the 37 people who made a mistake.  Since the race is so close to each other, they could find a way to count this ballot.”   

Incumbent Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib did not seek re-election.  He was nominated by President Trump to become the next U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait. 

The March of Dimes says Detroit has the most premature births among the 100 U.S. cities with the highest birth rates. The study found 1 in 6 babies in Detroit are born before the 37th week of gestation.

The organization points to high rates of chronic illness as one of the reasons for that high rate, as well as disparities in healthcare for Black people.

This summer, the National Institutes of Health canceled a study of premature births in Detroit as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.  

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Michigan chapter, reports an increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sightings in Metro Detroit.

CAIR-MI officials say community members have seen ICE vehicles in Wayne County. ICE also announced an increase in enforcement in the area.

CAIR-MI advises community members to be vigilant and aware of their rights, including asking to see a warrant and remaining silent except to request an attorney. The civil rights organization says people should have emergency contacts memorized and plans in place for their family members in case of an emergency. 

A Muslim civil rights organization is advising Dearborn residents to ignore what it calls an “Islamophobic publicity stunt” by a Republican gubernatorial candidate. Anthony Hudson says he plans to march through Dearborn Tuesday “to protect Americans from Sharia law.” At an October debate for Republicans running for Governor, the Genesee County man said he would deploy the National Guard to Dearborn if elected.

The Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations says it has responded to a number of threats against Michigan Muslims and mosques lately. This week, an Illinois man who allegedly made threats against a Dearborn Heights mosque was arrested. A Virginia man faces terrorism charges for allegations he threatened to kill Muslims at a Michigan mosque and law enforcement officials identified a Texas man they say made threatening calls to the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights.

The national CAIR office says it distributed a formal memo to every member of Congress last month, warning of the “anti-Sharia hoax” as a part of anti-Islamic propaganda.

DTE is asking to raise residential gas rates by almost 8 percent. Planet Detroit reports the request comes a year after the utility raised prices more than 2 percent and as federal money to help utility customers is in doubt. The Michigan Public Service Commission has 10 months to decide on the rate hike.

https://planetdetroit.org/2025/11/dte-gas-rate-hike-proposal/ 

Michigan launches MIVeteran app

The state has launched a tool aimed at supporting veterans and service members transitioning back to civilian life. MIVeteran is an app designed to help veterans navigate benefits and resources available to them. Resources and information on the app include: DD-214 requests, state benefits, employment, education, housing, and healthcare resources, and a guide to benefits for transitioning service members. The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency says it created the app as a part of its work to make Michigan a great place for veterans and their families. The MIVeteran app is free and can be downloaded from the Apple and Google app stores.

The state is wrapping up its series of community conversations around gaps in services for older adults next week. None of the remaining events are in Southeast Michigan, but a survey will be live until December 15th. The Bureau of Aging Community Living and Supports is collecting input for a new state plan on aging. The survey can be completed online or downloaded and mailed in.

Download and mail the survey about older adults in Michigan

Complete the survey online

More than 20 vendors will offer their wares at the Threads of Time: Vintage Market Saturday. The free event is set against the backdrop of the Fisher Building’s timeless beauty. Visitors can shop for apparel, accessories and housewares. Food and drink will also be for sale. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is hosted by the Peacock Room.

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield announced the 18 policy committees that make up her transition team Thursday. 

The transition team will determine the priorities for the first 100 days of the new administration.  

Sheffield says the decision to place the team’s headquarters at the Marygrove Conservancy was deliberate.  “We wanted to ensure that this process remained rooted in my values of neighborhoods and community. And I am proud to say that this is the first time a transition has been set up in one of Detroit's neighborhoods. First time ever.” 

Sheffield says everyone appointed to the committees were chosen for their expertise, track records, and connections to everyday Detroiters.  

The committees will focus on various issues such as affordable housing, public transit, economic opportunities, and youth support and development.  

The Detroit Public Schools Community District School Board is endorsing the Invest in MI Kids ballot proposal.

The proposal would add a 5% surcharge on income over $1 million. Advocates say the charge would raise over $1 billion in funding for schools.

The Invest in MI Kids coalition says the new funds would be constitutionally protected and explicitly directed toward reducing classroom sizes, retaining and recruiting educators, and career and technical education.  

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, or MiLEAP, is partnering with the Small Business Association of Michigan to provide affordable health and retirement benefits to child care providers. The program is called Nurture Benefits and enrollment opens on November 15.

