Detroit’s decline stripped neighborhood groups of power. As the city ascends, city hall manages most growth, fueling debate from Corktown to the city’s impoverished east side on the value of neighborhood voices.
Joel Kurth
As executive editor of impact, Joel Kurth oversees newsgathering, investigations, and coverage strategy at Bridge Michigan. He joined Bridge in 2017 after 17 years as an investigative reporter and editor at The Detroit News, where he led investigations that drove policy changes on water shutoffs and surgical instrument sterilization and resulted in criminal charges against government officials. He and his teams have won more than 60 state and national awards across a 30-year career in Michigan that has also included stints at newspapers in the Upper Peninsula and Saginaw. Joel also authors Bridge's popular weekly News Quiz.
Joel lives in West Bloomfield with his wife and two children.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Sheila Cockrel on Corktown’s transformation: ‘This is capitalism, baby’
Former City Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel says she can’t disparage those in her neighborhood who are cashing in on peaking property values in the rising Detroit neighborhood.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Detroit serious about boosting census participation, Mayor Mike Duggan says
Detroit is raising $3 million and plans to hire hundreds of workers to boost participation in the census, which provides $1,800 per person annually in federal funds.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan leads nation in PFAS. It will lead cleanups, too, U.S. reps say
A bipartisan group from Michigan’s congressional delegation vows to protect waterways in Michigan, push for PFAS standards and explore ways to keep Asian carp out of Lake Michigan.
Posted inUrban Affairs
She was born to fight – and did for 3 years without water in Detroit
Fayette Coleman was tough as nails and endured an epic water shutoff. Now, activists wonder if that led to her death. Despite 100,000 shutoffs, no one knows because the issue is scarcely researched.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Republicans appeal gerrymandering ruling. What you need to know.
Five questions and answers following Tuesday’s appeal of a bombshell federal court ruling ordering special elections in Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s political districts illegally gerrymandered, court rules
A three-judge panel finds that 34 districts were drawn in 2011 to benefit Republicans and orders special elections in 2020.
Posted inQuality of Life
It’s tax day, Michigan. Take this quiz or face an audit
Okay, we totally lied about the audit. But it wouldn’t kill you to learn more about Michigan’s taxes and exemptions. Test your smarts with this quiz.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Detroit studies restoring passenger trains to Michigan Central Station
Report should wrap up this month to determine costs, logistics of resuming Amtrak service at the historic station that had become a symbol of Detroit’s decline.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Fiat Chrysler promises 5,000 jobs. But not all Detroiters love the plan.
Fiat Chrysler hosts its first community meeting for a massive investment on the eastside of Detroit. It could have gone better, with several neighbors doubting whether the deal would benefit nearby residents.