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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 sees biggest mayoral turnout since 2017

More than 115,000 Detroiters voted in the mayor's race, marking an uptick in turnout.

Voter turnout improved for this year&#x27;s Detroit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mayoral race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/05/mary-sheffield-detroit-mayor-election-2025" data-vars-content-id="e567f87f-8d4f-4791-822c-548d84e09a9d" data-vars-headline="Detroit sees biggest mayoral turnout since 2017" 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">mayoral race</a>, but more than three-quarters of the electorate remained on the sidelines.The big picture: Detroiters have been less enthusiastic to vote in municipal elections than gubernatorial and presidential elections in the last 25 years, per a Free Press <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/2025/06/15/detroit-duggan-municipal-elections-mayor-voters-michigan-president/83767785007/" data-vars-content-id="e567f87f-8d4f-4791-822c-548d84e09a9d" data-vars-headline="Detroit sees biggest mayoral turnout since 2017" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/2025/06/15/detroit-duggan-municipal-elections-mayor-voters-michigan-president/83767785007/" target="_blank">analysis</a> of city voting trends.

Sheffield kicks off mayoral transition with Rise Higher plan

She wants this to be the most inclusive transition the city has seen.

Politics

There is little time to waste for Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, who launched her transition effort just hours after her landslide victory Tuesday night.Why it matters: How the transition goes and who is involved will provide an early peek into the workings of a Sheffield administration.

New faces to join Detroit City Council in 2026

Voters elected two new members while seven incumbents will return to City Council seats.

Detroit City Council will have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two new members" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/10/28/2025-voter-guide-nov-4-elections-in-detroit-and-beyond" data-vars-content-id="25396e09-9fc4-4e97-b971-78d3cff91ebf" data-vars-headline="New faces to join Detroit City Council in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/10/28/2025-voter-guide-nov-4-elections-in-detroit-and-beyond" target="_self">two new members</a> in 2026, giving the nine-member body some fresh perspectives as the city begins its next chapter.Why it matters: The council provides checks and balances on the mayor&#x27;s office and is responsible for voting on local ordinances, the annual city budget, contracts and land deals involving public property.

Sheffield victorious as Detroit's next mayor

Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield will bring 12 years of City Council experience to the executive seat.

City Council President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mary Sheffield" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/22/mary-sheffield-mayor-town-hall-election-campaign" data-vars-content-id="0b4615f1-5178-463a-b21e-d4ccb8db2649" data-vars-headline="Sheffield victorious as Detroit&#x27;s next mayor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/22/mary-sheffield-mayor-town-hall-election-campaign" target="_self">Mary Sheffield</a> was elected as Detroit&#x27;s first woman mayor Tuesday night, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/live/2025-election-updates-news?tab=0000019a-26a5-dde3-a1df-b7a573150000#0000019a-51cf-d001-abdb-7bcf0d5b0000" data-vars-content-id="0b4615f1-5178-463a-b21e-d4ccb8db2649" data-vars-headline="Sheffield victorious as Detroit&#x27;s next mayor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/live/2025-election-updates-news?tab=0000019a-26a5-dde3-a1df-b7a573150000#0000019a-51cf-d001-abdb-7bcf0d5b0000" target="_blank">per the Associated Press</a>.Why it matters: Sheffield will bring 12 years of City Council experience to the executive seat in January.

2025 voter guide: Nov. 4 elections in Detroit and beyond

Detroit voters will choose a new mayor and council this year — plus, suburban issues to watch.

Here&#x27;s everything you need to know to be prepared for this year&#x27;s Nov. 4 general election in Detroit — and across the metro region.<ul><li>We have details on Detroit city races, suburban issues to watch and information on how to vote.</li></ul>

Detroit offers early in-person voting ahead of Nov. 4 election

Detroit voters can cast ballots early at eight locations.

Voters in Detroit and several other surrounding cities can begin in-person voting on Saturday ahead of Election Day on Nov. 4.Why it matters: Early in-person voting was among the election reforms <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passed in 2022" data-vars-click-url="https://www.house.mi.gov/hfa/PDF/Alpha/Background_Brief_Proposal_22-2_Jan2024.pdf" data-vars-content-id="dbeb387f-9d9a-4bcf-b4cd-2d39f656a4fd" data-vars-headline="Detroit offers early in-person voting ahead of Nov. 4 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.house.mi.gov/hfa/PDF/Alpha/Background_Brief_Proposal_22-2_Jan2024.pdf" target="_blank">passed in 2022</a> to expand voting options and give local election officials more time to process ballots.

Detroit Trail Mix: We're still thinking about that debate

More jabs from Wednesday's debate, plus an endorsement, profile and more.

