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There are not many experiences more Michigander than taking a quick jaunt over to Canada. Metro Detroiters often pop over to nearby Canada via Windsor to visit our neighbors to the north (or sometimes south).
Before you head across the border, here's what you need to know about passports and other documentation you'll need for you, your kids and your pets.
Do I need a passport to drive to Canada?
Whether you're crossing via the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel or Ambassador Bridge, Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity, according to the U.S. Department of State website.
For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, a valid U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card or enhanced driver's license satisfies the requirements. U.S. citizen who are members of the FAST program may use their cards as proof of identity when arriving by land.
More:Canada lifts COVID-19 travel, border restrictions: What it means for Michiganders
More:48 undeclared bottles of alcohol seized at the Canadian Border
Do children need a passport to drive to Canada?
Children under 16 only need a birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship to cross into Canada by land. The birth certificate can be original, a photocopy or certified copy, according to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. If you plan to travel with a minor for whom you don't have full legal custody, CBSA may require a letter of authorization from the minor's parents or legal guardian.
For groups of children under age 19 arriving by land and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, they may also present an original or copy of a birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate or a Canadian Citizenship Card.
The group should provide, on organizational letterhead:
The name of the group and supervising adult.
A list of the children on the trip, the primary home address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child.
A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has obtained parental or legal guardian consent for each participating child.
Do I need a passport to re-enter the US from Canada?
According to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. citizens entering the United States by land are required to present a valid Western Hemisphere travel initiative-compliant document, which includes:
Passport Card
Enhanced driver's license
Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST)
U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders
Form I-872 American Indian Card, or (when available) Enhanced Tribal Card
U.S. citizen children, ages 16 and under, arriving by land from Canada may present an original or copy of their birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. The birth certificate can be an original, photocopy or certified copy.
If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived, a border officer will accept , according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
What if my passport has my old name on it?
U.S. citizens who change their name due to marriage, divorce, or because of any other circumstance, may travel using a passport or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative approved document in their prior name provided they bring proof of the name progression such as; a marriage certificate, a divorce decree or court documents showing a legal name change, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
What does it cost to go to Canada?
If you cross via the Ambassador Bridge, it'll cost $6.00 to cross into Canada and $8 when returning to the U.S. If you're traveling with a trailer, rates will vary based on weight and axles.
If you opt for the Detroit-Windsor tunnel, it costs $5.50 for automobiles and RVs, according to dwtunnel.com. On the way back, it's only $5.
The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel Bus will resume service Nov. 27, operate seven days a week and cost $7.50 each way, according to the City of Windsor.
Further north in Port Huron, it's $3.75 to cross the Blue Water Bridge into Canada.
And even further north in Sault Ste. Marie, it's $4 to cross the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.
Can my dog or cat travel to Canada?
Dogs older than 3 months old joining your road trip can enter Canada if they're accompanied by a rabies vaccination certificate and appear healthy, according to the Government of Canada.
If your dog is less than 3 months old, you'll need proof of its age, which you can get from a veterinarian, and the dog must appear healthy, A rabies certification is not required, for dogs less than 3 months old.
However, it's against the law to bring pit bulls into Ontario, according to Ontario law. The law does allow certain pit bulls to enter Ontario for recognized dog shows and flyball tournaments under limited circumstances.
If you're traveling with a domestic cat 3 months or older, you will need a valid rabies vaccination certificate or veterinary certificate.
If you're traveling with a domestic cat less than 3 months of age, a rabies certification is not required, but you'll need proof of the cat's age.
All pets must meet humane transportation requirements.
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2022-12-06T13:41:34Z
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www.freep.com
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Do I need a passport to drive to Canada?
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/06/canada-drive-passport-detroit-michigan-windsor-tunnel-ambassador-bridge/69663594007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/06/canada-drive-passport-detroit-michigan-windsor-tunnel-ambassador-bridge/69663594007/
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Adam Fox "fanatically embraced the cause and persistently pushed his recruits to action," Kessler said.The court filing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, came a week before U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker is scheduled to sentence Fox for conspiracy crimes. He and co-defendant Barry Croft Jr. were convicted in August.
More:3 men convicted of all counts in Whitmer kidnapping plot
The government said Fox's rage at elected officials was fueled by Whitmer's COVID-19 restrictions."We want a revolutionary war," he said in a June 2020 video. "We want to get rid of this corrupt, tyrannical … government. That's what we want to get rid of."
Croft, a trucker from Bear, Delaware, will be sentenced on Dec. 28. Two more men pleaded guilty to the kidnapping conspiracy and testified against Fox and Croft, while two other men were acquitted last spring.In October, in state court, three members of a paramilitary group called the Wolverine Watchmen were convicted of providing support for Fox.
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2022-12-06T13:41:40Z
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www.freep.com
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Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot case: Prosecutors say life sentence fits
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/06/gretchen-whitmer-kidnap-plot-case-prosecutors-say-life-sentence-fits/69704354007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/06/gretchen-whitmer-kidnap-plot-case-prosecutors-say-life-sentence-fits/69704354007/
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Detroit's former health director and 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is stepping into a new role at Wayne County.
El-Sayed joined Wayne County's Health, Human and Veterans Services Department as a project consultant last week, according to a news release, and will transition to the role of director of the department in March, pending Wayne County Commission approval.
"Health equity has to really be the focus and the frame for everything that we do," El-Sayed, 38, told the Free Press on Monday. He pointed to issues he'd like to focus on, including maternal and child health, environmental health, senior well-being and access to high quality health care services.
El-Sayed said public service has always been his goal. He led the City of Detroit's Health Department from 2015 to 2017. In 2018, he ran a progressive campaign for governor and lost the bid.
He said his past job helming Detroit's health department, which he described as a "rebuild," informs his new endeavor at the county level. He came into his city role as Detroit's health department was transitioning back into city control, post-bankruptcy, after being dismantled in 2012 due to cost-cutting measures.
"I learned a lot about how you design a health department to serve the needs of a really diverse community in Detroit and those experiences I'm certainly going to bring with me to the county," he said.
Currently, the City of Detroit's Water and Sewerage Department has an 18-month pilot program called the Lifeline Plan, but has not announced any long-term sources of funding for the program.
"With the change in leadership in Lansing, there's going to be a lot more opportunity to work with the state Legislature to find some long-term solutions and we'll continue to do work from there," he said.
El-Sayed − the son of Egyptian immigrants − is a physician, epidemiologist and author, according to his website. He hosts a podcast called "America Dissected," about public health, which he said, in social media posts, he will continue to host.
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2022-12-06T13:41:46Z
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www.freep.com
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Abdul El-Sayed joins Wayne County health department
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/06/abdul-el-sayed-joins-wayne-county-health-department-detroit/69701915007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/06/abdul-el-sayed-joins-wayne-county-health-department-detroit/69701915007/
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Detroit Pistons (6-19) vs. Miami Heat (11-12)
Where: FTX Arena in Miami.
TV: Bally Sports Detroit Extra
Radio: WWJ 950 AM (Pistons radio affiliates).
Game notes: The Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat meet for the first time this season, the Pistons will look to get back on the winning track, having lost four out of their last five games. The Miami Heat have bounced back from a mid-November slump and are now sitting 9th in the Eastern Conference standings.
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2022-12-06T13:42:11Z
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www.freep.com
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Detroit Pistons vs. Miami Heat: TV, radio, game info
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/06/detroit-pistons-vs-miami-heat-tv-radio-game-info/69703832007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/06/detroit-pistons-vs-miami-heat-tv-radio-game-info/69703832007/
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Mayor Mike Duggan is tapping his emergency powers to put a paratransit contract in place after the city received a notice that it was violating federal law.
The Federal Transit Administration sent a letter to Detroit Department of Transportation Director Mikel Oglesby on Nov. 17 indicating the city has an obligation to provide paratransit services under the American with Disabilities Act. Failing to do so would expose DDOT to enforcement by federal authorities and a loss of federal funding. In a Nov. 30 letter to Oglesby, the agency urged DDOT and city officials to resolve the issue through a special City Council session.
Council spent weeks debating whether to approve a new five-year contract with Transdev. Riders and advocates urged council members to vote on a shorter contract after dealing with mishaps, such as wrong pickup and drop off times. However, that could have opened up the city to legal challenges. Oglesby emphasized that if the contract were voted down, the city would have to restart its bidding process, which could take three to six months.
Council members narrowly passed the contract on Nov. 22, their final session before recess. But Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero sought to reconsider the decision, which ended in a 4-4 vote. Without a majority in favor, the vote failed. Member Scott Benson was not present for the vote. It was unclear whether they would reconvene or leave the matter to Duggan.
Duggan is working with city lawyers and multiple departments on the matter. He is expected to announce his plans for he issue this week.
At an affordable housing announcement on Monday, Duggan slammed the City Council for being "dysfunctional," Axios Detroit reported. He told reporters that there was no explanation to reject the contract and that he would be seeking further action.
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2022-12-06T16:01:06Z
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www.freep.com
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Duggan may use emergency powers on paratransit services contract
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/12/06/detroit-paratransit-services-contract-duggan-city-council-emergency-powers/69703083007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/12/06/detroit-paratransit-services-contract-duggan-city-council-emergency-powers/69703083007/
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Michigan taxpayers will help cover the costs associated with the recounts of two ballot proposals allowed to proceed by the state's elections panel despite concerns the exercise would provide fodder for election misinformation and questions about the legality of the request.
The review won't change the outcome of Proposals 2 and 3. Michigan voters approved the proposals by wide margins. Proposal 2 − which establishes early voting and other election changes − received nearly 60% of the vote in the recent Nov. 8 election while Proposal 3 to enshrine abortion rights in the Michigan Constitution received nearly 57% of the vote.
The recounts will not review enough votes to possibly change the outcome, the Michigan elections director said during a Board of State Canvassers meeting Monday.
"It's frustrating and it's really not a good use of taxpayer dollars," said Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown, a Democrat, who said the costs imposed on the county will depend on how long the recount takes but will include pay for election workers and staff. The assertions of fraud in the petitions in the recount are inaccurate and false, she said. "It is this continuing narrative of spouting disinformation, misinformation," she said.
Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck said he views the recounts as an opportunity to demonstrate to those who doubt the integrity of voting machines that the equipment counts ballots accurately. "I'm looking at it not necessarily as an opportunity for misinformation. I'm looking at it as an opportunity to prove that the system works. And I'm happy to do that," he said.
"Obviously it's an additional cost burden on our taxpayers," he said. "But it's a process that exists under the law."
During a meeting to review the petition for the recounts, GOP canvasser Tony Daunt and the board's chair derided the request, calling it a "fishing expedition" spearheaded by those who deny the legitimacy of the election.
"I personally think this is a gigantic waste of time. I think it is poisonous to our system," he said. During the tense meeting, Daunt sparred with attorney Daniel Hartman who appeared on behalf of recount petitioner Jerome Jay Allen. Hartman yelled at Daunt, accusing him of bias and Daunt, in turn, threatened to remove Hartman.
Election Integrity Force, the group Hartman said supported Allen's request for the recounts, filed a lawsuit earlier this year to decertify the 2020 election. The group thanked the America Project for providing financial support for the recount in a statement on its Facebook page. The America Project, backed by election conspiracists and allies of former President Donald Trump, helped recruit citizen election monitors for the recent midterm in ways election experts worried blurred the lines between lawful oversight and vigilantism.
Allen must pay $125 for each precinct recounted, according to the Secretary of State's Office. But that won't cover the significant costs imposed by the recounts, according to county clerks.
Brown said the recount in Oakland County will begin Wednesday and will entail paying county canvassers and 100 workers to help carry it out, plus meals and overtime for her staff.
"It adds up real fast," she said.
While only three precincts in Ottawa County will undergo a recount, Allen's payments still won't cover the full costs there either. Paying counting teams and members of the county canvassing board alone will cost over $1,000, Roebuck said. Paying staff from the county clerk's office for their time and transporting ballot containers to the recount site will also impose residual costs, he added.
GOP canvasser Richard Houskamp during the Board of State Canvassers meeting Monday characterized the recount as a futile exercise but worried that prohibiting it would fan the flames of election conspiracies.
"We've seen no fraud," he said. "It hasn't stopped the noise. And right now we have a request for a recount that won't go anywhere. But by turning down that recount at this board level, my concern is that all we're going to do is we're simply going to amp up the noise, and we're going to create more heat in the fire."
Steve Liedel, an attorney representing Reproductive Freedom for All, which sponsored Proposal 3, argued that Michigan election law requires those seeking a recount of ballot proposals to provide a specific description of an error the petitioner believed occurred in the returns from election workers or the canvass carried out by a Board of County Canvassers.
"There's no description of any fraud in the petition before you. None," he said. Instead, it includes general assertions of wrongdoing previously undercut by a Wayne County judge who dismissed a lawsuit that threatened to disenfranchise tens of thousands of Detroit voters based on similar claims. Hartman, the lawyer who represented the recount petitioner during the canvassing meeting Monday, also served as an attorney in the Wayne County case and during one court hearing yelled at the judge when told the lawsuit would disenfranchise military voters.
Assistant Attorney General Erik Grill disagreed with Liedel.
"Even if the claims of fraud or error were wrong, incorrect, unfounded or whatever else would be the basis for arguing that they're insufficient, I have found no legal authority for this board to either refuse to perform a recount or to reject a recall petition on the basis of the board's determination that the claims of fraud or error were insufficient to justify a recount," he said.
Mary Ellen Gurewitz − the only Democratic canvasser present at the meeting − blasted the petition for recounts as rife with debunked election conspiracies. "But if the statute provides that it is a right to waste that time and money, then we have to exercise that right," she said. In a 3-0 vote, the board adopted procedures for the recounts following a lengthy discussion.
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2022-12-06T18:11:31Z
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www.freep.com
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Pricey recount for Michigan's Proposal 2, 3 won't change outcome
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/12/06/recount-michigan-proposal-election/69704471007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/12/06/recount-michigan-proposal-election/69704471007/
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Former Free Press writer John Lowe wins BBWA Career Excellence Award, going to Hall of Fame
John Lowe, the former longtime Detroit Tigers beat writer for the Free Press, has been elected the 2023 winner of the Baseball Writers Association of America Career Excellence Award, the BBWAA announced on Tuesday.
Lowe will be honored during next summer's Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, in July.
Renown among baseball scribes and professed "seamheads" for his shirt, tie, suitcoat and Panama hat in the press box, Lowe covered the Tigers for 29 seasons. His mark on how journalists and fans view the game has been etched in time with his creation of the stat "quality start" for when a starting pitcher throws six or more innings and allows three earned runs or fewer.
NEXT YEAR'S TIGERS:This is Scott Harris' pitch to free agent targets at MLB winter meetings
A former BBWAA president, Lowe joined the Free Press in the early stages of the 1986 season from the Philadelphia Inquirer after spending time covering the Angels and Dodgers for the Los Angeles Daily News. The Southern Cal grad went on to cover the 1987 American League East Division winners, Mike Ilitch's purchase of the Tigers, the retirements of Sparky Anderson, Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell, the final game at Tiger Stadium and the team's most successful run in franchise history.
Lowe was named the Michigan sports writer of the year in 2012.
In an ironic twist fit for a baseball writer, John Lowe's final game he covered for the Free Press was the Tigers' final loss in the 2014 playoffs, at home to the Orioles. He announced his retirement from journalism the following week. The Tigers have not been to the postseason since.
Lowe is the third writer from Detroit to be so honored. Former Free Press and Detroit News columnist Joe Falls was the 2001 winner, and Tom Gage, Lowe's counterpart for many years at the Detroit News, won the award in 2015. Other recent award winners include Tim Kurkjian (2022), Jayson Stark (2019), Claire Smith (the first woman; 2017) and Peter Gammons (2004).
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2022-12-06T18:11:37Z
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www.freep.com
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Former Free Press writer John Lowe wins BBWA Career Excellence Award
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/12/06/detroit-free-press-john-lowe-bbwa-career-excellence-award-baseball-hall-of-fame/69705684007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/12/06/detroit-free-press-john-lowe-bbwa-career-excellence-award-baseball-hall-of-fame/69705684007/
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A crew is on the search for a poor deer who got its snout stuck in a Halloween bucket this week in Bloomfield Township.
The deer, who likely didn't get the memo that Halloween candy is long gone, was first sighted with the pumpkin bucket on its face by residents Thursday. A post calling for help rescuing the animal was shared widely on Facebook.
The city's fire and police departments and volunteers have yet to find the deer as of Tuesday afternoon, marking yet another day of no food or drink for the deer. The Bloomfield Township Animal Welfare department has also searched extensively for the deer, believed to be a young doe, to no avail.
"There's not a whole lot that can be done," said Nick Solui, Community Relations Officer for Bloomfield Township, adding that the city has called on the state's department of natural resources and the Detroit Zoo for assistance.
In screenshots of doorbell security footage Saturday, the bucket appears to be sealed onto the deer's snout and the thin black handle is stuck around its eyes.
Officials have been advised to stand down and wait for the deer to weaken enough for safe intervention or wiggle its way out on its own, Solui said.
"That's kind of the only advice we've heard with it being a plastic strap, they're hoping it will kind of wear down and free itself," he said. "I know it's kind of the ugly truth, but there's not much we can do."
In the meantime, residents in the area of Woodward Avenue and Square Lake Road are encouraged to keep an eye out for Rudolph the Orange-Nosed Deer.
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2022-12-06T19:56:01Z
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www.freep.com
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Deer spotted in Bloomfield Twp. with Halloween bucket stuck on snout
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/06/officials-on-the-search-for-deer-with-its-head-stuck-in-halloween-bucket/69705840007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/06/officials-on-the-search-for-deer-with-its-head-stuck-in-halloween-bucket/69705840007/
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Clara Hendrickson Arpan Lobo Dave Boucher
The U.S. Department of Justice special counsel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection recently subpoenaed Wayne County officials, the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office confirmed Tuesday.
The Washington Post first reported the requests for records from local officials in battleground states targeted by former President Donald Trump in his quest to overturn his 2020 loss. The Justice Department declined to comment in response to an inquiry from the Free Press.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland recently appointed special counsel Jack Smith to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to stop Congress from certifying the presidential election. Smith is also overseeing an investigation into classified documents and other presidential records.
Jake Rollow, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State's Office, told the Free Press in a text message that Wayne County received a subpoena from the special counsel but said the office hasn't seen a copy.
"We welcome and support the work of any law enforcement agency working to ensure full accountability for efforts to illegally overturn the fair and accurate results of Michigan's 2020 election," said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in a statement.
Lisa Williams, a spokesperson for the Wayne County Clerk's Office, declined to comment on the matter. "At this time we cannot confirm or deny the existence of a subpoena from the Department of Justice," she wrote in an email.
The request from the Justice Department's special counsel came to Wayne County and others in Arizona and Wisconsin last week, officials told the Washington Post.
In the wake of the 2020 election, Trump allies were unsuccessful in their attempts to overturn the election nationally and in Michigan and have faced scrutiny for some of their actions.
Lawyers representing a group of Republicans who filed a conspiracy-laden lawsuit seeking an order to hand the state’s Electoral College votes to Trump despite his loss to Joe Biden by more than 154,000 votes were sanctioned. An appeal challenging the order to pay more than $175,000 in legal fees is pending.
A group of Michigan Republicans who signed a fake certificate of electors in 2020 unsuccessfully attempting to award Michigan’s votes to Trump prompted a referral by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to federal prosecutors and subpoenas from the U.S. Congressional Committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault.
Trump repeatedly leveled false allegations about the 2020 election in Wayne County, zeroing in on Detroit in his campaign to subvert the will of voters.
Court rulings, audits and post-election reviews undercut Trump’s claims of wrongdoing.
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2022-12-06T20:13:26Z
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www.freep.com
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Justice Department special counsel subpoenas Wayne County
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/06/justice-department-special-counsel-subpoenas-wayne-county/69706135007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/06/justice-department-special-counsel-subpoenas-wayne-county/69706135007/
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Offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson, from Arizona State, announced Tuesday he will be joining the Wolverines for the 2023 season. Henderson, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound senior from Texas, started 29 games over four seasons, playing both left guard and left tackle. He played left guard the past few seasons and was a captain this season for the Sun Devils (3-9), but broke a bone in his hand during an October game and missed the final six games. He has one season of college eligibility remaining.
Mitch Albom:Who has it better than Michigan football? Not many anymore
He completed his true freshman season in 2019 as a 17-year-old, a surprise contributor because he did not start playing football until his junior year of high school at Waxahachie High School in Texas.
More:Michigan football tight end Erick All enters NCAA transfer portal
"Scouts like his physical build, with his long arms being an advantage in blocking in the interior," Michelle Gardner of The Arizona Republic wrote in November. "He also has good agility, explosiveness and foot speed."
Now, Henderson will be joining the two-time defending Big Ten champions.
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2022-12-06T20:13:38Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan football adds LaDarius Henderson from transfer portal
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/06/michigan-football-ladarius-henderson-transfer-portal-arizona-state/69705990007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/06/michigan-football-ladarius-henderson-transfer-portal-arizona-state/69705990007/
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MLB draft lottery: What to know about Detroit Tigers' odds, TV channel, more info
Joe Harrington Bobby Nightengale Marlowe Alter
Welcome to the inaugural MLB draft lottery.
The Detroit Tigers have the sixth-best odds to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft during the league’s first-ever draft lottery Tuesday night, which will determine the order for the first six spots.
The Tigers were a large disappointment in 2022, finishing 66-96, for their sixth consecutive losing season. They can drop as far as the 11th pick or move all the way up to No. 1. All eighteen teams to miss the postseason are participating in the lottery, though only seven have a greater than 5% chance to win the top selection.
More:This is Scott Harris' Detroit Tigers pitch to free agent targets at MLB winter meetings
The Tigers last picked No. 1 overall in 2020, selecting infielder Spencer Torkelson. Now, they have a new president of baseball operations in Scott Harris, and will be looking to add young talent to the pipeline.
