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Axios Detroit
Fireworks closures spark public access debate
Criticism of riverfront park closures during the annual Ford Fireworks show has prompted City Council President Mary Sheffield to demand answers from the police department. Why it matters: Lack of access to the area and its nearby parks during the event led some residents to wonder who the annual celebration is really for.For those without an invite to a private rooftop party, getting a good view of the fireworks has meant camping out for hours at one of the three official viewing sites.Sweaty residents lined up outside Hart Plaza on Monday, eight hours before the show began, to claim a spot...
Nu Deli adds Indian flavors to deli staples
Ask and you shall receive.It worked for Matt Daniels, owner of the Nu Deli food truck, whose cold pitch convinced me to patronize his business.The intrigue: The lunchtime crowd of hungry workers at the new Chipotle hasn't gotten smaller since I posted about it, and Daniels' reply to my tweet still rings true: "Meanwhile there are great local food trucks that could use their business (like mine @TheNuDeli) lined up just a block or two away in Cadillac Square & Spirit Plaza. SMH."State of play: I took him up on his offer last weekend while his truck was set up outside Eastern Market's Shed 5, ordering a grilled cheese sandwich ($10) and an iced chai latte ($5).The food truck puts an Indian twist on American deli staples. The grilled cheese, which includes stone ground mustard and four cheeses between fresh crunchy Italian bread, comes with a hint of mango chutney.It's as good as it looks.The bottom line: Let this be your sign to try a local food truck as part of Downtown Street Eats this summer! Nu Deli's food truck.
Next year is "pivotal" for East Warren revitalization
Along East Warren Avenue, a local nonprofit leader expects a "domino effect" of real estate development as revitalization work continues to ramp up.Why it matters: East Warren is one of many neighborhood business corridors in Detroit that suffered from a lack of investment for decades, but now it's seeing more shops open, generating more public hype from officials about its future.State of play: "I think next year is going to be a pivotal year, because that's when East Warren goes from being a retail corridor that meets everyone's needs to being one of the best food destinations in the city,"...
Riverfront Conservancy gets financial relief amid probe
The local philanthropic community is raising $35 million to help the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy complete construction projects along the riverfront amid an ongoing federal probe of its former CFO, who is accused of stealing nearly $40 million.Why it matters: The $35 million fund will help finish by next year the west riverfront's 22-acre Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park.It will also help complete final elements of the Uniroyal Promenade and Robert C. Valade Park.State of play: The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan announced Monday that it established the $35 million fund with a $10 million grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and a $25 million line of credit.The fund is intended to pay contractors and support the conservancy's vision to develop and beautify the city's riverfront from the Ambassador Bridge to Belle Isle.The latest: A federal judge on Monday froze up to $39 million in assets that former CFO William A. Smith allegedly controls, the Free Press reports.Federal authorities allege Smith tried to sell properties after he came under investigation, including a home in Atlanta, a condo in Mexico and a 36-foot yacht.
Pistons approach draft with new "CEO" but no coach
The Pistons have the fifth pick in Wednesday's NBA draft, but with a lackluster field of prospects, attention is on who the team's next head coach will be.Catch up quick: The Pistons fired Monty Williams after he led the team to the worst single-season record in its history, 14-68.Williams was the league's highest-paid coach, and the team spent $65 million to buy out his contract.Driving the news: The team introduced former Pelicans GM Trajan Langdon as the new president of basketball operations and "CEO" last week. Owner Tom Gores told reporters the 48-year-old former pro was the perfect candidate to...
Michigan's rate of melanoma cases below national average
Data: cancer.gov; Map: Axios VisualsMichigan's rate of new melanoma cases is below the national average, despite an increase in diagnoses by doctors.Why it matters: Although melanoma accounts for about 1% of skin cancers, it's responsible for the large majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).What they're saying: "People who get periodically sunburnt frequently tend to have a higher risk of developing melanoma," says Henry Lim, a dermatologist at Henry Ford Health in Detroit and former president of the American Academy of Dermatology.And sun exposure has a clear a connection to basal cell and squamous cell skin...
