Detroit, MI
Insider: Thanedar features Whitmer in a Mother Day’s campaign message
U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar tried to appeal to female voters ahead of Mother’s Day this past week with a glossy mail advertisement that arrived in mailboxes in the 13th Congressional District — 13 weeks before the Aug. 6 Democratic primary.
The advertisement’s message talked about Thanedar’s mother and wife, Shashi, with a photo of his family and the moms in this life.
“In Congress, I have tried following the lessons these strong women have taught me,” Thanedar wrote. “I’ve worked to empower women — by defending abortion rights, fighting for equal pay and fighting against discrimination in any form.”
Curiously, the ad also featured another mom — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a fellow Democrat who gave Thanedar’s chief primary opponent, state Sen. Adam Hollier, a job as director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
Thanedar’s mailer didn’t identify Whitmer in writing, it just has a photo of him and the governor. But the image suggests Thanedar has the support of the state’s chief executive in his reelection bid against Hollier and Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters in a primary where the victory will almost assuredly prevail in the November general election.
Whitmer did not authorize Thanedar to use her image in the advertisement, said Helen Hare, spokeswoman for Whitmer’s Fight Like Hell political action committee.
“The use of this photo for campaign purposes is not authorized, and the Governor has not made an endorsement in this race,” Hare said in a statement.
More: Hollier congressional bid for ballot at risk over possible forged signatures
Uncommitted Dems pan ‘sanitized’ convention
The Uncommitted National Movement is demanding a meeting with top Democratic National Committee officials after a report that White House and Democratic leaders are discussing making the party’s August nominating convention partially virtual in an effort to minimize the threat of disruptions at the high-profile gathering.
Leaders of the Uncommitted movement, which began in Michigan, said the party is trying avoid debate over President Joe Biden’s support for Israel and his position on Palestinian rights. They aren’t having it.
“The DNC’s attempt to sideline genuine discourse and sanitize the convention undermines the spirit of democracy that our party’s voting base expects them to champion,” said Abbas Alawieh, a spokesman for Uncommitted.
“Open the party doors to genuine debate, let delegates speak freely, and show that the party still stands for the basic tenets of freedom and democracy.“
Abbas said the group wants a meeting with senior planners of the convention and DNC Chair Jaime Harrison to ensure delegates may attend in person and “speak freely.”
Politico reported that some party officials are pushing to make the August convention in Chicago hybrid similar to their COVID-era convention four years ago, with a mix of in-person speeches from Biden and others and also pre-recorded content and fewer opportunities for demonstrators or hecklers to interrupt.
The conversation comes amid campus protests around the country over the war and demonstrators often showing up at venues or in audiences where Biden speaks. Anger over Biden’s support for Israel in the Gaza war spread across communities in Michigan, spurring more than 100,000 residents to cast “uncommitted” ballots in protest during the Democratic presidential primary in February.
The Uncommitted movement won delegates in Michigan’s 6th and 12th congressional districts. Abbas on Saturday won his bid to represent the Uncommitted movement at the convention as a delegate for the 12th Congressional District. Rima Mohammad, former president of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education, won to represent the 6th.
More: Biden’s threat to halt U.S. weapons to Israel draws immediate GOP blowback
Raimondo to Mackinac
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is the latest speaker announced for the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference, hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber at month’s end, organizers said last week.
“We’re looking forward to hearing a one-on-one discussion with her about her extraordinary career, from her leadership of the Department of Commerce and her leading role in the development of many of the policies and administration that we think have been critical to our biz including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said businesswoman Suzanne Shank, chair of this year’s conference. “That was a big get in our view.”
The conference will also feature a bipartisan debate among the top-polling U.S. Senate candidates at 5:30 p.m. May 30 based on a survey by the Lansing-based polling firm Glengariff Group.
Three Republicans and three Democrats have been invited to participate: Democrats Elissa Slotkin of Holly, Hill Harper of Detroit and Nasser Beydoun of Dearborn and Republicans Mike Rogers of Brighton, Sandy Pensler of Grosse Pointe Park and Justin Amash of Cascade Township. Television journalists Devin Scillian of WDIV (Channel 4) and Rick Albin of WOOD-TV will moderate the debate.
“We are working with all of their offices to confirm them for this opportunity,” Detroit Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah said.
