Need a good interview to power through this rainy Thursday? 🎧 Listen to civic life reporter @brianarice.bsky.social talk about our reporting series, Beyond Repair, which explores Detroit’s home repair crisis on @wdet.bsky.social:

What do a property speculator, a scrapyard operator and a former Packard Plant owner have in common? They have tax debt on Detroit properties that should have put them in foreclosure. We pressed Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree on how he decides who avoids foreclosure. No answers.

Dasha Crawley is a “creative caregiver” who has found a natural connection between her heart for empowering women and girls and civic involvement through Documenters. Now, she documents public meetings to learn more about Detroit and offer more insight into the work she loves. Meet Dasha!

Reporters Koby Levin (@kobylevin.bsky.social) and Briana Rice (@brianarice.bsky.social) discussed our reporting series, Beyond Repair, documenting Detroit's home repair crisis on @wxyzdetroit.bsky.social today! Check it out 💛 🤍: www.youtube.com/watch?v=27cw...

Tell Mayor Mary Sheffield what’s on your mind. Build “Blow the Whistle on ICE” kits with college students or train to be an immigration court watcher. Plus, get your 36th District court fees waived — for a limited time only! Detroit’s giving you opportunities to show up. Will you? 👀

At the close of 2025, rapper Detroit Diamond’s life had completely changed. She went from becoming a “Rhythm + Flow” finalist to selling out El Club. As corporations tighten their grip on Detroit’s club scene, independent venues like El Club bring an intimacy that’s important for local artists.

Black artists and curators have a history of finding ways to create neighborhood spaces for truth, expression and communal release. But they say they need more funding — and have been using creative solutions to keep their spaces open.

More than 10 years ago, a city home repair program made fewer than 1,000 loans and rejected two-thirds of applicants. Will Mayor Mary Sheffield follow other cities' example and lean on banks to do more? The latest from @kobylevin.bsky.social:

We’re closing out Black History Month and stepping into Women’s History Month in Detroit! Honor Black matriarchs, celebrate Black authors and immerse yourself in poetry, sound and music — ready to plan your Detroit weekend today?

There are no city-run home repair programs accepting applications. But thousands of Detroiters can't afford essential home repairs. The problem is so widespread that the total cost across the city likely exceeds $1 billion. Where will the money come from? The latest from @amondry.bsky.social:

Please join us in celebrating the one and only @spookyperry.bsky.social, who last night took his 100th Documenters assignment! We love the way he blends humor and personal observations into his coverage, and are SO glad he's documenting meetings. Welcome to the club, Perry!! 🎉

GET INVOLVED DAY!! 👏🏾👏🏾

New reporting from @outliermedia.org questions how Detroit police interact with federal immigration agents. @thenomadicheart.bsky.social speaks with @noahkincade.bsky.social about what the Documenters uncovered and what happened ahead of the police commission vote. wdet.org/2026/02/19/d...

A growing number of news organizations are turning to fundraising tools for features beyond donation collection. Here’s how @outliermedia.org parsed through the options, the challenges the newsroom hoped to solve, and why Fundraise Up was their pick.

Regina Hendricks and Mary Golson need new roofs. Daisy Jackson’s bathroom leaks into her living room, and Gail Mitchell has a pipe that sprays water. Older Black residents in Islandview say they can’t afford repairs — as new buyers seem to manage easily. The latest from @brianarice.bsky.social:

A rotisserie chicken. Green onions. Ramen noodles. A little chicken broth and miso. Fifteen minutes. That’s all it took for Jon Kung to make a near-perfect chicken miso soup. But the Detroit chef built their career on just that: “third-culture cooking” so Detroiters can eat great food on a budget.

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison suspended two officers for coordinating with Border Patrol in violation of department policy. He said he “intends to terminate them." Our public records request showed two more instances of officers calling immigration agents, with @kobylevin.bsky.social:

Show us some love this Valentine's Day! We are so grateful for our community. This work is important, and we rely on you to keep it going. Can you make a donation? Even $5/month makes a huge difference and helps Detroiters access information they need ❤️ 💘 outliermedia.donorsupport.co/-/XWTEPPHU

In Southwest Detroit, Bagley Street and West Vernor Highway have long been known locally as the Mexicantown neighborhood’s commercial heartbeat. Along the strip, longtime business owners are saluting the area’s new national recognition as a historic district.

If Detroit Documenters only wanted you to know one thing, it would be that local government officials are required to meet and vote on policy decisions in public, and you’re allowed by law to be there. Here's what else you should know about the Open Meetings Act, by Documenter A J Johnson:

Why are there so many abandoned buildings in Palmer Park? Out-of-state investors have been buying up buildings and leaving residents in a lurch. We're investigating. #palmerpark #detroit #outliermedia www.youtube.com/shorts/IH8xp...

IT’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH! Ready to kick off the celebrations?! There are plenty of lectures, storytelling events and performances that will help you learn more about the history and celebrate what makes Black culture great.

DOCUMENTER OF THE MONTH 🗣️🗣️

Overview about how the process has had some issues--and why Detroiters might be cautious--in article from media partner @outliermedia.org here👇🔗 outliermedia.org/principal-re...

