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Democracy: Voting and the Environment in Metro Detroit

Detroit democracy

Planet Detroit brings you truthful, comprehensive, and intelligent reporting on local environmental and health issues you care about so you can participate in democracy with confidence.

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Residents, dentists urge Wyandotte commission to restore water fluoridation

Residents, dentists urge Wyandotte commission to restore water fluoridation

Wyandotte officials to decide on the future of water fluoridation a decade after dropping the additive with little public notice.

by Brian Allnutt October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

Planet Detroit’s environmental voter guide to the 2024 Michigan general election

Planet Detroit’s environmental voter guide to the 2024 Michigan general election

OUR COVERAGE

GUIDE: What is the Michigan Public Service Commission and what does it do?

GUIDE: What is the Michigan Public Service Commission and what does it do?

Read Planet Detroit’s guide to the Michigan regulator that decides how much you pay utilities for electric and natural gas service, and learn how you can participate in these decisions.

by Jenny Sherman October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

Detroit City Council backs repeal of Michigan’s ban-on-bans for plastic bags

Detroit City Council backs repeal of Michigan’s ban-on-bans for plastic bags

by Brian Allnutt October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

Whitmer signs Michigan’s $81 billion budget: More road funds, but at what cost?

Whitmer signs Michigan’s $81 billion budget: More road funds, but at what cost?

by Bridge Michigan October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

Michigan budget bills dial back GOP environmental cuts as shutdown deadline approaches

Michigan budget bills dial back GOP environmental cuts as shutdown deadline approaches

by Brian Allnutt October 7, 2025October 10, 2025

Detroit cracks down on Southwest truck traffic with new restrictions: Activist ‘beyond thrilled’

Detroit cracks down on Southwest truck traffic with new restrictions: Activist ‘beyond thrilled’

by Isabelle Tavares October 1, 2025October 2, 2025

House bill would expand FEMA coverage for flooded, moldy Michigan basements: ‘There needs to be some equity’

House bill would expand FEMA coverage for flooded, moldy Michigan basements: ‘There needs to be some equity’

by Ethan Bakuli September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

Washtenaw communities fight data center developments: ‘Not soft touches’

Washtenaw communities fight data center developments: ‘Not soft touches’

by Brian Allnutt September 24, 2025October 8, 2025

Belle Isle could shut down without Lansing budget deal: ‘That would be terrible’

Belle Isle could shut down without Lansing budget deal: ‘That would be terrible’

by Dustin Blitchok September 20, 2025September 20, 2025

Whitmer calls on Michigan lawmakers to finish budget as shutdown creeps closer

Whitmer calls on Michigan lawmakers to finish budget as shutdown creeps closer

by Associated Press September 17, 2025September 17, 2025

Saline Township denies data center rezoning request: ‘Self-imposed environmental catastrophe’

Saline Township denies data center rezoning request: ‘Self-imposed environmental catastrophe’

by Brian Allnutt September 11, 2025September 11, 2025

Skyrocketing energy bills: Can Michigan lawmakers protect DTE, Consumers ratepayers?

Skyrocketing energy bills: Can Michigan lawmakers protect DTE, Consumers ratepayers?

by Michigan Advance September 10, 2025September 10, 2025

Public power push: Will Ann Arbor say goodbye to DTE?

Public power push: Will Ann Arbor say goodbye to DTE?

by Michigan Advance September 4, 2025September 4, 2025

Environmentalists criticize Michigan House budget’s $50 million allocation for UP copper mine

Environmentalists criticize Michigan House budget’s $50 million allocation for UP copper mine

by Michigan Advance September 3, 2025September 3, 2025

Can 957 signatures halt a $1 billion data center in Augusta Township?