Welcome back to our regular politics update, looking at the Detroit mayor&#x27;s race with just over two weeks until Election Day on Nov. 4.🤔 Still thinking about that debate: We&#x27;re digging more into a couple of the interesting moments from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wednesday night&#x27;s debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/10/16/mayor-debate-solomon-kinloch-mary-sheffield-election" data-vars-content-id="a9fdcb7b-9b74-4942-9128-b099beafefc8" data-vars-headline="Detroit Trail Mix: We&#x27;re still thinking about that debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/10/16/mayor-debate-solomon-kinloch-mary-sheffield-election" target="_self">Wednesday night&#x27;s debate</a> on WXYZ.

Contention marks Detroit mayoral debate

In a sharp turn, Sheffield and Kinloch each accused the other of being "disingenuous."

The two <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="candidates for Detroit mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/19/mayor-general-election-sheffield-kinloch-campaign" data-vars-content-id="238bcb3d-b66b-453f-8b88-2d55f704f5f8" data-vars-headline="Contention marks Detroit mayoral debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/19/mayor-general-election-sheffield-kinloch-campaign" target="_self">candidates for Detroit mayor</a> accused each other of being &quot;disingenuous&quot; during a Wednesday night debate between the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. and City Council President Mary Sheffield.Why it matters: In a nearly year-long mayor&#x27;s race that&#x27;s been largely cordial in public settings, this first televised debate ahead of the Nov. 4 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="general election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/16/kinloch-sheffield-mayor-race-election-campaign-fundraising" data-vars-content-id="238bcb3d-b66b-453f-8b88-2d55f704f5f8" data-vars-headline="Contention marks Detroit mayoral debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/16/kinloch-sheffield-mayor-race-election-campaign-fundraising" target="_self">general election</a> marked a departure with pointed criticisms.

Detroit election Trail Mix: Dark money, tough choices

Candidates for mayor and city council received new endorsements.

Welcome back to our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regular political news roundup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/25/trail-mix-jeezy-tickets-mary-sheffield-solomon-kinloch" data-vars-content-id="94efbc83-7db3-4ed2-a7ec-221be6fd438c" data-vars-headline="Detroit election Trail Mix: Dark money, tough choices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/25/trail-mix-jeezy-tickets-mary-sheffield-solomon-kinloch" target="_self">regular political news roundup</a>. As of tomorrow, we&#x27;ll be four weeks out from the election.🙋 Endorsement roundup: The Detroit News, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="which endorsed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/editorials/2025/08/02/editorial-our-primary-endorsement-for-detroit-mayor/85426448007/" data-vars-content-id="94efbc83-7db3-4ed2-a7ec-221be6fd438c" data-vars-headline="Detroit election Trail Mix: Dark money, tough choices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/editorials/2025/08/02/editorial-our-primary-endorsement-for-detroit-mayor/85426448007/" target="_blank">which endorsed</a> former nonprofit CEO Saunteel Jenkins in the mayoral primary, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="now endorses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/editorials/2025/10/01/detroit-news-endorses-mary-sheffield-mayor-detroit/86437418007/" data-vars-content-id="94efbc83-7db3-4ed2-a7ec-221be6fd438c" data-vars-headline="Detroit election Trail Mix: Dark money, tough choices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/editorials/2025/10/01/detroit-news-endorses-mary-sheffield-mayor-detroit/86437418007/" target="_blank">now endorses</a> Council President Mary Sheffield in the general election.

3 takeaways from Kinloch's mayoral town hall

The candidate advocated for affordable housing and criticized the handling of the land bank.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit&#x27;s mayoral candidates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/24/mayor-candidates-poverty-wages-platform-plans" data-vars-content-id="825c1dc6-ab3e-4312-a229-99236751ad3c" data-vars-headline="3 takeaways from Kinloch&#x27;s mayoral town hall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/24/mayor-candidates-poverty-wages-platform-plans" target="_self">Detroit&#x27;s mayoral candidates</a> continue meeting voters in town halls and taking audience questions as Election Day approaches.Driving the news: We attended the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr.&#x27;s Sept. 20 town hall at Anderson Memorial Church of God in Christ, where the Triumph Church senior pastor spelled out how Detroit is at a &quot;pivotal crossroad&quot; and in need of great change.

Election 🗳️

Detroit sees biggest mayoral turnout since 2017

Sheffield kicks off mayoral transition with Rise Higher plan

New faces to join Detroit City Council in 2026

Sheffield victorious as Detroit's next mayor

2025 voter guide: Nov. 4 elections in Detroit and beyond