FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

General Questions

Is this real news?

The events are real. Our commentary is satire. The kayak launch really took 27 months. Our comparison to a tech startup IPO is a joke. See the difference?

Are you real journalists?

No. Real journalists have ethics, standards, and editors. We have opinions, WiFi, and a Facebook page.

Why do you do this?

Someone needs to document Monroe County's chaos. The Monroe News does the serious journalism. We do... whatever this is.

Who are you?

Local residents with too much time, too many opinions, and just enough technical skill to be dangerous.

About Our Coverage

What areas do you cover?

Primarily Monroe County, Michigan. But we'll cover surrounding areas if the story is good enough. Honestly, if something ridiculous happens in Ohio, we might cover that too. We're flexible (desperate).

Do you attend actual meetings?

We watch on Zoom while drinking Natty Ice. It's like being there, but with better snacks and the ability to mute.

How do you choose what to cover?

We use a complex algorithm: Is it absurd? Did it take too long? Did someone say "economic development" unironically? If yes to any, we cover it.

Why don't you cover [specific thing]?

Probably because we didn't know about it. Send us a tip at [email protected]! We accept tips from anywhere. We're not picky.

Are you actually protesting?

We're satirists. We protest through mockery and occasional domain purchases that we may or may not acknowledge.

Social Media

Where can I follow you?

Facebook: @MonroeCountyMinutes - Our main hub for chaos

Instagram: @MonroeCountyMinutes - Visual evidence of local nonsense

X/Twitter: @MonroeCntyMins - For when we need to be brief (rare)

Why Facebook and not Twitter/X?

Monroe County lives on Facebook. That's where the real comments happen. Twitter is for cities with more than one Starbucks.

Technical Questions

How do I submit a tip?

Email [email protected], message us on Facebook or Instagram, or DM us on X at @MonroeCntyMins.

When will the merch store open?

Soon™. We're comparing Shopify, Etsy, and just selling stuff from our car trunk.

Legal Questions

Can I sue you?

You can try. We have no money and everything is clearly marked as satire. Good luck.

Is this libel?

It's satire and opinion based on public information. Also, public figures have a higher bar for libel. Also also, it's called "libel," not "liable."

Do you have a lawyer?

We have Google and a dream.

City/County Relations

What does the city think of you?

They haven't acknowledged our existence. We're either doing something right or they don't know we exist.

Have any officials responded?

One city employee laughed at our kayak launch article. That counts as a win.

Are you anti-government?

No, we're anti-inefficiency. We actually want things to work. We just also want to make jokes while waiting.

The Future

What's next?

More coverage, possibly more domains (we can neither confirm nor deny), possibly actual merchandise, definitely more local government content.

Will you expand beyond Monroe County?

We already accept tips from anywhere. If Ypsilanti does something weird, we're on it. If Toledo has drama, we might cover it. We're flexible.

How long will you keep doing this?

Until local government becomes efficient or we run out of coffee. So... forever.

How to Help

How can I support you?

Share our articles, send us tips (from anywhere!), buy our eventual merch, watch council meetings and tell us what happens.

Can I write for you?

Can you watch a 3-hour planning commission meeting about fence heights on Zoom? Can you make it funny? Email us at [email protected].

Still Have Questions?

Email us at [email protected], message us on Facebook, Instagram, or tweet at us @MonroeCntyMins. Same response rate.

Last Updated: August 2025

Questions Asked: Frequently

Questions Answered: Eventually