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A pit stop at Michigan's oldest bar, the New Hudson Inn

The New Hudson Inn is believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Business

The divey New Hudson Inn in western Oakland County claims to be the oldest bar in the state, and it&#x27;s worth a visit for history buffs.The big picture: The neighborhood spot with a rich history dating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back to 1831" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newhudsoninn1831.com/" data-vars-content-id="ffef79f5-efbe-4a09-9d0f-322c380ecbd4" data-vars-headline="A pit stop at Michigan&#x27;s oldest bar, the New Hudson Inn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newhudsoninn1831.com/" target="_blank">back to 1831</a> is known for its burgers, jovial atmosphere and popularity with the biker crowd.

Michigan tops UConn to win NCAA title

The Wolverines used defense and transfers to secure their first title since 1989.

Sports

U-M survived a brawl with UConn Monday night, 69-63, to win the men&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college basketball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/03/michigan-arizona-final-four-2026-matchup-preview" data-vars-content-id="9a7afb30-8742-4856-b3b6-ac1b296c4ed2" data-vars-headline="Michigan tops UConn to win NCAA title" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/03/michigan-arizona-final-four-2026-matchup-preview" target="_self">college basketball</a> national championship.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first Wolverines title since 1989, snapping a four-game losing streak in the title game.

Metro Detroit small businesses weigh in on economy

Confidence is falling among small-business owners, per a recent national survey.

Some Metro Detroit business owners are echoing the economic stress felt by entrepreneurs across the country.Driving the news: Confidence among American small-business owners fell for a second consecutive quarter, according to the recently released <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-index-q1-2026" data-vars-content-id="3e70fab0-836b-47da-b649-189d083e546b" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit small businesses weigh in on economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-index-q1-2026" target="_blank">U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index</a>.

What Metro Detroit homeowners do for a living

STEM and skilled trades workers have higher homeownership rates here than nationally.

Real Estate

Management and business professionals are most likely to own a home in the Detroit area, according to a National Association of Realtors analysis of Census Bureau data.The big picture: Homeownership occupation trends in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area diverge from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national pattern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/30/homeownership-rate-job-occupation" data-vars-content-id="fb0d51db-90e9-49f1-92d4-c5396ae7790a" data-vars-headline="What Metro Detroit homeowners do for a living" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/30/homeownership-rate-job-occupation" target="_self">national pattern</a>, as we have higher overall rates of homeownership here among all the careers studied.

Detroit to get innovative in goal for new-build housing

City leaders are exploring avenues to make it easier and more affordable to build new homes.

Detroit hopes to attract innovative homebuilding companies like 3D printers as it seeks creative strategies to build housing on its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vacant land" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/12/vacant-land-bird-diversity" data-vars-content-id="a4e49265-0798-4b60-8c0a-fa4a9452ac19" data-vars-headline="Detroit to get innovative in goal for new-build housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/12/vacant-land-bird-diversity" target="_self">vacant land</a>.Why it matters: Homeownership is seen as a pathway to building generational wealth in a city where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="poverty is on the rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/19/income-poverty-mayoral-race-election-economy" data-vars-content-id="a4e49265-0798-4b60-8c0a-fa4a9452ac19" data-vars-headline="Detroit to get innovative in goal for new-build housing" 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 is on the rise</a>.

Detroit coalition offers cash to boost population

Move Detroit is offering financial help and an ambassador program to grow and retain its population.

A new coalition, chaired by billionaire Dan Gilbert and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="supported by Mayor Mary Sheffield" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/01/sheffield-pushes-lowering-property-taxes-in-state-of-the-city-speech" data-vars-content-id="8f0d58ba-a048-4511-a3a3-d31aa03dec86" data-vars-headline="Detroit coalition offers cash to boost population" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/01/sheffield-pushes-lowering-property-taxes-in-state-of-the-city-speech" target="_self">supported by Mayor Mary Sheffield</a>, is offering financial incentives and marketing the city in order to grow its population.Why it matters: After decades of steep population loss, Detroit is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gaining residents again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/05/16/detroit-biggest-population-growth-michigan" data-vars-content-id="8f0d58ba-a048-4511-a3a3-d31aa03dec86" data-vars-headline="Detroit coalition offers cash to boost population" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/05/16/detroit-biggest-population-growth-michigan" target="_self">gaining residents again</a>.