Here's more information on baseball's new lottery system, which is far more strict against tanking than that of NBA and NHL, with live updates below the FAQ:
The lottery is Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. live from the winter meetings in San Diego.
The lottery will be televised on MLB Network, with a live simulcast streaming on MLB.com and the MLB app.
What teams have the best odds at the No. 1 pick?
Here are the seven teams with at least a 5% chance at winning the lottery:
Washington Nationals, 16.5%
Oakland A's, 16.5%
Pittsburgh Pirates, 16.5%
Cincinnati Reds, 13.25%
Kansas City Royals, 10%
Detroit Tigers, 7.5%
Texas Rangers, 5.5%
The three-worst teams have the same odds, just like in the NBA draft lottery, in hopes of removing an incentive to lose. Find the entire list of all 18 teams here.
The first six selections will be done by a lottery, a system put in place to combat tanking. Picks 7-18 will be reverse order of standings. The lottery includes every team that failed to make the playoffs. The lowest the worst team in the league, Washington, can draft is seventh overall.
The lottery only applies to the first round and the other 19 rounds will be based on record.
The Milwaukee Brewers have the worst odds to win the lottery at 0.2% (a fifth of a percent).
What other mechanisms are in place?
So MLB has instituted more rules to try to curve tanking over time.
Large-market teams (defined as teams which do not receive revenue sharing) are prohibited to select in the top 9 in consecutive years.
Small-market teams (revenue sharing recipients) are ineligible to select in the top 9 in three consecutive years.
Exact dates have yet to be revealed, but the draft will take place in Seattle. Bleacher Report reported in September it is likely to be from July 9-11 during All-Star Weekend.
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2022-12-06T20:13:44Z
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www.freep.com
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MLB draft lottery: What to know about Detroit Tigers' odds
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/12/06/detroit-tigers-mlb-draft-lottery-2023-odds-tv-channel/69706232007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/12/06/detroit-tigers-mlb-draft-lottery-2023-odds-tv-channel/69706232007/
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Dark days are at hand.
It's December, and solstice is right around the corner: The shortest day of the year happens on Dec. 21.
But Tuesday made history, too, in the darkness department: almost 85% of people on Earth -- 6.88 billion out of 8 billion worldwide -- experienced a "moment of darkness" at 2:56 p.m. EST, according to AccuWeather. That's when it was nighttime for Africa, Europe, and the majority of Asia. The U.S. and the rest of the world will be experiencing daylight.
More:Do you need a passport to drive to Canada?
According to TimeAndDate, Dec. 27 also is the runner-up for being the world’s darkest day.
The "moment of darkness" will always fall in December because the Earth's axis tilts toward the northern hemisphere away from the sun, according to a Forbes article. The least amount of sunlight is reaching the "top half" of Earth.
AccuWeather also mentioned that the brightest day of 2022 was July 8 and almost 99% of the world‘s population experienced sunlight simultaneously at 7:25 a.m. EST.
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2022-12-06T22:07:00Z
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'Moment of darkness' engulfed earth, and more is coming
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/06/moment-of-darkness-engulfed-earth-and-more-is-coming/69705350007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/06/moment-of-darkness-engulfed-earth-and-more-is-coming/69705350007/
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SAN DIEGO — The first-ever MLB draft lottery took place during the winter meetings Tuesday at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, and the Detroit Tigers received the No. 3 overall pick in 2023 edition of the amateur draft.
The Tigers, the sixth-worst team in baseball last season, moved up three spots from their pre-lottery odds. The Pittsburgh Pirates moved up two spots to No. 1 overall, followed by the Washington Nationals, who dropped one spot. The Texas Rangers are fourth, followed by the Minnesota Twins and the Oakland Athletics, who fell from second to sixth.
The 2023 draft takes place next July in Seattle as part of MLB's All-Star Game festivities.
FREE AGENT SHOPPING:This is Scott Harris' pitch to free agent targets at MLB winter meetings
The Tigers finished 66-96 overall last season and entered Tuesday's draft lottery, audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, with a 7.5% chance of picking No. 1 and a 24% chance of moving into the top three. They had an 8% chance of picking second, an 8.5% chance of picking third, a 9.1% chance of picking fourth and a 9.8% chance of picking fifth.
The 18 non-postseason teams were involved in the event, with odds ranging from 16.5% (Washington Nationals) to 0.23% (Milwaukee Brewers). The three worst teams in 2022 — the Nationals, Oakland Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates — all had a 16.5% chance of getting the No. 1 overall selection.
After the first six spots, the remaining teams will draft in reverse order of their 2022 winning percentage. In the second through 20th rounds, non-postseason teams will choose in reverse order of their winning percentage, meaning the Tigers will pick sixth in each round.
Some of the best available players in the 2023 draft, as mentioned by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel: LSU outfielder Dylan Crews, Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford, Ole Miss shortstop Jacob Gonzalez, Tennessee right-hander Chase Dollander, Franklin High School (Indiana) outfielder Max Clark, South Brunswick High School (North Carolina) outfielder Walker Jenkins, Mitchell High School (Alabama) third baseman Aidan Miller and Strawberry Crest High School (Florida) shortstop Arjun Nimmala.
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2022-12-07T03:20:17Z
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www.freep.com
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Detroit Tigers get third pick overall in 2023 MLB draft lottery
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/12/07/detroit-tigers-third-pick-overall-in-2023-mlb-draft-lottery/69706055007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/12/07/detroit-tigers-third-pick-overall-in-2023-mlb-draft-lottery/69706055007/
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Tyler Herro nearly ended the night early. But Bojan Bogdanovic did what he needed to do to ensure the Detroit Pistons left Miami on Tuesday with a victory.
Bogdanovic scored 28 points in the second half to lead the Pistons to come-from-behind victory, 116-96, over the Heat at FTX Arena. He scored 14 in the fourth period, knocking down three of his seven 3-pointers in the final seven minutes of the quarter to clinch the win. Bogdanovic made 12 of 16 shots from the field, including 7-for-9 from 3, and also had five assists.
Alec Burks (18 points, 9 rebounds), Saddiq Bey (14 points), Isaiah Stewart (11 points, 11 rebounds), Cory Joseph (11 points, five assists) and Jaden Ivey (10 points) all scored in double figures to help the Pistons overcome an 11-point deficit with six minutes to play in the first quarter. A Killian Hayes 3-pointer with roughly four minutes remaining in the third quarter gave Detroit the lead for good, and the Pistons outscored Miami by 15 points in the final period.
THAT POINT GUARD:Killian Hayes' scoring surge: What it means and why it matters
Herro (34 points, six assists) made his first eight shots and had 21 points at halftime. He didn’t miss his first field goal until the 7:40 mark of the third period. The Heat were without superstar Jimmy Butler (right knee injury management).
Burks bounces back
It didn’t look like Burks had missed much time when he made his season debut on Nov. 11 following a lengthy rehab from left navicular fracture surgery. Through his first nine games, the veteran wing averaged 16.7 points on 44.8% overall shooting and 42.9% shooting from 3.
Both Burks and Dwane Casey acknowledged several times that he was still getting his legs under him after a seven-month absence. He finally came back down to Earth over Detroit’s last three games, during which he scored just 17 points total and missed 14 of his 21 shot attempts.
Against the Heat, Burks got back to his usual self. He scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half, and hit two difficult jumpers — a turnaround midrange shot and a stepback 3-pointer — to help Detroit’s 38-23 run in the final period that sealed the victory.
Bogey continues his efficient season
Entering Tuesday, only two players in the NBA averaged at least 20 points per game on 50% overall shooting and 40% shooting from 3 — Utah Jazz breakout star Lauri Markkanen, and Bogdanovic. Detroit’s offense has had ups and downs this season, but Bogdanovic has been consistently great.
Tuesday ended up being another chapter in what’s been a strong season for the veteran forward. He’s having one of the best offensive seasons in recent franchise memory, and is showing why the organization had no qualms extending him through two more seasons earlier this season.
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2022-12-07T05:00:03Z
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www.freep.com
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Bojan Bogdanovic leads Detroit Pistons to blowout win at Miami, 116-96
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/07/detroit-pistons-game-recap-miami-heat-bojan-bogdanovic/69707395007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/07/detroit-pistons-game-recap-miami-heat-bojan-bogdanovic/69707395007/
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General Motors said Wednesday it now has about 1,000 of its 4,450 dealers in North America enrolled in the Dealer Community Charging Program, an initiative aimed at doubling the number of Level 2 electric vehicle chargers across North America by 2026.
GM also said it has selected EV-charging manufacturer FLO, based in Quebec City, Canada, to make the chargers. FLO’s first U.S. manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills will be the main production location for the program’s charging stations. FLO said this past summer that it plans to complete the new factory by next fall. The facility will cost $3 million and create 133 jobs.
GM has already installed some community charging stations. Wheelers Chevrolet GMC was the first dealer to participate and recently installed its first charging stations at two parks, a library and a sports complex in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Young Chevrolet Cadillac in Owosso, Michigan, was next, installing charging stations at Memorial Healthcare Wellness Center in Owosso. Dealers in Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio and Washington state are expected to install their first chargers in the months ahead.
Initially the program opened only to Chevrolet dealers, but GM will expand it to Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers starting in January. GM’s Dealer Community Charging Program intends to eventually add up to 40,000 Level 2 chargers in local communities — including underserved rural and urban areas where charging is often limited or nonexistent — across the U.S. and Canada.
“Nearly 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a GM dealership," Hoss Hassani, vice president of GM EV Ecosystem, said in a statement. "Our dealers are deeply involved and trusted in their communities and are well positioned to determine locations that expand access to EV charging, including at small businesses, entertainment venues, schools and other popular destinations.”
Here's how it works: Dealers who participate can receive up to 10 charging stations, which GM pays for, but dealers are responsible for the pedestals, cable management, dealer branding, networking, maintenance and warranty on the stations, said Natalee Runyan, GM spokeswoman. The site where the charging station is installed is responsible for permitting, installation and energy costs, she said.
"Dealers are responsible for researching and identifying potential sites in their communities," Runyan said in an email to the Free Press. "GM provided guidelines to help identify ideal sites. We advised dealers to focus on community gathering spaces that are well-lit and accessible and typically have at least two hours of dwell time to allow for sufficient charging."
Some examples she gave included colleges and universities, hospitals, wellness centers, sports complexes, event venues, shopping centers, libraries and parks. The charging stations will be available to all EV drivers, not just GM EV owners.GM said its dealers will enable it to hit its target of selling all zero-emissions vehicles by 2035 and dealers will be "the catalyst for EV adoption in communities that would otherwise have limited EV infrastructure" by not only servicing EVs, but helping bring more chargers to the public.
In addition, GM launched the Ultium Charge 360 network last year to help EV drivers find access to some 60,000 charging stations across the U.S. and Canada. GM is investing $750 million in the charging infrastructure through Ultium Charge 360 to make EV adoption more appealing to consumers.
More:GM taps NASA's sound of the sun recording for feature on Cadillac Lyriq
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2022-12-07T14:12:55Z
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www.freep.com
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How many GM dealers have signed up to build public EV chargers so far
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2022/12/07/gm-dealers-build-public-ev-chargers/69706743007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2022/12/07/gm-dealers-build-public-ev-chargers/69706743007/
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A decidedly unfriendly holiday spirit at Warren City Hall has made Mayor Jim Fouts the victim of a prank by the lawyer hired by Warren City Council to oppose Fouts’ administration.
That lawyer was caught over the weekend on a City Hall surveillance video affixing to a wall a photoshopped portrait of the Grinch — yes, that Grinch, the Dr. Seuss character from children’s books about a nasty dude who “stole Christmas.” But this drawing has Fouts’ face superimposed over that of the leering Grinch.
The City Council’s lawyer, Jeff Schroder of the Bloomfield Hills-based Plunkett Cooney law firm, is clearly seen on the surveillance video affixing the derogatory poster to a city hall doorway at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening, shortly after the mayor had hosted three young children for lighting the city’s holiday tree. The ceremony took place before a crowd of singing carolers, Christmas well-wishers – and, apparently, Schroder.
A city employee found the poster on Tuesday, just after 7 a.m., before City Hall opened for the day. The usual housekeeping staff had Monday off, delaying the discovery, said Amanda Mika, executive administrator, and assistant to the mayor. Because Schroder turned at one point during his prank and faced the city’s video camera, his face is clearly identifiable as the perpetrator, Mika said.
Also read:Man dressed as Grinch accused of punching guy in reindeer costume at Up North party
Schroder did not respond to an email sent to him on Tuesday and he hung up on a phone call before a reporter could identify himself, saying, "I don't know what that is." A Fox2 television report on Monday at 5 p.m. said that Schroder also failed to respond when a reporter called and emailed. Fouts said not only was the prank an insult to him "and really to my entire staff," but also it violated a city ordinance against defacing city hall.
"I had just had little kids lighting our tree, some of them physically challenged -- we had a very heart-warming event — and right after this he defaces our building," Fouts said.
Finding the defamatory poster is only the latest incident in a series of heated controversies involving Schroder and Warren's mayor. Schroder has long been a lightning rod for municipal controversy because he was hired without the City Council going through a city-required bidding process and because he pushed the council to sue Fouts’ administration in eight lawsuits, all of which are pending. Fouts has said repeatedly for more than two years that Schroder is working for the city in violation of Warren’s city charter. Fouts, on behalf of his administration, filed a lawsuit challenging the council’s ability to hire Schroder as city attorney, losing in Macomb Circuit Court. That case is pending in the State Appeals Court.
Warren's city charter calls for the mayor to appoint a city attorney, not the City Council, although the Council is then to approve the appointment. Those actions occurred in 2017, when Fouts chose Ethan Vinson as the full-time city attorney, after which city council members approved the choice of Vinson, Warren’s first African-American city attorney. Vinson remains on the city payroll, at $126,000 per year. Yet, council members have for more than a year refused to let him make presentations to them and they've ordered him not to attend council meetings.
In May 2020, according to a previous Free Press report, Warren City Council President Pat Green said the council would not seek bids before hiring its city attorney because the job falls under the category of professional services, which need not be filled by competitive bidding. Other cities routinely request bids before hiring lawyers from outside firms to handle legal chores. At that time, Green said funding for the position would come from the City Council budget, with about $20,000 available for the fiscal year. Since then, Schroder, while working only part-time for the City Council, has submitted billings for "hundreds of thousands of dollars every year," Fouts said on Tuesday.
In May, the Warren City Council discussed its budget for the current fiscal year that began July 1. According to city documents, council members first reviewed the mayor's annual recommendations for city spending, including the figure of $27,479 that Fouts suggested that the City Council budget for its "contractual services," to cover the costs of outside professionals such as lawyers. The City Council, however, anticipated its need to pay Schroder considerably more this year. It approved $425,000.
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2022-12-07T14:13:19Z
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www.freep.com
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Warren council lawyer caught mocking Mayor Fouts with Grinch poster
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2022/12/07/warren-council-lawyer-caught-mocking-mayor-fouts-with-grinch-poster/69706965007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2022/12/07/warren-council-lawyer-caught-mocking-mayor-fouts-with-grinch-poster/69706965007/
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Michigan State (5-4, 0-1 Big Ten) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
Where: Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA.
TV: BTN.
Game notes: Michigan State hits the road for the first time in Big Ten play, looking to avoid an 0-2 start in league play since they stumbled out to an 0-3 start in the 2020-21 season. A loss in State College for the Spartans would give MSU back-to-back losses on the road to Penn State for the first time since the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons.
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2022-12-07T14:13:31Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan State vs. Penn State Nittany Lions: TV, radio, game info
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2022/12/07/michigan-state-basketball-vs-penn-state-nittany-lions-tv-radio-game-info/69707359007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2022/12/07/michigan-state-basketball-vs-penn-state-nittany-lions-tv-radio-game-info/69707359007/
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Detroit Pistons game score vs. New Orleans Pelicans: How to watch tonight's back-to-back
Game notes: The Pistons come into this second game of a back-to-back on a high note after Tuesday's 116-96 win over the Heat in Miami. Bojan Bogdanovic scored 31, 24 in the second half. Let's see how much is left in the tank tonight in the Big Easy, thought he Pelicans have been anything but easy. They are currently second in a loaded Western Conference, led by Zion Williamson's 23.6 points per game. But the Pels will be without a pair of starters in Brandon Ingram (toe) and Herbert Jones (ankle).
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2022-12-07T14:13:41Z
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www.freep.com
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Detroit Pistons game score vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Time, TV, etc.
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/07/detroit-pistons-game-score-new-orleans-pelicans-live-scoring-updates/69707437007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/07/detroit-pistons-game-score-new-orleans-pelicans-live-scoring-updates/69707437007/
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Jeff Mortimer glances at the form that he's planning to fill out with the hope he might, just might, cut through a backup at the IRS to shake loose $933 that's he's been owed for what's getting awfully close to two years now.
Mortimer, a writer in Ann Arbor, doesn't miss the irony of the title — Form 911.
"That can't be a coincidence," he says, listening to classical music in his crowded home office a week before Thanksgiving.
After receiving a letter back in January that declared that he was owed $933 from the Internal Revenue Service, he's still waiting for the cash. And for nearly a year, he's had absolutely no idea how he would ever get that money.
A 911 emergency, indeed.
Like for many people, money is tight.
Mortimer, 76, works freelance. He's got a pension check that amounts to $334 a month from his 20 years at the Ann Arbor News where he once worked as a sports writer among other jobs, his Social Security each month and any income he can generate taking on projects, such as a book he's writing with a local entrepreneur.
Like most people, he lost a good deal of income when the economy shut down during the early part of the pandemic in 2020.
Like many older adults, he's had health issues, including daunting surgery and medical challenges in 2022.
Right now, he's struggling with some bills, including looking at DTE bill for $380. He could have used all the money he's owed from the IRS, like yesterday.
He's turning to Form 911 as a last resort. The form is a way to ask the Taxpayer Advocate Service for assistance when one is unable to resolve tax issues through normal channels and faces undue hardship as a result of the IRS actions or inactions. Taxpayers can go to www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov and click on the “contact us” tab and hit submit a request for assistance.
Currently, taxpayers must submit requests by mail, fax, or phone. The quickest method is by fax. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is working on developing an option for taxpayers to submit their requests for assistance online in the future.
About 10 months ago, Mortimer had some hope that the check was in the mail. But he's seen no money yet.
CP80 Notice creates confusion but oddly offers hope
He received paperwork from the IRS dated Jan. 24 — a CP80 Notice — that stated he was due a $933 credit for his 2020 tax return. "However," the notice stated, "we haven't received your tax return."
A glut of CP80 notices hit mailboxes all across the country in January, including many sent to taxpayers who owed the IRS but already sent a check. Yes, somehow the IRS cashed those checks but then told people they had not received a return. (The reason: Federal income tax returns are separated from the check and then returns are processed further down the line after the check has been cashed.)
The IRS initially told those taxpayers that they needed to file a copy of their 2020 return immediately. After taxpayers and others voiced their complaints, the IRS only later announced that it would "suspend notices in situations where we have credited taxpayers for payments but have no record of the tax return being filed."
None of this helped Mortimer get his money.
IRS has 3.2 million unprocessed returns
Many people who are caught up in an endless wait seem to have a few things in common with Mortimer. They collected unemployment benefits in 2020 and paid federal income taxes on those benefits when they filed their tax returns in early 2021. They filed before a key change in the tax rules took place on March 11, 2021 — or they filed without realizing that the tax rules had changed — and they're owed some money.
In some cases, like Mortimer's, a paper return was involved and then seemingly got caught up in a backload of paper that had piled up at the IRS in the past few years since the pandemic hit. While millions of old returns have been processed, a new tax season will fuel another pile up.
Others who are waiting face issues when it comes to resolving stimulus payments or recovery rebate credits.
The IRS has taken steps to decrease its massive inventory, including hiring additional employees and reassigning employees from other areas to work on the backlog. But Erin M. Collins, the National Taxpayer Advocate, noted in a blog that taxpayers and IRS employees have been stuck in a "time warp due to underfunding and understaffing."
She has noted that most paper is not scanned into computers because of an outdated IRS system. So employees "manually process the returns and correspondence, manually keystroking the numbers from each document into IRS systems digit by digit, and manually moving the returns through the entire process from receipt to storage."
The IRS indicated that processing letters or responses from taxpayers to notices that the IRS has sent out earlier is taking "longer than usual due to resource restrictions. The exact timeframe varies depending on the type of issue."
As of Nov. 25, the IRS had 3.2 million unprocessed individual returns received this year, including returns filed for the 2021 tax year and those filed late for previous years. Of that group, 1.7 million returns have errors that will need to be corrected or they require other special handling, and 1.5 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed.
"This work does not typically require us to correspond with taxpayers, but it does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund," the IRS stated on its website.
The IRS said it continues to process returns that need to be reviewed manually because of errors.
Another startling statistic: As of Nov. 26, the IRS said it had 800,000 unprocessed Forms 1040-X. Those amended returns are being processed in the order received and "the current timeframe can be more than 20 weeks."
More:IRS cashed the check but asked these taxpayers to re-send returns
IRS cashed the check
Mortimer figured he was owed the money. It couldn't be right, he thought, that the IRS said it had not received his 2020 return. He mailed his return to the IRS roughly a year before receiving this letter; the return was sent back in March 2021. He filed by paper, not by e-file, because the preparer who does his taxes on the side files by paper.
And the IRS cashed the check that he sent along with the return, a check for $933.
"I paid it and I didn't owe it," Mortimer said.
He even wondered: How did the IRS know in January that he was owed $933 if they didn't receive that paper return nearly a year earlier?
Mortimer knows that a big temporary tax deduction was missed when his tax preparer handled the original 2020 federal return in early 2021.
His 2020 federal return, filed in late March 2021, overlooked a valuable break for people who were unemployed during the economic fallout in 2020. He wasn't the only person to make this mistake.
