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The state wants your help spotting the elusive gray fox.

Why it matters: The small animals, less common than the iconic red fox, are not well understood and their population is on the decline in the Midwest and Northeast, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

The public's sightings can help shape future research and conservation of the mammal breed that helps control rodent populations.

State of play: Research conducted in partnership with Northern Michigan University, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians found that gray foxes are even rarer than previously assumed.

Now, the DNR wants to better understand their locations, habits and potential factors in their disappearance.

So, the state asks residents to report gray foxes they've seen — not just recently, but even years ago — to help it assess if they're gone from certain areas or just hard to find. Photo evidence helps the most, including footage from doorbell cameras.

They're near people more often than we expect, sometimes using garages or sheds near forests for shelter, DNR researcher Tyler Petroelje said in a news release.

What they're saying: "A single photograph or sighting may seem small, but when combined with reports from across the state, it can provide valuable insight into Michigan's gray fox population," Cody Norton, DNR furbearer specialist, said in the release.

Zoom in: To determine if an animal is a gray fox, look for a gray coat with some red coloration on legs and necks, with white bellies and throat. They also have a black stripe along their tails with a black tip.

Red foxes have black-backed ears while gray foxes have gray and reddish-brown ears.

State asks residents to report gray fox sightings

Your sighting could help researchers track a rare species in Michigan.

two foxes in two photos. one gray, one red. Gray foxes are generally smaller than red foxes, with salt-and-pepper gray fur and a black stripe down the tail, and have shorter legs.

Gray foxes, unlike red ones, are skilled tree climbers. Photos: Courtesy of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The state wants your help spotting the elusive gray fox.Why it matters: The small animals, less common than the iconic red fox, are not well understood and their population is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on the decline" data-vars-click-url="https://outdoor.wildlifeillinois.org/articles/understanding-gray-fox-distribution-throughout-southern-illinois-forests" data-vars-content-id="03bb685e-f94c-40e5-84e3-57fc5389ea6d" data-vars-headline="State asks residents to report gray fox sightings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://outdoor.wildlifeillinois.org/articles/understanding-gray-fox-distribution-throughout-southern-illinois-forests" target="_blank">on the decline</a> in the Midwest and Northeast, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

Environment

The Gordie Howe International Bridge's walking and cycling path will open Aug. 5, just over a week after the bridge opens to vehicle traffic on July 27, officials said on X yesterday.

Why it matters: Public interest has followed the progression of the unique pathway that'll allow visitors and locals to walk from one country to another.

It's expected to become a major eco-tourism draw for long-distance cyclists.

The fine print: The 1.5-mile path will be toll-free. It's one 11.8-foot-wide lane, allowing two-way traffic, per the bridge's website.

It'll connect to various trails on both sides of the border, with separate immigration processing facilities from the vehicle traffic.

Expect concrete barriers separating the path from vehicle traffic, security cameras, lighting and emergency call stations.

What's next: Watch for updates on the walking path's opening on Gordie Howe's website and social media.

Gordie Howe bridge walking path to open Aug. 5

It's the start of walking and cycling travel between Detroit and Windsor.

A pedestrian path on a bridge under a clear blue sky. A tall blue sign reads "To U.S.A." with an upward arrow. On the right, a white barrier casts shadows; distant cable-stayed bridge visible.

The multi-use path. Photo: Courtesy of Gordie Howe International Bridge

The Gordie Howe International Bridge&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="walking and cycling path" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/26/gordie-howe-bridge-pathway-windsor-plan-opening" data-vars-content-id="3ee6c00d-ccb1-4870-b425-3b4ae3697c9d" data-vars-headline="Gordie Howe bridge walking path to open Aug. 5" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/26/gordie-howe-bridge-pathway-windsor-plan-opening" target="_self">walking and cycling path</a> will open Aug. 5, just over a week after the bridge opens to vehicle traffic on July 27, officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said on X" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/GordieHoweBrg/status/2077437990570274964?s=20" data-vars-content-id="3ee6c00d-ccb1-4870-b425-3b4ae3697c9d" data-vars-headline="Gordie Howe bridge walking path to open Aug. 5" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/GordieHoweBrg/status/2077437990570274964?s=20" target="_blank">said on X</a> yesterday.Why it matters: Public interest has followed the progression of the unique pathway that&#x27;ll allow visitors and locals to walk from one country to another.

Transit

News

Welcome back to our regular roundup of city government happenings!

🛍️ TJ Maxx when? Mayor Mary Sheffield tapped a former executive with Dan Gilbert's real estate firm, Bedrock, for a newly created role to lure big-name retailers to Detroit.

Addofio Addo helped bring Rihanna's Savage X Fenty brand to downtown while working for Bedrock.

He'll now work to position Detroit as a destination for national and regional brands as the city's director of retail attraction.

Context: Detroiters who have to shop in the suburbs for their essentials deserve more retailers near them, Sheffield argued in her State of the City speech.

