Category: News
Michigan’s book ban battle: Navigating the controversy of literary censorship in metro Detroit
Sep 29, 2023
The contentious issue of books bans has taken center stage across the nation, and in Michigan it’s no different. Learn how libraries across metro Detroit have been impacted by book bans and where Michigan stands on the issue. Plus, a local parent shares her thoughts on literary censorship in schools, and more information on the Michigan Library Association’s Right to Read initiative.
Read MoreNew CRC report shows Michigan’s infrastructure struggles under climate change pressure
Sep 12, 2023
With the impacts of climate change at the forefront, what it will take to address the stress on Michigan’s current water infrastructure in the face of future extreme weather? The Citizens Research Council of Michigan’s latest report explores the multiple challenges involved with rebuilding and maintaining the state’s infrastructure, as well as remediating and protecting the environment.
Read MoreGov. Whitmer’s Growth Council aims to boost population, economy through education and infrastructure
Aug 24, 2023
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Growing Michigan Together Council” is taking a bold bipartisan approach to address the state’s key challenges. State Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-4th District) talks with contributor Zoe Clark about how the newly established MiLEAP program will play a pivotal role in the state’s overall growth strategies.
Read MoreControversy surrounding Detroit’s ShotSpotter expansion raises transparency concerns among residents
Aug 18, 2023
Detroit’s expansion of the ShotSpotter system has ignited a wave of controversy as citizens demand answers about the technology’s impact on their community and call for more transparency from both the Detroit Police Department and the California-based company, Sound Thinking. BridgeDetroit reporter Malachi Barrett shares what residents are claiming.
Read MoreFeeding the Need: Focus: HOPE seniors food program now reaches more Michigan homes
Aug 8, 2023
Focus: HOPE has expanded its Food for Seniors program to assist more seniors who are experiencing food insecurity. Program expansions include the addition of 43 new sites across Southeast Michigan where eligible seniors can register for monthly food boxes.
Read MoreHistoric Detroit Chinatown building razed despite city council, Asian American community backlash
Aug 4, 2023
Despite backlash from the Asian American community and Detroit City Council, a historic building in Detroit’s former Chinatown has been demolished. The building was at the heart of Chinatown and held significance to the neighborhood.
Read More‘Almost Famous’ metro Detroit musicians band together to fight childhood cancer with benefit concert
Aug 4, 2023
Two local musicians are using their personal journey with cancer to give back to others affected by the life-threatening disease. The Almost Famous band puts on their second annual CURE Childhood Cancer benefit concert after the drummer’s own tongue cancer battle.
Read MoreBrilliant Detroit announces new citywide summer literacy campaign to curb student learning loss
Aug 2, 2023
Brilliant Detroit announces a new citywide summer literacy campaign at its community hubs. Children and families can take part in reading activities, field trips and pop-up events designed to keep young kids engaged in the joy of reading.
Read MoreNEA Chair Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson heads to Detroit to discuss ‘living an artful life’
Jul 18, 2023
In advance of her visit to Detroit for the 2023 Concert of COlors, National Endowment for the Arts Chair Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson sits down with Stephen Henderson to talk about the importance of the arts in building healthy communities and her historic appointment as the first Black Mexican American woman to lead the NEA.
Read MoreWill Detroit’s I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project restore a once thriving Black corridor in the city?
Jul 14, 2023
Detroit’s I-375 is the shortest highway in the country. When it was constructed, it led to the destruction of two thriving Black communities. One Detroit and BridgeDetroit team up to break down the I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project in Detroit and whether the plans will benefit the community.
Read MoreARISE Detroit! celebrates neighborhood pride with 17th annual Neighborhoods Day
Jul 11, 2023
The 17th annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day returns Aug. 5 with more than 100 events and community service projects around the city. ARISE Detroit! Executive Director Luther Keith joins “American Black Journal” to give viewers a preview of the event and discuss its mission.
Read MoreDetroit’s oldest gay bar, Gigi’s, celebrates 50 years as haven for city’s LGBTQ+ community
Jun 29, 2023
In recognition of Pride Month, One Detroit explores the rich history of Detroit’s oldest gay-owned bar: GiGi’s. The bar is celebrating its 50th anniversary, having opened in 1973, as a cultural staple and a haven for Detroit’s LGBTQ+ community, and it also is home to the state’s oldest drag pageant, the annual Miss GiGi’s contest.
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News From Around Detroit
- Art behind bars: U-M program is changing lives of Michigan inmatesby Bryce Huffman (Bryce Huffman, Author at BridgeDetroit)
Artwork from current and former inmates is on display through Sunday in the Free Your Mind: Art and Incarceration in Michigan exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit.
- With a new director coming soon, what’s the state of DDOT?by Bryce Huffman (Bryce Huffman, Author at BridgeDetroit)
Detroit Department of Transportation leader Mikel Oglesby is leaving at the close of October, prompting some advocates and union officials to worry about DDOT’s future. Oglesby and city leaders say plans will stay on track.
- Metro Detroit students start new school year with familiar challenges, fresh solutionsby Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, Orlando Bailey, Ethan Bakuli, Chalkbeat Detroit, Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press and Micah Walker (Orlando Bailey, Author at BridgeDetroit)
The 2023-24 year marks the fourth full school year since the pandemic started, and offers the state’s public schools an opportunity to recalibrate academic recovery programs, tackle mental health issues, and address longstanding problems.
- New school year and new challenges on the first day of school in metro Detroitby Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, Ethan Bakuli, Chalkbeat Detroit, Orlando Bailey and Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press (Orlando Bailey, Author at BridgeDetroit)
As the new school year begins in Detroit Public Schools Community District and others across Michigan, students face familiar challenges — with the promise of fresh solutions.
- Eastside Community Network regroups after center rammed by pickup truckby Olivia Lewis (Olivia Lewis, Author at BridgeDetroit)
Benjamin Noah Weinstein, a 42-year-old white Detroiter, is charged with six felonies in connection with the Aug. 19 incident that damaged the longtime community center with a predominately Black membership
National Headlines
- Kevin McCarthy is out as speaker of the House. What happens next?
The House of Representatives has entered uncharted territory after a last-ditch, right-wing effort to remove fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy from the speakership succeeded.
- What led to the collapse of McCarthy's speakership and what's next for the House
For the first time in this nation's history, the House of Representatives formally ousted its speaker. A handful of hard-right Republicans and every Democrat voted together to remove the gavel from Speaker Kevin McCarthy's hand. The move came nine months to the day since McCarthy lost his first vote to become speaker. Congressional Correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports from Capitol Hill.
- News Wrap: Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to federal gun charges
In our news wrap Tuesday, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he lied about drug use when he bought a handgun in 2018, a state judge in New York imposed a limited gag order on former President Trump at his civil trial for alleged business fraud and President Biden sought to reassure allied leaders today about the U.S. commitment to Ukraine.