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Vote for Metro Detroit's best burger: Round 2

All four slider joints advanced as voting moves to the Elite Eight.

Food and Drink

Detroit really is a slider city.State of play: With a nail-biting victory by Telway over Nemo&#x27;s, all four slider joints advanced to the second round of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our burger bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/17/best-burger-metro-detroit-bracket-vote" data-vars-content-id="f7010a4b-e9f8-4e7c-9699-258d5e3c443c" data-vars-headline="Vote for Metro Detroit&#x27;s best burger: Round 2" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/17/best-burger-metro-detroit-bracket-vote" target="_self">our burger bracket</a>.

Vote for Metro Detroit's best burger: Round 1

Choose among sliders, suburban favorites and city institutions to decide burger bragging rights.

Local burger bragging rights are up for grabs this month at Eastern Market&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10th anniversary burger battle" data-vars-click-url="https://burgerbattle.info/" data-vars-content-id="24257dd4-36c5-486b-b588-f713ec18a2ce" data-vars-headline="Vote for Metro Detroit&#x27;s best burger: Round 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://burgerbattle.info/" target="_blank">10th anniversary burger battle</a>.Why it matters: Before Detroit&#x27;s burger chefs duke it out, we want Axios readers to crown a winner in our own NCAA Tournament-style bracket.

Michigan kids fall behind in new well-being report

New data shows worsening outcomes for children across the country.

Health

Children&#x27;s well-being has gotten worse in Michigan and dozens of other states in the last several years, according to a new report measuring economic, health and community data.Why it matters: Kids&#x27; ability to thrive affects future workforce participation and economic growth — a point Mayor Mary Sheffield <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently made" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/29/sheffields-pro-business-case-on-poverty" data-vars-content-id="96bdcaa5-92ed-4664-8407-23692e7aea65" data-vars-headline="Michigan kids fall behind in new well-being report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/29/sheffields-pro-business-case-on-poverty" target="_self">recently made</a> to Michigan business leaders to convince them to help alleviate childhood poverty.

Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit

A new, free database lists thousands of places to catch a match.

Sports

With the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/21/world-cup-detroit-host-city-bid" data-vars-content-id="55abb667-6df9-4184-ac17-c00d575ccaee" data-vars-headline="Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/21/world-cup-detroit-host-city-bid" target="_self">World Cup</a> in full swing, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Watch Party Radar" data-vars-click-url="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=detroit" data-vars-content-id="55abb667-6df9-4184-ac17-c00d575ccaee" data-vars-headline="Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=detroit" target="_blank">Watch Party Radar</a> shows you where to catch the latest match from anywhere in the world.Why it matters: The online database lists nearly 150 venues in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit area" data-vars-click-url="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=detroit" data-vars-content-id="55abb667-6df9-4184-ac17-c00d575ccaee" data-vars-headline="Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=detroit" target="_blank">Detroit area</a>, plus more than a dozen each in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ann Arbor" data-vars-click-url="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=ann-arbor" data-vars-content-id="55abb667-6df9-4184-ac17-c00d575ccaee" data-vars-headline="Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=ann-arbor" target="_blank">Ann Arbor</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grand Rapids" data-vars-click-url="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=grand-rapids" data-vars-content-id="55abb667-6df9-4184-ac17-c00d575ccaee" data-vars-headline="Where to find World Cup watch parties around Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=grand-rapids" target="_blank">Grand Rapids</a>.

MSU president Kevin Guskiewicz is leaving for Clemson

The university will search for its sixth president in eight years.

News

Michigan State president Kevin Guskiewicz is leaving to lead Clemson University, partially due to &quot;discouraging behavior by a few trustees,&quot; he <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced Wednesday" data-vars-click-url="https://president.msu.edu/communications/2026/05/05-27-2026-community-letter" data-vars-content-id="c826a19a-8d46-4af7-898e-8feaffe8d134" data-vars-headline="MSU president Kevin Guskiewicz is leaving for Clemson" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://president.msu.edu/communications/2026/05/05-27-2026-community-letter" target="_blank">announced Wednesday</a>.Why it matters: Circumstances surrounding Guskiewicz&#x27;s departure have once again exposed turmoil at the university&#x27;s highest levels, leaving Michigan State to find its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth president in eight years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/campus/2026/05/27/msu-kevin-guskiewicz-named-clemson-university-president-michigan-state/90275588007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=true&amp;gca-epti=z115935p119850c119850e004700v115935d--33--b--33--&amp;gca-ft=45&amp;gca-ds=sophi" data-vars-content-id="c826a19a-8d46-4af7-898e-8feaffe8d134" data-vars-headline="MSU president Kevin Guskiewicz is leaving for Clemson" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/campus/2026/05/27/msu-kevin-guskiewicz-named-clemson-university-president-michigan-state/90275588007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=true&amp;gca-epti=z115935p119850c119850e004700v115935d--33--b--33--&amp;gca-ft=45&amp;gca-ds=sophi" target="_blank">sixth president in eight years</a>.

