John Hantz acquired cheap swaths of land on the east side with plans for an urban tree farm. Neighbors say the wealthy entrepreneur has fallen short but operates under a special deal not afforded to residents.
Jena Brooker
Jena is a BridgeDetroit's environmental reporter, covering everything from food and agricultural to pollution to climate change.
Posted inEnvironment
High levels of PFAS in Great Lakes fish. It’s even worse for Detroit.
Eating one freshwater fish could be equivalent to drinking contaminated water for a month, new study finds
Posted inEnvironment
Detroit official wants to use federal funds to mitigate Stellantis odors
Councilmember Angela Whitfield-Calloway asks Mayor Mike Duggan to direct COVID relief dollars to reduce air pollution for east side neighbors near the auto plant.
Posted inJobs & Economic Development
Midtown ice cream shop to host French crepe chef
The French Cow will take over Treat Dreams in Midtown, selling crepes, baguette sandwiches, and ice cream.
Posted inJobs & Economic Development
Electric bikes are creating a new economy in Detroit
Detroit Bikes is bringing jobs and transit options to Detroiters. Advocates and riders want the state or city to make them more affordable.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
A Detroit foundation is checking itself on racial equity
In its first “racial equity audit,” the Skillman Foundation found it has directed little of its investments toward assets owned by people of color.
Posted inTransportation
Here’s who MDOT seated to advise on I-375 project in Detroit
The 24-member group was assembled without a formal selection process to advise on the project fraught with tension over its racist origins
Posted inHealth and Welfare
Detroit’s 2022 food access gains and losses
BridgeDetroit reporter Jena Brooker gives a recap on efforts to diversify the city’s dining scene, grocery store shortages and investments in Detroit’s locally grown produce.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Getting to know the first Black woman on Michigan’s Supreme Court
Kyra Harris Bolden was tapped by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as the first Black woman to rule on Michigan’s Supreme Court.
Posted inArts & Culture
Iraqi poet in metro Detroit pens novel on ISIS captives
Author Dunya Mikhail appeared in Detroit’s New Center this month to read from “The Bird Tattoo,” her new book about the multi-decade journey of a woman sold into sex slavery.