Detroit, MI
14 Detroit-area Democratic state lawmakers express ‘unwavering’ support for Biden
 
																								
												
												
											 
A group of 14 Detroit-area state lawmakers in a joint letter Thursday expressed “unwavering” support for President Joe Biden, saying he is the “rightful choice” to be the party’s nominee for president on the eve of a Biden campaign rally in Detroit.
The letter came out amid a growing number of top donors and Democratic members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids, and others who are calling for the 81-year-old president to step aside for a new nominee atop the ticket. The critics are questioning Biden’s age and electability after a poor debate performance two weeks ago against Republican Donald Trump.
The 14 lawmakers who issued the new letter are members of the Michigan Legislature’s Detroit Caucus, including House Speaker Joe Tate and others representing parts of Detroit, which has been a central focus of the Biden reelection campaign’s early efforts in Michigan. Biden will be back in Detroit on Friday for a campaign rally.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, we have witnessed significant progress that directly impacts Black communities across Michigan and the nation at large,” the lawmakers said in the joint letter.
“The economic progress, health care expansion, and job creation we have seen under the leadership of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are too important to jeopardize.”
They said that, as a caucus, they’re committed to mobilizing communities, raising awareness and advocating for policies that benefit Black Michiganians. They highlighted policy wins such as capping insulin prices at $35 for 2 million state residents and strengthening Black-business ownership.
“We encourage all our members and allies to join us in supporting President Biden and Vice President Harris,” the letter states. “The stakes are too damn high to risk a second Donald Trump presidency.”
Besides Tate, other signers include Detroit Caucus Chair Rep. Tyrone Carter as well as Reps. Donovan McKinney, Helena Scott, Stephanie Young, Natalie Price, Regina Weiss, Michael McFall, Kimberly Edwards, Mai Xiong and Laurie Pohutsky. State Sens. Sylvia Santana, Stephanie Chang and Mary Cavanagh also signed onto the letter.
More: Biden confronts decisive day in his campaign, as his team says no Democrat would do better
Notably, some members of the Detroit Caucus didn’t sign the letter: State Sen. Erika Geiss of Taylor, whose district has a part of Detroit; state Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak; and two Arab American lawmakers who have criticized Biden’s policy on the Israel-Gaza war: Reps. Abraham Aiyash, the Democratic floor leader from Hamtramck, and Alabas Farhat of Dearborn.
Geiss said Thursday, when contacted by The News, that she still supports the Biden-Harris ticket.
When asked whether he supports Biden as the nominee, Aiyash responded: “Joe Biden is the Democratic nominee. I am committed to building on our Democratic majority here in Michigan.” The other lawmakers didn’t immediately respond Thursday to requests for comment.
State Rep. Karen Whitsett, a third-term Detroit Democrat, also did not sign onto the letter. Whitsett drew censure from her party during the pandemic when she credited Republican then-President Trump for advocating for hydroxychloroquine, which she said saved her life when she contracted COVID-19. She met with Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence at the White House in April 2020 to thank them for their advocacy. 
When asked Thursday why she hadn’t signed the letter, Whitsett said, “Oh, there was a letter? I had no idea.”
She did not respond to a question regarding whether she supported Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee.
While praising Biden’s “incredible” legacy, Scholten on Thursday said her top concern was about governance, saying the American people can’t “unsee” what they witnessed with Biden’s performance on the debate stage and that she’s hearing from constituents that it’s shaken their confidence in his leadership.
Scholten was the first frontline member of Congress from a 2024 battleground state and the first freshman to urge Biden to step aside.
Biden has steadfastly refused to give up the race as he prepares to take on Trump in November, rebuking his critics and telling them to challenge him at the Democratic National Convention next month in Chicago.
The Associated Press reported that the Biden campaign laid out what it sees as its path to keeping the White House in a new memo Thursday, saying that winning the “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan is the “clearest pathway” to victory.
“There is also no indication that anyone else would outperform the president vs. Trump,” said the memo from campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon and campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez that was obtained by The Associated Press.
The memo sought to brush back “hypothetical polling of alternative nominees ” as unreliable, and it said such surveys “do not take into account the negative media environment that any Democratic nominee will encounter.”
mburke@detroitnews.com
eleblanc@detroitnews.com
 
																	
																															Detroit, MI
Hudson’s Detroit site to feature new restaurant from Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer
 
