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Michigan drivers face soaring car costs

Higher loan payments and insurance costs are straining drivers.

Transit

Even if you put aside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/05/metro-detroit-gas-prices-average-iran" data-vars-content-id="34b6ee1c-d91b-4d4a-857b-7aff95841926" data-vars-headline="Michigan drivers face soaring car costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/05/metro-detroit-gas-prices-average-iran" target="_self">gas prices</a>, car ownership has gotten a lot more expensive in recent years.Why it matters: Though Detroit and the region have sought to improve public transit options, many people still rely on cars, making rising ownership costs hard to avoid.

Clashing Pride Month values on display in Detroit

Activists and organizers disagree on the role of corporate funding in Pride.

News

Anti-war activists are challenging Motor City Pride, arguing some of its sponsors&#x27; business ties conflict with the values Pride celebrations should represent.Why it matters: The dispute reflects a broader national debate over whether corporate support makes large June LGBTQ+ celebrations possible or instead dilutes Pride&#x27;s protest roots.

Michigan earns B- on maternal mental health care

A new report highlights progress and ongoing care shortages.

Health

Many people struggling with maternal mental health are left untreated, experts say as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://policycentermmh.org/2026-maternal-mental-health-state-report-cards/" data-vars-content-id="1a77ad14-c012-4be0-89da-7b9cdff50341" data-vars-headline="Michigan earns B- on maternal mental health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://policycentermmh.org/2026-maternal-mental-health-state-report-cards/" target="_blank">new report</a> grades states on the quality of the care they provide.Why it matters: About one in five U.S. moms experience maternity-related mental health conditions like postpartum depression, and most don&#x27;t get the treatment they need.

The luxury home boom is complicated in Metro Detroit

More high-end homes are selling, even as local prices slip.

Real Estate

Demand for luxury homes is rising amid an economic boom for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rich Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rich-americans-thriving-while-80-200000627.html" data-vars-content-id="97801353-9a75-449f-bdc9-106843577793" data-vars-headline="The luxury home boom is complicated in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rich-americans-thriving-while-80-200000627.html" target="_blank">rich Americans</a>.Why it matters: This is the K-shaped economy in action, a thriving upper class and everyone else stagnating or falling.

Detroit air quality ranks among worst in U.S.

A new report finds high particle pollution levels that can worsen asthma and heart disease.

Detroit failed every <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pollution test" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/04/25/detroit-particle-pollution-ranking" data-vars-content-id="c68944c1-0fde-4119-b5fd-c6d4abe48494" data-vars-headline="Detroit air quality ranks among worst in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/04/25/detroit-particle-pollution-ranking" target="_self">pollution test</a> from the American Lung Association this year and is among the country&#x27;s worst areas for short-term and year-round particle pollution.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Particle pollution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/health-risks" data-vars-content-id="c68944c1-0fde-4119-b5fd-c6d4abe48494" data-vars-headline="Detroit air quality ranks among worst in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/health-risks" target="_blank">Particle pollution</a> — often from motor vehicles, factories and power plants — can make asthma worse and contribute to diabetes, strokes, heart attacks and lung cancer.

Earth Day events around Metro Detroit

Crafts for kids, Belle Isle cleanup and more.

Environment

Earth Day is Wednesday and there are plenty of ways to honor mother nature around town this week.<ul><li>A few options:</li></ul>

How native plants can make your yard wildlife-friendly

Local experts give advice on supporting native plants in Metro Detroit for Native Plant Month.

Calling all hummingbird fans! If you want plants that attract them to your yard, look no further than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Native Plant Month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/proclamations/2026/04/01/april-2026-native-plant-month" data-vars-content-id="fe7a833c-7cf5-4803-9069-c79629ee75a2" data-vars-headline="How native plants can make your yard wildlife-friendly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/proclamations/2026/04/01/april-2026-native-plant-month" target="_blank">Native Plant Month</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s easy to agree with the idea of planting native — it provides the best food for local wildlife and conserves our habitats.

Spring gardening season starts in Metro Detroit

Gardeners are prepping soil and starting seeds as spring planting season gets underway.

Whether you&#x27;re a green gardener or an old hand with well-worn raised beds, it&#x27;s time to rejoice and get started — planting season is here.Why it matters: Anyone who&#x27;s watched their herbs fade from green to brown knows gardening is a fickle hobby, and timing is of the essence.

Tiny ambush bug photo lands global contest spot

A macro photo taken in a Ferndale yard is a finalist in a global wildlife contest.

The natural world&#x27;s beauty can be found anywhere, even in the front yard of a suburban Detroit photographer.Why it matters: Joseph Ferraro, of Ferndale, is among 24 finalists for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wildlife Photographer of the Year People&#x27;s Choice Award" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/peoples-choice" data-vars-content-id="572321c1-9c61-427b-9531-b3e4b9c4a327" data-vars-headline="Tiny ambush bug photo lands global contest spot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/peoples-choice" target="_blank">Wildlife Photographer of the Year People&#x27;s Choice Award</a>.

