Christine Ferretti
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Editor, @BridgeDet313. Past: Assistant City Editor and Detroit City Hall reporter @detroitnews, @madonnaU grad. Email me: cferretti@bridgedetroit.com
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Articles by Christine Ferretti
Michigan increased funding for English learners by $12.5M. Advocates say a big gap persists.
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit and Outlier Media This year, Michigan lawmakers increased state funding for English language learners by $12.5 million — but not all such students will benefit.
Detroit mayor announces $2.2M city investment in 7 new after-school sites
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit Seven new after-school sites will open across Detroit this school year using $2.2 million in city funding, Mayor Mary Sheffield announced Thursday.
Detroit council wants to know: What are the alternatives to DTE?
City Council members want to explore options to reduce Detroit’s reliance on DTE Energy following a damaging tornado — and in anticipation of increasing climate change-related severe weather patterns — which members say reinforces weaknesses in the system. At Tuesday’s council meeting, people generally expressed support and appreciation for city workers’ swift response to F2 tornado damage that rocked the east and west side.
Hotel Yorba’s Next Chapter Is Still Unwritten — And Detroiters Want a Say
Translation services done in partnership with El Central Hispanic News This story was originally published by El Central. For generations, Hotel Yorba has been hard to miss. Its rooftop sign has towered over Lafayette Boulevard and is visible from Interstate 75, making it a familiar landmark in Southwest Detroit. Built in 1926, the four-story, 250-room building operated for decades as a low-cost rooming house, serving people in need of temporary housing.
Michigan voter rolls: What election-year audit shows
This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. This story also appeared in Votebeat With the high-stakes 2026 midterm election fast approaching, Michigan has conducted an independent review of its voter roll. A report released Friday by the Office of the Auditor General found that the Michigan Department of State generally does a good job making sure only eligible people are registered to vote.
Bedrock tells Detroiters its RenCen plan is ‘the only path forward’
Detroit Free Press is a partner and shares a reporter with BridgeDetroit. Stories shared are not under a paywall. Detroit Free Press Representatives of Dan Gilbert’s real estate firm made a forceful pitch for their $1.6 billion Renaissance Center redevelopment plan at the proposal’s second community meeting on Sept. 1 and shot down alternative ideas as impractical.
Michigan colleges debut 3-year degrees in bid to cut costs, attract students
This story also appeared in Bridge Michigan Four Michigan colleges are offering 90-credit bachelor degrees, which is 30 credits and one year less than the traditional timeline Colleges say that will save time and money for students while also responding to industry needs; some oppose the national trend The reduced-credit degree comes as tuition is increasing and enrollment is declining at many schools, but at least one college is offering the 90-degree credential as enrollment increases Do...
Detroit school district to hold parents accountable for too many unexcused early sign-outs
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit This year, the Detroit district is sending a stronger message to parents that their children must remain in class the entire school day.
Mike Rogers vs. Abdul El-Sayed: 7 issues defining Michigan’s US Senate race
Mike Rogers’ and Abdul El-Sayed’s records, ties to polarizing political figures expected to factor heavily into Michigan’s US Senate race Bridge readers also identified health care, affordability, the economy and candidate positions on President Donald Trump as key issues The contest to replace outgoing US Sen.
Back to school in Michigan: 5 things parents need to know
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit Michigan students may be planning to head back to school with their cell phones in tow, but parents should know that new rules will restrict how much they can use those devices. The 2026-27 school year begins Aug. 24 in the Detroit Public Schools Community District and many others across Michigan. Other districts begin Aug.
Detroit was once home to 18 Black‑led hospitals. Learn about their rise and fall.
Few institutions better illustrate the effects of the Great Migration on Black life in Detroit than Dunbar Memorial Hospital. Founded in 1918, Dunbar was both a medical institution and a radical expression of racial uplift and Black health advocacy. We study and teach Black medical history and are members of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Dunbar provided more than curative medicine. It also offered preventive care, professional training and organized advocacy.
Detroit school board appoints 25-year-old youth advocate as its newest member
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit Jeremiah Steen, a 25-year-old philanthropist and youth advocate, joined the Detroit school board as its newest member Wednesday. Steen will serve on the Detroit Public Schools Community District board through the end of December. He was appointed during a Wednesday board meeting to fill a seat left vacant after the death of member Iris Taylor.
