Surreal moment: Rashida Tlaib brought up my reporting on RealT in a congressional hearing on tokenization! "The only reason we know about RealT is not because of our oversight work in Congress, but ... from local reporting in our city by a nonprofit news organization called @outliermedia.org"

Mayor Mary Sheffield plans to spend $6.5 million on home repair. But it doesn’t come close to what’s needed, leaving many Detroiters living in unsafe conditions. Here’s what you need to know, from @brianarice.bsky.social:

Detroiters are caught in a home repair catch-22: In order to get loans they need to fix up their homes, they need homeowners insurance. But in order to get homeowners insurance, they need to fix up their homes. outliermedia.org/home-insuran...

Teaching Xillennials Gen Z slang? It’s giving ... generational knowledge. Does @ieditnred.bsky.social know Gen Z slang? We'll let you be the judge of that!

Are you an undergraduate or graduate student at a college or university in Michigan? Outlier is looking for its next summer intern! Come work in our newsroom to assist with TXT OUTLIER, our text message service that delivers critical information to Detroiters. Interested? Apply by April 1:

‘The model no longer works:’ Crypto landlord’s Detroit enterprise is crumbling (via our partner @outliermedia.org) url-media.com/the-model-no...

We're continuing our Sunshine Week round-up by encouraging you to use your voice! It's your right! Giving public comment is easy, and local government officials can make better decisions when they hear from members of the public. Here's one of our guides on what to know:

Did you know public bodies are required to abide by certain rules so you — the public! — know what they're up to? It's true! For the second day of Sunshine Week, check out our guide on Michigan's Open Meetings Act so you can properly engage with your local government:

What companies are polluting your neighborhood? How many Detroit households had water shut-offs? Which police departments are cooperating with ICE? Find these facts and more using FOIA. This Sunshine Week, join our free Thursday workshop on obtaining public records, or find ways to get involved:

Livonia police have done more than most Michigan departments to show how law enforcement can aid Trump’s inhumane immigration crackdown. Since 2021, its police reported 65 immigration arrests, second-highest in state. After public blowback, those arrests fell to zero. From @kobylevin.bsky.social:

Is the end near for RealT? Here are the facts: It stopped weekly payouts to investors. It owes millions of dollars in unpaid taxes, bills and tickets. And many of its Detroit properties could be pushed into tax foreclosure. So what happens now? @amondry.bsky.social's latest:

Then attend our workshop for expert one-on-one help with your own FOIA request! Sign up here: outliermedia.org/listings/eve...

It’s Sunshine Week, Detroit! For this celebration of government transparency, we want to shine a light on the Freedom of Information Act. You never know what you could learn from public records until you “FOIA and find out!” Learn how to access the public records you have the right to read:

ℹ️ FOIA, the freedom of information act, is such an inherent part of a toolbox 🧰 used to find out more 🔎 about our government. 🤔 If you want to know more 🔦 about what to do when you file one, read this intro guide I wrote @outliermedia.org: outliermedia.org/what-is-foia...

Need help with home repair in Detroit? Here’s how to preapply for the city’s latest grant program from @kobylevin.bsky.social. There’s a lot of need in Detroit ... so we’re expecting a waitlist. But you miss every shot you don’t take, so good luck!

Want to learn screen printing with a local “genius,” coach Detroit’s next chess grandmaster or land a new teaching job? We’ve got listings for jobs, internships and even a new emergency fund for Wayne State students. Get involved!!

Mayor Mary Sheffield has many new initiatives in her first budget: an office for older Detroiters, another one for youth and education affairs, and a department focused on human and homelessness service. A breakdown from @brianarice.bsky.social:

Behind on property taxes from 2023? You have until March 31 to pay — or sign up for a payment plan — to avoid foreclosure. Here’s what homeowners need to know, from @amondry.bsky.social.

How active is ICE in Detroit? Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) became the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the U.S. How does this impact Detroiters? At Outlier Media, we’re investigating Donate to support paywall-free reporting: tinyurl.com/3hpvpz9s www.youtube.com/shorts/5K_Jm...

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...