Michigan news

The upcoming Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor will feature a toll-free multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, making it the only Michigan-Canada bridge with such accommodations. The 1.5-mile path, nearly 12 feet wide, will operate as a single bidirectional lane requiring valid identification from users, similar to vehicle travelers who will pay tolls starting at $5.75. The $4.4 billion project, funded by Canada and expected to open this spring, aims to ease congestion at existing crossings where tolls are significantly higher. The six-lane bridge will be jointly owned by Canada and Michigan, with Canada collecting toll revenue for the next 36 years to recover construction costs.

Navigator Research, a Democratic-aligned polling organization, conducted two focus groups with young women in battleground states to gauge their perspectives on the country's direction and political leadership. The participants, aged 20s to early 30s, expressed overwhelming negativity about economic conditions, citing inflation, stagnant wages, unaffordable housing, and difficulty finding adequate employment. While young men's rightward political shift has received significant attention, these focus groups revealed that young women—including those who voted for Trump—feel equally economically stressed and believe politicians across the political spectrum lack understanding of their daily struggles. The research suggests that while economic dissatisfaction creates potential opportunities for Democratic candidates in 2026 races, young women voters are seeking genuine empathy and connection rather than specific policy proposals from political leaders.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has signed an executive order that increases funding for affordable housing by directing all revenue from city-owned commercial property sales to the Affordable Housing Development and Preservation Trust Fund, up from the current 40% requirement. The change, effective July 1, will more than double annual contributions to approximately $4 million, with 70% designated for housing units serving residents at or below 30% of the area median income. This action fulfills a campaign promise from Sheffield, who previously championed Detroit's inclusionary housing ordinance while serving on City Council. The trust fund provides gap financing, low-interest loans, and grants to developers, supporting projects like LaJoya Gardens, a 42-unit affordable apartment building in southwest Detroit.

Residents of River Pointe Tower apartment complex in Detroit testified before City Council about persistent maintenance problems and poor living conditions that management company Capital Realty Group has allegedly failed to address. Tenants, who formed a union last year representing over 60 residents, described issues including unsafe bathtubs, drafty doors, incomplete repairs, and disrespectful treatment from management. While the city's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department reported the building has a valid compliance certificate and recent inspections found no violations in common areas, residents are demanding better maintenance response times, transparent repair tracking, and professional property management. This issue fits into Mayor Mary Sheffield's broader initiative targeting enforcement at 65 senior housing complexes across Detroit.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is proposing a policy change that would allow schools to choose parent organizations beyond the traditional Parent Teacher Association (PTA) model, which currently serves as the district's only officially recognized parent organization. The proposal emerged after district leaders reported problems with some local PTAs, including improper election procedures, communication issues, and past incidents of financial mismanagement documented by the district's oversight office. Under the proposed amendment, each school would annually vote on which parent organization model to adopt, including district-overseen groups or independent local organizations, creating flexibility for different school communities. While Michigan PTA leadership has acknowledged the concerns and committed to improvements through additional training and better communication, the school board has not yet voted on the policy changes.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, now the Democratic frontrunner for governor, traces her commitment to public service back to a 1997 volunteer position at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama, where she researched hate groups and worked undercover. Her journey south was inspired by Viola Liuzzo, a white Detroit mother who was murdered by Ku Klux Klan members in 1965 after participating in the historic Selma to Montgomery voting rights march. Benson, who gained national prominence defending Michigan's 2020 election results against false fraud claims and faced armed protesters at her home, views her work as continuing the unfinished mission of the Civil Rights Movement. The 2026 Michigan governor's race is expected to be highly competitive, with Michigan's electoral landscape considered crucial to national politics, as Trump narrowly won the state in 2024. Benson regularly returns to Alabama to honor the civil rights legacy and has worked to elevate Liuzzo's memory, including through commemorative license plates and memorials at Wayne State University. # Key Takeaways

The University of Michigan's Prison Creative Arts Project is displaying its 30th annual exhibition featuring over 800 artworks created by incarcerated individuals throughout Michigan. The program, which began in 1990 as a collaboration between U-M and the Michigan Department of Corrections, provides weekly workshops in visual arts, theater, and creative writing led by students and volunteers at state prisons. For participants like Kushawn Miles El, who spent 32 years imprisoned, and Charles Brooks, who served 20 years, the program offered crucial opportunities to process trauma, rebuild their identities, and communicate with the outside world through creative expression. The initiative is funded through grants and donations, with art sale proceeds benefiting both the artists and MDOC's Prisoner Benefits Fund for programming.

