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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.

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.

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.

Lions headed to Germany for 2026 NFL game

Detroit will give up a home game to play at Allianz Arena in the NFL's international series.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Lions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/12/04/lions-playoff-hopes-dallas-game" data-vars-content-id="edaed31f-f1de-41f0-9ab4-475e97e6df88" data-vars-headline="Lions headed to Germany for 2026 NFL game" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/12/04/lions-playoff-hopes-dallas-game" target="_self">The Lions</a> are headed to Germany this year as part of the NFL&#x27;s international schedule, the league <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced yesterday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-to-play-international-game-in-munich-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="edaed31f-f1de-41f0-9ab4-475e97e6df88" data-vars-headline="Lions headed to Germany for 2026 NFL game" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-to-play-international-game-in-munich-in-2026" target="_blank">announced yesterday</a>.Why it matters: The franchise already has several connections to Germany — from star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown&#x27;s heritage (his mother was born there) to the team&#x27;s German-inspired mascot, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Leo Löwe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/detroit-lions_leol%C3%B6we-detroitlions-nflgermany-activity-7340800413543096321-QAeP/" data-vars-content-id="edaed31f-f1de-41f0-9ab4-475e97e6df88" data-vars-headline="Lions headed to Germany for 2026 NFL game" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/detroit-lions_leol%C3%B6we-detroitlions-nflgermany-activity-7340800413543096321-QAeP/" target="_blank">Leo Löwe</a>.&quot;

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.

Detroit Chinatown revival moves toward construction

New plans show wider sidewalks, lantern lighting and public art for Peterboro Street.

Detroit&#x27;s long-planned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chinatown revival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/06/26/chinatown-revival-cass-corridor" data-vars-content-id="8b4c956e-7732-4541-bb02-d395e53baaff" data-vars-headline="Detroit Chinatown revival moves toward construction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/06/26/chinatown-revival-cass-corridor" target="_self">Chinatown revival</a> is moving closer to construction, with new designs for Peterboro Street as a year-round cultural destination.Why it matters: Axios Detroit has followed this effort from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2023 demolition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/07/24/detroit-historic-chinatown-building-demolition" data-vars-content-id="8b4c956e-7732-4541-bb02-d395e53baaff" data-vars-headline="Detroit Chinatown revival moves toward construction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/07/24/detroit-historic-chinatown-building-demolition" target="_self">2023 demolition</a> of the Chinese Merchants Association building to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1 million state appropriation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/07/30/asian-american-leaders-celebrate-1m-chinatown-appropriation" data-vars-content-id="8b4c956e-7732-4541-bb02-d395e53baaff" data-vars-headline="Detroit Chinatown revival moves toward construction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/07/30/asian-american-leaders-celebrate-1m-chinatown-appropriation" target="_self">$1 million state appropriation</a> to Midtown Detroit Inc. that followed.

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>.

Democrats scrutinize Moroun's Trump access

House Democrats are seeking records on Matthew Moroun's contacts with Trump officials about the Gordie Howe bridge.

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>.

I-94 rebuild brings lane closures near DTW

Drivers should expect lane reductions and ramp closures near the Southfield Freeway interchange.

A three-year, $353 million rebuild of I-94 near DTW is underway between Romulus and Dearborn, bringing extended lane reductions to a heavily traveled stretch of highway.Why it matters: Traffic will be reduced to one or two lanes in each direction on a stretch of I-94 that carries up to 150,000 vehicles daily.

Rev. Jesse Jackson built lasting ties to Detroit

The civil rights leader made local connections through marches and economic justice work.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson formed a tight bond with Detroit and its local leaders over several decades fighting racial inequality and injustice.Why it matters: The civil rights icon, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="who died Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/jesse-jackson-dies-civil-rights-leader" data-vars-content-id="533afa17-ce51-4680-87f3-33438b8ca314" data-vars-headline="Rev. Jesse Jackson built lasting ties to Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/jesse-jackson-dies-civil-rights-leader" target="_self">who died Tuesday</a> at 84, marched here for equal rights and advocated for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="diversity in the auto industry" data-vars-click-url="https://michiganchronicle.com/rev-jesse-jackson-rainbow-push-convene-the-22nd%E2%80%AFglobal-automotive-summit/" data-vars-content-id="533afa17-ce51-4680-87f3-33438b8ca314" data-vars-headline="Rev. Jesse Jackson built lasting ties to Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://michiganchronicle.com/rev-jesse-jackson-rainbow-push-convene-the-22nd%E2%80%AFglobal-automotive-summit/" target="_blank">diversity in the auto industry</a>.

Property owners launch Rivertown improvement zone

The new zone will fund cleaning, landscaping and security in the neighborhood.

Business

A revitalization strategy is growing in Detroit in which property owners band together to pay voluntary, tax-like fees to upgrade their corridors.Why it matters: The creation of a third Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) in Detroit is an example of property owners and businesses buying into the future of their communities — in a city where landowner negligence is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all too common" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0UcYXWCPR8" data-vars-content-id="39a92960-3509-4aa4-a721-48a394582f4c" data-vars-headline="Property owners launch Rivertown improvement zone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0UcYXWCPR8" target="_blank">all too common</a>.

News 🗞

Detroit winters are getting shorter

Calling high school artists

Detroit Chinatown revival moves toward construction

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

Wayne State professor's new book digs into race and space in Detroit