This piece was produced in partnership with Outlier Media. In the early hours of June 26, Tammy Black was awakened by her grandson. “Grandma,” he said. “It’s flooding in the bedroom.” As she and her grandson hurried to salvage items from the basement, Black thought, “Oh no, not again.” Black’s Jefferson-Chalmers home has flooded five […]
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PARKS REPORT: Jayne Park
View on Instagram >>> Find your way to this park: Jayne Park Jayne Park located at 13280 Conant Street next to the Frontier International Academy is still in the process of being renovated, but it’s open for everyone to have a good time. This large recreation area features 2 soccer fields, 2 baseball/softball diamonds, 2 […]
Posted inSolutions
OPINION: Why Justice40 Initiative’s aim to direct 40% of the federal clean energy investments to cities like Detroit is critical
The recent flooding in metro Detroit caused countless abandoned vehicles on highways, power outages, and water-logged basements in homes. Often, people associate climate change with coastal storms, drought, and sea-level rise. But the flooding in Detroit is also climate change happening before our eyes. And the EPA has acknowledged that the impact is felt disproportionately […]
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From the Headlines – July 5-9, 2021
FEMA arrives: Federal Emergency Management personnel arrived in metro Detroit Thursday to tour flood-stricken areas. “We really are trying to gather information at this point,” said FEMA external affairs officer Troy Christensen. FEMA will make a report to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who can then decide whether to request disaster assistance from the federal government. (Freep) More storms, more flooding: Storms moved through metro […]
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OPINION: Beyond lip service: It’s time to measure equity in clean energy investments
Imagine an aspiring Olympian training to contend for a medal, but being deprived of a stopwatch until after the race began. That is the current state of measuring equity in clean energy programs—we are running blind and overdue for a more systematic approach. On a positive note, nearly three out of four Americans live in […]
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City survey shows Detroiters want safer parks, more nature access, and less trash
Detroiters want safer access to more green spaces, according to a community needs assessment survey unveiled by the Detroit Parks and Recreation Department during a virtual Town Hall last week. The survey, which includes responses from 629 adult participants from all over Detroit, is part of a larger strategic planning process to inform future parks […]
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PARKS REPORT: Butzel Park
View on Instagram >>> Find your way to this park Butzel Park Butzel park is a medium-sized park located at 7737 Kercheval Ave. next to the Garvey Academy that features basketball courts, baseball/softball diamond, playground, picnic pavilions, sitting area, and paved walking track. This park hosts a rec center funded by the Parks and Recreation […]
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Planet Detroit welcomes 2021 Detroit Energy and Environment Reporting Fellow
Planet Detroit is partnering with the Energy News Network (ENN), a news and information service published by Fresh Energy, and the Detroit Equity Action Lab in a joint imperative to recruit, uplift, and mentor Black, Indigenous, and other journalists of color through the Detroit Energy and Environment Reporting Fellowship program. This year’s selected Energy and Environment Reporting […]
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From the Headlines – June 28-July 2, 2021
Flood recovery: WDET and Detour both have useful guides on where to find help after this past weekend’s historic flooding. WDET gives a good rundown on how to file a claim with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) and what you need to clean up your basement after flooding. Detour provides a list of contacts for government agencies and […]
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OPINION: 5 ways to bring Detroit’s underground infrastructure challenges out of the dark and into the light
My grandmother always said what you do in the dark, will always come to the light. Well, in Detroit and other surrounding cities, what you DON’T do in the dark, will also come to the light. Water infrastructure is not something people really worry about until there is a crisis because most of it is […]