President Trump is continuing to push lies about the 2020 presidential election in Detroit.

During an executive order signing to end the government shutdown, Trump told reporters he thinks Republicans should take election rights away from some states that the president did not win in 2020. He used three prominent swing states as examples.

"Take a look at Detroit... take a look at Pennsylvania... take a look at Philadelphia. You go take a look at Atlanta. Look at some of the places that... horrible corruption on elections."

Prominent Republican strategist and Trump-ally Steve Bannon has said ICE agents would be sent to polling places in this year's midterm elections.

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey says any attempt to take over voting would be partisan politics at its worst. Winfrey says the results were fair and transparent then and subsequent elections have been, too. The U.S. Constitution says states decide how to conduct elections. Congress can enact some regulations, but the president has no control over elections.

The Coalition of Property Tax Justice says Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield’s recent executive order is too vague and does not do enough to stop over assessments in the city. 

Sheffield signed an order last week aimed at improving transparency in the city’s assessment process and requiring the office to meet national standards.  

Professor Bernadette Athutahene says the order does not specify how to conduct an assessment ratio study, which is required by the property tax reform ordinance. 

"We thought that the executive order would say, you know, to do a mass appraisal report, and those two things are different. The mass appraisal report, you can't apply Iao standards to a mass appraisal report."

The coalition did praise Sheffield for requiring the office follow the ratio standards of the International Association of Assessing Officers.  The coalition published a revised version of the executive order with more parameter specifics for a property assessment. 

A 500 bed ICE detention facility has been proposed for Romulus, but officials say it’s not set in stone. Romulus was among 23 locations nationwide identified in a recent Bloomberg report detailing the Trump administration's plan to buy warehouses and convert them into ICE detention centers.

The Washington Post reported in December that a warehouse in Highland Park was being looked at as a potential location. The Mayor of Highland Park has recently said the city was not interested at all and the city lacks the space for such a plan.

Detroiters who use I-94 to get to and from Metro Airport are about to experience some delays. The Michigan Department of Transportation is starting a three-year construction project this week.

Thirteen miles of the freeway from Dearborn to Romulus will undergo major renovations, including concrete work, bridge work, and the rebuilding of the Ecorse Road interchange. I-94 will be reduced to two lanes in each direction during construction. Officials say drivers will continue to have access to Metro Airport from I-94.

The next time you go to Metro Airport, you might notice some differences. The Detroit Free Press reports the airport has installed 9,000-pound concrete barriers in front of the McNamara terminal entrance.

The change was prompted by an incident last month in which a man drove his car through the front door at the departure level of the McNamara terminal and into a ticket counter. No one was hurt. Officials say the crash was not an accident.

Several of Michigan’s candidates for governor will gather in Detroit on Friday to discuss education. The Michigan Education Association is hosting a forum on the subject, saying it gives state residents a chance to hear from candidates on the issue.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, former Attorney General Mike Cox, former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson are scheduled to appear. The forum runs from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Friday at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce will hold a tribute to Ismael Ahmed on Sunday. The community activist and civil rights leader died last weekend.

Ahmed had a major impact on metro Detroit, co-founding the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services. He also played a crucial role in the creation of the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.

The Celebration of Life in Honor of Ismael Ahmed takes place Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Ford Performing and Community Arts Center in Dearborn. The event is free and open to the public.

The Detroit Pistons have traded guard Jaden Ivey in a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ivey goes to Chicago. The Pistons receive Kevin Huerter, Dario Šarić, and a first-round pick swap with the Timberwolves. Minnesota receives luxury tax relief.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is warning gamblers to protect themselves in the days leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. The agency says residents should only place bets with state-authorized sportsbook operators and online platforms.

Officials warn that unlicensed gaming can lead to identity theft or the loss of wagering money. The Gaming Control Board is also urging Michiganders to bet responsibly.

The American Gaming Association estimates more than $1.7 billion will be wagered on the Super Bowl. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Dearborn will soon use drones to serve as the very first responders in a variety of incidents where police assistance is requested. The Drones as First Responder program is the first in Michigan. It will deploy aerial drones to any part of the city within 5 minutes to provide real-time video information about situations including traffic accidents, vehicle and property break-ins and violent crimes.

