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

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

News

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.

Dearborn health leader joins Sheffield administration

Ali Abazeed will oversee efforts to tackle chronic disease and health inequities.

Health

The leader of Dearborn&#x27;s recent public health push, ​​Ali Abazeed, is starting a new job in Detroit as chief public health officer.Why it matters: Improving the health of residents in a city dealing with major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/examining-and-addressing-covid-19-racial-disparities-in-detroit/" data-vars-content-id="ed6da25c-f684-4c63-8821-1d63e1b10a65" data-vars-headline="Dearborn health leader joins Sheffield administration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/examining-and-addressing-covid-19-racial-disparities-in-detroit/" target="_blank">health</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inequities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/12/09/preterm-baby-babies-michigan-infant-health" data-vars-content-id="ed6da25c-f684-4c63-8821-1d63e1b10a65" data-vars-headline="Dearborn health leader joins Sheffield administration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/12/09/preterm-baby-babies-michigan-infant-health" target="_self">inequities</a> is a key puzzle piece for Mayor Mary Sheffield&#x27;s new administration.

Detroit winters are getting shorter

A new Climate Central analysis finds winter now starts later and/or ends earlier in Detroit.

Climate change has shaved more than a week off of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit&#x27;s winters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/21/arctic-cold-snap-subzero-temperatures-weather" data-vars-content-id="581960a2-986f-48d2-9b59-fc7e148a5830" data-vars-headline="Detroit winters are getting shorter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/21/arctic-cold-snap-subzero-temperatures-weather" target="_self">Detroit&#x27;s winters</a> in recent years.The big picture: This winter has been brutally cold, snowy and icy for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="millions of Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/blizzard-warning-travel-ban-new-york-jersey" data-vars-content-id="581960a2-986f-48d2-9b59-fc7e148a5830" data-vars-headline="Detroit winters are getting shorter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/blizzard-warning-travel-ban-new-york-jersey" target="_self">millions of Americans</a> — yet winters are getting shorter across most U.S. cities.

Experts urge 24-hour break from screens

Healthy tech boundaries can boost sleep, mood and connection.

Think you can go 24 hours without scrolling on your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="phone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/01/smartphones-age-12-worse-health-study" data-vars-content-id="68bc8434-d1ad-4536-b62d-c37ce52c8cdd" data-vars-headline="Experts urge 24-hour break from screens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/01/smartphones-age-12-worse-health-study" target="_self">phone</a> or staring at other devices?<ul><li>Give it a try on Friday, this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Day of Unplugging" data-vars-click-url="https://www.globaldayofunplugging.org/" data-vars-content-id="68bc8434-d1ad-4536-b62d-c37ce52c8cdd" data-vars-headline="Experts urge 24-hour break from screens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.globaldayofunplugging.org/" target="_blank">Day of Unplugging</a>.</li></ul>

Metro Detroit gas prices surge after Iran strikes

Metro Detroit drivers are now paying more than $3 per gallon on average.

Gasoline prices are jumping in Detroit and elsewhere as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="oil prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/oil-prices-iran-trump-rubio-mitigate-costs" data-vars-content-id="b9f476d2-9744-4621-bdbd-3e7626c072e8" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit gas prices surge after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/oil-prices-iran-trump-rubio-mitigate-costs" target="_self">oil prices</a> spike following the U.S. and Israel <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strikes on Iran" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/3-us-fighter-jets-friendly-fire-kuwait" data-vars-content-id="b9f476d2-9744-4621-bdbd-3e7626c072e8" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit gas prices surge after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/3-us-fighter-jets-friendly-fire-kuwait" target="_self">strikes on Iran</a>, reflecting market fears of extended geopolitical upheaval.Why it matters: Americans use about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="370 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=23&amp;t=10" data-vars-content-id="b9f476d2-9744-4621-bdbd-3e7626c072e8" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit gas prices surge after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=23&amp;t=10" target="_blank">370 million</a> gallons of gas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=pet&amp;s=mgfupus2&amp;f=m" data-vars-content-id="b9f476d2-9744-4621-bdbd-3e7626c072e8" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit gas prices surge after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=pet&amp;s=mgfupus2&amp;f=m" target="_blank">per day</a>, so price increases have an immediate effect on their pocketbooks and mood about the economy.

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.

Rx Kids opens cash aid for new Detroit mothers

The program provides monthly cash to mothers during pregnancy and families with newborns.

Applications opened Monday for a unique local program giving new mothers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cash assistance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/10/29/detroit-mayor-cash-plans-families" data-vars-content-id="f81f47ab-e2de-40d4-b673-ebe81d3385ee" data-vars-headline="Rx Kids opens cash aid for new Detroit mothers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/10/29/detroit-mayor-cash-plans-families" target="_self">cash assistance</a> without strings attached.Why it matters: Bringing Rx Kids to Detroit is an early move in new Mayor Mary Sheffield&#x27;s goal to make <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="progress on childhood poverty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/28/luke-shaefer-anti-poverty-program-city" data-vars-content-id="f81f47ab-e2de-40d4-b673-ebe81d3385ee" data-vars-headline="Rx Kids opens cash aid for new Detroit mothers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/28/luke-shaefer-anti-poverty-program-city" target="_self">progress on childhood poverty</a>.

