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Axios Detroit
In Michigan, more than 1 million workers make less than $17 per hour.
Data: Oxfam; Chart: Rahul Mukherjee/AxiosOne-fourth of Michigan's workforce make less than $17 per hour — 29% of women and 35% of Black workers in Michigan fall below that line, new data from Oxfam shows.The big picture: Just 13% of U.S. workers earn less than $15 an hour. Two years ago, that number was 31.9%, according to Oxfam, a British organization aimed at eliminating global poverty.Why it matters: Even accounting for inflation — $15 an hour in 2024 has the same buying power as about $14 in 2022 — this is remarkable progress.It is meaningful for the millions of Americans who...
Activists' art exhibition on display downtown in August
A new art exhibition downtown digs into fights for liberation around the world.The big picture: "The Artist Must Take Sides" is on display through Aug. 17 at Swords Into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery near Comerica Park.What they're saying: "As around the world Palestinians, Sudanese, Congolese, Haitians and so many others are engaged in ongoing struggles to define their future, our local communities are under threat from the same systems of exploitation, extraction, segregation and oppression," reads the exhibition's description, sent to Axios in an email.The intrigue: The exhibition's title is from a well-known quote by Paul Robeson — an American civil rights and global activist, as well as artist — speaking in the 1930s against fascism and in favor of a democratically elected government in the Spanish Civil War.
The Congregation voted Axios Detroit's best coffee shop
Boston Edison's The Congregation has won our reader poll surveying the best coffee shops across the city.The intrigue: Beating Red Hook in the final round earning 70% of the vote, The Congregation's appeal is that it's more than a coffee shop.The renovated church in the middle of the neighborhood hosts weekly events bringing DJs and food trucks to its outdoor section, which comes alive during summer months. Inside The Congregation.The bottom line: How you decided "best" was left up to you — whether it was the quality of the coffee, the location's ambience or the comfort as a working spot.📬 Did our readers get it right?Email detroit@axios.com and tell us what we missed in this year's tournament!
New Detroit projects added to state spending plan
Chinatown, Greektown and the Motown Museum are getting large amounts of state money from the $82.5 billion budget approved by the governor this week in Detroit.Driving the news: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was joined by Mayor Mike Duggan inside an east-side fire station Wednesday to sign the $59 billion omnibus budget, separate from the $23.4 billion education budget.The budget contains $400 million in earmarks for one-time grants to special projects or organizations across the state. Nearly $55 million is for projects based in the city.$7 million: Detroit Zoo infrastructure$5 million: Motown Museum$5 million: Bonstelle Theatre in Midtown$5 million: BAMF cancer center$5...
Michigan's pro-Palestinian delegates: Harris needs us to win
Pro-Palestinian Democrats were the only Michigan delegates who voted against endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris this week, but they say they'd be willing to reconsider if Harris shifts the administration's Gaza policies.State of play: One of the two "no" votes, Abbas Alawieh, told Axios the national uncommitted movement has been trying to schedule a meeting with the vice president to discuss how to win back support of anti-war Democratic voters.If Harris meaningfully engages with demands of a ceasefire that also achieves the release of all hostages, "Our uncommitted national movement will do everything in our power to mobilize the 730,000...
Things to do this weekend in Detroit: July 26-28
Make the most of the last weekend in July — pretty soon we'll be hurtling toward autumn.🎛️ Drop by El Club for dance music from DJ Donavan Glover + Friends. Expect house, trap, R&B and more.Saturday, 9pm. Tickets: $20.40.😋 Eat a variety of delicious food and watch live performances, including folklore dancers, at the Arab and Chaldean Festival at Hart Plaza.Saturday and Sunday, starting at noon. Free!🍸 Visit the Michigan Science Center for an Olympics-themed 21+ event with cocktails, a DJ, food and interactive exhibits.Saturday, 6-11pm. Tickets: $45.🏳️🌈 Support Hotter Than July, Detroit's weekendlong celebration of its Black LGBTQ+ communities...
The final matchup: Detroit's favorite coffee shop
Bracket: Axios VisualsIt's time to name your favorite coffee shop during the fourth and final round of our local coffee tournament.The intrigue: You voted for Red Hook (67%) and the Congregation (80%) in the semifinals, knocking off Warda Patisserie and Axios Detroit's unofficial office, Dessert Oasis.👑 Now you decide who takes the crown during the first ever Detroit Coffee Week!
Detroit City Council debates length of solar initiative review
Detroit City Council members are at odds over the amount of time required to review a proposal to install solar fields in residential areas.The big picture: The solar program is an effort by the city to clean up blighted areas and offset municipal greenhouse gas emissions. City Council has a complex list of items to review as members decide whether to approve moving the program forward.The program would employ contractors including DTE to operate solar fields, while paying resident volunteers inside the proposed field areas to leave to make way for them, and giving nearby homeowners energy efficiency upgrades.Friction point:...