The city says the footage will allow officers to respond more safely to emergencies and complex situations and improve decision-making. They say officers will be able to better assess situations before they arrive on scene.

The police department says it will make flight data available to the public on a transparency dashboard.

The search continues to find a superintendent for Dearborn Public Schools. Former superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko, stepped down from his position to serve as the State Superintendent. Lamis Srour is serving as the interim super until the position is filled.

The district is collecting public input about the search until Feb. 16. People can fill out an online survey available in English, Arabic and Spanish. The Michigan Leadership Institute will also host stakeholder meetings Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The district hopes to have a new leader ready to start on July 1, 2026. 

The Environmental Protection Agency is removing hazardous materials from a former industrial chemical plant in Detroit.

The EMCO facility on Lawton Street closed in 2023. Nine months later, someone vandalized the property and set a car on fire, which spread to a storage site containing more than 400 drums of chemicals. The Detroit Fire Department put the flames out before the drums could ignite.

The EPA says it should finish cleaning up the site this summer.

Adam Hollier announced he is no longer running for Secretary of State. Instead he will run for the state senate seat for District 3. District 3 includes Hamtramck, Highland Park and the east side of Detroit. Stephanie Chang currently represents the district. Hollier served in the state senate representing District 2 from 2018-2023.

A new musical performance honoring the legacy of Malcolm X, the history of jazz, and Detroit is coming to Wayne State University. Detroit Red has a 10-piece multidisciplinary ensemble composed of artists LuFuki and Destiny Muhammad. The program will include panel discussions, workshops, and performances.

Detroit Red will be held Feb. 8th at the Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University.  Malcolm X gave his last speech at the university’s State Hall on February 14th in 1965. The program is hosted by DREAM of Detroit and is free to the public. To reserve your spot, visit detroitred.org.

Ethiopian food pop-up Konjo Me has found a home at the Detroit Shipping Company. The space is currently under construction, but owner Helina Melaku says it will open soon, offering fresh Ethiopian food, coffee and culture to diners in Midtown.

Arab American activist and civil rights leader Ismael Ahmed has died. He was 78 years old.

Ahmed co-founded the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services in 1971. He was instrumental in the creation of the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn. Ahmed later worked in the Granholm administration as head of the Michigan Department of Human Services, leading one of the state’s largest agencies.

Throughout his life, Ahmed, known to many as Ish, believed strongly in the importance of fighting poverty. In a 2008 video message to DHS staff, he said:

“The question of poverty is the most important question of our time. I think we have lost the battle around that question. Many people have forgotten the importance and the powerful way poverty affects our lives.”

Ahmed founded the annual Concert of Colors series in 1993. For many years, he also hosted the programs Radio Free Earth and This Island Earth on WDET.

Reported by Jerome Vaughn.

The City of Hamtramck has elevated lead levels in its drinking water. The city posted a public notice on Facebook on January 22.

Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant people and children. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy evaluates lead levels in the city for compliance. Hamtramck’s lead levels exceed the action level of 12 parts per billion. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. The designation means that 10 percent of homes tested had high lead levels.

The notice says ongoing testing occurs every six months and that service lines may be replaced.

People with faucets installed before 2014 are at higher risk. Boiling water does not remove lead. The city recommends running cold water for up to five minutes before use and having children tested for lead in their blood.

Hamtramck participates in the state health department’s Faucet and Filter Safety Net Program. Residents may be eligible for a water filter if they have lead plumbing or faucets installed before 2014. Eligible households must include Medicaid recipients who are pregnant or children. For assistance, call 844-934-1315.

https://hamtramckcity.gov/elevated-lead-levels-in-some-homes-in-hamtramck/

The City of Dearborn reports fewer overdose deaths for the second year in a row, with a 36 percent decrease in 2025.

The Dearborn Department of Public Health was created in April 2022. The department installed free Narcan vending machines throughout the city to help reduce overdose deaths. It also works to raise awareness about substance use disorder and reduce the stigma around seeking help.

Narcan is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Free Narcan is available at vending machines located at the John D. Dingell Transit Center, the East Parking Deck at West Village Drive, the Wagner Parking Deck, and the Islamic Center of Detroit.