Local groups offer free tax help to claim credits

Money in the way of child and earned income tax credits are often left on the table.

Money

Mayor Mary Sheffield and philanthropic groups are asking Detroiters to schedule free tax preparation appointments to claim tax credits.Why it matters: Thousands of residents are eligible, but may not be claiming what is, essentially, free money that could help make ends meet.

Detroit explores 1% sales tax to raise millions

City leaders are studying a new sales tax as some federal funding runs out.

A new report commissioned by the Detroit City Council explores the possibility of a new 1% city sales tax.Why it matters: Establishing a new local sales tax would be a major undertaking that could boost city coffers while raising costs for residents and visitors.

I spent $1,800 on streaming last year — here's why

A streaming audit showed I was burning cash to watch sports and shows I barely used.

💸 Joe here, with a confession: I let my <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="streaming subscriptions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/24/sports-streaming-espn-fox-one" data-vars-content-id="42b92403-b830-4bab-a5c3-23080c59d3bd" data-vars-headline="I spent $1,800 on streaming last year — here&#x27;s why" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/24/sports-streaming-espn-fox-one" target="_self">streaming subscriptions</a> spiral out of control last year.Why it matters: I really paid the price.

Metro Detroit sees slow entry-level wage growth

The city and state want to attract young professionals — but is pay growing quickly enough?

Business

While places like San Francisco and Seattle are known for high early-career salaries, it&#x27;s worth paying attention to areas seeing rapid growth in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="entry-level wages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/jobs-young-adults-labor-market" data-vars-content-id="3535ef1a-b809-4ae2-ab13-d70378c347fc" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit sees slow entry-level wage growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/jobs-young-adults-labor-market" target="_self">entry-level wages</a>, too.Why it matters: Detroit and Michigan have set their sights on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reversing sluggish population growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.michigan.gov/mcda/reports/michigan-statewide-population-projections-through-2050-report" data-vars-content-id="3535ef1a-b809-4ae2-ab13-d70378c347fc" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit sees slow entry-level wage growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.michigan.gov/mcda/reports/michigan-statewide-population-projections-through-2050-report" target="_blank">reversing sluggish population growth</a> and drawing in more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="young professionals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/workforce/gilbert-state-leaders-pitch-detroit-young-professionals" data-vars-content-id="3535ef1a-b809-4ae2-ab13-d70378c347fc" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit sees slow entry-level wage growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/workforce/gilbert-state-leaders-pitch-detroit-young-professionals" target="_blank">young professionals</a>.

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;

Conservancy shores up processes after $40M fraud

Expect a smaller board and tighter controls at the prominent nonprofit.

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy&#x27;s board, criticized by some as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bloated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2024/06/14/detroit-riverfront-conservancy-fraud-william-smith/74089159007/" data-vars-content-id="b05ecf42-7024-4258-9af4-ace7aee352b9" data-vars-headline="Conservancy shores up processes after $40M fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2024/06/14/detroit-riverfront-conservancy-fraud-william-smith/74089159007/" target="_blank">bloated</a>, will shrink as part of larger reforms made in the wake of a more than $40 million fraud scheme.Why it matters: After the theft orchestrated by former conservancy CFO <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="William Smith" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/13/riverfront-cfo-40m-fraud-sentence" data-vars-content-id="b05ecf42-7024-4258-9af4-ace7aee352b9" data-vars-headline="Conservancy shores up processes after $40M fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/13/riverfront-cfo-40m-fraud-sentence" target="_self">William Smith</a> was revealed last year, the DRC underwent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a top-to-bottom review" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/09/19/after-crisis-everything-is-up-for-evaluation-at-detroit-riverfront-conservancy" data-vars-content-id="b05ecf42-7024-4258-9af4-ace7aee352b9" data-vars-headline="Conservancy shores up processes after $40M fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/09/19/after-crisis-everything-is-up-for-evaluation-at-detroit-riverfront-conservancy" target="_self">a top-to-bottom review</a> to strengthen its governance and prevent future wrongdoing.

How Detroit's mayoral candidates would address poverty

Sheffield and Kinloch pitch their paths to growing the middle class in Detroit.

Politics

Voters will soon decide who will lead an effort over the next four years to lift Detroiters&#x27; earnings and reduce poverty.Why it matters: Detroit residents&#x27; incomes have made significant gains over the last decade, but the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="poverty rate still climbed in the last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/19/income-poverty-mayoral-race-election-economy" data-vars-content-id="38b28ae8-5e6e-4285-9209-b9aae80d98e3" data-vars-headline="How Detroit&#x27;s mayoral candidates would address poverty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/19/income-poverty-mayoral-race-election-economy" target="_self">poverty rate still climbed in the last year</a>.

Money

Metro Detroit gas prices surge after Iran strikes

Amnesty program waives 36th District court fees

Michigan businesses face uncertainty on tariff refunds

Rx Kids opens cash aid for new Detroit mothers

Local groups offer free tax help to claim credits