Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit, Author at Planet Detroit

Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit

Jena Brooker is the environmental reporter for BridgeDetroit. Previously, she was the first Midwest fellow at Grist, and the first intern at Planet Detroit. Her writing highlights issues affecting vulnerable communities and includes diverse voices. She writes in a variety of styles but particularly loves creating in-depth news stories that make the reader feel personally and emotionally connected to the topic. She also writes about cool nature stuff. Her professional background is varied- from racial justice work to teaching to farming. She has a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies from the University of Michigan. More by Jena Brooker

Stellantis: ‘There was never a problem with the air’

By Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit ● Accountability ● September 6, 2023

Stellantis says new pollution control technology installed to address odors at its Mack plant is working as designed, and the facility has never posted a health risk – despite more than a hundred complaints and eight air quality violations.

Duggan plans new urban agriculture director to support Detroit farmers

By Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit & Malachi Barrett, BridgeDetroit ● Community ● September 1, 2023

Jerry Hebron, executive director of Oakland Avenue Urban Farms in Detroit’s North End neighborhood, said the position will improve efforts to support city farming projects.

Can vertical farming succeed in Detroit?

By Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit ● Community ● July 28, 2023

After five years, Planted Detroit in Islandview is closing unless it can find an investor.

City crushes developer’s plan to crush concrete in Core City

By Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit ● Community ● July 18, 2023

More than 30 residents spoke in opposition of the project Monday morning; no one spoke in support. Roughly 120 people attended the hearing online and 25 in person.

Detroit Health Department slow to warn residents about wildfire smoke

By Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit ● Accountability ● June 28, 2023

With 500 fires burning across Canada, more bad air quality days in metro Detroit are possible.

Incinerator demo on track for Sunday despite some resident pushback

By Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit ● Accountability ● June 9, 2023

Detroit officials met with residents Wednesday to answer some of the 28 questions about safety. Some residents say they still feel questions are unanswered.

Planned implosion of Detroit’s incinerator has neighboring residents concerned

By Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit ● Accountability ● June 2, 2023

At dawn on Sunday, June 11, the smokestack of Detroit’s incinerator will finally come tumbling down.

What national railway merger means for Detroit

By Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit ● Accountability ● May 16, 2023

The federal Surface Transportation Board approved the $31 billion national railway merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern in March, creating the first single-line connection from Mexico to the United States to Canada.

Detroiters reclaim Earth Day for environmental justice

By Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit ● Community ● April 17, 2023

Earth Day was first celebrated more than 50 years ago, but even today, the environmental movement remains white-led. This year, as several city organizations plan inaugural Earth Day celebrations, they are aiming to reclaim the day for Black and brown Detroiters.

City files lawsuit against repeat blight violator in Core City

By Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit ● Accountability ● April 13, 2023

After months of resident pleading, the City of Detroit has filed a lawsuit against a developer in Core City that has been illegally using his property to dump and store solid waste.

Jena Brooker, BridgeDetroit

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