POLITICS
Women in Ministry: Detroit's Black Church Leaders Speak Out
Three Detroit Black church leaders discuss the barriers women in ministry face and the collaborative efforts building support networks for female faith leaders.
About Nina
Nina Vasquez covers politics and city government for Detroit.co. Direct and accountability-focused, she translates city hall decisions into plain English and connects policy to neighborhood impact. Previously, Nina was a Staff Writer at Congressional Quarterly. Nina holds a B.A. in Political Science from University of Michigan.
Articles by Nina
POLITICS
Air Quality & Cumulative Pollution in Southwest Detroit
Southwest Detroit residents face 58 pollution sources within miles of their homes. Here's what cumulative impact means and why it matters for your health.
POLITICS
Sheffield's State of the City: EVery Neighborhood Deserves Investment
Mayor Mary Sheffield delivered her first State of the City address at Mumford High School, pledging neighborhood-first investment across all of Detroit.
POLITICS
Detroit Students Ride City Buses Free Under New Program
Detroit's Ride and Rise pilot program lets students show their ID and ride DDOT buses for free, launching Wednesday to combat chronic absenteeism.
POLITICS
Detroit Schools Hiring Student Influencers to Boost Enrollment
Detroit Public Schools plans to pay 23 high school students $250/month to create social media content promoting their schools to prospective families.
THINGS TO DO
Lion King Actor Reflects on Mufasa Role as Detroit Run Ends
David D'Lancy Wilson reflects on 17 months as Mufasa in The Lion King's North American tour as the show wraps its Detroit engagement.
REAL ESTATE
Detroit Assessor Warns About Housing Stock, Pushes Inspections
Detroit's top assessor warned City Council that most homes change hands via quit-claim deeds, leaving buyers unaware of hidden structural defects.
BUSINESS
Dittrich Furs Detroit: 133-Year Icon Closes Its Doors
Detroit's Dittrich Furs, a 133-year-old institution, holds its final retirement sales before closing April 30. Here's what shoppers need to know.
POLITICS
Detroit Mayor Sheffield's State of the City: Housing & Safety
Mayor Mary Sheffield delivers her first State of the City address at Mumford High School, focusing on housing, public safety, and neighborhood investment.
POLITICS
Detroit 2026-2027 Budget Hearings: What to Know
Mayor Mary Sheffield's $3B Detroit budget proposal includes a property tax cut, transit funding, and raises for city workers. Here's what to know.
POLITICS
Trump Voted by Mail but Wants to Ban It for Most Americans
Trump voted by mail in Florida's special election while pushing to ban it nationally. His four-word explanation: 'Because I'm president.'
POLITICS
DPD Chief Defends ShotSpotter: 256 Arrests in Detroit
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison urged City Council to renew ShotSpotter, citing 256 arrests and 114 shooting victims potentially saved in one year.
POLITICS
Detroit 36th District Court Seeks $1.8M Budget Boost
Chief Judge McConico says Detroit's 36th District Court needs $1.8M more than proposed, citing a civil case surge and below-living-wage employees.
POLITICS
Detroit Council Urges Wayne County Tax Foreclosure Moratorium
Detroit City Council voted to urge Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree to seek a state moratorium on property tax foreclosures for owner-occupied homes.
POLITICS
Michigan GOP Endorses Lloyd for Attorney General, Forlini for SECretary of State
Michigan Republican Party endorses Matt Lloyd for attorney general and Bob Forlini for secretary of state ahead of 2026 elections to challenge Democratic incumbents.
POLITICS
Detroit Council Pushes Wayne County Tax Foreclosure Moratorium
Detroit City Council urges Wayne County to pause tax foreclosures on occupied homes, citing displacement of Black homeowners and neighborhood destabilization.
POLITICS
Monroe Schools Suspend AD for Supporting Trans Student
Monroe Public Schools placed Athletic Director Chet Hesson on paid leave after he expressed support for a transgender student facing harassment.
POLITICS
Whitmer Signs Bill Preserving Licenses for 5,000 Michigan Doctors
Gov. Whitmer signed House Bill 5455 renewing Michigan's multistate medical licensure compact, saving licenses for roughly 5,000 doctors hours before expiration.
POLITICS
No Kings Protests Sweep Michigan in Nationwide Demonstrations
Thousands of Michiganders join the third wave of No Kings protests across Detroit, Lansing, and communities statewide, demanding elected officials answer to citizens.
