Mayor Sheffield issues executive order to handle heatwave

Mayor Sheffield issues executive order to handle heatwave

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield issued an executive order today that maps out guidelines for city departments to prioritize protecting residents and workers during the heatwave.  The executive order instructs the water department not to shut off water service unless directed by the customer or to fix a broken main. The Building Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) must expedite all temperature-related requests at all cooling centers. Other departments are also ordered to prioritize protecting seniors and the unhoused or those living in unsafe conditions.  ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FOR THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026 DEARBORN POLICE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS, CURFEW IN PLACE Dearborn Police Department announced that there will be a zero-tolerance policy in place for using fireworks illegally.  Residents are allowed to use fireworks on their own properties through fifth of July and before 11:45 p.m. but no debris can land outside of property lines.   Police Chief Issa Shahin says those caught breaking the law could be fined up to $500. “This isn't about punishment, it's about prevention, and I want everyone to enjoy and celebrate this holiday season, but to be able to do it safely.”  A curfew is also in place for minors ages 17 and younger unless accompanied by an adult on July 3 and 4 from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.   Chief Shahin says there have been no tips of a teen takeover happening this holiday, but the police department will be prepared.  WAYNE COUNTY DISEASE OUTBREAK The Wayne County health department says it's investigating 17 suspected cases of cyclosporiasis.  It's a gastrointestinal disease caused by parasites. The most common symptom is severe diarrhea. And people usually get it by eating food contaminated with feces.  Wayne State's Dr. Teena Chopra says patients can start to feel better, but that doesn't mean the infection is gone.  "This particular parasite, if it is not treated, it can continue to infect new intestinal cells, and that's why there can be ongoing relapsing diarrhea, so it's important to seek treatment." She says antibiotics work well, but the disease can damage the small intestine of it's not treated. The state health department has confirmed more than 170 cases of cyclosporiasis in southeast Michigan since June 22 but has not found the source of the outbreak.    AAPAC ENDORSES ENDING SMART OPT-OUT The Arab American Political Action Committee has endorsed the Wayne County Public Transportation Millage, a ballot proposal that would end opt-out of SMART’s bus system in Wayne County. Committee officials say the millage would connect Detroit residents to more jobs and schools in the suburbs. AAPAC president Osama Siblani said in a statement, “Too many residents face barriers to employment, education and essential services simply because transportation options are limited. Wayne County Transit for All represents an investment in people – creating stronger connections between neighborhoods workplaces and community resources.”

Extreme heat continues. Here's how to keep healthy

Most of Michigan’s lower peninsula, including all of Metro Detroit, remains under an extreme heat warning until tomorrow night.  Temperatures are forecast to rise into the upper 90s Thursday, with high humidity.  The heat index could rise dangerously high, between 105 and 110 degrees.  The weather could cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke.  Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and has a hard time cooling down.  Symptoms might include heavy sweating, dizziness and fatigue.  Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature reaches 104 degrees. That can be fatal.    ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2026 HEAT AFFECTS HEALTH  During this prolonged period of intense heat, there are things you can do to keep yourself and neighbors safe.  Director of Emergency Preparedness for the City of Detroit Dr. Kelvin Freeman says residents should work in pairs to stay healthy.  “Use a buddy system, check on your friend, check on your neighbor, especially those who live alone, and also have someone to check on you in that buddy system to close that loop.”  Freeman says residents should stay hydrated and limit exposure to high temperatures, adding that fans alone won’t cool you down when temperatures and humidity are this high.  He also recommends keeping your pets indoors during daylight hours.  -Reporting by Russ McNamara [http://wdet.org/author/rmcnamara] And make sure to double check your vehicle and make sure not to leave children or pets unattended in the car.  Temperatures inside a vehicle could rise quickly enough to become fatal within just a few minutes.  FORD RECALLS 741,000 VEHICLES  Ford Motor Company is recalling 741,000 vehicles because of a possible transmission problem.  The company says a part of the parking system could engage while the vehicle is in motion, potentially damaging the system.  Enough damage could mean the system fails to hold the vehicle in place without use of the parking brake.  The recall affects certain Ford F-150 pickup trucks, as well as Lincoln Aviator, Ford Explorer, Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition sport utility vehicles.  The vehicles are from the 2018 through 2021 model years.   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Ford is aware of 24 possible cases of property damage and nine possible injuries connected to the issue.  Dealers will update certain software and inspect the transmission for damage.  They’ll make any necessary repairs for free.  SHOTSPOTTER RENEWED  The Detroit City Council has narrowly approved a nine-month contract renewal for the ShotSpotter gun detection system.  The Director of the Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety Teferi Brent advocated for the contract. He says it allows police to respond quickly to de-escalate situations.    “People say Shotstopper doesn't save lives—that's patently false, because the quicker that we can identify which shootings occur, we can identify who's doing the shooting, and once we identify who's doing the shooting, we can then prevent what we call in the field retaliatory violence.”    Brent also listed several instances where ShotSpotter helped first responders aid victims. But some council members questioned both the effectiveness and the cost of the system. The Detroit Police say they are looking for a less expensive vendor to use after the contract ends.  -Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley [http://wdet.org/author/btinsley]