The tax rules changed at a strange time in 2021, shortly after the tax season had kicked off and many had already begun preparing and filing tax returns.
Following the rules then the rule is changed
The American Rescue Plan — which was signed on March 11, 2021, shortly after tax season began — ended up excluding up to $10,200 in 2020 unemployment compensation for individuals from taxable income calculations. The exclusion applied to individuals and married couples whose modified adjusted gross income was less than $150,000. Even if you qualified, amounts over $10,200 for each individual were still taxable.
Many taxpayers overpaid because they filed returns based on old tax rules that treated all jobless benefits as taxable income. The tax break was for one year only, 2020.
Once that large chunk of money wasn't reported as taxable income, many people were owed a bigger refund or owed less in taxes.
The IRS ended up systematically correcting 14 million income tax returns that had mistakes on them relating to unemployment benefits that would not be treated as taxable for 2020. And the IRS issued a total of $14.7 billion in tax refunds relating to that issue, which covered 12 million of those returns. Some taxpayers received refunds, while others had the overpayment applied to taxes due or other debts.
The IRS mailed a letter to those taxpayers to inform them of the corrections, generally within 30 days from when the corrections were completed. It took the IRS many months to handle the recalculations, the National Taxpayer Advocate stated, which required duplicative work for millions of returns.
The IRS has not spelled out how many people, like Mortimer, are still waiting for a refund or credit relating to the change how jobless benefits were taxed in 2020.
"The IRS is no longer performing automatic corrections of tax year 2020 accounts to allow the unemployment compensation exclusion for taxpayers who claimed unemployment compensation on their 2020 return," said IRS spokesperson Luis Garcia said in a statement.
Garcia noted that those who are entitled to the tax break for 2020 but did not see it automatically corrected could need to file an amended return to claim the exclusion. But the IRS said you should not file an amended return if you already filed one to claim the 2020 unemployment compensation exclusion.
He also suggests that taxpayers who have not received or cannot find an IRS letter or notice view their 2020 tax records through their online account at IRS.gov to track activity.
While the situation has been resolved for millions, news reports elsewhere indicate that others, like Mortimer, are still waiting for their money and the 2020 situation involving the unemployment compensation to be resolved.
Mortimer quickly filed an amended paper return in April 2021 to try to clear up the mistake. The adjusted gross income listed on that amended return was $23,668 — and included about $6,500 in jobless benefits but excluded the amount that was now allowed to be left off the return.
Many find it hard to understand where to turn next
About nine months after filing that amended return, he received that CP80 notice indicating he was owed $933. He's not sure if the CP80 notice reflects that he sent a check when he shouldn't have, but that seems to make some sense.
He knows he sent $933 — a check that was cashed — and the IRS told him he is due a $933 credit.
Can he find an easy answer out of this mess? No, not at all. After he reached out to me via email in early November, I suggested that he contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent arm of the agency designed to help taxpayers resolve problems.
He has been dealing with health problems the past year but did try to see if he could solve the problem by going to the IRS website at IRS.gov and making phone calls to the IRS. He hit nothing, he says, but a dead end.
The "Where's My Refund?" tool on the IRS site would read: "Refund status results, we cannot provide any information about your refund."
He clicked on a link to check on his amended return. But that site indicated that information on his amended return was "currently unavailable in this application."
"When I called the 800 number and selected 'refunds,'" he said, "it was the same drill."
After he supplied his information, the system then told Mortimer it didn’t have any information on a refund and directed him to IRS website.
"When I selected 'all others,' I was asked for a password. When I selected 'inquire about a notice,' I got a robot who couldn’t understand my question," Mortimer said.
Then, he called the number listed on the website for the nearest IRS office, which is in downtown Detroit, nearly 50 miles away.
"I got two minutes of useless information, including being directed to the website five or six times, and then was told everyone was too busy to talk to me and try again next business day. Which is today, but I’m writing to you instead," Mortimer said in his first email to me on Nov. 8.
He cannot understand how he can get a letter from the IRS back in January about being owed money but then not have that money in hand by November and now December.
"It seems pretty incompetent," he told me when I visited him in Ann Arbor in November. "I don't know a polite way of saying it. This is a screwup. And I was pretty excited when I got this," referring to the January notice.
He thought the money would somehow show up after he did what he was told to do.
When he received the CP80 notice, he said he got right on it and sent out a copy of his return in January and he enclosed a copy of the amended return, the one which showed $933 due.
"Now what? Every door has been slammed in my face," he said.
He says he's tried to do what he was told to do but he's getting nowhere. All he has is the notice from January indicating that he's owed money. But he has no money.
"There have been times that this has felt like a second job," Mortimer said.
Matt Hetherwick, director of individual tax programs for the nonprofit Accounting Aid Society in Detroit, said there could be all sorts of reasons why the IRS hasn't sent the money yet.
"If they haven't processed the tax return, then they don't know what to do with the credit," Hetherwick said.
"Unfortunately the backlog of paper documents that the IRS has had to process since the pandemic wreaked havoc," Hetherwick said. "Plus the shortage of staff has created a lot of challenges for tax filers." The Accounting Aid Society also agreed to take a look at Mortimer's situation.
Mortimer mailed the Form 911 on Nov. 18, sending it via certified mail. And he received a confirmation that it was received Nov. 23. He got a call from the Taxpayer Advocate Service on Dec. 1.
The bottom line of that conversation is that he isn't looking at an immediate fix but he might receive his money in about 45 days — which is rougly a year after he received his CP80 notice and nearly two years after he filed his 2020 federal income tax return.
In addition to other situations, the Taxpayer Advocate Service notes online that it is currently working with taxpayers who have unprocessed income tax returns for the tax year 2020 and earlier that were filed by mailing a paper return to the IRS. These effort involves returns that the IRS has not yet entered into its systems.
Mortimer said he was told that the amended return, sent by mail in April 2021, was not processed. And the Taxpayer Advocate Service staff member would have to send a request to the IRS to go ahead and process it to release his refund.
"I asked her the familiar question — if they hadn't processed my return, how did they know I had that credit?"
He said she responded: "That's one of the wonders of the Internal Revenue Service. ... I can see the return and it wasn't completely processed for whatever the reason may be."
Mortimer is expected to touch base again with the Taxpayer Advocate Service on Jan. 31 to get an update on how much progress is being made.
Mortimer said he told the woman: "I don't think I can sigh deeply enough." Not surprisingly, even she had to laugh a bit at that one.
Mortimer told me that he would have never have known about the Taxpayer Advocate Service if I had not suggested it to him. He even went back to the IRS web site to see where the service is listed.
"If you scroll down to the bottom of the home page, there are a bunch of lists, one of which is headed 'Know Your Rights,'" he said.
There, the second item is "Taxpayer Advocate Service."
"That's it," he said. "In other words, you can't find it unless you're looking for it, and you wouldn't be looking for it unless you already knew about it. This seems like a deficiency to me."
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2022-12-07T19:13:33Z
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www.freep.com
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Man waits for $933 after unemployment tax issue on 2020 return
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/personal-finance/susan-tompor/2022/12/07/unemployment-tax-issue-irs-return/69651412007/
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A Downriver man on a religious pilgrimage has been released from a Saudi prison after spending more than a month in custody, said his attorney and U.S. officials.
Mohamad Salem, 63, of Melvindale, has arrived in the U.S. and was expected to arrive in Michigan Wednesday night, said attorney Abdallah Moughni. Salem was arrested Nov. 1 by police in Saudi Arabia after he spoke out in anger to undercover police about burning down the country in a dispute with security officers who had separated him from his sons. He was jailed and then sent to a maximum-security prison, drawing concern from family and the U.S. government.
Officials in the State Department, National Security Council, and the offices of U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., fought to get him released, according to emails from their offices.
The metro Detroit family of the father of 10 is thrilled that he has been released.
"They are excited; they are happy; they can't believe it," Moughni said. "They were expecting the worst for this entire month. Every day that went by, they expected worse and worse and worse, then all the sudden, it's like a complete 180. Now they have their father back, and he's back in American soil. So they're as happy as can be."
U.S. officials also applauded his release.
"We were very pleased to hear this news earlier today, and are thrilled that Mohamad is on his way home," Robert Berschinski, a special assistant to the president and senior director for democracy and human rights at the National Security Council, wrote in an email Wednesday.
More:GOP made gains in east Dearborn after protests over LGBTQ books
"We heard the great news from the State Department early this morning," wrote Larissa Richardson, chief of staff to Tlaib, in an email. "We are so glad to hear about the safe return for Mr. Salem home."
Tlaib had called upon Saudi Arabia to release Salem in a statement last week to the Free Press.
Salem was visiting Saudi Arabia along with his two sons on an Islamic pilgrimage known as Umrah. His sons are staying in Saudi Arabia for now to complete their religious obligations and will return next week, Moughni said.
Moughni said he was notified at 2 a.m. Wednesday morning that Salem was put on a one-way flight to Washington, D.C.
Moughni said that a Free Press story published Saturday "is what pushed swift action."
Salem had arrived in Saudi Arabia in October for his pilgrimage. On Nov. 1, he was standing in line with his two sons when security officers separated him from his two sons and told him to go to another line, which upset him.
Out of frustration and anger, he then said to two people he didn't know were undercover police that he would burn the country down if it wasn't for the fact it has two holy cities for Muslims.
"At this point, Mohamad was livid," Moughni said earlier. "He just let it out. He said something that he probably shouldn't have. And he said that if it were not for Mecca and Medina, we would burn this country to the ground. Mohamad was arrested. He was put in a general facility at first."
After being jailed, Salem was later transferred to Dhahban Central Prison, a maximum-security center that has drawn criticism for abusing detained political activists.
Born in Yemen, Salem is a retired seaman who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and diabetes; family members were worried about his health. He was later provided with appropriate medication, Moughni said.
Emails reviewed by the Free Press show that U.S. officials in their embassy in Saudi Arabia were aware of the case and expressed their concern. The case came at a time when the U.S. government is trying to improve its relations with the Gulf nation after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In an email on Nov. 14, Richardson wrote: "We continue to follow the case closely, in coordination with our Embassy and the Department, and are working to provide all appropriate assistance."
The top U.S. diplomat in Saudi Arabia also spoke about the case.
On Nov. 28, "our Chargé d'affaires Martina Strong raised Mr. Salem's case at a high-level ... meeting and we continue to advocate on his behalf," a State Department official wrote in an Nov. 30 email to an aide to Peters. "Please note that this is a priority for us here in Jeddah as well as for colleagues across the Mission in Riyadh and (we) are working tirelessly for both speedy resolution and consular access."
Moughni's father, Majed Moughni, also worked to bring Salem back.
"Behind the scenes, congressional and White House leaders did what they could to undue the colossal blunder on the parts of the Saudis," Majed Moughni said. "The stature of America as a superpower was at risk here."
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2022-12-08T01:02:12Z
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www.freep.com
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Mohamad Salem of Michigan is freed from Saudi prison after one month
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/08/mohamad-salem-freed-from-saudi-prison/69709310007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/08/mohamad-salem-freed-from-saudi-prison/69709310007/
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Ford announced Wednesday its global chief marketing officer, Suzy Deering, would be "departing the company" effective Thursday. No successor was named.
The four-sentence news release offered no hint as to why Deering was leaving the Dearborn automaker.
"Deering has served as Ford’s global chief marketing officer for the past two years, overseeing brand communication, ecommerce and digital strategy, as well as the go-to-market strategy for Ford Blue and while supporting the future vision of Model e," the company said.
Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue, which focuses on the internal combustion engine side of the business, said, “We thank Suzy for her contributions to Ford and wish her all the best in the future."
In previous departure announcements, Ford has included a statement from the employee. This one did not.
Deering made headlines in November 2020 when Ford announced hiring the 51-year-old eBay executive who spent five years there as worldwide and North America global chief marketing officer. It was part of a team shakeup at the time. Ford CEO Jim Farley took the helm on Oct. 1, 2020, and made a series of immediate executive changes.
He emphasized the need to add technology skill to the team, and Deering had experience using technology, data and analytics to anticipate customer needs and tailor strategy to respond.
Ford said Deering would modernize marketing, drive brand strategy and institute best practices while running all marketing operations in North America. Ford emphasized the importance of this role, as North America generated more than 70% of Ford’s automotive revenue, including customer intelligence and product and consumer marketing.
Data analytics is an increasingly lucrative area for companies, including automotive.
In a news release announcing Deering's hiring, Galhotra said, “Suzy’s world-class background will be vital to modernizing our approach, dialing up our understanding of customer ambitions and redefining our brands to help us grow.”
Deering said in a statement after being hired, “My team will be involved from end-to-end on behalf of customers — better connecting with them, using data to foresee and deliver what they need, and earning and keeping their trust.”
Goodbye on LinkedIn
Deering posted a message on the LinkedIn professional network Wednesday afternoon.
She wrote, "I joined this beloved Brand two years ago because of the mission and belief in what is possible now and for the next 100 years. During the time I’ve been at Ford a lot of change has happened and the path forward is even clearer and more spectacular. The crafting of teams to help invigorate new thinking and leverage the greatness and timelessness of the expertise is unstoppable. Today I still believe in this mission and vision."
Deering focused on her departure, strengths of Ford as a brand and optimism for the company's future.
"I’ve made the decision that it is time for me to move on and let the team fly. ... Lean on the strength of a clear company purpose that is driving the overall company mission," she wrote.
"It will bring me great joy to see the fruit of the labor of standing up an in-house eCommerce business to support the needs and expectations of the customer," Deering said. "Also, the game changing opportunity of recognizing the power of software and the dynamic interaction with the customer daily to unleash excitement like they never dreamed of from FORD. All while elevating the amazing portfolio of products for today and into the future. The shift to focusing on the customer and aligning all aspects of the business to exceed their expectations isn’t easy but I believe in what’s possible and what’s ahead."
She said she will be "rooting for Ford" and "smiling at what comes to life."
"Thank you to all of you who have lifted me up and pushed me forward to help stand up the foundation and deliver great work," she wrote. "As many of you know my priorities personally are God, Family and Work. So, for the next little bit, I will be spending some time with my family and giving back to the One that makes it all possible."
Nearly 400 people had commented on her page by Wednesday night, offering thanks and well wishes.
More:Ford Focus, Fiesta cars sit in shop for months, owners ‘ghosted’ by automaker
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2022-12-08T02:03:07Z
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Ford's top marketing exec Suzy Deering leaves automaker
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2022/12/08/fords-top-marketing-exec-leaves-ford/69710407007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2022/12/08/fords-top-marketing-exec-leaves-ford/69710407007/
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Detroit Pistons run out of steam in road loss to New Orleans Pelicans, 104-98
The New Orleans Pelicans threatened to put the game away early when they took a 16-point lead early in the third quarter. But on the second night of a back-to-back, the Detroit Pistons showed resolve.
Strong performances from Saddiq Bey and Killian Hayes weren't enough, and the Pistons fell to the Pelicans in New Orleans, 106-98, on Wednesday.
Bojan Bogdanovic was ejected with 9:13 to play in the third quarter after picking up a pair of technical fouls for uttering words in the direction of a referee. Trey Murphy hit two free throws to extend New Orleans' lead to 61-45. But the Pistons cut the deficit to four with 1:08 to play in the quarter, and stayed within an eight-point margin the rest of the way.
A 3-pointer from Bey with 19.4 seconds left cut the deficit to 100-97, but the shot was overruled to a 2-pointer after a video review revealed his foot on the line. Bey had one of his best games of the season with 25 points on 9-for-17 overall and 5-for-10 shooting from 3, and Hayes added 17 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and two steals. Jalen Duren added a double-double off of the bench with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
TURNING THE CORNER:Killian Hayes' scoring surge: What it means and why it matters
Zion Williamson led all scorers with 29 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
Hayes shines as Pistons show tired legs
Hayes’ 22-point, eight-assist performance in last week’s 131-125 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks — during which he scored 14 points in the final 17 minutes and two big 3-pointers to clinch the game in the final two — is the most memorable game of the young guard’s career. His performance against the Pelicans wasn’t as theatrical, but it was arguably just as important.
On a night where the Pistons appeared to be on the verge of getting blown out multiple times, Hayes did everything he could to give them a fighting chance. His best stretch came in the third quarter, when he scored or assisted 16 consecutive points to help the Pistons cut a 16-point deficit to six at the end of the period. The run included three 3-pointers by Bey and one by Jaden Ivey, a dunk for Duren and steal and dunk by Hayes.
It was one of Hayes’ best two-way performances. He got the Pistons rolling early with a crossover midrange jumper and a steal and transition dunk to build an early 7-0 lead, and dished four of his 10 assists in the opening period. In the second quarter, he had a stretch where he made CJ McCollum travel after locking him down defensively, assisting Stewart for a 3-pointer and then got in the lane himself for a midrange shot to cut the deficit to two, 42-40.
Hayes’ final field goal was a clutch 3-pointer with 2:20 remaining in the fourth quarter that cut the deficit to 97-94. However, Hayes turned the ball over with 47 seconds left while trying to thread a difficult corner-to-corner pass to Bey, who also did his part to give Detroit a fighting chance. He made a foot-on-the-line midrange jumper with 19.4 seconds left to cut the deficit to four.
Bey snaps slump from outside, thrives off bench
Wednesday was Bey’s best game in more than a month. It was his first time shooting better than 50% overall since he scored a season-high 28 points on 9-for-17 shooting in a win over the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 30. And his five made 3-pointers were his season high.
Bey caught fire in the second half, scoring 18 of his 25 points on 7-for-10 overall shooting and 4-for-6 shooting from 3. He hit three 3-pointers and a driving layup during a 28-18 Pistons run in the third period that cut a 16-point deficit to six at the end of the period, and a 3 and a long 2 in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter to keep the margin close. After shooting 18.6% from 3 in his previous 12 games, it was a needed return to form.
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2022-12-08T05:10:38Z
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Detroit Pistons run out of steam in loss at Pelicans, 104-98
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/08/detroit-pistons-game-recap-new-orleans-pelicans-saddiq-bey-killian-hayes/69710722007/
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The Campus Martius Christmas tree will soon have a holiday companion − a menorah.
This year's menorah lighting will be on the first night of Hanukkah, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. at Campus Martius.
This year's featured lamplighter is Ryan Turell, a Motor City Cruise player. Turell is the first Orthodox Jew ever selected in the G League draft.
The event will be hybrid, and those who want to participate from home can watch the live stream at the Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan Facebook page and website. Last year, thousands attended virtually and in person.
More:Family of Patrick Lyoya sues Grand Rapids, police officer who fatally shot Black man
More:Google launches top-search feature in cities for 2022 and in Detroit, it's 'gas prices'
Antiochus IV massacred Jews and desecrated the holy Second Temple. During the Maccabees' rebellion and determination to restore the temple, a small amount of lamp oil, just enough to last one night, miraculously lit up the temple for eight days and nights, representing hope and the power of light over darkness. The eight candles on the menorah represent each of the eight nights.
The event is put on in partnership with the Jewish Federation of metro Detroit, The Shul and Chabad in the D, among others.
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2022-12-08T11:50:51Z
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Menorah lighting event returns to Campus Martius this month
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/12/08/menorah-lighting-event-returns-to-campus-martius-this-month/69709172007/
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'Like a sea of big stars': 'Moonbeams' returns to brighten spirits of children in hospital
DO NOT PUBLISH; THIS IS FOR DEC. 8
It was a like a “perfect mistake.”
Shelley Chinn stood with students from Cranbrook outside Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak (then Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak) in December 2017, shining lights up to the hospitalized children in the pediatric wing in a new program called “Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams.”
Days later, on Dec. 21, the mother and Cranbrook teacher found herself on the other side of the hospital windows with her then 19-year-old daughter, Abby, who has juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and had to spend the night to undergo a sleep study.
Chinn didn’t expect that she and her daughter would be in the children’s wing and was surprised when nurses came by saying they were going to drop off some flashlights.
“I said: ‘What are the flashlights for?” And they said: ‘Look outside. You’re on the children’s floor, and this is the floor where we do Moonbeams."
“And to just have experienced that from outside with my students, looking up at the kids in that corner of the building, and now, here we were inside looking out, it was kind of hard to put it into words,” Chinn said, tearing up as she remembered that night.
“It was pretty powerful. Just grateful. Thankful. Hopeful. All those amazing feelings that you don’t get to feel every single day.”
More:She struggles with illness herself, but Clarkton girl extends cheer at 'Moonbeams' event
More:Royal Oak mom shocked by newborn's parechovirus diagnosis: 'I've never heard of this'
'It's just so powerful'
Patients and families will be able to experience Moonbeams joy this year as the event returns after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a truncated event compared to prior years, running Dec. 9 through Christmas Eve.
The event began in 2017 at the suggestion of the Beaumont Children’s Pediatric Family Advisory Council and continued through 2019, just a few months before the pandemic began in 2020.
At 8 p.m. each night, people gather outside the hospital for 10 minutes to shine beams of light (usually flashlights or cell phone lights) up to the windows of the pediatric unit for children and families to bring them joy.
In return, the patients and their families return the light to the crowd, which is usually standing in the cold and sometimes the snow.
The event is to raise the spirits of the children and their families who may feel lonely or isolated or have difficulty settling in for a good night of sleep while they are in the hospital. It’s also to spread cheer to them, as they aren’t able to participate in traditional holiday activities outside of the hospital.
The children have missed Moonbeams the last two years, and co-organizers said they have been receiving emails since September from the community, Scout groups, sports teams and first responders inquiring whether it will be back this year, said co-organizer Lisa Muma, a nurse navigator in the Pediatric Oncology Long-term Follow-up Clinic.
“It’s just so powerful. It’s beautiful. The lights are gorgeous,” said co-organizer Kathleen Grobbel, a child life supervisor at Beaumont Children’s, of being on the unit during Moonbeams nights. “It looks like a big sea of stars. It’s just amazing. And the kids are super excited to shine their lights back at them.”
