I’m so excited, y’all.

Canada’s Via Rail says Amtrak service from Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, will start as early as 2025.

“There's some work to do to make Windsor Station a border station, but the plans are in place and you'll start seeing some Amtrak trains coming here and interchanging with our trains probably in the next year or two.”

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/windsor-via-rail-fleet-us-connection-1.7249572 #detroit #michigan #newsDET #ontario #trains #transit #WindsorON

Detroit once had a Chinatown.

Curtis Chin reflects on his childhood there and in the restaurant owned by his immigrant family — Chung’s — in an upcoming memoir.

“It’s a love letter to Detroit. If you pick up the book you may be thinking you’re just reading about a Chinese-American family, but I think you’re also going to learn about Detroit.”

https://www.bridgedetroit.com/interview-with-curtis-chin-author-of-everything-i-learned-i-learned-in-a-chinese-restaurant/ #asian #books #detroit #newsDET

A statue honoring a Tuskegee Airmen pilot who served in World War II will soon be unveiled in Detroit’s Rouge Park.

It’s one of many works by Austen Brantley, whose sculptures of Black historical figures have been installed in cities across the U.S. and exhibited internationally.

https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit-guides/inside-detroit-sculptor-austen-brantleys-studio-34118990 #art #detroit #history #newsDET

Detroit’s police chief claims there have been no shootings since April in Greektown, the eight-block downtown district.

He says this was the result of deploying more officers, metal detectors and other heavy enforcement measures.

https://michiganchronicle.com/2023/09/12/greektown-had-1-4-million-visits-this-summer-and-no-shootings/ #newsDET #safety

Michigan Democrats want to delay the state’s deadline for energy utilities to stop using fossil fuels.

A bill sponsored by state Sen. Erika Geiss would push the goal for carbon neutrality five years back to 2040.

It would also allow utilities to use carbon offsets to reach that goal. Advocates say this would expose polluted communities to further harm.

https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/michigan-democrats-push-carbon-neutral-energy-goal-back-5-years-2040 #environment #michigan #newsDET #taylorMI

Michigan could start capping prescription drug costs if a state congressional bill is passed.

It proposes creating a nonpartisan “drug affordability” board that would review and limit drug costs. Seven other states have similar review bodies.

According to a 2022 federal review, prices for more than 1,200 drugs increased more than the rate of inflation.

https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-dems-eye-board-set-prescription-prices-some-fear-chilling-effect #health #michigan #newsDET

The deadline approaches Thursday for Big Three automakers to negotiate a contract with the United Auto Workers.

Union members say they’re prepared to strike over wage increases, shorter work weeks and other demands for quality of life.

“It’s not, ‘Are we going to strike?’ It’s people asking, ‘How long do you think we’ll strike?’ There’s a real positive energy that people want what we’re owed,” says Stellantis worker Chris Falzone.

https://www.labornotes.org/2023/09/cost-doing-nothing-much-higher-big-three-auto-workers-prepare-strike #labor #michigan #newsDET

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee has proposed freezing migrant farmworker wages in Michigan at $15.37 an hour.

The federal minimum wage for workers who hold H2-A visas increases annually — 12.8% this year. Immigrant advocates have vowed to battle any wage freeze in court.

https://www.michiganradio.org/economy/2023-08-24/michigan-congressman-pushes-rollback-on-migrant-worker-wages-to-aid-ailing-farmers #flint #immigration #labor #michigan #newsDET

Limits to PFAS chemicals in Michigan’s drinking water could be eliminated if a state appeals court ruling stands.

The court ruled in favor of 3M’s appeal in its lawsuit against the state, filed after the state began regulating the chemical. PFAS exposure has been linked to birth defects.

EGLE, the state’s environmental regulation agency, has the option to appeal. It released a statement denouncing the ruling.

https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/appeals-court-nixes-michigan-pfas-water-limits-ruling-3m #environment #michigan #newsDET