EGLE issues air quality alert

EGLE issues air quality alert

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an air quality alert for the state of Michigan. That’s due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.   The air quality can harm those who are unhealthy or sensitive groups… potentially reaching the unhealthy range. EGLE has published a page for resources [https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/air-quality/air-monitoring/wildfire-smoke] on how to respond to wildfire smoke.  The state’s health department advises people to limit outdoor activity by monitoring the air quality in their area. They also recommend sheltering indoors with air conditioning — and to find a shelter if it’s too hot at home. People can call 211 to find a local shelter.   Visit michigan.gov/egle [http://michigan.gov/egle] for more information.   Invest in MI Taxes   Some Michigan lawmakers are backing a joint resolution to have voters decide whether the state’s highest earners should pay more in taxes. The proposal seeks to change an extra 5% tax on annual income above half a million dollars for single filers or a million dollars for joint filers. The extra revenue would go toward health, housing and education. Democratic State Senator Stephanie Chang says the money could come in handy as economists predict tough years ahead for the state budget.  “I think its important that as lawsmakers we keep talking about those priorities and also talk about how if we make the wealthy pay their fair share, we can create another revenue source that can help generate over a billion dollars.”   Republicans and business groups claim the plan increases taxes for small businesses — organizers say that’s not true. It would take supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature to get the measure on the ballot.   -Reporting by Colin Jackson [https://www.michiganpublic.org/people/colin-jackson] DTE outage response Days after severe storms interrupted service for thousands of DTE Energy customers, the head of the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) says the company’s response could have been better.   Commission Chairman Dan Scripps says DTE’s own restoration estimates fed into people’s frustrations.   “There were a number of problems with the restoration estimates. They were off… and sometimes significantly. And not just the level of communication that you’d expect from a utility to its customers.”   Scripps spoke with WDET’s Robyn Vincent on The Metro. He says MPSC received higher-than-normal public complaints after the storms.   DTE’s chief executive apologized to customers last week, saying the company will review its response and try to do better.   DTE Energy is a financial supporter of WDET.   -Reporting by Pat Batcheller [http://wdet.org/author/pbatcheller] Chinatown Block Party  The Detroit Chinatown Vision Committee is hosting its second annual block party in Detroit [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/second-annual-chinatown-block-party-tickets-1986461596108?aff=oddtdtcreator] on Cass and Peterboro Streets. The event corresponds with the 2023 demolition of the former Chinese Merchants Association Building, which also housed several Chinese organizations. Community members opposed the demolition of Detroit’s Historic Chinatown.   Lisa Yee-Litzenberg is a volunteer member of the committee. She says the block party and commemoration is an effort to create a safe space, a Pan-Asian district in Detroit.  “This is an opportunity for people to celebrate and feel pride about their culture and their history, but also for people from all walks of life to come and learn about the culture, the history of different Asian groups in the Detroit metro area, so that's a big.”   Yee-Litzenberg says her father Henry Yee was the former unofficial mayor of Detroit's Chinatown in the 1960s and 1970s.   Last year, Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang announced one million dollars in funding to create a streetscape in the Chinatown district [https://www.detroitpbs.org/news-media/one-detroit/detroits-chinatown-gets-1-million-for-streetscape-renovation/] to recognize the contributions of Asian Americans.  The free Detroit Chinatown Block Party takes place Saturday, July 25, from noon to 8 p.m. The event will feature historical exhibitions, performances and food from over 50 vendors. There will also be free film screenings [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/detroit-chinatown-block-party-2026-asian-american-film-showcase-tickets-1992222080873?aff=oddtdtcreator] at the Masonic Temple featuring the movies “Bad Axe” and “Warren King: King of Cardboard.”

