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Detroit museums seek millage amid funding woes

The museums say stable funding is needed as their financial reserves dwindle.

Culture

Two Detroit museum institutions are seeking new funding through a millage to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wright Museum of African American History" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thewright.org/" data-vars-content-id="f9191bcc-f333-4745-bf38-d7665aae4d9b" data-vars-headline="Detroit museums seek millage amid funding woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thewright.org/" target="_blank">Wright Museum of African American History</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit Historical Society" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroithistorical.org/" data-vars-content-id="f9191bcc-f333-4745-bf38-d7665aae4d9b" data-vars-headline="Detroit museums seek millage amid funding woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroithistorical.org/" target="_blank">Detroit Historical Society</a> are major anchors of the city&#x27;s cultural district.

RenCen redevelopment faces early skepticism

Residents want more time and influence over the massive riverfront redevelopment.

News

Developers seeking to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remake the Renaissance Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/17/rencen-redevelopment-funding-detroit" data-vars-content-id="b901940f-89cb-4125-acf7-9c9262452672" data-vars-headline="RenCen redevelopment faces early skepticism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/17/rencen-redevelopment-funding-detroit" target="_self">remake the Renaissance Center</a> made their opening arguments Tuesday at Detroit city hall. The initial response was skeptical.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first public meeting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/08/11/rencen-redevelopment-community-benefits" data-vars-content-id="b901940f-89cb-4125-acf7-9c9262452672" data-vars-headline="RenCen redevelopment faces early skepticism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/08/11/rencen-redevelopment-community-benefits" target="_self">first public meeting</a> exposed an early tension over whether a project developers say will benefit all Detroiters is giving residents enough time and influence to shape it.

Vaccination rates fall among Michigan kindergarteners

Michigan's vaccine waiver rate rose to 7.7% as coverage declined.

Vaccination rates among Michigan kindergartners decreased during the 2025–2026 school year, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" data-vars-content-id="a9224af1-2bd5-4880-8a34-8f03672451ec" data-vars-headline="Vaccination rates fall among Michigan kindergarteners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" target="_blank">new data</a> from the CDC.The big picture: It&#x27;s part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/kindergarten-vaccine-rates-fall" data-vars-content-id="a9224af1-2bd5-4880-8a34-8f03672451ec" data-vars-headline="Vaccination rates fall among Michigan kindergarteners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/kindergarten-vaccine-rates-fall" target="_self">national trend</a>. Exemptions from getting one or more vaccines increased in 41 states and the District of Columbia, growing to 4.2% from 3.6% the year before.

Solo travel takes off in Metro Detroit

Searches are soaring as travelers embrace freedom, spontaneity and new connections.

Google searches for &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="solo travel" data-vars-click-url="https://trends.google.com/explore?geo=505&amp;q=solo%2520travel&amp;date=all" data-vars-content-id="ab2f88e7-263a-49c8-b78a-49d9b7a1dfff" data-vars-headline="Solo travel takes off in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://trends.google.com/explore?geo=505&amp;q=solo%2520travel&amp;date=all" target="_blank">solo travel</a>&quot; hit a nationwide record high in 2026, including in Metro Detroit, where searches peaked in February.Why it matters: Solo travel is booming as more people embrace the freedom to go wherever they want, whenever they want — without waiting for someone else&#x27;s PTO to line up.

Tarik Skubal returns to face Tigers

The former Tigers ace is set to face his old team less than a month after the trade.

Sports

In Dodger blue, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tarik Skubal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/07/24/tarik-skubal-trade-rumors-start-royals" data-vars-content-id="64005ebe-7f90-447f-b271-c42c9ea37397" data-vars-headline="Tarik Skubal returns to face Tigers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/07/24/tarik-skubal-trade-rumors-start-royals" target="_self">Tarik Skubal</a> is scheduled to take the mound against his former team Saturday at Comerica Park.Why it matters: His return comes less than a month after the Tigers traded away their homegrown star, a painful reminder for fans who expected Skubal to be Detroit&#x27;s ace for years.

