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A J Johnson on Muck Rack

A J Johnson

  • Michigan Reporter and Detroit Documenter, Freelance
Detroit, Michigan, Milwaukee
As seen in: Travels by Carriage, National Press Foundation, Hydrocarbon Processing, Bridge Detroit, Outlier Media, Planet Detroit, The Documenters Network, Michigan Press Association, Three Moons! : A W.O.F Podcast
Covers:  Air quality, business, community, development, education, elections, health, housing, investigations, juvenile court, public policy, sustainability, transportation, utilities, & voting matters.
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Public Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Hearings at the City of Detroit

Public Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Hearings at the City of Detroit

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided news coverage of the fiscal year (FY) 2027 public budget hearings conducted by the City of Detroit with the Office of Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). Discussions of artificial intelligence (AI) use in financial operations and funds surrounding police and fire retirement funded at 92.8 percent, and the 23,934 retirees and beneficiaries of the legacy pension fund took some precedence. Full-time equivalents (FTEs) from the Detroit Board of Ethics, Special Services, and Media Services, amongst others, remain hidden from the public.
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Public Meeting of the Detroit Local Emergency Planning Committee

Public Meeting of the Detroit Local Emergency Planning Committee

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage on the Detroit Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) who reported that there are over 90 "section 302 sites" with extremely hazardous materials over the threshhold in Metro Detroit communities, but no reported hazmat incidents. LEPC is a multi-regional, state, county, and local partnership for hazardous materials (hazmat) planning and storage information.
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Public Meeting of the Detroit Board of Ethics

Public Meeting of the Detroit Board of Ethics

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage for the Detroit Board of Ethics who amazingly made no decision (nor motion) regarding a complaint against incoming Mayor Mary Sheffield who solicited, then accepted, gift tickets from Comerica Bank.
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Public Water Authority Audit Committee Meeting

Public Water Authority Audit Committee Meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage for the board of directors meeting and public hearing at the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA). GLWA's audit committee approved average rate increases of 5.5% for water and 4.5% for sewerage. GLWA charges these costs to municipality utilities, like the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department (DWSD), who then pass these costs onto the public (consumers).
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Public Water Authority Committee Meeting

Public Water Authority Committee Meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage as the committee was hesitant to publicly discuss a Woodward sewer project contractor who failed to complete a change order, but openly approved the majority of contracts, proposed change orders (repairs and rehabs); and, requisitions (purchases) for full board approval.
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Civic Guide: A Detroiter's guide to the Michigan Open Meetings Act

Civic Guide: A Detroiter's guide to the Michigan Open Meetings Act

Outlier Media — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson wrote about the Michigan's Open Meetings Act (OMA), a foundational law that underlies our right as the public to attend, participate, record, and hear policy decisions of our elected & appointed officials in open (public) meetings.
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Public Meeting of the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation

Public Meeting of the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage for the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC). There was heated exchange and frustration amongst board members in not having clarity as to how the $2M funding gap could be closed absent financial (CFO) and legal expertise (attorney) as it puts them at an extreme disadvantage when financial and legal matters come before them.
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Public Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network Executive Committee Meeting

Public Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network Executive Committee Meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage of the public Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) meeting held Tuesday, January 20, 2026. In this public health meeting, CEO James E. White discussed with the committee about a recent court ruling that the state's proposal to overhaul the prepaid inpatient health plan (PIHP) was insufficient and runs counter to Michigan law. The DWIHN full board meeting is scheduled for Wed. January 21, 2026 where this will likely be taken up for more discussion.
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Public Meeting of Detroit City Council

Public Meeting of Detroit City Council

Documenters Network — On January 5, 2026 freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live coverage of a Detroit City Council special session convened for the purpose of appointing the next president and president pro-tempore, who will each serve a four-year term. In this public meeting, James Tate and Coleman A. Young II were nominated and selected by the council for these roles, respectively.
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Public Fisher Body Plant 21 - Community Benefits - 2025 Annual Update meeting

Public Fisher Body Plant 21 - Community Benefits - 2025 Annual Update meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson covers the local public meeting of the Fisher Body Plant 21 Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO) annual update held December 15, 2025 where one of the developers discusses hiring, area media income, and the (standard) low number of units available for affordable housing in the 436-unit apartment building. This structure has a planned 2027 grand opening.
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Public Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) meeting

Public Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage of the public Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) meeting held December 3, 2025. A new DTW cellphone lot (expected to open Fall 2026) plans to reduce curb parking congestion with over 100 new parking spaces and provide real-time displays for flyers. And despite years-long continuing public outrage, a Cigar Lounge at DTW is set to open according to an open procurement solicitation seeking architectural specifications.
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Public Detroit Employment Services Corporation (DESC) meeting