Jim Leyland remembers Detroit in Hall of Fame induction
Former Tigers manager Jim Leyland's emotional induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame featured special shoutouts to familiar names from his days in Detroit.What he's saying: "Two American League pennants, two World Series appearances, three straight division championships and some of the most knowledgeable fans came out to the tune of 3 million people several times," Leyland said of his time in Detroit during his speech Sunday.He credited Mike and Chris Ilitch, Dave Dombrowski and many former Tigers players such as Miguel Cabrera, Pudge Rodriguez and Curtis Granderson.Catch up quick: In 1971, the Detroit Tigers hired Leyland to manage the...
Vote for Detroit's best coffee shop: Round 3
Bracket: Axios VisualsAnd so, the time has come. The semifinals of our tournament for Axios readers to choose the best coffee shop in Detroit are upon us.You voted for four remaining café contenders: Red Hook, Dessert Oasis, Warda Patisserie and the Congregation.Now you decide who makes it to Thursday's finals.
Artists showcased at Southwest Detroit Business Association's HQ
A new monthly exhibition series aims to showcase the diversity of Southwest Detroit artists to the stakeholders and others who visit a local business association's headquarters.The big picture: Southwest Detroit is renowned for its prominent murals, but more awareness is needed regarding the breadth of its artistic cultures and mediums. Sabrina Lin, an intern with the Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA), highlights this as she helps organize the exhibitions.The SDBA aims to exhibit three to five artists per month in its atrium with around two pieces each — though the effort is still new and open-ended, Lin tells Axios.What they're...
Vote for Detroit's best coffee shop: Tournament Round 2
Bracket: Axios VisualsGet ready — it's Round 2 of our tournament for Axios readers to choose the city's best coffee shop.The big picture: We came up with a list of 16 shops, and you whittled them down to eight competitors: Cafe Sous Terre, Red Hook, SPKRBOX, Dessert Oasis, Kitab Cafe, Warda Patisserie, The Congregation and Madcap.Second-round voting is open until 4pm Tuesday, with the semifinals starting Wednesday!We had some interesting wins — did your fave make it through?
Eminem saves Stevie Wonder record from Taylor Swift
We didn't enjoy Eminem's new album, but his rabid fan base helped a Motown legend hold onto an iconic record.The intrigue: Eminem's new "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)" ended Taylor Swift's 12-week streak atop the Billboard charts for her "The Tortured Poets Department." That means Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" remains the only project to debut and stay 13 straight weeks at No. 1.
"I'm not going anywhere:" Michigan Gov. Whitmer endorses Harris; shoots down VP questions
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she's not leaving her gubernatorial post, even as attention on a theoretical run for vice president persists. Why it matters: Michigan, which flipped blue voting for President Biden in 2020, is among the Midwest states that have emerged as a key presidential battleground — fueling interest in Whitmer as a national candidate. Context: Biden announced Sunday he would drop out of the 2024 race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party's nominee.Whitmer also endorsed Harris Monday.What's happening: The governor told Lansing WLNS TV-6's Tim Skubick this morning: "I know everyone is suspicious...
Vote for Detroit's best coffee shop
Bracket: Axios VisualsThis week, we're hosting an NCAA Tournament-style bracket to crown Detroit's best coffee shop.The big picture: These shops can be integral to the culture of the city, serving as beloved spots that fuel us, introduce us to new people and ideas, or comfort us when we need a break.The scene is always changing, with 11 shops closing so far this year and 18 opening, Detroitography founder Alex Hill wrote as of May.There were around 100 total shops, per Hill, including bakeries and large chains.How it works: For this bracket, we came up with a list of 16 shops,...
The no good, very bad death of Slim Shady
Eminem's new album, "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)," is being panned by critics, so we decided to put our music reviewer hats on and let you know for ourselves.Why it matters: He's remained one of the most streamed artists and, taking numbers over impact, is the biggest artist from Detroit, period.Yes, but: Edgelord culture has changed in the 24 years since Eminem walked into the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards with an army of look-alikes to perform "The Real Slim Shady."Em's perception of it, though, hasn't changed a bit.Our reviews:Annalise: One thing about me, I have always...
Michigan Olympians competing in the Paris Games
The Paris Olympics start next Friday, and there are plenty of Michiganders going for gold.The big picture: The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced the 592-member 2024 team last week, which includes more than a dozen athletes from our state.They'll be competing in wrestling, rugby, track and field and other sports.Zoom in: NBA superstar and Grand Rapids native Devin Booker is among the most well-known in-state Olympians.Others hailing from southeast Michigan include Zach Hammer, an 18-year-old climber from Ann Arbor, and Sorin Koszyk, a rower from Grosse Pointe Park.What they're saying: "Climbing was honestly just for fun until a few...
Samantha Woll murder trial ends with mixed verdict
A Wayne County jury acquitted Michael Jackson-Bolanos of premeditated, first-degree murder in the death of synagogue leader Samantha Woll, the Free Press reports.The big picture: The jury found him guilty of lying to police but remained deadlocked on felony murder and home invasion charges. They returned a not-guilty verdict on premeditated murder.A July 25 pretrial hearing is scheduled for the two deadlocked counts, according to the Free Press. Prosecutors must decide by next week if they're going to retry the case on those charges.Between the lines: The more than monthlong trial ended with five days of jury deliberation, Channel 4...
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