She added in a more recent speech that poverty — another major target of her administration — is a top challenge cited by big-box retailers when deciding whether to open a store here.

What they're saying: "Detroit has never needed to be sold. It deserves to be seen," Addo said in a news release. "My job is to make sure the businesses deciding where to grow next see what this city has known all along, and that when they arrive, they arrive as good neighbors."

👂 Infill interest: The city is looking to hire a consultant to help it strategize building new housing on Detroit's many vacant lots, per an advertisement.

So-called "infill housing" is complex because it's not always financially feasible in Detroit.

Sheffield says she wants to build 1,000 new houses in her first term.

💬 Chitchat: Sheffield and two of her top lieutenants chatted informally about her time in office on WDIV's "Table for 4" show, hosted by Dennis Archer Jr.

Sheffield said a fresh perspective now shapes City Hall.

She pointed to a focus on youth for the first time in 12 years.

She said she wants young people to see themselves in politics and leadership.

City Chatter: Detroit hires first retail-attraction director

A former Bedrock executive will lead efforts to draw more retailers, and other city news.

Animated photo illustration of the hand from the Spirit of Detroit statue. The gold sphere with sun rays sticking out of it floats out of the hand, and opens and shuts repeatedly, like a talking mouth, spitting out jagged sound lines.

Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios; Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Welcome back to our regular roundup of city government happenings!🛍️ TJ Maxx when? Mayor Mary Sheffield tapped a former executive with Dan Gilbert&#x27;s real estate firm, Bedrock, for a newly created role to lure big-name retailers to Detroit.

Politics

Michigan's fertility rate continues to fall amid increasing nationwide uncertainty about affordability and the future.

Why it matters: A declining youth population has repercussions for schools and future statewide economic growth.

By the numbers: The CDC defines the fertility rate as births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44.

The U.S. fertility rate was 53.8 in 2024, while Michigan's was slightly lower at 51.5.

Michigan's rate fell sharply over the last decade from 60.6 in 2014.

That's a much bigger drop than the previous decade — the 2005 rate was 61.9, just barely higher than 2014.

Zoom in: In one category of fallout from lower fertility, Michigan expects "significant declines" in the 5- to 17-year-old population — about 18% from 2025 to 2050 — per the state's data analysis center.

Declining enrollment at public schools means less money for already struggling institutions.

Zoom out: The decline in fertility rates isn't uniform. Some central Plains states are bucking the trend due to several factors, including larger populations of young people, low child-care costs and affordability of family-sized homes.

Plus, Americans are partnering, marrying and starting families later than previous generations, especially in larger metropolitan areas.

But rural regions and more religious communities tend to see earlier marriage and childbearing, extending the years during which families might have additional children.

What they're saying: "Generally in demography we find more births where moms can (more) easily find higher-waged jobs," family demographer Jennifer Glass tells Axios. "The gender wage gap is lower in Dallas than Detroit or Pittsburgh, for example."

Yes, but: Fertility rates declining don't mean the population is shrinking. Births are still occurring more quickly than deaths in the U.S., per Johns Hopkins' public health publication.

Go deeper: Fertility decline over the years has led to the U.S. "youth implosion"

Michigan's falling fertility rate mimics U.S. decline

The changes impact schools and economic growth.

A choropleth map displaying fertility rates across U.S. states in 2024, measured as births per 1,000 women aged 15-44. The map indicates higher rates in states like South Dakota and Nebraska, while states like Illinois and California show lower rates. The color gradient ranges from light blue to dar

Michigan&#x27;s fertility rate continues to fall amid increasing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide uncertainty" data-vars-click-url="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2026/is-the-us-birth-rate-declining" data-vars-content-id="8d50eb5e-7d55-4fd4-a066-d1274c430dc1" data-vars-headline="Michigan&#x27;s falling fertility rate mimics U.S. decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2026/is-the-us-birth-rate-declining" target="_blank">nationwide uncertainty</a> about affordability and the future.Why it matters: A declining youth population has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="repercussions for schools" data-vars-click-url="https://bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-is-old-and-getting-older-experts-warn-of-looming-consequences/" data-vars-content-id="8d50eb5e-7d55-4fd4-a066-d1274c430dc1" data-vars-headline="Michigan&#x27;s falling fertility rate mimics U.S. decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-is-old-and-getting-older-experts-warn-of-looming-consequences/" target="_blank">repercussions for schools</a> and future statewide economic growth.

Businesses have moved from waiting to cautious preparation after Canada and the United States finally agreed to the Gordie Howe International Bridge's July 27 opening.

Why it matters: A decades-long effort to build the span between Detroit and Windsor and years of construction delays were followed by months of uncertainty this year as President Donald Trump sought to rewrite the two countries' financial deal.

Companies in logistics, manufacturing, farming and other international trade have awaited the new crossing's promised economic growth.

State of play: Now, there's a mix of optimism and skepticism ahead of the highly anticipated date, after previous plans for a June opening were nixed.