City Chatter: Trans Day of Visibility and AI policy

Our weekly look at Detroit politics and policy.

Politics

Welcome back to our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weekly look" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/25/sheffield-hires-haddad-state-city-budget-updates" data-vars-content-id="9cbb113f-b35b-4d3e-b8f1-8cdac792c6dd" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Trans Day of Visibility and AI policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/25/sheffield-hires-haddad-state-city-budget-updates" target="_self">weekly look</a> at Detroit politics and policy.<ul><li>If you missed Mayor Mary Sheffield&#x27;s State of the City address Tuesday night, catch up by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reading" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/01/sheffield-pushes-lowering-property-taxes-in-state-of-the-city-speech" data-vars-content-id="9cbb113f-b35b-4d3e-b8f1-8cdac792c6dd" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Trans Day of Visibility and AI policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/01/sheffield-pushes-lowering-property-taxes-in-state-of-the-city-speech" target="_self">reading</a> or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="watching" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1580735239694168" data-vars-content-id="9cbb113f-b35b-4d3e-b8f1-8cdac792c6dd" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Trans Day of Visibility and AI policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1580735239694168" target="_blank">watching</a>.</li></ul>

Sheffield pushes lowering property taxes in State of the City speech

The mayor's first State of the City address looked at youth, affordability and population growth.

Mayor Mary Sheffield forecasted lowering Detroit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="disproportionately high" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/07/16/detroit-mayoral-candidates-property-tax-plans" data-vars-content-id="6c160cbb-9025-4a4a-858c-83485696180f" data-vars-headline="Sheffield pushes lowering property taxes in State of the City speech" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/07/16/detroit-mayoral-candidates-property-tax-plans" target="_self">disproportionately high</a> property taxes during her State of the City speech Tuesday night.Why it matters: Housing expenses tend to suck up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an extra-large" data-vars-click-url="https://itep.org/how-can-cities-and-states-reduce-property-taxes-for-homeowners-and-renters/" data-vars-content-id="6c160cbb-9025-4a4a-858c-83485696180f" data-vars-headline="Sheffield pushes lowering property taxes in State of the City speech" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://itep.org/how-can-cities-and-states-reduce-property-taxes-for-homeowners-and-renters/" target="_blank">an extra-large</a> share of earnings for low-income residents. So reducing taxes is key to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/19/income-poverty-mayoral-race-election-economy" data-vars-content-id="6c160cbb-9025-4a4a-858c-83485696180f" data-vars-headline="Sheffield pushes lowering property taxes in State of the City speech" 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">affordability</a>, per Sheffield, who made the issue a major plank of her campaign.

City Chatter: New media hire, big speech for Sheffield

New hire, first major speech and budget talks signal Sheffield's priorities.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Welcome back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/18/people-mover-data-center-moratorium-city-chatter" data-vars-content-id="5513af83-1b1c-4b68-a4ae-95db1cf66418" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: New media hire, big speech for Sheffield" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/18/people-mover-data-center-moratorium-city-chatter" target="_self">Welcome back</a> to our Detroit policy and politics update!💼 More job moves: Mayor Mary Sheffield continues to build out her roster, hiring longtime WDIV Local 4 journalist Ken Haddad as digital and creative director in her office of communications.

City Chatter: People Mover expansion and a news pivot

Our weekly roundup of city politics and policy news includes news of a possible data center moratorium.

Welcome back to our weekly take on Detroit politics and policy.🗣️ Data center drama: City Council members voted this week to recommend Mayor Mary Sheffield enact a two-year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moratorium on data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/11/city-chatter-council-members-data-center-worries" data-vars-content-id="7a59ca01-4e59-4cb1-93f4-c76a082f0e4f" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: People Mover expansion and a news pivot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/11/city-chatter-council-members-data-center-worries" target="_self">moratorium on data centers</a>.

