M.L. Elrick
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M.L. Elrick
@mlelrick.bsky.social
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Multi-media investigative reporter, amateur athlete, New Wave music fan, educator, world traveler. I am the “On Guard” government watchdog columnist at the Detroit Free Press, host of the ML’s Soul of Detroit podcast, and director of Eye On Michigan.
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Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

Dirty dirt mess could bury Detroit taxpayers and politicians

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Dirty dirt mess could bury Detroit taxpayers and politicians
A city contractor accused of using polluted dirt to fill holes in neighborhoods could blow holes in Detroit's budget — and create political crises
www.freep.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:30 PM
mlelrick.bsky.social
Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

The Detroit mayor's race is over. Let the analysis begin!

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The Detroit mayor's race is over. Let the analysis begin!
Mary Sheffield has made history. On Guard examines how Sheffield won, what went wrong for the Rev. Solomon Kinloch, and what lies ahead.
www.freep.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:18 PM
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No matter who wins mayoral race, Detroit voters will make history

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No matter who wins mayoral race, Detroit voters will make history in 2025
On Election Day 2025, Detroit voters will either elect the city's first female mayor or an underdog who has been trailing badly in the polls.
www.freep.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:25 AM
mlelrick.bsky.social
Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

Halloween terror suspect's lawyer says FBI 'jumped the gun': 'These kids are gamers'

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Halloween terror suspect's lawyer says FBI 'jumped the gun': 'These kids are gamers'
Lawyer says five men arrested by FBI on Halloween drew scrutiny over their recreational gun activity and online chats.
www.freep.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:13 AM
mlelrick.bsky.social
Sleepy Detroit mayor race ends with a flurry of accusations as underdog tries to close gap

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Sleepy Detroit mayor race ends with a flurry of accusations as underdog tries to close gap
The normally low-key Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., who has been trailing in polls and fundraising, accused frontrunner Mary Sheffield of unethical acts
www.freep.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:29 PM
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You won't believe who I found giving money to elect Detroit's next mayor

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You won't believe who I found giving money to elect Detroit's next mayor
Detroit mayoral candidates have raised $3 million, but one campaign's coffers include funds from three felons and a CEO in a dispute with the city.
www.freep.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
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Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

Detroit mayoral candidates brought heat, zingers to debate — but no breakthroughs

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Detroit mayoral candidates brought heat, zingers to debate — but no breakthroughs
Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield was the hunted in her mayoral debate with the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. But she did some hunting, too.
www.freep.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
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The comedic genius who played Champ Kind and Todd Packer shares some great show biz stories on this week’s episode of ML’s Soul of Detroit!
Please like and share!
www.mlsoulofdetroit.com/episode/the-...
The Office Hour with David Koechner – October 14, 2025
The Office’s Todd Packer, David Koechner, talks about doing trivia at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle on 10/26, his time on Saturday Night Live and comedy in Saudi Arabia. STRAIGHT DOPE:  You…
www.mlsoulofdetroit.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:38 PM
mlelrick.bsky.social
If you follow the news, you know the need for investigative reporting is greater than ever.
If you’d like to learn how to help raise the next generation of government watchdogs, please hit this link:
www.patronicity.com/project/eye_...
Eye On Michigan: Watchdog U 3 | Patronicity
Help us increase diversity in investigative reporting and train the next generation of watchdog reporters!
www.patronicity.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
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ML Soul of Detroit
News, views, inside stories -- long AND short -- all well-told.
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October 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
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Bonus episode for our Soulmates!!!
www.patreon.com/posts/140272...
John Keating's Got Stories - Bonus Episode #16 - October 2, 2025 | ML Soul of Detroit
Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:47 PM
mlelrick.bsky.social
Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

Detroit City Council Mary Sheffield takes concert tickets and could face an ethics investigation

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Detroit City Council Mary Sheffield takes concert tickets and could face an ethics investigation
City Council President Mary Sheffield's request and acceptance of tickets to the Jeezy concert may have violated Detroit's ban on gifts for officials.
www.freep.com
September 22, 2025 at 10:59 AM
mlelrick.bsky.social
Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

Southwest Detroit legend Ziggy Gonzalez is gone, but his legacy lives on at Clark Park.