More information is available at Dearborn.gov/PublicHealth.

During his State of the Schools address, Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said immigration concerns are contributing to lower student attendance. While there have been no reports of immigration agents entering Detroit school buildings, some families remain afraid to send their children to school.

Attendance declines began in January 2025, around the start of the Trump administration, and have continued into this year. Last year, 61 percent of Detroit students were considered chronically absent, meaning they missed more than 10 percent of the school year. Vitti said immigration concerns played a role in those numbers.

The district recently released an informational pamphlet for families who may have concerns about immigration status, offering guidance and connections to resources.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that no charges will be filed against a Detroit mother whose two children died last year in a parking garage.

An autopsy determined the children died from carbon monoxide poisoning rather than hypothermia. The mother, who was experiencing homelessness at the time, had sought shelter in December 2023, but records indicate a city shelter was unable to reach her.

In response to recent dangerously cold temperatures, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is urging residents to seek shelter if needed. The city reports approximately 1,700 shelter beds are available for families. Sheffield emphasized that no Detroiter should be without access to warmth during extreme cold.

NBA: The Detroit Pistons lost to the Phoenix Suns 114–96. The team remains on the West Coast and will face the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern.

NHL: The Detroit Red Wings fell to the Washington Capitals 4–3. The Red Wings are second in the Atlantic Division and will take on the Colorado Avalanche tomorrow, Saturday, January 31, at 1 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.

Chandler Park Academy basketball player Jeremiah Jackson has become the first high school athlete in Michigan to sign a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association recently expanded its rules to allow high school athletes to earn money through endorsements, social media promotions, and related opportunities. Jackson’s NIL deal is with Flamz Pizzeria, a restaurant located on East Warren Avenue in Detroit.

Virtual event on the American Revolution
The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit is hosting a free virtual discussion on Monday examining the American story 250 years after the American Revolution.

The event will be led by Bob Brutell, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies and History at the University of Detroit Mercy, and Dr. Kyle Roberts, Executive Director of the Congregational Library and Archives.
“Remembering the Unfinished American Revolution” takes place Monday, February 2, at 1 p.m. Registration details are available online.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Epic Film Scores
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra presents a concert featuring iconic film music, conducted by Steve Reineke. The program highlights legendary composers and scores from films including Psycho, The Godfather, Gladiator, Star Trek, and Star Wars.
Performances:

• Friday, January 30 at 8 p.m.

• Saturday, January 31 at 8 p.m.

• Sunday, February 1 at 3 p.m.
  More info: dso.org

The Saunderson Brothers at Big Pink
Big Pink hosts a House and Techno night featuring The Saunderson Brothers. Organizers promise a high-energy set packed with crowd favorites.
The event runs tonight from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
More info: bigpinklovesyou.com

Detroit City Council Member Mary Waters is proposing an ordinance that would limit the ability of law enforcement to cover their faces while they’re on the job. The proposed ordinance states that no local, state, or federal law enforcement agency would be permitted to wear masks or any other facial covering while performing their duties in the City of Detroit.

Member Waters said in a statement the she will not have a city where a masked mob can enforce the law with impunity. The ordinance would be named the "Alex Pretti Detroit No Masks" ordinance in honor of the Minnesota man who was killed by ICE agents last week. Council is expect to refer the proposal to committee in the next coming weeks.

-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley

If you noticed that there is less salt on the ground following the wintery mix we received the past few weeks, you’re not wrong. The above average snowfall is causing a lot of local governments to use more salt than they have in years.

But because the temperatures are too low for the salt to work, they are rationing salt to the most critical routes. Salt becomes less effective in temperatures below 15 degrees according to University of Michigan Climate experts. And in extreme cold temperatures some trucks switch from salt to sand because it provides more traction without relying on melting.

Some areas are alerting that the snow may not be plowed right away because removing the snow can create icy conditions and decrease the traction provided by fresh snowfall. Cities like Lansing issued a notice to residents that they will only focus on critical areas.

And for those tired of the cold, warmer days are ahead after this weekend. The extreme cold is expected to last through Jan. 30 but according to the National Weather Service warmer air will move in for the weekend.