Public Detroit Employment Services Corporation (DESC) meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage of the public meeting of the Detroit Employment Services Corporation (DESC) held November 17, 2025. In this meeting DESC discusses its past year's financial operations, its uncertain future, and the Grow Detroit Young Talent summer youth employment program which is almost certain to end.
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Public Detroit Board of Water Commissioner committee meetings

Public Detroit Board of Water Commissioner committee meetings

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage of the committee meetings of the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners held November 5, 2025. Water advocates expressed dismay over residential water shutoffs. Director Brown acknowledged support of a new state legislative bill to replace former water affordability plan in Detroit and said that the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department (DWSD) will work with residents experiencing shutoffs.
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Public Detroit Housing Commission meeting

Public Detroit Housing Commission meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage of the public meeting for the Detroit Housing Commission as they discussed delinquencies and remodeling across a portfolio of properties known as "scattered sites", as well as uncertainty and challenges amidst the Trump administration's Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) selective funding priorities. This meeting was held on October 23, 2025.
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Public Detroit Board of Ethics meeting

Public Detroit Board of Ethics meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage of the public meeting of the Detroit Board of Ethics held September 10, 2025. The Ethics Board discussed preliminary analysis template with the mayor's office, two (2) public officials under state investigation, the hiring of a new marketing and outreach coordinator, and an upcoming board retreat.
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Public Detroit Elections Commission Meeting

Public Detroit Elections Commission Meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage for the public meeting of the Detroit Election Commission on September 9, 2025. With no public comment, commissioners established its board facility at Huntington Place and certified candidate names for the upcoming general election to include police commissioners, city courts, and council districts.
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National Press Foundation Names 35 Journalists for 2025 Local Business Journalism Fellowship

National Press Foundation Names 35 Journalists for 2025 Local Business Journalism Fellowship

National Press Foundation — Bridge Detroit contributor A J Johnson was selected as a 2025 Local Business Journalist Fellow. The National Press Foundation named 35 journalists from across the U.S. to the 2025 Local Business Journalism Fellowship, held Sept. 15-18 in Washington, D.C.
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Public Wayne County Housing Commission meeting

Public Wayne County Housing Commission meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage for the public Wayne County Housing Commission meeting held August 11, 2025. However, with no public notice, the meeting was (again) cancelled after much fanfare on Facebook, where this government body posts other up-to-date information for the public.
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Public Detroit Tenants' Rights Commission meeting

Public Detroit Tenants' Rights Commission meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage for the public meeting of the Detroit Tenants Rights Commission held at the Farwell Recreation Center in Detroit, Michigan on July 31, 2025. There was no quorum, but those present were provided resources for the unhoused, along with housing programs and services to include tenant advocacy and assistance in the city of Detroit.
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Civic Guide: American Disabilities Act 101 - Accessing Detroit public services

Civic Guide: American Disabilities Act 101 - Accessing Detroit public services

Outlier Media — In a civic guide for Outlier Media, A J Johnson informs the public about their legal rights and reasonable accommodations under the American Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.
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Public Detroit Board of Water Commissioners meeting

Public Detroit Board of Water Commissioners meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage for the public Detroit Board of Water Commissioners' meeting held Thursday, July 17, 2025. Commissioners did not discuss union ratification, nor the data-filled DWSD CEO report, but did listen to public commenters in dissent of the new DWSD Easy Pay program marketed as “affordable”. Commissioners approved all consent agenda items and over $35M in contracts, and DWSD Director Brown confirmed DWSD will adhere to a policy that prevents shutoffs for residential account holders in Detroit who have a medical emergency.
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Public Detroit Housing Commission meeting

Public Detroit Housing Commission meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage of the public Detroit Housing Commission (DHC) board of commissioners meeting held on June 26, 2025. In this meeting, a quorum was held and DHC commissioners approved all resolutions. 2nd public comment was lively, as members of the resident council and Friends of Parkside jockeyed for control of space and authority at the Villages of Parkside homes. The national SNAP food assistance program was barely mentioned with no significant discussion despite recent congressionally-approved cuts that negatively impact local residents living in public housing.
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Public Detroit Land Bank Authority meeting

Public Detroit Land Bank Authority meeting

Documenters Network — Freelance and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage of the June 24, 2025 public board of directors meeting at the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA). In a 19-minute meeting, DLBA commissioners briefly discussed its Buyback program (which is expected to transfer to another city department), and approved the fiscal years 2025-2026 budgets along with six resolutions.
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Public Detroit Continuum of Care meeting

Public Detroit Continuum of Care meeting

Documenters Network — Freelancer and Detroit Documenter A J Johnson provided live, breaking news coverage of the Detroit Continuum of Care (CoC) public meeting held on June 3, 2025. The CoC board directors discussed federal funding pivots from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington, D.C., the Secretary CoC board vacancy, an adaptive use development project in Detroit, and the new competitive local application process for new and renewal housing projects.
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