Michigan’s monthly unemployment rate fell to 5.2 percent in August, according to a report from the Michigan Department of Technology. The shift reflects about 14,000 fewer people holding or seeking jobs. It also marks the fifth consecutive month that the state’s workforce has shrunk.

Wayne Rourke, Michigan Labor Market Information Director, says the drop is not necessarily a sign of improvement.

“While the number of unemployed people are decreasing, the number of employed is not going up. So, these people are just leaving the labor market and not looking for a job.”

Reasons for leaving the workforce include aging out, discouragement, and the cost of childcare keeping people at home.

The Detroit Auto Show has announced its 2026 anthem: My Drive, My City, My Show. The song will be written and performed by Detroit hip hop artist Gmac Cash.

Organizers say the track captures the spirit of the Motor City, where cars and culture are deeply connected.

The 2026 Detroit Auto Show takes place January 14–25 at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit. Learn more at detroitautoshow.com.

September is Detroit’s Month of Design. As part of the festivities, Ecosphere Organics is hosting an event called Waste to Wonder 2025: Art and Design in Action.

The outdoor block party and creative showcase will feature interactive installations made from repurposed food waste materials. Organizers say the event will celebrate community, art, and imagination.

The showcase will be held at Sanctuary Farms on Lakeview Street. Details are available at DetroitMonthofDesign.org.

On Wednesday, September 24, Spotlite will host the Work in Progress Coworking Tour.

The event is led by Amber Lewis, Chief Energy Officer of Visit Detroit, and is geared toward creatives and professionals looking to network or find collaborative spaces. Attendees can take part in advising sessions, LinkedIn and resume reviews, a happy hour, and more.

RSVP information is available on Spotlite Detroit’s Instagram.

The City of Detroit celebrated 88 Detroiters today who received deeds to their homes after successfully completing the Detroit Land Bank Authority’s Occupied Buy Back Program.

The Buy Back program gives Detroit residents who live or have lived in Land Bank owned homes a chance to become the new owner. Requirements included paying property taxes in full, completing financial literacy counseling, and attending homeownership workshops. Since its inception, the program has given deeds to 1,363 residents.

The state House voted to require photos and signatures on cards loaded with money for state food or cash assistance.

Republican sponsors say it would cut back on fraud, though studies have shown fraud is rare and that extra layers of red tape often keeps people who need the benefits from getting them.

Democratic Representative Penelope Tsernoglou says the bill would add extra steps without effectively addressing fraud.

“This bill will cost our state millions of dollars annually with savings to the state being determined as ‘indeterminate, but likely negligible.’”

The bill now goes to the Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate, where its chances of passing are low.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive directive today that could lay the groundwork for the state to broaden access to the COVID-19 vaccine. But it doesn't have a lot of specifics.

Currently, only those over the age of 65 or with underlying medical conditions can get the shot in Michigan without a prescription. That is under recent FDA restrictions.

Whitmer's directive tells state health officials to remove barriers to vaccine access to ensure the shot remains widely available in Michigan. Other states are requiring insurers to cover vaccines recommended by their health departments, or broadly authorizing pharmacies to administer the shots.

Mighty Real/Queer Detroit is putting on a short film showcase called “Queer Diasporic Horizons.” The program is curated by artist and filmmaker Billy Gerard Frank.

The selection of queer short films explores themes of belonging, exile, and migration. The program line-up includes the films Never Stop Shouting by Abdellea Taia, The Distance of Time by Acrlos Omeno Palma, I Was Never Really Here by Abriel Arrahino and Vallerie Gabriel Bihina, and Carnival Queen by Sekyia Dorsett.

The showcase is Saturday, September 20 at 7 PM at the Carr Center on 15 E Kirby Street.

The Detroit Women’s Commission is holding a one-day business workshop for small women-owned businesses.

The event will provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to get all of their basic essentials done at one time, from getting their business license certified to registering a business.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, September 20 from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Northwest Activities Center.

In this Detroit Evening Report, WSU's President Espy resigns, plus updates on mayoral debates, Detroit Grand Prix and more.