Pistons to open NBA season against Celtics

Detroit will host Boston as the NBA season tips off Oct. 20.

All eyes will be on Detroit when the NBA season tips off in October.Driving the news: In the first game of an opening-night tripleheader, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pistons" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/09/pistons-nba-title-contenders-2026" data-vars-content-id="1953847e-1dbe-4b3e-94f4-e3167e17dc79" data-vars-headline="Pistons to open NBA season against Celtics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/09/pistons-nba-title-contenders-2026" target="_self">Pistons</a> will host the Celtics at Little Caesars Arena on Oct. 20 at 3pm.

Final Rocket Classic begins Thursday

Golf fans get one final weekend at the Rocket Classic.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rocket Classic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/06/09/rocket-classic-prep-underway" data-vars-content-id="62e6a4c0-5629-45a3-b8b8-706e27a5e0d5" data-vars-headline="Final Rocket Classic begins Thursday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/06/09/rocket-classic-prep-underway" target="_self">Rocket Classic</a> is getting the sendoff it deserves.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="final edition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.golfchannel.com/pga-tour/news/rocket-classic-to-end-with-2026-tournament-as-sponsor-declines-extension" data-vars-content-id="62e6a4c0-5629-45a3-b8b8-706e27a5e0d5" data-vars-headline="Final Rocket Classic begins Thursday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.golfchannel.com/pga-tour/news/rocket-classic-to-end-with-2026-tournament-as-sponsor-declines-extension" target="_blank">final edition</a> tees off Thursday at Detroit Golf Club with perhaps its strongest field yet.

Skubal takes mound as trade rumors swirl

Detroit's ace has just two scheduled home starts left before the trade deadline.

With trade rumors swirling, Tarik Skubal is scheduled <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to take the mound" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlb.com/tigers/roster/probable-pitchers" data-vars-content-id="10d52d5c-2be2-40e0-b579-f52257eaec2a" data-vars-headline="Skubal takes mound as trade rumors swirl" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlb.com/tigers/roster/probable-pitchers" target="_blank">to take the mound</a> at Comerica Park Friday night against Kansas City.Why it matters: Skubal only has two more scheduled starts in Detroit before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

Michigan AD Warde Manuel stepping down after review

An independent review found oversight and accountability weaknesses in the athletics department.

U-M is overhauling its athletics department following an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independent review" data-vars-click-url="https://publicaffairs.vpcomm.umich.edu/key-issues/michigan-athletics-investigation/" data-vars-content-id="948090c8-a6fc-4705-a3ce-87c4630bd2cb" data-vars-headline="Michigan AD Warde Manuel stepping down after review" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://publicaffairs.vpcomm.umich.edu/key-issues/michigan-athletics-investigation/" target="_blank">independent review</a> that found weaknesses in accountability, organizational structure, oversight and reporting.Why it matters: Michigan&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="athletics department" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/23/dusty-may-bolts-for-nba" data-vars-content-id="948090c8-a6fc-4705-a3ce-87c4630bd2cb" data-vars-headline="Michigan AD Warde Manuel stepping down after review" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/23/dusty-may-bolts-for-nba" target="_self">athletics department</a> is one of the country&#x27;s most prominent and influential, making Manuel&#x27;s departure a pivotal moment in the university&#x27;s effort to reform it.

Justin Verlander announces retirement at end of season

Verlander's retirement will follow a Hall of Fame career.

Tigers legend <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Justin Verlander" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/20/justin-verlander-tigers-2026-43-signing" data-vars-content-id="fc2d1102-b678-4447-a46d-417184f6ff92" data-vars-headline="Justin Verlander announces retirement at end of season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/20/justin-verlander-tigers-2026-43-signing" target="_self">Justin Verlander</a> plans to retire at the end of this season, making the sudden announcement right after he was named Wednesday to the 2026 All-Star Game.Why it matters: A no-doubt Hall-of-Famer, he led the last great era of Tigers baseball in the early 2010s and rewrote the franchise record book along the way.

