The Detroit Evening Report

By WDETSociety & Culture News Daily News

The Detroit Evening Report episodes

July 03, 2025Detroit suing blockchain-based real estate company for neglecting hundreds of properties
Detroit officials say they've filed the "largest blight lawsuit in its history" against a blockchain-based real estate platform after it failed to maintain hundreds of residential properties in the city.
Other headlines for Thursday, July 3, 2025:
More than 6,000 signatures have been collected by the group Dearborn Wants Wards to change the city council from an at-large body to district-based seats.
The Michigan House has passed two bills that give police the ability to test for controlled substances during traffic stops.
AAA says it expects almost 2.5 million people in Michigan to travel this Fourth of July weekend. State officials say they are suspending roadwork at more than 100 project sites over the holiday weekend to help ease traffic congestion.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected].
5 min
July 02, 2025Protesters arrested during ICE raid on Detroit's west side
Two protesters were arrested on Detroit's west side Monday after police say they attempted to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from detaining a resident in the neighborhood.
Other headlines for Wednesday, July 2, 2025:
The Department of Natural Resources’ explorer guide program is offering more than 100 free activities over the July Fourth holiday weekend. DNR guides will lead programs at 30 state parks Friday through Sunday, with activities ranging from poetry writing to fossil-hunting.
The Brightmoor Artisan Collective will host a Nigerian cooking class at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, offered in partnership with the Detroit Partnership for Food Learning and Innovation program through Michigan State University Extension. The registration fee is $15 per person. Register by emailing [email protected].
The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) is hosting a drop-in summer studio, with the next session taking place on Thursday, July 3. Visitors of all ages will have the chance to make art with some creative prompts and materials provided. Next week, MOCAD will welcome families for its Family Day with free exhibitions for kids, teens and parents.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected].
5 min
July 01, 2025Detroit receives 11th consecutive credit rating boost from Moody's
The city of Detroit announced on Monday that it has received a credit upgrade from the credit rating agency Moody’s for the 11th year in a row.
Detroit’s rating went up one notch from Baa2 to Baa1 with a positive outlook, the city reported. The city’s financial resiliency and its operating performance over time were key reasons behind this year’s upgrade, Moody's said in a statement.
Other headlines for Tuesday, July 1, 2025:
Residents on Detroit’s east side are speaking out about gun violence after two young people were killed at a city playground near Denby High School on Friday. Police are still investigation the shooting, which claimed the lives of 4-year-old Samir Grubbs and 18-year-old Daviyon Shelmonson-Bey and left another teenager wounded. No suspects are in custody.
The Motown Museum has reopened its “Motown Mile” art installation along the Detroit riverfront with a new exhibition honoring the legacy of Motown Museum founder Esther Gordy Edwards, titled “Keeper of the Dream.”
Detroit’s neighbors across the river are celebrating Canada Day on Tuesday, commemorating the country’s “confederation.” Windsor residents celebrated with a parade down Ouelette Avenue late Tuesday morning.
Detroit is getting a new WNBA team. The league announced the new team on Monday. Tom and Holly Gores will be the controlling owners of the new franchise, set to play in 2029. Other expansion teams will also be launched in Cleveland and Philadelphia that year. Detroit’s previous WNBA team — the Detroit Shock — played from 1998 until 2009, winning three championships during that time.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected].
5 min
June 30, 2025Petition seeking ward system for Dearborn City Council submitted for review
More than 6,000 signatures have been collected by a group seeking to change Dearborn's city council format from an at-large body to holding district-based council elections.
Dearborn Wants Wards filed the petition with the Dearborn City Clerk's Office on June 18. If the language is approved, the city would have council members per district and only two at-large seats, for a total of nine council members. Campaign spokesperson Mona Mawari says the changes are overdue and necessary for equal representation of the city's east and south sides.
Other headlines for Monday, June 30, 2025:
A series of bills were introduced in the state Senate that aim to make renting more accessible. The bills would cap rental application fees at $25, eliminate junk fees that occur after a lease is signed, and seal eviction records.
The city of Dearborn will be increasing its police presence this Fourth of July weekend to combat a rise in illegal fireworks usage. Parents of children caught mishandling and using illegal fireworks will also receive citations as well. Police are reminding residents that fireworks are only allowed on private property from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. between June 29 and July 5.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected].
5 min
June 28, 2025 DER Weekends: Detroit genealogist on the importance, emotional toll of researching African American ancestors
In honor of Juneteenth, Wayne State University hosted a series of lectures and a genealogy workshop focused on tracing African American family lineages beyond slavery.
The workshop was led by Dr. Carolyn Carter, a historian and professional genealogist. Carter says genealogy research is an emotional journey.
“You're going to find things that you didn't know, you're going to make discoveries that you didn't know, that are going to be emotional. And you have to be ready and open and prepared for that," she said. "But I tell my students, assume all stories are false because you were not there, and so it's your job to find the truth in that journey.”
On this episode of Detroit Evening Report Weekends, we listen to WDET reporter Bre'Anna Tinsley's conversation with Carter about the process of tracing one's ancestry and the difficulties of tracing the histories of African Americans.
Later, Tinsley joins Detroit Evening Report host Sascha Raiyn to discuss their own family histories.
Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.
29 min
June 27, 2025 City to bring back annual Detroit Bike Summit this weekend
The city of Detroit's Office of Mobility Innovation has announced the return of its annual Detroit Bike Summit at Chandler Park this weekend. The ride will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, and is free and open to all ages.
