The only certainty is chaos for small businesses in metro Detroit

Nearly 1 in 3 voting-age Michiganders has a disability. The law guarantees them equal access to the polls, but a new Detroit Disability Power report finds that only 10% of metro Detroit polling places met basic accessibility standards in 2025 — and the number has dropped every year since the audits began. Detroit Disability Power advocacy director Eric Welsby and artist and auditor Bakpak Durden join host Robyn Vincent to talk about what they found on the ground, what it costs disabled voters when the system fails them, and what it would actually take to fix it.  

Recently, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that seeks to change how mail-in voting works, having it overseen by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Trump and Republicans are also trying to pass the SAVE Act, which would ensure voters provide documentary proof of citizenship at the time of registration, and a photo ID at the time of voting. All of this is happening as the president has called to “nationalize the elections”, and as MAGA influencer Steve Bannon has asked ICE officials to patrol polling locations in November. What should we make of all these things? How secure are our voting systems? And, is the president trying to make voting less secure for his advantage? Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent about this and more.  

Detroit is celebrating historic drops in violent crime. But former forensic technicians are raising alarms about conditions inside the unit that processes the evidence — and a state safety citation backs them up. Noah Kincade of Outlier Media's Detroit Documenters joins host Robyn Vincent to break down what's happening inside DPD's Crime Scene Services unit. 

Federal judges recently ruled that hundreds of people in Michigan were unconstitutionally detained as they never had a chance of being released on bond. For its part, the Trump administration says it's detaining the “worst of the worst.” But in many cases, non-citizens without a criminal record have been detained. So, what do ICE arrests and detentions look like in metro Detroit? What are the stories of those who’ve been detained? How are local police involved in the work? And, who’s fighting back?  Violet Ikonomova is an investigative reporter for the Detroit Free Press. She spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent.

About 1 in 31 children in the U.S. is now diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. Behind every statistic is a family trying to figure it out in real time, searching for support, resources, and spaces where their children feel understood and included. One Detroit mother hustled harder for more.  After her eldest son was diagnosed with autism, Tiera Moultrie saw first-hand just how much was missing for families like hers. In 2020, she founded Autism In The D, with a mission to build community and create safe, inclusive spaces for children on the spectrum and their families. Since its founding, Tiera has had three children, with two living with ASD. The work she does is personal but it's about more than her family.  Autism In The D is hosting its 6th annual Weekend of Inclusivity, one of Detroit’s largest autism awareness walks. It’s not just about awareness, it’s about access to resources, connection, and making sure families don’t feel alone. This year will also welcome Detroit’s first autism-inclusive adaptive kids gym.

Since 2015, consumer confidence in the economy has plummeted, according to recent consumer survey data by the University of Michigan. But while confidence has declined, spending has remained strong. Why? And, how have rising gas prices factored into the economy? Professor Joanne Hsu is the Director of the monthly Surveys of Consumers at the University of Michigan. She spoke with The Metro’s Sam Corey.

As America’s strikes against Iran continue and access to the Strait of Hormuz remains in question, gas prices are rising, and more people are thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle. But despite interest, how much will EV sales actually increase for companies like Ford, GM and Stellantis — especially as car sales in general have plummeted over the past few decades? John McElroy is an automotive analyst with Autoline. He spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent.

The economy has undergone many drastic changes over the years. If you’re a millennial, change and chaos have been commonplace. Rising gas prices and supply chain disruptions are now among the challenges small businesses must navigate. It might be why over half of small businesses owners in Michigan say they’re making operational changes to prepare for a recession, according to a recent survey. Which small businesses are hit hardest by the war in Iran and its disruptions? And, what could make them more resilient in the face of chaos? Mark Lee is the President and CEO of The Lee Group, where he consults with small businesses across Southeast Michigan. He spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent.

Tax breaks passed by Michigan lawmakers in 2024 have ushered in a wave of proposals for data centers across the state. They promise jobs, but residents are pushing back. Steven Gonzalez Monserrate joins The Metro to discuss the economic and environmental impacts of data centers.

Detroit is often broken into two camps: Downtown and the neighborhoods. At last night’s state of the city address, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield declared she was investing in the latter. Between cash assistance for pregnant moms, potential pay increases for city employees, new initiatives to help young people, and plans for more affordable housing, Sheffield signaled she doesn’t want to have two separate, unequal classes living in Detroit. Donna Givens Davidson is the president of the Eastside Community Network and of the co-host of the Authentically Detroit podcast. She also was part of Mayor Sheffield's transition team. Givens Davidson spoke with The Metro's Cary Junior II.