City Bureau’s Documenters Network: People-powered news and information

We’re putting every public meeting on the record in

Who we are

A network of newsrooms and community organizations committed to participatory civic media.

What we do

We train and pay hundreds of people to attend under-reported public meetings and publish the results.

The Future is Informed

Your elected officials are making big decisions. Keep tabs with regular notes, real-time social media updates, and multimedia reports from Documenters in your area. Together, we’re building a new public record.

Detroit

Housing
June 18, 2025

This was one of three community input sessions for Detroit’s Housing of Urban Development Five-Year Consolidated Plan. Total funding for fiscal year 2025-26 is $44.4 million. Residents discussed barriers to accessing affordable housing and funding for home repairs.

Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department HRD, HUD Consolidated Plan Meeting

Live reporting by

Crystal N. Mitchell

Detroit

Housing
June 18, 2025

This was one of three community input sessions for Detroit’s Housing of Urban Development Five-Year Consolidated Plan. Total funding for fiscal year 2025-26 is $44.4 million. Residents discussed barriers to accessing affordable housing and funding for home repairs.

Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department HRD, HUD Consolidated Plan Meeting

Notetaking by

chandler vaughan

Detroit

Politics
June 16, 2025

Despite a few “heated exchanges,” councilmembers approved some funding for summer youth employment, a trash pick up contract, and the purchase of two new police vehicles.

Highland Park City Council Highland Park City Council

Notetaking by

Derrick Jackson

Detroit

Politics
June 16, 2025

Despite a few “heated exchanges,” councilmembers approved some funding for summer youth employment, a trash pick up contract, and the purchase of two new police vehicles.

Highland Park City Council Highland Park City Council

Live reporting by

Nadia Ziyad

Detroit

Public Safety
June 12, 2025

There was no quorum. Public commenters criticized Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett for conflicts of interest and lack of responsiveness. They also urged DPD to prioritize the protection of community members over cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Detroit Board of Police Commissioners Board of Police Commissioners — Evening Community Meeting

Live reporting by

Alex Klaus

See all of our public meeting reports →

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“How are your tax dollars spent? What are your elected officials doing? Are they listening to you? What is the process? That, as a Documenter, is what you have to show people.”

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“In almost every case for a meeting that I’ve covered, I’ve been the only person connected to the media that has been in the room.”

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About City Bureau’s Documenters Network 

Journalists

How our public meeting coverage supports local reporting.

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How our public meeting coverage tracks policy trends and public input.

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How our training modules build civic knowledge and action.

Curious Citizens

How anyone can become a Documenter in one of our local programs.