Residents challenge timeline, vision at first Renaissance Center benefits meeting
Benefit talks have begun over a proposed $1.6 billion reconfiguration of the Detroit Renaissance Center and dozens of acres of riverfront land east of the iconic landmark – and the development team is vowing citywide outreach. Tuesday night was the first of nearly a dozen planned community benefits meetings through the end of October.
Renaissance Center redevelopment plan is making its official debut
Detroit Free Press is a partner and shares a reporter with BridgeDetroit. Stories shared are not under a paywall. Detroit Free Press The $1.6 billion-plus plan for redeveloping Detroit’s increasingly desolate Renaissance Center and then building a unique amenity-packed riverfront park next to it is making an official public debut this week.
13 Detroit voters disenfranchised in primary because their absentee ballots were mishandled
This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. This story also appeared in Votebeat Thirteen Detroit voters did not get their ballots counted in Michigan’s hotly contested primary because of an oversight by election officials.
Michigan college students struggle with housing, food. Program aims to help
New project to connect Henry Ford College and Wayne State students to resources to address basic needs The effort is among many to keep students on their path to earn a credential It is among other efforts statewide working to address basic needs as many college students navigate them Kijuan Dent got hit with an unexpected $1,000 tuition bill while a sophomore at Michigan State University, days before the 2023 fatal mass shooting on campus.
Detroit’s riverfront safety law increased inspections. Now comes a push for transparency.
Five years after a Detroit River dock collapse prompted the city’s first river protection law, dozens of property owners along the waterway are operating under widespread maintenance requirements from city inspectors that aim to close regulatory gaps.
Detroit arts, culture projects share in $3.6M funding boost
Operations of the Museum of Contemporary Art and the redevelopment of the historic Blue Bird Inn are among the cultural institutions in Detroit benefiting from $3.6 million in new grant awards from the Hudson-Webber Foundation. The foundation’s board this week approved allocations for 11 nonprofit, civic and public-sector partners advancing arts and culture, neighborhood development, economic opportunity, public policy and community safety in Detroit and across Michigan.
Detroit school board to fill vacant seat of late member Iris Taylor ahead of November election
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit The Detroit school board will begin interviewing applicants as early as next week to fill a seat left open after the recent death of member Iris Taylor. Though the seat will be up for grabs in the Nov. 3 election, the Detroit Public Schools Community District’s board is required by state law to make an appointment within 30 days.
Greektown ‘open for business’ after $20M streetscape update with new amenities, pedestrians only
West side native Michelle Allen hasn’t been home to Detroit in a decade, but her Tuesday visit to Greektown came at the right time. The historic district is celebrating major strides in its lengthy streetscape renovation project, with the launch of the Monroe Street Summer Series and reopening of a section of Monroe Street to pedestrians with wider sidewalks, outdoor seating, lighting and landscape and other amenities.
Michigan prisons paid millions over inmate deaths, disability discrimination
As statewide legal costs fell, the MDOC recorded the largest agency increase MDOC legal payouts more than doubled to nearly $7 million last fiscal year Three lawsuits drove most payouts, including prison stabbings and discrimination claims The Michigan Department of Corrections paid out $7 million in legal judgments and settlements in 2025, more than double the prior year, according to a mandated report recently filed with the state Legislature.
Detroit oil recycler drops application to reopen after fire: East side environmental activist ‘thrilled’
This story also appeared in Planet Detroit This article first appeared on Planet Detroit and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Aevitas Specialty Services withdraws its Michigan environmental permit application to rebuild its east side Detroit oil recycling facility, which closed after a June 2025 fire. The facility received five air quality violations and 64 complaint investigations since 2012.
What to know before walking across the Gordie Howe Bridge
The pedestrian path on the Gordie Howe International Bridge is officially open Walkers and cyclists can cross between Detroit and Windsor for free Officials expect crowds and recommend delaying visits if possible The two-lane pedestrian path on the Gordie Howe International Bridge is now open, allowing walkers, runners and cyclists to walk to and from Canada.
Detroit has a shortage of national retailers. What can officials do to attract more chains to the city?
Detroit’s borders encompass 139 square miles, a footprint large enough to fit Manhattan, Boston and San Francisco combined. Yet, unlike these other urban centers, Detroit has a relatively low number of national “big-box” retailers. Outside of the city’s downtown and midtown business districts, there exists one Home Depot, two full-sized Meijer locations and a Meijer mini-market within the city.
