violet ikonomova

@violetikon.bsky.social

detroit investigative reporter planning to start using this site soon

Detroit-area philanthropies – most not yet named – plan to spend $2M+ on Sheffield's transition – a ~400-person agenda-shaping effort after a campaign pledging to build on Duggan's progress. Mamdani – who promises sweeping changes in a city 13x larger – is raising $4M www.freep.com/story/news/l...

$2M goal set for Mary Sheffield transition, Detroit’s largest yet

The fundraising goal is half of the reportedly $4 million goal set by New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in a city 13 times the size of Detroit.

freep.com

A since-suspended Detroit demo contractor mayor-elect Sheffield dated and approved millions for w/o disclosure is due before council today to request to be let back in the program. My latest, on the beleaguered ethics system that said Sheffield didn't have to disclose: www.freep.com/story/news/l...

Detroit’s ethics system under fire as Mary Sheffield faces first test as mayor-elect

Government ethics experts flag bad advice, confusing policies and limited training after ethical issues surfaced during the November mayoral election.

freep.com

Detroit police oversight board on 2 recent shootings of men fleeing stops for obscured plate, plastic cups: “It’s profiling,” “stop-and-frisk,” “STRESS”-esque. Ann Arbor has curbed stops for plate violations, damaged tail lights, etc. Can that happen here? My latest: www.freep.com/story/news/l...

Detroit police board members call for limits on minor stops after 2 shootings

Detroit police commissioners want to curb pretext traffic stops as the department defends them.

freep.com

A hand in a pocket. A red solo cup. A teen out 7 minutes past curfew. Detroit police jumped out on these males for minor reasons. Major violence followed. See what drives 20% of department shootings in my latest investigation & how one caused a family to flee the city. www.freep.com/story/news/i...

Stopped for a curfew violation, shot by police: When nonviolent stops spiral in Detroit

At least 20% of Detroit police shootings in the past decade started with stops for nonviolent offenses and then foot chases, the Free Press found.

freep.com