Connect with nonprofit newsrooms who are looking for freelancers to further their mission-driven journalism. Meet editors from @outliermedia.org, @thewalrus.ca, @hechingerreport.org, @discojourno.bsky.social, & @altavozlab.bsky.social at this year’s IIJ Freelance Conference: theiij.com/sessions-26

George Clinton came home last weekend!! Born in North Carolina, Clinton says Detroit gave birth to his sound and five decades of funk. We caught up with him before his show saluting Parliament-Funkadelic’s greatest hits. Photos by Cydni Elledge and Sylvia Jarrus: outliermedia.org/george-clint...

Some stellar reporting from @outliermedia.org that shows how Fraser police worked with federal immigration enforcement to send a 17-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker and his mother to a Texas detention center. youtu.be/3gnl68bRdxw

What does wellness, healing and laughter have in common? You can find ways to do those things this weekend in Detroit! Check out a winter festival celebrating the coming of spring, an interactive comedy show and some challenges to get the creative juices flowing:

This fact-check by @kobylevin.bsky.social in the intro of Outlier's morning newsletter of treasurer Eric Sabree is 🔥. outliermedia.org/newsletter/f...

It’s time to start building the city you want to see. Wanna know how you can do that? Try to: — Learn how to make an air filter — Attend a “know your rights” workshop — Learn about rain gardens and how to build one Find these events (and more!) to get started today!

Courtesy of @outliermedia.org outliermedia.org/newsletter/t...

The Detroit Housing Commission is selling its 197 single-family homes and giving residents priority to buy them, with philanthropic funds to support the first 10 home purchases. But it’s unlikely every tenant who wants to buy their home will qualify, even with assistance. From @amondry.bsky.social:

La policía de Fraser arrestó a Santiago Zamora Pérez y a su madre, Evelin, y los entregó a agentes federales de inmigración, quienes los enviaron a un centro de detención en Texas. Outlier Media editó las grabaciones de las cámaras corporales de la policía de Fraser para contar su historia.

Introducing ... $5 Fridays! Can you spare $5 a month to support independent local journalism? We're trying to get 100 folks to set up a recurring monthly donation to Outlier Media and get us to $500 a month. outliermedia.donorsupport.co/-/XXRAGZGM

As of Jan. 21, just 1,827 households had signed up for the 5,000 slots available in Lifeline H2O. That’s left many Detroiters with bills they are unable to afford, racking up debt that is locking them out of the very program intended to help them. @outliermedia.org outliermedia.org/lifeline-h2o...

Just because it’s single-digit temps doesn’t mean we can’t party! 🔊 This weekend, you can dance for a good cause, paint with those closest to you and vision board to your heart’s content. Because what else is there to do on a cold January weekend? 🥶

New to Detroit Documenters and feeling overwhelmed by meeting agendas and assignments? Are you a seasoned note-taker looking to sharpen your skills? Meet our five Docu-Mentors — here to help you level up your reporting and build confidence every step of the way.

Fix up your house! Start a new business! Imagine a more just Detroit! If any of these appeal to you, we have opportunities waiting below. From hands-on activities to a lecture series and all the in-between, here’s what’s happening this week.

Fraser police stopped Santiago Zamora Perez and his mother, Evelin, on Dec. 7. The officers turned them over to federal immigration agents, who sent them to a Texas detention center. They were released this week. We edited the footage to tell the story of the more than an hour-long stop.

FYI! The Wayne County Treasurer's Office will be hosting "Ask the Treasurer" tonight at 6 p.m. According to the flyer, it'll be a chance to ask questions and receive foreclosure prevention information from the office and community partners. Link: shorturl.at/EzSRQ

Not cool, DWIHN!!

Want to catch up on some recent DLBA news? This article from @outliermedia.org highlights recent discussions among city leaders and community members: outliermedia.org/detroit-land...

All Perry Columbus has sought since coming home from the Iraq War is peace. He hasn’t quite gotten it yet. The Detroit Land Bank is headed back to court trying to reclaim his home — one he’s spent more than $30,000 fixing up. The latest from @amondry.bsky.social:

Are you a Detroit geography buff? Come show your skills at Trivia Night on Wed, Feb. 4 from 6:30 -9 p.m.Brewery Faisan. This event is hosted by @brianarice.bsky.socialin collaboration with Alex B. Hill of @detroitography.com. Tickets are $5 per person — bring your friends! tinyurl.com/56n6jmxr

⚠️THIS IS NOT A DRILL! only TWO tickets remain for One Good Bus Tour on Jan. 22 - our collab with City Institute. Jeanette will lead us on a tour of Detroit and share incredible historic insights behind these places. Get your tickets before it's too late! www.eventbrite.com/e/one-good-b...

What a perfect day to lend a helping HAND! This week, give or get clothes, food and other resources at a mutual aid fair, make crafts for a cause, or help count unhoused Detroiters. Plus, several opportunities to “melt” ICE, from “know your rights” workshops to migra watch training and more.

“Each individual apartment building is historically, architecturally significant in its own way… But the district as a whole also benefits from the density and the continuity of the neighborhood.”  outliermedia.org/palmer-park-... By @outliermedia.org’s @amondry.bsky.social

BREAKING: Detroit has asked the judge in its lawsuit against RealT to appoint a receiver to manage its large portfolio. The request could be decided on as soon as this Friday. If approved, the receiver could undertake repairs and demolitions at RealT’s expense. 👀 @amondry.bsky.social's latest:

THREE TICKETS LEFT for One Good Bus Tour with The City Institute! www.eventbrite.com/e/one-good-b...

Got a couple of smarties in Detroit, we're sure! Come prove it! 😉