🔧 Southwest Detroit water main repair complete, pipe not yet back in service The Great Lakes Water Authority said Wednesday that it has completed repairs on the 54-inch water transmission main that ruptured Feb. 17 in southwest Detroit, causing extensive flooding. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has also finished repairing a six-inch water main and cleared debris from sewers in the affected area. DTE Energy is scheduled to repair a gas main during the week of March 10. GLWA teams are assessing the next steps to restore the 54-inch main to full service. 📌 Source: WXYZ
đźš— Trump delays auto tariffs for 1 month in reprieve for industry President Donald Trump announced a one-month delay Wednesday of 25% tariffs on automobiles imported from Canada and Mexico. The decision follows extensive lobbying from major automakers concerned about potential disruptions to supply chains and increased vehicle prices. This temporary reprieve provides the industry additional time to adjust to the new trade policies. The tariffs, initially imposed to pressure Canada and Mexico into stricter enforcement against fentanyl trafficking, have faced criticism from industry leaders and officials worried about potential economic repercussions. đź“Ś Source: CNN
🏠Dearborn industrial waste processor to reduce air pollution Pro-V Enterprises, an industrial waste processing company in Dearborn, Michigan, has agreed to invest up to $4 million in operational improvements to reduce air pollution. This decision follows a lawsuit filed by the city in April 2023, alleging violations of ordinances concerning fugitive dust emissions. The enhancements include planting 91 evergreen trees, paving waste storage areas, and upgrading the stormwater management system, all aimed at mitigating airborne particulate matter. Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud emphasized the city’s commitment to holding corporations accountable for environmental impacts. đź“Ś Source: Patch
đźš° Highland Park under boil water advisory Highland Park, Michigan, issued a boil water advisory Tuesday for all residents after a significant drop in water pressure. The city said in a statement that it is unsure of the cause of the low water pressure, but believes it was impacted by changes in the Great Lakes Water Authority system. The city said it anticipates resolving the problem within 72 hours. Residents are urged to boil water for at least 1 minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. The advisory will remain in effect until water quality tests confirm safety. đź“Ś Source: CBS Detroit
🌲 Trump’s Forest Service layoffs reach Michigan The Trump administration’s budget cuts have led to layoffs in Michigan’s Huron-Manistee National Forests. Among those impacted is Marie Richards, a tribal relations specialist, as part of broader staffing reductions that critics fear could harm forest management and conservation efforts. The cuts are part of a national downsizing that saw 3,400 employees let go, raising concerns about the long-term impacts on Michigan’s forests and environmental oversight. đź“Ś Source: Bridge Michigan
đźšś Agriculture Department cuts ripple across Michigan farms, federal jobs, environmental projects The Trump administration’s funding cuts and grant freezes at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have disrupted Michigan’s agricultural and conservation initiatives. Farmers face delays in reimbursements for soil-preserving cover crops, while a $25 million farmland protection contract in southern Michigan is uncertain. Staff layoffs, including a USDA engineer in west Michigan, hinder essential services like designing conservation structures. Tree-planting projects statewide are on hold, and funding for pest management programs is delayed, raising concerns about long-term environmental and agricultural impacts. đź“Ś Source: The Detroit News
đź’ˇ Study of Ann Arbor municipal utility fails to clear council vote The Ann Arbor City Council tied 5-5 in a vote on a $1.7 million feasibility study for establishing a municipal utility, effectively rejecting it. The study aimed to assess the value of DTE Energy’s electric infrastructure. Council member Dharma Akmon expressed concerns about acquiring a deteriorating system requiring significant upgrades. Members of Ann Arbor for Public Power, who rallied in support of the study, were reportedly surprised over the outcome. The group plans to pursue a ballot initiative for the municipal utility in November 2026. đź“Ś Source: WEMU
THIS WEEK FROM PLANET DETROIT
Tommie Obioha grew up in a bicultural Detroit household. His journey led to community development and journalism.
Tommie Obioha, a first-generation Nigerian American, leverages his community development work to empower Detroit residents. Meet Planet Detroit’s 2025 Neighborhood Reporters in this Q&A series, written by Neighborhood Reporters.
Why Michigan is vulnerable to measles outbreaks: ‘Public health has been a victim of our own success’
A surge in measles cases in Texas and other states is raising concerns in Michigan where declining vaccination rates could lead to local outbreaks.
Southwest Detroit school built atop contaminated site not impacted by nearby flood, officials say
Roberto Clemente elementary school sits across the street from homes that were flooded on Feb. 17. The site is capped to prevent exposure to chemicals left over from a legacy of industrial use.