She said the unit is large with about 65 beds and new beds added. Recently, the unit has been 80% to 100% full.
More:Michigan could be pummeled with RSV, flu, COVID-19, health leaders warn
'Spirit of the community' shines bright
In past years, the co-organizers said, one young boy asked if all the people outside were there for him; and a girl unexpectedly admitted to the hospital said it was okay because “it’s Moonbeams.”
One year, there was huge snowstorm and a crowd from the neighborhood came out, worried the snow would keep people away. Other times, children come out with signs to support their classmates who are hospitalized.
“It just shows you that spirit of the community,” Grobbel said. “They really do want to support those patients and families.”
“Makes a huge, huge difference for the kids who are in the hospital,” Muma said, adding the event is fairly unique nationally, with people from administration and other departments helping to direct traffic and park cars.
The co-organizers said they didn’t know how the community would respond to the first Moonbeams event and they hoped for 50 people. But it's grown to more than 1,000 per night and includes groups signing up in advance.
This year, the health system will monitor rates of infections including respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, COVID-19 and the flu for the safety of the community and patients. If a cancellation is needed, that will be communicated via Beaumont.org and through its social media channels.
Here are a few suggestions and details from hospital representatives if you plan to attend Moonbeams this year:
Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to register online.
Gather on the sidewalk near the Medical Office Building and across from the East Entrance.
Arrive by 7:45 p.m. to allow time to park. Carpool if you can.
Parking is available in the small parking lot across from the North Parking Deck and just east of the Medical Office Building on the hospital campus. From the 13 Mile entrance, follow the blue signs toward the North Parking Deck and park in the lot across from the parking deck entrance. Additional parking also is available near the Coolidge entrance and at the Neuroscience Center.
Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of cold, flu or COVID-19.
Don’t bring drones or laser pointers.
Don’t enter the main hospital; use restrooms in the Medical Office Building.
'Your heart goes out to them'
Chinn said she plans to return to Moonbeams this month with Cranbrook students.
“You would just see these families sitting at the window with their little ones … Your heart goes out to them. They shouldn’t be there in the first place. And just the love that they feel, looking outside. The people staring up at them,” she said.
“Because it’s more than just standing outside and waving and just feeling the presence of people that care about you. There’s firefighters there … the kids would make signs. I know the Cranbrook kids − they were singing Christmas carols. It’s such a sense of community for those of us that are outside and then the connection to those that are inside.”
For more information, go to www.beaumont.org/moonbeams.
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2022-12-08T11:50:57Z
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www.freep.com
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'Moonbeams' event to spread cheer to hospitalized children returns
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/12/08/moonbeams-event-to-spread-cheer-to-hospitalized-children-returns/69692386007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/12/08/moonbeams-event-to-spread-cheer-to-hospitalized-children-returns/69692386007/
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President Joe Biden on Thursday was set to announce a $36 billion award to prop up the Central States Pension Plan benefiting Teamsters workers and retirees through 2051, a grant that is expected to save more than 40,000 Michiganders from seeing their benefits slashed by as much as 60%.
In early 2021, as part of his COVID-19 relief bill, Biden won approval of a multibillion-dollar fund to help the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC), the federal government's insurer of last resort, shore up so-called multiemployer pension plans set up for union members that were under financial threat of failing. Chief among them was Central States, which was expected to become insolvent by 2026.
Since then, Central States and the PBGC have been calculating how much it would require to keep the plan's 350,000 workers and retirees from facing benefit cuts. The award, which is expected to account for more than one-third of the PBGC's entire multiemployer assistance program, is to be announced with Teamsters and Biden administration officials at the White House on Thursday afternoon.
More:Joe Biden's support of labor unions is historic. Here's what it means
"This will be by far the single-largest amount of assistance to come from (the legislation)," said Gene Sperling, Biden's coordinator for the benefits doled out under what was called the American Rescue Plan. "One cannot imagine the significance of this."
No state has more Teamsters workers and retirees under the Central States plan than Michigan with an estimated 40,300. Ohio is next with 39,900 and Missouri has 27,800.
Central States was established in 1955 to provide benefits to Teamsters in the trucking industry and grew to include other union members, including those in other industries. Its finances were hurt severely, however, by deregulation of the trucking industry in the 1980s that reduced Teamsters' membership, and bankruptcies during the 2008-09 recession, exacerbated the issue.
The fund had been asking for help from the federal government and Congress for years, but those pleas largely failed until Biden — an unabashed union supporter — took office in 2021 and Democrats regained control of both chambers of Congress. And while some Republicans criticized the plan as a giveaway to union members, there also were concerns that if the PBGC had to pay even reduced benefits to the plan, it could result in sinking its entire multiemployer pension plan fund, with more than 200 such plans previously considered on pace to become insolvent.
"That program means that millions of American workers... will receive the pension benefits they earned through many years of hard work," said Assistant Labor Secretary Lisa Gomez, noting that since the legislation was passed, 36 plans have been approved for assistance. Ultimately, officials said, the entire cost of the assistance plan is expected to be as much as $90 billion.
In all, two to three million workers and retirees in plans that receive assistance are expected to retain their full pension benefits for the next three decades.
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2022-12-08T11:51:03Z
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www.freep.com
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Biden awards $36 billion to save Teamsters Central States pension plan
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/08/biden-teamsters-central-states-pension-plan/69710305007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/08/biden-teamsters-central-states-pension-plan/69710305007/
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Sen. Peters' report details widespread governmental failures when COVID-19 hit US
Former President Donald Trump's administration failed to heed critical early warnings about the severity of the virus and provided poor leadership as it strove to "avoid bad news," creating a situation that led to more deaths than were necessary, according to a sweeping report released Thursday by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., on how the nation responded to the COVID-19 outbreak.
"It was very bad … when some of the information was coming out (from health officials), the White House basically stepped in and said, 'Stop talking,'" Peters said on a call Wednesday previewing the report. "There's no question that political decisions were being made and those decisions were unfortunately considered more important than what was being put out by public health officials."
The 242-page report — prepared by Democratic investigators for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by Peters — also said years of inaction by administrations representing both parties in preparing for an eventual pandemic and overreliance on foreign supply chains for medical equipment played a role in the poor response. So did contradictory messages, the withholding of information from the public and the inevitable introduction of partisan politics by the White House's involvement, the report said.
Congress, too, should have done more to prepare, shoring up emergency funds that were all but empty, mandating spending on masks and other medical equipment in emergency stockpiles and bolstering domestic production of supplies in the years ahead of the outbreak. "We share some of the blame here," Peters said.
Comparing the failure to that in the governmental response to Hurricane Katrina 15 years earlier, the report's authors said: "As of November 2022, over six and a half million people worldwide have died directly from COVID-19, with more than one million lives lost in the United States alone. Many of these deaths and much of the economic fallout could have been prevented."
More than 40,000 Michiganders have died of the virus in the last three years, according to statistics put out by the state last week.
The report also included recommendations, including calling for increased investments to stockpile protective equipment like masks and respirators, modernizing public health surveillance systems, untangling bureaucratic thickets to streamline response plans and establishing rules to ensure public health messages from the federal government are "based on reliable scientific analysis and data." Peters said he will be working on future reports and legislation, including to help domestic production of needed materials, in the months to come.
More:Pfizer to invest $750M in Kalamazoo County, add hundreds more jobs
"We have to learn from the mistakes that were made, and clearly there were many," he said, echoing a sentence in the report: "The American people should not have to suffer through a crisis of this magnitude for the federal government to ensure our nation is adequately prepared to address public health threats."
Report credits vaccine effort but finds other responses lacking
The report wasn't all negative, singling out Operation Warp Speed — by which the Trump administration greatly accelerated the development, testing and authorization of coronavirus vaccines — as a notable success.
But it also said systemic problems that greeted the outset of the pandemic remain, including inadequate funding, supply chain issues and more. "These problems have been flagged by experts and oversight agencies for years, yet have been largely overlooked by all branches of the federal government," the report said.
In preparing the report, committee investigators conducted over 90 interviews with doctors, academics and health experts, as well as former White House officials and others from across the federal government, including with Dr. Deborah Birx, who was Trump's coronavirus response coordinator, and Dr. Robert Redfield, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They also combed through more than 70,000 pages of documents, including presidential directives, agency guidance, preparedness plans and after-action reports.
The U.S. failed to sufficiently invest in public health preparedness across multipleadministrations.
Statutory authorities and policy directives that dictate federal leadership during public health emergencies overlap and lack clarity.
Federal pandemic preparedness planning is insufficient to address current threats.
U.S. public health surveillance systems for monitoring and detecting emerging infectious diseases are inadequate, antiquated and fragmented.
The federal government had known for years that the Strategic National Stockpile of medical equipment was insufficient to meet pandemic needs.
Peters and the report also noted many other problems, including that it wasn't until mid-March 2020 that the federal government signed contracts for the manufacture of personal protective equipment (PPEs), despite the shortage in the stockpile and that it would take two more months before they were produced in large numbers.
Other issues included the Trump administration switching which agencies would lead the response, including, in March, designating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to do so, despite its never having planned to lead a pandemic response; as well as antiquated rules that, in some cases, kept health officials from getting data from hospitals in a timely manner. Decisions that were made to parcel out PPEs based on population rather than community need also were scrutinized.
Peters was among those, he said, who at the time was fighting to get more materials from the national stockpile sent to Detroit as cases spiked, when PPEs were being sent to areas with virtually no cases.
"I was in the middle of this and it drove me and my colleagues crazy," he said. "You send the resources to where the illness is the greatest and the need is the greatest. That didn’t happen and it’s unacceptable."
Trump administration slow to react to threat
Investigators also singled out how the Trump administration responded to the emerging threat, noting that even though the CDC, the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security knew through public sources of the threat from the virus circulating in China by late December 2019 and early January 2020, not enough was done quickly to curtail the spread into the U.S. and track cases.
While the Chinese government withheld information on the severity of the virus, U.S. officials had access to reports of new hospitals being hastily built in that country, video of bodies in hospital hallways covered in sheets and multiple citywide mask mandates and lockdowns. Trump restricted travel from China in February 2020, but by then, the report said, the virus had begun to spread worldwide, including into the U.S.
Health officials, it said, “recognized what the Trump administration did not: that the gravity and extent of the unfolding threat would likely require rapid and widespread interventions beyond containment.” And despite evidence of the spread among people who had no symptoms, the administration continued for some time to adopt a public message that the risk from the virus was low.
"The early months of 2020 were flooded with a series of missteps and missed opportunities," the report said. "Throughout January and February 2020, CDC’s surveillance missed at least half of the cases that came into the country, resulting in false assurances to the American people that there was no community spread in the U.S.”
Confusion over masks, other issues complicated response
There were other complications as well: the CDC failed to roll out a usable test quickly enough, partially because of regulatory obstacles and a lack of engagement with the private sector, leading to a situation where, by the end of February 2020 — when tens of thousands of Americans had likely contracted the virus — fewer than 1,200 had been tested.
Meanwhile, supply chain issues, export restrictions and demand quickly resulted in shortages of needed medical supplies, including surgical masks, gowns and gloves.
Then there were clear problems with how the federal government provided information to the public, with the report noting: “Contradictory and inadequate communications left Americans confused and unclear on what to do to minimize their risk.”
In the early months of the pandemic there was widespread confusion among health officials about whether masks should be used by the general public or conserved for medical practitioners, even though there was evidence from other countries that they could help slow the spread, along with social distancing. But by not communicating the reasons behind those contradictory messages, some experts told the investigators, public trust was undermined.
When, in April 2020, the CDC issued guidance recommending people wear face masks, Trump, who was in the middle of a reelection campaign, said at the same briefing, "It's voluntary. You don’t have to do it… I don’t think I’m going to be doing it," further complicating the message. The former CDC head, Redfield, called the president's message in the face of the guidance "disappointing."
Meanwhile, the CDC — which wanted to communicate more directly with the public on recommendations and the reasons behind them — was largely muzzled following a public briefing on Feb. 25, 2020, at which officials said COVID-19 would result in a "significant disruption" to everyday life and that "it’s not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more of a question of exactly when." After that, the White House required approval of all briefings, media requests and guidance documents, resulting, the report said, "in lengthy delays of critical health guidance and restricting CDC’s ability to share information directly with the public." From March through June 2020, the CDC was kept from conducting public briefings, despite multiple requests.
Dr. Anne Schuchat, who was a deputy director at the CDC and later led the agency's efforts, told investigators there was an "avoid bad news bias” on the part of senior Trump administration officials and a “lack of understanding of optimal risk communications — that sharing even bad news is helpful and reassuring” and “not sharing bad news increases suspicion and distrust.”
Ultimately, the Trump administration didn't issue its first wide-scale attempt to slow community spread by avoiding large group settings until March 16; and even that came within days of Trump and others in his administration, including his surgeon general, insisting that the risk from COVID-19 remained "low."
"In the months that followed, the president repeatedly urged the use of unproven treatments likehydroxychloriquine and, at one briefing, suggested ultraviolet light or disinfectant couldsomehow be used inside the body," the report noted.
Peters made clear in remarks to reporters that not all the blame should be on Trump or his administration. "There are no questions there were systemic problems that were unaddressed for decades," he said.
But he said politics needs to be taken out of the response to such crises. "Let's get past that and let the facts decide what we're doing and what we're learning," Peters said.
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2022-12-08T11:51:09Z
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www.freep.com
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Sen. Gary Peters issues sweeping report on government's COVID response
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/08/sen-gary-peters-covid-report/69708608007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/08/sen-gary-peters-covid-report/69708608007/
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan's Republican majorities in the House and Senate failed to come to terms at the end of this year's legislative session on a late-night deal to provide hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars for another potentially massive economic development project.
Soon-to-be House Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Comstock Township, said late Wednesday there was a deal to send $200 million to a state fund created to entice businesses to stay in or relocate to Michigan. As part of the deal, Republicans wanted to do away with a specific business-related tax.
Ultimately, Hall said the Whitmer administration opted not to go through with the plan. A leading Senate Democrat and the administration pushed back on that assertion.
"We had a great deal with the governor, the governor reneged, so we're not going to have a (funding bill)," Hall said.
"There's a major economic development project in our state. We were ready to allocate a couple hundred million dollars for this. It would have created hundreds of job. And we were looking to get done a tax cut."
More:Michigan lawmakers approve $846M in economic development incentives
Republicans wanted to do away with collecting sales and use taxes on "delivery and installation" services, something they've advocated for throughout the year.
Whitmer backed out of the deal about an hour after everyone reached agreement Wednesday evening, Hall said. Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton and GOP leader of the Senate next session, echoed those comments.
“There was bipartisan support behind this. It would have helped workers and families across Michigan as our state looks to compete. It leaves one to wonder how much is going to get done to bring jobs to our state going forward when Gov. Whitmer changes her mind at the eleventh hour," he said in a statement.
Departing state Sen. Curtis Hertel, D-Lansing said both lawmakers are characterizing what happened inaccurately. Although he acknowledged he was not part of negotiations and there were conversations about a deal, he said it was inaccurate to characterize what happened as the governor backing out of an agreement.
"I don’t think there was a deal that was ever in place, and I don’t think there can ever be a deal without my caucus being part of it. And certainly that never happened either," Hertel said just after midnight Thursday.
"These last session days are certainly tough, attempts were made, but I think anyone at this point saying a deal was in place is just not being accurate."
In a statement, Whitmer communications director Bobby Leddy did not directly refute Hall's comments but suggested there's time for deals with new legislative leaders in the future.
"Gov. Whitmer is always ready to work with anyone who's serious about solving problems and getting things done that will make working families' lives better right now. Over the last four years, she successfully brought together Republicans and Democrats to pass numerous historic pieces of legislation that cut taxes, put money back into people’s pockets, and made our state a competitive place to do business again, while landing more than 10,000 new jobs in the process," Leddy said.
"In less than a month, an entirely new legislature will be seated after Michiganders voted to change leadership, and we look to tackle this and more with new lawmakers in the new year.”
The collapsed deal reflects broader failures to create deals — or a lack of incentive to do so — during the so-called lame duck legislative session, the final days when lawmakers retiring or otherwise leaving service still retain their seats.
In general, Whitmer should have a path to any number of legislative deals when lawmakers return to Lansing in January, with Democrats taking control of both the House and Senate. Previous economic development deals garnered a modicum of legislative scrutiny but generally passed with sweeping bipartisan support. However, Hall suggested Whitmer would likely need Republicans to get such projects approved in a Legislature where Democrats hold slim majorities.
"We're entering a new time, where we're gonna have a 56-54 house, and a close margin in the Senate, and bipartisan deal making is going to be at a premium. And so we've got to be able to honor our word and we got to be able to work together and trust each other. And so I'll just say this is something that really is setting that back," Hall said.
"When the governor backed out, that's setting us back and it creates questions about how we're going to build that trust and work together over the next two years."
Hall did not immediately provide details about the company or industry involved in the proposed project. In a statement early Thursday, Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain, suggested the project was supposed to be slated for Delta County in the Upper Peninsula.
Earlier Wednesday, frequently outspoken Rep. Matt Maddock, R-Milford, took to Facebook to say he would be "voting no on a bill to give China 175 million cash to build a battery plant."
In the fall, the state allocated $715 million in incentives for Gotion Inc., a Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicle batteries, as part of a plan for the company to invest $2.4 billion to build a new plant in the Big Rapids area.
House lawmakers did approve a much smaller funding request, for a project already announces earlier this year. The House Appropriations Committee voted in support of a roughly $60 million incentive created by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for a wastewater expansion project to assist small businesses and residents in Muskegon and Ottawa counties.
The committee overwhelmingly approved funding for the project on a bipartisan vote. Democrats and Republicans from the region heralded the decision, noting that unlike other funds allocated through the MEDC, this money did not go to a specific company.
"This is not handing money to a new business, this not handing money to a business that says, 'if you do this I'll create jobs, even though I might cancel jobs later,'" said Rep. Bradley Slagh, R-Zeeland.
"This is doing the right stuff and setting up businesses to grow if they want to."
The Senate already approved the funding.
'Burning hot garbage'
The Senate and House took up a series of bills related to waste and recycling. While the original bipartisan measures aimed to increase the frequency of recycling in the state, Senate lawmakers amended two of the bills in a way that garnered immediate pushback from a handful of Democrats.
Sen. Rosemary Bayer, D-Keego Harbor, lamented the changes, saying they shifted beyond the focus of the measures and opened the door to manufacturing burning plastic. Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, put it more bluntly.
"These bills are burning hot garbage," Irwin said, noting it's both how he felt about the bill and what the new legislation would allow people to do.
"I would just ask you before you vote on this legislation to think about the people downwind from the burning hot garbage. What is it that they're going to have to breath?"
The measures — both those amended and others in the broader legislative package — still passed the Senate easily, with bipartisan support. The House is also approved the measures.
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2022-12-08T14:18:46Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan GOP, Whitmer can't make deal on $200M incentive, tax cut
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/08/michigan-gop-whitmer-incentive-tax-cut/69710109007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/08/michigan-gop-whitmer-incentive-tax-cut/69710109007/
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Sabala Mandava and Sonya Hernandez
Dec. 8 is Latina Equal Pay Day. While it may be the last of several annual equal pay days throughout the year that commemorate wage gaps that exist for women, Latina Equal Pay Day highlights the approximate day Latinas must work into the new year to make what White non-Hispanic men had made by the end of the previous year. What this means is the average Latina would have to work all of 2021 and nearly all of 2022 just to earn what the typical White, non-Hispanic man earned in 2021 alone.
As an Asian American and a Latina, we represent the populations of women with the smallest and largest pay gaps ― and we’re calling on business leaders and policymakers to eliminate the pay gap for all women.
According to the National Women’s Law Center, the average woman working full-time, year-round is typically paid 83 cents for every dollar paid to her white, non-Hispanic male counterpart. When accounting for race and ethnicity, Asian American and Pacific Islander women typically make 95 cents to the male dollar, non-Hispanic White women make 79 cents, Black women make 64 cents and both Native American women and Latinas make 57 cents. These already dismal numbers hide an even more sobering reality: when the data includes part-time and part-year workers, Latinas are paid just 49 cents for every dollar paid to men.
This disparity is as astonishing as it is unacceptable. One’s gender, race and ethnicity should not determine how much one earns for their work. Sectors dominated by women and especially Latinas ― essential and skilled jobs such as caregiving and domestic work ― should not remain underpaid simply because those jobs are viewed as “women’s work.” Latinas and women in all sectors deserve to be given raises and promoted through the ranks at the same rates as their male counterparts. Wages should not inevitably be minimal just because a job is part-time or part-year.
In her first term, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer worked with the Legislature and other partners to develop and amplify initiatives that help more people move into higher-paying jobs and to remain in the workforce regardless of whether full-time or part-time. Free and low-cost adult education provides opportunities for adults to earn high school credentials, improve math, reading and writing skills, and expand their knowledge of the English language.
The Michigan Reconnect program ― providing tuition-free community college for Michiganders age 25 and older ― opens doors for women, in particular, to pursue associate degrees or skills certificates for in-demand jobs with higher wages. More families are now eligible for free or low-cost child care thanks to the expansion of Michigan’s Child Development and Care program. Those not eligible for the child care subsidy can potentially find assistance through MI Tri-Share Child Care, an innovative, bipartisan program that shares the cost of an employee's child care equally among the employer, the employee and the State of Michigan — reducing a family’s child care expenses by two-thirds.
These are incredible advancements, but there are more steps that employers, business leaders and policymakers can take to reduce pay gaps and eliminate pay discrimination. Employers can include pay ranges in their job listings and stop asking for an applicant’s salary history ― as Whitmer directed the state to do ― because it often perpetuates pay disparities. Employers can also participate in Michigan’s Registered Apprenticeship program, which combines classroom studies with extensive supervised on-the-job training, as a way to attract and retain women workers. Business leaders can increase the number of Latinas and other women in decision-making positions within executive leadership, in corporate C-suites and on corporate boards. Policymakers can strengthen protections for low-wage and part-time workers, and pass the package of pay equity bills currently before the Michigan Legislature.
