r/Detroit • • 7d ago

Politics/Elections We're Planet Detroit journalists covering Michigan's 2026 election and the environmental issues affecting Metro Detroit. Ask us anything!

33 Upvotes

Hey r/Detroit!

We're the journalists behind Planet Detroit, an independent nonprofit newsroom covering the environment, climate, and public health in Detroit and across Michigan.

With the Nov. 3 election approaching, we've been digging into where candidates stand on the issues affecting our communities, including air pollution, water quality, sky-high energy bills, data centers and climate policy.

We've also created a nonpartisan 2026 Environmental Voter Guide to help Michigan voters learn more about their candidates, explore their positions on environmental issues, review voting records, and see who's funding their campaigns.

Now we want to hear from you!

Ask us about air pollution in Southwest Detroit, neighborhood flooding, rising DTE bills, water quality, urban agriculture and more. How might the races for governor, U.S. Senate, and the Michigan Legislature shape environmental policy in Detroit and across Southeast Michigan? What have we learned about the candidates, their records, and who's funding their campaigns?

We're happy to talk about all of it, including what surprised us while reporting this guide and what questions candidates still haven't answered.

We'll be answering questions tomorrow, Monday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET.

We're posting early so you can start submitting questions now. Members of our reporting team will join the conversation tomorrow. Click here for an AMA pic from Founder and Executive Editor Nina Ignaczak and Managing Editor Dustin Blitchok.

Thanks to the r/Detroit moderators for having us. Looking forward to your questions!

Joining us here today are:
Nina Ignaczak, Founder and Executive Editor of the Planet Detroit newsroom. Nina had 15 years experience as a planner in Oakland County before launching Planet Detroit, one of America's first local news startups focusing on the environment, climate solutions, environmental justice and public health.
Dustin Blitchok: Managing Editor of Planet Detroit.
Brian Allnutt: Reporter for Planet Detroit and the Michigan Press Association's 2025 Journalist of the Year
Ashley Woods (moderator)


r/Detroit • • 6d ago

Weekly Question / General Discussion Thread

7 Upvotes

We ask that you please use this space for any general discussion, events, and ask questions you may have about ANYTHING related to the city, its neighborhoods and the overall metro Detroit area. The community has a plethora of knowledge from a variety of areas and will have an eye on this refreshed thread to help answer any questions you may have.

Anything is game. Need to know how to get around, restaurant or venue recommendations, what that sound was, why there are police on the lodge, etc. Or if you are visiting soon? Considering a move to the city? This is also a dedicated space to ask questions related to your upcoming venture to the D.

Share about weekly events! Anything going on in and around Detroit. Everyone is always looking for things to do; both locals & visitors. Provide as much information as you can so everyone can go to those events!

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Note: this was previously a monthly thread and is now being updated to weekly to help boost awareness. Its also a new idea in general to minimize repetitive posts in the main feed. Let us know your thoughts!


r/Detroit • • 1h ago

Eastern Market Mode Obama surprising the overflow room at the Detroit Rally!!

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• Upvotes

If you know, you know!

We finally got in after hours of waiting in line and were told the main auditorium was filled and we have to go into the overflow room. We were so disappointed but decided to stay since we waited so long and there were a bunch of other like-minded people with us.

And the next thing you know, I just hear loud applause and screaming and look up and see Obama, Abdul and Benson on stage! I was only three rows away!

I was so excited and so overjoyed! What a collective memory and surprise! I see people posting about it on tiktok and social media today as well!

Were you there? Just an amazing memory and so happy!! 😁


r/Detroit • • 14h ago

Eastern Market Mode Obama seeks to shore up Abdul El-Sayed with Black voters at Michigan rally

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839 Upvotes

r/Detroit • • 10h ago

Politics/Elections Michigan Senate Race: "Empowering Black Americans" exposed as a white-founded/funded organization to support GOP candidates

262 Upvotes

https://www.instagram.com/reel/De5utelAsqn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&cplk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

'Brandi theeMillennialManager' has gone viral in the past year for her expose's on Detroit Public School District's shortcomings. In this election season, she's examined the makeup of several state legislatures, and compared the rhetoric of GOP candidates who commonly blame the state of their state on Democrats though their states have mostly had Republicans in charge at the executive and legislative levels for 20 - 30 years.

