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Democrats scrutinize Moroun's Trump access

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

News

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>.

Michigan businesses face uncertainty on tariff refunds

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

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.

Wayne State professor's new book digs into race and space in Detroit

The book explores race, borders and power in the city's recovery.

Culture

A new book about race, place and Detroit&#x27;s revitalization examines how narratives about the city&#x27;s recovery from bankruptcy may benefit outsiders while marginalizing residents.Why it matters: In &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit Never Left: Black Space, White Borders, Latino Crossings" data-vars-click-url="https://nyupress.org/9781479826827/detroit-never-left/" data-vars-content-id="39ea950a-fba5-4bf4-846f-81263468fa18" data-vars-headline="Wayne State professor&#x27;s new book digs into race and space in Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nyupress.org/9781479826827/detroit-never-left/" target="_blank">Detroit Never Left: Black Space, White Borders, Latino Crossings</a>,&quot; author <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nicole Trujillo-Pagán" data-vars-click-url="https://clasprofiles.wayne.edu/profile/bb3729" data-vars-content-id="39ea950a-fba5-4bf4-846f-81263468fa18" data-vars-headline="Wayne State professor&#x27;s new book digs into race and space in Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://clasprofiles.wayne.edu/profile/bb3729" target="_blank">Nicole Trujillo-Pagán</a> aims to challenge the city&#x27;s corporate-driven story.

Scoop: Romulus pushes back as federal document confirms ICE facility plan

The city is exhausting all of its options to oppose the facility.

A newly uncovered federal document confirms the U.S. government&#x27;s intent to use a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Romulus warehouse as an ICE detention facility" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/04/proposed-ice-detention-facility-romulus-michigan" data-vars-content-id="11ce4249-ffed-4368-8292-ef8c8d09a5e1" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Romulus pushes back as federal document confirms ICE facility plan" 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/proposed-ice-detention-facility-romulus-michigan" target="_self">Romulus warehouse as an ICE detention facility</a> — even as the city&#x27;s mayor said he still doesn&#x27;t know who owns the property or how many people could be held there.Why it matters: The disclosure marks the first official federal acknowledgment tied directly to the site near DTW. It sets up a potential clash over local zoning authority and federal power, Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight told Axios Detroit in an exclusive interview Thursday.

Detroit braces for subzero temps, dangerous windchills

Windchills could drop to -20 this weekend as Arctic air sweeps through the region.

Arctic chills are hitting us hard this week with potentially record-breaking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="subzero temps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/18/polar-vortex-arctic-outbreak-record-cold-weather" data-vars-content-id="cbbde83d-e9be-4375-9336-898b1fd95197" data-vars-headline="Detroit braces for subzero temps, dangerous windchills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/18/polar-vortex-arctic-outbreak-record-cold-weather" target="_self">subzero temps</a>.The big picture: Tuesday&#x27;s single-digit lows were a preview for more snow Wednesday and an even colder weekend.

Detroit avoids flash floods while storms batter other cities

Metro Detroit avoids the worst as severe floods strike other U.S. cities

Climate

Storms sweeping through the U.S. this summer have dumped intense rain on cities across the country, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="severe flash floods" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/07/15/texas-hill-country-memorializes-flood-victims" data-vars-content-id="bdd1bd5d-1d49-44a4-927f-4105a8e5bfe0" data-vars-headline="Detroit avoids flash floods while storms batter other cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/07/15/texas-hill-country-memorializes-flood-victims" target="_self">severe flash floods</a> have mostly missed Metro Detroit.The big picture: Scientists who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spoke to Axios" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/06/climate-texas-tragedy-future" data-vars-content-id="bdd1bd5d-1d49-44a4-927f-4105a8e5bfe0" data-vars-headline="Detroit avoids flash floods while storms batter other cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/06/climate-texas-tragedy-future" target="_self">spoke to Axios</a> say the deadly floods in Texas that killed more than 130 people underscores the risk that climate change can worsen extreme rainfall events.

Detroit summer nights are heating up

New data shows Detroit's summer nights are much warmer, intensifying health and energy concerns.

Steamy summer days are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in full effect" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/05/28/mapped-summer-heat" data-vars-content-id="2ebd5d0b-bd10-4756-9671-48a8b1ed3734" data-vars-headline="Detroit summer nights are heating up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/05/28/mapped-summer-heat" target="_self">in full effect</a> across — and hotter nighttime temps are offering Detroiters less respite.Why it matters: Higher overnight temperatures can have health consequences for vulnerable groups, as well as increase demand for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="air conditioning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2018/05/14/cooling-the-earth-without-cooking-it" data-vars-content-id="2ebd5d0b-bd10-4756-9671-48a8b1ed3734" data-vars-headline="Detroit summer nights are heating up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2018/05/14/cooling-the-earth-without-cooking-it" target="_self">air conditioning</a>.

Mapped: Michigan's climate worries

Ann Arbor-area residents are among the most worried.

Ann Arbor-area residents are among the most worried about climate change in the country, according to a new analysis of survey data.State of play: About 63.3% of U.S. adults overall are &quot;somewhat&quot; or &quot;very&quot; worried about global warming as of 2024, per Yale Program on Climate Change Communication <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimates" data-vars-click-url="https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us-2024/" data-vars-content-id="515a2383-571a-4a0b-8c9d-a9ac9a6940ab" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Michigan&#x27;s climate worries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us-2024/" target="_blank">estimates</a> based on survey data.

