Latest news with #DTW
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Stop the cigar lounge at DTW' billboards placed along I-94, I-275
A public health group is ramping up pressure on the Wayne County Airport Authority to scrap a proposed cigar lounge at the Detroit Metro Airport, launching billboards that warn of secondhand smoke risks. The Detroit Wayne Oakland Tobacco Free Coalition unveiled the billboards this week along Interstates 94 and 275 near the airport. Featuring an image of a coughing child in an airport terminal, the signs urge passersby to 'Stop the cigar lounge at DTW' and call on the public to oppose indoor smoking at one of the state's busiest transportation hubs, according to a news release from the coalition. More than 31 million travelers passed through DTW in 2023. Health advocates say the risks extend beyond individual choice. 'The science is clear. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke,' said the chairman of the Detroit Cancer Screening Initiative, Dr. Lawrence MacDonald, in the release. 'Permitting a cigar lounge at DTW would not only put travelers at risk but also jeopardize the health and safety of the 18,000 employees who work there. This proposal flies in the face of Michigan's progress in creating smoke-free public environments.' In late 2024, the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) said its proposed Cigar Lounge and Restaurant Concessions Opportunity could bring a cigar bar lounge and restaurant, food hall and other new developments to the McNamara Terminal at DTW. "We developed the Cigar Lounge and Restaurant Concessions Opportunity in response to interest from the community and local businesses, especially as it relates to the international nature of the airport," a WCAA spokesperson told the Free Press. Michigan's Smoke-Free Indoor Air Law went into effect in 2010, banning indoor smoking in most public places. While cigar bars and tobacco shops are exempt under the law, critics of the DTW cigar lounge argue the WCAA plan stretches those exemptions and threatens to undermine smoke-free protections statewide. Members of the coalition say the proposal also lacks transparency and public engagement. Several have submitted comments and emails to the airport authority but report little response, according to the news release. Coalition leaders have also published opinion pieces and spoken out at monthly WCAA meetings.'As a parent and frequent traveler, I'm appalled by the idea of exposing my children to secondhand smoke while navigating the airport,' a Michigan resident and parent, Teferi Brent, said in the release. 'This proposal sends the wrong message to our youth. Many kids today have never even seen indoor smoking in public places, and we must not allow a backward slide into that past.' More: Workers at 5 metro Detroit nursing homes walk off the job in 1-day strike In response to public concern, the airport authority said a cigar lounge at DTW would include measures to reduce smoke exposure and emphasized that it prioritizes the health and safety of all its employees, customers and visitors. "Bidders will be required to provide a state-of-the-art air handling and ventilation system and facility design to reduce smoke exposure to the fullest extent possible," according to the WCAA. But according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 'The only way to eliminate indoor tobacco smoke exposure is to prohibit all smoking activity inside and near buildings.' The proposed cigar lounge at DTW has also drawn criticism from the American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation, the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance and many Michigan travelers. Most of the comments on a DTW Facebook post from early January —which featured photos of the airport in the 1930s — expressed opposition to the proposed cigar lounge. "It must be the 1930s, if we're considering to allow indoor smoking again!" one user commented. "Second-hand smoke is extremely harmful to human health, and even the THIRD-HAND smoke that comes off of smokers' clothing is harmful as well," another person wrote. "I am a senior citizen who cannot afford to breathe second-hand smoke" The coalition plans to keep its billboards up for at least four weeks and hopes the campaign sparks broader public opposition. A final plan has not yet been announced. WCAA said it values community input as it prepares to "begin the solicitation process" for the concessions opportunity. Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@ Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Billboard campaign warns against proposed DTW cigar lounge
CBS News
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Michigan Secretary of State talks up Real ID rules to Detroit Metro passengers