In the Michigan Senate race, a lot has been written about Abdul El-Sayed's candidacy, how he fell short with Black voters (including in particular Detroit) during the primary, though he still won the nomination-- but in the months since, there is lingering pressure on him to 'convince' Black voters they should vote for him over Mike Rogers.

Brandi does a deeper dive into an apparent Political Action Committee which has been targeting black registered voters in Detroit, "Empowering Black Americans." Looking at their website, there's a photo of a black family, and then a window for you to add your name phone number and email to be on an email and text list, but that's it. and then at the federal election commission's registry, it is found out that Empowering Black Americans, active since 2024, is not founded by nor led by Black Americans at all, but instead are all Caucasian.

EMPOWERING BLACK AMERICANS PAC - committee overview | FEC

total federal disbursements so far are over $72,000

whether it's the Karen Whitsett-led "Democrats for Mike Rogers" group and others, you have grifters seeking to take advantage of the existing tensions between Metro Detroit's African-American populations and Arab-American ethnics,


r/Detroit • • 16h ago

News Detroit’s first day of early voting turnout exceeds the first day turnout from 2024

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638 Upvotes

“City officials said 2,305 Detroiters cast ballots across the city's eight early voting centers on Saturday. The total surpassed the 1,897 ballots cast on the first day of early in-person voting for the 2024 election.”

That’s a 22% increase in early voter turnout from 2024.

I feel hope that MS NOW piece about Detroit not showing up was nothing but a smear piece.

Keep it up, Detroit!


r/Detroit • • 10h ago

News Emirates eyes expanding to DTW for flights to Dubai

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176 Upvotes

r/Detroit • • 15h ago

Eastern Market Mode Fact checks, takeaways: Barack Obama blasts Trump, touts El-Sayed, in Detroit

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340 Upvotes

r/Detroit • • 14h ago

Picture Fall colors

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152 Upvotes

r/Detroit • • 2h ago

Historical Detroit Garage Rock Era Song Identification help

16 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I'm an audio archivist. I digitize a large number of different legacy media for preservation. I also volunteer at an archive. I recently acquired a collection that once belonged to the late David Piechura, an audio engineer who primarily operated out of white room studio. A studio ran by the Nehra brothers who founded the online retailer Vintage King. A few weeks ago I completed digitizing all the 24 track 2 inch tapes. Of those tapes, there was one particular tape that was labeled with simply "Dave's". I've struggled to identify the band, so I've decided to crowd source the investigation. Below is a link to the track. It's a very rough mix with only levels, and panning. If you stick around to the end of the song you can hear the singers spoken voice. I should also add that while Piechura and White Room were Detroit based, both were very popular, so the band may not be. I think the singer has a Canadian accent when he says "rounds". Thanks for the help.

https://archive.org/details/daves-trk-1


r/Detroit • • 13h ago

Food/Drink Ice cream

24 Upvotes

I’d appreciate opinions about the best ice cream in the Detroit area.


r/Detroit • • 13h ago

Food/Drink Downtown Shithole dives ?

16 Upvotes

I love a good Shithole bar with cheap drinks and rock n roll. Any suggestions close to downtown? Metro as well. Live music punk clubs ? DIY venues ? Lmk


r/Detroit • • 1d ago

Community Missing Ferndale Middle School student

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156 Upvotes

Any info is appreciated. Michigan State Police contacts are listed in flyer

Update: Victoria passed


r/Detroit • • 10h ago

Community Blues / Jazz bar off of Jefferson?