In the meantime, we can all strive to change our own workplace cultures to welcome the diversity of leadership, experience and expertise that comes with the greater representation and participation of women.
If you believe your employer is in violation of current wage or fringe benefits laws, including paid medical leave, contact Michigan’s Wage and Hour Division at michigan.gov/wagehour.
Dr. Sabala Mandava is Vice Chair of Radiology at Henry Ford Health and Chair of the Michigan Women’s Commission.
Sonya Hernandez is an Educator and Vice Chair of the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan.
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2022-12-08T14:18:54Z
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Opinion: On Latina Equal Pay Day, these wage numbers are shocking
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https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2022/12/08/latina-equal-pay-day-michigan-equity/69709438007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2022/12/08/latina-equal-pay-day-michigan-equity/69709438007/
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It was a magical place drawing visitors from across the globe and even got its start on the world stage.
But nothing was as magical as Christmas at the Ford Rotunda, from Santa's workshop to a life sized nativity.
The once-popular Ford Rotunda hosted millions of guests in the decades before its tragic collapse after being engulfed by fire on Nov. 9, 1962.
Let's take a closer look at the Rotunda and its impact on generations of metro Detroiters.
The Ford Rotunda was designed by architect Albert Kahn for the 1933-1934 Chicago World's Fair, or Century of Progress International Exposition. Ford's impressive exhibit totaled 11 acres, featuring a 5-acre park, and a daily light show. Five exhibits in the Rotunda showcased the history and progress of Ford Motor Co. in line with founder Henry Ford's vision. Displays included a reconstruction of the original Ford work shed and Ford cars suspended from a steel-lined tire on the ceiling. Visitors enjoyed the engaging displays. The electricity required for the exhibition accounted for over a third of the total energy at the World's Fair that year.
More:Dearborn Inn closes for renovations
A new location
Following the success at the World's Fair, officials decided to move the Rotunda to a new permanent location in Dearborn, Michigan. The building was deconstructed and reassembled on its new site, with additional updates made. The grand opening was held on May 14, 1936, at its new location on Schaefer Road. The ceremony included performances by the Fred Waring Band and other festivities. Upon opening, the Rotunda served as a visitor center for Ford, hosting about 1 million yearly visitors.
The wartime pause
The Rotunda closed to the public in early 1942 due to World War II gas rationing. The site remained open in a limited capacity, serving as office space and a school for the Army Air Corps. During this period, soldiers enjoyed the site, using the theater as a movie hall. In the aftermath of the war, the space continued limited use for business purposes.
The tourist boom begins
The Rotunda reopened to the public on June 16, 1953. It soon became a highly popular spot, particularly for its annual Christmas Fantasy. The holiday festivities featured a Christmas tree, a life-size nativity scene, and Santa's workshop. Many families came to the celebrations and children enjoyed the activities. At its peak, the Rotunda was the fifth-most popular tourist spot in the nation, bypassing sites like the Statue of Liberty.
The tragic collapse
On Nov. 9, 1962, a fire sparked during repair work on the roof of the Rotunda. The fire quickly spread, destroying the entire building within an hour. It happened during preparations for the 1962 Christmas Fantasy. The fire first burned through the roof onto the Christmas decorations below, then spread throughout the building. Visitors and workers were evacuated, with one employee sustaining burns.
The fire resulted in the destruction of the building, including the decorations for the upcoming Christmas Fantasy display and 1963 Ford model vehicles. Damages estimated $15 million and the loss of a significant tourist attraction for metro Detroit. The Rotunda housed the Ford archives, which were salvaged due to a fire protection system.
Today, the Ford Rotunda marks an important part of metro Detroit and Ford Motor Company history, a reminder of the auto industry's impact on the region. The site remained empty until 2000, when the Michigan Technical Education Center opened. Part of Henry Ford College, the center provides proctored professional certifications and tests and houses the Workforce and Professional Development programs.
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2022-12-08T16:34:00Z
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www.freep.com
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Ford Rotunda fire destroyed building 60 years ago
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/08/ford-rotunda-fire-dearborn/69645215007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/08/ford-rotunda-fire-dearborn/69645215007/
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GM's Barra talks economy and top issues she sees coming up in UAW contract talks
General Motors CEO Mary Barra described it as "an incredibly interesting time" for the automaker ahead of contract negotiations with the UAW in the fall of 2023 because of two unknowns: the future of union leadership and the health of the U.S. economy.
But Barra, who spoke to the media Thursday at an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit, said she has an idea of the top issues GM and the union will face, noting that an uncertain economy could influence terms of a new contract.
“What do people want? They want job security and they want to be recognized … and appropriately compensated," Barra said. "But it will be interesting, given inflation and the (uncertain) economic backdrop. You tell me what the economic situation will be next year? I don’t think anybody knows."
Barra noted that the UAW's election of officers is not "completed yet, so that will be important to watch" so that the GM bargaining team knows who it will sit down with next year. Last week, UAW members had their first direction election of top leaders. There was no clear winner for the top job, leading to a run-off to determine whether current President Ray Curry will be unseated. Many reform candidates did win spots. Those are candidates who raised concerns about the union's long-running corruption scandal and a perceived unwillingness by its leaders to fight hard enough against tiered wages and other concessions. They now will have a seat at the decision-making table in the years to come.
Meanwhile, hourly workers at GM's joint-venture battery cell plant — Ultium Cells LLC in Lordstown, Ohio —started voting Thursday on whether to have union representation or not at that facility. The results to that vote are expected late Friday or over the weekend. When asked how Barra felt about the Ultium Cells plant possibly unionizing, she said she supports the union and noted that her father, Ray Makela, was a tool-and-die maker at GM’s former Pontiac plant and she started at the factory there at age 18 as a co-op student at Kettering University.
“We’re a company that’s worked with unions around the world for many years, so we welcome Ultium having union representation," Barra said. "We can work together on things like health and safety, quality training. I always say my teeth are straight because my dad worked for General Motors.”
Barra said if Ultium Cells workers approve a union she would want a contract with them "as soon as possible." But, she said, it is not a "foregone conclusion that if you go union, you're more expansive."
"We've got to be competitive. We don't have a right to exist," Barra said. "We've got to be competitive to have a company and go forward. We have that conversation with employees on the floor and they get it."
As for the concerns about the economy going forward, Barra said there are so many factors in the world that could swing the economy either way that it is hard to predict where it will end up. She listed challenges in the global supply chain, inflation and the war in Ukraine, all lingering with She listed challenges in the global supply chain, inflation and the war in Ukraine, all lingering and potentially impacting the economy.
"As of last week, we're still seeing strong demand for our vehicles, but we're mindful," Barra said. "We see the steady rise of MSRPs (manufacturer suggested retail prices) coming down a little, but well ahead of where we were pre-COVID. Incentives remain low."
She added: "We're setting up our budget to be very conservative on a cost perspective, but still allowing for an upside. We're going to go in very conservatively next year, but not so conservative that we can't take advantage of opportunities when they're presented."
As for GM's salaried workforce, Barra said many are coming back to newly renovated offices at the GM Global Technical Center in Warren three days a week, starting Jan. 30. She said the employees she's seen return so far have told her, "I love this."
"It's an energy and a vibe. A culture needs to be nurished, and you can't do that if you're not in person," Barra said. "There are a whole bunch of other GM workers who went back to work shortly after COVID already. We think we can do better" in person, noting there are 30,000 parts in a vehicle and "you can't do that on Zoom."
More:GM's BrightDrop expands into first international market, starts production
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2022-12-08T20:46:24Z
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www.freep.com
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GM's Barra says these 2 issues will be tops in UAW in contract talks
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2022/12/08/gm-barra-uaw-contract-talks/69712610007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2022/12/08/gm-barra-uaw-contract-talks/69712610007/
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Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is putting out an emergency contract to continue paratransit services after City Council approved, then denied a $49-million contract with Transdev at its final session.
Duggan secured a contract with four transit providers, bypassing City Council's decision by putting an emergency contract in place for six months starting Jan. 1. The mayor is relying on a city ordinance that allows the office of procurement to act without council approval when there's a public need for the immediate delivery of services, according to the code.
"That gives us time to put a permanent plan in place. Anyone that was concerned before, this issue has been resolved," Duggan said.
The four transit providers under the temporary contract include Moe Transportation, Big Star Transit LLC, Delray United Action and Checker Cab Company. During this period, responsibilities will also fall under the Detroit Department of Transportation, which was part of the initial plan in the $49 million contract that council members denied.
Transdev has been responsible for much of the oversight of the system, including scheduling, handling customer complaints, reservations and more. Several riders were unhappy with subpar services and urged City Council to vote against a contract renewing business with the transportation company.
More:Duggan may use emergency powers after City Council rejects paratransit services contract
The emergency contract will cost $5.8 million, Duggan said, about $1 million more than what the latest contract voted down in council would have cost during this period.
"I felt that the security of our disabled community was worth it. The legal fees when fighting the Justice Department would have been well more than $1 million," Duggan said.
Councilmembers narrowly approved the contract in a 5-4 vote on Nov. 22 but Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero sought to reconsider the decision, leaving a 4-4 deadlock. Without a majority, the vote failed. Santiago-Romero changed her vote after community members and transit advocates criticized a poor history of services with Transdev.
However, failing to provide paratransit services violates federal law and could expose the city to U.S. Department of Justice investigations and a loss of federal funding.
Riders can dial 133-208-7363 to schedule a ride. Duggan promises it will be a "seamless" process because DDOT will be responsible for the quality of services. DDOT Director Mikel Oglesby is promising to not only change the format of operations but to enhance the rider's experience.
"I stand behind it," Oglesby said. "Service will continue and we promise reliability is going to be better. There will be an immediate impact in customer service."
The city will put out a new request for bids in the new year to attract contractors for a more permanent solution. The process previously took three to six months.
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2022-12-08T20:46:28Z
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www.freep.com
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Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan bypasses council on paratransit services
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/12/08/detroit-mayor-mike-duggan-emergency-paratransit-services/69709901007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/12/08/detroit-mayor-mike-duggan-emergency-paratransit-services/69709901007/
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The Academy of the Americas' gym was thrumming with the sound of trumpets, clarinets, trombones, saxophones and flutes in southwest Detroit.
Now the school is adding more than a dozen new instruments, thanks to a donation by the Ford Motor Company Fund and Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. To celebrate the $20,000 worth of instruments donated, the school's seventh and eighth grade students on Thursday performed "De Colores," a traditional Spanish folk song, and "Havana" by pop singer Camila Cabello. Mau Y Ricky, a well-known Venezuelan pop duo, also serenaded the students to teenagers' excited shrieks.
Alonso Torrez, 12, one of the seventh graders who performed, started playing the saxophone because he said he likes jazz, and his uncle used to play the instrument.
"What I like about band is I can express myself through music, and nobody can judge you," he said.
Before the donation, Academy of the Americas was running out of instruments popular among students, such as trumpets, flutes and saxophones, leaving some members of the band with their second choice instrument, said Isabella Kercorian, 24, the school's band teacher.
More:Ford’s behind-the-scenes investment at Spelman College praised as success story
Academy of the Americas is a pre-kindergarten to 12th grade school, with two campuses in southwest Detroit. The school offers a dual language immersion program in Spanish and English, and the Tiger campus, where the performance was held, serves roughly 650 students, the majority of whom are Latino.
Kerrington Brown, 13, an eighth grader who plays the clarinet, said she hoped the donation would encourage other Academy students to join band.
"Being a school in Detroit, we don't get a lot, so an opportunity of getting new instruments ... It might interest new students to come in and join band and stuff," she said. "I think it'll make a big difference."
Kercorian, the band teacher, said the new instruments will continue to help foster the spirit and excitement that children bring to band class.
"The kids do the work and they help each other and they come in and always are passionate and trying their very best," she said.
Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com.
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2022-12-08T22:39:33Z
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www.freep.com
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Ford Fund, cultural group donate thousands for instruments in Detroit
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/12/08/ford-fund-latin-grammy-donate-instruments-detroit/69712230007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/12/08/ford-fund-latin-grammy-donate-instruments-detroit/69712230007/
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A team of pro-Donald Trump lawyers and their attorneys argued before an appeals court panel Thursday that they should not have to pay sanctions imposed by a federal judge for a lawsuit that sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Michigan.
In a hearing that lasted more than two hours, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit focused their questions on whether some of the sanctioned attorneys should be penalized based on their level of involvement in the case and the circumstances that permit lawyers to file lawsuits alleging election fraud without facing the possibility of sanctions.
The lawsuit, filed in 2020, leveled false allegations of election fraud and misconduct and relied on flawed affidavits. In rulings issued last year, U.S. District Judge Linda Parker ordered the nine attorneys involved in the lawsuit to pay more than $175,000 in legal fees incurred by Detroit and others that defended against the lawsuit, complete a dozen hours of continuing legal education and have the matter referred to attorney disciplinary boards that could pursue investigations to disbar the attorneys.
Parker wrote in her opinion that "this case was never about fraud — it was about undermining the people’s faith in our democracy and debasing the judicial process to do so." All nine sanctioned attorneys appeared to comply with the legal coursework requirement but have appealed the payments Parker ordered.
Sidney Powell led the legal effort in Michigan to challenge the 2020 election results with a lawsuit filed after the state's elections panel had certified the outcome of the presidential race in the battleground state. David Fink, an attorney representing Detroit which intervened as a defendant in the case, said in his closing argument that those who brought the lawsuit couldn’t have won the relief they requested because they sought it too late.
"So the question becomes… what they were really seeking?" he said.
"They couldn't get what they asked for. They couldn't achieve anything because they filed it so late. But what they could get was they could send a message to the world that something was wrong in Detroit. That something was wrong in Michigan and that this election was stolen." Fink said the lawsuit aimed to serve an "extra-judicial" purpose.
That may not make Powell's lawsuit unique, said Judge Danny Boggs, nominated to the bench by Republican President Ronald Reagan.
"When you say something is for an improper purpose because it asks for stuff that you’re not going to get, isn't there an awful lot of litigation throughout history that does that?" he asked.
"They have First Amendment rights, but not to tell lies in court," Fink responded. "They were sanctioned because they asserted in bad faith claims that had not colorable basis in law or fact."
Powell said the lawsuit's goal was "to secure the voting machines to enable us to do a forensic examination of them so we get the evidence to put this to bed one way or the other." In closing, Powell said "there's no telling what would have happened if we’d actually gotten access to the machines so this could have all been resolved for the good of the country."
"I mean, I had actually hoped that we could get enough information to prove that what we were asserting was not true," she said. She said of her fraud theory it's a "terrifying thought" to contemplate that "the American people are not really electing our leaders like we think we are."
Judge Helene White, appointed to the court by Republican President George W. Bush, seemed to take issue with the timing of the lawsuit's filing, pressing Powell on why the lawsuit was not filed earlier and instead came weeks after the Nov. 3 election. "Three weeks is a long time when you’re dealing with an election," White said.
Earlier in the hearing, Judge Raymond Kethledge, another Bush appointee, began a series of questions about when lawyers could pursue election fraud cases after Assistant Attorney General Heather Meingast called the lawsuit at issue "unprecedented" for asking the court to "declare by judicial fiat that another candidate won."
Kethledge asked Meingast about a case where there may be "indisputable evidence of fraud." "Are the courts powerless to act in that instance?" he asked.
"No, I do not think they’re powerless," she said.
He suggested that Meingast didn't provide a meaningful distinction between why the election fraud case brought by Powell was legally frivolous. "It’s OK, I mean there are other reasons why the court said this was frivolous, but I’m not hearing a defense of this particular legal frivolous determination by the court," he said.
During an exchange with Fink later in the hearing, Kethledge indicated that the appeals court decision would hinge, in part, on whether the panel agrees with Parker’s conclusion that the lawsuit was brought in bad faith.
"We have to agree with that finding," he said. "Part of that is did she substantiate that finding that general with... enough specific proof."
Before adjourning the hearing, he said the case would be submitted and carefully considered.
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2022-12-09T00:02:14Z
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Appeals court to consider sanctions against Kraken lawyers
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/08/appeals-court-to-consider-sanctions-against-kraken-lawyers/69713572007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/08/appeals-court-to-consider-sanctions-against-kraken-lawyers/69713572007/
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For the first time in 50 years, the University of Michigan is building a new residence hall for first-year students.
Regents voted unanimously to approve the new dorm and dining hall, which will house about 2,300 students, at Thursday's board meeting.
“Since 2004, undergraduate enrollment has increased by more than 8,000 students, yet on-campus housing has simply not kept pace,” said University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono. “Adding more on-campus housing capacity also will ensure more equitable access to affordable housing for those who need it.”
He said it's "critical" that first-year students feel connected to the campus community.
The residence hall will be built at Elbel Field, which currently serves as the Michigan Marching Band hub and intramural sports field.
The marching band will move to what used to be Fingerle Lumber. The university bought the 6.1-acre property in 2018.
The board approved a $6.5 million planning contract with Robert A.M. Stern Architects, which will present more details in February.
Currently, U-M is capable of housing 11,353 students on campus, averaging about 8,960 undergraduates, 76% of whom are first-year students, and 2,393 graduate students.
More:University of Michigan to invest $300M in socially responsible companies, Ono says
More:U-M creates new ethics, compliance office in wake of sex abuse scandals
“We’ve fallen way behind the growing demand from undergraduates who want to live on campus beyond their freshman year,” said Martino Harmon, vice president for student life, in a news release. “This fall, more than 2,300 students were turned away from campus housing due to lack of capacity and we know the desire to live on campus, especially among undergraduates, is significantly higher than the applications might suggest.”
Harmon also noted the stress older students feel to find off-campus housing – many begin looking for housing a year in advance – and hopes that more residence halls will help alleviate some of that pressure.
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2022-12-09T00:28:21Z
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www.freep.com
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University of Michigan adds new dorm for first time in decades
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/08/university-of-michigan-new-dorm/69713681007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/08/university-of-michigan-new-dorm/69713681007/
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Mitch Albom/SAY Detroit Radiothon raises $1.866 million for Detroiters in need
The Mitch Albom/SAY Detroit Radiothon raised a record $1,866,266 for Detroiters in need during a marathon Thursday at The Somerset Collection in Troy.
This was the 11th edition of the radiothon, which has raised over $10 million for SAY Detroit, a nonprofit organization that supports programs such as SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic, the SAY Detroit Play Center, Working Homes/Working Families, the Dream Scholars and A Time to Help.
"This was a stunningly successful radiothon we had even before Tom Gores' donation at the end," Albom said after the 15-hour event. "It's been an incredible outpouring of generosity in a year when people are very, very challenged. You would never know that the economy is so rough and times are so tough in America by the giving that our audience did today. ... It just speaks to the fact that even in troubled times, Detroiters put other people first, and Michiganders put other people first, even beyond their own difficulties. And I'm so proud to be a part of this community and this event every year."
Gores, the owner of the Detroit Pistons, donated $350,000 at the end of the show.
Albom said 100% of the money raised will go to the neediest people in Detroit.
The program, hosted by Albom and radio partner Ken Brown, ran from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on WJR-AM (760) and was livestreamed online.
This year's highlights included Albom shaving his goatee when donations for the trip to the barber's chair surpassed the $30,000 mark. Also, actors and Michigan natives Tim Allen and J.K. Simmons made dueling $20,000 donations, while Simmons proclaimed his depiction of Santa Claus in the upcoming movie "Red One" is better than Allen's version in "The Santa Clause," which is being rebooted on Disney Plus.
Last year, the radiothon raised a then-record $1.65 million.
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2022-12-09T03:52:53Z
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www.freep.com
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Mitch Albom/SAY Detroit Radiothon raises $1.866 million for charity
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/mitch-albom/2022/12/09/mitch-albom-say-detroit-radiothon-raises-xx-million-for-charity/69713957007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/mitch-albom/2022/12/09/mitch-albom-say-detroit-radiothon-raises-xx-million-for-charity/69713957007/
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Books for gift-giving: Everything from Snoopy to Snoop Dogg to Cormac McCarthy
John J. Kelly
Special to the Detroit Free Press
The holidays are a great time to relax with the perfect book and some hot cocoa by a roaring fire. Books are a perfect holiday gift, easy to wrap, easy to send and they can be opened time and again. Here are some of this season’s best books for gift-giving:
"Our America: A Photographic History," by Ken Burns (Knopf, $75)
After four decades of award-winning documentaries, Ken Burns has learned well how to capture the inclusive spirit of America. This new volume of photographs in a hefty coffee-table book is both breathtaking and inspiring as it tells the story of the American experience.
“The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times,” by Michelle Obama (Crown, $32.50)
In her fourth book, former first lady Michelle Obama, as she enters the post-White House phase of her life, urges readers to be bold in their actions, using experience and personal victories to discover deeper truths and new pathways.
“The Passenger,” by Cormac McCarthy (Knopf, $30)
“Stella Maris,” by Cormac McCarthy (Knopf, $26)
Perhaps the literary highlight of the year was the publication of not one but two new novels from Cormac McCarthy, the first new fiction from the 89-year-old author in 16 years. As usual, McCarthy dazzles with the story of Bobby and Alicia Western, two star-crossed siblings haunted by their past and seemingly destined for lives that can only end badly. McCarthy, in what could be his final dispatches, is still at the top of his game.
For those new to McCarthy’s unique and rich prose, check out “Books are Made out of Books” by Michael Lynn Crews, “Cormac McCarthy’s House” by Peter Josyph, “Cormac McCarthy and Performance” by Stacey Peebles (all by University of Texas Press) and “Understanding Cormac McCarthy” by Steven Frye (The University of South Carolina Press).