Q&A: Brix Wine owner weighs in on Detroit and statewide industry
Detroit's wine bar scene is growing, though our state's winemaking industry doesn't get the national recognition it deserves, Brix Wine owner Mikiah Glynn says. The big picture: As patio season officially begins, Glynn spoke with Axios Detroit about the wine industry, her business and the importance of sustainability. Context: Brix,...
Detroit can't escape Trump's rap obsession
Three of Detroit's most commercially successful rap artists are defending their decision to appear on stage and in photos with former President Trump at a campaign event last weekend.Why it matters: Championing the support of rap artists has been part of Trump's Black outreach strategy for years. Last weekend was the second time this year Trump's campaign has put rappers front and center after New York drill artists Sleepy Hallow and Sheff G joined him on stage at a Harlem rally.Trump introduced Miami rapper Lil Pump — mistakenly called "Lil Pimp" by the former president and local media —...
State Dems push record transit funding tied to corporate incentives
Two progressive Democrats could block more than $2 billion for public transit projects, which is tied to billions for corporate incentives over 10 years in a revamp of the state's economic development program. Why it matters: Public perception over subsidies for large corporations has shifted in the years since the...
Where Dan Gilbert hopes Detroit is headed in 10 years
Dan Gilbert shared his top hopes for Detroit's next decade in a fireside chat with AOL founder and startup investor Steve Case. The big picture: On Tuesday, Gilbert's Rocket Cos. hosted an event with Case's Revolution, an investment firm that launched its Rise of the Rest tour 10 years ago in Detroit to inject funding into startups outside major tech hub cities.
Brush Park's new Spanish-inspired restaurant
The elevated casual vibe of Leña, Brush Park's newest restaurant, certainly fits that of the affluent neighborhood. 👋🏼 Sam here. The Spanish-inspired restaurant that opened last month adds to the area's date-night options with a vegetable- and seafood-focused menu. State of play: My very polite waitress recommended...
Election officials eye ballot access changes amid "enterprise for bad actors"
Major changes to Michigan's ballot access laws are in the works after the signature-gathering process knocked out big-name candidates in the state's most recent election cycles.Why it matters: Yet-to-be unveiled legislation could make it easier for candidates to get on the ballot by changing aspects of the signature-gathering process.One of the lawmakers leading the effort says it would also bring greater accountability for shady petition-gathering practices that tanked the campaigns of several congressional hopefuls last month and shaped the last gubernatorial race.The intrigue: State Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), who chairs the state's elections and ethics committee, tells Axios that he...
Motive unknown in Rochester Hills splash pad shooting
Two of the nine victims shot Saturday at a Rochester Hills splash pad were released from the hospital, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office announced Monday.The big picture: Investigators have been searching for clues to understand the shooter's motive, per the AP.The suspected shooter thought the government was tracking him, and at least 11 guns were found in his home, the Free Press reports.Catch up quick: The gunman — identified as 42-year-old Michael William Nash of Shelby Township — arrived at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad around 5pm Saturday and fired 36 times, injuring nine, the Free Press reports.Nash took his...
Michigan's 988 crisis hotline rollout
Data: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosNearly two years after the debut of a revamped U.S. suicide hotline, Michigan tops the national average for its 988 crisis call answer rate.The big picture: Congress gave states $1 billion to build out the 988 hotline, amid nationwide concern over worsening mental health, with the expectation that states would establish their own long-term funding to operate call centers and crisis services.But those efforts have been uneven, contributing to significantly lower response times in certain states. As with much of the health care system, the level of crisis services available to people...
