GOP Lawmakers Push to Reverse Medicaid Expansion in 3 States
Republican lawmakers in Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Dakota want voters to alter or repeal Medicaid expansion, threatening coverage for hundreds of thousands.
By Detroit.co Staff |
POLITICS
The latest politics coverage from Detroit and Metro Detroit.
Military Abortion Silence Deepens, Researchers Say in 2026
Researchers say a culture of silence around abortion access for active-duty military has made recruiting study participants nearly impossible in 2026.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Vibrio Bacteria Spreading Up the Atlantic Coast: What to Know
Warming ocean temperatures are pushing deadly Vibrio bacteria into new coastal territories. Here's what health officials say about the growing risk.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit's Lifeline H2O Program: When Will It Reopen?
Detroit's Lifeline H2O water affordability program has closed to new applicants, with reopening expected summer 2026. Here's what residents need to know.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Pays $4M in LaVone Hill Wrongful Conviction Settlement
Detroit City Council approved a $4 million settlement for LaVone Hill, who spent 22 years in prison after police fabricated evidence to convict him.
By Detroit.co Staff |
DDOT Gets New Bus Tracking System to Fix Real-Time Predictions
Detroit City Council approved a $1.2M contract with Swiftly Inc. to fix DDOT's broken real-time bus tracking. Rollout expected within 30 days.
By Detroit.co Staff |
MI Healthy Climate Conference Focuses on Green Funding
About 700 attendees gathered in Detroit for the MI Healthy Climate Conference, spotlighting green funding, workforce development, and industrial decarbonization.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Artist Salvages Historic Tiles Before Highland Towers Demolition
Detroit artist Tim Burke races to recover rare Flint Faience tiles from Highland Park's Highland Towers Apartments before the building is demolished.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Martha and the Vandellas' Fight for Fair Pay and Dignity
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas shaped Black female artistry and fought for fair pay, leaving a legacy that still resonates in 2026.
By Detroit.co Staff |
GOP States Move to Punish Red Flag Gun Law Enforcement
Six states have banned red flag gun orders, with three more weighing bans in 2026. Officials who enforce the orders now face fines or criminal charges.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan Governor Poll 2026: Benson Leads James and Duggan
A new MSU poll shows Jocelyn Benson ahead in Michigan's 2026 governor's race, but nearly half of voters remain undecided in the three-way matchup.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit's Contaminated Dirt Scandal Grows as Duggan Runs for Governor
Detroit is now testing over 650 sites for toxic soil contamination tied to Duggan's demolition program, as costs climb and neighborhoods face environmental risk.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan Democrats Split Over Israel at Detroit Convention
Michigan Democrats clashed over Israel-Gaza at their spring convention, as Senate candidate Haley Stevens faced loud boos from pro-Palestinian delegates in Detroit.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan Housing Reform Bills Gain Broad Coalition Support
A bipartisan coalition of business, environmental, and housing groups urges Michigan lawmakers to pass zoning reform bills to boost housing supply and cut costs.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit's Eviction Defense Program Faces Funding Crisis
Detroit's Right to Counsel program boosted tenant legal representation from 4% to 94%, but ARPA funding is running out with no clear replacement in sight.
By Detroit.co Staff |
How Immigration Shapes Michigan's Economic Strategy
Michigan's growth strategy depends on immigrants, who make up 28% of physicians and 30% of software developers, according to state planning documents.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan Court Strikes Down Pregnancy Exclusion in End-of-Life Care
Michigan's Court of Claims ruled the pregnancy exclusion in end-of-life care unconstitutional, restoring pregnant patients' rights to have their medical wishes honored.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Honors JoAnn Watson With Memorial Street Sign
Detroit memorialized 'Queen Mother' JoAnn Watson with a street sign ceremony at Central High School, honoring her decade of advocacy on City Council.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan House Passes Voter ID Bill Along Party Lines
The Michigan House passed House Bill 4765 requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register and photo ID at polls in a straight party-line vote.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Lawmakers Urge Whitmer to Free Gravely Ill Michigan Prisoner
Nine Michigan lawmakers and human rights groups are urging Gov. Whitmer to use compassionate release to free a gravely ill woman sickened by prison mold.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Why Illinois Is the Top Out-of-State Abortion Destination
Nearly 1 in 4 out-of-state abortion patients chose Illinois in 2025. Learn how geography, policy, and funding made it a Midwest haven.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Andy Beshear Tells Michigan Democrats to Ditch Party Jargon
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear urged Michigan Democrats to swap political jargon for plain speech, arguing that language is costing the party crucial voters.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan Lowers Air Quality Alert Threshold for Wildfire Smoke
Michigan now issues air quality alerts at the orange AQI level, sending earlier warnings to residents as wildfire smoke season approaches in 2026.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Whitmer Expands Michigan Emergency to 5 Counties, 2 Cities
Gov. Whitmer expanded Michigan's state of emergency to cover five more counties and two cities as flooding and tornado damage spreads across the state.