Wayne State opens free tuition program to transfers

Eligible transfer students can now get two years of tuition covered at Wayne State.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wayne State&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/25/wayne-state-richard-bierschbach-president" data-vars-content-id="8378d76a-d39a-4558-b732-89549ccda2e8" data-vars-headline="Wayne State opens free tuition program to transfers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/25/wayne-state-richard-bierschbach-president" target="_self">Wayne State&#x27;s</a> free tuition program will be extended to transfer students this fall for the first time.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wayne State Guarantee" data-vars-click-url="https://wayne.edu/admissions/guarantee" data-vars-content-id="8378d76a-d39a-4558-b732-89549ccda2e8" data-vars-headline="Wayne State opens free tuition program to transfers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wayne.edu/admissions/guarantee" target="_blank">Wayne State Guarantee</a> was launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in 2023" data-vars-click-url="https://bridgemi.com/talent-education/wayne-state-launches-free-tuition-program-lower-income-students/" data-vars-content-id="8378d76a-d39a-4558-b732-89549ccda2e8" data-vars-headline="Wayne State opens free tuition program to transfers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bridgemi.com/talent-education/wayne-state-launches-free-tuition-program-lower-income-students/" target="_blank">in 2023</a> to open more higher education opportunities to lower income new students.

UM's Detroit innovation center advances toward 2027 opening

The $250M development is rising downtown and set to open in fall 2027.

Education

The University of Michigan&#x27;s prominent graduate school and research center, which broke ground over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two years ago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/12/15/university-michigan-center-for-innovation-break-ground-detroit" data-vars-content-id="6e19a3ec-b76f-40b9-bf93-3d722e7fdc8e" data-vars-headline="UM&#x27;s Detroit innovation center advances toward 2027 opening" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/12/15/university-michigan-center-for-innovation-break-ground-detroit" target="_self">two years ago</a>, is still on track to open next year.Why it matters: When it opens in fall 2027, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Michigan Center for Innovation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/03/28/new-director-shares-vision-for-u-of-m-innovation-center-umci" data-vars-content-id="6e19a3ec-b76f-40b9-bf93-3d722e7fdc8e" data-vars-headline="UM&#x27;s Detroit innovation center advances toward 2027 opening" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/03/28/new-director-shares-vision-for-u-of-m-innovation-center-umci" target="_self">University of Michigan Center for Innovation</a> (UMCI) aims to offer new, multidisciplinary education unique to the Detroit campus.

Wayne State names Richard Bierschbach president

The Board of Governors elevated the interim leader after months of searching.

Wayne State promoted interim president Richard Bierschbach to be the university&#x27;s 14th president Tuesday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Detroit News reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2026/02/24/wayne-state-university-surprise-choice-interim-president-richard-bierschbach/88832244007/" data-vars-content-id="db7aa51a-5932-4f0e-bcd0-afdf98a431f2" data-vars-headline="Wayne State names Richard Bierschbach president" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2026/02/24/wayne-state-university-surprise-choice-interim-president-richard-bierschbach/88832244007/" target="_blank">the Detroit News reported</a>.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s third-biggest university, located in the heart of Detroit, has been searching for a new leader since former president Kimberly Andrews Espy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resigned in September" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thesouthend.wayne.edu/article_635485f6-c01c-4adc-a989-5655021a457d.html" data-vars-content-id="db7aa51a-5932-4f0e-bcd0-afdf98a431f2" data-vars-headline="Wayne State names Richard Bierschbach president" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thesouthend.wayne.edu/article_635485f6-c01c-4adc-a989-5655021a457d.html" target="_blank">resigned in September</a>.

Michigan edges toward school phone restrictions

A House bill would limit students' smartphone use in class.