Alcohol, cannabis ads may soon be banned from being near religious buildings

Houses of worship may soon be added to the list of sensitive locations where certain advertisements are not allowed within a 1000-foot radius.  Councilmember Scott Benson says posting ads for things like alcohol and cannabis near a house of worship is inconsiderate. "You have your church, and then 30 feet from your church is a probably a 40 by 20 sign advertising King of Bud, just a level of disrespect and a level of just insensitivity to what we have here."  The Public Health and Safety Committee approved the changes to the amendment today. City council will choose whether to enact the changes at the next formal session.  -Reporting by Bre'Anna Tinsley [http://wdet.org/authors/btinsley] ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FOR TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2026 GORDIE HOWE TOLL DEAL We're learning more about the deal to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge on July 27. CBC News and other media report 50% of toll profits over the bridge's first 15 years of operation will go into a U.S. development fund. President Trump had said he would not let the bridge open unless Canada agreed to share toll revenue. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told CBC's Power and Politics while the deal may look like a win for Trump, the U.S. won't get much out of it. He said it could take longer than 15 years for Canada to recoup the cost of building the bridge before it would share revenue with Michigan.  Canada spent almost $6.5 billion to build the bridge. The U.S. paid nothing.  -Reporting by Pat Batcheller [http://wdet.org/author/pbatcheller] FREEDOM TOUR DETROIT High school students are invited to apply for the Freedom Tour Detroit 2026. The four-day program explores advocacy, civil rights, justice and Detroit history. The Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, the City of Detroit’s Office of Veterans Affairs, Wayne State University and the American Civil Liberties Union are working together to offer in-person seminars and guided field trips between July 30 and August 2. Applications [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFbLYJNLRUnkLAYpLTUEiVevOhtvrML0XCsEKhNfnJe__1gQ/viewform]are due by Sunday, July 19. SUMMER GAMES AT THE MICHIGAN SCIENCE CENTER The Michigan Science Center’s After Dark series is back with “Summer Games” on July 24. This event offers those 21 and over a chance to explore science, sports and a little friendly competition. The Penske Planetarium will offer a one-night only show featuring the “Olympians of the Night Sky," Detroit City FC will be in the house with giveaways and photo ops, former Piston and President of the Motor City Cruise Durand “Speedy” Walker will speak, and adult games—including a 50-foot inflatable obstacle course, Warrior Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em and something called Hippo Chow Down. National Coney Island is bringing classic and veggie coneys and there will be signature cocktails from the Byrdie Bar. Michigan Science Center After Dark Summer Games is Friday July 24 from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $35 for members, $45 for non-members and $30 for designated drivers. Learn more at mi-sci.org [http://mi-sci.org].

Dana Nessel joins lawsuit to preserve school mental health grants

Several attorneys general filed  [https://agportal-s3bucket.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Federal%20Litigation/001_Complaint.pdf?VersionId=La8QsLoQQWSfFnSXgWZnjNbeXtOUyPBf]a new lawsuit [https://agportal-s3bucket.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Federal%20Litigation/001_Complaint.pdf?VersionId=La8QsLoQQWSfFnSXgWZnjNbeXtOUyPBf] to prevent the U.S. Department of Education from terminating school-based mental health grants. Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel has joined the lawsuit.   The projected cuts equal about $6 million in funding from Michigan schools and universities. Members of Congress allocated $1 billion to address school shootings. The grants are focused on bringing in 14,000 mental health professionals into low-income rural schools. Programs have provided services to over 775,000 students across the U.S.   Nessel’s office says in a statement that grantees were notified in April last year that their grants may be terminated for conflicting with the Trump administration's priorities or be targeted for perceived DEI initiatives.   A court order last year says the administration should not eliminate programming for mental health care in schools. The department said it would review grants at the 6-month mark and make further funding determinations. However, the department plans to terminate funding by this month, prompting the new lawsuit.   The attorneys general allege that termination of the grants violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution. Termination of the grants would also disrupt the pipeline to get more mental health professionals into the field and lay off those who are already working to address the concerns.  ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FROM MONDAY, JULY 13, 2026 DOJ SAYS IT WILL SEND POLL MONITORS TO DETROIT The Trump administration is questioning how Michigan conducts elections. That includes demanding lists of registered voters and threatening Michigan’s Secretary of State with criminal charges if any non-U.S. citizens cast a ballot. The U.S. Justice Department said it intends to send monitors to polls in Detroit, Lansing and East Lansing. All Democrat-led cities.  Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey says allegations that the city had long lines and a lack of ballots at polls are not true.  Winfrey says Detroit’s election system is transparent and above-board, and she welcomes legal poll monitors watching it in action.   “And transparency strengthens public confidence. So we don’t mind groups coming in to observe… as long as they don't get in the way of processing voters and the voting process.”  President Trump has often made baseless claims that Detroit’s elections were rigged against him despite investigations finding no evidence of any widespread voting fraud.  -Reporting by Quinn Klinefelter.  ONCOLOGY APP There’s a new app for oncology clinical trials. The Barbara Ann Karmonos Cancer Institute has launched a new version of the KCI Clinical Trials App, where clinicians and people can find out updated information about clinical trials for more informed care.   People can use the app to contact specialists for questions about trials and learn about opportunities or referrals. Karmanos offers clinical trials for various kinds of cancers including brain, gastrointestinal, and sarcoma. Visit karmanos.org/clinicaltrails [http://karmanos.org/clinicaltrails] to learn more.  RISING VOICES ART EXHIBITION The Asian American advocacy group Rising Voices is hosting an artist exhibition. It will display the art of Michigan Asian American artists Chelsea Koga, Maikue Vang, Navjeet Kaur and Julia Koza. There will also be performances and time for networking.   The “Revolution, Resistance and Joy,” exhibition opening night takes place July 17 from 6-9 p.m. at the Swords Into Plowshares Gallery in Detroit. The event is free with registration [http://bit.ly/RVArtistExhibition].   SAZON FESTIVAL There’s a Latin food festival coming to Detroit. Latin City is hosting this outdoor, family-friendly festival with food and music. The Sazon Latin Food Festival will showcase flavors from the Caribbean, Central and South America. Space is limited. The event takes place Sunday, July 26 at the Batch Brewing Company from 12-5 p.m. Registration is free but spots are limited [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sazon-latin-food-festival-2026-detroits-taste-of-latin-american-food-tickets-1981453295145?aff=ebdsoporgprofile].