By Detroit.co Staff |
DHS Scales Back Immigrant Warehouse Detention Plans
Homeland Security Secretary Mullin negotiates compromises on immigrant detention centers in Arizona and other states after fierce local government pushback.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan Parents Urge Legislature to Pass Kids Over Clicks Bill
AG Dana Nessel and Sen. Polehanki hosted a roundtable with parents and advocates pushing Michigan's Kids Over Clicks social media restrictions.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Judge Weighs Stay on Enbridge Line 5 Reroute in Wisconsin
A Wisconsin judge says he'll only halt Enbridge Line 5 reroute construction if the Bad River Band's appeal has a real chance of succeeding in court.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan House Cuts $10B from Health Department Budget
The Republican-led Michigan House advanced a $31B MDHHS budget, cutting billions from Whitmer's request while adding Medicaid and SNAP eligibility checks.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Nessel Defends Michigan AG Budget She Won't Execute
Michigan AG Dana Nessel touts 54 Trump lawsuits and $2.24B in relief while seeking a $4.3M budget increase for her successor to spend.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Urges Water Conservation as Flood Watch Continues
Metro Detroit is under a flood watch through Thursday night. DWSD urges residents to cut water use and clear catch basins to protect sewer systems.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Unlocking Detroit's Talent Through Education Access
Detroit residents face barriers to education and workforce growth. Flexible, affordable learning pathways could unlock the city's untapped talent pool.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Mayor Sheffield Unveils 6-Point Summer Safety Plan
Mayor Mary Sheffield and Police Chief Todd Bettison announced a six-point summer safety plan targeting violent crime through prevention, enforcement, and youth engagement.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Trump's Push to Control the 2026 Midterm Elections
New reporting reveals how Trump's effort to dominate the 2026 midterms runs through Michigan, echoing the Antrim County controversy of 2020.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Chris Swanson's Michigan Governor Run: The Outsider Democrat
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson is betting grassroots energy and union support can beat Jocelyn Benson in Michigan's Democratic gubernatorial primary.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit's Shawn Smith Honored After Super Bowl LX Officiating
Detroit native Shawn Smith, the fourth Black referee to officiate a Super Bowl, was honored by Detroit City Council for his historic role at Super Bowl LX.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Cumulative Air Pollution in Southwest Detroit: What to Know
Southwest Detroit's Springwells neighborhood sits near 58 pollution sources. Here's what cumulative impact means for residents' health and quality of life.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Gov. Whitmer Declares Michigan Energy Emergency Amid Flooding
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared an energy emergency in Michigan as flooding causes widespread power outages, unlocking faster utility restoration powers.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Seeks Court Order to Seize Vacant West Side Apartments
Detroit filed two lawsuits and is seeking a court order to seize a vacant west side apartment complex plagued by illegal dumping and fines near $100,000.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan Republicans Push to Kill Clean Energy Standard
Michigan House Republicans introduced bills to eliminate the state's 100% clean energy mandate, prioritizing reliability and affordability over emissions goals.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Tlaib & Dingell Push Federal Water Affordability Bill
Michigan reps Rashida Tlaib and Debbie Dingell reintroduced the Water Access and Affordability Act to create a federal low-income water assistance program.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Sault Tribe Bans AI Data Centers on Tribal Lands
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians unanimously voted to block AI data centers from tribal lands after community members demanded a say.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Sault Tribe Adopts Moratorium on AI Data Centers
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians unanimously bans AI data centers on tribal lands after community pressure over secretive closed-door negotiations.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Jocelyn Benson's 2026 Michigan Governor Campaign Pitch
Jocelyn Benson is running for Michigan governor in 2026, campaigning on her record modernizing the Secretary of State's office and fixing broken bureaucracy.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Anti-Abortion Laws Seek to Redefine 'Abortion' in 2026
Lawmakers in multiple states are pushing bills to redefine 'abortion,' excluding emergency medical care—but critics say the changes may do more harm than good.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan's Addiction Treatment Locator Has Serious Problems
Michigan's substance use disorder mapping tool is broken on mobile devices, leaving people in crisis unable to find addiction treatment when they need it most.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Metro Detroit After-School Program Gap Affects 400K Kids
A 2025 survey finds parents of 500,000 kids in southeast Michigan want after-school programs, but only 1 in 5 children actually has access.