If you would like to attend his funeral mass, it’s at 10:30 AM this morning. More details are in the story.

www.freep.com/story/news/c...
Southwest Detroit legend Ziggy Gonzalez is gone, but his legacy lives on at Clark Park
Ziggy Gonzalez spent most of his 94 years playing, teaching and coaching generations of Detroiters at Clark Park. His leadership helped save the park.
www.freep.com
September 5, 2025 at 11:54 AM
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Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

Hamtramck awash in water balloons as spectators pelt participants in Yacht Race

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Hamtramck awash in water balloons as spectators pelt participants in Yacht Race
There's no river running through Hamtramck, but that doesn't stop wheeled yachts from racing down the main drag every year on Labor Day.
www.freep.com
September 1, 2025 at 9:52 PM
mlelrick.bsky.social
Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

Mike likes Mary, while Solomon downplays Duggan's endorsement in the Detroit mayor's race

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Mike likes Mary, while Solomon downplays Duggan's endorsement in the Detroit mayor's race
Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch spar over Mayor Mike Duggan's endorsement, while city council members are AWOL.
www.freep.com
August 21, 2025 at 11:46 AM
mlelrick.bsky.social
Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

Samuel L. Jackson opens his wallet in Detroit mayor race, and other campaign revelations

www.freep.com/story/news/c...
Samuel L. Jackson opens his wallet in Detroit mayor race, and other campaign revelations
Campaign finance reports for Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and the Rev. Solomon Kinloch provide insights into Detroit mayor's race.
www.freep.com
August 17, 2025 at 11:44 AM
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Check out this FREE content from the Detroit Free Press:

Kinloch believes in miracles. He may need one to beat Sheffield in Detroit mayor race

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Kinloch believes in miracles. He may need one to beat Sheffield in Detroit mayor race
The Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. believes in miracles, and he may need one to surpass City Council President Mary Sheffield to become mayor of Detroit.
www.freep.com
August 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
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See a sneak peek of this week’s episode then hit the link to hear about my return to Fox 2, Shawn’s admiration for mature Pam Anderson and Marc debuts a new drop — IT’S ELECTRIC!

www.mlsoulofdetroit.com/episode/maxi...
August 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
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My fellow Detroiters: you must read this before you vote!

www.freep.com/story/news/l...
Detroit mayor race: Meet the 9 candidates in the 2025 August primary election
Nine Detroit mayoral candidates are running to replace Mike Duggan in the August primary election. Here's who's running for Detroit mayor.
www.freep.com
August 5, 2025 at 12:27 PM
mlelrick.bsky.social
Here’s a rare freebie from the Detroit Free Press: My latest On Guard column assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the Detroit mayoral candidates.
Today, there are 9. After tomorrow, there will only be 2 left. Learn how I handicap the field.
www.freep.com/story/news/c...
2 Detroit mayor candidates advance Tuesday. Here are my predictions for their future.
Voters will eliminate seven of the nine candidates for mayor of Detroit on Tuesday. Here's who I think can advance — and what challenges lie ahead.
www.freep.com
August 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
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Listen and learn how to meet me, Marc, Erika and Shawn FRIDAY at the Cadieux Cafe!!!
www.mlsoulofdetroit.com/episode/hoff...
Hoffa Hitman Fingered – July 15, 2025
It’s been 50 years since Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, and mob expert Scott Burnstein tells ML, Marc and Shawn he knows who did the hit. STRAIGHT DOPE: Detroit’s premier mob expert Scott Burnstein …
www.mlsoulofdetroit.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:46 PM
mlelrick.bsky.social
Detroit mayoral candidate defiant in discussing domestic abuse case with his congregation

www.freep.com/story/news/c...
Detroit mayoral candidate defiant in discussing domestic abuse case with his congregation
Solomon Kinloch went before his congregation two days after news broke he beat his first wife. He called it a mistake — then called out his opponents.
www.freep.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:37 AM
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Come out and play THIS FRIDAY!!!
July 29, 2025 at 12:25 AM
mlelrick.bsky.social
Wife-beating former Wayne County CFO gets six months in jail.
His victim gets justice.
Read all about it in my latest “On Guard” column — in which I also reveal which high-ranking Wayne County official went to bat for the abuser.

www.freep.com/story/news/c...
Wife-beating former Wayne County CFO gets six months in jail. His victim gets justice.
Former high-flying Wayne County CFO Tony Saunders hoped to avoid jail after admitting he beat his wife. Twice. Instead, he got six months behind bars.
www.freep.com
July 24, 2025 at 10:24 AM
mlelrick.bsky.social
This week we talk with a mob expert who claims to know who killed Jimmy Hoffa.
I’m skeptical.
How ‘bout you?
www.mlsoulofdetroit.com/episode/hoff...
Hoffa Hitman Fingered – July 15, 2025
It’s been 50 years since Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, and mob expert Scott Burnstein tells ML, Marc and Shawn he knows who did the hit. STRAIGHT DOPE: Detroit’s premier mob expert Scott Burnstein …
www.mlsoulofdetroit.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:07 AM