A Michigan cash assistance initiative called Rx Kids, which provides financial support to pregnant women and new mothers, is extending its reach to three additional communities starting April 1st. The program, established by Dr. Mona Hanna who gained recognition for her role in uncovering the Flint water crisis, initially launched in Flint two years ago and has grown substantially to serve 39 municipalities across Michigan, potentially reaching over 18,000 newborns annually. Eligible mothers receive $1,500 during pregnancy and monthly payments totaling $500 over six or twelve months following their child's birth, with no income restrictions or employment requirements. Survey data indicates that three-quarters of participating mothers use the funds primarily for essential baby items like diapers and formula, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in reducing financial stress during critical early childhood development. # Key Takeaways

Ten-year-old Robyn McKee, known online as Rosie White, has gained over 100,000 Instagram followers by creating humorous educational videos impersonating Black historical figures and cultural icons. The Detroit native began making these videos at age three or four after a preschool Rosa Parks project, with her mother Kenya White handling costume design and her older sister A'Blesyn Davis managing filming and editing. The family project, dubbed the "Big 3," aims to teach positive Black history beyond what Kenya White learned in school, showcasing contributions from inventors, artists, and athletes through kid-friendly performances. Their viral success has led to appearances with Oprah Winfrey, on the Tamron Hall Show, and at Reverend Jesse Jackson's funeral, while both daughters pursue their entertainment career aspirations.

At a University of Michigan and BridgeDetroit panel discussion on community safety, experts examined Detroit's response to the 2020 George Floyd protests and explored alternatives to traditional policing. The diverse panel—including a community organizer, Detroit's Community Violence Intervention administrator, a police commissioner, and a historian—discussed how credible messengers with lived experience can de-escalate conflicts more effectively than police through trust-based relationships. Panelists criticized over-reliance on surveillance technology and inconsistent funding cycles that undermine violence prevention programs, arguing that public safety requires a comprehensive approach addressing housing, mental health, and community relationships rather than policing alone. They emphasized that meaningful change demands civic engagement, including utilizing existing oversight mechanisms like the Board of Police Commissioners, and that personal stories rather than statistics ultimately drive policy reform.

Detroit's Public Library system is conducting a comprehensive structural evaluation of its facilities, with anticipated repair costs ranging between $200 million and $300 million. The assessment, contracted in February with results expected by September, will examine critical infrastructure needs including foundations, HVAC systems, and roofing across the main branch and satellite locations that haven't seen new construction in forty years. City Council members are exploring funding mechanisms, particularly bond issuance, though legal analysis confirms only the city itself—not the library independently—has authority to issue such debt. Despite the daunting capital needs, the library system maintains financial stability with a balanced budget, $72 million in reserves, and an additional $2 million in annual revenue from the recently passed Proposal L.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has announced a major streetlighting expansion initiative that will install at least 3,000 new mid-block streetlights throughout the city's seven council districts, addressing gaps left by the 2014 relighting project that focused primarily on main roads and intersections. The $1 million initiative, overseen by the Public Lighting Authority, represents fulfillment of Sheffield's campaign promise to enhance public safety in residential neighborhoods that have remained inadequately illuminated. Community input meetings are scheduled throughout April to help identify the most critical lighting needs before finalizing the plan in June. Installation is expected to begin in July and continue through November 2026, while officials also plan to address the separate issue of poorly lit alleyways in coordination with DTE Energy's infrastructure upgrades.