$120M is on the line in today’s DPSCD’s tax proposal vote
This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit About $120 million in operating funds is at stake as Detroiters head to the polls today. On the ballot: Whether to allow the city school district to collect revenue it needs to operate. City residents have approved previous operating millages — which is what this tax is — for Detroit Public Schools, the entity that used to run schools but exists now solely to collect tax revenue to pay off old debt.
Detroit school district responds to influx of questions after critical posts from content creator
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit The Detroit district held a virtual town hall Monday to respond to an influx of questions from the public after a content creator posted a series of viral videos calling out the school system.
Need free school supplies? Here’s how Detroit parents can get back-to-school gear for their kids.
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit One thing we know about Detroit: During back-to-school season, people go all out to make sure the city’s youth can return to the classroom with the supplies they need and, in some cases, a fresh hairstyle and cut. Organizations across the city are offering free backpacks and school supplies at events throughout August.
Marathon Petroleum wins air quality permit approval for Detroit refinery expansion
This story also appeared in Planet Detroit This article first appeared on Planet Detroit and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Michigan regulators approve air quality permit for Marathon Petroleum’s Southwest Detroit refinery. The decision follows a July 5 power outage that caused the refinery to burn excess gas, prompting road closures and health concerns among nearby residents.
After community concern, Detroit school board reconsiders plans to demolish four buildings
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit The Detroit school board is reconsidering plans to demolish four recently closed schools after facing community criticism. The Detroit Public Schools Community District originally planned to begin demolitions in June 2027. In the months preceding the school closures at the end of the 2025-26 school year, community members expressed their concerns.
First look: Renderings revealed for I-75 cap proposal, creation of entertainment spaces
A new $300 million design concept for the Fisher Freeway calls for three concrete caps over the roadway to host outdoor entertainment, youth gathering spaces, public art, walking trails and recreation. The vision is the product of nearly a year of community engagement under the I-75 Cap Feasibility Study initiative, culminating in a proposal for three distinctive public spaces to help reconnect neighborhoods divided by Interstate 75.
Detroit invests $20 million in 11 neighborhood parks
Overview: Detroit is investing $20 million in upgrades to 11 neighborhood parks, funded through city, state, federal and philanthropic sources. Improvements include accessible nature play areas, splash pads, BMX bike trails, tennis courts, and an expansion of MLK Park to triple its size. Projects span all seven City Council districts, with several already completed and others breaking ground through 2027. Nearly a dozen neighborhood parks in Detroit are getting major investments.
Need a ride to the polls? Free rides are available on Election Day
Nearly 1,000 Detroit voters cast ballots in the first several days of early voting for the August primary and free bus rides are on tap to get Election Day voters to the polls. Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey has encouraged Detroiters to get out and vote and stressed that elections are safe and secure. The clerk hosted a Party at the Polls event on Saturday outside the Department of Elections Office on W. Grand Boulevard.
Detroit transit union president departs
At 26, Schetrone Collier had a dream. Now, he’s wrapping up a decades-long career with the Detroit Department of Transportation, which he says helped him surpass it. The outgoing president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26 was honored Tuesday with a Spirit of Detroit Award from the Detroit City Council for his service and role in negotiating wage increases for himself and fellow DDOT drivers.
Backlash after $2.2M police drone grant submitted without Council approval
The city may pull back an application for a $2.2 million Department of Justice grant to support a drone program for Detroit police since it was submitted without the approval of City Council. As they prepared to vote Tuesday on whether to green-light the application, Detroit Council Members learned it was already submitted weeks ago in violation of city code.
Detroit parks are getting a boost. What to know
Nearly a dozen neighborhood parks in Detroit are getting major investments. Mayor Mary Sheffield’s administration said the 11 projects were shaped with input from block clubs, neighborhood associations, schools, businesses and organizations that use the parks.
Canada celebrates Gordie Howe bridge opening — without Michigan — amid tariff riff
Canada celebrated the Gordie Howe Bridge after decades of planning The ceremony took place in Windsor, after Canada scratched a binational gathering amid an ongoing trade war The bridge is expected to open for traffic on Monday WINDSOR — As dozens of guests looked across the Detroit River from Windsor on Friday, Canadian leaders celebrated the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge as a once-in-a-generation project connecting two countries through trade, travel and a shared history.
Detroit wants to elevate youth voices in leadership – that means giving them real power
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Detroit police officers detained more than 180 minors during a fireworks celebration on June 22, 2026. Most offenses were curfew violations, and the event was generally peaceful.
