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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.

At 43, Verlander returns to Tigers as baseball's Tom Brady

Verlander spent his first 13 seasons in Detroit and returns to a competitive roster.

Sports

Justin Verlander has long hoped to be the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tom Brady of baseball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26314010/justin-verlander-wants-tom-brady-baseball" data-vars-content-id="d7cf12d0-a7af-4860-bff4-377b26047cd3" data-vars-headline="At 43, Verlander returns to Tigers as baseball&#x27;s Tom Brady" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26314010/justin-verlander-wants-tom-brady-baseball" target="_blank">Tom Brady of baseball</a> and pitch at a high-caliber level well into his 40s.Why it matters: His return to Comerica Park gives the Detroit Tigers legend a chance to keep that dream going.

First sip: Good old strangeness at The Dovetail in Warren

Axios Detroit is visiting coffee shops around the region to find our faves.

Food and Drink

👋 Annalise here! Joe and I will be trying out coffee shops across the region to see which have the best flavors, ambiance and conditions for remote work.First up, my visit to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Dovetail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/thedovetaildetroit/" data-vars-content-id="0e693b86-ae1b-461a-8bf0-0d371e0963ca" data-vars-headline="First sip: Good old strangeness at The Dovetail in Warren" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/thedovetaildetroit/" target="_blank">The Dovetail</a>, a very chill, very odd cafe in Warren.

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.

Environment

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.

Billboards popping up in Michigan slam national park cuts

More than 20 of the 300 billboards going up across the U.S. are in Michigan.

A pro-labor news outlet is putting up seven billboards in Metro Detroit this week to protest the Trump administration&#x27;s cuts to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national parks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/national-park-federal-workers-layoffs-trump" data-vars-content-id="b0941ec0-0ec7-449c-8dc4-7270040ee2bc" data-vars-headline="Billboards popping up in Michigan slam national park cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/national-park-federal-workers-layoffs-trump" target="_self">national parks</a>.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="More Perfect Union" data-vars-click-url="https://perfectunion.us/about/" data-vars-content-id="b0941ec0-0ec7-449c-8dc4-7270040ee2bc" data-vars-headline="Billboards popping up in Michigan slam national park cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://perfectunion.us/about/" target="_blank">More Perfect Union</a> launched a multimillion-dollar national ad blitz in more than 40 cities decrying the gutting of &quot;one of our nation&#x27;s most treasured assets.&quot;

Detroit area ranks sixth worst in pollution report

The findings come as the White House is reconsidering EPA rules and regulations.

The Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor region is the sixth worst in the country for year-round particle pollution, per a new report.Why it matters: The findings, which predate the current Trump administration, come as the White House is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reconsidering EPA rules and regulations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/04/trump-climate-change-energy-policy-paris-targets" data-vars-content-id="5a0a43f9-ef43-4455-8f40-5426286bb393" data-vars-headline="Detroit area ranks sixth worst in pollution report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/04/trump-climate-change-energy-policy-paris-targets" target="_self">reconsidering EPA rules and regulations</a> meant to curb pollution and promote cleaner air.

Environment

Axios Detroit readers give their lawn care advice

Axios Detroit readers' first impressions of Ralph Wilson Park

Bird life thrives on Detroit's vacant land

Detroit piloting new composting program

EPA's "forever chemical" rollback could impact Michigan