A decade ago, two enemies put down their guns in a Michigan city halfway between Chicago and Detroit. They are still risking their lives, helping others disarm, and hoping for more support.
Urban Affairs
In-depth reporting on Michigan’s largest city and surrounding communities, including deep dives into the big changes afoot in Detroit, its schools, neighborhoods, institutions and city hall.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Can Detroit return its brownfields to the indigenous sacred sites they once were?
Now, with U.S. Steel’s recent cessation of operations on Zug Island, what might future residents of the area describe standing at the junction of these two rivers?
Posted inUrban Affairs
In booming Grand Rapids, many Black residents left out of city’s comeback
The percentage of Black residents fell in the past 10 years, driven out by rising rents and home values. Now, the city is redoubling affordable housing efforts.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Ilitch family revives its first historic Detroit building in 30 years
After promising five new neighborhoods within its District Detroit and census data showing the surrounding area has lost residents, the Ilitch group unveiled its first renovation of a historic Detroit building since the late 1980s.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Built to keep Black from white: The story behind Detroit’s 'Wailing Wall'
Eighty years after a segregation wall rose in Detroit, America remains divided. That’s not an accident.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Understanding why Detroit floods and why it keeps happening
Here’s why disinvestment matters. Certain Detroit neighborhoods flood, and the city versus the suburbs debate has kicked up again.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Reimbursement remains unclear for Detroit’s flood victims
Two weeks after Detroit’s heavy summer rain flooded thousands of homes, residents are still cleaning up debris and filing claims to restore their property. With high insurance premiums and low coverage, Detroiters are relying on FEMA for assistance.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Detroiters demand solutions after massive flooding
Nearly 6 inches of rain inundated Detroit’s water and sewage systems last weekend, causing basements to flood in residential and commercial properties across the city. As residents continue to clean the debris and file insurance claims, they say quick, Band-Aid fixes are unacceptable.
Posted inUrban Affairs
The toughest anti-gun movement in Detroit
No guns, just gloves: How a Detroiter is using boxing to combat gun violence.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Detroit council endorses reparations resolution; November vote possible
Detroit is stepping up its voice in the movement to set aside government funds to redress Black people for slavery and systematic discrimination.