Can 957 signatures halt a $1 billion data center in Augusta Township?

by Brian Allnutt August 29, 2025August 29, 2025

House GOP budget slashes Michigan’s water, health care spending: Whitmer calls for ‘serious and fast negotiations’

House GOP budget slashes Michigan’s water, health care spending: Whitmer calls for ‘serious and fast negotiations’

by Brian Allnutt August 28, 2025August 28, 2025

With Wayne Disposal expansion pending, Michigan Senate passes hazardous waste bills

With Wayne Disposal expansion pending, Michigan Senate passes hazardous waste bills

by Bridge Michigan August 27, 2025August 27, 2025

Detroit City Football Club kickstarts community benefits process for $150 million stadium project

Detroit City Football Club kickstarts community benefits process for $150 million stadium project

by Erica Hobbs August 25, 2025August 25, 2025

Ballot drive to end DTE political contributions clears state canvassers board

Ballot drive to end DTE political contributions clears state canvassers board

by Michigan Advance August 25, 2025August 25, 2025

University of Michigan looks at alternative site for $1.2 billion data center as Ypsilanti Township pushes back

University of Michigan looks at alternative site for $1.2 billion data center as Ypsilanti Township pushes back

by Brian Allnutt August 21, 2025August 22, 2025

Lawmakers urge Whitmer to act on hazardous waste as Wayne Disposal landfill expansion nears approval

Lawmakers urge Whitmer to act on hazardous waste as Wayne Disposal landfill expansion nears approval

by Brian Allnutt August 20, 2025August 20, 2025

Group behind effort to ban DTE, Consumers political spending lays groundwork

Group behind effort to ban DTE, Consumers political spending lays groundwork

by Brian Allnutt August 18, 2025August 18, 2025

Ballot drive kicks off to put Washtenaw County data center decision in hands of voters

Ballot drive kicks off to put Washtenaw County data center decision in hands of voters

by Brian Allnutt August 14, 2025August 14, 2025

EPA investigates Detroit drinking water expert’s petition signature: Are scientists being silenced?

EPA investigates Detroit drinking water expert’s petition signature: Are scientists being silenced?

by Leah Samuel August 13, 2025August 14, 2025

Canadian fire official says more international help needed to fight wildfires Macomb politician calls ‘uncontrolled’

Canadian fire official says more international help needed to fight wildfires Macomb politician calls ‘uncontrolled’

by Ethan Bakuli August 13, 2025August 13, 2025

Judge blocks shipment of Manhattan Project radioactive waste to Wayne County landfill

Judge blocks shipment of Manhattan Project radioactive waste to Wayne County landfill

by Brian Allnutt August 7, 2025August 7, 2025

Mary Sheffield, Solomon Kinloch emerge winners in Detroit mayoral primary

Mary Sheffield, Solomon Kinloch emerge winners in Detroit mayoral primary

by Dustin Blitchok August 5, 2025August 6, 2025

Annexation is Rogelio Landin’s central strategy in Detroit mayoral write-in campaign: ‘More is more’

Annexation is Rogelio Landin’s central strategy in Detroit mayoral write-in campaign: ‘More is more’

by Dustin Blitchok August 5, 2025August 5, 2025

Attorney Todd Perkins says Detroit will be ‘environmentally conscious’ if he’s mayor

Attorney Todd Perkins says Detroit will be ‘environmentally conscious’ if he’s mayor

by Dustin Blitchok August 5, 2025August 5, 2025

Detroit mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow on balancing development, environment: ‘Before they get, they have to give’

Detroit mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow on balancing development, environment: ‘Before they get, they have to give’

by Dustin Blitchok August 5, 2025August 5, 2025

Lifelong Detroiter DaNetta Simpson’s priority in mayoral campaign? ‘Neighborhoods.’

