Columbus
Axios Detroit
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 β mistakenly called "Lil Pimp" by the former president and local media β...
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 LeΓ±a, Brush Park's newest restaurant, certainly fits that of the affluent neighborhood. ππΌ 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 β identified as 42-year-old Michael William Nash of Shelby Township β 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:π 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!π‘ 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!π Juneteenth Music Festival: Live music, comedy, food and more in Boston Edison.Wednesday, 5:30-10pm, at 2340 W. Chicago Blvd.Tickets, $35.π’ 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 β 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...
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.π 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!π€ The Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Eastern Market will feature Black business vendors and live entertainment.Sunday, noon-6pm. Free!π 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!π΅ Motown Museum is hosting a block party with Juneteenth Jubilee, including free museum tours and live performances.Friday, 6-10pm. Free!π 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.π· 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.πΆ 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.
Egg Hunt food truck holds down brunch in West Village
There's a brunch food truck that's been feeding me (π Sam here) every Sunday without fail.The intrigue: Crispy on the outside yet soft and warm on the inside, Egg Hunt's fried salmon bites come with cheesy potatoes and a fried egg.This Sunday, I'm going to switch it up and try the oxtail breakfast burrito, which the Free Press' Omari Sankofa says "may be the best thing I've ever eaten."State of play: The Black-owned Egg Hunt truck is one of many pop-up food businesses you'll find at Two Birds on Kercheval Avenue in West Village. It has become one of my favorite bars in the city for its tucked-away, neighborhood vibe.If you go: The truck is at Two Birds from 11am-3pm Sunday, but follow it on Instagram to keep up with where it will be located throughout the week. Egg Hunt's food truck outside of Two Birds.
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...
Detroit ranks on Postal Service list of top dog bite cities
Detroit is on the U.S. Postal Service's recent national ranking of cities with the most recorded dog attacks on mail carriers.The big picture: The city has a serious stray dog problem β animal control received nearly 12,000 calls about roaming dogs last year. Pet dogs getting out of their enclosures has also resulted in attacks.By the numbers: With 19 such attacks, Detroit tied for 20th place last year. The city with the highest number, Los Angeles, recorded 65 attacks.Michigan was also ranked in the top 10 states with the most mail carrier dog bites, with 183 last year.Between the lines: All dogs can bite, even ones that seem friendly, so dog owners have a responsibility to control and secure their pets around letter carriers, USPS wrote in a news release.If a carrier doesn't feel safe, they have the right to stop service and have the dog owner pick up their mail at the post office.
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...
Axios Detroit
2K+
Posts
4M+
Views
Axios Detroit is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
Itβs essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.