“Surrender,” by Bono (Knopf, $34)
In a deeply personal memoir filled with stories from his incredibly interesting life, the Irish rocker and leader of the band U2 bares his soul about family, love and his many efforts at trying to make the world a better place. From encounters with presidents and celebrities and memories of the band’s beginnings, this hefty tome is a must for any fan of the band or Bono.
“Springsteen: Liberty Hall,” photographs by Nicki Germaine (www.springsteenlibertyhall.com, $65)
In this awe-inspiring and gorgeously assembled art photo book, we travel back in time to a series of live shows by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in Texas in 1974 with dozens of never-before-seen photos, both black and white and color, by Nicki Germaine, who was on hand to document the four nights, on and off the stage. A true treat for any rock ‘n’ roll fan.
“A Book of Days,” by Patti Smith (Random House, $28.99)
Singer-poet-artist (and former Detroiter) Patti Smith shares her photography project that first appeared on Instagram in 2018 and now has more than a million followers. This book is “offered in gratitude, as a place to be heartened even in the basest of times.”
“The Philosophy of Modern Song,” by Bob Dylan (Simon & Schuster, $45)
In his first collection of nonfiction essays since 2004’s “Chronicles: Volume I,” the always enigmatic Bob Dylan offers 60 essays focusing on songs by everyone from Hank Williams to Elvis Costello. Dylan is typically outrageous and at times infuriating as he muses in this gorgeously illustrated coffee-table book. A songwriter’s songbook.
“Bob Dylan: All The Songs,” by Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon (Black Dog and Leventhal, $55)
Spanning almost 60 years and featuring 500 tracks, this beautifully illustrated encyclopedia is a must-have for die-hard Dylan fans.
“Folk Music: A Bob Dylan Biography in Seven Songs,” by Greil Markus (Yale University Press, $27.50)
Acclaimed music and culture critic Greil Markus defines Bob Dylan’s story through seven essential songs. It’s a Dylan fest that celebrates his essence.
“Jimi,” by Janie Hendrix & John McDermott (Chronicle Chroma, $50)
Jimi Hendrix, who would have turned 80 last month, is widely considered one of the greatest guitar players in music history. This visual celebration features never-been-seen photos, memorabilia from Jimi’s career and the story of his life.
“Like a Rolling Stone,” by Jann Wenner (Little Brown, $35)
A long-awaited memoir that traces the arc of the rock ‘n’ roll generation from the Beatles to Burning Man. An intimate and deeply personal journey highlights Wenner’s interactions with such luminaries as Hunter S. Thompson, Tom Wolfe and Annie Leibovitz, along with musical greats John Lennon, Aretha Franklin and Mick Jagger and former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
“Liberation Day,” by George Saunders (Random House, $28)
The finest short story writer of his time and author of the award-winning “Tenth of December,” presents a new collection of short stories that will astound and surprise you on every page. It’s wickedly funny, often dark and always surprising.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas: Book and Tree Kit,” by Charles M. Schulz (Running Press, $14.95)
If you’ve ever been accused of having a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, now you really can have one. This miniature book and tree set comes complete with a 5-inch mini tree, along with a tiny red ornament and plays “Christmastime Is Here.” It also has a 72-page illustrated mini book version of the Christmas classic featuring Snoopy and he gang. The perfect stocking stuffer.
“An Alternative History of Photography,” by Phillip Prodger (Prestel, $55)
Based on the principles of diversity and democracy, this exquisite collection of photographs spans two centuries and includes well-known photographers, along with lesser-known artists. In short, it allows the reader to see the art of photography with fresh eyes and new perspectives.
“Ernst Haas: The American West,” by Paul Lowe (Prestel, $55)
One of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, Haas captures the essence and feel of the American West in this collection of rich images that documents both the people and the landscape.
“The Writers: Portraits,” by Laura Wilson (Yale University Press, $45)
This phenomenal photo book captures 38 internationally acclaimed writers from Margaret Atwood in her garden to the late Jim Harrison at work and play. It’s perfect for fans of literature and photography alike.
“The Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Book,” by Jerry Seinfeld (Simon & Schuster, $35)
Anyone familiar with Jerry Seinfeld’s groundbreaking streaming series will love this book of snippets of hilarious conversations and behind-the-scenes images and photos. This caffeine-injected book also features a visit to President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.
“Number One Is Walking,” by Steve Martin, drawings by Harry Bliss (Celadon Books, $30)
Fans of Steve Martin’s acting career will revel at this gorgeously illustrated graphic journey from “The Jerk” to “Father of the Bride.” It details Martin’s four decades in the movie biz and will leave you in stitches.
“Hollywood: The Oral History,” by Jeanine Basinger and Sam Wasson (Harper, $37.50)
Based on almost 3,000 interviews in the American Film Institute’s archives, this inside story of Hollywood is told by Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, Jordan Peele and nearly 400 others. It reveals a new history of the American film industry never before assembled.
“Cinema Speculation,” by Quintin Tarantino (Harper Collins, $35)
This first work of nonfiction from one of our most gifted directors is a love letter to cinema. These essays reveal Tarantino’s lifelong obsession with the movies. It would be any film fan’s delight to receive this.
“Life’s Work: A Memoir,” by David Milch (Random House, $28)
Some books tug at your heart while others break it. This memoir does the latter as a brilliant television writer and producer who is battling Alzheimer’s disease recounts his life and accomplishments on-screen and off.
“Scenes from My Life: A Memoir,” by Michael K. Williams (Crown, $28.99)
The tragic overdose death of actor Michael K. Williams in September 2021 left in its wake terrible sadness and plenty of questions. This memoir, nearly finished at the time of his death, tracks Williams’ life from childhood in East Flatbush, New York, to his battles with addiction and his acting career, including playing Omar Little in “The Wire” and Chalky White in “Boardwalk Empire.”
“Peter Asher: A Life in Music,” by David Jacks (Backbeat Books, $39.95)
While the name might not ring a bell, you’re probably familiar with the musicians he has produced over the last 50 years. Asher was one-half of the 1960s duo Peter and Gordon, and he went on to win Emmys producing artists like James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt.
“Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” by Matthew Perry (Flatiron Books, $29.99)
If you, like many of us, made an appointment on Thursday nights during the ‘90s to watch “Friends” on TV, this book will offer insight into one of the actors. Matthew Perry details his decades-long battle with alcohol and drugs in this stunning story of a rise to stardom and a fall to near death and back.
“The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams,” by Stacy Schiff (Little Brown, $35)
The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer re-establishes this founding father’s status as a shrewd, eloquent and intensely disciplined rebel. This highly entertaining biography draws Adams out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
“Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization,” by Neil deGrasse Tyson (Henry Holt, $28.99)
No matter how divided we are on this planet, we all share the same starry sky. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson illuminates the things human beings have in common and how we need to work together to solve global conflict and appreciate the fragility of life.
“Thermal: Saunas, Hot Springs & Baths, Healing with Heat,” by Lindsey Bro (Chronicle Books, $29.95)
This coffee-table book is a tour de force featuring healing locations around the world. An excellent gift to help recipients immerse themselves in the restorative and invigorating power of nature.
“Demon Copperhead,” by Barbara Kingsolver (Harper, $32.50)
Riffing on Charles Dickens’ “David Copperfield,” Kingsolver tells the story of an American teen born into poverty in Appalachia and braving the modern-day hazards of foster care, poor public education and addiction. Told in the first person, it speaks for a new generation of lost boys.
“The Last Chairlift,” by John Irving (Simon & Schuster, $38)
From the acclaimed author of “The World According to Garp,” and “The Cider House Rules,” comes this nearly 900-page novel that traces a family’s evolution over seven decades. It’s an epic ghost story full of unconventional and memorable characters and situations. A must-read for John Irving fans.
“The Waste Land: A Facsimile & Transcript of the Original Drafts,” by T.S. Eliot (W.W. Norton, $40)
“The Waste Land: A Biography of a Poem,” by Matthew Hollis (W.W. Norton, $40)
“The Hyacinth Girl: T.S. Eliot’s Hidden Muse,” by Lyndall Gordon (W.W. Norton, $35)
Marking the centennial of arguably the most influential poem in modern literature are three new books illustrating and outlining the creation of "The Waste Land." Once thought lost, the facsimile is presented in full color, along with two companion books packed with insight into the poem’s creation story.
“From Crook to Cook,” by Snoop Dogg (Chronicle Books, $24.95)
Hip-hop legend and Martha Stewart BFF Snoop Dogg offers up a tasty group of recipes for everything from breakfast to dessert, He also includes full menus for events like Thanksgiving, Game Day, Game Night, a beach feast and more, with music suggestions to go with each event. And there are recipes for drinks and even ranked lists of best snacks and best candy as well as what Snoop keeps at all times in his pantry and his refrigerator. He has plenty of kitchen street cred from his shows with Stewart, and the recipes are clear and easy to follow.
“The Blue Zones American Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100,” by Dan Buettner (National Geographic, $35)
Buettner has spent more than two decades studying the so-called Blue Zones, areas around the world where people live the longest. In this book, he reveals the four American food traditions that match the Blue Zones’ diet of longevity and brings them to life with 100 recipes, along with stunning photographs by David McLain. The book offers ways to improve your health and extend your life with America’s bounty.
“The Perfect Loaf: The Craft and Science of Sourdough Breads, Sweets and More,” by Maurizio Leo (Clarkson Potter, $40)
During the pandemic, many people discovered the art of baking of sourdough bread and other delights. Whether you are a serious home baker or just learning the ropes of mixing and kneading, this encyclopedic book is there to teach you.
“Booze & Vinyl, Volume 2,” by Andre Darlington and Tenaya Darlington (Running Press, $26)
A delightful follow-up to their first “Booze & Vinyl” collection, this book offers up a party guide of music paired with mood-setting cocktails. There’s rock, jazz, easy listening, hip-hop and more, each aligned with drinks and eats for a sizzling house party.
“Ted Kennedy: A Life,” by John A. Farrell (Penguin Press, $40)
The late Lion of the Senate comes alive on the pages of this magnificent biography. Farrell brings an insider’s perspective and was given great access to new sources. Finally, the epic and turbulent life of this man from one of America’s great political dynasties is given its due.
“And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle,” by Jon Meacham (Random House, $40)
Meacham chronicles Lincoln’s life with a special focus on how he healed a nation split in two. Lincoln’s light burns brightly in this one.
“Confidence Man,” by Maggie Haberman (Penguin Press, $32)
“The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021,” by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser (Doubleday, $32)
Out of the plethora of books about Donald Trump, these two investigative biographies stand at the top. Both are written by veteran journalists and detail the rise of the former president and his time in the White House. It’s vital information as Trump eyes another run for the presidency.
“The Destructionists,” by Dana Milbank (Doubleday, $30)
Award-winning political columnist Dana Milbank traces the Republican Party over the past 25 years and its struggle for power.
“1972-THE SUMMIT SERIES: Canada vs. U.S.S.R, Stats, Lies and Videotape,” by Richard Bendell ($42.45)
“1972: The Series That Changed Hockey Forever,” by Scott Morrison (Simon & Schuster, $25.99)
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the famous Summit Series. Both books capture the intensity and complexity of the eight games between Canada and the U.S.S.R. with detailed accounts, colorful photography and an updated version of the facts.
“Bobby: My Story in Pictures,” by Bobby Orr (Viking, $30)
Considered by many to be the greatest defenseman who ever played the game of hockey, Bobby Orr shares his journey from Parry Sound, Ontario, to the top ranks of the NHL with the Boston Bruins. It includes never-before-seen photos of Bobby as a towheaded toddler all the way to The Goal shot and his family life and introduces us to those who helped him along the way.
“Like, Comment, Subscribe: Inside YouTube’s Chaotic Rise to World Domination,” by Mark Bergen (Viking, $30)
You know you watch it and so do billions of others around the world. This deep dive into the history of YouTube by leading tech journalist Bergen is the inside story of its amazing ascent and current status as an essential source of entertainment and education.
“The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Healing,” by Siddhartha Mukherjee (Scribner, $32.50)
“The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer,” by Siddhartha Mukherjee (Scribner, $22)
Everyone is in some way, shape or form touched by cancer. This new volume, along with Mukherjee's previous Pulitzer Prize-winning work, helps explain and explore the complex living organisms known as cells.
“The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World,” by Jonathan Freedland (Harper, $28.99)
The story of the first Jewish person to break out of Auschwitz and make his way to freedom is both compelling and astonishing. It’s especially timely given the recent rise of antisemitism.
“The Hard Sell: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup,” by Evan Hughes (Doubleday, $28.95)
A heart-pounding thriller of an investigation about a group of entrepreneurs who made millions selling painkillers and were eventually caught and punished.
“The Last Campaign: Sherman, Geronimo and the War for America,” by H.W. Brands (Doubleday, $32.50)
Brands proves himself as a master storyteller once again as he reveals the story of the wars against Native Americans through the perspective of two great leaders.
“The Magic Kingdom,” by Russell Banks (Knopf, $30)
This is the story of one American’s migration into the swamplands of central Florida to join a community of Shakers. Banks brings his unique wit and expert eye to give us a portrait of Harley Mann as he navigates life and the passage of time.
“The Splendid Ticket,” by Bill Cotter (McSweeney’s, $26)
Everyone dreams of winning the lottery, but sometimes all those millions carry a curse. This darkly comic novel by acclaimed writer Bill Cotter depicts the chaos and corruption that newfound wealth can bring. If you’re not familiar with the folks at McSweeney’s, check out what they have to offer at mcsweeneys.net. Their quarterly magazine is brilliant and always surprising.
“G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century,” by Beverly Gage (Viking, $45)
Beverly Gage deconstructs the complex life and career of one of the most polarizing figures in American history. J. Edgar Hoover emerges as a multidimensional human being whose legacy continues to affect the modern political right.
“Novelist as a Vocation,” by Haruki Murakami (Knopf, $28)
The internationally known author has written about the place of the novel in modern society. He also delves into writing, creativity and his own groundbreaking works of prose.
“Revolutionary Women: 50 Women of Color Who Reinvented the Rules,” by Ann Shen (Chronicle Books, $24.95)
When they write the history books and the encyclopedias, women, and in particular, women of color, seem to get the short shrift. This book remedies that with carefully written entries for 50 women of color, listing a bit of their background, their accomplishments and their place in history. And it includes beautiful full-color portrait drawings. A great gift for women to give to other women.
“The Devil’s Calling,” by Michael Kelley (Greenleaf, $25.95)
A brilliant and heart-pounding epic of metaphysical science fiction. This novel is a journey of self-realization and a warning for generations to come.
“Bad Love Tigers,” by Kevin L. Schewe (Jan-Carol Publishing, $35.95)
A feel-good, action-packed adventure and sci-fi saga that reads like “Raiders of the Lost Ark” meets “Stand by Me.” The novel, which has now been turned into an award-winning screenplay, tells the story of time travel and a World War II-era secret mission.
“The Story of Humanity,” by Ishi Nobu ($8.99)
This cautionary tale explains and illustrates how humans’ laziness and inability to educate themselves and their communities could lead to their demise. A frightening story about the consequences of ignorance and human hubris.
“Mia’s Odyssey,” by Mia Odeh ($14.95)
This memoir charts one Palestinian woman’s life from age 16 and an abusive marriage to escape and freedom in America. It’s a testament to the human spirit and a triumph of the will.
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2022-12-09T13:18:47Z
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Gift ideas for book lovers: Snoopy, Snoop Dogg and Cormac McCarthy
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/arts/2022/12/09/gift-ideas-for-book-lovers-snoopy-snoop-dogg-and-cormac-mccarthy/69711075007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/arts/2022/12/09/gift-ideas-for-book-lovers-snoopy-snoop-dogg-and-cormac-mccarthy/69711075007/
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Family budgets could be even more stretched in 2023 as we battle high, inflation fueled prices; rising interest rates; growing fears of a recession and job cuts, and watch some COVID-related stimulus breaks disappear on 2022 federal income tax returns.
A long list of temporary tax breaks were designed to shore up and even boost household wealth during the pandemic. But taxpayers won't see many of those same generous benefits on the 2022 tax return, as there's more of a return to normal if you will for some key tax breaks.
Mark Luscombe, principal analyst for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, said it's hard to say how much smaller federal income tax refunds could be for some households but the amount will be sizable for many.
"I don't have any magic number to suggest," Luscombe said.
The average tax refund was $3,176 in 2022, up 13.8% from the average refund last year, according to the most recent filing statistics data from the Internal Revenue Service through the week ending Oct. 28. The average refund was $2,791 in 2021.
To be sure, how much you pay in taxes — or the size of any refund — depends a great deal on a long list of factors, including how much money you've made during the year, how much you've had withheld for taxes from your paychecks and what kind of tax breaks apply to your return.
The notion that refunds overall will be smaller in 2022 isn't one size fits all. It's a risk some, but not all, taxpayers face.
Many taxpayers should prepare to see drastically smaller refunds when they file returns next year if they benefited last year from the expanded child tax credit, the dependent care credit or received a stimulus payment for a child born in 2021, said Mark Steber, chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.
The refund shock for 2022 returns could turn into a "super shock," he said, for taxpayers who benefited from two or three sizable credits on their 2021 tax return that are no longer available or aren't as large as last year.
Consider someone who had a baby in 2021 and got an extra stimulus payment of $1,400 on the 2021 return — and then qualified for a $3,600 child tax credit and got another tax break with extra money for dependent care for child care costs when the parent was at work, he said.
"There were larger, enhanced tax credits available last year that aren’t available this year," Steber said.
Some taxpayers might owe the IRS when they file a return in 2023 instead of receiving a refund.
Don't expect big tax breaks related to child care
One huge change on the 2022 return applies to those who pay for child care or dependent care so that they can work or look for work. The child and dependent care credit falls back to a maximum of $2,100 on the 2022 tax return instead of a substantially more generous $8,000 for 2021. If you paid for child care, for example, those who qualified based on income could have received up to $4,000 in 2021 for day care expenses for one child or up to $8,000 for expenses relating to two or more children. Income limits apply to receive the credit.
More:Ann Arbor man wonders about $933 IRS said he was owed
The American Rescue Plan in 2021 greatly expanded the child and dependent care credit for 2021 only — but the amount of that credit generally returns to 2020 levels for 2022.
Age limits will stop many from getting a tax break
Older adults who are working in lower wage jobs face a smaller tax refund when they file their 2022 returns, if they took advantage of a one-year tax break in 2021 relating to the earned income tax credit. Last year, the credit was worth nearly $1,500 for those without children who qualified.
The earned income tax credit remains in place in 2022. But eligible taxpayers with no children who received roughly $1,500 for the earned income tax credit for 2021 will now get up to $560 for 2022. The maximum earned income tax credit for those with three or more qualifying children is $6,935 for 2022.
Currently, workers who are age 65 and older no longer qualify for the the earned income tax credit if they do not have dependent children. The credit only applied to that group for one year on 2021 returns. This year, they would not even qualify for the lower $560 credit for 2022.
Advocates, including the AARP, want Congress to permanently eliminate the age cap for the earned income tax credit. "More Americans, either by necessity or choice, are remaining in the workplace into their late sixties and beyond," according to a letter sent in early December by the AARP to House and Senate leadership.
Almost half of workers born between 1946 and 1960 expect to work past age 70 or do not plan to retire at all, the letter noted. "Yet, simply by turning 65, many of these workers are excluded from this important EITC benefit."
Cristina Martin Firvida, vice president of government affairs at AARP, told the Detroit Free Press that more than 2 million workers age 65 and older are not eligible for the earned income tax credit because of the age cap.
Many might view this as age discrimination since a younger worker who is earning the same pay on the same type of job would qualify for a tax break but an older worker, say someone who is 66 or 70, would not qualify.
"And that is age discrimination, plain and simple," she said.
"Two people doing the same work for the same wages should be eligible for the same tax credit that helps stretch the dollars that they earn," Martin Firvida said.
We're also living at a time of labor shortages that some say contribute to higher prices and inflation. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell expressed concern in a Nov. 30 speech about older workers who have not returned to the workforce and retired earlier than expected during the pandemic.
Advocates note that small businesses and other employers would be helped if workers age 65 and older benefited from the earned income credit and then decided to return to the workforce.
At a time when many are trying to figure out how to make the labor force more welcoming to older workers, the age cap for the earned income tax credit makes it less welcoming, Martin Firvida said.
The economy overall, she said, would benefit if older workers participate in the labor force at higher numbers. Lower wage workers face extra costs for going to work, she noted, including transportation, so an extra tax break can help.
The earned income tax credit is a refundable tax credit, meaning that you could still receive a tax refund even if you don't owe any tax.
Unless the tax break is extended by Congress later this year, as many including the AARP want, some older workers and others aren't going to qualify for the credit on their 2022 returns.
"The earned income tax credit rules revert back to pre-2021 rules," said Matt Hetherwick, director of individual tax programs for the nonprofit Accounting Aid Society in Detroit.
On 2022 returns, the minimum age is 25 as of Dec. 31 on the 2022 federal income tax return; the maximum age is 64 as of Dec. 31 for those without qualifying children.
Some younger people without qualifying children will be shut out from the earned income tax credit this year, too. In 2021, some workers 19 to 24 years old qualified. For 2021 returns only, the minimum age limit was dropped to 24 years of age for a full-time student, 18 years of age for a qualified former foster youth or a qualified homeless youth, or 19 years of age for all others.
Hetherwick said he doesn't have a number for how many clients could see a smaller refund because of the change.
"But I know that for the clients we serve, every dollar matters and last year's expanded earned income tax credit made a positive impact on their lives," Hetherwick said.
And with the child tax credit reverting back to look more like the historical version of the credit, he said, many families "will not be able to claim refunds that research has proven to show a reduction in childhood poverty and food insecurities of our most vulnerable population."
The child tax credit isn't what it used to be
The child tax credit will still exist on the 2022 return, but taxpayers shouldn't necessarily bank on the extension of the expanded child tax credit.