Sheffield settles into historic Manoogian Mansion

Detroit's new mayor is the first female officeholder to reside in the mayor's residence.

As Detroit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first female mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/05/mary-sheffield-detroit-mayor-election-2025" data-vars-content-id="0b36d00e-8a09-4112-99de-90e342077c6d" data-vars-headline="Sheffield settles into historic Manoogian Mansion" 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">first female mayor</a>, Mary Sheffield has become the first female officeholder to reside at the mayoral Manoogian Mansion.State of play: Sheffield has officially moved into the iconic home along the east riverfront in the Berry subdivision, a city spokesperson confirmed to Axios.

City Chatter: Council member's data center worries

Axios Detroit's regular update on local politics and policy.

Welcome back to our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regular update" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/04/city-chatter-budget-season-mayor-sheffield" data-vars-content-id="291b8773-f4fc-47bc-a293-79e3159e81a0" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Council member&#x27;s data center worries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/04/city-chatter-budget-season-mayor-sheffield" target="_self">regular update</a> on Detroit politics and policy!👋 Former candidate&#x27;s whereabouts: Saunteel Jenkins, the former city council president and nonprofit CEO who ran for mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="against winner Mary Sheffield" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/06/sheffield-kinloch-advance-general-primary-election-mayor" data-vars-content-id="291b8773-f4fc-47bc-a293-79e3159e81a0" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Council member&#x27;s data center worries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/08/06/sheffield-kinloch-advance-general-primary-election-mayor" target="_self">against winner Mary Sheffield</a>, appeared at a housing affordability roundtable last week with gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson.

Sheffield unveils budget with youth, wages as priorities

She wants added transit funding, youth programs and living wages for Detroit city employees.

Alleviating poverty and helping youth took top billing in Mayor Mary Sheffield&#x27;s first proposed budget, released Monday.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.6 billion general fund budget" data-vars-click-url="https://detroitmi.gov/departments/office-chief-financial-officer/ocfo-divisions/office-budget" data-vars-content-id="18cbe8ba-cf65-4dda-a0db-0ec151acd97c" data-vars-headline="Sheffield unveils budget with youth, wages as priorities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://detroitmi.gov/departments/office-chief-financial-officer/ocfo-divisions/office-budget" target="_blank">$1.6 billion general fund budget</a> proposal — $3 billion across all funding sources — is an early indicator of how Sheffield could use city resources to turn <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/05/mary-sheffield-detroit-mayor-election-2025" data-vars-content-id="18cbe8ba-cf65-4dda-a0db-0ec151acd97c" data-vars-headline="Sheffield unveils budget with youth, wages as priorities" 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">campaign</a> promises into action.

City Chatter: Budget season is upon us

Our weekly Detroit politics feature includes a cannabis update, Sheffield's upcoming budget talk and more.

Welcome back to our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regular feature" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/12/city-chatter-winnie-liao-coo-police-department" data-vars-content-id="88f0abd8-1c26-46cb-ba3d-50e2ca5a1ede" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Budget season is upon us" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/12/city-chatter-winnie-liao-coo-police-department" target="_self">regular feature</a> on city government and politics.👋 Politician&#x27;s farewell: State Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit, won&#x27;t seek public office again, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Michigan Chronicle reports" data-vars-click-url="https://michiganchronicle.com/whitsett-wont-seek-reelection-to-state-house/" data-vars-content-id="88f0abd8-1c26-46cb-ba3d-50e2ca5a1ede" data-vars-headline="City Chatter: Budget season is upon us" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://michiganchronicle.com/whitsett-wont-seek-reelection-to-state-house/" target="_blank">the Michigan Chronicle reports</a>.

Politics 🇺🇸

Detroit to get innovative in goal for new-build housing

Detroit coalition offers cash to boost population

City Chatter: Trans Day of Visibility and AI policy

Sheffield pushes lowering property taxes in State of the City speech

City Chatter: New media hire, big speech for Sheffield