Detroit, MI

Southwest Detroit nonprofit helping to shape the future, empower the community

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 2024

Southwest Detroit nonprofit helping to shape the future, empower the community

DETROIT (WXYZ) — Hispanic Heritage Month kicked off on Sunday and for the next month, we are going to be highlighting the history, culture and contributions of people with Hispanic roots.

On Monday, we spoke with an organization about its ongoing mission to connect youth, stakeholders and residents in Southwest Detroit.

Congress of Communities is a small nonprofit making big changes in a neighborhood that’s also known as Mexicantown for its rich Hispanic culture.

Lisa Gonzalez says her 15-year-old daughter has been able to learn about her Hispanic heritage through the youth program offered at CoC.

“It boosted my self-confidence, like oh wow, I’m actually doing great as a mom getting her into these programs,” Gonzalez said. “This morning, she woke up and said ‘¡Feliz día de la independencía de Mexico, mom!’”

“It’s like happy Independence Day, like you know, we celebrate our Fourth of July here in American. And in Mexico, they celebrate their independence on the 15th of September,” Gonzalez continued.

CoC program manager Flor Rivera Hernandez told us the organization welcomes everyone who lives in Southwest Detroit.

“It really is a cultural melting pot,” Rivera Hernandez said. “One individual cannot change the entire world but if you have a group of people who share the same beliefs and same values and want to be able to see their community succeed, and you’re able to create spaces like Congress of Communities does to empower youth and young adults and the next generations of leaders and doers and dreamers.”

CoC member Elizabeth Amezcua-Tepehua is one of those dreamers.

“There’s a lot of passions within just being Hispanic, Mexican or any other Latin origin,” Amezcua-Tepehua said.

We asked everyone we spoke with what Hispanic Heritage Month meant to them.

“It’s great to be able to celebrate openly and freely,” Amezcua-Tepehua said.

“It’s a really beautiful mixture of different backgrounds and just being able to celebrate that openly and freely,” Rivera Hernandez said.

“She loves being Mexican American, and that’s something we have a really big passion for,” Gonzalez said.

CoC is almost always putting on a fundraiser or event. If you are interested in what’s coming up next for Coc, visit congressofcommunities.com.

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Detroit, MI

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

Published

10 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.

Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer

Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.

In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.

Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.

A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.

The Pistons could use someone like Kennard

Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.

Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.

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Detroit, MI

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

Published

22 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported.

Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.

The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.

In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction.

None of the gunshots struck the vehicle.

Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident.

The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.

In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.

The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.

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Detroit, MI

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?

Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?

What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?

What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?

Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.

Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?

BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?

The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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