A coalition of foundations and law firms is calling for low-income renters to be represented by a lawyer at eviction hearings. In New York, a similar program actually saved the city money.
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
Crime dips in Detroit. But ‘people do not feel safe,’ commissioner says.
Violence remains a big impediment to Detroit’s comeback. Despite encouraging trends, there’s no ‘magic formula’ for Mayor Mike Duggan, a veteran police commissioner says.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Detroit is billing residents for rain. It’s going as well as you’d think.
Facing major repairs, Detroit has revamped rates on treating stormwater. That’s led to astronomical rates, a lawsuit and familiar questions about equity in a rapidly changing city.
Posted inMichigan Government
That’s a wrap. Michigan gerrymandering case now in hands of three judges
More than 650 pages of arguments filed by parties in hotly disputed case over whether Michigan political districts that have favored Republicans are unconstitutional.
Posted inMichigan Government
Redistricting guru: Michigan’s maps are legal, even if process was political
Michigan’s gerrymandering trial wraps up with testimony from the architect of the state’s political maps. He says he was besieged with requests but kept the process ‘bipartisan.’
Posted inMichigan Government
Expert testifies gerrymandering in Michigan is worse than almost anywhere
An unusual federal trial that could redraw Michigan’s political boundaries before 2020 began Tuesday in Detroit. Republicans defend the maps, saying demographics are to blame, not partisan tricks.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Republicans defend political maps as gerrymandering trial opens
An unusual federal trial that could redraw Michigan’s political boundaries before 2020 begins in Detroit. The stakes are huge, but spoiler alert: there may be few theatrics.
Posted inMichigan Government
Federal court scuttles Michigan gerrymandering deal, rejects trial delay
Less than a week before a trial is expected to start, federal judges paved the way for a landmark showdown over Michigan’s legislative districts, which Republicans drew and Democrats have derided as unfair.
Posted inMichigan Government
Jocelyn Benson seeks to settle gerrymandering suit by redrawing House seats
Michigan’s new Democratic Secretary of State proposes deal before 2020 elections. Republican lawmakers call effort a partisan coup.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gerrymandering settlement would give Michigan Dems hope, GOP despair
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is drawing fire from Republicans, who say she’s trying to ‘rig elections to favor Democrats’ with a deal to end a suit over redistricting.