It’s Election Day, and voters in Detroit will have a new mayor and city council members.

Dearborn voters decide whether to keep Mayor Abdullah Hammoud or elect Nagi Almudhegi, and whether to change how city council members are elected.

Hamtramck will have a new mayor. The city’s former Mayor Amer Ghalib was nominated by President Trump to be Ambassador to Kuwait. Pontiac voters choose between Kermit Williams, Mike McGuinness and a couple of write-in candidates to lead their city.

Some cities also vote to fund schools, parks and public safety.

People lined up in the rain at a food pantry in Pontiac Monday as SNAP benefits were set to run out.

Forced by a court order, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released some money for the federal food assistance program. Full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is unavailable due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Speaking at Lighthouse, a non-profit food pantry in Pontiac, Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters says he doesn't understand why Republicans are willing to have people starve as a part a negotiation tactic. "Why there's suddenly this turn to now cut these funds off and make people hungry? I think is outrageous, and the American public needs to speak out about that."

In the new budget to fund the federal government, Republican leadership—and President Trump—want to make more cuts to social safety net programs and governmental agencies. Democrats have refused to sign off on a compromise bill that doesn't include a continuation of tax breaks for people on Medicaid.

Health care advocates worry that rising Affordable Care Act insurance rates may put the health of tens of thousands of Michigan residents at risk. More than a half million people in the state get their coverage through the ACA marketplace. But rates for next year are jumping by double digit percentages.

Doctor Aisha Harris practices family medicine in Flint. She fears many of her patients will drop their coverage because they can't afford it. "I know what America's health status is and it's not as healthy as people think. And so this is going to be detrimental to like how we're thriving as a country because now people can't take care of themselves."

Democrats want Congress to restore the tax credit that reduced prices in the ACA system as part of a deal to reopen the federal government. Republicans say they are willing to negotiate, but only after Democrats vote to end the shutdown.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging people to get their COVID shots this fall.

COVID-19 shots are recommended for all infants 6–23 months, and kids ages 2–18 years old, all pregnant women, and adults between 18 and 50—especially for those with any risk factors, including those who have never been vaccinated before.

COVID-19 vaccines are available at local health departments for free of charge to Michigan residents.

Together We Eat will offer soups made from local ingredients to the community on Fridays throughout November.

The event is presented by the East Warren Development Corp in response to SNAP benefit cuts. Soup, bread and water will be provided from 4-6 p.m. at the East Warren Kitchen at16835 E Warren Ave.

The head of the FBI says agents thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested several people in Michigan this morning. Bureau Director Kash Patel said attacks were planned for this weekend but offered no other details in an early morning post on X.

Dearborn Police confirmed on Facebook that federal agents conducted operations in the city this morning, but said there’s no threat to the community. Agents from the FBI and the ATF reportedly entered homes in two Dearborn locations, with Michigan State Police also on the scene.

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey is urging residents to get out and vote in next week’s municipal election. At a news conference Thursday, Winfrey said 519,000 Detroiters are registered to vote — but she expects less than 25 percent to actually cast a ballot.

“It’s a sad state of affairs. It’s sad. But unfortunately it’s not just happening in Detroit. The low voter turnout is happening all over our country.”

Early voting began last Saturday and runs through Sunday at 5 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Detroit Fire Department has completed another round of its Fire Investigation Course, which provides hands-on training in fire investigation. The nationally recognized course gives students field experience in Detroit neighborhoods and helps participants master the science and skill of determining how and why fires start.

The course is taught by current and former members of the department and is structured for two weeklong sessions that can be taken separately or together. The training hours count toward national certification requirements for fire investigators. It’s offered twice a year.

NFL: The Detroit Lions take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 2, at 1 p.m. The Lions will be without All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph, who is recovering from a knee injury. Detroit is currently second in the NFC North behind the Packers.

NBA: On Saturday, the Pistons (3–2) face the Dallas Mavericks (2–3). Mavericks power forward Anthony Davis continues to deal with an Achilles injury and is expected to miss the game, according to reports. Tipoff is at 10 p.m. EST at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.

NHL: The Red Wings lead the Atlantic Division with an 11–8 record and hope to maintain their position as they face the Anaheim Ducks tonight at 10 p.m. EST at the Honda Center.

Halloween in the D takes place tonight, with family-friendly activities happening at police precincts, recreation centers, and fire stations across the city. For more information on locations, visit detroitmi.gov.