Detroit anti-violence organizer Eric Ford died Monday. Ford was the founder of Detroit 300.

Police Chief Todd Bettison says Ford was a “massive voice” for Community Violence Intervention. Bettison called him a “superhero to his community” and said he will be truly missed.

Ford’s family says he died of natural causes. He was 58.

• Duggan reports city budget surplus: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says the city is ending the fiscal year with a $60 million budget surplus. He is proposing City Council set aside a portion of that money for a Corporate Income Tax reserve. Federal spending cuts are expected to cause a shortage in the taxes collected from businesses in the city. And Duggan says tariffs have already caused a 50% drop in manufacturing income taxes.
• Michigan Central Drone Day is tomorrow. Organizers promise youth workshops,‘dronut launches from the roof and the longest commercial delivery flight in the city to date. The event will showcase a collaboration between Aerialoop, Newlab at Michigan Central, Airsapce Link and the state’s Office of Future of Mobility and Electrification and Department of Transportation.
• DCFC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month: The Detroit City Football Club is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a special ticket package that adds a themed DCFC shirt to a game ticket purchase. The Pablo’s Tacos Pack option gets 2 ticket holders into the club’s City Supporters section and a voucher good for 2 tacos and a drink from the Pablo’s Tacos Food Truck at Saturday’s game against Lexington SC. For more information and to buy tickets go to detcityfc.com.

Correction for recent Detroit Evening Report

Lastly… we reported earlier this month on the Carr Center’s exhibit "In the Life: Black Queerness – Looking Back, Moving Forward" presented by Mighty Real Queer Detroit. The exhibit spans a variety of media and features work from more than a dozen artists.

It is open through October 11th at the Carr Center location at 15 E Kirby Street. Our previous report directed listeners to the wrong Carr Center location. We apologize for the error.

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

Ford Motor Company announced Monday that its moving its headquarters for the first time in 70 years. The new headquarters will be located west of Greenfield Village in Dearborn.

The new Henry Ford II World Center is a 2.1 million square foot state-of-the-art building. It will serve as a global center to promote innovation, collaboration, and transformation. Among the changes are six Design Studios and a Design Showroom, which can hold 10 vehicle turntables with 64-ft micro LED screens for product review.

The building is a Net-Zero Energy Building, using a central energy plant for hot water and steam and DTE MI Green Power Program to have a net-zero carbon goal. There are also energy-efficient systems, including water saving measures and waste reduction strategies in place.

The headquarters has been built on a historic site—the 1953 Product Development Center, where the Mustang, F-Series and Ford GT were created. The former headquarters known as the "Glass House" will be torn down over the next 18 months, with plans to repurpose it for community use.

A public grand opening of the new building is scheduled for November with some employees shifting to the new location.

The project is slated to be completed in 2027.

• Dearborn career fair: The Arab American Women’s Business Council and Dearborn Economic Development are hosting their annual career fair. The career fair takes place at the University of Michigan - Dearborn Fairlane Center South in the Michigan Room East on September 24 from 6-8 p.m. Registration is required as spots are limited.
• Governor Gretchen Whitmer recognizes September 15 through October 15th as Hispanic Heritage Month in Michigan. The designation aims to celebrate the “rich history, vibrant culture and bright future of our Hispanic community,” Whitmer says in a release.
• La Jalisciense is hosting a patio party. The End of Summer Fiesta will host local vendors, a DJ, food and drinks. The party will take place on September 27th from 2-8:30 PM at the La Jalisciense 3923 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI.
• The City of Detroit District 1 is hosting a charter-mandated community meeting on Wednesday. There will be resource tables for Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental (BSEED), land bank, and public works, along with the water and sewage department. The meeting will be held on September 17 from 7-8:30 p.m. in person at the New Saint Mark Baptist Church, located at 24331 Eight Mile West in Detroit or virtually on Zoom.
• The Department of Transportation (DDOT) is hosting a virtual community meeting this week. The meeting is to gather feedback about DDOT services, fares and routes. The meeting takes place on Thursday, September 18, at 5 p.m. The Zoom call-in number is 1 (312) 626-6799.

