Detroit

blue

Axios Detroit Partners

Axios Detroit

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Detroit.

Axios Detroit Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Detroit Alerts

Alert

Detroit Members

Membership

Officers suspended over Border Patrol calls

Two officers faced discipline after contacting federal immigration agents.

Immigration

DPD Sgt. Denise Wallet and officer James Corsi were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suspended" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/detroit-sergeant-officer-suspended-without-pay-contacting-border-patrol-during-traffic-stop" data-vars-content-id="9a28a5f4-6165-4783-a020-59c05b232c67" data-vars-headline="Officers suspended over Border Patrol calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/detroit-sergeant-officer-suspended-without-pay-contacting-border-patrol-during-traffic-stop" target="_blank">suspended</a> in February for calling Customs and Border Protection for assistance during traffic stops, in apparent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violation of DPD policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/30/how-detroit-police-limits-working-with-ice" data-vars-content-id="9a28a5f4-6165-4783-a020-59c05b232c67" data-vars-headline="Officers suspended over Border Patrol calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/30/how-detroit-police-limits-working-with-ice" target="_self">violation of DPD policy</a> against coordinating with federal immigration officials.State of play: The two incidents led to the potential deportation of two people, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Free Press" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2026/02/13/detroit-police-suspended-immigration-officials-cbp-ice-customs-border-protection/88665857007/" data-vars-content-id="9a28a5f4-6165-4783-a020-59c05b232c67" data-vars-headline="Officers suspended over Border Patrol calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2026/02/13/detroit-police-suspended-immigration-officials-cbp-ice-customs-border-protection/88665857007/" target="_blank">the Free Press</a>.

How to watch Tigers Opening Day (good luck)

Fans may not know how to watch until hours before first pitch in San Diego.

Sports

The Tigers&#x27; Opening Day is Thursday in San Diego — and the team&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TV broadcast situation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/12/tigers-end-fanduel-sports-network-deal" data-vars-content-id="321dbdbf-d3b4-47b7-8101-e44574aa937d" data-vars-headline="How to watch Tigers Opening Day (good luck)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/12/tigers-end-fanduel-sports-network-deal" target="_self">TV broadcast situation</a> is still in flux.Why it matters: Fans may not know exactly how to find the game until hours before first pitch at 4:10pm.

How Detroit police limits working with ICE

Memos show how police interact with federal immigration authorities and where limits lie.

Detroit police leaders say the department isn&#x27;t in the &quot;immigration business&quot; and mostly isn&#x27;t communicating with ICE.Why it matters: As immigration enforcement ramps up nationwide, some cities are navigating growing pressure from President Trump&#x27;s administration threatening funding cuts and legal action on those who publicly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="limit cooperation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/president-trump-delivers-remarks-to-the-detroit-economic-club/" data-vars-content-id="2df4d4fc-3d4e-4a49-808c-0b7cfa4510c7" data-vars-headline="How Detroit police limits working with ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/president-trump-delivers-remarks-to-the-detroit-economic-club/" target="_blank">limit cooperation</a> with ICE.

Detroit Packard Plant plan halted by new mayor's administration

City ends redevelopment talks to consider new options for Packard site.

Development

Mayor Mary Sheffield&#x27;s administration has canceled a redevelopment vision for part of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Packard Plant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/12/01/packard-plant-redevelopment-housing-jobs-project" data-vars-content-id="9dd404fc-eb91-4bb1-80c6-7e10ef29e76d" data-vars-headline="Detroit Packard Plant plan halted by new mayor&#x27;s administration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/12/01/packard-plant-redevelopment-housing-jobs-project" target="_self">the Packard Plant</a>, one of Detroit&#x27;s most notorious relics.State of play: A splashy December press conference featuring former Mayor Mike Duggan unveiled a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new plan" data-vars-click-url="https://packardpark.com/" data-vars-content-id="9dd404fc-eb91-4bb1-80c6-7e10ef29e76d" data-vars-headline="Detroit Packard Plant plan halted by new mayor&#x27;s administration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://packardpark.com/" target="_blank">new plan</a> for housing and recreation on the languishing site.

City Chatter: New media hire, big speech for Sheffield

New hire, first major speech and budget talks signal Sheffield's priorities.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Welcome back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/18/people-mover-data-center-moratorium-city-chatter" data-vars-content-id="5513af83-1b1c-4b68-a4ae-95db1cf66418" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: New media hire, big speech for Sheffield" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/18/people-mover-data-center-moratorium-city-chatter" target="_self">Welcome back</a> to our Detroit policy and politics update!💼 More job moves: Mayor Mary Sheffield continues to build out her roster, hiring longtime WDIV Local 4 journalist Ken Haddad as digital and creative director in her office of communications.

