One Of Detroit's Most Reviled And Celebrated Journalists Needs Help

Motor City Muckracker has made quite a name for itself over the past few years. Unfortunately, it hasn't made much money for itself.

Steve Neavling launched the website in 2012. Despite producing some of the city's best investigative work in the that time, the website has remained unprofitable.

"Now we're asking for your help to raise at least $25,000 over the next three weeks so Motor City Muckraker can continue to operate and become stronger. We plan to hire freelance reporters and videographers, launch a podcast and provide more in-depth news and investigations," a post on the site reads. "The time for independent journalism has never been more important."

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After working at the Detroit Free Press for several years, Neavling was fired in April 2012. As CJR reported in 2014, Neavling got into "a verbal clash with then-City Council President Charles Pugh. At a city council meeting, attendees were crowded into a small room in city hall instead of larger chambers. When Neavling asked why, Pugh gave a less-than-professional response. Neavling printed the quote; Pugh complained to Neavling’s editors, and Neavling was shown the door."

Among other stories, Motor City Muckracker's reporting as led to the resignations of city and state officials, changes at the city's beleaguered Fire Department, the closure of a drug house near a playground and citations for "unscrupulous" real estate developers.