The Detroit Institute of Arts is hosting the 13th Annual “Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos” exhibition. The annual showcase highlights Mexican traditions of the Day of

General Motors says it's laying off more than a thousand workers at its Detroit-Hamtramck electric vehicle plant due to weak demand.

The Detroit News reports GM is cutting production at Factory Zero to a single shift. It's also cutting hundreds of jobs at EV battery plants in Ohio and Tennessee.

The layoffs follow the expiration of federal tax credits for EV buyers and pressure from the Trump administration to build more gasoline-powered cars and trucks.

• The city of Detroit has agreed to pay nearly $6 million to settle a lawsuit over the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a bus. It was the second fatality involving the same driver since 2015. - Reporting by AP
• DTE Energy is reporting net profits of $419 million in the third quarter of this year.  The earnings, not including non-recurring costs, hit $2.25 per share.  That beat Wall Street analysts’ expectations.  The company says it has invested $3 billion this year to improve electric and natural gas infrastructure.
• A state House bill would let local governments ask voters to approve taxes on short-term rentals. The Michigan Association of Realtors says it wants lawmakers to include limits on local regulations meant to shut out short term rentals.
• Detroit City Council approved several honorary street signs for local leaders and influencers, including Imam Abdullah El-Amin. El-Amin was a prominent faith leader in Detroit and co-founder of the Muslim Center of Detroit. Among other recipients are Reverend JoAnn Watson, Mudgie’s Deli founder Gregory Mudge, and Viola Liuzzo.

There are just a few days left until Detroit’s municipal elections take place. Early voting began last Saturday.

The two candidates for mayor, City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch, are scheduled to take part in a forum Thursday at the Detroit Economic Club. That’s expected to be their last meeting before next week’s election. Each candidate will take the stage alone to answer a series of questions about their vision for the city.

This event is not a debate.

• Food banks and pantries are preparing for a surge in demand if federal food aid is paused this weekend from the government shutdown. The outlets were already struggling after federal program cuts this year. Now, SNAP benefits are set to pause Nov. 1. It’s the latest in a string of hardships placed on charitable food services. Food banks and pantries across the country are concerned about meeting the growing need left in the wake of that pause.
• President Trump nominated Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib as ambassador to Kuwait earlier this year, but the discovery of social media posts criticizing Israel have pushed some Republican Senators to say they will not back his nomination in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Ghalib says he will not withdraw his name from consideration for the position.
• City officials gathered on Detroit’s east side Wednesday to break ground on a new housing development. The project, called “The Arthur Murray”, will renovate a historic building in the East Warren-Cadieux area. The long vacant building will be turned into affordable housing and commercial space, including 32 apartments.
• Detroiters are continuing to get a break at the gas pump. Analysts say the annual switch to winter blends of gasoline is helping to lower prices, as is reduced demand for gas as we approach the colder weather months.
• ESPN is reporting that the Detroit Lions have agreed to a huge contract extension with defensive end Aiden Hutchinson. He’s considered one of the best pass rushers in the league.

Syrians in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status may no longer be able to live and work in the U.S. as soon as next month.

The Department of Homeland Security says since the civil war in Syria ended last year, people who sought TPS status here no longer face life-threatening danger if they return.

Jad Salamey, civil rights and immigration attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Michigan chapter, says "Current administration and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem determined that the conditions for TPS no longer exist in Syria, and that essentially, it's safe enough and there's no serious threat for Syrians to be kept away from returning to Syria." Salamey says the change in status will affect about 6,000 Syrians.

Michigan is home to about 15,000 Syrian Americans.

He says Syrian TPS holders must apply for a different immigration status or prepare to self-deport by November 21. "The Trump administration has offered Syrians, who leave voluntarily, a free airline ticket and $1,000 departure bonus, if that is what they want to do. But if not they want to stay here, maybe they have family connections. I strongly recommend getting legal assistance as soon as possible."

Salamey says CAIR Michigan is getting calls from people about TPS and other immigration assistance.

• Construction on the first of five solar neighborhoods has officially begun. It started on approximately 42 acres of blighted land in the Van Dyke/ Lynch area on Monday. Two years ago, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced the plan to convert 165 acres of vacant and blighted land into solar farms to offset the electricity used at 127 municipal buildings. Duggan says demand for energy continues to rise and the solar project will help mitigate those demands.
• A film screening on Wayne State’s campus next week supports ski programs for students at Detroit’s University Prep and Hamtramck High School. Sno-City is a film by Warren Miller and will be screened at Wayne’s Community Arts Auditorium Saturday November 7. The event is sponsored by SOS Outreach and Crystal Community Ski Club. Money raised will go toward a 3-day ski trip for students at Crystal Mountain in March. For more information and for tickets, go here.
• The Henry Ford will host journalist and Cherokee Nation citizen Rebecca Nagle for a discussion on representation and erasure of indigenous people in the news and other media. “We’re Still Here: Fighting Indigenous Erasure in the Media” is Saturday November 8 at 1 p.m. in the Anderson Theater. For more information and tickets go to thehenryford.org/current-events.