“The format will allow both parties obviously to be on the stage at the same time. We think this is a unique format that really pushes candidates to speak to a broad audience, as opposed to speaking to their base voters. It creates a different dynamic.”
Others speakers on the agenda include Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing and Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, U.S. Reps. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, and Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, state House Speaker Joe Tate, University of Michigan President Santa Ono, Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz, NBC News’ Chuck Todd and Suzanne P. Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
State GOP plans for convention
The Michigan Republican Party has begun making plans for the Republican national convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee from July 15-18.
Michigan’s delegates for the convention will be staying at a hotel in Madison, Wisc., according to a party email, reviewed by The Detroit News.
“The hotel is just over an hour from the Fiserv Forum,” wrote Tyson Shepard, executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, in a recent message to delegates.
Delegates also selected Anne DeLisle of Genesee County, chairwoman of the 8th Congressional District Republican committee, to be the delegation chairman. And they chose Pete Hoekstra, chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, and Bronwyn Haltom of Kalamazoo County to represent the state on the convention’s platform committee.
More: Insider: Trump to headline conservative group’s convention in Detroit
More: Man acquitted of aiding Whitmer kidnap plot now running for sheriff
Tweet of the week
The Insider report’s “Tweet of the Week,” recognizing a social media post that was worthy of attention or, possibly, just a laugh, from the previous week goes to journalist Rachel Louise Just.
Just, who previously covered Michigan politics but now works in Arizona, responded to news that a TV show is in the works that’s planned to be a new version of “The Office” but based around a newspaper in a Midwestern town.
clivengood@detroitnews.com
mburke@detroitnews.com
cmauger@detroitnews.com
eleblanc@detroitnews.com
Detroit, MI
5 realistic cornerback trade targets for the Detroit Lions after Terrion Arnold’s release
Detroit Lions may not need to overpay to replace Terrion Arnold. One former first-round pick, a familiar face, a young ascending starter, and two experienced veterans could all make sense as trade targets.
Mike Hughes
Hughes might be a name Lions fans remember. He spent time with Detroit in 2022 and had a pretty decent season before the Atlanta Falcons signed him. He started for Atlanta across three seasons. Hughes isn’t flashy, but he’s reliable. He averages about two penalties a year, which is a welcome change given what Arnold was doing in that department. Last season, he allowed a reception percentage of just 56.1 and posted a passer rating against of 84.5, the best of his career.
He’s going to turn 30 by the end of the season, so the price tag shouldn’t be steep. The Lions could probably call Atlanta, offer a sixth-round pick, and get him. Hughes could come in and compete with Rock Ya-Sin for the starting job, or he might just take it outright. He’s someone who has been in the Lions’ system before and knows what Detroit expects. That matters.
Renardo Green
Green is a younger option who plays for the San Francisco 49ers. They took him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the same class as Arnold. The problem for Green is that San Francisco’s cornerback room is stacked right now with Jack Jones, Deommodore Lenoir, their rookie Ephesians Prysock, Jakob Robinson, and veteran Eli Apple. Green was the starter all of last season, but there’s a growing thought that with so many options, the 49ers might consider moving him before the season starts. Plus, San Francisco is eventually going to have to pay him, and trading him now frees up future flexibility.
This one would probably cost a fourth- or fifth-round pick, and it might be the most unrealistic of the bunch. But the talent is real, and it’s worth monitoring.
Deonte Banks
Banks was the 25th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and it hasn’t worked out with the New York Giants. He’s been a starter, but the results haven’t matched the draft capital. Now he has to compete with Greg Newsome, Colton Hood, and Paulson Adebo for playing time, and there’s a real chance he gets beat out. The Giants might feel comfortable going with someone like Kori Black or Rico Payton and flipping Banks for whatever they can get.
Because he hasn’t lived up to his draft slot, the Lions wouldn’t have to pay a first-round price. A fifth- or sixth-round pick could get it done. This is a riskier play because the production hasn’t been there consistently, but Banks has been a starter for multiple years and has shown flashes. You’re betting on potential, which is exactly why you’re not giving up much to acquire him.
