District 6 City Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero is fighting for the ability to run for re-election in the district representing Southwest Detroit after she was disqualified from the August primary ballot over a $250 late filing fee.
Malachi Barrett
Malachi Barrett is a mission-oriented reporter working to liberate information for Detroiters.
Barrett previously worked for MLive covering local news and statewide politics in Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Detroit. He was named Michigan’s 2019 Newspaper Rising Star by the Associated Press. Barrett graduated from Central Michigan University in 2016.
Barrett lives in Detroit's Pingree Park neighborhood on the eastside with his wife. He's mostly from Battle Creek, but also lived in California, Wisconsin, West Virginia, South Carolina and Japan.
Posted inCity Council Notebook, Election 2025
Detroit’s 2025 ballot taking shape
Malachi has the latest on who turned in nominating petitions, who is certified for the ballot and where you can catch the candidates.
Posted inCity Council Notebook
Native Detroiters reclaim sacred land
Malachi Barrett has the latest news from Detroit City Council: Fort Wayne burial mound transfer, summer events downtown, more rental inspectors and thousands of sidewalk repairs in limbo.
Posted inCivic and Community Information, Political and Public Policy Information
Detroit didn’t ‘double DDOT,’ but advocates celebrate smaller victory
Transit advocates pressed the Detroit City Council for millions more toward bus system upgrades in the next fiscal budget. It didn’t happen, but those behind the movement said there’s still room to celebrate.
Posted inCity Council Notebook, Environment
East side neighbors urge city to shut down Moroun-owned concrete plant
Residents from Detroit’s Cadillac Heights neighborhood are asking the city to shut down Kronos on the east side, citing dust, noise and traffic. Detroit inspectors say the facility is in compliance with city rules.
Posted inCity Council Notebook
Takeaways from Detroit’s 2025-26 budget and what didn’t get funded
Malachi Barrett has highlights from the city’s 2025-26 budget. Plus, a breakdown of priorities that didn’t make it into the city’s latest spending plan.
Posted inCivic and Community Information, Political and Public Policy Information
Detroit City Council approves $3B budget for 2025-26
Budget deliberations ended Monday, with the council approving a spending plan and additional dollars for various projects.
Posted inCity Council Notebook, Election 2025
What Detroit candidates are saying
Malachi Barrett reports on developments in the city’s 2025-26 budget negotiations. Plus, the latest announcements and policy proposals from 2025 mayoral candidates.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
Detroit 2025-2026 budget hearings: What you need to know
Staffers with BridgeDetroit, Detroit Documenters and Outlier Media will offer summaries and key points from each of the hearings.
Posted inElection 2025, Political and Public Policy Information
Attorney Todd Perkins launches mayoral campaign as neighborhood warrior
Perkins is advocating for more affordable housing, reducing taxes for residents and businesses, supporting schools, expanding community centers and developing mass transportation networks.