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Gordie Howe Bridge pathway opening still uncertain

The bridge's walking path is expected to open sometime after vehicle traffic begins.

Politics

With the lack of clarity around the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gordie Howe International Bridge&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/02/10/trump-threat-gordie-howe-bridge-michigan-economy" data-vars-content-id="3adad168-5526-49ce-8e1e-0fbc064a643f" data-vars-headline="Gordie Howe Bridge pathway opening still uncertain" 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">Gordie Howe International Bridge&#x27;s</a> opening date, those eager to try out its landmark walking path will need to be patient.The latest: The 1.5-mile walking and biking pathway is expected to open somewhere around a week after the bridge finally opens for vehicle traffic, according to Todd Scott, the executive director of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit Greenways Coalition" data-vars-click-url="https://detroitgreenways.org/" data-vars-content-id="3adad168-5526-49ce-8e1e-0fbc064a643f" data-vars-headline="Gordie Howe Bridge pathway opening still uncertain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://detroitgreenways.org/" target="_blank">Detroit Greenways Coalition</a>. <ul><li>The coalition secured pedestrian access to the bridge and has helped plan out the pathway&#x27;s operations.</li></ul>

Your guide to Metro Detroit's July 4 weekend

Find fireworks, festivals, concerts and more across the region this weekend.

Things to Do

Independence Day lands on the weekend this year, so there&#x27;s no shortage of celebrations around Metro Detroit.State of play: Whether you&#x27;re looking for fireworks, baseball or a different perspective on the holiday, we&#x27;ve got you covered.

What Michigan put in the America250 time capsule

It will remain sealed until America's 500th birthday in 2276.

History

America&#x27;s Time Capsule is chock full of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic items" data-vars-click-url="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/" data-vars-content-id="6adcd36a-dd9e-4aa2-834b-644818f118c8" data-vars-headline="What Michigan put in the America250 time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/" target="_blank">historic items</a>, and Michigan&#x27;s contribution might just date back the furthest of any state.The big picture: The 900-pound steel capsule is part of the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/america-250-freedom-250-national-mall-white-house-drama" data-vars-content-id="6adcd36a-dd9e-4aa2-834b-644818f118c8" data-vars-headline="What Michigan put in the America250 time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/america-250-freedom-250-national-mall-white-house-drama" target="_self">250th anniversary celebration</a> and includes artifacts from the federal government, plus all 56 states and territories.

Michigan legislators aim to ban surveillance pricing

The proposal would prohibit using personal data to raise prices for individual shoppers.

Business

Local lawmakers want to stop corporations from using your online search history and other personal data to charge more for necessary items like airline tickets or a new baby stroller.Why it matters: More leaders around Michigan and the U.S. are interested in stopping businesses from using surveillance pricing.

Archdiocese moves closer to parish restructuring

Draft plans could reshape parishes across southeast Michigan.

News

The Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit has completed more than 400 parish listening sessions as it moves into the next phase of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sweeping restructuring effort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/27/detroit-archdiocese-weekend-masses-parish-restructuring" data-vars-content-id="e02feee5-4ea6-4ad6-89f0-9ca3168ebd3d" data-vars-headline="Archdiocese moves closer to parish restructuring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/27/detroit-archdiocese-weekend-masses-parish-restructuring" target="_self">sweeping restructuring effort</a> across southeast Michigan.Why it matters: The process could ultimately result in parish consolidations, fewer weekend Masses and some church closures as the archdiocese grapples with priest shortages and declining attendance in aging buildings.

Podcast explores Detroit's history of Black Catholic activism

The series delves into faith, civil rights and widespread church closures.

Religion

A local journalist&#x27;s new longform podcast examines Detroit&#x27;s history as a proving ground for the influential Black Catholic movement.Why it matters: This little-known civil rights story details the Black Catholic community&#x27;s fight to preserve its churches and identity, while involving broader Detroit trends of white flight and deindustrialization.

