The Detroit Evening Report – Détails, épisodes et analyse

The Motown Museum announced this week that it will pause tours of the Detroit institution for one year so that it can finish a multi-million dollar expansion project. 

The museum will temporarily stop public tours on Oct. 1. Other operations at the site — such as the retail store — will remain open, and Rocket Plaza will continue to hold performances and other activities. 

The final stage of the $75 million dollar project includes the construction of a new building and installation of exhibits. 

The museum — located at the site of the original Motown studios — opened in 1985. 

Other headlines for Wednesday, June 18, 2025:

• Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple is holding an event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday to prepare residents for jobs using artificial intelligence. The Juneteenth National Digital Opportunity Bible Study is part of an effort to train Black communities for the emerging uses of AI in the workforce.  The event will provide workshops on digital literacy and workforce tool kits, which include info on data privacy and cybersecurity.
• Another Republican has jumped into the race to become the next governor of Michigan. Former state legislator Tom Leonard announced his candidacy on Tuesday.  He served as Michigan’s Speaker of the House in 2017 and 2018.
• Gas prices in metro Detroit are expected to rise in the coming days, according to AAA Michigan. Right now, the average price of gas in the area is $3.26 per gallon — up from $3.15 last week. Prices are expected to rise because of the conflict in the Middle East.
• Detroiters face a risk of possible severe storms this afternoon and tonight.  The National Weather Service says a front moving into the area will mix with hot, humid air, creating the conditions for strong storms.  Forecasters have given Metro Detroit a slight risk of severe weather.
• The Detroit Tigers continue to set the pace for the rest of MLB with the best record in baseball, 47 wins and 27 losses, with a month to go until the All-Star Break. The Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park Tuesday night 7 to 3.  The two teams are scheduled to play again Wednesday night. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Davis Aerospace High School returns to airport campus with expanded aviation training

Davis Aerospace Technical High School is returning to its original home at the Coleman A. Young International Airport—a move that will once again give students access to the runway and hands-on aviation training.

The school, which offers free aviation courses including drone certification and pilot licensing, was relocated in 2013 while the city was under state management. Since then, students have been unable to obtain federal certification in aviation mechanics due to lack of airport access.

Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says the move is meant to correct a decision made under emergency management.

“We’ve gone about reforming the school district,” Vitti says. “Sometimes everyone’s quick to get rid of everything and say nothing worked in the past, and this was the complete opposite of that. This was about bringing something back that absolutely made sense and should have never been taken away from the district and the city.”

The airport’s three-level terminal will be converted into the school’s new campus, which is scheduled to open in fall 2026. The relocation is expected to allow the high school to expand its enrollment to 200 students.

Principal Michelle Davis says this year, nine students passed their FAA drone certification course, and four passed the written portion of the private pilot’s license test. With the move, those students will be able to fly next year—something the school hasn’t been able to offer since 2013.

The relocation will cost nearly $15 million, with funding split between the school district and the state.

  Detroit mayoral candidates clash over jobs, housing at debate

Affordable housing and job creation were at the forefront of a spirited Detroit mayoral debate held Monday night at Wayne State University. About half of the candidates running for the city’s top office took part in the event.

City Council President Mary Sheffield said Detroit must find ways to use downtown investment to lift up neighborhoods across the city.

Reverend Solomon Kinloch Jr. pledged to lead both his congregation and the city if elected mayor, while former Detroit Police Chief James Craig described himself as a “proven leader.”

But the most pointed moment of the evening came during closing remarks from former City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, who targeted each of her rivals with sharp criticism:

“More guns in schools… locking up our kids… Craig is your guy. If you want a part-time mayor who’s working two full-time jobs… Kinloch is ready. If you want a mayor who shows up on Instagram but doesn’t show up for meetings… follow Mary. Thank you.”

The crowd responded audibly before Craig replied:

“Gloves are off now!”

Kinloch pushed back in his final statement, saying:

“Detroit cannot build up by tearing others down.”

District 5 voters invited to meet City Council candidates at Eastern Market

BridgeDetroit is hosting a Meet the Candidates event this Wednesday at Eastern Market for residents of Detroit’s District 5. All seven candidates running to replace City Council President Mary Sheffield are expected to attend.

The event offers voters a chance to ask questions, hear directly from the candidates, and enjoy a meal—Greek food will be served.

District 5 residents are encouraged to bring their curiosity and their appetite. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance.

Event Details
What: Meet the Candidates – Detroit City Council District 5
When: Wednesday, June 19, 2025
Where: Eastern Market
RSVP: Reserve your spot on Eventbrite

Detroit Public Library celebrates Juneteenth with family events across the city

The Detroit Public Library is celebrating Juneteenth all week long with family-friendly events at branches across the city.

At the Main Library on Woodward Avenue, the annual Juneteenth Celebration takes place Wednesday and will feature special guests from the Midwest Invitational Rodeo. Visitors can enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, lawn games, arts and crafts, face painting, line dancing, and more. The event also marks the kickoff of the library’s Summer Reading Program.

Other highlights this week include:

• Movie night at the Campbell Branch
• A Juneteenth Jamboree at the Edison and Elmwood Park branches
• Storytimes, storytelling, and history programs for all ages throughout the city

To explore the full schedule of events, visit detroitlibrary.org.

A group of Democratic state lawmakers is calling for an expansion of Michigan’s civil rights law to specifically include protections against antisemitism.

Plus, former University of Michigan president Santa Ono left Ann Arbor expecting to become the president of the University of Florida. However, that's not going to happen, as the board that oversees the sunshine state's public universities rejected Ono's appointment.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Home values in the city increased an average of 19% in 2024, with 99% of neighborhoods seeing an increase compared to the previous year, according to the mayor's office. Plus, the 67th annual Detroit Boat Show will open at Huntington Place on Saturday, Feb. 1 and run through Feb. 8.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover a Detroit coalition's efforts to spread the word about tax credits available to residents; Detroit Councilman Fred Durhal III announcing he's running for mayor and more.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover local activist groups' efforts to share resources for immigrants amid the Trump administration's mass deportation effort; U.S. Sen. Gary Peters' announcement that he won't seek reelection next year and more.

A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives. Plus, the Arab American Civil Rights League is warning immigrants in metro Detroit to keep papers with them showing how long they have been in the U.S., amid Trump's deportation orders.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover a nearly $80 million expansion of funding for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Michigan; upcoming financial literacy workshops in Detroit and Dearborn, and more.

While President Donald Trump took aim at the electric vehicle industry this week, there is still optimism about the industry’s future in Michigan. More than $27 billion is being poured into some 60 EV manufacturing and battery projects in the state, edging out even Georgia, with $26.6 billion, according to Atlas Public Policy, indicating that the birthplace of the modern auto industry continues to be central to its present and future. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The city of Dearborn announced this week a significant decrease in major crime in 2024. Plus, two new housing projects are coming to Detroit’s Grandmont Rosedale Neighborhood.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.