In Detroit, approximately 40,000 homes have severe structural problems including leaky roofs and failing utilities, yet public officials have prioritized demolishing vacant buildings over directly repairing occupied homes. The city allocated $95 million in pandemic relief funds to demolitions while dedicating only $30 million to repair grants, based on the theory that removing vacant structures would increase residents' access to home improvement loans by making neighborhoods more appealing to banks. However, low-income Detroit residents like Daisy, who spent five years saving to repair her own roof, consistently reject the loan-based approach, arguing they need direct assistance for repairs rather than access to debt. When foundations offered $20 million in direct repair grants, they received 125,000 calls in 24 hours, demonstrating that residents want home stability through grants, not expanded borrowing opportunities that maintain historical patterns of financial exclusion rooted in racist redlining practices. # Key Takeaways

RealT, a cryptocurrency-based real estate firm that tokenized fractional ownership of hundreds of Detroit rental properties, is experiencing financial collapse as it struggles with mounting debts and legal troubles. The company has halted investor payouts and owes significant amounts in property taxes, utility bills, and municipal fines, while over 300 properties face potential tax foreclosure. A court ruling stemming from a city nuisance lawsuit now requires all rental income to be placed in escrow for repairs only, severely constraining the company's cash flow. Meanwhile, tenants report living in hazardous conditions without adequate heat, plumbing, or structural integrity, as the property management operation has been reduced to a skeleton crew of five employees who cannot keep up with maintenance demands across 700 properties.

Muslim students in Detroit Public Schools Community District face a difficult choice between observing the sacred holiday Eid al-Fitr and receiving a $100 weekly perfect attendance incentive. Despite years of student advocacy, Eid is not recognized on this year's district calendar, though absences for the holiday are excused. The attendance incentive program, designed to combat chronic absenteeism affecting 61% of students last year, makes no exceptions for any excused absences including religious observances, family deaths, or college visits. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti has committed to including Muslim holidays in next year's calendar, though implementation depends on union negotiations and potential adjustments to other school breaks. # Key Takeaways

A BridgeDetroit investigation reveals that Michigan municipalities are losing approximately $200 million annually in tax revenue through an air pollution control equipment exemption program, yet most cities don't track these losses or know how much pollution is actually being reduced. The program, dating back to 1965, grants indefinite property and sales tax exemptions to companies installing pollution control equipment—often equipment they're already legally required to install—without requiring local government approval or public reporting. Sterling Heights alone has lost an estimated $23 million over the past decade through exemptions granted to automaker Stellantis, though city officials were unaware of this figure until the investigation. Critics argue the program lacks transparency and accountability, as exempted facilities have violated air quality laws dozens of times without ever having exemptions revoked, raising questions about whether the tax breaks truly incentivize pollution control or simply subsidize routine business operations. # Key Takeaways

A Michigan law from 1965 grants tax exemptions to companies that install pollution control equipment, but an investigation reveals major polluters continue violating air quality standards while receiving these benefits. Over the past decade, these exemptions have cost Michigan nearly $2 billion, with exempted facilities receiving dozens of violations yet never having their tax breaks revoked by state authorities. River Rouge, a predominantly Black community near Detroit where 40% live in poverty, has been particularly impacted, losing roughly a quarter of its property tax revenue to exemptions for companies like DTE Energy and EES Coke that continue polluting. State environmental officials admit they lack resources to monitor compliance and cannot confirm the program reduces emissions, while some lawmakers and advocates now call for repealing the law as Louisiana recently did. The situation has left communities like River Rouge suffering from poor air quality and health problems while losing critical tax revenue that could fund schools and infrastructure improvements.

Over the past decade, Michigan municipalities have granted more than $1 billion in tax exemptions to industrial companies for installing pollution control equipment, yet many recipients have repeatedly violated environmental regulations. The State Tax Commission issues these certificates after reviewing recommendations from state agencies, exempting companies from paying property taxes on pollution mitigation equipment, but oversight agencies admit they lack the resources to monitor whether companies maintain compliance. Despite provisions allowing certificate revocation for noncompliance, no exemptions have ever been canceled even when companies violate air quality laws and sign enforcement agreements with the state. Detroit alone has lost approximately $46 million in potential tax revenue over ten years from five companies receiving 28 exemptions, money that could have funded public services, libraries, and cultural institutions.

