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Detroit woman sues Lyft, alleging she was denied service due to her weight

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Detroit woman sues Lyft, alleging she was denied service due to her weight


Dajua Blanding from Detroit said she was denied a ride from Lyft due to her weight, which caused her to file a suit.

Blanding captured the incident on video and posted it to her social media page, which has been shared thousands of times.

According to the video, Blanding paid Lyft for a ride from her residence to a party at her cousin’s house.

About 10-15 minutes later, a Lyft driver arrived in a Mercedez Benz sedan.

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Blanding walked towards the Lyft driver’s vehicle, and the Lyft driver locked his doors and started to drive away.

She asked the driver what he was doing, and the driver told her that she was too big to get into his car.

“Under the law, refusing someone transportation due to their weight is no different than refusing someone transportation based on their race or religion.” said attorney Jon Marko. “Discrimination of any kind should never be tolerated in our society.”

The driver claimed that Blanding was too big to fit into the backseat of his vehicle and that his tires could not support her weight.

The Lyft driver also said that he had this problem in the past and that overweight people need to order Lyft XLs.

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Despite Blanding assuring the Lyft driver that she could fit in the back seat, he kept his doors locked and sped off.

“Refusing someone transportation based on their weight is not only illegal, but dangerous,” said attorney Zach Runyan. “Imagine the consequences if Ms. Blanding were unable to seek shelter after the driver left her stranded. This could have ended even worse than it did.”

Lyft has yet to respond to the lawsuit.

Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.



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Detroit, MI

Detroit People Mover resumes service after nearly 2 months of repairs

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Detroit People Mover resumes service after nearly 2 months of repairs


The Detroit People Mover is back up and running after being closed for the past two months for repairs following storm damage.

According to the Detroit Transportation Corporation, the People Mover reopened to the public at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

High winds on March 13 forced the People Mover to undergo a series of repairs, including undercarriage sheet metal removal, track cable communications and switch mechanisms.

Over the last 16 days, People Mover cars have been out for tests ahead of the reopening.

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“Rider safety is always at the heart of what we do, and it is our responsibility as a public transit provider,” DTE CEO Melia Howard said in a statement. “The time was a necessary requirement to restore key, operational components and is an investment in the continued reliability of the system. We take pride in the role that the People Mover plays for residents, workers and visitors, and we look forward to being the go-to public transportation for both daily rides and special events which bring everyone together.”





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Tigers’ Framber Valdez ejected as benches clear after hit-by-pitch

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Tigers’ Framber Valdez ejected as benches clear after hit-by-pitch


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Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez was ejected from his start Tuesday, May 5, against the Boston Red Sox before recording an out in the fourth inning.

The 32-year-old was ejected by third-base umpire and crew chief Dan Iassogna for hitting Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a first-pitch 94.4 mph four-seam fastball – immediately after giving up back-to-back home runs.

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The hit-by-pitch appeared to be intentional, especially because the pitch registered as the only four-seam fastball that Valdez has thrown in the 2026 season.

The Red Sox scored 10 runs off Valdez, including two in the fourth inning on home runs from Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu, both with bat flips. That’s when Valdez hit Story, who absorbed the pitch with his back.

Players and coaches from both teams’ benches and bullpens poured onto the field at Comerica Park.

Valdez stood near the mound during the skirmish, all while his teammates and coaches exchanged words with players and coaches from the Red Sox.

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There was no brawl.

Before benches and bullpens cleared, Story stared down Valdez from near home plate, and Valdez took several steps in front of the pitching mound.

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The two never came close to a fight.

Afterward, the umpires gathered, discussed what had happened and ejected Valdez. He didn’t protest the ejection, simply walking off the mound and into the clubhouse.

Both teams were warned not to retaliate.

Valdez – a two-time All-Star in his nine-year MLB career – allowed 10 runs (seven earned runs) on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts across three-plus innings, throwing 45 of 60 pitches for strikes.

He generated six misses on 34 swings for a below-average 17.6% whiff rate, while the Red Sox averaged an above-average 93.3 mph exit velocity on 16 balls in play.

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Valdez has a 4.57 ERA in eight starts.

The Tigers – led by president of baseball operations Scott Harris – signed Valdez in early February to a lucrative contract that will be worth three years, $115 million if he exercises his player option for the third season.

The deal set the MLB record for the highest average annual value guaranteed to a left-handed pitcher, at $38.3 million.

So far, the results have been disappointing.

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The hit-by-pitch in Tuesday’s meltdown didn’t help.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.





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A New Day for Detroit’s Dakota Inn – Hour Detroit Magazine

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A New Day for Detroit’s Dakota Inn – Hour Detroit Magazine


Photo Courtesy of the Dakota Inn

For generations of Detroiters, the Dakota Inn Rathskeller has been more than a bar—it’s been a ritual. A place where communal tables, steins raised high, and the familiar sound of German folk songs have created a sense of belonging that transcends time. Now, as the city continues its cultural resurgence, the Dakota Inn is entering a bold new chapter—one that honors its storied past while opening the doors to an entirely new kind of experience.

This summer, the transformation is unmistakable.

At the heart of the revival is a sprawling outdoor Biergarten—an ambitious expansion that reimagines the Dakota Inn as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination venue. Designed to evoke the charm of traditional European beer gardens while embracing Detroit’s gritty, creative energy, the space invites guests to linger. Long wooden tables stretch beneath open skies, string lights glow into the evening, and the hum of conversation blends with live music and clinking glasses. It’s communal, celebratory, and distinctly Detroit.

But the evolution doesn’t stop with beer.

The Dakota Inn is broadening its cultural reach with a thoughtfully curated lineup of events that extend far beyond its traditional roots. Jazz & Film Nights promise to turn warm evenings into immersive experiences, pairing live performances with classic and contemporary cinema. The concept feels both nostalgic and fresh—an echo of Detroit’s rich musical heritage layered with a modern, cinematic sensibility.

Photo Courtesy of the Dakota Inn

Wine tastings, too, are joining the calendar, signaling a more expansive approach to hospitality. These events aim to attract a wider audience while maintaining the venue’s approachable, convivial spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply curious, the goal is the same: bring people together around shared experiences.

And then there’s soccer.

With World Cup excitement on the horizon, the Dakota Inn is positioning itself as one of the city’s premier gathering spots for international watch parties. The Biergarten will come alive with fans from all backgrounds, united by the universal language of the game. Large screens, cold drinks, and a festival-like atmosphere will transform match days into something closer to a civic celebration than a simple viewing.

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What makes this moment particularly compelling is the balance being struck. The Dakota Inn isn’t abandoning its identity—it’s expanding it. The familiar sing-alongs, the old-world décor, the sense of history etched into the walls—all of that remains. But now, it exists alongside new programming that reflects the diversity and dynamism of Detroit itself.

Photo Courtesy of the Dakota Inn

This is not a reinvention for reinvention’s sake. It’s a thoughtful evolution, rooted in the belief that historic spaces can—and should—adapt to the communities they serve.

On any given summer night, you might find a table of old friends singing a German drinking song, a couple discovering the space for the first time over a glass of wine, or a crowd gathered around a screen, erupting in cheers as a goal is scored thousands of miles away. Different scenes, different energies—but all part of the same story.

A new day has arrived at the Dakota Inn Rathskeller, and if this summer is any indication, its next chapter may be its most vibrant yet.

The Dakota Inn

17324 John R St, Detroit, MI 48203

(313) 867-9722

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