Michigan court sidelines Kalshi sports markets

The temporary restriction will remain while the state's lawsuit moves forward.

Kalshi, the increasingly popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prediction market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/11/coalition-for-prediction-markets-kalshi-crypto" data-vars-content-id="346c8d0a-fa5e-4066-ab9b-163944894ff0" data-vars-headline="Michigan court sidelines Kalshi sports markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/11/coalition-for-prediction-markets-kalshi-crypto" target="_self">prediction market</a>, has begun blocking Michigan users from making sports predictions amid an ongoing legal battle.Why it matters: Prediction markets are booming, but so are the legal fights around them.

Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit

A new, free database lists thousands of places to catch a match.

With the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/21/world-cup-detroit-host-city-bid" data-vars-content-id="55abb667-6df9-4184-ac17-c00d575ccaee" data-vars-headline="Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/21/world-cup-detroit-host-city-bid" target="_self">World Cup</a> in full swing, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Watch Party Radar" data-vars-click-url="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=detroit" data-vars-content-id="55abb667-6df9-4184-ac17-c00d575ccaee" data-vars-headline="Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=detroit" target="_blank">Watch Party Radar</a> shows you where to catch the latest match from anywhere in the world.Why it matters: The online database lists nearly 150 venues in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit area" data-vars-click-url="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=detroit" data-vars-content-id="55abb667-6df9-4184-ac17-c00d575ccaee" data-vars-headline="Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=detroit" target="_blank">Detroit area</a>, plus more than a dozen each in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ann Arbor" data-vars-click-url="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=ann-arbor" data-vars-content-id="55abb667-6df9-4184-ac17-c00d575ccaee" data-vars-headline="Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=ann-arbor" target="_blank">Ann Arbor</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grand Rapids" data-vars-click-url="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=grand-rapids" data-vars-content-id="55abb667-6df9-4184-ac17-c00d575ccaee" data-vars-headline="Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=grand-rapids" target="_blank">Grand Rapids</a>.

J Batt exit adds to MSU leadership shake-up

The move follows president Kevin Guskiewicz's announcement that he's leaving.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michigan State" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/26/um-michigan-state-us-news-rankings-2025" data-vars-content-id="4ae869c1-4b19-4cfb-918e-73de05d95d28" data-vars-headline="J Batt exit adds to MSU leadership shake-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/26/um-michigan-state-us-news-rankings-2025" target="_self">Michigan State</a> athletic director J Batt is leaving for the University of Kentucky after just one year in East Lansing.Why it matters: Batt&#x27;s departure, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/06/15/j-batt-named-ceo-of-champions-blue-director-of-uk-athletics/" data-vars-content-id="4ae869c1-4b19-4cfb-918e-73de05d95d28" data-vars-headline="J Batt exit adds to MSU leadership shake-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/06/15/j-batt-named-ceo-of-champions-blue-director-of-uk-athletics/" target="_blank">announced Monday</a>, is the latest blow to MSU&#x27;s leadership ranks.

Detroit ready to celebrate at World Cup watch parties

Fans will gather from Campus Martius to Mexicantown for matches.

Detroit isn&#x27;t hosting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="any World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/21/world-cup-detroit-host-city-bid" data-vars-content-id="5231805c-e832-4ee0-853b-d2e9cba409a2" data-vars-headline="Detroit ready to celebrate at World Cup watch parties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/21/world-cup-detroit-host-city-bid" target="_self">any World Cup matches</a>, but the city is ready to show out by the thousands at watch parties from Campus Martius to Mexicantown.Why it matters: The global spectacle begins Thursday afternoon, when Mexico opens the tournament against South Africa.

Sports 🏅

Tarik Skubal returns to face Tigers

Pistons to open NBA season against Celtics

Final Rocket Classic begins Thursday

Readers weigh Skubal's future

Skubal takes mound as trade rumors swirl