City Chatter: People Mover expansion and a news pivot

Our weekly roundup of city politics and policy news includes news of a possible data center moratorium.

Welcome back to our weekly take on Detroit politics and policy.🗣️ Data center drama: City Council members voted this week to recommend Mayor Mary Sheffield enact a two-year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moratorium on data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/11/city-chatter-council-members-data-center-worries" data-vars-content-id="7a59ca01-4e59-4cb1-93f4-c76a082f0e4f" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: People Mover expansion and a news pivot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/11/city-chatter-council-members-data-center-worries" target="_self">moratorium on data centers</a>.

Sheffield settles into historic Manoogian Mansion

Detroit's new mayor is the first female officeholder to reside in the mayor's residence.

As Detroit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first female mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/05/mary-sheffield-detroit-mayor-election-2025" data-vars-content-id="0b36d00e-8a09-4112-99de-90e342077c6d" data-vars-headline="Sheffield settles into historic Manoogian Mansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/05/mary-sheffield-detroit-mayor-election-2025" target="_self">first female mayor</a>, Mary Sheffield has become the first female officeholder to reside at the mayoral Manoogian Mansion.State of play: Sheffield has officially moved into the iconic home along the east riverfront in the Berry subdivision, a city spokesperson confirmed to Axios.

City Chatter: Council member's data center worries

Axios Detroit's regular update on local politics and policy.

Welcome back to our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regular update" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/04/city-chatter-budget-season-mayor-sheffield" data-vars-content-id="291b8773-f4fc-47bc-a293-79e3159e81a0" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Council member&#x27;s data center worries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/04/city-chatter-budget-season-mayor-sheffield" target="_self">regular update</a> on Detroit politics and policy!👋 Former candidate&#x27;s whereabouts: Saunteel Jenkins, the former city council president and nonprofit CEO who ran for mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="against winner Mary Sheffield" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/06/sheffield-kinloch-advance-general-primary-election-mayor" data-vars-content-id="291b8773-f4fc-47bc-a293-79e3159e81a0" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Council member&#x27;s data center worries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/06/sheffield-kinloch-advance-general-primary-election-mayor" target="_self">against winner Mary Sheffield</a>, appeared at a housing affordability roundtable last week with gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson.

Sheffield unveils budget with youth, wages as priorities

She wants added transit funding, youth programs and living wages for Detroit city employees.

Alleviating poverty and helping youth took top billing in Mayor Mary Sheffield&#x27;s first proposed budget, released Monday.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.6 billion general fund budget" data-vars-click-url="https://detroitmi.gov/departments/office-chief-financial-officer/ocfo-divisions/office-budget" data-vars-content-id="18cbe8ba-cf65-4dda-a0db-0ec151acd97c" data-vars-headline="Sheffield unveils budget with youth, wages as priorities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://detroitmi.gov/departments/office-chief-financial-officer/ocfo-divisions/office-budget" target="_blank">$1.6 billion general fund budget</a> proposal — $3 billion across all funding sources — is an early indicator of how Sheffield could use city resources to turn <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/05/mary-sheffield-detroit-mayor-election-2025" data-vars-content-id="18cbe8ba-cf65-4dda-a0db-0ec151acd97c" data-vars-headline="Sheffield unveils budget with youth, wages as priorities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/05/mary-sheffield-detroit-mayor-election-2025" target="_self">campaign</a> promises into action.

City Chatter: Budget season is upon us

Our weekly Detroit politics feature includes a cannabis update, Sheffield's upcoming budget talk and more.

Welcome back to our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regular feature" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/12/city-chatter-winnie-liao-coo-police-department" data-vars-content-id="88f0abd8-1c26-46cb-ba3d-50e2ca5a1ede" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Budget season is upon us" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/12/city-chatter-winnie-liao-coo-police-department" target="_self">regular feature</a> on city government and politics.👋 Politician&#x27;s farewell: State Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit, won&#x27;t seek public office again, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Michigan Chronicle reports" data-vars-click-url="https://michiganchronicle.com/whitsett-wont-seek-reelection-to-state-house/" data-vars-content-id="88f0abd8-1c26-46cb-ba3d-50e2ca5a1ede" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Budget season is upon us" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://michiganchronicle.com/whitsett-wont-seek-reelection-to-state-house/" target="_blank">the Michigan Chronicle reports</a>.

