Faith communities ask legislators to pass Michigan Voting Rights Act

Faith communities ask legislators to pass Michigan Voting Rights Act

Leaders from multiple faith communities in metro Detroit are calling on state legislators to pass a Michigan Voting Rights Act after the justice department announced plans to send election monitors to three Michigan cities.  Clergy gathered at Central United Methodist in Detroit and at locations in Grand Rapids and Lansing to show opposition to Trump administration policies speakers say are designed to threaten communities across the country.  Hazel Gomez of Dream of Detroit [https://dreamofdetroit.org/] says faith leaders will and must defend voting rights. "We will organize, we will train, and we're going to de-escalate. And in the primaries in August and in the general election in November, our goal as clergy of all faith traditions is to stand at the polls, to accompany, and to watch over our beloved communities." Wendell Anthony of Fellowship Chapel in Detroit – and president of the Detroit NAACP [https://www.detroitnaacp.org/] is also calling on lawyers to join the front lines, saying “We’re not afraid to sue somebody.”   ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FOR TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026 BILL TO GUARANTEE CHILDREN WITH LEGAL REPRESENTATION PASSES STATE LEGISLATURE A bill that would guarantee children access to legal representation in delinquency cases is headed to Governor Whitmer’s desk. The legislation would require the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission to create a system similar to the one used by adults facing criminal charges who may not be able to afford an attorney.  If passed, the indigent defense commission would be required to have at least one attorney experienced in juvenile justice to help set the standards. The bill cleared the legislature last week with bipartisan support.  -Reporting by MPRN's Rick Pluta NATIONAL WHEELCHAIR GAMES The National Wheelchair Games [https://wheelchairgames.org] are coming to Detroit this week. It is the largest annual wheelchair sports event for veterans in the world. Athletes compete in more than 20 events including basketball, swimming, track and field and boccia. The 45th National Wheelchair Games will be hosted by several venues and based at Hunting Place. The Opening Ceremony is July 9 with competition running through the 14. DETROIT KITE FESTIVAL The 8th Annual Detroit Kite Festival is Sunday  [https://detroitkitefestival.org]on the Belle Isle Cricket Field across from the James Scott Memorial Fountain. Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. Plans include food, music and kites, of course. Kites are available for purchase. Learn more at detroitkitefestival.org.  PUBLIC READING OF DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AT GREENFIELD VILLAGE Sites across the country will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence with a simultaneous reading of the document Wednesday. Greenfield Village is one of those sites and invites the community to join the event for free [https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/things-to-do/calendar/sharing-the-spirit-of-america?utm_campaign=eblast_sharing_the_spirit_july_6_2026&utm_source=ipost&utm_medium=email]. Visitors will also hear live music, see historic vignettes and learn about Centennial games on the Village Green. The event begins at 5 p.m. The reading – synchronized with other readings across the state begins at 6 p.m. No tickets, reservations or parking passes are required.

MDHHS monitors disease outbreak

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, says there are now over 700 cases of cyclosporiasis [https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/index.html]in the state. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services put out additional recommendations to prevent the spread of cyclospora over the weekend.  Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal disease caused by parasites, which causes severe diarrhea.   Dr. Bagdasarian says much of the spread has been caused by handling and consuming produce.  “We know that it takes about one to two weeks after consuming something that's contaminated with cyclospora to develop symptoms, so there's a lag between being exposed and developing symptoms, said Bardgasarian. "And then, of course, there's a lag when people are looking for healthcare, when they are finding a healthcare provider, getting tested, and actually determining that this is cyclospora.” Wayne County is among several counties with large numbers of people diagnosed. Recommendations include washing all fresh produce under clean running water, and cooking foods to kill cyclospora.   If people suspect being infected, they should see a health care provider, mentioning they may have cyclospora if symptoms of diarrhea don’t clear up in a few days. Treatment includes a dose of antibiotics. ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FOR MONDAY, JULY 6, 2026 DEARBORN FEMA FUNDING The City of Dearborn has received federal funding to improve its sewer system. FEMA awarded $8.1 million for the upgrades... as part of the second phase of a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Work will be done in the city’s neighborhoods between Chase Road and Greenfield Avenue.   About 6,200 feet of storm sewers will be added to help with flood mitigation efforts. The city flooded in 2014, 2018 and in 2021when a “once-in-a-lifetime flood” backed up the sanitary sewer system, causing two-thirds of basements to flood in the city.   While FEMA will pay for 90% of the upgrades, Dearborn will pay for the remaining 10% of the work.   POWER UPDATE DTE Energy crews worked all weekend to restore power to customers who lost electricity due to Friday’s severe thunderstorms. At one point, more than 200,000 homes and businesses in Southeast Michigan lost power after strong winds knocked down tree limbs and power lines. That number is down to about 73,000. DTE says it expects to restore power to most of these customers by the end of the day.   -Reporting by Pat Batcheller     OLDER AMERICANS TURN TO FRIENDS FOR CARE  A new University of Michigan study finds friends are replacing family members in caring for elderly Americans.  Researcher Crystal Ng says changing family relationships including divorce are leaving gaps in care that children once provided. She says older Americans are relying on friends for more than a drive to the doctor’s office.   “A lot of times friends will also participate in clinical settings. Such as not only picking them… to transportation… to the medical appointment… but also sit next to them.” Ng says relying on friends also provides people over the age of 65 years with a social framework and helps them maintain their independence.  The study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association’s Network Open portal.   -Reporting by Steve Carmody  [https://www.michiganpublic.org/people/steve-carmody] If something is happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.

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.