Paulson Adebo
Adebo signed with the Giants as a free agent last year, and it seemed like the Lions would be in on him at the time. He played under Dennis Allen in New Orleans, and Allen, Aaron Glenn, and Kelvin Sheppard all run a similar defensive scheme to what Detroit operates. It just made sense. The Lions ultimately went after D.J. Reed instead, which was the better move. But after a rough first year in New York, the Giants may feel Adebo isn’t what they paid for. If they decide to give Banks a longer look under Jon Harbaugh, Adebo could become available. The Lions would be smart to get on top of that because Adebo fits Detroit’s defense better than whatever New York has been running through its recent coaching changes.
Kristian Fulton
Fulton spent most of his career with the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers before moving to Kansas City in 2025, where injuries derailed his season. He’s still just 27 years old. In 2024, his last full season, he allowed a 65.2 reception percentage. In the few games he played last year, he posted a 50% reception percentage and had four pass breakups before the injury shut him down. In the two games he started for the Chiefs down the stretch, he played pretty well, but Kansas City had already moved on from him as a long-term starter.
The Lions could probably get Fulton for a sixth-round pick. He could come in, compete for the starting job, and likely win it. At 27, he has multiple years of productive football ahead of him. That’s the kind of low-cost, high-floor move Detroit should be making right now.
Those are five names worth watching as the Lions look to fill the hole Arnold left behind. None of them will shake up the league, but the Lions don’t need that. They need someone who can step in, compete, and play solid football. Any of these guys could do that.
Detroit Lions News
Looking for the newest family attractions in Metro Detroit? You’re in luck! Just halfway through 2026, southeast Michigan has welcomed an incredible lineup of new playgrounds, museums, indoor play spaces, splash pads, interactive exhibits, and family attractions. Whether you’re planning a weekend adventure, looking for somewhere new to explore with toddlers, or trying to keep older kids entertained this summer, these brand-new destinations deserve a spot on your family’s bucket list.
Here’s where families are heading in Metro Detroit this year.
Detroit’s newest riverfront attraction features an interactive water garden where kids can run through playful fountains while enjoying spectacular views of the Detroit River. The surrounding park also includes nature-inspired playgrounds, walking paths, picnic areas, and one of the city’s most beautiful waterfront destinations.
Michigan Science Center has unveiled a giant cardboard maze experience that celebrates Detroit neighborhoods, landmarks, and creativity. Families can wander through immersive pathways filled with colorful murals while also enjoying hands-on STEM activities like robot challenges, cardboard building stations, and interactive games. Best of all, the exhibit is included with general admission.
History comes to life in a powerful new way at Greenfield Village with the opening of the Jackson Home, relocated from Selma, Alabama. The home belonged to Dr. Sullivan and Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson, close friends of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and served as an important meeting place during the Civil Rights Movement.
West Lincoln Well Park (Birmingham)
West Lincoln Well Park is located on the south side of Lincoln Street at Westchester Way. The park contains open space, two tennis courts and play equipment including swings, slides, shaded sandbox, a play structure and rockers. Address: 1801 W Lincoln St, Birmingham, MI 48009
The new Erb Discovery Trails at the Detroit Zoo is a 7-acre immersive experience set to open on Saturday, May 23rd. The trails will feature a mix of new animal habitats, hands-on encounters, and nature-inspired play spaces where kids can climb, explore, and engage their senses. Guests can expect interactive experiences like feeding animals, exploring multi-sensory pathways, and even encountering species like stingrays and bamboo sharks, all while learning about conservation through storytelling and outdoor adventure. Created to blend education with play, the Discovery Trails aim to inspire curiosity, connection to nature, and memorable family experiences in an entirely new section of the zoo.
Step into a world of magic this summer at The Lost World of Dragons at Sloan Museum of Discovery, running May 16 through September 13. This exciting, family-friendly exhibit brings dragon legends to life with interactive displays that blend science, history, and imagination—perfect for curious kids and adventurous families. Admission is $25 for ages 12+, $17 for kids ages 2–11 (under 2 free) and includes full access to the museum, making it an easy and unforgettable day trip option.
Great Lakes Serpentarium brings reptiles out of the pages of books and into the real world with more than 100 animals from around the globe. From snakes and turtles to iguanas and alligators, this unique reptile house lets visitors see and interact with creatures most people only read about.
