BridgeDetroit

Detroit Public Schools Community District restructured its special education department (ESE) aiming to provide services within general education school buildings. Although DPSCD reports that satisfaction surveys show positive feedback, some parents report that the restructuring has been chaotic and services are not consistently meeting students’ needs.

General Motors and Bedrock have unveiled a $1.6 billion-plus plan to redevelop Detroit’s Renaissance Center and construct an amenity-filled riverfront park. The developers scheduled their presentation for Aug. 18, while the public engagement hub opened nearby on Aug. 19, inviting residents to submit ideas for the new park.

Following a dock collapse in 2019, Detroit enacted the Waterbody Protection Ordinance to improve riverfront safety and regulate properties along the waterway since 2022. The ordinance requires inspections from BSEED and has led to numerous accumulated violations among registered property owners. However, environmental groups are demanding more transparency and ongoing public dialogue regarding the law’s progress.

The historic Greektown district is celebrating major strides in its streetscape renovation project following a $20 million update on Monroe Street, which has reopened sections to pedestrians with new amenities. The progress provides a much-needed boost to the business district, and the local partnership is currently taking public feedback regarding whether vehicle traffic should be permanently eliminated long term. Work on the transformation project is slated to wrap up by mid-November.

Donavan McKinney celebrated his congressional win in the Democratic primary on Aug. 5, 2026, vowing to deliver for working people. He ousted Shri Thanedar in the election.

Michigan’s Rx Kids cash aid program, which provides no-strings-attached cash assistance to pregnant women and new mothers, is expanding to Cleveland, Ohio. The Ohio version will cover three ZIP codes and 400 moms annually for two years, funded by Cleveland, the O’Neill Foundation, and private donors. The program has shown reduced infant mortality and preterm births in Flint since its 2024 launch.

BridgeDetroit has released a 2026 Voter Guide offering resources for Detroit elections, including registration, absentee voting, early voting, and in-person voting information. The guide also includes an FAQ section and contact details for feedback.

The article provides a nonpartisan voter guide for Michigan's 2026 elections, addressing how to combat misinformation through verified sources and laws against AI-generated disinformation. It also outlines resources for voters with disabilities, including accessible absentee ballot options and assistance guidelines.

A nonpartisan voter guide for Michigan’s 2026 Primary and General elections outlines key dates, registration deadlines, and voting procedures. Detroit Votes and BridgeDetroit collaborated on the guide, which includes contact information for election offices and details on absentee and early voting. Voters must verify registration and meet eligibility requirements, such as U.S. citizenship and residency.

A nonpartisan voter guide for Detroit's 2026 elections provides key dates, contacts, and candidate information to help voters prepare. The guide, created by BridgeDetroit in partnership with Bridge Michigan and Detroit Votes, outlines primary and general election timelines, including absentee and early voting dates, and lists statewide and countywide candidates.

A report found 1,000 recorded land contracts annually in Detroit over two decades, highlighting their use by residents who cannot access traditional mortgages, including immigrants unfamiliar with banking systems. Land contracts, while enabling homeownership, lack protections and regulation, prompting calls for legislative action.

Protective barriers at Detroit’s Cooley High School were vandalized, prompting repairs and 24-hour security until its demolition this summer. The school, closed since 2010, will be demolished due to safety concerns, with architectural features like bricks and terra cotta medallions to be preserved.