Sarah Hulett

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing won't seek re-election

Sarah Hulett and Mark Brush — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:37:18 +0000

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will not seek re-election.

Bing made that announcement after months of indecision. He frustrated reporters weeks ago when he pulled petitions for re-election, only to say he hadn't committed to running.

Then he called a press conference, and handed out pamphlets highlighting his successes in office.

Then he spoke for nearly 20 minutes about his achievements before announcing "that I have decided not to seek another term as mayor Detroit."

Bing said his political career might not be over.

NAACP files lawsuit against emergency manager law

Sarah Hulett — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:50:25 +0000

Michigan's controversial law that allows the state to take over the finances of cash-strapped cities is the subject of yet another lawsuit.

The Detroit branch of the NAACP filed the lawsuit in federal court today. It claims the state's emergency manager law is unconstitutional.

“It's fundamentally about our right to vote, and our right, as constitutionally guaranteed, to select and elect our own publicly elected officials,” said Detroit branch President Rev. Wendell Anthony.

In Buena Vista, a school district's future hangs in limbo

Sarah Hulett — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

State officials announced over the weekend that they will lend money to Pontiac schools, and avert a payless payday there this week.

But there’s still no resolution in Buena Vista Township, where the school system abruptly shut down after running out of money a month before the end of the school year. So teachers, parents and students in the tiny school district near Saginaw are trying to figure out what to do next.

Detroit federal court officials look to improve jury diversity

Sarah Hulett — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:55:17 +0000

The federal court that serves 32 counties in the eastern half of Michigan is changing its juror selection process in the hopes of improving jury diversity.

Judges on the bench say one of the main problems is a high rate of "undeliverable" mail in ZIP codes where minorities live. So starting this month, when mailings to potential jurors come back to the court, another mailing will go out to the same ZIP code.

In Royal Oak, human rights law appears headed for ballot

Sarah Hulett and Associated Press — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:12:42 +0000

Royal Oak's city clerk has certified the signatures on petitions to force a referendum on a new gay rights ordinance in the Detroit suburb.

Fred Birchard submitted

Feds indict two Detroit pension officials

Sarah Hulett — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:11:24 +0000

Federal prosecutors say two people linked to Detroit's pension systems took part in a bribery and kickback scheme involving more than $200 million in investments for the funds.

The U.S. Attorney in Detroit says Paul Stewart, a former trustee for the city's police and fire retirement system, took thousands of dollars in cash, trips and entertainment from people looking for investments from the pension fund.

Can Detroit be saved?

Sarah Hulett — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 15:45:32 +0000

Detroit is broke. On Friday, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced the state will take over the city's finances.

"It is time to say, we need to start moving upward with the city of Detroit," he said.

But the question on many people's minds is whether state intervention will be enough — and whether the more ominous and painful scenario of municipal bankruptcy can be avoided.

Adding Up The Debt

Just how far gone is Detroit?

Civil rights complaint ignites debate over Native American mascots

Sarah Hulett — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:00:00 +0000

For years, the debate about using American Indian names and imagery for sports teams has centered on the question of whether they create a “hostile environment” for Native American students. Courts have been split on that question, and so has public opinion – even among American Indians.

Interior Secretary, Levin to talk historic preservation in Detroit

Sarah Hulett — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:24:44 +0000

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Senator Carl Levin and Michigan officials will host a meeting in Detroit tomorrow to talk about how tax breaks for historic preservation projects can help distressed cities.

In a statement, Secretary Salazar says the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program has been used for 70 projects in Detroit since 2000. He says he wants to talk about how that program can help revitalize the city.

Study looks to get to bottom of 'Windsor hum'

Sarah Hulett — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:23:59 +0000

Researchers in Ontario will spend the coming months trying to get to the bottom of the noise and vibration known as the "Windsor Hum."

People in Windsor have complained about the low-frequency rumbling for the past two years.

Internet rumors close Genesee Co., Lapeer schools

Sarah Hulett — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:35:45 +0000

Schools in Genesee and Lapeer counties will be closed tomorrow and Friday, amid threats circulated on social media.

From the Genesee Co. Intermediate School District Web site:

STATESIDE: Ambitious Detroit agriculture project starts to take root

Sarah Hulett — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:08:40 +0000

There are parts of Detroit that have basically reverted to nature – the homes long gone, the grass tall, the pheasants outnumbering residents on some blocks.

One entrepreneur sees potential in all that empty, blighted space. But he’s not building new houses, or opening up a factory. Instead, he’s planning to plant thousands of trees.

Land sale draws huge, negative reaction at public hearing in Detroit

Sarah Hulett — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 03:36:28 +0000

A proposal to sell more than 140 acres of abandoned lots in Detroit drew hundreds of people to a public hearing tonight.

The vast majority were there to speak out against the plan.

Financial services entrepreneur John Hantz wants to buy more than 1,500 blighted city-owned lots and plant hardwood trees on them. Under the proposal, Hantz would pay $300 dollars per lot.

U of M Provost to become Dartmouth president

Sarah Hulett — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:19:36 +0000

University of Michigan Provost Philip Hanlon will be the new president of Dartmouth College. Hanlon has served as provost since 2010.

"(Hanlon) has steered the University through some of its most fiscally challenging years, all the while advancing our academic excellence and impact," U of M President Mary Sue Coleman said in a statement.

Hanlon started with the university in the mathematics department in 1986. He's a graduate of Dartmouth.

Enough consumerism, calls for 'Giving Tuesday'

Sarah Hulett — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 16:29:49 +0000

Philanthropic organizations want to capitalize on the spending campaigns of "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" - and also flip the idea of consumerism on its head.

The idea behind "Giving Tuesday" is to take time to donate to charity, after two of the biggest shopping days of the year.

Eileen Heisman is the CEO of National Philanthropic Trust - one of the groups promoting the campaign.

"This is the first year, but I think it's going to continue," said Heisman. "I'm almost positive it is, and so I think in the following years we'll see a much bigger push and more visibility for people taking this time of year to give back in a more formal way on this day."

Charities report nearly a quarter of their annual donations come between Thanksgiving and New Years.