Carissa Welton, a foreign language teacher at Detroit Waldorf School, is spearheading a new program for students to learn Mandarin Chinese. Meet Planet Detroit’s 2025 Neighborhood Reporters in this Q&A series, written by Neighborhood Reporters.
Posted inNews
EPA air quality rollbacks could cost 200,000 lives
Proposed air quality rule changes, polluter exemptions, agency cuts could make breathing more dangerous.
Posted inCommunity
Detroit community fridges highlight mutual aid efforts around food insecurity, waste: ‘We’re scrappy’
Community fridges, popularized during the COVID pandemic to address surges in food costs, are a mainstay in a handful of Detroit neighborhoods, with room for expansion into more parts of the city.
Posted inNews
What we’re reading: Rainfall breaks 1945 record, floods metro Detroit basements, streets
Heavy rainfall in southeast Michigan has led to widespread flooding, with more rain expected. Kent County confirms Michigan’s second measles case of 2025, highlighting the need for vaccination. Michigan joins a lawsuit against federal public health grant cuts.
Posted inNews
Trump cuts jeopardize energy assistance for over 400,000 Michiganders: ‘Devastating’
The Trump administration’s decision to cut thousands of federal health agency employees, including the entire staff of the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, threatens the future of a vital service that aids over 400,000 Michigan residents with their energy bills.
Posted inDeep Dives
As bird flu wreaks havoc in the Midwest, researchers say vaccines offer a way out
Since April 2024, the U.S. has reported 70 human cases of H5 bird flu, primarily impacting agricultural workers. Experts stress that vaccinating poultry is essential to control H5 and alleviate the burden on farmers and consumers.
Posted inNews
Flooding possible in Detroit, GLWA issues alert
Metro Detroit faces a flood watch until 8 a.m. Thursday, with 1.5 to 2 inches of rain expected.
Posted inNews
St. Clair River oil spill doesn’t threaten Michigan, officials say
An oil spill on the St. Clair River from Suncor Energy’s Ontario facility was swiftly contained, officials say.
Posted inNews
Great Lakes cooperation at risk as US-Canada tensions escalate
The Trump administration’s disinvitation of two Canadian mayors from the Great Lakes Day summit has sparked concerns about the future of the vital water-sharing agreement between the U.S. and Canada, which is crucial for safeguarding the largest freshwater ecosystem on Earth.
Posted inNews
What Detroiters need to know about the bird flu
Detroit residents are advised to take common-sense precautions against avian influenza, including avoiding areas with high levels of bird poop, regularly cleaning bird feeders, and keeping pets indoors, according to wildlife biologist Kaitlyn Barnes.