By Detroit.co Staff |
BridgeDetroit Survey Asks Detroit Teens About Civic Life
BridgeDetroit launched a Youth Engagement Survey to learn how Detroit high schoolers get news, what issues they care about, and civic readiness.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Clerk Rescues Teen Who Mouthed 'Help' After Kidnapping
A gas station clerk in Detroit rescued a 16-year-old girl abducted at gunpoint from a Hamtramck bus stop after she silently mouthed 'help' through the glass.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Cass Tech Students Host Day of Giving to Fight Detroit Homelessness
A Cass Tech junior is leading a student telethon to raise $50,000 for Detroit's homeless after a heartbreaking discovery outside her school last September.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Metro Detroit Families Struggle to Access After-School Programs
Only 1 in 5 kids in southeast Michigan who need after-school programs are enrolled, leaving 400,000 children without access, a new report finds.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Forms Working Group for Data Center Zoning Policy
Councilman Scott Benson convenes cross-sector group to finalize Detroit's data center zoning framework by Dec. 31 amid a national surge in development.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Are Detroit's Downtown Spaces Welcoming Enough for Youth?
Detroit Council Member Santiago-Romero raises concerns about overpolicing of teens downtown and the lack of welcoming spaces for young people in the city's core.
By Detroit.co Staff |
CDC Data: US Birth Rates Continued Falling in 2025
New CDC data shows US births dropped 1% in 2025 to 3.6 million, continuing a decade-long decline that's sparking political debate over family policy.
By Detroit.co Staff |
SNAP Work Requirements Cut Benefits, Not Boost Jobs
New Brookings research finds SNAP work requirements don't increase employment but significantly reduce food assistance participation rates.
By Detroit.co Staff |
U-M Regent Candidate Makled Faces Antisemitism Scrutiny
Amir Makled, seeking a U-M Board of Regents seat, faces backlash over deleted social media posts sharing antisemitic content from Candace Owens.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Police & Fire Pension Obligations Being Managed Proactively
Detroit's Police and Fire Retirement System pushes back on alarm over pension costs, citing steady tax revenue growth and proactive fiscal management.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Michigan School Cellphone Policies: Data From 779 Districts
A University of Michigan study tracked cellphone policies across 779 school districts ahead of a new 2026-27 statewide smartphone ban during class time.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Mayor Sheffield Addresses Teen Takeovers in Downtown Detroit
Mayor Mary Sheffield called a press conference to address teen takeovers in Downtown Detroit, taking a community-first approach over pure law enforcement.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Gas Prices Soar 21% Amid Trump's War on Iran
Gas prices surged 21% in March as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz, sending Michigan drivers past $4 a gallon.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Mary Sheffield's First 100 Days as Detroit Mayor
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield hits 100 days in office. Here's what she's accomplished on housing, youth, seniors, and the city's $3 billion budget.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Needs a Real Plan to Protect Immigrant Neighbors
From a teen detained on a field trip to families too afraid to leave home, Detroit's immigrant communities face a growing crisis demanding action.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Police Name Boyfriend as Person of Interest in Caitlin Tressler Case
Detroit police named Caitlin Tressler's boyfriend a person of interest after the 36-year-old vanished from her Web Street home on March 27.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Launches Programs to Boost Population and Homeownership
Mayor Mary Sheffield unveils Make Detroit Home and Down Payment Assistance to reverse population decline and grow homeownership in Detroit.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Detroit Adding Text-to-Pay Parking and App Upgrades
Detroit's Municipal Parking Department is rolling out Text-to-Pay meters and a multi-modal trip planning upgrade to the ParkDetroit app.
