Detroit Parishes Could Lose Weekend Mass

The Archdiocese of Detroit released refined restructuring models this week that could end weekend Mass at dozens of church sites across southeast Michigan.

Declining membership and a priest shortage are driving the changes. In a letter to parishioners, Archbishop Edward Weisenburger said the archdiocese was built for the 1.5 million Catholics it once counted but now serves closer to 900,000.

The shrinking priesthood has added pressure, and the plan would group every parish into larger units called pastorates, each led by a single pastor. More than 40,000 parishioners weighed in at over 400 listening sessions this spring.

For some parishioners, the changes threaten churches their families have attended for generations. The archdiocese says a site that loses weekend Mass would not automatically close, with final decisions expected in April 2027.

Grand Rapids Plans $1.7M Gateway Arches

Grand Rapids is building three illuminated gateway arches to span the streets of its West Side business districts, with crews beginning preliminary work this week.

The $1.7 million project will mark the Stockbridge, West Fulton, and Leonard districts, each arch carrying its neighborhood’s name and colors and glowing at night. The Stockbridge gateway will also mark the connection to downtown.

The city framed the arches as part of broader upgrades to its business corridors. Crews took measurements Monday, with foundation work next and installation expected in spring 2027.

The project is the product of years of community advocacy, with business associations and residents shaping the designs through the West Side Corridor Improvement Authority.

Lightning Sparked Two U.P. Wildfires

Lightning ignited two of the three Upper Peninsula wildfires the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has grouped as the “Rugged Terrain Complex,” the agency said.

Together, the Ridge, Craig Lake, and Black River fires have burned more than 1,400 acres in the remote western and central U.P. since a DNR pilot spotted the first blaze Oct. 8.

The fires are burning in rugged terrain with muddy, sometimes impassable roads that have made it difficult for crews to reach some areas. Beneath the surface, fire is smoldering up to 2 feet deep in the dry forest floor. Drought left the woods primed to burn.

An earlier evacuation preparedness advisory near Marquette has been lifted. As of Sunday, the DNR reported the three fires were 50% to 90% contained.

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➤ Statewide: A University of Michigan survey found local officials reporting more negative than positive experiences with the state’s nine-day early-voting requirement, with smaller communities particularly concerned about staffing and costs. (See Report)

➤ Inkster: A standing-room-only crowd packed city hall to oppose a proposed data center, citing concerns about pollution, noise, and light. The city council declined to approve the project. (See Details)

➤ Muskegon Heights: Police records allege city officials and their relatives benefited from questionable foreclosure sales, including bids accepted over higher offers. The allegations surfaced during a drug investigation that led to raids on city hall this summer. (See Details)

➤ Washtenaw County: A federal appeals court allowed a lawsuit alleging dangerous mold and inadequate ventilation at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility, Michigan’s only women’s prison, to proceed. The state disputes claims of widespread mold. (See Details)

➤ Flint: The “Fix Healthcare Now” bus tour stopped in the city Monday, urging Congress to restore ACA tax credits and reverse Medicaid cuts. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet joined the event, while Republican opponent Tom Smith criticized her health care voting record. (See Details)

➤ Birmingham: City commissioners unanimously voted to permanently ban short-term rentals following months of debate and a shooting linked to a rental property party in April. Existing licenses will expire April 15, 2027, and cannot be renewed. (See Details)

➤ West Michigan: National Drug Take Back Day returns Saturday, Oct. 24, with about 20 drop-off sites across West Michigan for residents to discard unused or expired medications. (See Details)

➤ The Detroit Pistons rallied from 22 points down to defeat the Boston Celtics 121-113 in Tuesday’s season opener. Jalen Duren led Detroit with 22 points as the Pistons outscored Boston 39-25 in the fourth quarter. (More)

➤ Kyle Whittingham kept Michigan’s starting quarterback plans secret ahead of Saturday’s Indiana game but praised freshman Tommy Carr, who sparked a comeback win over Penn State with a rushing touchdown. (More)

➤ Michigan State will look to snap a five-game losing streak Saturday against unbeaten UCLA after coach Pat Fitzgerald took responsibility for the Spartans’ loss to Northwestern. (More)

➤ Detroit Catholic Central topped Michigan’s latest high school football rankings, followed by Cass Tech, Saline, East Kentwood, and Grand Blanc. All five teams are undefeated as the state playoffs approach. (See List)

➤ Michigan water polo player Abby Schulz returned to East Grand Rapids with her college teammates to inspire young athletes. More than 80 participants attended a hands-on clinic to learn from Division I players and help grow the sport. (Read Story)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NCAAF | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Trader Joe’s plans to open a new store in Farmington Hills, at Middlebelt and 12 Mile roads, as part of a 30-store nationwide expansion. An opening date has not been announced. (More)

➤ KMI Space secured $3.5 million in state funding to develop its Laelaps satellite-servicing spacecraft in Marquette, a project expected to create about 60 jobs. (More)

➤ Henry Ford Genesys Hospital and the Teamsters reached a deal ending a yearlong strike. The contract includes 13% raises, new staffing ratios, and seniority protections, with nurses potentially returning next week. (More)

➤ Frieden Resort has opened in Saugatuck, featuring 76 private cabins, along with a pool, hot tub, sauna, and gym. The new resort also expects to add year-round and seasonal jobs. (More)

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➤ Twelve Muskegon soldiers who served in World War I were posthumously awarded Purple Hearts more than a century later, following years of research by a local military historian. (Read Story)

➤ A firefighter is running from Green Bay to Detroit to raise money for cancer patients, inspired by his wife’s battle with breast cancer. (See Details)

➤ Volunteers in Lansing with the nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace are building and delivering about 75 beds a month to children in need, as an estimated 6,000 local kids lack beds of their own. (More)

➤ University of Michigan cross country runners spent Sunday preparing nearly 800 historic peony plants for winter, completing the annual garden cleanup in about an hour. (Read Story)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ What are Americans’ favorite fast food chains, and which ones land at the bottom? (Hear List)

➤ Ohio’s Democratic candidate for governor is being denounced as a liar by her mother in a new ad. (Hear Story)

➤ Robert and Ethel Kennedy’s granddaughter has died at 42, years after a paralyzing spinal cord injury. (Listen Now)

How often do you attend religious services?

1. Every week
2. A few times a month
3. Holidays or special occasions
4. Rarely or never
5. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Michigan State Police are warning drivers about tailgating. What’s your biggest pet peeve behind the wheel?

1. Texting while driving: 36%
2. Left-lane campers: 26%
3. Tailgaters: 21%
4. Michigan potholes: 10%
5. Other: 7%

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore gets its name from an Ojibwe legend about a mother bear who swam across Lake Michigan and climbed a bluff to wait for her two cubs. According to the legend, what did the two cubs become?

Show me the answer