
Yes, it’s safe to swim at Belle Isle (most of the time)
“The water in the Detroit River is very, very good,” said Jeffrey Ram, a professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, where he focuses on molecular aquatic ecology.


An A to Z guide to Belle Isle, the ‘Jewel of Detroit’
Beyond the beach and picnic spots, the island is chock-full of landmarks, cultural institutions, traditions, hidden wildlife, quirky history and yes, memories.

Thousands of Detroiters wait for affordable housing while agency sits on hundreds of empty apartments
Thousands of low-income, disabled or older Detroiters are on waitlists while hundreds of Detroit Housing Commission apartments sit vacant.

How a call for help turned fatal
Michigan Radio reporter Beenish Ahmed asked three experts to analyze police body cam footage and the officers’ response. The analysis sheds light on the intersection of law enforcement training and…

You’re Invited! Meet & Greet With A Treat
We’re hosting our first (free) community meet-up of the year! Drop in and talk with Outlier staff about the city, our reporting, or anything else you want to share.

Healing Hub opens in Detroit to help youth deal with trauma, together
“Traumas are experienced collectively, so healing needs to be experienced collectively, as well,” said Sirrita Darby, executive director of Detroit Heals Detroit.

Behind a two-year investigation into ‘alarming’ conditions at the Detroit Housing Commission
“There was a tenant from the Villages at Parkside that mentioned some really alarming things about the property’s condition, like serious roof and safety issues,” Rukiya Colvin said. “It kind…

How does the Detroit Housing Commission’s leader explain agency failures?
The leader of the housing authority said it might take a billion dollars to fully repair deficient units.

Floods, rats and no hot water: Detroit Housing Commission properties have failed inspections for years
Residents interviewed by Outlier said they feel stuck, reluctant to leave because of the subsidized rent they receive from the DHC.

Detroit school board approves staffing cuts as budget crunch looms
“Although we are anticipating a $50 million increase in state and federal revenue, there’s still a gap of about $37 million that we need to fill going into next year,”…

Internship Alert: Outlier Media Summer Intern
Outlier Media’s inaugural summer internship position is an opportunity for a local college student to work in our Detroit newsroom. The program will run from June 20-Aug. 25, 2023. The…

Answering the biggest questions about the Detroit Housing Commission
Detroiters regularly plead with the city to compel private developers to build more affordable housing. But the Detroit Housing Commission, the largest provider of affordable housing in the city, has…

Meet Roshaun Harris, this month’s featured Detroit Documenter
Roshaun Harris is a native Detroiter and social justice activist who wants to sharpen his journalism skills and use his voice to effect change in his community.

Drones, virtual reality and other big dreams for Central Station
At the 2018 event, the more than 100 millennial entrepreneurs in attendance were encouraged to think big — moonshots — and design space for 75, 100 years into the future,…

Why banks are reluctant to issue loans to small businesses in Detroit
A former bank branch manager turned ProsperUs loan officer says banks aren’t designed to offer entrepreneurs the capital, credit and training they need.

The affordable housing promises of District Detroit, explained
$1.5 billion dollars, 695 apartments, nearly 2 million square feet. How much affordable housing will there be?

How to get your child to school in Detroit
Getting kids to school in Detroit can be difficult. Here’s a guide to buses, other transportation options and how to get more help.

Detroit Justice Center founder stepping down for season of rest as work to end mass incarceration continues
Amanda Alexander dreams of the day mass incarceration is no more and Detroiters live in a more just city. It’s why she founded the Detroit Justice Center (DJC) five years…

Outlier Media expands its editorial team with 3 hires
Outlier Media is excited to welcome three editorial staff members over the next few weeks, serving as audience and engagement manager, senior science reporter and social media producer.

Teen harpists keep on plucking: A uniquely Detroit program endures at Cass Tech
As Cass Tech’s harp program nears its centennial, director Lydia Cleaver reflects on how the program has changed since she walked the same halls.

Heavy, unregulated truck traffic is plaguing eastside residents
The truck traffic creates noise and pollution, clogs up the roads and has some residents concerned that it will decrease their home values. With essentially no oversight from city, state…
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.