Child Care providers will have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and retirement benefits, and wellness and behavioral health resources. Childcare providers who work 30 hours or more a week are eligible to apply.

For more information, visit nurturebenefits.com.  

Author Marion Orr will be discussing his new book at Source Booksellers. The book is titled “House of Diggs: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Consequential Black Congressman, Charles C. Diggs Jr.” 

Diggs was elected to represent Michigan’s 13th congressional district in 1954.

The event will be held on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.  

The Dearborn school system has named a new interim superintendent, Lamis Srour. 

She currently serves as the Executive Director of Student Achievement over the Edsel Ford Feeder Track, a position she’s held for the past three years.  Srour started working with the Dearborn School District in 1998. 

She tells the school board that her focus will be on improving attendance, stopping bullying and repairing infrastructure. 

Srour’s first day on the job will be Dec. 5.  She’s filling in after the departure of Glenn Maleyko, who’s leaving to become the new head of the Michigan Department of Education. 

Almost two weeks away from Thanksgiving, Kalasho Education and Youth Services is launching an initiative called MINDful Giving Boxes. These boxes are curated packages of food and essentials to help families experiencing food insecurity enjoy warmth and sustenance.

The organization is partnering with the non profit Advancing Macomb, The National Association of Social Workers, and the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan to nourish families with this effort.

Each box has enough food to feed a family of four for two weeks. Some of the items in the box are rice, lentils, pasta, canned vegetables, peanut butter, hygiene essentials and more. 

For more information on how to receive a MINDful Giving Box or to support the cause go to kalasho.org, or you can follow Kalasho Education on social media. 

The government shutdown has affected a lot of businesses all across the country including airlines — and the Detroit Metro Airport is included in that.

There have been major delays and cancellations because of air traffic controllers not being paid since the shutdown began in October. The US Department of Transportation ordered a temporary reduction in flights due to the strain on air traffic controllers and the airline field in general.

According to airline tracking website Flight Aware, 562 flights going into and out of Detroit Metropolitan Airport were delayed, and 119 were canceled altogether since Sunday. 

If you are planning to drive on the northbound or southbound ramps from the Southfield Ereeway to eastbound Interstate 96….you can’t. A sinkhole has forced closures on those freeway ramps. The repairs are projected to take a week according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. 

During this time, for those taking northbound Southfield Freeway traffic to use the eastbound I-96, you can use the westbound I-96 as a detour then take exits like Evergreen Road or Outer Drive to turn around and take eastbound I-96 local and express.

Happy Veterans Day to all of our men and women who have served. We thank you for your services. Here are a couple of events catered to our Veterans.

Today to honor those who served, Canton Township is hosting their Salute to Service program tonight at 7pm. This event is meant to salute all veterans living, passed, and those currently serving in our armed forces.
Donations will be gathered to benefit Veterans Affairs and local veterans. If you want to participate go to cantonmi.gov.

The event will be held at Village Theater’s main auditorium.

Also, to honor those who served, The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn invites all active duty military personal, veterans and their families are welcomed to visit the museum for free. All you need to do is present your military ID.

There is a limit to the amount of family members military personnel can bring. To learn more about that and other details go to thehenryford.org. 

Both of Michigan’s U.S. Senators voted against a procedural move to end the federal government shutdown.

Seven Democrats and one independent joined Republicans last night, taking the first step toward funding the government. GOP Senators agreed to hold a vote next month on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. The deal does not guarantee they’ll be renewed. Democratic senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters say promising to hold a vote on the issue isn’t good enough.

The compromise would reverse the mass firings that took place when the shutdown began and ensure federal workers get back pay.  

-Reporting by Pat Batcheller  

On Saturday the U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency stay blocking the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition from issuing full payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. This pauses benefits for 42 million Americans, including many children and the elderly.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director, Elizabeth Hertel, says she is disappointed by the move. MDHHS began sending out full payments on Thursday, however the new order prevents the department from finalizing payments for Michigan residents who have not yet received their payments for November.

To fill the gap, Governor Whitmer announced an additional $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to feed families including food delivery services for families who are unable to visit a food bank. Dial 2-1-1 or visit mi211.org to find assistance. 

Last week, the city of Detroit launched a network of food pantries map with 85 certified food pantries. Mayor Mike Duggan says the city authorized $1.75 million for the project. People can visit detroitmi.gov to find a location near them.  

Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan is providing emergency relief while SNAP benefits are in limbo for 1.4 million families in Michigan.   

