Local Government
Michigan ‘bill of rights for the homeless’ to be introduced as part of larger housing package
For people experiencing homelessness, the trauma of losing access to housing is a major burden that’s often worsened by the barriers people face when trying to find housing, employment or access public services and medical care. Folks experiencing homelessness often face a Catch-22 when applying for work without a permanent address, including discomfort in applying […]
Michigan leaders salute hip-hop at 50: ‘It’s part of a fabric of our culture’
Hip-hop, a rhythmic music often featuring vocals over samples of soul, jazz, rock and other styles, is credited with being popularized as early as this month in 1973. While hip-hop is rooted in New York City culture, several Michiganders have contributed to its legacy. They include the late J Dilla of Detroit and MC Breed […]
Historic Detroit meeting space for Black women receives $75K federal grant
Updated, 3:40 p.m., 8/15/23 The city of Detroit Historic Designation Advisory Board on Monday announced that the Detroit Association of Colored Women’s Club (DACWC) is one of only eight projects selected by the National Park Service to receive a $75,000 History of Equal Rights grant. The grant will establish a historic structures report, which will […]
M.O.M.S. Tour visits Detroit to support improving maternal health outcomes
Mental health professionals, birth workers, medical professionals and community members came together Saturday as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched its M.O.M.S. Tour (Maternal Outcomes Matter Showers) in Detroit. HHS said over 500 pregnant and postnatal women, dads and children gathered at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ […]
Weeks after anti-trans salon posts, Traverse City grapples with legal, community implications
Nearly a month after a hair salon owner’s anti-trans Facebook posts sent shockwaves through the Traverse City community, officials and locals alike are still wrestling with what it means to be accepting in northern Michigan. Christine Geiger, the owner of Studio 8 Hair Lab, found herself in the national spotlight after posting on Facebook that […]
Coleman and Stone advance in two SE Michigan mayoral races
Following Tuesday’s local primary elections, Democrats are one step closer to potentially losing, albeit temporarily, their slim majority in the Michigan House. Two of the contests in Southeast Michigan featured Democratic lawmakers, Reps. Kevin Coleman (D-Westland) and Lori Stone (D-Warren), who advanced in mayoral races in their respective cities amid light voter turnout. In Westland, […]
Westland, Warren mayoral primaries could hamper Michigan Dem House majority
Two primary elections taking place Tuesday in metro Detroit could have the power to stall statewide Democratic legislative priorities if Reps. Kevin Coleman (D- Westland) and Lori Stone (D-Warren) emerge victorious in their respective mayoral races. The delicate 56-54 majority won by House Democrats after the November 2022 midterm election has enabled longtime party policy […]
‘He provoked you to think’: Detroit leaders reflect on Stevie Wonder’s ‘Innervisions’ turning 50
Michigan native and Motown Records legend Stevie Wonder’s seminal album, “Innervisions,” turns 50 years old this week. Wonder released the recording at a time when he commanded artistic autonomy to pursue issues such as race discrimination and social injustice. The artist who was born in Saginaw and raised in Detroit was 23 years old at […]
Former Macomb County prosecutor Eric Smith pleads guilty to corruption felonies
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday that former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith has pleaded guilty to three felonies in the Macomb County Circuit Court after embezzling hundreds of thousands of public dollars for personal and campaign use. Smith’s plea included one count of official misconduct in office, one count of tampering with evidence […]
Asian-American community calls for recognition of Detroit’s former Chinatown district
Detroit’s Asian-American community and allies on Monday urged the city of Detroit and Olympia Development of Michigan to work with them to create a visual presence that recognizes the former Chinatown district after a building there was demolished. State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Detroit City Council Member Gabrielle Santiago-Romero and the group Rising Voices issued […]
Whitmer signs bipartisan clean energy, cost-lowering bills into law
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of bills on Thursday that could move Michigan towards carbon neutrality while targeting high energy costs. The bills include measures removing requirements that state environmental regulations be no stricter than federal rules, axing a sunset clause on the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), expanding eligibility for businesses to receive […]
Sen. Chang, others urge Detroit to halt demolition of historic Chinatown site
State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Detroit City Council Member Gabrielle Santiago-Romero and the group Rising Voices have called on Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration to stop the demolition of the building at 3143 Cass Avenue in the city’s historic Chinatown district. “For many Asian Americans in and around the city of Detroit, this building represents […]