All Farhat Jahan remembers is the thick gas filling her home. Her mother grabs her in her arms and starts running. Her eyes burn, as if there were acid in them. If someone had only told them to take cover under blankets in their home, to not run for the hospital, “so many would have […]
Posted inDemocracy
Oakland County water commissioner race focuses on water affordability
This year’s race for Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner could have state-wide implications, as incumbent Jim Nash (D) and his challenger Steve Johnson (R) present contrasting plans to lower residential water costs. Nash has positioned himself as a key supporter of State Sen. Stephanie Chang’s (D-Detroit) water affordability legislation. The legislation seeks to tie water […]
Posted inNews
New bill would help protect overburdened Michigan communities from further pollution
New legislation to improve environmental justice could block permits for polluters in parts of Michigan where heavy industry is concentrated, such as the east side of Detroit or the city’s 48217 ZIP code. In July, State Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) introduced HB 5901, the Protecting Overburdened Communities Act, to prevent companies from obtaining permits for new facilities […]
Posted inNews
‘Latinos con Harris-Walz’ react to climate during Tuesday’s debate
About thirty Latino voters and other members of the Detroit community gathered last night at the Saint Regis Hotel for the debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. In the crowd were many lifetime Southwest Detroit residents with an eye on environmental justice policy, Venezuelan migrants, a Western High school counselor […]
Posted inNews
What we’re reading: Hazardous materials permitted on Ambassador Bridge
Windsor residents express concern after Michigan decides to allow hazardous materials on Ambassador Bridge.
Posted inNews
Detroit River toxic cleanup continues to stall
In May 2022, environmental advocates and other interested parties gathered in Dearborn to discuss the state of the Detroit River. While a range of issues were on the agenda, the main event was the lagging cleanup of the 3.5 million cubic yards of toxic sediment remaining in the river from the post-World War II industrial […]
Posted inNews
Planet Detroit wins 2024 LION Sustainability Award for financial health
Planet Detroit was recognized for its financial resilience, winning the 2024 LION Sustainability Award for financial health. The award was announced on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the LION Sustainability Summit in Chicago, where LION Publishers celebrated organizations that have excelled in building sustainable business models while delivering impactful journalism. Since its launch in 2019, Planet […]
Posted inNews
New permit allows increased production at Marathon’s Detroit refinery
The state has granted Marathon Petroleum Co.’s request to remove capacity limits at its Southwest Detroit refinery with changes that consider public input. In March, the company sought a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to allow the oil refinery to produce up to 140,000 barrels of oil daily, […]
Posted inDemocracy
Climate change debate: What Trump and Harris had to say
Will the candidates mention climate change? That was top-of-mind as 11 Planet Detroiters joined up for an exciting climate debate viewing party to track how thoroughly Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump would address climate issues. Equipped with Climate Debate Bingo cards, attendees closely followed the debate, marking off terms like “clean […]
Posted inDemocracy
RFK Jr. stays on Michigan ballot
By ISABELLA VOLMERT and GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The highest courts in two states ruled differently Monday on efforts by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be removed from their presidential ballots, with a divided North Carolina Supreme Court affirming he should be omitted and the Michigan Supreme Court reversing a […]