Cover Story
Whistle-blower alleges corruption at Michigan Department of Corrections
One of prison’s worst-kept secrets is that almost anything sold outside the walls can be purchased inside, and a witness to countless inmate drug overdoses is calling for state and federal authorities to act. Identified as “Abe,” the source spoke with Metro Times after approaching the Michigan State Police, Michigan Attorney General’s Office, FBI, DEA,…
My Trip Through the National Parks in California: Exploring the Golden State
The moment I stepped onto the winding trail beneath towering sequoias, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. The crisp mountain air, the scent of pine, the way the golden California sun filtered through ancient branches—it all reminded me of childhood camping trips, where the only agenda was adventure. This time, though, I was…
Macomb County high school vandalized with racist graffiti, prompting outcry over school’s response
Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores was vandalized with racist graffiti over the weekend, and some residents are questioning why school officials failed to inform parents about the nature of the message. In a recent email to families, Principal Scott Kapla said the school contacted police and is working to ensure the campus remains…
Mediterranean chain Cava is coming to Detroit
A growing fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain called Cava is getting ready to open its first Michigan location. Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock real estate firm says the restaurant is expected to open this summer on the bottom floor of its headquarters at 636 Woodward Ave. “The addition of Cava to downtown Detroit will bring a fresh, modern…
Detroit-area dispensaries celebrate 4/20 with cannabis deals
Michigan dispensaries are rolling out some of the best deals of the year for the 4/20 weekend, with big discounts, a lifetime supply of weed, and even a car giveaway. Whether you’re after top-shelf flower, edibles, concentrates, or just looking for a free stash bag, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of the most…
Jack White comes home
There’s a lot of fanfare when Jack White returns home to Detroit. In return, Jack often offers an element of surprise for the hometown crowd, like bringing his 93-year-old mother onstage during his last stop here or getting married on stage three years ago during his other last stop here. This latest two-night stand at…
University of Michigan’s UMS announces 2025-26 season
The University Musical Society (UMS) at the University of Michigan has announced its 147th season, featuring more than 50 eclectic performances across 2025 and 2026. Those include Rhiannon Giddens, an accomplished folk musician and composer from North Carolina who was appointed as U-M’s inaugural artist-in-residence earlier this year. The artist has earned numerous accolades including…
U-M fires employee, suspends 4 others over pro-Palestinian protest
The University of Michigan has fired a full-time employee and suspended four others from campus jobs over their alleged involvement in a pro-Palestinian protest, according to the TAHRIR Coalition, a group that has called for divestment from Israel. The university has not commented publicly on the actions, but the terminations and suspensions were disclosed by…
Hollier launches third bid against Thanedar for Detroit congressional seat
Former state Sen. Adam Hollier on Monday launched a Democratic primary challenge against U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, renewing his bid for the 13th Congressional District seat that represents Detroit. This marks Hollier’s third campaign for the seat since 2022. He previously served in the Michigan Senate and led the state’s Veterans Affairs Agency under Gov.…
More than 40 women sue University of Michigan over stolen private images
More than 40 current and former student-athletes are suing the University of Michigan, alleging that former football coach Matt Weiss exploited systemic data security failures to steal their intimate images and private information, according to an amended lawsuit filed Friday. The plaintiffs, including former Grambling State softball star McKenzie Johnson, accuse the university of failing…
If you were in the room with Trump, what would you do?
It’s safe to say that Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s recent overture to President Donald Trump didn’t go exactly as planned. Last week, Big Gretch was in Washington, D.C. to bend the ear of Trump — her second such visit in two months. But whatever Whitmer hoped to accomplish, a viral photo showing her hiding from cameras…
8th Street Canna Launches First Store with 420 Street Fest in Hazel Park on April 19
All-Day Grand Opening Celebration with Food, Music, Giveaways, Top Cannabis Brands, and Special Guest Tay B! Hazel Park, MI – April 11th, 2025 – A new era of cannabis retail is coming to Hazel Park. 8th Street Canna is officially opening its doors, and we’re kicking things off with 420 Street Fest—a community-driven celebration of…
Detroit’s Slows Bar BQ is expanding to the ’burbs
Slows Bar BQ is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an expansion into the suburbs. The popular Corktown restaurant announced its plans to open a new location in the former Berkley Common space at 3087 12 Mile Rd., which closed earlier this week after nearly eight years in business. The new Slows Bar BQ location will…
Ferndale’s Drifter Coffee is moving to a bigger building
Drifter Coffee is closing its popular shop after six years at 770 Woodward Heights, Ferndale — but relocating to a larger building across town. The company says it’s moving to a two-story 4,500-square-foot space on Livernois. “The new, larger space will allow Drifter to grow in really exciting ways,” the company says. “The new building…
Dave’s Hot Chicken releases ‘Davezempic’ mini sliders
Singer-songwriter Jason Isbell is known for dropping references to specific pharmaceutical drugs in his songs — to ground them in reality, but also because, he once told The New York Times, “I think I just love the sound those words make.” Could that be in part what’s driving all the buzz about Ozempic, a medication…
First 24-hour cannabis dispensary to open in metro Detroit
Metro Detroit’s first 24-hour cannabis dispensary is set to open Friday in northern Macomb County. Gramz Cannabis Outlet is launching its newest location at 100 McLean Dr. in Romeo, with a grand-opening celebration that includes giveaways, vendor pop-ups, live music, and food trucks. Doors open at 9 a.m. The company, which markets itself as a…
‘One to One: John & Yoko’ keeps the spirit of revolution alive
Imagine, one moment, you are dancing in the crowd at John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “One to One” live concert at Madison Square Garden; the next, you’re getting glimpses of the brutality on the Vietnam frontlines, cut to commentary from Walter Cronkite, then The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and The Mary Tyler Moore Show,…
Detroit resident charged after dog found stabbed in basement
A Detroit resident has been charged in the brutal stabbing of a dog, the second disturbing case of animal cruelty in the city in recent months. Jordan Love, 29, faces up to seven years in prison on a felony charge of second-degree animal torture and cruelty to multiple animals. On Feb. 7, Detroit Animal Care…
Bev’s Bagels to open in former Detroit Institute of Bagels space
Bagels are coming back to Detroit’s Core City neighborhood. A new concept called Bev’s Bagels is set to open in the former Detroit Institute of Bagels space at 4884 Grand River Ave. The shop is led by Max Sussman, a James Beard-nominated chef who launched Bev’s Bagels as a pop-up in the Ann Arbor area.…
‘A Minecraft Movie’ is a cynical cash grab
As someone who pays their bills by watching and then writing about movies, I don’t really get to differentiate between movies that are “for me” or aimed at a completely different demographic. I have to watch it all. And I take that seriously. I go into every movie genuinely hoping for the best and don’t…
New cafe at Detroit’s Cambria Hotel nods to radio station history
A coffee shop called A.M. Buzz is getting ready to open inside downtown Detroit’s Cambria Hotel this spring. The name of the cafe is a nod to the building’s history as the one-time headquarters of Detroit’s WWJ-AM radio station. Located at 600 W. Lafayette Blvd.,the Walker-Roehrig Building opened in 1936 and was designed by the…
Free Will Astrology (April 9-15)
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Life is asking you to be a source of generosity and strength for the people and animals in your sphere. I hope you will exude maximum amounts of your natural charisma as you bestow maximum blessings. Soak up the admiration and affection you deserve, too, as you convey admiration and affection…