The Secretary of State's office is hosting information tables this week to catch the attention of travelers who are flying through Detroit Metropolitan Airport to explain the upcoming Real ID requirements. More than 70% of Michigan driver's licenses and state IDs were REAL ID-compliant as of late March. That percentage is way ahead of most other states. But that leaves a number of people who have not updated their driver license or state identification card to the Real ID requirements, and that might cause problems when traveling in the future. The Real ID law was passed in 2005; but implementation was delayed multiple times. As of May 7, everyone in the U.S. age 18 or older will need to present a Real ID-compliant card to fly within the United States, enter a military base or enter certain federal facilities. As an alternative should their state ID not be updated, an individual can present their passport instead. To get attention to the upcoming requirement, the Secretary of State hosted a Mobile Office station Wednesday at DTW's McNamara Terminal by the water feature. Then on Thursday, the Secretary of State Mobile Office station will be set up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DTW's Evans Terminal, by Gate D14. What is a Real ID? The Real ID process adds a special mark on one's driver license or state identification card after meeting specific security requirements for getting an official ID. On a Michigan ID card, the marks are in the upper right corner. An ID where the markings include a gold circle and star design or a gold Michigan map with star design has passed that requirement. How to apply for Real ID in Michigan In Michigan, updating a driver license or state identification card to Real ID-compliant includes presenting the following at a Secretary of State's office: Driver's license or ID. Certified birth certificate with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency, your unexpired U.S. passport, or an approved citizenship or legal presence document. Certified documents, such as marriage license or court orders, if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate. What does enhanced mean on a Michigan ID? Michigan residents who have the "enhanced" notation on their driver license or state identification card option also meet the Real ID requirements. The "enhanced" license upgrade is available only in a few states, including Michigan. It verifies both identity and citizenship for those who are returning to the U.S. via land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Detroit Metro delays: Travelers met with cancelled flights amid heavy snowfall
The Brief Heavy snowfall in Metro Detroit is making traveling a nightmare on the roads and in the sky. Some travelers at DTW told Fox 2 that their travel day was smooth sailing 'til they landed in Detroit. If you are worried about delays check your airline's app or social media. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Heavy snowfall is causing a nightmare scenario for travelers at Detroit Metro Airport as hundreds of flights were delayed and canceled due to the bad weather. Big picture view On Wednesday, the biggest snowstorm of the season arrived in Metro Detroit. According to weather models, it is expected to be between 4 and 7 inches of snow for some in Southeast Michigan, but as high as 8 or as low as 2 for others. Dig deeper Some travelers at DTW told Fox 2 that their travel day was smooth sailing 'til they landed in Detroit. Melinda Rakhar, from California, was headed to Toronto but was stuck briefly in Detroit. "It was great, the first flight from LA to Detroit. It was good. I had the whole row to myself. It was a good flight, but then we got here," she said. She was among the hundreds of travelers whose flight was canceled or delayed due to the heavy snow. She said their nightmare began with a 2-hour delay that was then canceled. While on the idled plane, she met Sabrina Smith, who was headed to Toronto as well. "Either we spend the money on a hotel and wait another day. Or get a car and go for it," Smith said. They decided to book a car and hit the road like other travelers stuck at DTW. Jill Mclain from Petoskey says she was headed to Saginaw when that flight got delayed. It was the last flight after a long travel day which began in Salt Lake City with a stop in Minneapolis. "Oh you know you try and be positive, and you try and be patient. It's out of our control. We're just happy to be safe," she said. Positivity seems to be the key for some travelers, as Asia Whaley from Texas says her flight was delayed from Houston to Detroit. With more snow coming overnight, she expects to be delayed once again tomorrow while heading to New York City. "My grandma told me y'all are expecting a bunch of snow. So I'm not really sure. At the moment Delta didn't tell me anything about why delays at the moment but I'm pretty sure it's going to come," she said. If you are worried about delays and want the best way to get the latest updates on your flight, check your airline's app and their social media pages. The closer you get to the Great Lakes, the more snow you're going to see. But the heavier stuff is going to be farther northeast. By 2:30 a.m., here's what we expect to see: Detroit: 4.5 inches Pontiac: 5.9 Mount Clemens: 4.8 Monroe: 2.9 Ann Arbor: 5.3 Jackson: 5.5 Adrian: 4.9 Albion: 3.9 Ionia: 4.4 Lansing: 3.5 Howell: 5.1 Flint: 5.0 Lapeer: 6.3 Port Huron: 6.5 It all depends on the freeze line, which has been tracking to land between Toledo and Sandusky, but recently has moved farther north over Monroe. But some models are forecasting closer to 8 inches of snow in Port Huron. FOX 2 is going to be live all day Wednesday and Thursday with live weather graphics and streaming cameras. To watch it, check the embed below or download the FOX LOCAL app.