Detroit archdiocese plans parish overhaul

Church leaders say declining attendance is forcing tough decisions.

The Catholic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Archdiocese of Detroit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/11/detroit-catholic-bishop-replaced" data-vars-content-id="bb3aaee2-e3a0-4432-8aef-f23f70b3c261" data-vars-headline="Detroit archdiocese plans parish overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/11/detroit-catholic-bishop-replaced" target="_self">Archdiocese of Detroit</a> is preparing for major changes — including potentially ending weekend Masses at some parishes — as part of a two-year effort to &quot;right-size&quot; the archdiocese.Why it matters: The restructuring comes as Mass attendance has fallen 40% since 2011, the archdiocese faces $94 million in unfunded building repairs, and the number of priests is projected to shrink sharply over the next decade.

The collapsing pastor pipeline in Michigan

Denominations have fewer priests and pastors, but they're also seeing youth interest grow.

Fewer people want to become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pastors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/09/christian-pastors-democrats-elections" data-vars-content-id="136c1647-00e4-4001-8990-4daf0d1c07b0" data-vars-headline="The collapsing pastor pipeline in Michigan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/09/christian-pastors-democrats-elections" target="_self">pastors</a>, accelerating a leadership vacuum inside one of the country&#x27;s oldest civic institutions.Why it matters: As the pastor role becomes lower-paid, higher-risk and less trusted, the U.S. isn&#x27;t just losing clergy — it&#x27;s losing a key layer of local leadership.

Detroit's religious and political legacy in the mayor's race

Opinions differ on whether a candidate's background as a pastor will help.

A prominent pastor&#x27;s presence in the Detroit mayor&#x27;s race is reigniting conversations about melding faith and governance.Why it matters: Detroit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black churches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbs.org/video/the-black-churchs-role-in-black-politics-elections-fb6kxk/" data-vars-content-id="93ab40e2-d8bb-4dfa-88c8-496a84f1e8dc" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s religious and political legacy in the mayor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbs.org/video/the-black-churchs-role-in-black-politics-elections-fb6kxk/" target="_blank">Black churches</a> and religious leaders have long played meaningful roles in politics and activism, from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Civil Rights Movement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitpbs.org/news-media/american-black-journal/the-black-church-role-in-the-1963-detroit-walk-to-freedom/" data-vars-content-id="93ab40e2-d8bb-4dfa-88c8-496a84f1e8dc" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s religious and political legacy in the mayor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitpbs.org/news-media/american-black-journal/the-black-church-role-in-the-1963-detroit-walk-to-freedom/" target="_blank">Civil Rights Movement</a>, on City Council in recent decades and to present day.

Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis

Francis' legacy is being memorialized at parishes across the region.

Religious leaders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="across the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-death-tributes-world-leaders" data-vars-content-id="c38f8134-2a90-420c-96ca-56ecd739cd84" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-death-tributes-world-leaders" target="_self">across the world</a> and in Metro Detroit continue to mourn the death of Pope Francis at 88 on Easter Monday.The big picture: Francis&#x27; legacy is being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="memorialized" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aod.org/remembering-pope-francis" data-vars-content-id="c38f8134-2a90-420c-96ca-56ecd739cd84" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aod.org/remembering-pope-francis" target="_blank">memorialized</a> at parishes across the region, including by the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit&#x27;s new archbishop, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Edward Weisenburger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/11/detroit-catholic-bishop-replaced" data-vars-content-id="c38f8134-2a90-420c-96ca-56ecd739cd84" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/11/detroit-catholic-bishop-replaced" target="_self">Edward Weisenburger</a>.

Study: Michigan is becoming less Christian

Fewer Michiganders will be observing Lent than a decade ago.

