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Subscribe to our free Thursday newsletter to get weekly breakdowns of major news and how it affects Detroiters, recommended events, highlights of inspiring culture and community builders of all stripes, original reporting and much more. You’ll always find opportunities to take action, get involved, venture somewhere new or try something tasty for your next meal out.

In Detour, we and a group of contributing writers have lifted up artists, prepped people to vote, highlighted queer spaces and favorite city landmarks and directed readers to resources like free COVID-19 tests and rental assistance. We’ve reported on food insecurity, Detroit’s trash rules, scooter restrictions, pedestrian safety and cultural institutions. We connect readers to residents and groups fostering community in Detroit, from a social justice scavenger hunt to moped rentals and cemetery history tours. 

Detour’s backstory

Detour launched in 2018 as a newsletter startup founded by Ashley Woods Branch and Outlier Media Product and Engagement Manager Kate Abbey-Lambertz. After four years — filled with hundreds of newsletters, award-winning reporting, events from mural tours to volunteering socials, all while building a community of dedicated readers and members — Detour joined Outlier Media in March 2022 to grow the future of independent local journalism in Detroit together. 

The original Detour Detroit website is no longer maintained, but you can find stories from the archives here. If you wrote for Detour Detroit and need help finding your published work, please contact Kate at kate@outliermedia.org. 

Outlier’s entire editorial team now contributes to Detour Detroit, with each newsletter drawing on the combined expertise and passions of our newsroom. 

We’ll never stop sharing our community’s successes. You can always share your own by replying to a Detour email or contacting Kate at kate@outliermedia.org whether you’re performing with an orchestra, opening a small business or want to lift someone else up. 

Info for Detour members and supporters

If you want to support Detour, please consider making a donation to Outlier! Over the years, Detour’s work has only been possible thanks to the support, financially and otherwise, of loyal readers who contributed to work and programs like a COVID-19 community Facebook group, the Detroit Development Tracker, original reporting and more. 

We have endless gratitude for all the readers who have given to support Detour’s work. If you are currently a Detour member (through a recurring annual or monthly membership) you can log into your Memberful profile anytime to review, change or cancel your membership. 

If you don’t have a password, Memberful will send a one-click sign-in link to the email you used to join. When you are logged in, the Subscriptions page will show your current plan and your next renewal date. You can change your plan, switch auto renewal on or off, update your payment info or deactivate your membership. If you have any questions about membership or your Memberful account, please contact kate@outliermedia.org.

If you’d like to become a new Detour supporter, we encourage you to make a donation to Outlier.