Detroit Evening Report: VERDAD disinformation monitoring tool, plus local events
Sascha Raiyn January 2, 2026Revisiting Nargis Rahman’s reporting on the VERDAD disinformation identifying tool, plus some events to start off the new year this weekend.
Journalist Martina Guzman developed VERDAD, an AI tool that finds disinformation being shard on radio stations for Latinos.
Over the holidays, we’re sharing some of the stories Detroit Evening Report hosts produced for the radio this year. Today we hear a story from Nargis Rahman.
Journalist Martina Guzman has created an AI-powered tool to monitor disinformation aimed at Spanish speakers via radio.
The project is a part of Guzman’s work for the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University’s Law School. They recently received a $350,000 grant to expand VERDAD which stands for Verifying and Exposing Disinformation and Discourse.
Guzmán told Nargis Rahman the tool will now expand to all 50 states, into multiple languages and also globally.
Additional headlines for Friday, Jan. 2, 2026
Women’s Hockey League returns
The ladies come to hockey town tomorrow as the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) returns to Little Caesars Arena for their Takeover Tour. The Vancouver Goldeneyes play the Boston Fleet Saturday at 7 p.m.
Detroit audiences have broken PWHL attendance records at previous games.
The league will play in Detroit again March 28 when the New York Sirens and Montreal Victoire play.
The league expanded last year from 6 teams to 8 – adding Vancouver and Seattle. No Detroit team has been announced yet.
Fullmoon Party
The Euphoria Flow Sisters will host a Fullmoon Party Saturday evening at the Congregation. The event offers a chance to de-stress, release negative energy and shove in some self-care after the holidays.
It is free and will include an “ecstatic dance.”
Windsor tarot reading
Start the new year with appreciation for our international border and a psychic reading. GQ Tarot and Celestial Spirit Tarot are hosting Beyond Resolutions! New Year Psychic Readings at Celeste’s Café in Windsor starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The event is scheduled to fall on the Full Wolf Supermoon – a time for emotional release and profound clarity.
Celeste’s Café is at 1295 Ottawa Street in Windsor. Pre-booking is strongly encouraged. Call 519-256-9859.
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