What they're saying: "Here we are now, and I feel like there's been a bit of a pressure relief valve," Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MichAuto, tells Axios.

"I think now there's really a feeling of optimism and that spirit of cooperation, I feel, has kind of emerged again."

Context: Companies transporting goods between Detroit and Canada will benefit from the bridge easing friction at what's considered North America's busiest commercial border crossing.

Wayne State professor Michael Belzer, who studied cross-border freight infrastructure for decades, says the region's economy depends on a complex, integrated freight transportation system — and the cost of delaying additional crossing capacity is enormous.

Case in point: Companies will waste less time waiting in congestion, get easier freeway access on the Canadian side, move their products more predictably, use improved border technology and security, and move through an increased number of lanes (six) compared with the existing Ambassador Bridge (four), Stevens says.

It's important for the auto industry, which operates on a "just in time" strategy to stay efficient, reduce costs and get parts to factories when they're needed.

Zoom in: "I'll be honest, I'm skeptical whether they'll actually open on time, but of course I'm cheering for them …" Herman Dhade, president of Detroit Immigration Law Firm, tells Axios.

Long-term, he adds, the bridge's opening should help not just the economy, but also immigration — relieving pressure from overworked border officers and offering another streamlined port of entry where workers and businesses can get paperwork processed.

Yes, but: Dhade adds that he'd advise clients with complex immigration issues to continue going through more established border crossings for a few months.

"You don't want to be the very first person that is processed on the new bridge, and you know, the systems aren't working or tested or whatever … So I'm a little cautious … until all the kinks are worked out."

What's next: Watch whether or not Dhade's early concerns prove warranted once traffic starts on July 27.

The deal the U.S. and Canada struck to open the bridge would split net profits from tolls between the two countries for 15 years, according to the Detroit News.

Yes, but: Revenue during that period won't amount to much, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told CTV.

"There's not going to be a lot of net to split … We are sharing after Canada is paid back," he said, adding that the U.S.'s money would go toward regional economic development.

It's unknown who would handle the fund holding the economic development dollars, per the News.

Between the lines: Carney defended the deal to Canadians in saying not a lot of profit will go to the U.S., while Trump said on social media that the deal is "much better" for the U.S. than it was before.

Zoom in: The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority will also seek "concurrence" from the U.S. before instituting some toll rate changes, according to a news release.

Flashback: The profit-splitting is a substantial change from the original 2012 deal. Under that, Canada paid for the construction of the bridge and was going to collect all toll revenue in order to pay down those costs.

Michigan co-owns the bridge and was expected to receive half of toll revenue later down the road, after the bridge's building costs were paid back.

But Trump in February threatened to block the bridge's opening until a deal better for the U.S. was made.

Gordie Howe Bridge opening nears after long wait

There's a mix of optimism and skepticism ahead of planned opening of the bridge between Michigan and Ontario.

A shot of the bridge with soft sunlight on it 

Photo: Courtesy of the Gordie Howe International Bridge

Businesses have moved from waiting to cautious preparation after Canada and the United States <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finally agreed to" data-vars-click-url="https://gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/the-gordie-howe-international-bridge-will-open-on-july-27/" data-vars-content-id="9ec6ecbd-5c72-48d2-b113-72a96fe26e98" data-vars-headline="Gordie Howe Bridge opening nears after long wait" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/the-gordie-howe-international-bridge-will-open-on-july-27/" target="_blank">finally agreed to</a> the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gordie Howe International Bridge&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/26/gordie-howe-bridge-pathway-windsor-plan-opening" data-vars-content-id="9ec6ecbd-5c72-48d2-b113-72a96fe26e98" data-vars-headline="Gordie Howe Bridge opening nears after long wait" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/26/gordie-howe-bridge-pathway-windsor-plan-opening" target="_self">Gordie Howe International Bridge&#x27;s</a> July 27 opening.Why it matters: A decades-long effort to build the span between Detroit and Windsor and years of construction delays were followed by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="months of uncertainty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/10/trump-threat-gordie-howe-bridge-michigan-economy" data-vars-content-id="9ec6ecbd-5c72-48d2-b113-72a96fe26e98" data-vars-headline="Gordie Howe Bridge opening nears after long wait" 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">months of uncertainty</a> this year as President Donald Trump sought to rewrite the two countries&#x27; financial deal.

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

A choropleth map displaying fertility rates across U.S. states in 2024, measured as births per 1,000 women aged 15-44. The map indicates higher rates in states like South Dakota and Nebraska, while states like Illinois and California show lower rates. The color gradient ranges from light blue to dark blue, with darker shades representing higher fertility rates.

Annalise Frank

Featured stories

Gordie Howe Bridge opening nears after long wait

Gordie Howe bridge walking path to open Aug. 5

Michigan's falling fertility rate mimics U.S. decline

City Chatter: Detroit hires first retail-attraction director

State asks residents to report gray fox sightings