As the holiday season comes to a close, noche buenas, known to many as poinsettias, quietly make their way into offices, hospitals, churches, and homes, a familiar color that many of us take for granted. What most people don’t see is the care it takes to grow them. Not many nurseries do anymore.

A @usatoday.com investigation found that motocross is the deadliest sport for young people in the U.S., and many of those deaths go uncounted when they happen on private property and without foul play. The toll becomes clearer when speaking to the families who have lived through it.

As insurance premiums surge nationwide and millions brace for potential subsidy changes, some Michiganders are confronting an even harsher reality, losing their coverage altogether — photos for @freep.com.

After 324 years and 75 mayors, Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield made history this week, becoming the first woman ever elected mayor in the city — photos for @freep.com.

2025 Election Day in Dearborn, MI, from the driver’s seat for @freep.com.

Child care providers across Michigan are struggling to meet the needs of children with special needs, and many say they’re doing it without enough state funding, training, or support.

Nothing like a bit of Michigan high school football to shake off the vacation rust. Under the bright lights of Ford Field, Detroit King came up short against Detroit Catholic Central, falling 26-14 in the 2025 Prep Bowl.

Grateful to the farmworkers who trusted me and allowed me to create all the moments in this story. I’m also thankful to the Migrant Legal Aid team for welcoming me into their work and outreach, showing the depth of their commitment in the camps.

Un bufete de abogados en el oeste de Michigan viaja semanalmente para defender los derechos de los trabajadores agrícolas mientras aumentan las tensiones migratorias en todo el país — la historia fue escrita y fotografiada por David Rodríguez Muñoz para el @freep.com.

A law firm in West Michigan travels weekly to defend farmworkers’ rights as immigration tensions rise across the country — story written and photographed by David Rodríguez Muñoz for @freep.com.

Sometimes heroes inspire us for a lifetime. For Jay Towers, anchor for Fox 2 and host of “Jay Towers in the Morning,” that hero has always been Superman, and he’s built his Oakland County home office into a tribute to the Man of Steel — photos for @freep.com.

In Midtown Detroit, there’s a giant dome that looks like a cloud from the outside. Inside, kids zip around on bikes, learning to balance, brake, and race on steep 50-degree walls that mirror Olympic tracks — photos for @freep.com.

Eighteen-year-old Kumayl Raza’s senior year was derailed after a classmate accused him of sending threatening and sexual messages. He was arrested and charged, and screen grabs were used as evidence.

At just 16 years old, Nily Samara, a student at International Academy Okma and a Rochester resident, is making a global impact through Ballet Bridges, a nonprofit she founded to share her love of dance.

As families across the country continue to face separation and protests against ICE continue to unfold, educators in Michigan are working to create spaces where students can feel safe and supported. In southwest Detroit, Maria Pia Bucco has done just that, building a sanctuary through music.

I can’t remember the last time I asked a celebrity for a photo. But meeting an actor who had such a big impact on my childhood, I couldn’t pass up the chance. Today, I had the pleasure of photographing one of my favorite actors, Bryan Cranston, during an assignment for @freep.com.

I can’t remember the last time I asked a celebrity for a photo. But meeting an actor who had such a big impact on my childhood, I couldn’t pass up the chance. Today, I had the pleasure of photographing one of my favorite actors, Bryan Cranston, during an assignment for @freep.com.

The Chicago Cubs (40-24) came out swinging and took down the Detroit Tigers (42-24) with five homers in a 6-1 win at Comerica Park in Detroit.

The roar of engines echoed through the streets of downtown Detroit at the 2025 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, as the Motor City transformed into a stage for precision and high energy. In a dynamic display of speed during the Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic.

Tucked behind the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Todd Storrs, 61, keeps history running. As a Ford Model T mechanic, he’s part of a small team responsible for maintaining a fleet of antique vehicles, including 13 Model T’s from 1914 to 1927.

Colombian superstar Shakira dazzles thousands of fans during her performance at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Story by Brian McCollum and photos by David Rodríguez Muñoz for the @freep.com.

Born in Maravatío del Encinal, Guanajuato, Mexico, Ernesto Nava, 49, is a self-taught baker who has spent most of his adult life in Michigan perfecting the art of traditional pan dulce. What began as a job to support his family has grown into a lifelong passion. For @freep.com.

Tycoon Music Festival made its Detroit debut at Little Caesars Arena with performances by Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Gucci Mane, Tee Grizzley, and more, playing to a sold-out crowd.