Michigan has granted over $1.2 billion in property tax exemptions to industrial companies over the past decade through a 1960s-era Air Pollution Control program intended to incentivize emissions reductions, but the program lacks meaningful oversight. Despite receiving these tax breaks, nearly half of the exempted facilities have violated air quality laws, yet the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy claims it lacks resources to monitor compliance after granting exemptions. Local governments bear the financial burden of lost tax revenue while having minimal input in the approval process and no authority to revoke exemptions, even when companies violate environmental regulations. The tax breaks have particularly severe impacts on small municipalities, with some communities losing amounts equivalent to thousands of dollars per resident annually, while major utilities like Consumers Energy and DTE Energy have shielded billions in taxable property from taxation despite repeated environmental violations.

A Michigan law designed to reduce air pollution has instead cost the state over $1.2 billion in the past decade through tax breaks for industrial facilities, many of which continue to violate air quality standards. The Air Pollution Control Exemption program operates with virtually no oversight, as state agencies lack resources to monitor compliance and have never revoked a single certificate despite documented violations. Local municipalities bear the financial burden of these tax breaks but have minimal authority to challenge them, with smaller communities experiencing particularly severe impacts relative to their size. While industry representatives defend the exemptions as standard practice separate from compliance issues, critics argue the state is subsidizing polluters without ensuring actual environmental improvements, prompting calls for reform or repeal of the program.

Disney's acclaimed musical "The Lion King" has returned to Detroit's Opera House for its sixth engagement, running until April 5th. Two South African cast members, Zama Magudulela and Thembelihle Cele, who portray Rafiki and Nala respectively, were interviewed about their experiences in the production. The actors discussed their pride in performing a show that showcases South African culture, language, and traditions to global audiences. Having toured with the musical for multiple years, they reflected on how the production resonates with viewers worldwide and conveyed its universal themes through their character portrayals.

Detroit's City Council has voted 6-2 to recommend a two-year pause on data center permits, allowing the city time to develop regulations for these facilities before they proliferate. Council Member Scott Benson led the initiative, emphasizing that Detroit currently lacks any rules governing data centers and needs to establish protective guidelines covering environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, and community input. The moratorium proposal reflects growing concerns across Michigan, where roughly 20 communities have already enacted or proposed similar restrictions on data center development. While some council members argued two years is excessive for studying the issue, supporters stressed the importance of addressing questions about job creation, utility strain, and long-term community benefits before allowing these resource-intensive facilities to proceed.

Detroit's program to honor notable residents with ceremonial street signs has become overwhelmed by a severe bottleneck, with demand far exceeding the annual limit of five awards. Blues legend John Lee Hooker's family has been waiting since 2022 for recognition, while the pool of applicants has swollen to potentially 27 candidates this year, creating wait times of multiple years even for worthy nominees. Historic Preservation Planner Janice Tillmon is advocating for reforms such as raising the award cap or limiting new applications, noting that Detroit's rollover system and low limit are uniquely restrictive compared to other cities like Chicago, which awards up to 100 signs annually. The backlog has transformed what should be a celebration into a frustrating, politicized competition where families must lobby council members and compare their loved ones' legacies, with some supporters reduced to tears when their candidates are passed over.

