Briana Rice

@brianarice.bsky.social

Civic life reporter at Outlier Media. I write about how Detroiters are engaging with government and civic institutions - and whether they’re getting what they need. Read my reporting: https://outliermedia.org/author/briana-rice/

Detroit has just one city-run public outdoor pool, and it’s closed for the summer. Recreation experts say that’s unusual for a city this size. Cleveland has 22 public outdoor pools. Indianapolis has 14. Should the city invest in more public pools? The latest from @brianarice.bsky.social:

Detroit’s only city-run outdoor public pool is closed for the summer

Detroit only has one city-run outdoor public pool — and it’s closed this summer for renovations.

outliermedia.org

Do you have election questions? We’re here to answer them. This year, Detroiters’ ballots will include races for Congress, the state Legislature, Michigan governor and so much more. Got ballot brain freeze? Ask us your burning questions, and we’ll (try to) find the answers you need!

Detroit’s 2026 elections: Send us your questions

Detroiters will weigh in on federal, state and local races in the 2026 primary and general election.

outliermedia.org

Let me know if you have any questions about how local media is reporting ICE, how we should be or if there’s anything you want to know about ICE in Michigan.

Outlier Media@outliermedia.org · 2mo ago

Join @kobylevin.bsky.social and @brianarice.bsky.social , along with panelists from @michiganpublic.bsky.social, 482Forward and @michiganimmigrant.bsky.social for a discussion on reporting, transparency and public information. Hosted by @spj-posts.bsky.social. 🗓 Wednesday, June 10 | noon | Zoom

🧵 Sixteen-year-old Ortez Matthews thinks what Detroit teenagers want to do this summer is simple: Meet other teens, flirt and have new experiences. “Be outside,” he said. “Everybody is going outside. They want to have fun. They want to have something to do besides stay in the house.”

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🎶 Teens just wanna have fun. 🎶 Behind the headlines about Detroit’s teen takeovers is a simpler story: Teens just want a reason to get out the house! Young people say they want places to gather, meet new people and have something to do this summer. The latest from @brianarice.bsky.social:

‘Teen takeovers’: Detroit’s response vs. what teens want

The city is trying to keep youth engaged amid “teen takeovers.” Here’s what Detroit teens actually want.

outliermedia.org

Detroit movie buffs, let’s see if you actually deserve the title. 🍿 No Googling. Senate Theater trivia thread below. Comment your score. 1. What year did the Senate Theater open? A) 1955 B) 1963 C) 1926 D) 1941

@outliermedia.org is reporting on DTE electric rate hikes and shutoffs. If you’ve experienced difficulty with affordability, billing or shutoff and would be willing to talk to a reporter, please reach out to me at briana@outliermedia.org or text Detroit to 67485*.

Surreal moment: Rashida Tlaib brought up my reporting on RealT in a congressional hearing on tokenization! "The only reason we know about RealT is not because of our oversight work in Congress, but ... from local reporting in our city by a nonprofit news organization called @outliermedia.org"

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Mayor Mary Sheffield has many new initiatives in her first budget: an office for older Detroiters, another one for youth and education affairs, and a department focused on human and homelessness service. A breakdown from @brianarice.bsky.social:

Mayor Sheffield’s budget proposal includes focus on youth, older adults

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield presented her budget proposal, which includes an office dedicated to older adults and youth affairs.

outliermedia.org

There are no city-run home repair programs accepting applications. But thousands of Detroiters can't afford essential home repairs. The problem is so widespread that the total cost across the city likely exceeds $1 billion. Where will the money come from? The latest from @amondry.bsky.social:

Home repair programs lacking in Detroit with estimated $1B need

Available funding doesn’t come close to meeting Detroit repair needs, and no city-run programs are accepting applications.

outliermedia.org

Regina Hendricks and Mary Golson need new roofs. Daisy Jackson’s bathroom leaks into her living room, and Gail Mitchell has a pipe that sprays water. Older Black residents in Islandview say they can’t afford repairs — as new buyers seem to manage easily. The latest from @brianarice.bsky.social:

Home repair: Detroiters need urgent help fixing their houses

These longtime Detroiters have held onto family homes in Islandview for decades. Will they get help with home repair before it’s too late?

outliermedia.org

As of Jan. 21, just 1,827 households had signed up for the 5,000 slots available in Lifeline H2O. That’s left many Detroiters with bills they are unable to afford, racking up debt that is locking them out of the very program intended to help them. @outliermedia.org outliermedia.org/lifeline-h2o...

Lifeline H2O: Detroiters report struggles signing up for DWSD program

Detroiters are struggling to sign up for Lifeline H2O, DWSD’s new water affordability program.

outliermedia.org

This time last year almost 30,000 Detroiters were enrolled in the city's water bill assistance program. It ran out of money so the city has a new program that will help 5,000 households. Here's what you need to know. @outliermedia.org outliermedia.org/dwsd-lifelin...

DWSD’s new water payment plan is smaller and more expensive

DWSD opened applications for its new water payment assistance program, but it’s more exclusive and expensive.

outliermedia.org