Detroit, MI

Whitmer budget seeks $26M to upgrade Selfridge infrastructure

Published

10 months ago

February 4, 2025

Whitmer budget seeks M to upgrade Selfridge infrastructure

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget proposal this week will recommend spending $26 million to upgrade “critical” infrastructure at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, according to her office.

The purpose is in part to attract new flying missions and aircraft to the base, “recognizing the $30 billion that it contributes to the state’s economy and more than 116,000 jobs it supports,” Whitmer’s office said in a summary.

The administration didn’t detail what infrastructure would be enhanced at the base, but the investment would build on Whitmer’s commitment to spend $100 million to upgrade facilities at Selfridge as the state seeks a follow-on mission to replace the aging A-10s that will start to be retired in 2026.

Last year, then-secretary of the U.S. Air Force Frank Kendall said Selfridge would “potentially” be considered for a future fighter mission to replace the base’s A-10 aircraft, “but at the current time we don’t have an option to do that.”

Kendall at the time noted the decision announced a year ago to base a squadron of 12 KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers at the Selfridge base in Harrison Township was in part because of the planned divestiture of the A-10 fighters. Selfridge also is home to eight aging KC-135 Stratotankers, which are also slated to be retired.

Kendall added that the next-generation crewless or unmanned “collaborative” aircraft (CCA) that the Air Force is acquiring is a possibility for Selfridge.

Peters, who serves on the Senate Armed Services panel, has also emphasized the possibility of the Air Force employing KC-46s as a “command and control node” for future CCA aircraft.

The Air Force in January 2024 said Selfridge is the “preferred location” to host a KC-46A squadron, pending the results of a planned environmental impact analysis this year. The KC-46As are projected to start arriving in 2029.

Air Force officials have projected that jobs will still be lost in the retirement of the A-10s at Selfridge, which are expected to begin divestment in 2026.

That retirement process would occur incrementally through 2029 and could result in the net loss of approximately 300 part-time personnel positions and about 25 full-time jobs, accounting for the KC-46A jobs that will be added, the Air Force said.

Bipartisan members of Congress have said they continue to push defense officials for a follow-on fighter mission to replace the A-10s, but that depends on the availability of aircraft such as the F-35 or F-15EX.

Peters last week said he plans to press President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Air Force, Troy Meink, on a fighter mission. “And every mission we can get,” Peters said. “We’re just well-positioned for lots of missions.”

Members of Michigan’s congressional delegation have proposed hypersonics testing among the new missions that could come to Selfridge. A study is underway examining whether the base or a site nearby would be suitable for a facility for hypersonics and extreme environment testing. The study is being conducted by LIFT, the Detroit-based high-tech manufacturing research institute in Corktown.

Republican U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township, whose district includes the base, has also floated an AH-64E Apache helicopter mission for Selfridge. James, a pilot, flew AH-64s in Iraq.

The annual defense policy bill adopted in December authorized the creation of a new center to coordinate northern border security at Selfridge. The bill used language proposed in a separate bill by Peters and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

mburke@detroitnews.com

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Detroit, MI

Pistons’ Cade Cunningham provides Christmas joy to Detroit families

Published

4 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Press Room

Pistons’ Cade Cunningham provides Christmas joy to Detroit families

Detroit — Cade Cunningham has fond memories of looking up to the athletes who impacted his community when he was growing up in Arlington, Texas. In a city where Dirk Nowitzki was at the peak of his career with the Dallas Mavericks, Cunningham remembers several Dallas Cowboys players visiting his school during the holiday season.

Watching professional athletes instilled in him a desire to one day give back to the community through his own humanitarian efforts. On Sunday afternoon, the now-All-NBA guard hosted “A Cade Christmas” — a holiday giveback event dedicated to helping hundreds of Detroit youth and their families. The event took place at the Detroit Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center.

“This is special. This is the cool part about doing what I get to do, which is to give back with the resources I have. This is something me and my family love to do,” Cunningham said. “I was once in their shoes, and I always appreciated when people came back, or just seeing the players that I looked up to and admired. It is crazy that I am in this position now, but I try to do the best I can and give back in the best way that I can.”

Cade and the Cunningham family sponsored the event, which featured a festive Christmas party atmosphere complete with games, food and music for all attending families. Children also had the opportunity to take pictures with Cunningham and play a quick game of pop-a-shot.

There were dozens of donation gifts, from Detroit Pistons-branded basketballs to brand-new bicycles for every child. Parents received grocery and gas gift cards, along with a free gift-wrapping station. The Christmas celebration also included a game truck, face painters, balloon artists and a photo booth.

“This was amazing, I loved this event,” Kalaundra Hall said. “I loved that my students and kids got a chance to participate in this, coming out, and have a nice holiday event before Christmas, and of course, meet Cade Cunningham.”

Hall continued, “These students don’t get many opportunities like this on a daily basis. How often do they get to meet an NBA athlete? Some kids may not even be experiencing Christmas, but they get to come here and get something. This helped kids come out, have a good time, meet some friends, play — this was great for them.”

“A Cade Christmas” partnered with Give Merit — a Detroit-based youth organization that champions educational access and mentorship for underserved students.

A Cade Christmas was one of Cunningham’s many examples of his commitment to the city of Detroit as the face of the Pistons franchise.

“I’ve been blessed with the resources that I have to allow me to do things like this, and it is only right to give back,” Cunningham said. “As a kid, I always thought, ‘Once I make it, this is going to be something that I would love to do.’ It’s amazing. I am really thankful.”

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

@cotydavis_24

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Detroit, MI

Central Michigan will play in Detroit’s GameAbove Sports Bowl

Published

16 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

Central Michigan will play in Detroit’s GameAbove Sports Bowl

Detroit ― Central Michigan will play Northwestern in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Detroit’s Ford Field on Dec. 26, it was announced Sunday.

The game starts at 1 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN.

The Chippewas finished 7-5 this season, including wins in four of their last six games. Northwestern’s 6-6 record included a 24-22 loss to Michigan on Nov. 15 at Wrigley Field. CMU also played the Wolverines, losing 63-3 on Sept. 13 at Michigan Stadium.

Joe Labas led the Chippewas’ offense this season, completing 68.9 percent of his passes for 12 TD against six interceptions.

This is a developing story. Come back to detroitnews.com soon for more.

GameAbove Sports Bowl

CENTRAL MICHIGAN VS. NORTHWESTERN

➤ Kickoff: 1 p.m. Dec. 26, Ford Field, Detroit

➤ TV: ESPN

➤ Records: Central Michigan 7-5; Northwestern 6-6

➤ Bowl history: This is the 11th playing of this version of Detroit’s bowl game, previously known as the Quick Lane Bowl. Toledo beat Pittsburgh, 48-46, in six overtimes in 2024. This is CMU’s 14th bowl game; the Chippewas are 4-9.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

@tonypaul1984

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Detroit, MI

Meijer Postgame Comments 12/6/25 | Detroit Red Wings

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

Meijer Postgame Comments 12/6/25 | Detroit Red Wings

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