Detroit's Housing and Revitalization Department has launched a new online portal for purchasing city-owned properties and certain Detroit Land Bank Authority parcels that aren't listed on BuildingDetroit.org. The upgraded system addresses problems with the previous outdated application process, which suffered from high rates of incomplete submissions and significant delays due to its inability to save drafts or allow applicants to track their progress. The new portal features secure login capabilities, real-time application tracking, streamlined document uploading, and faster processing times. This digital tool works in conjunction with the Detroit Development Opportunities Map, enabling potential buyers to search available properties by location and ownership before submitting applications. # Key Takeaways

Detroit Public Schools Community District has implemented a new visitor check-in system called Visitor Aware that requires all visitors, including parents and guardians, to present photo identification and have their picture taken when entering school buildings. The digital platform replaces paper sign-in sheets and cross-references visitor names against principals' lists of individuals banned from buildings, though the district states it is not using the system's facial recognition or sex offender database features. This security enhancement follows two weapons incidents involving students and is part of a broader $4.3 million security initiative that includes hiring additional guards and piloting weapons screening at ten schools. While some parents support the measures as necessary for safety, others have raised concerns about privacy, data retention, and the policy making visitors feel like criminals.

Detroit historian Dan Austin, who has spent 15 years documenting the city's architectural history through his website HistoricDetroit.org, has established The Austin Past & Future Fund following his stage IV cancer diagnosis in 2024. The nonprofit organization serves dual purposes: creating an endowment to maintain his free architectural history website containing over 1,000 articles and 17,000 photographs, and providing college scholarships for Detroit youth aged 16-26 who demonstrate commitment to serving their community. The fund will offer its first scholarships in 2027 after an initial year dedicated to fundraising, with scholarship amounts depending on donations raised. Austin plans to support the fund through various means, including auctioning his record collection and selling signed books, ensuring his legacy of documenting and supporting Detroit continues beyond his lifetime.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has introduced her first budget proposal of $3 billion for the 2026-27 fiscal year to the City Council, marking the city's thirteenth consecutive balanced budget since emerging from bankruptcy. The spending plan is roughly 1% smaller than the previous year due to modest revenue growth, though it includes a minor property tax reduction and increased funding for public transit, housing initiatives, infrastructure improvements, extended recreation center hours, and salary increases for municipal workers. Over the coming weeks, the council will conduct 47 departmental budget hearings to examine spending priorities and operational plans before voting on the final budget by April 7. A collaborative team of journalists from BridgeDetroit, Outlier Media, and Detroit Documenters is tracking these hearings to provide residents with weekly summaries and critical updates about proposed changes to Sheffield's budget framework.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has introduced initiatives to accelerate housing development by streamlining the city's permitting process and offering pre-approved home designs to developers. The permit approval timeline for home and business renovations has been reduced from up to 30 days to same-day processing, addressing longstanding complaints from contractors and homeowners about bureaucratic delays. Sheffield aims to construct 1,000 new single-family homes during her first four-year term to address Detroit's affordable housing shortage and help residents struggling with housing quality and repair costs. These efforts come as Michigan faces a deficit of approximately 119,000 affordable housing units, despite experiencing a construction boom with increased renovation and business expansion activity throughout Detroit.

Malachi Barrett, a reporter who covered Detroit city government for BridgeDetroit over the past four years, has left journalism to pursue his dream of becoming a Detroit firefighter. During his tenure since 2022, Barrett made complex municipal policy accessible to residents by focusing on how City Hall decisions impacted neighborhoods, particularly during the significant 2025 transition when Detroit elected new leadership across multiple governmental bodies. BridgeDetroit plans to maintain its robust city government coverage through Managing Editor Christine Ferretti's leadership, partnerships with other news organizations including the Detroit Free Press, and additional contributors as needed. The organization emphasizes its continued commitment to providing clear, trustworthy information about municipal decisions to Detroit residents during this newsroom transition.

A journalist is leaving BridgeDetroit after four years and ten years total in the news industry to begin training with the Detroit Fire Department as a firefighter and EMT. The reporter reflects on journalism as an endless cycle of information gathering, comparing it to the myth of Sisyphus, and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to serve Detroit in a new capacity. While stepping away from daily reporting, the journalist hasn't ruled out returning to journalism in the future, viewing this career change as a way to understand the city from a different perspective. Christine Ferretti will assume leadership of the City Council newsletter during this transition, ensuring BridgeDetroit's mission continues.