Winfrey pushes back against Trump administration

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey is pushing back against the Trump administration's decision to send Justice Department operatives to monitor the August primary election. The DOJ says it will be watching the voting in Detroit, Lansing, and East Lansing, which are Democratic strongholds. Trump has falsely claimed that fraud in Detroit cost him the 2020 election. Justice officials say they're worried about compliance with election law and long lines at polling places. Winfrey says no such delays happened in 2024 because the state had adopted early voting. -Reporting by Pat Batcheller ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FOR THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026 GROWING CYCLOSPORIASIS CASES The state health department says an outbreak of a parasitic infection has grown to almost 1 thousand cases. Cyclosporiasis causes severe diarrhea and other symptoms. Investigators have not found the cause of the outbreak, but people usually get it by eating contaminated fresh produce. Health experts advise washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly and seeking medical attention if symptoms persist. They can last for weeks without treatment. MONEY FOR NEW MOTHERS Republican House Speaker Matt Hall says he doesn’t want a state program that pays new mothers to get the 20 million dollars it is expecting from the new state budget. R-X Kids gives women 15 hundred dollars during pregnancy and 500 dollars a month for the first six months of a newborn’s life. Studies show it has reduced infant mortality in Flint, where it began. Republican Speaker Matt Hall says more traditional social safety net programs with tougher eligibility requirements should get the money. "I'm hopeful that we'll have a WIC program, that our child protective services will be well funded, that the cash assistance program will be well funded." R-X kids serves all eligible mothers in designated coverage areas regardless of individual family need. Reporting by Michigan Public Radio Network's Colin Jackson RENTAL HOUSING GRIDLOCK Efforts to reform Detroit's rental housing remain stalled... and advocates blame the city's largest court for some of the gridlock. A lawsuit by the Detroit Tenants Union accuses 36th District Court's Chief Judge of failing his legal duty by allowing landlords without a certificate of compliance to continue collecting rent. Right now, only 14 percent of Detroit landlords are compliant with city safety inspections. Donovan McCarty represents the union. "If landlords can keep going in to collect rent that's not lawfully collected, then they have no incentive to actually come into compliance, and that I4 percent number will not grow to where we need it to be." The 36th District Court didn't reply to a request for comment. You can hear the full conversation at WDET.org [http://wdet.org/2026/07/08/the-metro-from-demand-letter-to-lawsuit-why-the-detroit-tenant-union-is-suing-a-local-court-to-protect-renters/]or on The Metro podcast. GROW DETROIT YOUNG TALENT City officials kicked off the 12th annual Grow Detroit's Young Talent [https://gdyt.org/] Summer Employment Program Wednesday. The program will provide over eight thousand summer jobs for kids in the city. It's Mary Sheffield's first year leading the effort as Mayor. Over 90 thousand positions have been extended to Detroit's young people since the program began in 2014.