At Slick City Troy is the most popular place in town! The action lineup is packed with thrilling attractions you won’t find anywhere else. Feel the rush of wind as you zoom down, enjoying a safe and thrilling descent that’s fun for all ages – thing the adrenaline rush of a roller coast but on massive slides. In addition to giant slides, there are also traditional multi-level climbing structures for school age kids and toddlers. Location: 1820 Crooks Rd, Troy
2D DIY Studio has opened a brand-new location in Sterling Heights, offering a fun, welcoming space where kids, teens, and adults can tap into their artistic side. Whether you’re planning a girls’ night out, a birthday party, or a family outing, this DIY studio delivers colorful, crafty fun for all skill levels — no experience required.
Oak Park Woods Playground (Oak Park)
Uniquely designed, Oak Park Woods features towering green play structures, connected by rope bridges, climbing nets, tunnels, and elevated pathways. . The massive play structure features towering climbing elements, a giant slide, inclusive play equipment, and plenty of room for kids to explore. Lower climbing features, smaller slides, and ground-level play elements create opportunities for toddlers and preschoolers to safely explore. Best of all the park’s signature train and monster truck have been refurbished and remain at the park. Address: 24198 Church St, Oak Park, MI 48237
At Kids Castle Fun Center guests can race around in exciting bumper cars, bounce in colorful and safe bounce houses—including obstacle courses and an adventurous Pirate Ship—play a variety of arcade games from classic favorites to modern hits, and enjoy kiddie ride-ons and prize-filled crane games. Address: 5100 Dixie Highway, Suite 400
A new entertainment destination for families has arrived in metro Detroit. Gotta Gacha brings together classic arcade fun, modern gaming, and collectible culture all under one roof—making it a must-visit spot for kids, teens, and gamers of all ages. Address: 29200 Dequindre Rd Ste 3, Warren
One of the most unique new play spaces in Metro Detroit, Sandverse brings the beach indoors with Michigan’s first immersive indoor sandbox experience. Kids can dig, build, and create in soft, natural sand, using tools and prompts that encourage open-ended, sensory-rich play. Designed especially for younger children, the space blends creative exploration with early learning and motor skill development, while also offering a sand-free zone for additional play.
ITAVA IMAGINATION Station is all about hands-on discovery, creativity, and imaginative play. This interactive space encourages kids to explore, build, and engage in STEAM-inspired activities that blend learning with fun – inside AND out! Designed for a wide range of ages, it offers an environment where kids can experiment, problem-solve, and let their imaginations run wild.
Specializing in children’s art classes, camps and art themed birthday parties, Kidcreate Studio is an art studio just for kids. At Kidcreate Studio, your child will create fridge-worthy masterpieces, learn art concepts, and experiment with many different art materials.
After renovations and updates, Plymouth District Library is celebrating its grand reopening this June. Families can explore refreshed spaces, updated collections, and community-centered improvements designed to make the library even more welcoming for children and visitors of all ages.
The wait is over! Ford Field Park is finally reopened in downtown Northville and the signature wooden playground is now trek! Say bye to splinters an wood chips in sandals and enjoy a similar playtime experience in a modern, more enjoyable environment. Address: 151 N. Griswold, Northville, MI 48167
The RED Children’s Museum is a first-of-its-kind children’s visual arts museum focused entirely on hands-on creativity, expression, and imagination. Families can explore interactive exhibits that encourage kids to paint, build, design, and experiment with art in a completely immersive way. Unlike traditional museums, this space invites kids to be active participants—making it perfect for curious minds who love to create.
-
Colorado33 seconds agoSmokey skies and critical fire danger conditions continue in southern Colorado
-
Connecticut6 minutes agoUS Supreme Court to consider challenge to Connecticut assault weapons ban
-
Delaware13 minutes agoDelaware Fire Marshal Urges Fireworks Caution Ahead of July 4th – 47abc
-
Florida16 minutes agoNew details in deadly Florida alligator attack
-
Georgia21 minutes agoFriends of Georgia Radio Reveals HOF Class – Radio World
-
Hawaii28 minutes ago
Hawaii displays historic photos of Martin Luther King Jr. wearing flower lei during Selma march
-
Idaho31 minutes agoFiring squad set to become primary method of execution in Idaho
-
Illinois43 minutes agoU.S. Supreme Court rejects effort to end birthright citizenship; Illinois advocates relieved