As Lent begins, fewer Michiganders will be observing it than a decade ago, according to a new Pew study.Why it matters: The increase in Michigan residents who don&#x27;t identify with any religion mirrors <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a nationwide trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/26/us-christianity-decline-pew-study" data-vars-content-id="f94d44d7-83f8-4f56-b790-2173a4c19268" data-vars-headline="Study: Michigan is becoming less Christian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/26/us-christianity-decline-pew-study" target="_self">a nationwide trend</a>.

Detroit's Catholic leader replaced

Archbishop Allen Vigneron will be replaced by a bishop from Tucson.

Archbishop Allen Vigneron, head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, has resigned and will be replaced by a bishop coming from Tucson, Arizona.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vigneron" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aod.org/archbishop-allen-vigneron" data-vars-content-id="07b28a9f-a26e-438b-9920-934b0d9f602f" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Catholic leader replaced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aod.org/archbishop-allen-vigneron" target="_blank">Vigneron</a>, 76, has been in the post for 16 years, in charge of the churches and bishops encompassing around 900,000 Catholics in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="six counties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aod.org/history-of-the-archdiocese#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20Archdiocese%20of%20Detroit,Clair%20and%20Wayne." data-vars-content-id="07b28a9f-a26e-438b-9920-934b0d9f602f" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Catholic leader replaced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aod.org/history-of-the-archdiocese#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20Archdiocese%20of%20Detroit,Clair%20and%20Wayne." target="_blank">six counties</a> around southeast Michigan.

Detroit's Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon

Episcopal leaders are seeing a surge of interest after Bishop Mariann Budde's sermon at the National Cathedral.

An Episcopal bishop&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sermon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/22/trump-immigration-religious-leaders-episcopal-catholic-churches" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/22/trump-immigration-religious-leaders-episcopal-catholic-churches" target="_self">sermon</a> at President Trump&#x27;s inauguration struck a nerve with onlookers across the country interested in &quot;the other Christians.&quot;The big picture: From Detroit to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/01/30/episcopal-church-trump-budde-sermon-utah" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/01/30/episcopal-church-trump-budde-sermon-utah" target="_self">Utah</a>, Episcopal leaders are seeing a surge of interest in the wake of Bishop Mariann Budde&#x27;s sermon last month, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="implored " data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/24/bishop-mariann-edgar-budde-sermon-that-enraged-donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/24/bishop-mariann-edgar-budde-sermon-that-enraged-donald-trump" target="_blank">implored </a>Trump to &quot;have mercy&quot; for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="undocumented immigrants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/30/detroit-braces-ice-enforcement-immigrants-trump" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/30/detroit-braces-ice-enforcement-immigrants-trump" target="_self">undocumented immigrants</a> and LGBTQ+ people.

Metro Detroit churches' acceptance of same-sex marriage still ambiguous

More denominations are accepting, but the true number willing to perform marriages is unclear.

Overseeing same-sex marriages has gone from stunningly unique to commonplace for Bishop Bonnie Perry, the first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lesbian priest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/02/08/first-female-openly-lesbian-bishop-ordained-michigan-episcopal-diocese-bonnie-perry/4680863002/" data-vars-content-id="50263018-a881-479c-9ddb-25647e796af7" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit churches&#x27; acceptance of same-sex marriage still ambiguous" 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/2020/02/08/first-female-openly-lesbian-bishop-ordained-michigan-episcopal-diocese-bonnie-perry/4680863002/" target="_blank">lesbian priest</a> elected to oversee the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Episcopal Diocese of Michigan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edomi.org/bishopperry/" data-vars-content-id="50263018-a881-479c-9ddb-25647e796af7" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit churches&#x27; acceptance of same-sex marriage still ambiguous" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edomi.org/bishopperry/" target="_blank">Episcopal Diocese of Michigan</a>.Why it matters: Some Christian denominations have become increasingly accepting of same-sex marriages since they were federally legalized nearly a decade ago. But it remains unclear how many churches are willing to perform the ceremonies in Metro Detroit, according to experts and religious leaders interviewed by Axios.