People can drop into the Center for the Works of Mercy on 10301 Woodward Ave in Detroit on Thursdays between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays beginning Nov. 22nd through Dec. 6th between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.  

According to DetroitCatholic.com, the city of Detroit donated food from Forgotten Harvest to support the center.

The Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan are also asking people to donate unexpired AND nonperishable food on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. or provide monetary donations. The group is matching donations up to $20,000 thanks to an anonymous donor. The center is also looking for volunteers.  

Michigan State University researchers are building an outdoor laboratory to see if solar panels can improve crop production for farmers.

Anthony Kendall is an Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at MSU. He says the project involves researchers from different fields who can offer a variety of perspectives. 

"There’s a real asymmetry of solar installation information that exists right now. And we hope by doing open science with a lot of community feedback, to really just provide better information to everyone.”

He says they’ll also use the project to teach farmers how to use solar panels in under-producing areas of farm fields. The project is funded by a $3.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation.  

The Michigan Department of Transportation is still collecting public comment on a set of proposed regulations that could put parameters on how people can protest on MDOT owned roads.

The new rules would require protestors to get a permit before occupying an area such as an overpass or rest stop. MDOT’s Engineer Greg Losch said on the podcast “Talking Michigan Transportation” that the rules are a response to complaints from the public.  

“We’ll be responding to the public complaint, like, 'hey, I stopped at whatever rest area and someone asked me to sign a petition and I don’t really want to be solicited for that. Why why are you allowing this, MDOT?'” 

Losch said the regulations intend to ensure public safety. Activists argue that this is an infringement of First Amendment rights. MDOT will be accepting public comments on its website through November 20th.  

If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at [email protected]. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report podcast, available wherever you get

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has directed its SNAP EBT vendor to start issuing full benefits to recipients pending delivery from the federal government. This all comes after a district judge ordered the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to issue full SNAP benefits by today, Friday Nov. 7.

According to the MDHHS, SNAP recipients who usually receive benefits on the 3rd, 5th , or 7th of each month should get their full SNAP allotment within 48 hours of the state receiving their funds. This news comes as the Trump administration is asking a federal appeals court to block a judge’s order to distribute November’s full SNAP food benefits during the government shutdown.

This is all going down as some states are moving to take care of low-income residents. The court back and forth has created uncertainty in the food program services that serves 1 in 8 Americans. Approximately 1.4 million people in Michigan are on SNAP.

The City of Detroit and the Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26 agreed on a new contract to give DDOT bus operators a $6 per hour wage increase.

Pending approval from the City Council, more than 500 operators will now have start and maximum base wages in line with what SMART bus service currently offers their drivers. There are even incentives for good attendance and safety.

In addition to those improvements, drivers will also receive an annual cost of living increase each July 1st during their contract. This new contract will be submitted to Detroit City Council for approval before the Council meetings end for the year.

The Detroit Lions try to bounce back from their loss against the Vikings last week as they look to face the Commanders Sunday afternoon. The Commanders will be without starting Quarterback Jayden Daniels who suffered an elbow injury. The Lions are hoping to build and get their offense going after struggling as of late. Kickoff is at 4:25 p.m. at Northwest Stadium.

The Red Wings face off against the team from my home state, The New York Rangers. Game starts at 7:00pm at Little Caesars Arena. The Red Wings then play against the Chicago Blackhawks also at Little Caesars Arena NBA The Pistons go agains the Brooklyn Nets Tonight at the Barclays. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. and then they stay on the road to face the 76ers on Sunday Nov. 9 at the Wells Fargo Center.

And this Sunday November 9th you get the chance to experience the event titled All Things Detroit Holiday Shopping. This unique marketplace is taking place at Eastern Market Sheds 3,4, and 5.

Small businesses from all across Detroit will come through with interesting items to purchase right on time for the holiday season. For more information go to allthingsmarketplace.com.

The City of Detroit launched a network of food pantries yesterday to help residents who normally rely on benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. 

The program, also sometimes called food stamps, has not been fully funded since Nov. 1 because of the federal government shutdown.  Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration has created a map of 85 certified food pantries.

“This is now live at DetroitMI.gov.  You can see the 85 sites.  Some are open one day a week.  Some are open five or six days a week.  And so you can go on the website, click on the one in your area that’s closest to you…and for example you can see this one gives you the address.” 

Duggan is also asking for volunteers to help hand out food to residents in need.  He says the plan should be feasible for the next two weeks. The city has authorized $1.75 million for the project.  

There’s no word on when the government shutdown might end.