Some key Democrats are trying to reinstate the expanded credit as part of year-end tax and spending package. But as of early December, the expanded credit that added thousands of dollars to family households, lifting many out of poverty, is gone for 2022.
Those who got up to $3,600 per dependent for 2021 for the child tax credit will, if eligible, get up to $2,000 for the 2022 tax year. For a family with two or three qualifying children, the change will be dramatic. The American Rescue Plan put the maximum child tax credit for 2021 at $3,000 for each child ages 6 through 17 and put the maximum at $3,600 for children 5 years old and younger.
The smaller available credit for 2022, though, will hit individual tax returns in a variety of ways.
Not everyone saw a supersized tax refund this year, for example, because of the expanded child tax credit on the 2021 return. Some even saw smaller refunds in 2021 than 2020 once they reconciled the available credit with their incomes for 2021.
The IRS made advance payments over six months in 2021 based on available information on one's previous income. The advance payments were designed to cover half the total credit amount that was due. The other half was to be claimed on the 2021 income tax return when the return was filed in 2022.
More:Proposal would permanently increase child tax credit: How much families would get
What happened to the recovery rebate credit?
Another big change: Don't expect to claim a recovery rebate credit for 2022.
Millions of people who received that money in 2021 did not need to claim the recovery rebate credit when they filed their tax return in 2022. The IRS issued stimulus payments or Economic Impact Payments in advance and people who received that money upfront didn't claim the recovery rebate credit.
But others qualified for the recovery rebate credit on a 2020 return or a 2021 return if the IRS didn't send them a stimulus payment or somehow their payment came up short. The maximum credit for 2021 was $1,400 per person, including all qualifying dependents claimed on a tax return. Married taxpayers who filed a joint return for 2021 that claimed two qualifying dependents could have received up to $5,600 as a credit.
Again, we're talking about a lot of money for some taxpayers.
Giving to charity might generate a tax break — or not
Nearly nine out of 10 taxpayers are taking that standard deduction these days — meaning they're not itemizing expenses and claiming deductions, such as charitable contributions, on their tax returns. If you itemize, you can claim charitable contributions.
On the 2020 and 2021 federal income tax returns, though, a temporary tax break was available if you gave cash to a charity but did not itemize.
"At the moment, it is expired for 2022 use," Luscombe said.
While it's possible a similar deduction could be part of a future change in tax rules out of Congress, it's not part of the tax landscape in early December.
In general, those who don't itemize, he said, won't qualify for any tax break for their charitable contributions on the 2022 federal income tax return. That break for charitable contributions — again unless extended by Congress sometime in late December — goes away for the 2022 return.
One special tax break: Those who do not itemize but are older than age 70 and a half could qualify for a tax break for making a charitable contribution through an IRA distribution that's sent directly to a charity. Such a contribution can be up to $100,000 and the saver would avoid claiming that distribution as part of income.
On the 2021 return, a married couple taking the standard deduction was allowed to claim up to $600 for cash contributions made to qualifying charities in 2021, if filing a joint return. A single individual, including married individuals filing separate returns, were allowed to claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions. For 2021, the tax break was not an above the line deduction and it did not reduce your adjusted gross income.
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2022-12-09T13:18:53Z
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www.freep.com
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As stimulus tax breaks end, refund shock to hit many on 2022 returns
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/personal-finance/susan-tompor/2022/12/09/tax-refund-return-stimulus/69696239007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/personal-finance/susan-tompor/2022/12/09/tax-refund-return-stimulus/69696239007/
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President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have something in common that may prove troublesome to both: Michiganders in each of their parties are largely cool on the prospect of either being the presidential nominee in 2024.
So says a poll of likely voters released Friday.
Start with the current president. Among self-identified Democrats surveyed by EPIC-MRA of Lansing, just 24% said they wanted Biden to be their party's nominee in two years. A majority of them — 60% — said they want someone else. Sixteen percent were undecided.
The news isn't much better for former President Donald Trump, who recently announced he is running for reelection in two years. Trump faces a similar problem with Michigan Republicans. Only 35% of those voters are supporting his candidacy, with 47% saying they preferred someone else to be the GOP nominee. Eighteen percent were undecided.
The poll of 600 randomly selected likely voters, which was conducted between last Wednesday and this Tuesday, had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points for the entire sample, but it would be larger for subgroups such as respondents who identified as one party or another.
The Free Press uses EPIC-MRA as its pollster but did not commission the survey released Friday.
Independents also were largely against either man becoming their party's nominee in 2024, with 75% preferring someone other than Trump (and 9% preferring him and 16% undecided) and 73% preferring someone other than Biden (and 18% preferring him and 9% undecided).
Taken as a whole: When all voters were asked if Biden should be nominee, 17% said yes, 71% said it should be someone else, and 12% were undecided or refused to answer. When asked if Trump should be the nominee, 18% said yes, 70% said it should be someone else and, again, 12% were undecided or refused to answer.
Biden has not yet said whether he intends to run for reelection in 2024 but expects to make a decision early next year. He recently endorsed a plan adopted by the Democratic Party's Rules and Bylaws Committee — and one to be put to the entire Democratic National Committee in February — to make Michigan one of the first five states to hold its party primary in two years.
In 2020, Biden easily defeated U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont for the Democratic nomination in Michigan's primary. He went on to beat Trump in Michigan in the general election by more than 154,000 votes.
More:In Michigan and across US, it was a bad night for Trump
EPIC-MRA pollster Bernie Porn said he suspects that Biden's lack of support as the Democratic nominee is based on "a combination of things," including the fact that he recently turned 80 years old. "He's accomplished a great deal, but they didn't do a great job communicating those things until late in the (midterm) campaign (season)," Porn added.
As for Trump, Porn noted polls showing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis leading Trump among Republicans for the presidential nomination. "Trump is not toxic yet, but is becoming toxic (to his own party)," he said.
Trump has suffered a series of political setbacks, with many of his hand-picked candidates, including those in Michigan, being defeated by Democrats in top races. Democrats maintained control of the U.S. Senate in a year when they were expected by many handicappers to lose control.
The poll had a partisan breakdown of 40% Democrats, 40% Republicans, 16% independents and 4% who were either undecided or identified with another party. In a hypothetical matchup between Biden and Trump, Biden led 47%-43% among all surveyed.
The poll also indicated that a majority of Michiganders — 62% — have a negative view of Biden's performance as president, compared to 37% who have a positive view. While 50% have an unfavorable opinion of Biden overall, separate from his job performance as president, a larger percentage, 58%, have an unfavorable view of Trump.
The poll also showed that Michiganders, following a midterm election in which voters reelected Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and flipped control of the state Legislature to Democrats, are generally more upbeat about the future than they were a month ago.
Forty-eight percent said the state was headed in the right direction, compared to 38% who said it was on the wrong track and 14% who were undecided and didn't answer the question. Before last month's election, just 38% said the state was headed in the right direction, compared to 50% who said it was on the wrong track.
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2022-12-09T13:19:17Z
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www.freep.com
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Poll: Many Michigan voters ready to move on from Trump, Biden in 2024
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/09/michigan-presidential-election-trump-biden-poll/69712094007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/09/michigan-presidential-election-trump-biden-poll/69712094007/
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Paul Winters is no longer coach after 19 years, a spokesperson for the university confirmed Friday.
Winters finishes with a 94-105 record at Wayne State since taking over after the 2003 season (18 seasons), with a 79-90 record in conference play. The program had its 2020 season canceled due to COVID-19, after going 8-3 the year before and defeating Grand Valley State for the first time since 1984.
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2022-12-09T16:30:24Z
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www.freep.com
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Wayne State football: Paul Winters no longer head coach
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2022/12/09/wayne-state-football-paul-winters-head-coach/69714970007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2022/12/09/wayne-state-football-paul-winters-head-coach/69714970007/
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"We needed more control over what's going on with managing the facility, employees that are over there," Hackel said. "So what we decided to do was come up with more stringent protocols in place for us to have oversight ... to give us access to understanding more of what was being done over there, (this evidence room) was one of those areas that kind of came out as being problematic."
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2022-12-09T22:01:18Z
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www.freep.com
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2 Macomb County medical examiner employees fired for stealing drugs
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2022/12/09/macomb-county-medical-examiner-drugs/69715714007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2022/12/09/macomb-county-medical-examiner-drugs/69715714007/
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But the Detroit Lions coach was surprised to hear that his 5-7 team is a 2½-point favorite vs. the 10-2 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday — the first time since the 1970 merger that a team eight or more games over .500 is an underdog against a team with a losing record (excluding games where teams rested their starters), according to CBS Sports.
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2022-12-09T22:01:21Z
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Dan Campbell 'shocked' Detroit Lions favored over 10-2 Vikings
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/12/09/detroit-lions-dan-campbell-minnesota-vikings-odds-line-vegas/69715841007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/12/09/detroit-lions-dan-campbell-minnesota-vikings-odds-line-vegas/69715841007/
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Pine Knob Music Theatre tallied nearly $37 million in reported ticket sales to rank as the world’s No. 1 concert amphitheater in 2022, according to year-end data released Friday by Pollstar magazine.
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny racked up $357 million in total reported grosses this year to take Pollstar's crown for top North American tour.
He was followed by Elton John ($202 million), whose lengthy Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour wrapped up its North American run last month. The piano-pop star played three Detroit shows in 2022, including a night at Comerica Park in July, for a total of seven Michigan concerts on his five-year final tour.
Taking the No. 3 tour spot was Def Leppard-Motley Crue ($177 million), whose much-delayed stadium outing played Comerica Park in July.
The 15,040-capacity Pine Knob hosted 50 shows over the summer as it marked its 50th anniversary, including big dates from artists such as Zac Brown Band, Imagine Dragons, Jason Aldean, Stevie Nicks and a homecoming twofer by Kid Rock.
The Clarkston amphitheater also topped the Pollstar chart in 2019 — the last full year of touring before the pandemic — when it was still known as DTE Energy Music Theatre. On this year’s list, Pine Knob topped L.A.'s Hollywood Bowl ($31 million) to claim the top spot.
The venue revived the old Pine Knob name this year as it launched its high-profile anniversary campaign, with United Wholesale Mortgage, Trinity Health and Ally now aboard as naming partners. The amphitheater is overseen by 313 Presents, with most shows booked by Live Nation.
More:The man who built Pine Knob: 50 years later, a family reflects on a concert venue legacy
More:Bob Seger's farewell run was 3rd best-grossing tour of 2019 — behind the Stones and Elton
Little Caesars Arena, also part of the 313 Presents stable, ranked No. 10 nationally among concert arenas, with $75.4 million in ticket sales. Highlights included sold-out shows from Post Malone, My Chemical Romance, Mary J. Blige and Anita Baker, along with a pair of Elton John dates.
New York's Madison Square Garden clocked $241 million in reported grosses to top the arenas list.
The Fox Theatre placed No. 15 among U.S. theaters, with $24.8 million in concert ticket sales.
Pollstar, a longtime concert industry trade magazine, previously based its year-end rankings on venue attendance. This is the first time the lists have been determined via ticket revenue. The data is drawn from box-office numbers provided by venues, artists and promoters, though not every show is reported, often because of competitive sensitivities and other proprietary concerns.
2023 is shaping up as another busy concert year for a touring industry that has soared despite economic headwinds coming out of the pandemic. At Ford Field, for instance, next year’s calendar already includes eight show nights, including doubleheaders from Taylor Swift and Metallica.
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2022-12-10T00:24:57Z
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www.freep.com
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Pine Knob is nation's top music amphitheater for 2022
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2022/12/09/pine-knob-top-music-amphitheater/69716204007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2022/12/09/pine-knob-top-music-amphitheater/69716204007/
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Macomb county leaders said they had no warning that a prize cultural asset, a Detroit Zoo nature center in their area, was suddenly off the table.
The Detroit Zoo’s decision to cancel plans to build a nature center near Lake St. Clair for at least $20 million has Macomb County officials as angry as a northern pike fighting an angler’s hook.
County leaders said they had no warning that the prize cultural asset, announced with fanfare in early 2018, was off the table. Some said the zoo’s change of heart would drive them to oppose the next renewal of Macomb’s countywide zoo millage.
The cancellation of the long-awaited Great Lakes Nature Center came unexpectedly this week at Macomb’s annual state-of-the-county speech, delivered by County Executive Mark Hackel at the county’s Center for Performing Arts in Clinton Township. Hackel gave it a positive spin, telling the crowd that the zoo would combine efforts with the Metroparks system for educational that would be “more than just a facility or destination.”
And zoo officials later said they’d changed their minds during the pandemic, deciding against building a new facility, and that together their new approach would bring education and excitement about the natural world to schools, parks and other community sites. None of that talk placated members of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, who discussed on Thursday whether to oppose the next renewal of the countywide zoo millage, which expires in 2026.
At the last election for the 10-year millage, 59% of Macomb County voters said yes, recalled Don Brown, R-Washington Township, and chair of the county board.
“And now the zoo’s reneged — I’m disappointed, obviously,” Brown said on Friday.
“They said at their big press conference in 2018 that this would be done in two years. They built the expectation for something truly significant, and they’re getting plenty of taxpayer dollars from our region. But they didn’t have the decency to tell us in advance” of Hackel’s speech, he said.
The new plan, which is to create education programs for Macomb residents together with the Metroparks, “sounds real soft,” he said, adding a quip: “What, you put a picture of a muskrat on the wall?” Brown said board members heard no good explanation for the change, so he will seek to find out more.
“I’m going to be making a push for transparency. Have they had a financial setback or are they just putting their resources into something else?” he said. Commissioner Don VanSyckel said he was equally stunned and disappointed.
“While I understand we don’t have any official control of the zoo, there was an implied promise with zoo management. In the future, I’ll be voting no about putting the zoo millage back on the ballot,” said VanSyckel, R-Sterling Heights. Commissioner Barbara Zinner, R-Harrison Township, lives in a lakeside community that was being considered as the site for a planned Great Lakes Nature Center.
"For them to do this to us really says a lot. I do love the zoo. Maybe someday" the plan can be revived, Zinner said.
Commissioner Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, elected last month to the State Senate, said she also clung to a hope that the center might still happen.
“I know there are people still working on that. We were pretty excited about having this in Macomb County. I don’t know what the reasoning was behind this,” Klinefelt said.
A news release from the Detroit Zoo did not give a reason for the shift in plans although it extolled the possibilities of collaborating with the Metroparks. In a statement, Detroit Zoological Society Executive Director Haley Murphy said, “While we’re still planning the future of what this partnership will look like, we know it will bring amazing new investments to Macomb County communities, and we can’t wait to get started.”
More:Detroit Zoo to build $10M Great Lakes Nature Center in Macomb County
Murphy’s statements did not give additional information about investments the zoo might make. But a separate news release from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, which also is supported by property taxes imposed across metro Detroit, specified that “there are no current plans to construct new buildings or structures; we are looking to enhance programming in existing facilities.”
The Detroit Zoo recently upgraded its nature center on Belle Isle Park in Detroit, following a $2.5-million renovation that had the facility closed for 2-1/2 years. It reopened in September to lavish praise. The center, located at the far east end of the island park, is especially enticing to families with small children because it’s open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with free admission and free parking.
“Wait ‘til you see our new mudpuppy exhibit,” said Amy Greene, director of nature centers for the Detroit Zoo.
“We show kids there’s nature all over metro Detroit,” Greene said, adding: “We’re feeling really good about this partnership with the Metroparks.” Greene had been deeply involved in planning for the zoo’s canceled Great Lakes Nature Center, and now she leading development of the new initiative in Macomb County.
“We decided to invest our resources across the communities rather than in a single place,” Greene said, although she said she could not give details about the financial basis of the change in plans. And initial phase of the shift in direction will be to survey Macomb County residents to learn how people “want to connect with the natural world.”
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2022-12-10T02:35:23Z
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www.freep.com
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Detroit Zoo drops plan for big Macomb nature center
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2022/12/10/detroit-zoo-drops-plan-for-macomb-nature-center/69717042007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2022/12/10/detroit-zoo-drops-plan-for-macomb-nature-center/69717042007/
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FTC stalls Microsoft bid to buy video game publisher Activision Blizzard
On Thursday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission voted 3-1 in favor of a complaint to block a $68.7 billion acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard by software giant Microsoft. Microsoft has insisted the buyout would not limit competition in the gaming space, but the FTC's antitrust case will now go before the commission's internal administrative law judge.
The United Auto Workers announced on Friday that employees at an Ohio electric vehicle battery plant co-owned by General Motors and LG Energy Solution voted 710-16 in favor of joining the UAW. Wages at the Ultium plant currently range from $15 to $22 per hour, below the roughly $30 per hour UAW workers earn at many U.S. factories.
On Thursday, the Pentagon announced it is splitting a six-year, $9 billion cloud computing contract four ways and awarding it to Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle and Alphabet subsidiary Google. The U.S. Department of Defense initially awarded the contract exclusively to Microsoft back in 2018, but the deal was abandoned after Amazon alleged the Trump administration interfered with the decision-making process.
Smith & Wesson misfires
Smith & Wesson shares dropped more than 21% this week after the firearm manufacturer said falling gun demand triggered a 47% drop in revenue in the third quarter.
In the week ahead, third-quarter earnings season continues with reports from Oracle on Monday, Lennar and Trip.com Group on Wednesday and Adobe on Thursday.
Following the PPI reading, investors will get more key economic updates on Tuesday when the U.S. Labor Department releases its November Consumer Price Index reading and on Wednesday when the Federal Reserve releases its latest interest rate decision and accompanying commentary.
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2022-12-10T11:17:48Z
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www.freep.com
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FTC stalls Microsoft bid to buy video game publisher Activision Blizzard
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2022/12/10/ftc-stalls-microsoft-bid-to-buy-video-game-publisher-activision-blizzard/69708033007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2022/12/10/ftc-stalls-microsoft-bid-to-buy-video-game-publisher-activision-blizzard/69708033007/
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Steven Pringle, the 57-year-old owner of Build a Bicycle — Bicycle Therapy in the U.P. town of Kingsford, who was the subject of a recent profile in the Detroit Free Press, was killed in a car accident in Punta Gorda, Florida, on Nov. 23.
He had driven down there that day to hand out free bicycles to kids displaced by Hurricane Ian in September. And so his last gesture encapsulated his life’s purpose.
The story in the Free Press, which was published Nov. 6, followed him on a two-day spree of impulses and random generosity that ended with the police being called on him for riding a horse through downtown Iron Mountain.
He was born and raised in Marquette, enlisted in the Army, served in Lebanon in the ‘80s, came home to Michigan, became a car salesman and eventually had his own auto dealership.
But he fell on hard times and lost everything. A few years ago, while down on his luck and living in an old camper, he had an epiphany one night that led him to start a bike repair business with the sole purpose of giving troubled veterans something to take their minds off their problems for a while. “Bicycle therapy,” he called it. Somehow it evolved into a real bike shop. And even though he kept giving away bikes for free despite everyone’s advice to quit doing so, the shop inexplicably kept growing more successful.
“He went through a lot of things in his life and he had seen a lot of things, and I think at some point he really found God and really felt like God was with him in everything he did, and he really wanted to do as much good as he could,” his 39-year-old daughter, Torri Pringle, of Peoria, Illinois, said. “I think it really just made him happy.”
According to his family, Steven Pringle was driving a truck with a trailer full of new bicycles behind it when he passed through an intersection where the stop sign had been blown down by the hurricane. He was struck by a driver with such force that his truck reportedly hit a pole and rolled over, killing him instantly.
He leaves behind six children, five grandchildren, his girlfriend Lindsey, his horse Andy, his dog Lacey and countless customers, friends and people who knew him only as the friendly stranger who gave them a bike for free.
“I’ve got people reaching out to me saying, ‘Your father changed my son’s life for the better,' ” said his son, 38-year-old Jason Pringle, who traveled to Florida to deal with the aftermath of his father’s death. “One lady said, ‘We couldn’t afford a bicycle and your father gave my son a bicycle.’ I was really blown away at the impact that he had.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to pay for the funeral and to carry on his charity work with bikes, possibly with annual giveaways to kids in need. “It was something that meant so much to him that it’s a way to let his name live on,” Torri Pringle said.
Someone erected a memorial at the intersection where he died: It’s an old bike, painted white, with debris from the accident fashioned as a cross. So-called "ghost bikes" can be found in cities and towns across America and typically are erected by those in the cycling community to honor fellow cyclers killed in accidents. The family has no idea who put it there, but say it demonstrates the reach of Steven Pringle's work.
“It’s a beautiful thing that these guys are still recognizing my father for the work that he did,” Jason Pringle said. “He was working with children going down the bad paths in life and showing them there’s a better way to life; that there’s ways to find adventures with bikes rather than taking these dark roads. So to see that he impacted the community in these good ways and these people are recognizing that with this small monument is really great.”
John Carlisle writes about people and places in Michigan. His stories can be found at freep.com/carlisle. Contact him: jcarlisle@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @_johncarlisle, Facebook at johncarlisle.freep or on Instagram at johncarlislefreep.
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2022-12-10T11:17:54Z
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U.P. bike shop owner killed in traffic accident
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/john-carlisle/2022/12/10/u-p-bike-shop-owner-killed-in-traffic-accident/69716637007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/john-carlisle/2022/12/10/u-p-bike-shop-owner-killed-in-traffic-accident/69716637007/
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EAST LANSING – Doug Wojcik admits the circumstances are “really weird.”
Even for a veteran coach who has run his own program and is in his second stint as a Michigan State basketball assistant, the complexity of scouting the Spartans’ next opponent, Brown, presents some challenges. Particularly in breaking down the Bears’ personnel.
Specifically their starting shooting guard and Doug's son: No. 0, Paxson Wojcik.
“We just went over personnel and all the plays and stuff, and the odd thing is all the players know him,” Doug said after MSU’s film session Thursday. “So I don't refer to him as 'Wojcik,' I refer to him as 'Paxson.' So it's kind of cool.”