Juneteenth 2024 events and celebrations in Detroit
Wednesday's Juneteenth holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when union troops arrived in Texas to announce that enslaved people were free.Here are some ways to celebrate:📖 Juneteenth on the Cut: The Dequindre Cut's celebration will highlight stories from the Black Bottom neighborhood through performances and other interactive activities for all ages.Wednesday, 2-7pm, at the Campbell Terrace stage, near the Lafayette and St. Aubin entrance.Free!🏡 Homeownership celebration: Detroit Future City's panel discussion and bus tour will focus on Black liberation and wealth generation through homeownership.Tuesday, 10am-1:30pm, at the Industry Innovation Center, 461 Burroughs St.Free!🔉 Juneteenth Music Festival: Live music, comedy, food and more in Boston Edison.Wednesday, 5:30-10pm, at 2340 W. Chicago Blvd.Tickets, $35.📢 Lunch counters and activism: City historian Jamon Jordan and others hold a panel discussion on the Southern lunch counters and picketing in the North that both factored into the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.Wednesday, 6-8pm, at the Detroit Historical Museum.Free and livestreamed on the museum's Facebook page.
Trump hears from Black Detroiters at roundtable
Former President Trump swapped his typical campaign message in favor of one that catered to working-class Black Detroiters on Saturday.Why it matters: Trump's campaign stop to an overwhelmingly Democratic-voting area is part of his campaign's effort to attract Black voters.What they're saying: The former president focused on criminal justice reform, his support for funding historically Black colleges and school choice, while listening to issues facing Black business owners. He didn't mention his felony convictions from his New York criminal trial."You have a lot of dollars in the Black community and they don't keep it," Trump said. "One of the biggest...
Downtown Detroit's hotel scene is booming
Downtown is riding a wave of new and renovated hotel developments — yet tourism officials still see room for growth.The big picture: A five-star hotel planned at Hudson's Detroit, a new luxury convention hotel at Huntington Place and the hotel expansion at the historic David Whitney Building are helping drive the momentum.Yes, but: The city needs another 4,000 to 5,000 hotel rooms to consistently attract major conventions and events, Visit Detroit spokesperson Chris Moyer tells Axios."We're at a critical inflection point for hotel development," Moyer says. "The interest is only increasing."By the numbers: Downtown has 5,313 hotel rooms as of...
Can (or should) we eat fish flies?
Annalise here, wondering why we don't talk about eating fish flies.Hear me out. The other week, surrounded by swarms of these insects on the east side, I thought back to reports I read this spring about how to cook and eat cicadas.Trillions of cicadas were emerging across 16 states, bringing a natural opportunity to consider insect consumption (entomophagy, in case you were wondering).The intrigue: As I walked past buildings covered in fish flies, watched my dog snap them out of the air and covered my mouth (at times) so I wouldn't accidentally inhale any, I wondered why I was hearing...
Detroit restaurant sign ordinance a long time coming
City Council approved member Scott Benson's "Dining with Confidence" ordinance this week that requires restaurants to post food safety compliance signs.The big picture: Benson's proposal, in the works for six years, was revamped several times. Two barriers to its passage were the pandemic and major opposition from some restaurant businesses over how it may unfairly hurt their bottom lines.How it works: Previous versions required restaurants to post green, yellow or red signs showing whether they were in compliance after health department inspections.The latest version, which passed, takes away the yellow option in order to give restaurants more flexibility to correct their mistakes without them being made publicly visible.The only way to get a red sign is if the restaurant is shut down for violations.The intrigue: After the ordinance was approved unanimously, a couple of council members fist-bumped and clapped for Benson, with council President Mary Sheffield saying this was a "long time coming" and that Benson "put a lot of work in."
Trump heads to Detroit over birthday weekend to court Black voters
Former President Trump is set to campaign in Detroit this week to meet with local pastors amid an effort to court Black voters.The big picture: The 45th president, who was convicted last month of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records, will spend the day after his 78th birthday in northwest Detroit.Trump will listen to residents during a roundtable discussion at 4pm Saturday at 180 Church, 13660 Stansbury Ave., his campaign says.State of play: He is also scheduled to speak at Turning Point USA's the People's Convention at downtown's Huntington Place taking place Friday to Sunday. The exact time for...
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