Detroit’s Delray neighborhood is dying by the day to make room for the Gordie Howe International Bridge crossing to Canada. But not everyone says they’re getting a fair shake.
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
A truck ferry offers a rare, gorgeous glimpse of Detroit River
Slideshow: The Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry offers a vista of Detroit’s industrial past and future that is rarely seen elsewhere.
Posted inMichigan Government
Mike Duggan blasts Abdul El-Sayed for accusing him of 'poisoning kids'
Bad blood between Mike Duggan and his former health director, Abdul El-Sayed, explodes into the open, as Democratic governor candidate says his former boss ‘poisoned kids’ by ignoring health hazards of Detroit demolitions. In response, a spokesperson for Detroit’s mayor accused El-Sayed of ‘saying anything’ to get elected.
Posted inMichigan Truth Squad
Truth Squad: Questioning Gretchen Whitmer’s gun control record in Michigan
Democratic frontrunner is accused of being soft on school shootings – two days after she speaks at a rally in support of gun reform.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Tax breaks for poor neighborhoods steered to booming pockets in Detroit
A deadline is approaching to designate poor areas for tax breaks in Detroit and across the state. So why are some more affluent areas being included?
Posted inMichigan Government
El-Sayed asks court to settle his eligibility for Michigan governor
The Michigan Democrat wants a judge to say he is qualified to be on the ballot
Posted inMichigan Government
After early doubts, United Auto Workers back Gretchen Whitmer for Michigan governor
Just months after a movement to woo another candidate, Democratic bigwigs are now scrambling to endorse the former Senate minority leader.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Banks are lending again in Detroit…if you live in the right neighborhood
Mortgages are up more than a third in the city, but the housing comeback has left out entire swaths of Detroit. City leaders urge patience.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Dan Gilbert says a Detroit housing fix is vital. Here are 5 obstacles.
Five reasons why mortgage lending is so tricky in the Motor City, and a few things being done to overcome the hurdles.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan tames a 18,409-word testament to bureaucracy run amok
Michigan’s application for public assistance was the longest in the nation. Until it became a two-year crusade to reform the form.