														 
Detroit’s 2025 Best New Restaurants & Dining Experiences
We count down the Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Top 10 New Restaurants and Dining Experiences for 2025.
A new restaurant is headed for the Hudson’s Detroit site, and acclaimed restaurateur and author Danny Meyer is behind it.  
The restaurant marks the first Detroit project for Meyer, who established Union Square Hospitality Group in 1985 and later founded Shake Shack in the early 2000s.
A St. Louis native, Meyer is looking forward to bringing a new concept to the Midwest. “As a proud native Midwesterner, I couldn’t be more excited to plant our flag in Detroit,” he said in a news release. “Detroit is brimming with culture, creativity, and pride. Expanding here — and joining such a dynamic neighborhood — gives us the opportunity to grow and innovate alongside a city that’s constantly in motion.”
Union Square Hospitality Group shared few details about the restaurant project in the release, beyond the news that it will open in 2026. The eatery will join the group’s portfolio of highly esteemed bars and restaurants, including The View, the revolving restaurant that overlooks Manhattan; the one Michelin-starred Gramercy Tavern, where contemporary American dishes are centered on farm-fresh ingredients, and two Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant The Modern, helmed by chef Thomas Allan. The group has earned 28 James Beard Awards over the years.
“Detroit has the best restaurants and chefs in the country, and the arrival of Union Square Hospitality Group signals that the world has taken notice,” Andrew Leber, senior vice president of hospitality at Bedrock said in the release. “Hudson’s Detroit is creating new and unforgettable experiences for everyone, further solidifying the city as a must-see destination.”
Hudson’s will welcome Un Deux Trois, the site’s first food and beverage establishment Nov. 6. The French café truck from the team behind swanky Midtown coffee shop and bar Café Sous Terre, will park along Nick Gilbert Way, offering coffee beverages and pastries from local purveyors.
This story is developing. Visit hudsons-detroit.com or ushg.com for more information.
Detroit, MI
Ann Arbor-Detroit bus to offer late-night service for Michigan vs. Purdue football game
 
														 
ANN ARBOR, MI — Leaving Ann Arbor after the Michigan vs. Purdue football game just got a lot easier.
The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan announced it will extend its nightly D2A2 bus service hours for trips between Ann Arbor and Detroit on Saturday, Nov. 1.
To accommodate fans attending the 7 p.m. game at Michigan Stadium, D2A2 will run trips all day until its last ride departing Ann Arbor for Detroit at 11:15 p.m.
Bus service from downtown Detroit to Ann Arbor will start at 7:30 a.m.
The bus will drop passengers off in Ann Arbor at the Blake Transit Center, where they can either walk or take TheRide to reach the stadium.
“These extended hours demonstrate our dedication to meeting the community’s needs,” Ben Stupka, Regional Transit Authority executive director, said in a statement. “By temporarily expanding D2A2’s service hours for this game under the lights, we’re making it simpler for attendees to cheer on the Wolverines without the hassle of driving or having to leave early.”
D2A2 buses have complimentary Wi-Fi and charging ports for passengers.
One-way fares are $8 at the door or $6 with an advance booking at the D2A2 website.
Seniors, people with disabilities and those purchasing a book of 10 or more tickets are eligible for reduced rates.
The Regional Transit Authority also offered late-night D2A2 game service after the Detroit Lions playoff game against the Washington Commanders in January.
For more information on schedules, fares and additional services, customers can visit the D2A2 website or contact customer service at 517-333-0400.
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Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions’ Brian Branch talks suspension, spiritual milestone, team leadership ahead of playoff push
 
														 
ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch described the difficulty of missing the Monday Night Football game due to suspension, but expressed relief and motivation upon returning to the field.
“It was very difficult just being out there with my guys, my brothers. I wasn’t able to help contribute to a win, but I’m glad we got the W,” said Branch.
Branch admitted he couldn’t bring himself to watch the game while sidelined, saying, “Watching them would make me miss being out there. That’s something that’s hard. I would be eager to get out there.”
He praised his teammates for wearing his jersey during his absence.
“I love them. They notice where I stand with them. I die out there for those boys. I play as hard as I can to help us. I scratch and claw. I’ll go to war with them pretty much,” Branch said.
Reflecting on his suspension, Branch took responsibility and expressed regret.
“I want to apologize for that. That’s something I don’t condone, and it’ll never happen again. It definitely added another chip to my shoulder,” Branch said.
When asked about balancing his fiery nature on the field, Branch said, “I get caught playing with too much emotion, and that brought me to that. I still play with fire, but just between the whistle. Now we’re going on the playoff run, so none of that.”
Branch shared how he’s learning to control his emotions, with guidance from coaches.
“They try to pick at me during plays to get me out of my shell, but they tell me to still play with fire and just not retaliate. Play between the whistle,” Branch said.
Branch also revealed he talks to a counselor, humorously mentioning, “I talked to where I take my dog for boarding. His name is Mr. Preacher, and he’s helped me a long way.”
He announced a personal milestone: “I actually get baptized this Wednesday.”
Branch appreciated the coaching staff’s public support during his suspension.
“It means a lot. I feel like I shot our team in the foot with what I did, and for them to have my back, I love them for that. I go to war for them any day of the week,” Branch said.
Looking ahead to his return, Branch promised fans “relentless effort and aggression.”
Branch also praised teammates who stepped up in his absence, saying, “The whole secondary played better than we played all year. I was too eager to get back out.”
On his baptism, Branch shared, “I feel like I got a new relief. I feel like I need to be saved by God. I’ve been going through a time like that. It’s a new relief.”
Branch clarified that the baptism was not prompted by the suspension but was perfect timing.
He said the baptism will be performed by “Mr. Preacher,” the preacher at the place where he boards his dog, and it is scheduled for Wednesday.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
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