Police arrest man accused of threatening Islamic Community Center

A man who allegedly threatened a Madison Heights Mosque was arrested today. On Sunday, someone left voicemail messages threatening the Islamic Community Center on Dequindre near 11 Mile Rd. Police say the man said he would kill people and suggested Muslims are terrorists.  The Council on American Islamic Relations Michigan chapter praised police for their swift action in identifying a suspect.   ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2026 SCOTUS RULES IN FAVOR OF ENDING TPS The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Trump Administration's efforts to end Temporary Protected Status. TPS allows people fleeing violence abroad to live and work in the US. The ruling may affect people from Lebanon, Haiti, Honduras and Burma, among several others.  Republican Steve Frisbie represents Michigan's 44th state House district, which includes the Battle Creek area, home to a Burmese community of thousands. Frisbie says he supports the high court's ruling, but adds that people fleeing Burma should apply for asylum. "I'm all in favor of letting them come to the country. Sort them out and look at them on an individual basis or a family basis to figure out what they're fleeing from and why and if it's legitimate and they're not from the military side of things in Burma."  The government has deported thousands of immigrants while they waited for courts to hear their asylum claims and some who showed up to their hearings were arrested.  DETROIT MEETING OF IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES Immigration advocates met in Detroit to adopt a list of policy goals. Strangers No Longer [https://strangersnolonger.org/] is a Catholic-led organization active across Michigan. The group adopted policy objectives to bring to people running for state and federal offices.  Those include allowing people to secure driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status, more oversight of immigration detention centers and for local police to stop working with federal immigration enforcement. Advocates also want more due process protections for detainees. WHITMER THREATENS TO RECALL TROOPS Governor Gretchen Whitmer is threatening to bring home 170 Michigan National Guard troops from Washington D.C. if the Trump administration uses them for crime and immigration enforcement.  Whitmer says she deployed the troops to assist with security for celebrations surrounding the country's 250th anniversary.  GREAT LAKES MUSEUM ANNOUNCES PAINT-BY-NUMBER PROJECT The Dossin Great Lakes Museum has announced the art for its community paint-by-number project. Brontae Williamson’s "Currents in Color" was chosen after the museum accepted submissions this spring. The 32 by 8 foot mural will be painted by the community over the summer then hung on the museum building on Belle Isle. The Dossin says it will release information to the community soon about how people can come to paint.  Dan Robbins [https://www.detroithistorical.org/learn/online-research/encyclopedia-of-detroit/robbins-dan] is the Detroit-born artist who developed paint by number.

