Kim and Chris Casteel, owners of Anew Life, a custom prosthetics and orthotics manufacturing provider in Detroit, emphasize healthcare, the economy, and education in their voting choices, and worry about pollution’s effect on air quality and private equity’s role in healthcare.
Posted inNews
Complaint alleges Michigan regulators ‘aided and abetted’ BASF’s criminal water pollution in Wyandotte for decades
A state employee has filed a complaint with the Michigan Attorney General’s office, alleging state regulators failed to stop BASF from releasing toxic chemicals into the Detroit River from its Wyandotte facility over five decades.
Posted inNews
Community journalism in Southwest Detroit: Tackling air quality and voter engagement
One of my favorite things about Planet Detroit is our focus on community journalism. It’s not enough to write about the environmental and public health issues that impact a community. We want to understand better Southwest’s nuances—the communities within the community—to ensure that everyone sees themselves in our coverage. We held our first elections-related listening […]
Posted inNews
Will DTE face consequences for ghostwritten rate case comments?
Michigan regulators are considering denying DTE Energy’s proposed $456 million electricity rate increase after it was revealed that the utility had ghostwritten comments in support of the hike, prompting calls for lawmakers to pass legislation to block utilities from making political donations.
Posted inDemocracy
2024 race: Are economic issues sidelining climate and LGBTQ+ rights?
The economy is a top priority for voters in the 2024 presidential election, with both Trump and Harris focusing on tax breaks and job creation to boost the economy.
Posted inNews
What we’re reading: DTE targets data centers, polluters resist cleanup costs, Detroit’s e-bike startup secures $100K
DTE seeks tax breaks for Michigan’s digital infrastructure; industry groups oppose a ‘polluter pay’ bill; mobile home residents face unreliable water; a Detroit startup secures $100K for e-bike designs; Michigan gets $32 million to clean PFAS-contaminated aquifers; Michigan DNR provides $3 million to help cities plant trees.
Posted inNews
Detroit City Council tightens rental rules, focusing on tenant safety and compliance
Detroit City Council has greenlit changes to its rental ordinance, focusing on rental compliance, lead inspections, and tenant protections via expanded escrow rules, starting January 1, 2025, with full rollout by spring.
Posted inDemocracy
Environmental issues compete with economic worries in tight Downriver House race
Democrat Janise O’Neil looks to unseat Republican Jamie Thompson, promising to fight DTE political spending and push for climate action and jobs.
Posted inNeighborhood Reporting Lab
Detroit Action director Anthony Baber on why voting and housing matter
Anthony Baber, Director of Communications and Culture at Detroit Action, is pushing for vote count protection and poll worker safety to secure and make voting accessible for everyone.
Posted inNeighborhood Reporting Lab
Detroit voter worries about climate, Palestinian genocide and healthcare gaps
Theresa Chavez believes that voting is important, but feels that the two-party system is failing the people, and that a working-class party and a general strike are necessary to create change in the country.