Detroit's rainstorms keep intensifying

Rainstorms are getting more intense amid human-driven climate change.

Rainstorms are getting more intense in many U.S. cities amid human-driven climate change, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: More intense precipitation events can cause <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flash-flooding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/10/climate-change-flood-risk-standards?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top#_ga=2.69504912.1480472593.1743380506-1048801489.1711300392" data-vars-content-id="f8916031-71d4-49b7-a95b-fd535492c9c9" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s rainstorms keep intensifying" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/10/climate-change-flood-risk-standards?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top#_ga=2.69504912.1480472593.1743380506-1048801489.1711300392" target="_self">flash-flooding</a>, landslides, dangerous driving conditions and other potentially deadly hazards.

Areas that could suffer without FEMA include Detroit

Trump signed an executive order to shift disaster readiness to state and local governments.

Some of the most disaster-prone areas could face the greatest financial burdens in a world with less federal relief assistance, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: President Trump earlier this year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="floated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-getting-rid-of-fema-visits-north-carolina-california/" data-vars-content-id="0af02a28-dff2-455c-8e36-665da089583a" data-vars-headline="Areas that could suffer without FEMA include Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-getting-rid-of-fema-visits-north-carolina-california/" target="_blank">floated</a> &quot;fundamentally overhauling or reforming&quot; FEMA or &quot;maybe getting rid&quot; of it entirely — fueling concerns that U.S. disaster relief could be thrown into chaos.

Detroit's spring weather is warming faster than in most cities

Detroit warmed 3.5°F across 55 years of data.

Spring is getting warmer overall and featuring more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unusually hot days" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/02/climate-change-heat-wave-hot-spots" data-vars-content-id="016c3ef5-8b45-4009-afa4-7963678735ec" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s spring weather is warming faster than in most cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/02/climate-change-heat-wave-hot-spots" target="_self">unusually hot days</a> in most U.S. cities, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: Warmer springs can cause <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="early snowmelt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/05/30/climate-southwest-drought-wildfires" data-vars-content-id="016c3ef5-8b45-4009-afa4-7963678735ec" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s spring weather is warming faster than in most cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/05/30/climate-southwest-drought-wildfires" target="_self">early snowmelt</a>, which can imperil summer water resources and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heighten wildfire risks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/14/climate-change-extreme-wildfire-season" data-vars-content-id="016c3ef5-8b45-4009-afa4-7963678735ec" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s spring weather is warming faster than in most cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/14/climate-change-extreme-wildfire-season" target="_self">heighten wildfire risks</a>.

Detroit City Council greenlights more solar fields

City leaders wanted the proposal to pass quickly before Trump comes into office.

Detroit City Council greenlit the second phase of the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="neighborhood solar field proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/13/clawbacks-solar-proposal-passed-trump-federak" data-vars-content-id="4e572913-6d6f-4ee5-9e4a-7fdd949ffffa" data-vars-headline="Detroit City Council greenlights more solar fields" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/13/clawbacks-solar-proposal-passed-trump-federak" target="_self">neighborhood solar field proposal</a> Tuesday.Why it matters: The approval came quickly, after Mayor Mike Duggan&#x27;s administration cautioned council that federal solar funding could be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="clawed back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/13/clawbacks-solar-proposal-passed-trump-federak" data-vars-content-id="4e572913-6d6f-4ee5-9e4a-7fdd949ffffa" data-vars-headline="Detroit City Council greenlights more solar fields" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/13/clawbacks-solar-proposal-passed-trump-federak" target="_self">clawed back</a> under Trump if the plan wasn&#x27;t approved before he takes office on Jan. 20.

Michigan, Detroit hydrogen power gets funding boost

Part of a new grant will go toward a "truck stop of the future" in the city.

A new federal grant is helping propel Michigan&#x27;s and Detroit&#x27;s aspirations as a leader in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="clean hydrogen power movement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/08/28/detroit-is-exploring-hydrogen-as-a-clean-fossil-fuel-alternative" data-vars-content-id="3f2afc76-5f93-4554-bb46-23070e4ab3ab" data-vars-headline="Michigan, Detroit hydrogen power gets funding boost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/08/28/detroit-is-exploring-hydrogen-as-a-clean-fossil-fuel-alternative" target="_self">clean hydrogen power movement</a>.Why it matters: The state and city want to be clean energy leaders in the mobility sector and are part of a $1 billion federally funded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2023/10/13/whitmer-announces-michigan-wins-funding-for-clean-hydrogen-hub" data-vars-content-id="3f2afc76-5f93-4554-bb46-23070e4ab3ab" data-vars-headline="Michigan, Detroit hydrogen power gets funding boost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2023/10/13/whitmer-announces-michigan-wins-funding-for-clean-hydrogen-hub" target="_blank">Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen project</a> announced last year.

When to expect Detroit's first freeze

First freeze is defined as the first day temperatures drop to 32 or below.

Detroit&#x27;s first freeze is expected around Oct. 23.The big picture: The map above shows the average date of the first freeze — defined as the first day temperatures drop to 32°F or below — across the country, using data from the nonprofit climate research group Climate Central.

Climate 🌿

Detroit braces for subzero temps, dangerous windchills

Detroit avoids flash floods while storms batter other cities

Detroit summer nights are heating up

Mapped: Michigan's climate worries

Detroit's rainstorms keep intensifying