By Detroit.co Staff |
Women in Ministry: Detroit's Black Church Leaders Speak Out
Three Detroit Black church leaders discuss the barriers women in ministry face and the collaborative efforts building support networks for female faith leaders.
By Nina Vasquez |
Air Quality & Cumulative Pollution in Southwest Detroit
Southwest Detroit residents face 58 pollution sources within miles of their homes. Here's what cumulative impact means and why it matters for your health.
By Nina Vasquez |
Sheffield's State of the City: EVery Neighborhood Deserves Investment
Mayor Mary Sheffield delivered her first State of the City address at Mumford High School, pledging neighborhood-first investment across all of Detroit.
By Nina Vasquez |
Detroit Students Ride City Buses Free Under New Program
Detroit's Ride and Rise pilot program lets students show their ID and ride DDOT buses for free, launching Wednesday to combat chronic absenteeism.
By Nina Vasquez |
Detroit Schools Hiring Student Influencers to Boost Enrollment
Detroit Public Schools plans to pay 23 high school students $250/month to create social media content promoting their schools to prospective families.
By Nina Vasquez |
Detroit Mayor Sheffield's State of the City: Housing & Safety
Mayor Mary Sheffield delivers her first State of the City address at Mumford High School, focusing on housing, public safety, and neighborhood investment.
By Nina Vasquez |
Detroit 2026-2027 Budget Hearings: What to Know
Mayor Mary Sheffield's $3B Detroit budget proposal includes a property tax cut, transit funding, and raises for city workers. Here's what to know.
By Nina Vasquez |
Trump Voted by Mail but Wants to Ban It for Most Americans
Trump voted by mail in Florida's special election while pushing to ban it nationally. His four-word explanation: 'Because I'm president.'
By Nina Vasquez |
DPD Chief Defends ShotSpotter: 256 Arrests in Detroit
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison urged City Council to renew ShotSpotter, citing 256 arrests and 114 shooting victims potentially saved in one year.
By Nina Vasquez |
Detroit 36th District Court Seeks $1.8M Budget Boost
Chief Judge McConico says Detroit's 36th District Court needs $1.8M more than proposed, citing a civil case surge and below-living-wage employees.
By Nina Vasquez |
Detroit Council Urges Wayne County Tax Foreclosure Moratorium
Detroit City Council voted to urge Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree to seek a state moratorium on property tax foreclosures for owner-occupied homes.
By Nina Vasquez |
Michigan GOP Endorses Lloyd for Attorney General, Forlini for SECretary of State
Michigan Republican Party endorses Matt Lloyd for attorney general and Bob Forlini for secretary of state ahead of 2026 elections to challenge Democratic incumbents.
By Nina Vasquez |
Detroit Council Pushes Wayne County Tax Foreclosure Moratorium
Detroit City Council urges Wayne County to pause tax foreclosures on occupied homes, citing displacement of Black homeowners and neighborhood destabilization.
By Nina Vasquez |
Monroe Schools Suspend AD for Supporting Trans Student
Monroe Public Schools placed Athletic Director Chet Hesson on paid leave after he expressed support for a transgender student facing harassment.
By Nina Vasquez |
Whitmer Signs Bill Preserving Licenses for 5,000 Michigan Doctors
Gov. Whitmer signed House Bill 5455 renewing Michigan's multistate medical licensure compact, saving licenses for roughly 5,000 doctors hours before expiration.
By Nina Vasquez |
No Kings Protests Sweep Michigan in Nationwide Demonstrations
Thousands of Michiganders join the third wave of No Kings protests across Detroit, Lansing, and communities statewide, demanding elected officials answer to citizens.
By Nina Vasquez |
Hamtramck Mayoral Ballots to Be Counted After Court Ruling
Michigan court orders election officials to tabulate 37 uncounted ballots from Hamtramck's 2026 mayoral primary that could change the race outcome.