Blowback from latest DTE outage surfaces on midterm campaign trail
This story also appeared in Planet Detroit This article first appeared on Planet Detroit and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Roughly 400,000 DTE customers lost power during the July 4 weekend. Democratic candidates in two contested state Senate primaries are calling for utility reforms.
Detroit school board’s chair and vice chair will not seek reelection in November
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for Chalkbeat Detroit’s free newsletter to keep up with the city’s public school system and Michigan education policy. Two leaders of the Detroit school board will not be on the Nov. 3 ballot, creating the potential for a major shake-up in the governing body’s future direction.
Here are the 35 people running for the Detroit school board
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit Three incumbents, multiple former school board members, and several people who have run before are among a crowded field of 35 people running for five open seats on the Detroit school board.
Detroit paying average of $36K to remove, replace ‘dirty’ dirt
Detroit has paid an average of $36,000 per site to remove and replace contaminated backfill dirt at more than 100 demolition sites across the city, stemming from the work of a contractor now under federal investigation. Tim Palazzolo, head of the Detroit Demolition & Construction Department, provided the cost estimates, remediation updates and strengthened testing practices to cope with the so-called “dirty dirt” scandal during a Monday presentation to members of the City Council.
Detroit school board’s chair and vice chair will not seek reelection in November
This story also appeared in Chalkbeat Detroit Two leaders of the Detroit school board will not be on the Nov. 3 ballot, creating the potential for a major shake-up in the governing body’s future direction. LaTrice McClendon, who chairs the Detroit Public Schools Community District board, and Corletta Vaughn, the board’s vice chair, were both listed as disqualified on a list of candidates city officials provided Chalkbeat shortly after the filing deadline Tuesday.
Detroit school board’s chair and vice chair will not seek reelection in November
Sign up for Chalkbeat Detroit’s free newsletter to keep up with the city’s public school system and Michigan education policy. Two leaders of the Detroit school board will not be on the Nov. 3 ballot, creating the potential for a major shake-up in the governing body’s future direction.
Michigan voters can still change their primary vote if their candidate dropped out
This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. This story also appeared in Votebeat You did everything right: You voted early, putting that absentee ballot in the mail or dropping it in a local drop box to ensure your vote was counted. Then your candidate dropped out. What on earth are you supposed to do now?
New unemployment job-search rules take effect in Michigan. What to know
Unemployment recipients in Michigan must report three work search activities for each week, up from one The reporting change will be phased in based on each claimant’s certification schedule The new work search requirement is part of bipartisan legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last year Beginning July 19, Michiganders receiving unemployment benefits will need to report three work search activities for each week instead of one to remain eligible for benefits.
How a 105-foot schooner is teaching teens the Detroit River’s story
This story also appeared in Bridge Michigan The Detroit River Scholars program is helping youth connect with the heritage of the river through hands-on experience on a schooner The program aims to break down historic barriers for people of color In addition to learning to sail, students collect data and learn about healthy ecosystems On an unusually hot day in late June, a group of about 20 Detroit high schoolers boarded a 105-foot, three-masted tall ship and set sail along the Detroit River.
When a police officer is shot, how they get to the hospital depends on the city – and Philadelphia stands apart
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. When five police officers were shot in Houston in January 2019 while serving a drug-related arrest warrant, all of them were transported to the hospital after emergency medical services arrived. Two went by air and three by ground ambulance. About seven months later, a gunman in Philadelphia shot six police officers during another drug warrant execution.
Council, police oversight board press DPD on detention center temps Original
DETROIT Christine Ferretti and Nushrat Rahman BridgeDetroit and Detroit Free Press July 18, 2026, 6:04 a.m. ET A council member and police board commissioner have pressed Detroit police on temperatures inside the Detroit Detention Center. Detroit police said the department is working to upgrade the facility's ventilation system, provides portable air coolers and has offered water and bags of ice to cool off.
Trump rehashes claims of election vulnerabilities, foreign interference, and fraud in primetime speech
This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access.
As racial wealth gaps persist, bills would have Michigan study reparations
Michigan lawmakers have proposed a commission to study reparations and racial disparities The three-bill package focuses on addressing housing, education and economic inequities, not cash payments Critics question costs, feasibility and the government’s role in reparations Michigan lawmakers are proposing a new approach to addressing the state’s longstanding racial wealth gap: studying reparations.
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