POLITICS
Hamtramck Mayoral Ballots to Be Counted After Court Ruling
Michigan court orders election officials to tabulate 37 uncounted ballots from Hamtramck's 2026 mayoral primary that could change the race outcome.
POLITICS
Senate HELP Committee Debates College Athlete Employee Status
The Senate HELP Committee heard testimony on college sports reform, with debate centering on whether student-athletes should be classified as employees.
POLITICS
Senate Negotiates DHS Funding as Airport Lines Grow
Senate negotiators trade proposals on DHS funding while unpaid TSA officers call out sick, causing growing airport security delays nationwide.
POLITICS
No Kings Protests: What Comes Next for the Movement?
Millions are expected at No Kings protests nationwide. But organizers and political scientists are asking: do massive demonstrations actually change anything?
POLITICS
Barack Obama Leadership Academy Faces Closure in Detroit
Detroit's Barack Obama Leadership Academy faces closure after school board members signal they won't renew the charter school's contract beyond June 30.
POLITICS
Michigan Party Conventions Pick SECretary of State, Attorney General
Michigan is one of three states where party delegates, not voters, select nominees for secretary of state and attorney general through conventions.
POLITICS
Michigan's $261M Failed Megafactory Plan Revealed
Michigan spent $261 million demolishing homes for a megafactory that never materialized. Now the state seeks $150 million more for similar projects.
POLITICS
Detroit Adding 312 Speed Humps in 2026 Across 230 Streets
Detroit will install 312 speed humps on 230 residential streets in 2026, marking 10 years and over 11,400 total installations since the program launched.
POLITICS
Gordie Howe Bridge Bike & Pedestrian Path Will Be Toll-Free
Pedestrians and cyclists can cross the Gordie Howe International Bridge toll-free, but valid ID is still required for border crossing.
POLITICS
Michigan Sues DHS Over ICE Detention Center in Romulus
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Romulus file federal lawsuit to block conversion of warehouse into ICE detention facility near Detroit.
REAL ESTATE
Detroit Doubles Affordable Housing Fund with Property Sales
Mayor Sheffield's executive order directs 100% of city commercial property sales proceeds to Detroit's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, potentially adding millions annually.
POLITICS
Michigan Democrats Oppose Voter ID Ballot Proposal
Michigan Democratic Party formally opposes proposed ballot measure requiring photo ID for voting, calling it voter suppression ahead of 2026 elections.
POLITICS
Romulus Joins Lawsuit Against ICE Detention Facility
Romulus City Council votes to join lawsuit against DHS over ICE detention facility plans, challenging federal authority over local zoning and land use controls.
POLITICS
Mary Sheffield Named Rising Star by EMILYs List
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, the city's first woman mayor, has been nominated for EMILYs List's Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award.
BUSINESS
Detroit Public Library Faces $200-300M Capital Needs Assessment
Detroit Public Library system confronts major infrastructure challenge with capital needs study expected to reveal $200-300 million in required repairs and upgrades.
POLITICS
Benson Proposes Stricter Data Center Safeguards in Michigan
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson unveils new requirements to regulate data centers, addressing energy consumption and community concerns.
POLITICS
Nessel Demands 85% Cut to DTE Gas Rate Hike
Michigan AG Dana Nessel seeks major reduction to DTE Energy's $237.5M natural gas rate increase, calling it 'bloated and unjustified.'
POLITICS
Detroit City Council Advances Data Center Moratorium
Detroit City Council voted 6-2 to advance a moratorium on new data center development, pausing approvals while the city reviews its policy framework.
POLITICS
Selfridge Air Show 2026 Canceled Due to Military Operations
Selfridge Air National Guard Base cancels 2026 Open House and Air Show, citing operational and readiness requirements amid Iran operations.
POLITICS
Michigan Democrats Attack Rogers Over Gordie Howe Bridge
Democrats launch first 2026 Senate ad targeting Mike Rogers for his opposition to the Gordie Howe Bridge and ties to the Moroun family.
POLITICS
Detroit Mayor Duggan Delivers State of the City Address, Highlights Neighborhood Investment
Mayor Duggan announces $500 million Neighborhoods Forward Initiative to expand Detroit investment beyond downtown, targeting 15 communities over five years.