High temperatures worsen air quality

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)’s meteorologists say the high temperatures this week will lead to high levels of ozone and poor air quality.  There’s an air quality alert for ozone in Southeast Michigan for today and tomorrow. Ozone is a pollutant in the atmosphere created by volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides found in things like industrial solvents, cleaning products and burning fuel. It is an air pollutant.  EGLE says people should avoid strenuous activities—especially for those who have asthma. People should also avoid refueling vehicles, using gasoline-powered lawn equipment or lighting charcoal with lighter fluid. People should also try to drive less and delay errands if possible.   ELGE says they will put out additional alerts as needed. For more information visit michigan.gov/MiAir [http://michigan.gov/MiAir].  ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FOR MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2026 TIPS FOR HANDLING THE HEAT Detroit’s health department recommends drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated during this week’s heat wave. They also recommend limiting strenuous activity and staying inside. Recreation centers, public library branches will serve as cooling centers during normal business hours. Watch for signs of heat-related illness, including dizziness, headache, and unusually heavy sweating. Check on family members and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities. AAA reminds drivers not to leave children or pets in their vehicles and to check the back seat each time they get out of their car.   -Reporting by Pat Batcheller DEARBORN HOSTS WORLD CUP WATCH PARTIES The City of Dearborn is offering free watch parties for residents and World Cup fans. The city is partnering up with What’s up Media Network to host the watch party at Dearborn’s PEACE Park West [http://dearborn.gov/dearborn-only-city-state-provide-free-public-world-cup-watch-parties-attracting-thousands]. The matches are shown on the screen at the park’s performance stage. Vendors will also provide refreshments. Anyone can join, but the park can hold only up to 1,000 people. People are encouraged to go early to find a spot.   Dearborn’s PEACE Park West is located at 22271 W Village Dr. in Dearborn.   DEARBORN TREE CITY DESIGNATION Also in Dearborn, the city was given the Tree City USA designation for the 39th time.   Mayor Abdullah Hammoud says the city is planting a few thousand trees.. And also removing dead ones.  “When I first came in, we had a backlog of about 1,200-1,300 dead and diseased trees that needed to be taken down. That list is now, I would say, around the 100 mark, and we've also caught up. We had seven years of no trimming of trees throughout the city. We officially caught up, and we're back on our normal five year cycle.”   Hammoud says planting more trees helps with air quality and mitigating flooding.   Dearborn residents can also request a free tree to be planted in their easement by going to Dearborn.gov/trees [https://Dearborn.gov/trees].

Wayne State tuition rises

The tuition at Wayne State University is rising by 4% for its undergraduate and graduate students. This comes after a unanimous decision from the university’s board of governors.  How will this affect the university students? Well, undergraduate students can see a tuition increase of about $250 and graduate students will see an increase of $33 dollars per credit.  The university increased their tuition last year by 4.5%. According to the school’s officials the 2026-2027 housing rates will not increase.  This rate increase is following a trend occurring in 4-year public and private universities and colleges across the country––tuition increases due to inflation, a drop off in enrollment post pandemic or uncertainty around state funding. WDET is licensed to Wayne State University.   ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026 COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT SHOWS POSITIVE RESULTS This week, the city of Detroit released a Community Health Assessment that revealed that community improvements positively affect the health of residents.  The report was an assessment of about 6,000 residents, some commuity organizations, public health experts and local data.  During a press conference about the assessment, Mayor Sheffield expanded the idea of what health means. “Health is much more than what happens inside of a doctor’s office. It is also about prevention. Health is about whether a mother has access to prenatal care. It is about whether a child has healthy food nearby and it is about clean air, safe housing, transportation and whether families can access the care that they need when they need it.”   SPORTS  FIFA The U.S. had their first loss of the 2026 World Cup to the already eliminated country of Turkey. Turkey kicked a last minute goal to win the match. The U.S. also had mostly reserves playing in the second half of the game to ready the team for their next game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That game is Wednesday, July 1.   NFL  The Lions’ defensive back Terrion Arnold was arrested this week in Tampa, Fla. on alleged felony charges of robbery and kidnapping.  Six other individuals were arrested, but according to police Arnold was the one coordinating and directing the codefendants. Arnold is from Tallahasse, Fla., which is about 4 hours away from Tampa.   The Lions said in a statement that they are aware of the news but are not commenting “out of respect of the ongoing legal process.”  MLB  The Tigers loss to the Astros yesterday in the score of 4-1. Next game is today at Comerica Park. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m.   BURGER BATTLE And this weekend get ready for what organizers are calling the biggest burger battle in the Midwest. This weekend the 10 year anniversary of Detroit Burger Battle [https://burgerbattle.info/]is going down in the Motor City. Fifteen of metro Detroit’s top restaurants will bang burgers and chef it up for the crown. Participants of the battle get a single voting card to pick their top 3 burgers. Whoever gets the most votes wins. This is all going down on Sunday, June 28 from 1-4 p.m. at Shed 5 of the Eastern Market.