Michigan is closer to passing statewide restrictions on cellphones in schools after lawmakers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rejected the idea last summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/20/michigan-school-phone-ban-rejected-schools" data-vars-content-id="8518a7fb-224d-4202-b710-50ea11c9ff63" data-vars-headline="Michigan edges toward school phone restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/20/michigan-school-phone-ban-rejected-schools" target="_self">rejected the idea last summer</a>.Driving the news: The Michigan House last week passed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="HB 4141" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4141" data-vars-content-id="8518a7fb-224d-4202-b710-50ea11c9ff63" data-vars-headline="Michigan edges toward school phone restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4141" target="_blank">HB 4141</a>, which would prohibit K-12 public school students from using smartphones during instruction time.

Cass Tech's century-old harp program hits a high note

The school says it has the longest-running harp program at any public school in the U.S.

Culture

<figure><img alt="Students pictured playing harp" height="450" id="b0af8c60-9206-407a-81d2-2c4d50e50015" src="https://images.axios.com/srZarn-qoUjQy0qu6HDl-3lcz9g=/2025/12/12/1765563179723.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Ninth grade students (from right) Jillian Jones and James Johnson play harp. Video: Annalise Frank/Axios</figcaption></figure>Students quietly plucking harp strings in a Cass Technical High School classroom are following in the footsteps of a century&#x27;s worth of peers.Why it matters: Storied Cass Tech is commemorating this fall the 100th anniversary of its harp program, which it says is the longest-running at any public school in the U.S.

College degree still drives higher pay in Detroit

Adults with degrees earn far more than peers without college education.

College remains a gateway to higher pay in Metro Detroit and beyond, an analysis of federal data shows.Why it matters: The earnings data stands in stark contrast with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new national polling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/14/college-jobs-gallup-ai" data-vars-content-id="c05b2ac8-0a01-4eee-954d-43b9da182f03" data-vars-headline="College degree still drives higher pay in Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/14/college-jobs-gallup-ai" target="_self">new national polling</a> that shows Americans are much less likely to think higher education is &quot;very important.&quot;

Wayne State board eyes leadership shake-up

Faculty and board members are questioning president Espy's leadership.

Wayne State&#x27;s board and some of the university&#x27;s faculty are planning to oust university president Kimberly Andrews Espy, the Detroit News <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2025/09/11/wayne-state-board-governors-to-oust-president-kimberly-andrews-espy-by-resignation-or-firing/86054758007/" data-vars-content-id="79d3e5f5-33b9-460f-a11e-ae76435cef1a" data-vars-headline="Wayne State board eyes leadership shake-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2025/09/11/wayne-state-board-governors-to-oust-president-kimberly-andrews-espy-by-resignation-or-firing/86054758007/" target="_blank">reports</a>.The big picture: Anonymous sources outlined the board&#x27;s displeasure with Espy&#x27;s leadership, including a lack of communication when a medical school dean was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="placed on paid leave" data-vars-click-url="https://arabamericannews.com/2025/08/23/wayne-state-medical-school-dean-dr-wael-sakr-placed-on-paid-administrative-leave-reasons-unclear/" data-vars-content-id="79d3e5f5-33b9-460f-a11e-ae76435cef1a" data-vars-headline="Wayne State board eyes leadership shake-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arabamericannews.com/2025/08/23/wayne-state-medical-school-dean-dr-wael-sakr-placed-on-paid-administrative-leave-reasons-unclear/" target="_blank">placed on paid leave</a> in August and a belief that Espy should be more involved in Wayne State&#x27;s community, per the News.

New year, big shifts for Detroit schools

Schools reopen Monday amid policy changes, budget gaps and attendance incentives.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit public schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/20/michigan-school-phone-ban-rejected-schools" data-vars-content-id="dc518ab0-d973-4640-a06d-be33d431d73e" data-vars-headline="New year, big shifts for Detroit schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/20/michigan-school-phone-ban-rejected-schools" target="_self">Detroit public schools</a> begin the 2025-26 academic year Monday.Whether your kids are in school or you haven&#x27;t followed school news in years, here&#x27;s what to know.

Education 📚

Michigan kids fall behind in new well-being report

MSU president Kevin Guskiewicz is leaving for Clemson

Wayne State opens free tuition program to transfers

UM's Detroit innovation center advances toward 2027 opening

Wayne State names Richard Bierschbach president