By Nina Vasquez |
Senate HELP Committee Debates College Athlete Employee Status
The Senate HELP Committee heard testimony on college sports reform, with debate centering on whether student-athletes should be classified as employees.
By Nina Vasquez |
Senate Negotiates DHS Funding as Airport Lines Grow
Senate negotiators trade proposals on DHS funding while unpaid TSA officers call out sick, causing growing airport security delays nationwide.
By Nina Vasquez |
No Kings Protests: What Comes Next for the Movement?
Millions are expected at No Kings protests nationwide. But organizers and political scientists are asking: do massive demonstrations actually change anything?
By Nina Vasquez |
Barack Obama Leadership Academy Faces Closure in Detroit
Detroit's Barack Obama Leadership Academy faces closure after school board members signal they won't renew the charter school's contract beyond June 30.
By Nina Vasquez |
Michigan Party Conventions Pick SECretary of State, Attorney General
Michigan is one of three states where party delegates, not voters, select nominees for secretary of state and attorney general through conventions.
By Nina Vasquez |
Michigan's $261M Failed Megafactory Plan Revealed
Michigan spent $261 million demolishing homes for a megafactory that never materialized. Now the state seeks $150 million more for similar projects.
By Nina Vasquez |
Detroit Adding 312 Speed Humps in 2026 Across 230 Streets
Detroit will install 312 speed humps on 230 residential streets in 2026, marking 10 years and over 11,400 total installations since the program launched.
By Nina Vasquez |
Gordie Howe Bridge Bike & Pedestrian Path Will Be Toll-Free
Pedestrians and cyclists can cross the Gordie Howe International Bridge toll-free, but valid ID is still required for border crossing.
By Nina Vasquez |
Michigan Sues DHS Over ICE Detention Center in Romulus
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Romulus file federal lawsuit to block conversion of warehouse into ICE detention facility near Detroit.
By Nina Vasquez |
Michigan Democrats Oppose Voter ID Ballot Proposal
Michigan Democratic Party formally opposes proposed ballot measure requiring photo ID for voting, calling it voter suppression ahead of 2026 elections.
By Nina Vasquez |
Teen's DIY Pothole Repair in Dearborn Heights Goes Viral
A Dearborn Heights teenager's viral video of filling a pothole with cold-patch asphalt sparked city response and renewed debate over road maintenance funding.
By Marcus Cole |
Romulus Joins Lawsuit Against ICE Detention Facility
Romulus City Council votes to join lawsuit against DHS over ICE detention facility plans, challenging federal authority over local zoning and land use controls.
By Nina Vasquez |
Mary Sheffield Named Rising Star by EMILYs List
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, the city's first woman mayor, has been nominated for EMILYs List's Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award.
By Nina Vasquez |
Michigan Public Notice Changes Threaten Transparency
Michigan House Republicans explore stripping newspapers of legally mandated public notice role, raising transparency concerns about government control.
By James Okafor |
Benson Proposes Stricter Data Center Safeguards in Michigan
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson unveils new requirements to regulate data centers, addressing energy consumption and community concerns.
By Nina Vasquez |
Nessel Demands 85% Cut to DTE Gas Rate Hike
Michigan AG Dana Nessel seeks major reduction to DTE Energy's $237.5M natural gas rate increase, calling it 'bloated and unjustified.'
By Nina Vasquez |
Detroit City Council Advances Data Center Moratorium
Detroit City Council voted 6-2 to advance a moratorium on new data center development, pausing approvals while the city reviews its policy framework.
By Nina Vasquez |
Selfridge Air Show 2026 Canceled Due to Military Operations
Selfridge Air National Guard Base cancels 2026 Open House and Air Show, citing operational and readiness requirements amid Iran operations.
By Nina Vasquez |
Michigan Democrats Attack Rogers Over Gordie Howe Bridge
Democrats launch first 2026 Senate ad targeting Mike Rogers for his opposition to the Gordie Howe Bridge and ties to the Moroun family.
By Nina Vasquez |
Detroit Mayor Duggan Delivers State of the City Address, Highlights Neighborhood Investment
Mayor Duggan announces $500 million Neighborhoods Forward Initiative to expand Detroit investment beyond downtown, targeting 15 communities over five years.
By Nina Vasquez |