Also, Detroit's Rouge Park is turning 100 years old this year. To celebrate the milestone, the nonprofit Friends of Rouge Park is hosting a free, three-day festival at the park this weekend, June 27-29.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected].
6 min
June 26, 2025Michigan food assistance programs aim to combat hunger this summer
Children experiencing food insecurity this summer will have multiple services available to them to get free, nutritional meals.
The Michigan Department of Education's Summer Food Service Program — known nationally as known as the SUN Meals To-Go program and known in Michigan as Meet Up and Eat Up, — provides children in need with nutritious meals at on-site locations all across the state.
Other headlines for Thursday, June 26, 2025:
The Wayne Mobile Health Unit (WMHU) is hosting a free vision clinic today through Saturday, June 28, at Grace Community Church. 21001 Moross Rd., Detroit. The event, held in partnership with Detroit OneSight Vision Clinic and Hap CareSource, will offer free comprehensive eye exams and prescription glasses, as well as free blood pressure checks, oral screenings, dental exams, hearing tests and more.
The city of Detroit is hosting a Veterans Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Friday at the Northwest Activities Center. The free event will have career opportunities, veteran support services, community resources, and more.
It's national Homeownership Month and Detroit Project REACh is teaming up with Detroit Future City and other community organizations to host the 2025 Homebuyers Fair at Huntington Place this Saturday. There will be two sessions, with the first from 10 a.m. to noon and the second from 1 to 3 p.m.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected].
5 min
June 25, 20259 Michigan communities receive state funding to enhance downtowns
Detroit’s North End will soon be getting some special funds for summer events in the area.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced more than $130,000 in grants on Wednesday for nine Michigan communities, including Grand Haven, Saline, and Blissfield.
The grants of up to $15,000 are part of the Michigan Main Street Vibrancy program, with money going toward community enhancement efforts and improvement projects.
Other headlines for Wednesday, June 25, 2025:
Former Judge and state legislator Virgil C. Smith has died at 77 years old. Smith served for more than a decade as a Wayne County Circuit Court judge. He was working as Chief of Staff in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office when he was appointed as a judge in 2004. Before that, Smith served in the state House for 11 years, and another dozen years in the state Senate. He was Michigan’s first Black Senate minority floor leader.
The city of Detroit will hold a mayoral candidates forum Wednesday evening to give residents a chance to interact with candidates running in the August mayoral primary. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the 3Fifty Rooftop terrace above Music Hall, 350 Madison St., Detroit.
The Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee is hosting a meeting Thursday to get feedback from the public about potential redesign plans on the island. Belle Isle Conservancy CEO Meagan Elliot says the organization has been attending block club meetings and encouraging residents to make their thoughts heard. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. at the Flynn Pavilion on Belle Isle. It will also be livestreamed.
The Detroit Golf Club is getting ready to host another national event. The Rocket Classic kicks off Wednesday, with more than 150 athletes taking part in the tournament — including a dozen of the world’s top ranked golfers. The tournament will be televised on CBS Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected].
5 min
June 24, 2025Michigan's first and only HBCU joins online consortium of Historically Black Colleges
Michigan’s only HBCU is a part of a consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities launching “eHBCU” on Tuesday.
Pensole Lewis College joins Alabama State University, Delaware State University and the Southern University A&M College System in the effort.
eHBCU offers students across the country the chance to earn degrees and certification online from accredited universities. eHBCU becomes the nation's 108th HBCU.
Other headlines for Tuesday, June 24, 2025:
BridgeDetroit and the Detroit Parks Coalition have invited mayoral candidates to a forum focused on parks and public spaces — and they want your questions! The forum will take place from 6-8 p.m. July 24, at Palmer Park. Questions must be submitted by June 30.
Detroit vendors are invited to a community outreach event with District 2 Councilwoman Angela Whitfield Calloway on Wednesday to learn how to secure contracts with the city. Businesses that offer security, janitorial, vehicle supply and other services are encouraged to attend the event, taking place from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Rd.
There is still time to join the Detroit Public Library's summer reading challenge, with a variety of online and in-person events and programming. Many branches are also offering a summer lunch program in partnership with Forgotten Harvest. Call your local library branch for lunch dates and times.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected].
5 min
June 23, 2025Extreme heat continues in metro Detroit; Ford Fireworks + more
An extreme heat warning will be in effect for much of southeast Michigan through 8 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service, dangerously hot conditions with a heat index above 100 degrees are expected across Genesee, Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Other headlines for Monday, June 23, 2025:
Most of Detroit's riverside parks will close at 8 p.m. on Monday for the Ford Fireworks show, but Belle Isle, Hart Plaza and Spirit Plaza are open for viewing. City officials recommend claiming a spot early. The fireworks are scheduled to start around 10 p.m. and last 24 minutes.
Michigan's Board of State Canvassers is scheduled to review petition language for the "Invest in MI Kids" campaign. The proposal is asking voters to approve a 5% state tax that would be assessed on individual high earners' income over $500,000, and assessed on income over $1 million for joint filers. Organizer Rachelle Crow-Hercher told Michigan Public the state's poor test scores show the need for more funding.
The Motor City Doula Association is hosting "A Healthy Start" workshop for expecting moms to share information about how one's environment can shape their health and pregnancy. The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June, 25, at the Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities building, 5275 Kenilworth St., Dearborn.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at [email protected].
5 min