Five year old shot in Detroit

Police say a 5-year-old boy was shot in the arm while riding his bicycle in front of his home in northwest Detroit. Investigators say a teenager fired several shots near Fargo-Oakfield Park when a stray bullet hit the boy. Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield says the young victim will recover. She called the shooting senseless gun violence and said children deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. She says anyone with information about the shooter should call the police or CrimeStoppers.  -Reporting by Pat Batcheller ADDITIONAL HEADLINES FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026 FEDERAL MONITORS IN DETROIT? The Justice Department plans to send election monitors to Detroit, Lansing and East Lansing for Michigan’s August primaries. Those are mostly Democratic cities. President Trump has falsely claimed that fraud in Detroit cost him the 2020 election. Phil Mayor is the deputy legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. He says the DOJ can, and has, used election monitors before. But he says Trump’s plan is troubling.   “Given this administration’s election denialism and many of the other ways the administration has sought to discourage voting or spread false narratives, we’re certainly concerned. We’ll be watching the conduct of DOJ’s monitors carefully to ensure that they comply with the law, that they don’t interact with or harass voters.” The chairman of the Michigan Republican Party—and a 2020 election denier—suggested this could be a trial run for placing federal agents at the polls in November.  Faith leaders in the state are calling on legislators to pass a Michigan Voting Rights Act to fight against discrimination and protect access at the polls.  -Reporting by Rick Pluta and Sascha Raiyn FAITH LEADER TRAINING A new training is available for people who’d like to be Poll Chaplains or Peacekeepers at polling locations.  Poll Chaplains are faith leaders who wear clerical attire at election sites and peacekeepers are religious community leaders. The training teaches both how to maintain peace and de-escalate potential conflict at polling locations to encourage voter participation.   Faiths United to Save Democracy is a nonpartisan, multifaith and multiracial voter protection campaign.   The training will be held on Zoom on Monday July 13 from 7-8:30 p.m. Additional training will be offered on September 28 and October 15. People will receive official credentials upon completion of training.   People can register at  [http://turnoutsunday.com/]turnoutsunday.com [http://turnoutsunday.com/].  FRESH FOOD TRUCK Wayne County has launched a food truck to increase access to affordable, healthy food options for residents. The Well Wayne Fresh Truck Mobile Market [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinks-1.govdelivery.com%2FCL0%2Fhttps%3A%252F%252Feasternmarket.org%252Ffood-access%252Fwell-wayne-fresh-trucks%252F%253Futm_medium%3Demail%2526utm_source%3Dgovdelivery%2F1%2F0100019f4209761d-829043ea-f247-4d1f-9504-d67a5cced86d-000000%2FSZHp60n6MNuferI6emfuxtPX-jAeQbQJUvxSLygFYiU%3D452&data=05%7C02%7CNargis.Rahman%40wdet.org%7Cb274c59ed2e34fe7849408dedcfb1db2%7Ce51cdec9811d471dbbe6dd3d8d54c28b%7C1%7C0%7C639191168265988024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cXxU2IGzEniws2Yowadvbpa0FbElSiNAqfnJXdHFNCQ%3D&reserved=0] is a “farmers market on wheels.”   It’s an effort to feed people who are facing food insecurity. That’s 1 in 5 people in the county.  The food truck is also a way to reduce barriers to accessing food due to limited transportation and food prices. The food truck is sponsored by a multi-million-dollar investment to address social determinants of health through community work. The mobile food truck accepts SNAP, EBT, Double Up Food Bucks, cash, and credit or debit cards. It will operate across several cities including in Highland Park, Hamtramck and Inkster. Routes will be updated quarterly and based on community feedback.     GROW TALENT PROGRAM STARTS Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield kicks off the city’s summer jobs program for young people today. Grow Detroit’s Young Talent provides paid positions for about 8,000 teens and young adults. This year the city is adding two weeks of training for each participant in which they’ll learn about professionalism, conflict resolution and other skills.   -Reporting by Pat Batcheller