Water main breaks plague Detroit

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.

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

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.