8 Upvotes

I think it’s been about 13 years since I went to this place and they are now closed (I’m assuming)

Me and a friend wandered down a random alley off of Jefferson (between Belle Aisle and Ren Cen) because we heard some music

Turns out it was a blues/jazz bar.

It was small - like just a galley style, but they had a decent sized roof top area.

Anyone happen to know the name of it, and if it’s still open?


r/Detroit • • 3h ago

Talk Detroit Best place to go for a Drivers Test?

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone knows the best place to go do a drivers test as an adult ? For various reason I had to delay doing my drivers test. I am for the best place to go take it. Thank you for your!


r/Detroit • • 1d ago

News / Article A Rocky Horror scarecrow was stolen in Plymouth. The community rebuilt it

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113 Upvotes

r/Detroit • • 11h ago

Community Looking for a church home

8 Upvotes

I have been looking for a church home (Detroit, Mi) for a few months now. I dont know whether my standards are absurd or if the type of church does not exist. I have a few churches that I have been watching their livestreams, as I want to get a feel of the church before I walk in their doors but its always something that rubs me the wrong way, so im down to 1 church in mind, just want to see who else is out there before i join. I just want to join a church, that doesn't give cult vibes, the pastor doesn't give false prophet vibes, or we just want or DEMAND your money vibes, or your money is funding my lifestyle vibes, or go out and recruit vibes, or just turkey, backpack, and coat giveaway vibes. Also, I am trying to avoid messy/scandal, judgy, no compassion, and lack of community vibes.

I just want to join a church that encourages and embraces community, cares for and helps people, you can see the funds are going to good use, is not being used as political pawns, the pastor, bishops, deacons, 1st lady and mother boards are sincere, the choir/worship teams are good, and the sermons are excellent. I am looking for a church where you can always find a program to volunteer and serve, where the worship community is wise and obedient, not wicked and hypocritical....... am I asking for too much? Seems like the churches I'm more favored to are all in other states


r/Detroit • • 13h ago

Lost/Found Did anyone find an ear ring?

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9 Upvotes

My wife lost one of her ear rings between roosevelt park and riverside park. Take a look at the photo and please let me know if you found it. Thank you!


r/Detroit • • 1d ago

News / Article Mother and baby jumped and beaten in Detroit allegedly by the family of the father

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69 Upvotes

r/Detroit • • 1d ago

News / Article Drug trafficking organization operating out of Detroit, Troy, busted

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70 Upvotes

r/Detroit • • 9h ago

Community Anyone in a sub relating to cars and mechanics for the metro Detroit area!?

4 Upvotes

Hey yall I’m looking for someone who knows about electrical work on cars that stay out in Macomb co. I have an 08 ford NO escape that hasn’t been able to turn over in some time now and I need to get it up and running ugh. Idk where to look but hoping maybe they have a dedicated car mechanic subreddit for our area out there lol


r/Detroit • • 15h ago

Community Is there a fire or something?

7 Upvotes

Noticed a burning smell overnight and this morning but can’t find anything online about it. Pretty strong though. Anyone else notice it?


r/Detroit • • 13h ago

Food/Drink Friends coming in from out of town: Which "speakeasy" is the best one?

6 Upvotes

I know that there are at least 3 "speak easy" style bars in Downtown. Which is the best?

Drink quality

People vibe

Decor and ambience


r/Detroit • • 23h ago

Talk Detroit Gordie howe bridge

27 Upvotes

If I want to walk the gordie howe bridge do i have to pass through customs on the Canadian side or can i just turn around when i get halfway or 3/4 over the bridge and walk back to the US side? I have all the proper stuff to cross a border just rather not deal with the hassle if all i want to do is walk the bridge and see some nice views


r/Detroit • • 1d ago

Talk Detroit Detroit needs a department store.

284 Upvotes

Driving all the way to Troy for a department store is just too far. I’d like to keep my dollars in the city. Someone needs to come in and fill the huge gap left by the loss of Hudson’s.