Mike Duggan decision rocks Michigan. What politicians are saying

Detroit Free Press
Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who was running as an independent for Michigan governor, dropped out of the race on Thursday, May 21, and Democrats and Republicans reacted to the news on social media. Duggan, a three-term Detroit mayor and longtime Democrat, announced in December 2024 that he was running to replace Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as an independent, a move that generated both enthusiasm and skepticism.

Detroit’s high property taxes are driving a housing affordability crisis – how can city leaders bring down costs?

Bridge Detroit
Property taxes in Detroit, the highest among major U.S. cities, continue to burden the city’s low-income households. Failure to pay these taxes can lead to foreclosure. Mayor Mary Sheffield advocated for property tax relief during her first State of the City address in March 2026. Sheffield proposed a 30% to 60% cut in property taxes in the city, a change Michigan lawmakers would need to approve. The City of Detroit will likely take in approximately US$164 million from property taxes in the 2026 fiscal year, less than a tax collected from the city’s casinos. Property taxes fund public safety, libraries, sanitation and other city services. Amanda Nothaft, the director of data and analysis at Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, explains the extent of Detroit’s property tax burden and avenues for reform.

Bipartisan group wants to change elections for university boards and 2 top state offices

Michigan Public
A bipartisan group of lawmakers and two former governors has called for a sweeping overhaul of how Democratic and Republican nominees for Michigan attorney general and secretary of state are selected, as well as removing the selection of candidates for the boards in charge of Michigan’s three largest public universities from party conventions. A resolution introduced this week in the state House of Representatives would amend the Michigan Constitution would give the governor the power to name members of the boards of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, subject to state Senate approval.
Related: As MSU president exits, what the heck is going on? We have (some) answers

What to know about school tax credit program. Will Michigan opt in or stay out?

Bridge Michigan
An extra boost to help students? A way to siphon money away from public schools? Both? Depends whom you ask. Some in the education space want Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to opt in to the Education Freedom Tax Credit, saying the program, created under the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” helps raise money for students to succeed in schools of their choice, whether public or private.

Petition drive to get “money out of politics” submits signatures for ballot campaign

Michigan Public
A Michigan campaign to stop public utilities and large state government contractors from donating to political causes turned in signatures Wednesday to get on the November ballot. Supporters of Michiganders for Money out of Politics argue those groups have given money to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to buy political influence and avoid accountability. Dr. Aisha Harris is with one of the coalition groups behind the measure. She said she has seen the influence-peddling system take a real-life toll.

Chef Noelle Prater Brings Soul, Storytelling, and Detroit Flavor to Marrow in the Market

Michigan Chronicle
Detroit has always had talented chefs, but something new is happening now. All over the city, a new wave of chefs is changing what fine dining means. It feels less like a performance and more personal, with a strong focus on culture, storytelling, and authenticity. Chef Noelle Prater is helping lead this change. Prater is now helping guide Marrow in the Market into its next chapter. Her style is shaped by Detroit hospitality, Southern roots, classic cooking skills, and a real love for feeding people. She creates food that is both refined and soulful, making sure her dishes feel thoughtful but still warm and familiar. “Detroit’s food scene feels like it’s finally comfortable being itself,” said Prater. “For a long time, people looked at cities like New York, Chicago or LA as the standard for what ‘great food’ was supposed to look like, but Detroit has its own voice now.”

A toast to 20 years

Join us at Elmwood Cemetery for a celebration of 20 years of the Historic Elmwood Foundation and the continuation of its mission to preserve Elmwood’s history, landscape, and place in the community for the next 20 years and beyond. We’ll gather under the trees to toast our longtime supporters and welcome new friends to learn more about our work and look to the future with us. June 11, 5-7 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery; food, drinks, live music, beautiful vistas. Please RSVP: 313-567-3453.

About us

Elmwood Cemetery, established in 1846, is the oldest still-operating nondenominational cemetery in Detroit and one of its most significant sites of history, culture and landscape. Designed and maintained in the spirit of the rural cemetery movement, Elmwood sits on 86 acres of rolling hills, majestic trees and the historic Bloody Run creekway, all in the heart of the city, just two miles from downtown Detroit.