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Outlier Media
Two years after a major Detroit Public Library theft, no arrests have been made and $400K is still missing
The library and the city have been squaring off publicly for the last several years over library finances, and the lack of trust from some library commissioners appears to be slowing the library’s cooperation with the city. The post Two years after a major Detroit Public Library theft, no arrests have been made and $400K is still missing appeared first on Outlier Media.
Special assessment districts in Detroit offer private security and other services for more taxes. Are they worth it?
Maureen Dritsan has lived in East English Village on Detroit's far eastside for 31 years. She loves her close-knit community more than anywhere else, maybe in the world. But an uptick in crime over the last year scared some residents, including Dritsan. The post Special assessment districts in Detroit offer private security and other services for more taxes. Are they worth it? appeared first on Outlier Media.
Why Michigan’s century-old hate crime law is getting revamped
The bill aims to strengthen the state’s existing 1931 hate crime law and comes on the heels of multiple cases of ethnic intimidation in the last year, including threats at Strange Matter Coffee Co. and threats to kill Jewish lawmakers. The post Why Michigan’s century-old hate crime law is getting revamped appeared first on Outlier Media.
Can fabric made from algae and black-eyed peas make Detroit a hub for sustainable fashion?
BAN Lab Detroit aims to invent new clothing materials while helping Detroiters design and understand textiles made from what might otherwise be seen as waste. The post Can fabric made from algae and black-eyed peas make Detroit a hub for sustainable fashion? appeared first on Outlier Media.
No frills but plenty of fuel: Fill up at these tasty gas station restaurants in metro Detroit
Behind these restaurants, local entrepreneurs have created a name for themselves by offering classic, fresh food in accessible locations. The post No frills but plenty of fuel: Fill up at these tasty gas station restaurants in metro Detroit appeared first on Outlier Media.
Meet Afua Osei-Bonsu, this month’s featured Detroit Documenter
Afua Osei-Bonsu began documenting in late January 2023 and has covered meetings related to housing, development, transportation, the environment, utilities and health. The post Meet Afua Osei-Bonsu, this month’s featured Detroit Documenter appeared first on Outlier Media.
Take the survey: Where are you feeling information gaps in Detroit?
Outlier's mission is to respond to Detroiters' information needs through our reporting, SMS help service TXT OUTLIER and other projects. The post Take the survey: Where are you feeling information gaps in Detroit? appeared first on Outlier Media.
The Detroit Housing Commission is failing. So are those in charge of its oversight
A series of investigations by Outlier Media have revealed the DHC has failed property inspections for years, has extremely high vacancy rates, is severely understaffed and is many months behind payments to landlords in its Section 8 program. The post The Detroit Housing Commission is failing. So are those in charge of its oversight appeared first on Outlier Media.
Experience Detroit housing challenges through participatory play ‘Dot’s Home Live’
The play follows Dot, a young Black woman who lives in her grandmother Mavis’ home in Detroit. She soon discovers a key that opens a portal through time and takes her to key moments in her family’s history. The post Experience Detroit housing challenges through participatory play ‘Dot’s Home Live’ appeared first on Outlier Media.
Detroit property values doubled since 2012, but a full recovery remains elusive
More than anything else, the recent report demonstrates just how bad Detroit’s housing market was in the early 2010s when tens of thousands of homeowners lost their homes to tax foreclosure. The post Detroit property values doubled since 2012, but a full recovery remains elusive appeared first on Outlier Media.
Wildfire smoke is back in Detroit. A cheap, DIY air purifier can help
“The air outdoors certainly impacts indoor air quality,” said Darren Riley, co-founder and CEO of JustAir, a tech company that aims to improve air monitoring in Detroit. “The more ready you are to equip yourself with tools to purify your air, the better.” The post Wildfire smoke is back in Detroit. A cheap, DIY air purifier can help appeared first on Outlier Media.
Free yoga and cheap ways to get active in Detroit parks this summer
Detroit’s great outdoors — from small downtown parks amid skyscrapers to the wilderness trails of Belle Isle — offer plenty of natural calm and opportunities to get active. This summer, there’s no shortage of classes, events and opportunities to get active in the city’s green spaces. Better yet, many are free. The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy […] The post Free yoga and cheap ways to get active in Detroit parks this summer appeared first on Outlier Media.
A short history of anti-LGBTQ+ policing in Detroit
We're looking back at notable moments that mark the LGBTQ+ community's relationship with police in Detroit throughout history. The post A short history of anti-LGBTQ+ policing in Detroit appeared first on Outlier Media.
When it gets hot in Detroit, don’t blame El Niño
The hot, dry weather in Detroit in recent weeks was unseasonable, but it can’t be blamed on El Niño (Spanish for “the child”), a global weather pattern that can lead to warmer, dryer weather in the upper Midwest, particularly in the winter. The post When it gets hot in Detroit, don’t blame El Niño appeared first on Outlier Media.
Tenants, landlords and staffers agree: Detroit’s Section 8 program is broken
The Detroit Housing Commission could serve up to 6,400 households through the Section 8 program, but more than 20% of its vouchers are unused. The post Tenants, landlords and staffers agree: Detroit’s Section 8 program is broken appeared first on Outlier Media.
A Detroiter’s guide to swimming safety at Belle Isle
What’s a Detroiter to make of all this murky water? It’s hot out. We all want to be able to take a cool dip at the city’s greatest park without sparing a thought for bacteria. The post A Detroiter’s guide to swimming safety at Belle Isle appeared first on Outlier Media.
Detroit’s Board of Ethics loses three members, struggles to conduct meetings
Three members of Detroit’s Board of Ethics resigned from their positions last month, leaving the board with four members and just one absence away from not having enough members to hold meetings at all. The post Detroit’s Board of Ethics loses three members, struggles to conduct meetings appeared first on Outlier Media.
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