Spanish S.W.A.G. Program Expands Statewide, VOCES Teams with U of M, & a Dearborn Family Departs U.S.

SDBA Honors; A New Historical Marker; & Mexico Advances to Knockout Stage!

In this week's edition of EL PULSO, the Southwest Detroit Business Association honors neighborhood leaders during its annual Community Investment Breakfast, recognizing decades of investment, advocacy, and leadership as the community prepares for its next chapter of growth. We also report on Strangers No Longer's Assembly for Hope, where immigrant advocates, faith leaders, and elected officials ratified the organization's first statewide policy platform ahead of the 2026 election season, outlining priorities for immigration reform and voter education. A new Michigan Historical Marker is unveiled in Southwest Detroit honoring Dr. Lucile "Luci" Cruz Gajec, whose work preserving Mexican, Indigenous, and Indo-Hispanic history helped shape the community's historical record for future generations. Plus, Concert of Colors returns to Mexicantown in honor of founder Ismael Ahmed, Detroit opens cooling centers during a stretch of dangerous heat, and families in Michigan respond to the humanitarian crises unfolding in Venezuela and Cuba. We also recap the latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Mexico advances to face England in the Round of 16, Canada reaches the knockout stage, and EL CENTRAL's David Levine reports from inside the tournament in Houston. 🎧 New episodes every Thursday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Michael D. Gutierrez

ICE Retreats from Romulus; E&L Reopens After Arson Fire; Mexico Beats Czechia 3-0

In this week's edition of EL PULSO, E&L Supermercado reopens after a May arson fire temporarily closed one of Southwest Detroit's most relied-on grocery stores, bringing back a neighborhood staple after weeks of repairs. We also report on the expansion of Medicina Scarlett, a bilingual healthcare clinic on West Vernor that plans to open a larger facility with additional exam rooms, imaging services, an infusion center, and a compounding pharmacy after rapid growth since opening in 2024. Detroit releases its first comprehensive Community Health Assessment since 2018, using feedback from more than 6,000 residents to identify priorities including maternal health, chronic disease, food access, and access to healthcare. Plus, Detroit developers share lessons from the field on avoiding costly construction mistakes, a regional housing summit prepares to tackle affordability challenges, and ICE signals it will abandon plans for a proposed detention center in Romulus following months of legal challenges and community opposition. We also recap Detroit City FC's USL Cup draw and the latest results from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Mexico, Canada, and the United States continue advancing through the tournament. 🎧 New episodes every Thursday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Michael D. Gutierrez.

Ste. Anne Basilica Begins $55 Million Restoration; DCFC Opens Stadium Preview Center; Concert of Colors Returns to Mexicantown

In this week’s edition of EL PULSO, the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit begins a $55 million restoration project aimed at preserving Detroit’s oldest parish while continuing its role as a spiritual and cultural center for the city’s Latino community. We also report on a June 30 deadline for Wayne County homeowners with delinquent property taxes to enroll in a payment plan that reduces interest from 18 percent to 6 percent. Detroit City FC opens a new stadium preview center at the Mexicantown Mercado, giving supporters an early look at AlumniFi Field as the club prepares for its planned 2028 opening. Plus, Mayor Mary Sheffield releases results from the Rise Higher Detroit survey, the city’s largest community engagement effort to date, gathering feedback from more than 8,000 residents across all 39 Detroit ZIP codes. We also preview the return of Concert of Colors to Mexicantown and look at a new Michigan Historical Marker honoring Dr. Lucile Cruz Gajec, the educator, historian, and founder of Museo Indigenista whose work helped preserve Mexican and Indigenous history in Southwest Detroit. Finally, Detroit City FC earns a historic road victory behind a five-goal performance from Darren Smith, while Mexico, Canada, and the United States open the 2026 FIFA World Cup with positive results. 🎧 New episodes every Thursday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Michael D. Gutierrez

ICE Pursuits Leave Two Detroiters Injured; Venezuelan Father Returns Home; World Cup 2026 Kicks Off

In this week’s edition of EL PULSO, two Detroit-area immigrants are seriously injured after encounters involving ICE agents, raising questions about enforcement tactics, vehicle pursuits, and the treatment of asylum seekers in custody. We also follow the story of a Venezuelan father who returned home to Detroit after nearly two months inside the North Lake Processing Center, where detainees have raised concerns about medical care and living conditions. As debates over detention centers continue in Michigan, a similar controversy unfolds in New Jersey, where protests, hunger strikes, and allegations of neglect have placed another privately operated ICE facility under national scrutiny. Plus, Southwest Detroit native Esther Guerrero prepares to graduate from the University of Michigan with a focus on health equity and communications, turning her experiences growing up near industrial pollution into a career in public health. We also cover free technology training opportunities for Detroit residents, updates on soil testing at demolition sites, and the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The stories featured in this episode are published throughout the week at ELCENTRALmedia.com [https://elcentralmedia.com]. 🎧 New episodes every Thursday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Michael D. Gutierrez

Corktown Adds 188 Housing Units; Detroit Food Truck Rules Under Review; Sheffield Frames Poverty as Economic Strategy

In this week’s edition of EL PULSO, Alliance Catholic Credit Union breaks ground on a new Southwest Detroit branch that will offer Spanish-language services, ITIN lending, financial literacy classes, and expanded community space. We also report on nearly 200 new mixed-income housing units planned for Corktown as city leaders work to balance growth with affordability in one of Detroit’s fastest-changing neighborhoods. Mayor Mary Sheffield outlines her vision for poverty reduction as an economic development strategy, while Detroit officials consider a new ordinance that could reshape how food trucks operate across the city. Plus, the Skillman Foundation names ten recipients of its 2026 Visionary Awards, recognizing leaders working to strengthen public education across Detroit and Michigan. And Detroit artist Juan Martinez transforms steel into monarch butterflies, creating public art inspired by migration, belonging, and the stories of immigrant communities in Southwest Detroit. We also highlight artist Julianna Sanromán Rojas’ latest recognition at Detroit Artists Market and provide an important deadline for Wayne County property owners who may be eligible to claim foreclosure auction proceeds. The stories featured in this episode are published throughout the week at ELCENTRALmedia.com [https://ELCENTRALmedia.com]. 🎧 New episodes every Thursday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.