Detour: 😶🌫️ Forecast calls for another smoky summer
Prepare for the upcoming Canadian wildfire season. Plus, a guide to helping your loved one if they’ve been arrested. Finish off with all the things to do this weekend in Detroit. The city of Detroit has been upgraded to an investment grade in Moody's Investors Service, bringing it closer to this level for the first time since 2009. Moody's expects the city to continue to see economic growth through the next fiscal year and the next two years. The city's bond rating means it pays lower interest rates on any money it needs to borrow for investments and upgrades. Meanwhile, Detroit Documenters are working to make Detroit a more equitable, transparent and participatory city. A guide on what to do if your loved one is arrested, including how to retrieve an impounded vehicle, information on posting bail, and how to prepare for another Canadian wildfire season. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has introduced a new online tool to track state benefits applications, allowing for status updates on applications for benefits such as Medicaid. Downtown street closures are expected to begin for the construction of the NFL draft stage, which will last until May 7.
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Ready for some R&B? Hip-hop? Some smooth jazz? This summer will be full of them. The Aretha announced part of its star-studded Summer at The Aretha lineup, with headliners like KEM, The Isley Brothers and Lalah Hathaway. Make sure to snag any tickets early: They go on sale Friday morning.
Looks like city finances are taking a turn for the better. Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Detroit’s bond rating, bringing the city to an investment grade. The city hasn’t reached this level since 2009, just before it declared bankruptcy. The higher rating means the city pays lower interest rates on any money it needs to borrow for investments and upgrades. Moody’s expects the city to “continue to bolster its financial resiliency and maintain the track record of solid operating performance.” It also expects Detroit to continue to see economic growth through this fiscal year and the next.
Detroit Documenters are doing important work taking notes and live tweeting public meetings. Learn more about them in our latest video, made by 7 Cylinders Studio and supported by the Song Foundation. The video follows three Documenters as they do their part to make Detroit a more equitable, more transparent and more participatory city.
What else is going on this week? A guide on what to do if your loved one is arrested from our partners at BridgeDetroit, a profile on a mobility rights champion and a quick reminder on how to prepare for the smoky effects of another Canadian wildfire season. Plus, all the ways to get out in the city and connect with other Detroiters.
P.S. Watch out for downtown street closures starting Friday for the construction of the NFL draft stage. The closures will last through May 7.
We were glad to hear last week that you all were interested in theater coverage! Special shout out to readers Melissa Bunker and Rachel Wasserman who wrote in (and even threw in a story idea or two 😉).
Got any theater-related stories you’d like to see? Shoot me an email at [email protected].
Interacting with police: Most Americans say they have positive experiences with the police, 2023 polling data shows. However, only 71% and 79% of Black and Hispanic adults say they were treated fairly by police, compared to 90% of white adults. If someone you’re close to gets arrested, would you know what to do? BridgeDetroit breaks down the sometimes confusing and complex process in an online guide. Some top points: If your loved one is an adult, check the Detroit Detention Center if it’s been less than 72 hours since they’ve been arrested. Police aren’t required to tell others why someone is being arrested, but you can view charges on the Wayne County Jail Dashboard once they’re in custody. The guide also discusses how to retrieve an impounded vehicle, information on posting bail and more. Even if a loved one doesn’t get arrested, police encounters are stressful. Some studies show that people who have frequent encounters with the police have worse mental health conditions, including anxiety and trauma. (Gallup, BridgeDetroit, State of Michigan, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, American Journal of Public Health)
Finding benefits: Applying for state benefits like Medicaid is often a difficult process that could deter eligible people. But the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is making the process easier with a new online tool to track benefits applications. The application tracker is available now on the MI Bridges website. It provides status updates on applications for benefits like health care coverage, childcare and food assistance — which is used by about 1 in 7 Michiganders. In their MI Bridges account, applicants can now see whether an application was received, approved or needs additional documents. Elizabeth Hertel, director of the health department, said she hopes the new tracker lowers call volumes to local offices and helps applicants feel more empowered. (Urban Institute, BridgeDetroit, State of Michigan, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)
Smoke season sequel? Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Drought in Canada could bring another smoky summer to Detroit. (Cue a deep, filtered-air sigh.) Wildfire smoke is tough on the lungs, and it’s especially dangerous for the many Detroiters with asthma. We might not be able to become Canadian firefighters or single-handedly solve the climate crisis, which played a major role in last year’s record wildfires. But we do have a few tools to stay safe. Remember to keep an eye on air quality data, and try to stay indoors or wear a mask if it gets too bad out. Keep pesky particles out of your home by replacing your furnace filter or buying a free-standing air filter. You can even make your own for cheap; it really works! (Planet Detroit, Outlier Media)
Best of the Rest
🚨 Scammers are preying on sports fanatics, mostly through social media. Watch out for ticket scams for both March Madness and the NFL draft: Check for things like the incorrect game dates and counterfeit tickets. Most NFL draft tickets are free. (Detroit Free Press, NFL)
🤝🏾 Detroit Heals Detroit, a nonprofit focused on the intersection of social justice and healing from trauma, is hosting a 12-week program that aims to lower the youth recidivism rate, with courses on healing justice and youth organizing. (Model D)
👩🏽🤝👨🏾 🗣️ African American Vernacular English is often discouraged in schools. Education leaders say embracing the dialect can encourage literacy, but figuring out the most effective methods to do so is still a ways out. (Freep, American Federation of Teachers)
❤️🩹Flowers of Vietnam had a kitchen fire on Saturday, causing the beloved Southwest Detroit restaurant to close for repairs. The owners said on social media that repairs will likely take several months. (Flowers of Vietnam)
Meet Marguerite Maddox — the Detroiter championing mobility rights, one city meeting at a time
Marguerite Maddox stood up and wheeled her walker to the lectern at a Detroit City Council meeting in mid-March. Her service dog, a yellow Labrador named Scarlet, was by her side.
If you’ve attended a city meeting in Detroit, you’ve likely heard Maddox speak: She’s been participating in public comment for decades.
by Meghan Rutigliano and SaMya Overall
What do rock stars, the Easter Bunny and Selena have in common? They’re all taking over Detroit this week! From springtime Easter fun to the annual Corktown Music Festival, there’s lots to do in the 313.
Written by Koby, Laura, Meghan, Noah and SaMya, who is excited to launch Outlier’s TikTok account. Follow us?
Much love and condolences to those affected by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore.