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

We’re putting every public meeting on the record

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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

Criminal Justice
April 17, 2025

Commissioners heard a presentation on body worn cameras and adopted three new policies for the police department: Directive 102.12 Duty to Intervene, Directive 201.2 Patrol Related Reports, and Directive 401.1 Performance Evaluation Rating.

Detroit Board of Police Commissioners Board of Police Commissioners

Live reporting by

Meghan Rutigliano

Detroit

Criminal Justice
April 17, 2025

Commissioners heard a presentation on body worn cameras and adopted three new policies for the police department: Directive 102.12 Duty to Intervene, Directive 201.2 Patrol Related Reports, and Directive 401.1 Performance Evaluation Rating.

Detroit Board of Police Commissioners Board of Police Commissioners

Notetaking by

tahji clark

Dallas

Elections
April 8, 2025

The forum hosted four out of six total candidates for the District 7 city council seat. Recurring themes in the forum included gentrification/displacement, small business, and Fair Park.

Detroit

Labor
April 16, 2025

The board received information about the work conditions for staff at Ford Field, Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena. Board members showed interest in a childcare benefit for arena workers. A newly formed review committee will begin drafting recommendations for the board.

Detroit Industry Standards Board - Sports Arenas Industry Standards Board — IN-PERSON ONLY

Audio by

Ashley Williams

Dallas

Elections
April 9, 2025

Eight District 6 city council candidates answered various questions regarding the environment, gentrification, affordable housing, and public safety in West Dallas.

District 6 City Council Candidate Forum

Notetaking by

Ashley Valeriano

Detroit

Labor
April 16, 2025

The board received information about the work conditions for staff at Ford Field, Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena. Board members showed interest in a childcare benefit for arena workers. A newly formed review committee will begin drafting recommendations for the board.

Detroit Industry Standards Board - Sports Arenas Industry Standards Board — IN-PERSON ONLY

Live reporting by

Ashley Williams

Detroit

Housing
April 17, 2025

In the first meeting of the Tenants Rights Commission, members introduced themselves. Public commenters shared concerns regarding rental housing including problems with landlords and repairs. City Councilmember Mary Waters provided updates on the city’s retal ordinance.

Detroit

Housing
April 17, 2025

In the first meeting of the Tenants Rights Commission, members introduced themselves. Public commenters shared concerns regarding rental housing, including problems with landlords and repairs. City Councilmember Mary Waters provided updates on the city’s rental ordinance.

Tenants' Rights Commission Tenants' Rights Commission (First Meeting) — IN-PERSON ONLY

Live reporting by

Amy Senese

Detroit

Politics
April 15, 2025

The City Council passed a resolution transferring the Fort Wayne burial site to the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP). They denied a resolution to pay contractors who damaged sidewalks during construction, and approved several contracts for rental inspections.

Detroit City Council Detroit City Council Formal Session

Live reporting by

Nathaniel Eichenhorn

Detroit

Politics
April 15, 2025

The City Council passed a resolution transferring the Fort Wayne burial site to the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP). They denied a resolution to pay contractors who damaged sidewalks during construction, and approved several contracts for rental inspections.

Detroit City Council Detroit City Council Formal Session

Notetaking by

Kiki Verdun

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