Cover Story
Cannabis businesses in metro Detroit are getting robbed, smashed, and left to fend for themselves
Update: After this story went to press, another cannabis business was targeted. The calls almost always come in the dead of night. For George Brikho, owner of Jazz Cannabis Club on Detroit’s west side, it’s become a nerve-racking routine — the blare of a security alarm, the heart-pounding scramble for firearms, and the frantic race…
My Trip Along the Gulf Coast, Florida: A Hidden Gem Around Every Turn
The soft crash of turquoise waves, the scent of fresh seafood wafting through palm-lined streets, and the feeling of powdered sugar sand between my toes have led to Florida’s Gulf Coast living rent-free in my mind. While I had taken a trip to Indian Shores years ago for my 21st birthday, it wasn’t until a…
‘Strawberry — What Party’ missed the opportunity to humanize Tamara Greene
If you were going to tell the story about a mysterious death, where would you start? Maybe at the time of death, or earlier in the person’s life to show a bright future snuffed out by unfortunate circumstances. Strawberry — What Party does neither. The play, written by former Free Press and Detroit News columnist…
Advanced medical facility coming to failed jail site in Detroit, creating 90 jobs
BAMF Health, a Grand Rapids-based medical technology company, plans to open a state-of-the-art facility that is expected to create 90 new jobs and inject nearly $94 million in investments into Wayne County. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday that the Michigan Strategic Fund approved support for the project, which will include a Theranostics Center and radiopharmacy…
Haley Stevens launches Senate campaign focused on auto jobs, Trump tariffs
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, a fourth-term moderate Democrat who represents portions of Oakland County and is a staunch supporter of Israel, announced her campaign for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat on Tuesday. Her campaign message centered on protecting the state’s auto industry from what she called “chaotic” trade policies under President Donald Trump. Stevens is…
Florida Adventures: Things to Do in Orlando for All Types of Travelers
There’s something about Orlando that just pulls you in. Maybe it’s the thrill of world-famous theme parks or the slower, hidden gems you stumble upon thanks to tips from fellow explorers. On my last visit, I blended personal favorites with must-sees suggested by people I trust, creating a well-rounded guide for every kind of adventurer.…
The War and Treaty, Third Eye Blind to headline Dearborn Homecoming Festival
The War and Treaty — a husband-and-wife American music outfit that got its start in Michigan and has since become hugely popular in the world of country music — is coming home. The band has been tapped to headline the 2025 Dearborn Homecoming Festival on Saturday, Aug. 2. California-based alternative rock band Third Eye Blind…
Detroit’s Psychedelic Healing Shack up for sale as owner clashes with city
The owner of the Psychedelic Healing Shack, a spiritual and wellness center that was raided by Detroit police last year, has put his Woodward Avenue property up for sale. Robert Pizzimenti, known to many as Dr. Bob, says the move is not because he wants to leave but in protest of what he describes…
Superb ‘Sinners’ is so much more than a horror film
When people who write about movies come across a piece of cinema that feels monumental, there is always a list of specific words that get used to describe it. Words like “visionary,” “electrifying,” “exhilarating,” “transcendent,” and “breathtaking” get thrown around with abandon (by myself included) to describe much lesser films than Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. So…
U.S.-Canada protest aims to show international solidarity
As anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of interacting with our neighbors to the north knows, Canadians are nice people. The nicest. One time, while visiting a record store in Windsor, I overheard the clerk politely say, “Well, which Nickelback albums don’t you own?” This would never happen in the U.S. The point is that…
Think tank urges next Detroit mayor to focus on reversing shrinking middle class
As Detroit prepares for a new mayoral election, Detroit Future City is calling on the next administration to prioritize building a stronger middle class, warning that the city’s long-term stability depends on it. The think tank, which develops strategies for a more equitable city, published a new report that outlines a strategy aimed at three…
If it can happen to Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, it can happen to you
Every one of us should be outraged by the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Maryland resident, construction worker, and father of three who was deported to El Salvador and sent to a maximum security prison in what the Trump administration admitted was “administrative error.” Instead of correcting the mistake, however, President Donald…
What’s going on in metro Detroit this week (April 16-22)
Select events happening in metro Detroit this week. Be sure to check venue websites before all events for the latest information. See our online calendar for more ideas for things to do, or add your event: metrotimes.com/AddEvent. Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers Starting Thursday, the Tigers host a four-game series against divisional foes the…
Here’s how federal assistance might work after the ice storm