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

The Kresge Foundation announced that it will relocate its headquarters from Troy to the Marygrove campus in northwest Detroit. Along with the move, the foundation says it will invest an additional 180 million dollars in the Liv-Six community over the next five years.

Kresge CEO Rip Rapson says the organization will build a new headquarters on the campus while also strengthening nearby neighborhoods.

“We will, working alongside neighborhood residents and community partners, invest in housing stabilization, home ownership, commercial corridor revitalization, small business support, public spaces enhancements and financial assistance in the Fitzgerald, Bagley, University District and Martin Park neighborhoods,” Rapson said.

The foundation had considered a return to the city for many years, but a renovation of its Troy offices in 2014 delayed those plans. The new headquarters at Marygrove is expected to be completed by 2028.

Apple will open its downtown Detroit store on September 19 on Woodward just south of John R. The announcement comes the same week the company unveiled its newest devices. Apple also revealed plans for a manufacturing academy in Detroit to complement its developer academy partnership with Michigan State University.

Rapper and entrepreneur Jeezy is bringing something special to Detroit. His Friday night concert at the Fox Theatre will feature a live orchestra and will also be livestreamed on his official YouTube channel.

Detroit is one of 23 stops on Jeezy’s tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, first released in 2005.

The Detroit Tigers face the Miami Marlins this weekend at Loan Depot Park. First pitch for tonight’s game is at 7:10 p.m.

The Detroit Lions take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday, September 14. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.

Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show is coming to Detroit this Sunday, September 14, for an episode that will air September 15 on NBC. The show will be filmed at the Detroit Opera House and will feature special guests Keegan-Michael Key, Detroit Pistons All-Star Cade Cunningham, and Grammy-winning rapper and actor Common, who recorded his first album in Detroit.

This is the Tonight Show’s first visit to the city and is being presented in partnership with Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit nbc.com.

The Detroit Department of Public Works announced a new effort to keep the city clean with a recycling pilot program at bus stops.

The department also unveiled two electric garbage trucks that will be used to collect recycling.  

The pilot program will place 800 new recycling cans at the bus stops. 

Public Works Deputy Director Sam Krassenstein says bottles and cans are the number one thing people throw away when waiting for the bus.  “And that's what we're trying to capitalize on by diverting that to keep that out of the landfill and keep that out of the streets.” 

Krassenstein says the pilot aims to increase recycling rates from 45% to nearly 100%.  

The $500,000 investment was funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, DTE, and City Council.  

• Jackets for Jobs giving away homecoming dresses and accessories at the Samaritan Center this weekend
• Corewell Health terminates gender affirming care for minors, following Michigan Medicine's decision to do the same.
• Dearborn's community development block grant initiave finishes fixing up its first business exterior, Nadia's Pharmacy.

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

Former Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins is endorsing Mary Sheffield for the job.

She expressed her support for Sheffield this morning during an event at Cody High School on the city’s west side, saying they have shared priorities.

“It’s about kids all over the city of Detroit who deserve to live in a city free of gun violence. It’s about all the kids who deserve to grow and reach their full potential.”

Jenkins has an understanding of City Council president Sheffield’s qualifications to become mayor. Jenkins served as the president of Detroit City Council before stepping down in 2014.

Sheffield faces Pastor Solomon Kinloch in the November 4th general election.

• Democrat Adam Hollier is running for Michigan's Secretary of State, changing course from his earlier announced intention of running again in the state's 13 congressional district.
• Detroit’s three casinos brought in 106.9 million dollars in revenue last month. That’s down 4.6 percent from August 2024.
• U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin is scheduled to give a keynote address at Wayne State University’s Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy this weekend to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
• Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is recovering from prostate cancer surgery. He underwent a procedure on Tuesday to deal with the problem. In In a statement on YouTube, he urged men to talk to their doctors about prostate health.

If there’s something in your neighborhood you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org. You know how much we love hearing about Detroit.