Severe storms hit Metro Detroit

Many Metro Detroiters were awakened by severe thunderstorms overnight, with heavy rain, lightning and thunder moving through the region in the early morning hours. Tornado warnings were issued for Washtenaw, Wayne and Monroe counties.

Damage was reported to buildings, trees and power lines in Lincoln Park and Ann Arbor. The National Weather Service is expected to survey the area to determine whether a tornado touched down.

The storms made for a difficult morning commute. Flooding on I-75 just north of downtown Detroit forced a freeway closure, with some traffic backups lasting up to two hours.
Downed power lines also led to traffic signal outages across Metro Detroit. DTE Energy reported roughly 20,000 homes and businesses without power by mid-morning.

University of Michigan president-elect steps aside after cancer diagnosis

The University of Michigan’s president-elect will not take the job after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Kent Syverud said he received the diagnosis after not feeling well last week and is now undergoing treatment in Michigan. Syverud, currently chancellor at Syracuse University, was hired in January and was set to become Michigan’s president on May 11.

Instead, he will join the university as a professor at the law school and serve as an adviser to the Board of Regents. Interim President Domenico Grasso will remain in the role while the board searches for a new leader. (AP)

DTE to host community resource fair in Highland Park

DTE Energy will host its first open house and community resource fair in Highland Park on Thursday.

The utility says the event will help residents better understand their energy bills and connect them with resources, including the United Way of Southeast Michigan, for assistance.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Grace Missionary Baptist Church on Ford Street.

Michigan updates air quality alert system after wildfire smoke

Michigan is changing how it communicates air quality issues to residents.

According to Planet Detroit, the state is streamlining its system after smoke from Canadian wildfires affected air quality in Metro Detroit last year and in 2023.

The state will now issue an air quality alert when fine particulate matter or ozone levels reach the “orange” range on the federal Air Quality Index, indicating air that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Previously, alerts were issued at the “red” level, when air quality was considered unhealthy.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends using an air purifier, running air conditioning and installing a MERV-13 air filter to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke.

Tax Day is here

April 15 is Tax Day, meaning the deadline to file income taxes is just hours away for those who have not yet submitted their returns.

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