Michigan businesses face uncertainty on tariff refunds

Importers may need to sue to recover billions collected under the rejected trade law.

News

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court declared a large swath of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s tariffs illegal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="16ce12e7-9ee2-47c6-85cd-47f671a163e0" data-vars-headline="Michigan businesses face uncertainty on tariff refunds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s tariffs illegal</a>, the question is whether businesses — or everyday Americans — will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="get refunds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-states-refunds" data-vars-content-id="16ce12e7-9ee2-47c6-85cd-47f671a163e0" data-vars-headline="Michigan businesses face uncertainty on tariff refunds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-states-refunds" target="_self">get refunds</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trade Partnership Worldwide" data-vars-click-url="https://tradepartnership.com/" data-vars-content-id="16ce12e7-9ee2-47c6-85cd-47f671a163e0" data-vars-headline="Michigan businesses face uncertainty on tariff refunds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tradepartnership.com/" target="_blank">Trade Partnership Worldwide</a> estimates $126 billion is at stake.

Democrats scrutinize Moroun's Trump access

House Democrats are seeking records on Matthew Moroun's contacts with Trump officials about the Gordie Howe bridge.

Congressional Democrats are investigating whether <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Matthew Moroun" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/02/22/riverside-park-moroun-approved-detroit-citycouncil" data-vars-content-id="ece61150-f952-4200-a8d8-72ae403a7dde" data-vars-headline="Democrats scrutinize Moroun&#x27;s Trump access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/02/22/riverside-park-moroun-approved-detroit-citycouncil" target="_self">Matthew Moroun</a> used his access to President Trump to protect his company&#x27;s toll revenues — and whether the Trump administration acted on Moroun&#x27;s lobbying.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent threat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/10/trump-threat-gordie-howe-bridge-michigan-economy" data-vars-content-id="ece61150-f952-4200-a8d8-72ae403a7dde" data-vars-headline="Democrats scrutinize Moroun&#x27;s Trump access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/10/trump-threat-gordie-howe-bridge-michigan-economy" target="_self">recent threat</a> to block the Gordie Howe International Bridge&#x27;s opening drew condemnation from leaders in Michigan and Canada and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="predictions of dire economic consequences" data-vars-click-url="https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/report-michigan-canada-bridge-delay-could-cost-up-to-7m-per-week/" data-vars-content-id="ece61150-f952-4200-a8d8-72ae403a7dde" data-vars-headline="Democrats scrutinize Moroun&#x27;s Trump access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/report-michigan-canada-bridge-delay-could-cost-up-to-7m-per-week/" target="_blank">predictions of dire economic consequences</a>.

City Chatter: New roles and a confidential memo

The latest in Detroit government happenings.

Welcome back to our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new regular feature" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/04/city-chatter-column-sheffield-public-survey" data-vars-content-id="b5bc2c61-36f1-48e5-985d-0c969e19b5c4" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: New roles and a confidential memo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/04/city-chatter-column-sheffield-public-survey" target="_self">new regular feature</a> on city government and politics.✅ Mayor Mary Sheffield is continuing to fill out her leadership roster by hiring Winnie Liao as COO. Liao previously led an effort to overhaul customer services and improve wait times for the Michigan Secretary of State.

Trump's threat to block Gordie Howe bridge divides Michigan leaders

Some warn a delay could hamper progress on trade, jobs and border security.

Economy

President Trump&#x27;s sudden threat on Monday to block the Gordie Howe International Bridge from opening early this year could have dire consequences for Michigan&#x27;s economy, critics say.Why it matters: For years, Michigan and Detroit have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="counting on" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitchamber.com/statement-detroit-regional-chamber-on-the-gordie-howe-international-bridge/" data-vars-content-id="1fe8f109-fc3c-4662-8735-dddc162841d3" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s threat to block Gordie Howe bridge divides Michigan leaders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitchamber.com/statement-detroit-regional-chamber-on-the-gordie-howe-international-bridge/" target="_blank">counting on</a> the bridge&#x27;s opening to usher in a new era of international commerce, border security and tourism.

Politics 🇺🇸

City Chatter: New media hire, big speech for Sheffield

City Chatter: People Mover expansion and a news pivot

Sheffield settles into historic Manoogian Mansion

City Chatter: Council member's data center worries

Sheffield unveils budget with youth, wages as priorities