Dearborn's Department of Public Health published a report on its Air Quality Project. Health Director Ali Abazeed says over a million air quality measurements were recorded in 2024.

“And that data confirms what residents have long known, that pollution burdens are evenly distributed across the city, and we're using that data. We're using that insight as we have to help hold polluters accountable, to guide smarter and fair policies for our residents.”

Abazeed says there were about 22-23 days in 2024 that air quality reached levels of unhealthy for sensitive groups, with spikes near traffic corridors or industrial zones.

The report also found 200 people subscribed and received over 41 thousand text alerts about air quality.

Abazeed says the department is expanding to have 11 monitors and adding sensors for ozone. Signs for the monitors are listed in English and Arabic for residents.

Read the report at Dearborn.gov/EnvironmentalHealth.

• A Bangladesh Consulate office is set to open in Detroit. The Advisory Council in Bangladesh approved the proposal last week.
• TechTown Detroit is hosting the Detroit Elevate Showcase Nov. 14*. It’s a business showcase being held at the Eastern Market for second stage businesses who are beyond the startup phase. The program supports businesses from Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. Learn more at detroitelevate.org. 
• The Global Detroit Celebration of 15 Years takes place on November 13 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jam Handy in Detroit. Tickets are $135 and up. The event will highlight Changemakers.
• La Jalisciense Supermercado y Taqueria is hosting a 2-day vendor market to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Mexicantown this weekend.The third annual celebration will include a community altar or ofrenda. Community members are invited to bring photos flowers and family keepsakes to add to the ofrenda. The market features local vendors selling handcrafted jewelry art and food. The La Jalisciense restaurant will be serving traditional Mexican dishes and drinks throughout the weekend for the occasion. The market will be open Saturday, November 1 from 2-9 p.m., and Sunday, November 2, from 2-6 p.m. Admission is free.

*Editor's Note: This description was updated 10/27/2025 at 8:55 p.m. to reflect the postponement of the Detroit Elevate Showcase. It is not being held this Wednesday, but November 14.

If there is something happening in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org.

The Detroit Youth Assembly is next month. The City is inviting young people from across Detroit to connect with city leadership, share their voices, and take action on the issues that are important to them.

The Detroit Youth Assembly will be on Thursday, November 6, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Northwest Activity Center Theater.

Get your tickets online.

Detroit’s newest park opens this weekend. The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park sits along the west riverfront between downtown and the Ambassador Bridge. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy broke ground on the 22-acre project three years ago.
The park features playgrounds, a water garden, and two indoor basketball courts.
Tomorrow’s grand opening is part of this year’s Detroit Harvest Fest.

Lawyers for hundreds of inmates at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility say they’ll appeal a judge’s dismissal of their lawsuit.
The women sued the prison after corrections officers recorded strip searches with body cameras.
The judge ruled Michigan law only allows inmate lawsuits that allege physical harm.

But attorney Todd Flood says the recordings did cause harm, including flashbacks, insomnia, and panic attacks.

“It’s unconscionable to me. At least 80% of the women who are incarcerated have been subject to domestic violence, sexual assault, or some sort of battery,” Flood said.

The Michigan Department of Corrections stopped most strip-search recordings in March. The department agreed with the judge who threw out the lawsuit.

Rivalry returns: Michigan vs. Michigan State

Tomorrow is the big game that divides our great state — the Michigan Wolverines face off against the Michigan State Spartans.
The Wolverines’ record is 5–2 and the Spartans’ record is 3–4.

The head-to-head matchup takes place at Spartan Stadium and will be covered by NBC. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.

The NBA is back and the Detroit Pistons play tonight against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.

They lost their opening game to the Chicago Bulls but hope to bounce back this weekend. Tipoff for tonight’s game is at 8 p.m. EST.

Then, Cade Cunningham and the crew return home to play the Boston Celtics on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit’s Love Peace and Light Foundation is hosting Youth Empowerment Day on November 8.

The group is collecting hygiene products, canned goods, and winter clothing for youth and families. They’re also collecting monetary donations to reach a goal of $5,000.

Get your tickets online.

The event will be held November 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Coleman A. Young Recreation Center.