What does the warmer air mean? The temperatures across the state will rise into the low 20s. It will be 28 in Detroit and 26 in Lansing on Tuesday. It may not seem like a lot but I promise Spring is coming…eventually.

And starting today til Feb. 21, the Detroit Artists Market is hosting their new viewing of the Process + Perception Exhibition. It’s a group exhibition of 2D and 3D process-driven artworks that’s created through layered materials and imagery. Organizers say the viewing will range from quiet and contemplative to intense and overwhelming.

Detroiters are dealing the many effects of frigid weather. One of them is frozen infrastructure. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department says there are more than 50 active water main breaks across the city. The results can include impassable streets, thick ice, and cars on the street frozen in place.

City officials say there are also 275 fire hydrants that are out of service.

DWSD Director Gary Brown spoke with WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley about the impact of the freezing weather.

He says the department is getting many calls from residents dealing with frozen pipes inside homes. Brown advises them to keep the house heated and insulate pipes on outside walls to keep pipes from bursting and damaging homes.

Wayne State locked down

Wayne State University was locked down for a couple of hours last night after a shooting in one of its residence halls. Police say a fight between people who knew one another took place at the Chatsworth Suites, near the Student Center. Shots were fired.

Police were dispatched, but the people involved had already left the building Students were advised to shelter in place as officers searched for the suspects. A firearm was recovered. Police determined there was no further threat to the campus community and the all-clear was given to around midnight.

No arrests have been made yet.

Perry Johnson joins governor’s race

Michigan businessman Perry Johnson says he’s running to become Michigan’s next governor. The Republican announced his bid in a video earlier this week.

“I know people say it can’t be done. Nonsense. We can make Michigan great again. I’m Perry Johnson and I’m running for governor of the state of Michigan.”

Johnson ran for governor in 2022, but his campaign did not collect enough valid signatures and failed to make the ballot. He also ran for president in 2024.

Johnson joins the race for the Republican nomination with more than half a dozen other candidates. The primary election takes place in August.

Jared Goff going to Pro Bowl

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is going to the NFL Pro Bowl. He will take the place of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who will be busy preparing to lead that team in the Super Bowl. Goff finished the season with more than 45-hundred passing yards – second best in the league.

The Lions failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced a new protocol that will increase oversight for property managers in the city – especially for senior housing.

The four point plan mandates increased inspections and communication between the city and property managers, and new citations and fines up to $2000 for violations.

Sheffield says they are also launching a senior advocate program.

"You can expect to see a senior advocate in your building at least twice a month. Those senior advocates will be connecting you with information and resources, whether it's quality of life issues or even access to recreational activities as well." Sheffield says the senior advocate will also create a tenant council in every senior housing development.

She says the new protocol will also double the number of elevator inspections at properties in the city.

-Reporting by Bre'Anna Tinsley

Following the killing of another American by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis, Mayor Sheffield says Detroit residents should feel safe and respected in the city. Sheffield says she is always looking for ways to improve safety, but that so far what they have been doing has been working. "We have done a great job of ensuring that we are not a target or on the radar in the city of Detroit, and we will continue down that path."

Sheffield says she is planning to meet with City Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero, who has been very vocal about ICE enforcement tactics in the city. Sheffield posted a statement on social media saying the city "stands with the people of Minnesota as they exercise their First Amendment rights..." She did not condemn the violent actions of ICE agents.

-Reporting by Bre'Anna Tinsley

The City of Detroit and its nonprofit partners will keep overnight warming shelters open for the rest of the week. The National Weather Service is forecasting nighttime temperatures below zero Thursday and Friday. The mayor's office is working with the Neighborhood Service Organization, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, and the Pope Francis Center to help families and single adults escape the cold.

Residents can also call the city's Housing Resource Helpline between 8am and 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon on weekends. That number is 866-313-2520.

-Reporting by Pat Batcheller

The owners of the Detroit Free Press plan to buy the Detroit News. USA Today's announcement comes less than a month after the newspapers ended their 36-year-old joint operating agreement. The company formerly known as Gannett says it expects to close the deal this week, adding that both papers will continue to publish separately.

The Detroit News recently said it would print its own Sunday edition for the first time since the joint operating agreement began. It's not clear how the sale will affect that plan.

-Reporting by Pat Batcheller