Story Formats & Special Features
20 storiesReaders will find investigations, data stories, practical explainers and visual features that draw on public records, structured evidence, maps, graphics or step-by-step guidance. The emphasis is on clarity, documentation and useful presentation across many beats, from local government and taxes to development, elections and public safety.
Feature Access Is Unavailable in the Visitor's Country
Visitors in some countries are seeing a location-restriction notice on the Observer and Eccentric Newspapers and Hometown Weeklies website. The message gives support instructions, but the cause, timeline and wider scope remain unverified.
Detroit Free Press homepage maps Michigan's news agenda
The Detroit Free Press homepage brings together separate reports on Michigan sports, environmental permits, automotive facilities, food costs, celebrities and fall events. Farmington-area readers should treat it as a statewide news index, not a single local update.
How Did a Gun Reach a Battle Creek Elementary School?
Police responded to Ann J. Kellogg Elementary School after a gun discharged inside a third-grade student's backpack on Sept. 22. No one was injured, but the key question remains unanswered: how did the child get the firearm?
Michigan State professor helps shape new climate assessment priorities
Steven Gray from Michigan State University has joined 175 researchers to set new priorities for U.S. climate assessments, aiming to guide future decisions on adaptation, resilience, and risk management nationwide.
University of Michigan greenlights $26M Lay Auto Lab overhaul
The University of Michigan will spend $26 million to modernize the Walter E. Lay Automotive Engineering Laboratory, expanding its electric vehicle and battery research by winter 2028.
Michigan State University to Lead New National Turbulence Research Center
A $30 million National Science Foundation grant will fund the TEMPEST Science and Technology Center at Michigan State University, aiming to advance turbulence research with AI, computation and hands-on experiments starting in 2026
Seventy Year Pen Pal Friendship Connects Michigan and Washington Farm Families
A pen pal match from a 1954 Michigan Farmer magazine column led to a lifelong friendship between Barb Davis and Camille Howe, who have shared letters and family milestones across 2,000 miles for over seven decades
Live Snake Cast in Metropolitan Opera Production After Onstage Audition
A real boa constrictor named Princess has been selected for a starring role in the Metropolitan Opera's upcoming adaptation of Così fan tutte in New York after a unique audition process that included both animal and handler
Masculinity Debates Shape Michigan Senate Race Between El-Sayed and Rogers
Personal attacks over masculinity and high school football have taken center stage in Michigan's 2026 U.S. Senate race, as Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers trade barbs while voters weigh issues from health care to inflation.
Mobile Driver's Licenses Expand as States Push Toward Digital IDs
Mobile driver's licenses are now available in 21 states and Puerto Rico, with over 8 million active credentials. Wider adoption and remote verification could soon make digital IDs a practical tool for banking, employment, and age verification.
G20 Finance Leaders Meet in Asheville Amid U.S. Tariff and Iran Tensions
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is hosting G20 finance ministers in Asheville, North Carolina, as the U.S. seeks support on Iran and faces strained trade relations with key allies. The meetings follow renewed hostilities and recent hurricane recovery efforts.
Trump Hints at Post-2028 Plans as He Balances Legacy and Term Limits
President Donald Trump continues to reference a possible third term, but recent remarks suggest he is increasingly focused on life after leaving office in January 2029, raising questions about his legacy and the limits of presidential power
New York Politicians Admit Using AI to Draft Public Op-Eds
Several New York elected officials, including the governor's running mate and Albany's mayor, have acknowledged using artificial intelligence to help write opinion articles, raising questions about transparency and new disclosure rules
New Toolkit Offers Solutions for State and Local Government Hiring
A nonprofit has released a practical toolkit to help state and local governments streamline hiring, address bottlenecks, and attract skilled workers as public sector roles evolve and private sector layoffs continue.
Census Bureau Finds Over Half of U.S. Workers Now Use AI Tools
A new Census Bureau survey shows 55% of American workers have used AI for job tasks, with most reporting time savings. The findings highlight how AI is becoming routine in workplaces and raise questions for government adoption strategies.
U-M Seminar Trains Scholars to Preserve Ancient Papyrus Manuscripts
The University of Michigan recently hosted a 10-day seminar for nine international scholars, offering hands-on training in the conservation of rare papyrus texts dating back thousands of years. The program is unique in the Americas.
Meta Faces Federal Trial Over Alleged Social Media Harm to Children
A federal trial in California will determine if Meta must change its practices after 29 states, including North Carolina, accused the company of making Facebook and Instagram addictive for children and misleading parents about the risks.
Voting Opens for Michigan's Top High School Defensive Lineman 2026
Michigan high school football fans can now vote for the Buffalo Wild Wings Best Defensive Lineman for the 2026 season. Voting is open until noon on Thursday, August 20, with ten standout athletes nominated from across the state.
Bridge Michigan Launches Weekly News Quiz for Residents
Bridge Michigan invites readers to test their knowledge with a 10-question news quiz covering statewide topics. Participants who score 100% can email a screenshot for a chance to win local prizes.
Minnesota Sets November Ballot for Governor and U.S. Senate Races
Minnesota voters have chosen their party nominees for governor and U.S. Senate, finalizing the candidates who will compete in two of the state's most closely watched races this November.