Axios Detroit readers' first impressions of Ralph Wilson Park

The riverfront park just opened last month after years of planning and construction.

Culture

We recently asked readers to send in their first impressions of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Ralph Wilson Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/10/30/ralph-wilson-park-detroit-riverfront-open" data-vars-content-id="2bc22596-719f-4916-a31f-256b08ab9981" data-vars-headline="Axios Detroit readers&#x27; first impressions of Ralph Wilson Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/10/30/ralph-wilson-park-detroit-riverfront-open" target="_self">new Ralph Wilson Park</a> that opened along Detroit&#x27;s west riverfront late last month.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s some of what you said, edited for brevity and clarity:</li></ul>

Bird life thrives on Detroit's vacant land

Researchers found 54 bird species across Detroit's vacant land over four years.

Vast swaths of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vacant Detroit land" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/05/18/empty-space-detroits-gratiot-7-mile-area" data-vars-content-id="ab5b3295-7986-4b57-8b00-ef8f9057b788" data-vars-headline="Bird life thrives on Detroit&#x27;s vacant land" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/05/18/empty-space-detroits-gratiot-7-mile-area" target="_self">vacant Detroit land</a> are unexpectedly rich in bird life, according to a new study that found 54 species over four years, from eastern wood pewees to northern cardinals.Why it matters: Researchers hope this bird diversity will provide a blueprint for &quot;deindustrialized&quot; cities like Detroit to leverage vacant land in ways that benefit both residents and the natural surroundings.

EPA's "forever chemical" rollback could impact Michigan

The EPA is halting and reevaluating some drinking water chemical limits that the Biden administration enacted.

The EPA aims to roll back Biden-era limits on some &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="forever chemicals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/10/forever-chemicals-drinking-water-epa" data-vars-content-id="53d94b82-94ad-4453-a8bb-5f1422dcea02" data-vars-headline="EPA&#x27;s &quot;forever chemical&quot; rollback could impact Michigan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/10/forever-chemicals-drinking-water-epa" target="_self">forever chemicals</a>&quot; in drinking water, in a move that would impact Michigan and other states.Why it matters: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals used in nonstick and fire-resistant products that are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="widespread" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/07/forever-chemicals-tap-water-pfas-study" data-vars-content-id="53d94b82-94ad-4453-a8bb-5f1422dcea02" data-vars-headline="EPA&#x27;s &quot;forever chemical&quot; rollback could impact Michigan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/07/forever-chemicals-tap-water-pfas-study" target="_self">widespread</a> in U.S. tap water. They&#x27;ve been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="linked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-first-ever-national-drinking-water-standard" data-vars-content-id="53d94b82-94ad-4453-a8bb-5f1422dcea02" data-vars-headline="EPA&#x27;s &quot;forever chemical&quot; rollback could impact Michigan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-first-ever-national-drinking-water-standard" target="_blank">linked</a> to cancers, as well as immune and developmental damage in children.

Detroit and other cities are slowly sinking

A new report found the issue is widespread, even far from the coasts.

The biggest U.S. cities are sinking, and Detroit is among those where the problem is most widespread.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Land subsidence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/05/cascadia-quake-could-sink-washingtons-coastal-towns" data-vars-content-id="18a53e8e-2925-42ce-8e94-0dcc8010e0f7" data-vars-headline="Detroit and other cities are slowly sinking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/05/cascadia-quake-could-sink-washingtons-coastal-towns" target="_self">Land subsidence</a>, or elevation loss, is an invisible and slow but growing threat to urban infrastructure. It&#x27;s cracking roads, destabilizing buildings and making low-lying areas even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more flood-prone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattle.gov/emergency-management/hazards/floods" data-vars-content-id="18a53e8e-2925-42ce-8e94-0dcc8010e0f7" data-vars-headline="Detroit and other cities are slowly sinking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattle.gov/emergency-management/hazards/floods" target="_blank">more flood-prone</a>.

Rouge River nonprofit raises money amid federal cuts

The Rouge River is vital to the region's public health because it flows into the Detroit River.

The nonprofit caretaker of the Rouge River faces <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/13/federal-funding-states-map" data-vars-content-id="d63ad6b9-39f9-4d7e-938e-1d8a95211f60" data-vars-headline="Rouge River nonprofit raises money amid federal cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/13/federal-funding-states-map" target="_self">federal funding</a> cuts that could slash its budget by up to $1.5 million, the group&#x27;s executive director says.Why it matters: The Rouge River is vital to the region&#x27;s public health because it flows into the Detroit River and, ultimately, Lake Erie — both sources of our drinking water.