Somehow, Here To say that I’m lucky would be an understatement. An early childhood in Aguascalientes, México, made of freedom, trouble, and the kind of stories that never make it onto paper. Against all odds, I found my way here. A city built on resilience. A dream I once thought was out of reach.

Thank you again to the National Press Photographers Association for the incredible recognition. It’s a true honor to have the work that went into documenting Amedy’s story awarded first place in the @nppa.org Best of Photojournalism competition, alongside so many impactful pieces.

Another year, another Detroit Tigers Opening Day for the @freep.com. The Tigers defeated the Chicago White Sox, 7-4, in their home opener at Comerica Park.

Kathie Sherrill sits inside her home in Troy as she talks about retirement. She’s been retired for nearly a decade and until recently rarely questioned whether her Social Security payments would arrive on time. Photos for the @freep.com.

Chanting “U.S. mail, not for sale,” retired and current United States Postal Service workers protested outside the post office on West Fort Street in Detroit. Demonstrators expressed concern over a potential takeover of the U.S. Postal Service by the Trump administration. Photos for @freep.com

Protesters gathered Saturday afternoon in both Detroit and Windsor to rally against President Donald Trump and the American government, photos for @freep.com.

Journalism has never been about awards, it has and always will be about the people and their stories. But when a story is recognized, it means even more people will have the opportunity to see it, hear it, and hopefully feel it. And that’s what truly matters.

About 200 people rallied and marched in Southwest Detroit in support of immigrant rights and an end to deportations. Signs reading “Immigrants make America great,” “Families belong together,” and Thank you, immigrants! You enrich our country” filled Clark Park on a rainy afternoon.

American Coney Island has been serving Coney Pączkis to Detroit residents for the past six years, becoming a beloved tradition to celebrate Fat Tuesday in the city. I’ve been living in Michigan for almost three years and didn’t know such a thing existed until yesterday.

As families continue to grapple with the devastation of a massive water main break that flooded more than 150 homes and displaced dozens, community organizations are stepping up to help. Ford Philanthropy is among the groups coordinating relief efforts with local nonprofits to provide support.

Former state Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. was elected chair of the Michigan Democratic Party during the party’s convention in downtown Detroit. On the same day, the Michigan Republican Party elected Sen. Jim Runestad as its new chair.

No. 14 Michigan State University (MSU) tops No. 12 Michigan, 75-62, to take Big Ten lead and end Wolverines’ home streak. The defeat came just hours after U-M signed first-year coach Dusty May to a contract extension.

Mayor Mike Duggan inspects a giant sinkhole caused by a 54-inch transmission line that burst early Monday morning, flooding over 150 homes near Beard and Rowan streets and displacing many families.

José Romero clears ice from his driveway after a massive flood swept through neighborhoods in southwest Detroit. Romero lives just feet from the large sinkhole left by a 54-inch transmission line that burst early Monday morning, flooding over homes near Beard and Rowan streets.

Snapped a few snow features before heading to my assignment after last night’s storm, which dropped 3–6 inches of snow across southeast Michigan, closing hundreds of schools and districts, including the state’s largest, Detroit Public Schools Community District.

There’s nothing like photographing high school basketball to shake off that post-vacation rust. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (OLSM) faced IMG Academy (Florida) at Oakland University’s O’Rena in Rochester.

Part two of the 98th America’s Thanksgiving Parade, presented by Gardner White Furniture, brought crowds to Woodward Avenue, vibrant floats, marching bands, and more as Detroit celebrated the holiday tradition.

It’s been 100 years since Detroit hosted its first Thanksgiving parade and the event has grown bigger and better each year. The 98th America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White, brought generations of spectators to celebrate the holiday tradition.

Derek Pfaff’s journey of resilience and recovery continues to inspire others. Following a life-changing full-face transplant at the Mayo Clinic, Derek hopes to become an advocate for mental health awareness, sharing his story to offer hope to those battling depression or thoughts of suicide.

My thoughts in @poynterinstitute.bsky.social: "If we don’t take the bait, if we focus on issues that matter and use the tools that journalism provides to surface information in the public interest, we can still hold powerful actors accountable and generate change." www.poynter.org/commentary/2...

At 19, Derek Pfaff was rushed to the hospital early one morning by his father, Jerry Pfaff, after a suicide attempt left him with devastating injuries. A gunshot destroyed most of his face, launching a decade-long journey defined by pain, resilience, and hope.