This coverage is made possible through a partnership between IPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requested an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump for the state, 12 counties, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians following the historic ice storm that hit northern Michigan. If granted,…
Ex-Macomb County deputy pleads no contest to slapping 14-year-old
A former Macomb County sheriff’s deputy has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges after slapping a 14-year-old boy during a transport to a juvenile facility last year. Derek Reed entered the plea Thursday in Macomb County Circuit Court to wilful failure to uphold the law and assault and battery. The charges carry a maximum…
THC tablets give Michigan cannabis users a more controlled experience
Welcome to The Straight Dope, our weekly series that explores the best cannabis products in Michigan. For most of his adult life, Chris Emerson was on a clear path. He earned a PhD in small molecule chemistry, completed a postdoc at Stanford, and seemed destined for a career in either pharmaceutical development or academia. But…
Michigan confirms the state’s first measles outbreak since 2019
Michigan health officials confirmed a measles outbreak in Montcalm County, marking the state’s first such outbreak since 2019. Three related cases of measles have been identified in Montcalm County, meeting the threshold for an outbreak, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD). Michigan has…
Downtown Detroit’s Free People store has an opening date
Women’s clothing boutique Free People is getting ready to open its newest location in downtown Detroit. Located in a Bedrock-owned building at 1425 Woodward Ave., the store has set an opening date for Friday, April 25. The Philadelphia-based company describes itself as “the destination for bohemian fashion that features the latest trends and vintage collections…
Army Corps to fast track review of Line 5 tunnel project
This coverage is made possible through a partnership between IPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. The federal review of the Line 5 tunnel project will be sped up under new emergency permitting procedures announced by the Army Corps of Engineers this week. Those procedures were established under President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring…
Metro Times is seeking a summer calendar intern
Are you an aspiring journalist with an interest in the entertainment offerings of the Detroit area? If so, we could use your help this summer! Metro Times is seeking a calendar intern to help us expand our event listings. The listings appear on our website as well as in the print edition of Metro Times,…
Abdul El-Sayed joins race for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat with Bernie Sanders endorsement
Abdul El-Sayed — a former Wayne County public health official who came in second place against Gretchen Whitmer in the 2018 Michigan gubernatorial primary — is returning to politics. On Thursday, El-Sayed announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Gary Peters in 2026, earning the endorsement of U.S. Senator Bernie…
Pianist Jason Moran stuns
The Detroit Jazz Fest sets itself apart by being the largest free jazz festival in the world. It’s not easy or cheap for a cultural institution to be able to give it all away for free. Getting rid of any barrier of entry, however, ensures that this festival actually looks and feels like Detroit. That’s…
French-inspired La Serre heading to Ann Arbor’s Vanguard Hotel
Ann Arbor’s new Vanguard Hotel will soon bring a new restaurant to the city. The French-inspired La Serre is set to open its doors in the upscale hotel next month. “La Serre is a restaurant built for Ann Arbor — elevated, yes, but never fussy,” said hotel general manager Jason Nelson. “It’s a place where…
Chick-fil-A opens new store near Oakland University campus
A new Chick-fil-A fried chicken restaurant is opening at 2111 N Squirrel Rd., Auburn Hills. Located near Oakland University and Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, the store is set to open its doors on Thursday. It’s owned and operated by Greg Russell of Detroit, who says he first experienced Chick-fil-A while coaching a youth basketball team. He…
Alex Garland’s ‘Warfare’ lacks a satisfying narrative by design
If we made a list of some of the most underrated writers/filmmakers currently working, somewhere near the top of that (fairly long) catalog would be Alex Garland. While he has had a few massive successes, most of his work is barely noticed by general audiences. And even though he has gotten wide critical acclaim for…
School district in Macomb County admits principal mishandled racist graffiti incident
Lakeview Public Schools acknowledged Tuesday that the high school principal mishandled a disturbing case of racist graffiti by failing to inform parents about the nature of the message. The district issued a statement several hours after Metro Times reported that Lakeview High School Principal Scott Kapla sent an email to families that omitted a key…
Free Will Astrology (April 16-22)
ARIES (March 21-April 19): I am always surprised when there appears yet another authoritative article or book that implies there is one specific right approach to meditation. The truth is, however, that there are many ways. Here’s teacher Christopher Bamford: “Meditation is naturally individual, uniquely our own. There are no rules. Just as every potter…
