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Axios Detroit
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...
Things to do this weekend in Metro Detroit: June 14-16
With clear skies ahead, plus Father's Day and next week's Juneteenth holiday coming up, it's looking to be a packed weekend.🐐 Check out the Eastside Community Network's Family Fun Fest and open house with a petting zoo, barbecue, games and more.Saturday, noon-4pm. Free!🎤 The Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Eastern Market will feature Black business vendors and live entertainment.Sunday, noon-6pm. Free!🎆 Another Juneteenth festival is planned in downtown Pontiac with music, vendors, a fireworks show, kids' activities and music.Saturday, 4-11pm. Parade at 4pm. Free!🎵 Motown Museum is hosting a block party with Juneteenth Jubilee, including free museum tours and live performances.Friday, 6-10pm. Free!👂 Listen to a live show of "The Moth," a personal storytelling platform, as the podcast records for future episodes from Music Hall.Friday, 6pm. Tickets are $63.🍷 Sip a selection of summer wines at a Pride month celebration from the Royce downtown with a Marrow food pop-up.Saturday, 2-5pm. Tickets are $15.🚶 Walk in the annual Metro Detroit Stroll for Epilepsy at the Detroit Zoo.Saturday, 7:30-10:30am. Tickets are $30 and include zoo admission.
Michigan Central officials optimistic on resurrecting train service
Passenger rail service could return to Michigan Central Station, but the restored depot is unlikely to operate as a full-fledged train station again, officials say.The big picture: Interest in reviving train services at Michigan Central coincides with federally funded studies for new and improved train options in Detroit and throughout the Midwest.Flashback: The last train left Michigan Central in 1988, bound for Chicago.At its peak in the 1940s, more than 4,000 passengers used the train station daily.What they're saying: Michigan Central officials have discussed the possibility of bringing back passenger rail, CEO Josh Sirefman said."I don't think there's a circumstance...
Chamber releases survey on Detroit LGBTQ+ district
A local chamber of commerce wants to know: Where should Detroit put an LGBTQ+ business district?Why it matters: The city, and the region at large, lack a concentrated area providing resources, support, a welcoming environment, businesses and tourism for LGBTQ+ people.The big picture: Detroit is behind other cities including Chicago and Philadelphia that have already established these safe spaces to socialize and strengthen community.Detroit had a bustling queer community in Palmer Park in the 1970s and 1980s, and nowadays Ferndale is seen as a congregating point for some, but inclusive spaces are lacking.State of play: In an effort to eventually...
Return of the Detroit restaurant sign ordinance
Detroit City Council member Scott Benson is advocating for a new version of his previously rejected food safety proposal that's been in the works for six years and would affect restaurants all across the city.Why it matters: Benson and supporters believe the new regulations will help educate restaurants about food safety, support compliant businesses and ensure that customers dine with a lower risk of foodborne illness.The proposal requires restaurants to post green signs by their entrances showing they're in compliance with health inspection rules, or red if they've been shut down.Flashback: Benson began working on an ordinance requiring restaurants to...
Detroit House Hunting: Owner-occupied house in East English Village
This three-bedroom home in East English Village is an intriguing alternative to the many flipped houses on the market in this price range.The big picture: Flipped homes look modern and clean, but it can be hard to tell how well the renovations will hold up against everyday living.The owner of this house has lived in it for five years, listing agent John Lambrecht tells Axios in this installment of our recurring local real estate spotlight.What they're saying: "This house has been cared for," Lambrecht says. It has "the most impressive breakfast nook you've ever been in."5990 Bishop St., $219,000 The hardwood floors and unique woodwork inside 5990 Bishop St.State of play: East English Village is known for its historic character, active community groups, proximity to I-94 and east-side shops and restaurants.The 1,858-square-foot house has three bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a detached garage and a new HVAC system and furnace.It features hardwood floors, custom woodwork and a cathedral ceiling over the breakfast nook.📬 Have you bought or considered buying a flipped house? What advice would you give? What do you wish you knew?Email Detroit@axios.com to let us know.
Where migrant kids end up in Michigan
Data: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services via N.Y. Times; Note: Includes places that have received at least 100 unaccompanied migrant children; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosMost unaccompanied migrant children who came to Michigan between 2015 and 2023 typically arrived via the southern border from Central America and ended up near Grand Rapids or Detroit.That's based on U.S. Department of Human Health and Services data on migrant children sponsors' ZIP codes obtained by the New York Times through a Freedom of Information Act request.Why it matters: Hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied kids are in the U.S. and looking to local, state...
NBA Finals players with Michigan ties
The NBA Finals tipped off last week and though it will take years before Detroit is in contention for a championship, the series between Dallas and Boston features players with Michigan ties.The intrigue: Both teams have players who played high school or college basketball in the state.Boston's Al Horford went to Grand Ledge High School and played for Billy Donovon's Florida Gators over Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. It was a smart choice; he won back-to-back national championships in 2006-07 and became a Florida legend.His brother Jon Horford, a lobbyist in Lansing, ran to represent the area in the...
Detroit lawmaker faces backlash for "Pookie and Ray Ray" comments
State Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) received harsh backlash on social media this week for comments that some say perpetuated stereotypes about poor Black people. Why it matters: The Biden campaign is making a concerted effort to woo Black voters, whom they view as a crucial demographic in defeating former President Trump in November.