Lifelong Detroiter DaNetta Simpson’s priority in mayoral campaign? ‘Neighborhoods.’

by Dustin Blitchok August 4, 2025August 4, 2025

Fred Durhal III on fixing Detroit’s flooding problem: ‘I’ll be very aggressive’

Fred Durhal III on fixing Detroit’s flooding problem: ‘I’ll be very aggressive’

by Dustin Blitchok August 4, 2025August 4, 2025

‘Detroit needs to take its water back’: Mayoral candidate Joel Haashiim on utility shutoffs

‘Detroit needs to take its water back’: Mayoral candidate Joel Haashiim on utility shutoffs

by Dustin Blitchok August 3, 2025August 3, 2025

Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins says she’ll work for city’s most vulnerable

Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins says she’ll work for city’s most vulnerable

by Dustin Blitchok August 1, 2025August 3, 2025

Michigan utility commissioner appointment sparks environmental justice concerns

Michigan utility commissioner appointment sparks environmental justice concerns

by Brian Allnutt July 23, 2025July 23, 2025

Southwest Detroit mayoral forum highlights public health, immigration

Southwest Detroit mayoral forum highlights public health, immigration

by Brian Allnutt July 22, 2025July 22, 2025

Trump’s Medicaid cuts put estimated 200,000 Michiganders at risk of losing coverage

Trump’s Medicaid cuts put estimated 200,000 Michiganders at risk of losing coverage

by Ethan Bakuli July 21, 2025July 21, 2025

How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will increase Michigan power costs

How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will increase Michigan power costs

by Brian Allnutt July 10, 2025July 10, 2025

University of Michigan’s ‘big bad data center’ faces opposition from top Ypsilanti Township official

University of Michigan’s ‘big bad data center’ faces opposition from top Ypsilanti Township official

by Brian Allnutt July 3, 2025July 3, 2025

DTE, Consumers political contributions in crosshairs of Michigan ballot drive

DTE, Consumers political contributions in crosshairs of Michigan ballot drive

by Brian Allnutt July 1, 2025July 1, 2025

Belleville hazardous waste expansion proposal met with safety concerns: ‘350,000 residents within 10-mile radius’

Belleville hazardous waste expansion proposal met with safety concerns: ‘350,000 residents within 10-mile radius’

by Brian Allnutt June 30, 2025June 30, 2025

DTE, Consumers could influence utility regulator appointment, advocacy groups warn

DTE, Consumers could influence utility regulator appointment, advocacy groups warn

by Brian Allnutt June 26, 2025June 26, 2025

Ypsilanti Township residents speak out against University of Michigan’s ‘biggest, baddest’ data center

Ypsilanti Township residents speak out against University of Michigan’s ‘biggest, baddest’ data center

by Brian Allnutt June 20, 2025June 20, 2025

EPA budget cuts represent ‘serious hit’ to Michigan water infrastructure: EGLE’s Phil Roos

EPA budget cuts represent ‘serious hit’ to Michigan water infrastructure: EGLE’s Phil Roos

by Nina Misuraca Ignaczak June 16, 2025June 16, 2025

El Paso workshop guides reporters who tell immigration stories

El Paso workshop guides reporters who tell immigration stories

by Isabelle Tavares May 29, 2025May 29, 2025

NSF cancels air pollution research grant focused on Detroit’s most polluted ZIP code

NSF cancels air pollution research grant focused on Detroit’s most polluted ZIP code

by Nina Misuraca Ignaczak and Koby Levin April 30, 2025April 29, 2025

Why is Trump choosing Michigan for his 100-day milestone?

Why is Trump choosing Michigan for his 100-day milestone?

by Associated Press April 24, 2025April 24, 2025

Trump’s executive orders could cost Michiganders and slow climate action

Trump’s executive orders could cost Michiganders and slow climate action

by Brian Allnutt January 23, 2025January 23, 2025

Michigan legislators push for water affordability in lame duck

Michigan legislators push for water affordability in lame duck

by Brian Allnutt December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Key figure in Trump’s Michigan victory named senior adviser on Arab American outreach

Key figure in Trump’s Michigan victory named senior adviser on Arab American outreach

by Associated Press December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Where did all the climate voters go?

Where did all the climate voters go?

by Grist November 27, 2024November 27, 2024