🍓 Mapped: This summer's local farmers markets
Rejoice — local produce season is finally here, with farmers markets and stands beginning to open from North Rosedale Park all the way over to Jefferson Chalmers. The big picture: This year's map and chart of locations, hours, addresses and dates is now available from Detroit Community Markets, a program facilitated by Eastern Market Partnership.
Things to do this weekend in Metro Detroit: June 7-9
The weekend is coming.Here's how to spend it:🥂 Design Core Detroit's Drinks x Design event takes place from 5:30-8:30pm Thursday at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle.Free!🌈 Attend Motor City Pride. The annual festival at Hart Plaza features drag performances, music, vendors and food trucks.Saturday, 1-9pm, and Sunday, 12:30-7pm; parade at noon Sunday. $5 entrance fee.🎶 Listen to Detroit Symphony Orchestra musicians in an outdoor concert at Chandler Park.Saturday at 2pm. Free!👩🏽🌾 Crane Street Garden needs help putting plants in the ground this weekend and is offering free produce to volunteers. Friday from 9am-5pm and Saturday from 11am-3pm.8701 Peter Hunt St.👕 Browse handmade goods, decor, vintage clothes and architectural salvage at Eastern Market's Shed 5 from 10am-4pm Sunday.Free!💪🏽 Fitology, the free fitness class hosted by the city, goes down at Spirit Plaza from 10am-noon Saturday, this week led by Konnected Fitness.Free!😴 Sleep in! After back-to-back weekends of exciting events (Movement and the Detroit Grand Prix), you deserve to take a load off.
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's ex-CFO bought property for cigar bar
Eight years into his role as CFO of the Riverfront Conservancy, William Smith hatched a grand vision for a cigar bar at a vacant property near the east riverfront.The big picture: Smith started a development firm in 2019 and bought the empty buildings last year, but the site remains undeveloped. The Conservancy and Smith's lender on the cigar bar project aren't answering questions about it.Why it matters: Smith, who was charged today with federal bank and wire fraud, attempted to leverage his expertise as the conservancy's CFO to acquire property for the development, documents obtained by Axios Detroit show.Zoom in:...
Former Riverfront Conservancy CFO faces embezzlement charges
William A. Smith is accused of stealing nearly $40 million over 11 years while he was CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to pay for airline tickets, hotels, limos, household goods, lawn care, clothing and jewelry.Why it matters: Federal prosecutors charged Smith today with bank and wire fraud charges following an FBI investigation that started last month.The big picture: The conservancy is funded through private and public funds to develop the riverfront, including a $40 million grant in 2018 from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and $2.5 million in 2020 from the U.S. EPA.Smith was fired last week and...
Detroit Stars Negro Leagues stats now part of MLB record
Major League Baseball announced last week that it would add statistics from the Negro Leagues to the Major League historical record.Why it matters: The move shines a spotlight on the history of Black baseball players, some of whom played in Detroit.Negro League players were barred from the MLB during segregation, but some were considered the greatest of all time.The big picture: The inclusion of seven professional Negro Leagues that operated between 1920 and 1948 into MLB records comes as replica jerseys and caps from the era have become popular with a new generation of fans."We are now grateful to count...
Most Detroiters live within a 10-minute walk to a park, but unequal park access remains
Data: Trust for Public Land; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosDetroit ranks 65th out of the country's 100 most populous cities for its public parks — down five spots from last year — according to a new report by the pro-park nonprofit Trust for Public Land.Why it matters: Parks confer a wealth of health benefits, and the report found that residents in high-scoring cities are also more socially connected with their neighbors.How it works: The Trust for Public Land annually scores cities' park systems based on access, acreage, amenities, equity and investment.Each city is awarded points based on those factors and then given...
Michigan's school counselor shortage among worst in nation
Data: American School Counselor Association; Map: Tory Lysik/Axios VisualsThe average counselor in Michigan is responsible for more than double the number of students recommended by advocates.Why it matters: Experts say a lack of school counselor access disproportionately hurts students of color seeking mental health help or advice about applying to college in a post-affirmative action world.The intrigue: Michigan lagged almost every other state in the country with the second worst student-to-counselor ratio during the 2022-23 school year at 598-1.The state also had the second-highest ratio in the nation in 2019-20.What they're saying: Student needs have grown since the pandemic, says...
Pope Francis Center opens bridge housing campus
The Pope Francis Center, which serves people experiencing homelessness, has opened a $40 million transitional housing campus in Core City.Why it matters: The building offers 40 studio apartments and holistic, social and job-readiness services. It will assist people who are in the process of transitioning to living in a house or apartment and may need additional support with challenges around mental health or substance use.The center celebrated a ribbon-cutting Monday with Mayor Mike Duggan, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and others.Zoom in: Pope Francis' new facility has a gym, commercial kitchen, medical and dental clinic, barbershop, library and more. Outside, an...
Detroit's once-abandoned train depot restored to past glory
Exterior of Michigan Central Station before and after restoration. Photos: Stephen McGee/Michigan CentralThe long-awaited reveal of Michigan Central Station's dramatic restoration to its pristine past is finally here.Why it matters: Michigan Central's transformation from a battered reminder of Detroit's decline into a monument of civic pride is a historic achievement that eluded local leaders and developers for decades.What they're saying: "We think about the station as a fairly massive signal to the world that Detroit's leading the way again. It's not just about the classic revitalization stories — we're past that," Michigan Central CEO Joshua Sirefman said."We are actually now...
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