The Spartans (6-4) on Saturday host Brown (6-4), which has won five straight (4:30 p.m., Big Ten Network).
More:After a critical win, what to make of this Michigan State team and its point guard
Paxson Wojcik is familiar with Breslin Center. He and his younger brother, Denham, a sophomore guard at Harvard, spent the summer in mid-Michigan with their parents, Doug and Lael. That, in part, is because the Wojcik boys’ Ivy League schools do not offer much summer training for basketball.
Instead, they spent a few months working out with MSU players in the weight room and playing pickup, as well as taking part in the annual Moneyball Summer Pro-Am League in Holt — both as opponents and teammates of the Spartans.
“I think our players and Paxson would consider those guys friends,” Doug said, “and they would consider Paxson a friend.”
The work paid off, and Paxson, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound senior, went from averaging 9.6 points per game in 27 starts last season to scoring 12.8 a game in starting all 10 games this season. His numbers all have increased — from 27.7 to 33.8 minutes a game, from three rebounds and 1.3 assists to 6.8 and 2.7, from shooting 42.1% overall and 33% from 3-point range to 44.7% and 36.2% this season. He already has 14 steals after getting 24 last season.
“We're really lucky, because he actually is a player. He actually plays,” said Doug, who played at Navy and was head coach at Tulsa (2005-2012) and College of Charleston (2012-14) after leaving the Spartans, then returned to MSU in 2021. “I'll be rooting against him during the game, but I mean, it's just kind of cool. I think the introductions will be a really special time.”
While Tom Izzo hasn’t had to coach against his son — he can just look down the bench to see Steven, a walk-on senior guard for MSU — he has coached against a number of close friends throughout his 28 seasons. That uneasy feeling is something he has battled the past few days despite the Spartans coming off a Wednesday win at Penn State that evened their Big Ten record at 1-1.
“I hate 'em, like I told my team today,” Izzo said of family matchups. “And it's Doug's scout. But I hate 'em, because I played a couple of my good friends, and it's the worst. It's the worst thing you can do. I can't even imagine with your son. It's difficult. You're pulling for him to do well and the rest of the team not to do well. That's what happens when you're in this profession.
“But at the same time, we didn't have to play them. This was a good thing for Brown, and I think a pretty good thing for us. Once you get through it — win, lose or draw; for Doug, for Lael, for Paxton and Denham — it's one of those they'll be talking about it until the day that Doug and Lael are done and then the day that the two boys are done. I mean, that's just one of those things that's a memory-making moment.”
The Bears also have another guard, Dan Friday, making a homecoming. The 6-4 junior earned Free Press first-team All-Detroit in 2019 at U-D Jesuit, where he was a teammate of MSU running back Elijah Collins and Cassius Winston’s younger brothers, Zachary and Khy. Friday has started four of five games this season and averages 8.2 points, two rebounds and 2.6 assists.
Doug said Denham and Harvard have two weeks off, and he will fly in to be at Breslin along with friends. Saturday will be the first time Doug has seen Paxson play a college game since his oldest son spent his first two seasons at Loyola (Chicago). He saw Denham play last season when MSU was off on Martin Luther King Day. He said Lael, who played women’s basketball and ran track for Navy, took weekend trips last season to the Northeast to catch a Brown game one day and a Harvard game another, since the Ivy League only plays on Fridays and Saturdays. The two schools are a 30-minute train ride apart.
More:Michigan State basketball's Tom Izzo: Larry Nassar fallout was 'lowest point' in life
This one will be different. Lael is expected to sit behind the Brown bench and cheer on Paxson. Doug will be down the sideline trying to get the Spartans to shut down his son. Paxson will take every shot trying to send his dad home with a loss, something the proud father is trying to look at solely as “a great opportunity.”
“It's just a great time in life, really,” Doug said. “When you've done this for a long time, and you know how many parents are going to soccer and baseball and basketball all around the country, and so many parents put so much into their youth sports with their kids. And then to see your sons kind of grow up and develop and actually have a chance to play in college is pretty special.
“We don't take it for granted. We're very, very, very grateful.”
Matchup: Michigan State (6-4) vs. Brown (5-4).
Tipoff: 4:30 p.m. Saturday; Breslin Center, East Lansing.
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2022-12-10T11:18:00Z
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Michigan State basketball assistant has father-son reunion vs. Brown
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2022/12/10/michigan-state-basketball-assistant-doug-wojcik-father-son-reunion-brown/69716081007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2022/12/10/michigan-state-basketball-assistant-doug-wojcik-father-son-reunion-brown/69716081007/
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The Revive 275 project reaches a new stage with two lanes open in each direction on Interstate 275 between Eureka and 6 Mile roads in Wayne County.
Traffic is maintained on the newly rebuilt southbound lanes with two-way traffic separated by temporary concrete barriers. Off-peak intermittent lane and ramp closures are expected over the next week, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
This next stage allows crews to focus on rebuilding the northbound lanes throughout 2023. For the winter months, ramp access at all interchanges to northbound and southbound will be maintained.
The Revive 275 project, is a $270 million investment and is expected to support 3,429 jobs. To learn more about the project, check the Revive 275 website.
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2022-12-10T16:09:31Z
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I-275 construction project shifts to rebuilding northbound lanes
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/10/i-275-construction-closures-lanes-updates/69716957007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/10/i-275-construction-closures-lanes-updates/69716957007/
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J.J. Barnes, a Detroit native R&B singer who scored a hit single in 1967 with “Baby Please Come Back Home,” died Saturday according to his granddaughter, Ry'ann Ernst. He was 79.
Born James Jay Barnes in Detroit, he signed with Detroit-based Ric-Tic Records. Later in his career, he signed with Motown Records as a songwriter but not as a recording artist.
Barnes' hit single, "Baby Please Come Home," was released in 1967 on the Groovesville recording label and charted at No. 9 on the Billboard R&B chart in the U.S.
Detroit Metro Time's Adam Stanfel interviewed Barnes in October, where the artist said his final live performance would be at the Detroit A-Go-Go festival which was held in Detroit. In the article, Barnes said that he would never fully retire but that would be his last live in-person concert because of his health conditions.
More:Pine Knob was nation's top grossing amphitheater in 2022; LCA ranked No. 10 among arenas
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2022-12-11T02:01:14Z
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J.J Barnes was known for hit single 'Baby Please Come Home'
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/11/j-j-barnes-detroit-native-rb-singer-dies/69717812007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/11/j-j-barnes-detroit-native-rb-singer-dies/69717812007/
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What exactly is happening? There’s no long wait for an answer. Like the 1979 novel by Octavia E. Butler that inspired it, the new series quickly reveals that Dana somehow is time-traveling back to an early-1800s Maryland plantation, the place where her ancestors lived with the horrific reality of slavery. While the eight episodes (which arrive all at once) make some changes to the book’s narrative, the show’s creator, Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins, says his dream scenario would be for people to watch them in tandem with reading Butler’s print version.
“The book will always be the book, and Octavia, thank God, her work will always be there. I just wanted to celebrate her,” says the noted playwright and Obie award winner, who previously worked on HBO’s “Watchmen.”
“That’s what got me through the hardest days, thinking Octavia, Octavia, Octavia.”
“Kindred” is the latest FX show to screen exclusively on Hulu, a partnership that has resulted in the acclaimed “Reservation Dogs,” a comedy-drama about young Native Americans, and “The Bear,” which made the phrase “Yes, chef!” go viral with its intense, quirky portrayal of the staff of a Chicago Italian sandwich spot.
Like those critical hits, Jacobs-Jenkins’ adaptation has the potential for big pop-culture impact, particularly since Butler’s writings have become a hot source for film and TV projects. “Kindred” is first to be completed of several screen projects drawn from the author's works. They include a post-apocalyptic saga based on “Dawn” from Ava DuVernay’s production company, a romance involving immortals spun from “Wild Seed” from Viola Davis’ Juvee Productions and a vampire tale from “Fledging” that’s being executive-produced by Issa Rae and J.J. Abrams.
An icon in the science fiction genre, Butler is now considered one of the most notable writers of the 20th century. She spent years in obscurity, writing in the small hours of the morning and supporting herself with routine jobs during the day. “Kindred” was considered her breakthrough novel. In addition to winning several major sci-fi awards, Butler received a MacArthur “genius” fellowship in 1995. She was the first sci-fi author so honored.
Since Butler’s death in 2006 at age 58, interest in her short stories and novels has continued to grow as readers keep discovering the relevance of the themes that she addressed: climate change, racial injustice, economic and social inequality among them. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her 1993 novel “The Parable of the Sower” reached the New York Times best-seller list, offering what Slate called in 2020 “a blueprint for adjusting to uncertainty.”
“I think if there is a resurgence of interest for her today, it’s because what really defines her is her prescience. She was a visionary, the way that she understands the issues to come. ... When you think of the ‘Parable of the Sower,’ her book on climate change, the story takes place in 2024, so we’re almost there. It’s where everything collapses,” says Benedicte Boisseron, a professor of Afroamerican and African Studies at the University of Michigan who participated in a panel discussion on Butler’s enduring influence in March 2022 during an Octavia Butler Week at the Ann Arbor campus.
Jacob-Jenkins, who discovered Butler’s books as a young teen, says “Kindred” always has stayed with him. When he returned to the book in 2010 as an adult, “I finished reading it and thought this is a television show.” The project was sold to FX in 2016 and stayed in development for about five years. The pilot finally was shot in fall 2021, and filming for the entire series took place for about six months in 2022, with rural Georgia subbing for Maryland.
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More:'Who Killed Vincent Chin?' documentary lands on prestigious National Film Registry list
Despite the time-travel element of “Kindred,” it recounts what daily life was like for enslaved men and women in the antebellum South with the painful accuracy of a real memoir. Butler did extensive research for the novel, traveling by bus from California to Maryland and visiting historical sites like Mount Vernon, home of George Washington, which in the 1970s barely addressed the existence of slavery
“There wasn’t the internet, there wasn’t Google, there wasn’t really even, like, library shelves full of scholarship. She was really kind of trying to save something from oblivion, maybe,” Jacobs-Jenkins says. “For me, it’s a great irony of the book that it remains feeling so present tense because I think it just indicates how resistant the culture is to really processing the meaningfulness of this history.”
Jacobs-Jenkins read Butler’s papers and reflected on the differences between 1979 and today before choosing the departures that the series makes from the book. For instance, Dana’s time travel is changed to a generational phenomenon that was shared by certain relatives, a twist that he says was inspired by Butler's early drafts.
Also, the character of Kevin (Dana’s white husband in the book) becomes a new love interest here who finds himself being taken along on this impossible, potentially lethal journey with a woman he barely knows. ”I just wanted to see if there was a way to build that relationship convincingly in real time," says Jacobs-Jenkins.
There also is a nod to the contemporary "Karen" meme of white privilege with the addition of a neighbor who's nosy to an intrusive level about what’s occurring at Dana’s house.
“For me, the best adaptations aren’t necessarily about translating something beat by beat, word for word, but trying to re-create in some ways what the original artist was attempting to create in their own context,” says Jacobs-Jenkins.
An Obie award winner who, like Butler, was himself a MacArthur “genius” fellow, Jacobs-Jenkins also took on the task of being the showrunner for “Kindred.” It was his first brush with being the person essentially in charge of guiding an entire series.
“The experience of going from a writer to a showrunner is like going from a beggar to a CEO overnight,” he says with a laugh. “I spent six years trying to prove to people the idea had something in it and suddenly you’re handed the keys to a thousand Mercedes.”
Despite challenges like having to shoot under COVID-19 safety precautions, Jacobs-Jenkins says he enjoyed the process, especially working with the actors. ”There were definitely a ton of difficulties, but I just felt that every day was a blessing.”
For the role of Dana, who is on-screen for most of the scenes in the series, the production found a future star in newcomer Mallori Johnson, who was in her fourth year of studying acting at Juilliard when she auditioned for the part. Micah Stock, her co-star as Kevin, describes her as an “astonishingly skilled actor” for someone just out of college. “There were times on set where those of us who were a little bit older would look at her and say, 'I can’t do that.'”
Stock, one of several cast members from the New York theater scene, says he already was a friend and longtime fan of Jacobs-Jenkins when he he got the "Kindred" script from his representatives. “I think at some point in the process I wrote Branden and said, ‘I just want you to know I really want to do this,’” he says.
Although “Kindred” is more than 40 years old, it's reaching small screens at a time when a debate is raging about how U.S. history and topics related to race are being taught in public schools. Stock thinks the series, like the book, will encourage dialogue.
"The show will spark these conversations, I’m sure, and there’ll be lots of discourse around these things. And ultimately, that’s the win, right? It's the conversation.”
For a nation to have any true sense of reconciliation, facing the past as honestly as “Kindred” does is a necessary step. “It’s very important that people understand (that) to reckon with your history, you have to reckon with … the past of slavery,” says U-M's Boisseron.
She's glad that the book studied at universities has become a potential binge watch. “It opens Octavia Butler to a whole new audience,” she says.
'Kindred'
All eight episodes arrive Tuesday on Hulu
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2022-12-11T12:19:07Z
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Hulu's 'Kindred' finds modern-day Black woman on an 1800s plantation
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/television/2022/12/11/hulus-kindred-finds-modern-day-black-woman-on-an-1800s-plantation/69689435007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/television/2022/12/11/hulus-kindred-finds-modern-day-black-woman-on-an-1800s-plantation/69689435007/
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Detroit Free Press staff
The Detroit Free Press is among dozens of newsrooms across the nation that will receive a grant from Report for America to help fund a reporting position in the newsroom.
The program places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. The Free Press plans to use the grant to hire a reporter to cover the culture of youth sports in metro Detroit to explore the role it plays in bringing communities together and the stories at the heart of sports programs across the region.
Report for America already helps to fund three other positions in the Free Press newsroom: covering economic mobility and the barriers that stand in the way of financial stability — shared by the Free Press and Bridge Detroit; a fact-checking and political reporting position; and a beat that focuses on the well-being of children, including mental health, physical health as well as the foster care and juvenile justice systems.
Report for America pays a portion of the reporters' salaries, and the Free Press works to raise the rest. Donors who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to support this reporting can do so at https://bit.ly/freepRFA.
Report For America is a national effort by The GroundTruth Project, a Boston-based nonprofit news organization that supports emerging journalists around the world and their work on social issues, including human rights and global health.
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Child wellbeing:When giving up a child is the only way to get needed help
In Michigan, Report for America will also fund new positions at Outlier Media and WMUK-102.1 FM in Kalamazoo.
Journalists interested in applying for this latest Free Press position, or the more than 50 new positions RFA is supporting across the country, can go to reportforamercia.com/reporters. The nonprofit is holding informational sessions about the program on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15. The deadline to apply is Jan 30, 2023.
In all, Report for America supports positions in nearly 220 newsrooms across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Guam.
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2022-12-11T12:19:25Z
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Free Press to receive grant to cover youth sports in Detroit, region
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/11/free-press-to-receive-grant-to-cover-youth-sports-in-detroit-region/69706207007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/11/free-press-to-receive-grant-to-cover-youth-sports-in-detroit-region/69706207007/
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It's a busy sports day in Detroit, with the Detroit Lions trying to hold onto slim NFL playoff hopes and hosting the division-leading Minnesota Vikings. A few hours later, the Pistons will host one of the game's most iconic players for the once-a-year-trip to Little Caesars Arena, as LeBron James and the Lakers don the purple and gold in Detroit. Game info and live updates below.
You may recall the last time the Lakers were here: Bloody Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, when Isaiah Stewart chased James around the court in a stunning rage in the third quarter, bulldozing over anyone in his way. He was ejected, though only suspended two games, and much was said and written in the following days. The Lakers won the matchup by the way, 121-116, when the Pistons blew a 17-point second-half lead. James was suspended one game for his flying fist that caught Stewart over his right eye. But Cade Cunningham, who continues to be sidelined with a shin injury, isn't in uniform this time to hold Stewart back. Let's hope everyone makes up this time.
The Lakers started the season 2-10, but have played better the past month under first-year coach Darvin Ham, led by Anthony Davis. They defeated the Pistons in mid-November in LA, 128-121, without James − Davis dominated with 38 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks, making 18 of 21 free throws. Now, Detroit is the last stop on LA's six-game road trip, and it has lost the past three (Cleveland, Toronto, Philadelphia) after knocking off Milwaukee and Washington to start. The Lakers have ground to make up at 13th in the Western Conference, three games out of the play-in tournament.
Davis, 29, is playing excellently, averaging 27.5 points on a career-best 59.3% shooting, along with 12.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks.
James, whose offensive game has become more 3-point reliant the past few seasons, continues to defy time, as he turns 38 in a few weeks. He's collecting 25.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game playing as more of a big forward nowadays and even, at times, gets backup minutes at center. He has not shot the ball well to start the season, averaging a career-low 4.8 free throw attempts (making 69.8%) and taking 7.3 3-pointers per game (making 31.8%) in 18 games.
Their other post-prime former MVP, Russell Westbrook, 34, has adjusted well to coming off the bench after starting the season's first three games. He's averaging 15.2 points, eight assists and 5.5 rebounds over 28 minutes in 21 games off the bench, though turnovers (3.9) and poor shooting continue to plague him (41.6 FGs/32.5 3Ps/68.2 FTs). But he's dangerous with his speed attacking on straight line drives and in transition.
The Lakers are also getting quality play from their lone sharpshooters, Lonnie Walker IV (16 points per game, 37.6% from 3) and Austin Reaves (10.9 points, 37.2% from 3). Reaves scored 25 off the bench in Friday night's 133-122 overtime loss in Philadelphia.
The Pistons own the sport's worst record. Bojan Bogdanovic, who signed a two-year contract extension six weeks ago, is the team's top offensive option at 20.3 points per game, making 2.5 3s on 43.2%. Rookie guard Jaden Ivey (15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists) starts in the backcourt along with the resurgent Killian Hayes (11.6 points, 6.2 assists, 1.4 steals over his past 17 games).
Follow updates from the game below.
TRENDING:What I like and dislike about Detroit Pistons one-third through NBA season
Detroit Pistons (7-21) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (10-15)
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2022-12-11T12:20:01Z
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Detroit Pistons game score vs. LA Lakers: Time, TV channel
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/11/detroit-pistons-game-score-updates-los-angeles-lakers-tv-channel/69717509007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/11/detroit-pistons-game-score-updates-los-angeles-lakers-tv-channel/69717509007/
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As temperatures plunge, make Detroit's homeless a priority | Opinion
Darren A. Nichols
A recent Free Press story documented a problem facing Detroit's homeless: The city lacks adequate public restrooms. The city has just 43 public restrooms that are open year-round. That's one for every 3 square miles — and most are located in police stations, libraries or other city buildings with restricted hours of operation. The majority, located in city parks, are closed from the end of October to the beginning of May so their water pipes won't freeze. Simply put, it's both dangerous and unsanitary.
That the city does not provide adequate bathroom access for its homeless population is appalling. But it seemed like a symptom of a bigger problem. I wondered why Detroit — flush with federal dollars — hasn't followed the lead of other American cities that are doing more for the homeless. Because the cold winter months are coming, I wanted to dig deeper into the city's approach toward this vulnerable population.
Detroit has never enacted a comprehensive plan to help the homeless, leaving the job to nonprofits and outside agencies. Currently, the city operates three warming centers — too few, homeless advocates say, to meet the urgent need for shelter when temperatures plunge.
They'll be open through March 31. City libraries are also made available during the day for the homeless. But that’s just a fraction of what other major cities are doing to help this vulnerable population.
This isn't an issue unique to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's administration. Homeless people, who make up more than 1% of the city’s population, have been been ignored decades of the current administration's predecessors. And those like me, who understand that the city’s $1.3-billion budget is about priorities, are left wondering where the homeless fit in our government's plans.
Decades of inaction
When I was in my early 20s, my church choir adopted a facility serving homeless Detroiters called the Just Love Center, off Grand River, across from Cass Tech High School. Once a month, a group of us would volunteer, providing food and serving lunch to the homeless. For about two hours each Saturday, we mentored k-12 students shuttled from a nearby public housing complex.
The Just Love Center forced me to understand that many in Detroit are one paycheck away from homelessness. Volunteering during the Christmas holidays at Fellowship Chapel gave me another dose of reality; spending longer periods of time with homeless people allowed me to have real conversations about their situations. One talk — over a hand of cards — was with a professional man who’d lost his job. His life had spiraled out of control until he was without shelter. Those experience forever shaped my views about the homeless.
In the decades I spent covering Detroit City Hall, no mayoral administration made the city's homeless a real priority. The same wasn't true of the Detroit City Council: Dating back to the days of Erma Henderson and Maryann Mahaffey, elected to council in the early 1970s, and JoAnn Watson, elected in 2003, some members have called for a comprehensive plan to curb homelessness.
Those were mostly the days when the City Council gave abatements for residents to fix homes before they went on the dangerous buildings list. The idea was to give those houses to those who needed shelter, provided that the new occupants made repairs. After the Ford Auditorium closed in 1990, Watson floated the idea of repurposing it as a warming shelter.
In 2015, City Council President Mary Sheffield established a Homeless Task Force. But her initiative, like those of her predecessors, never amounted to much.
In Detroit's governmental structure, it’s incumbent on the mayor, who controls the city's departments, to implement a plan for the homeless. Duggan, elected in 2013, has created new departments for residents with disabilities, civil rights and inclusion, but not one specifically dedicated to addressing the needs of those with no place to lay their heads at night.
Steve Berg, the vice president for programs and policy with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, notes that housing isn't the problem in Detroit. "[The city] for many, many years, has had an adequate supply of housing,” he says. “It's more about having the money to pay for what housing there is.”
What the numbers really tell us
According to the most recent statistics compiled by the Homeless Action Network of Detroit, the city’s homeless population dropped from 10,444 in 2018 to 10,006 in 2019, and again to 7,844 in 2020. But the report cautioned that the 22% drop between 2019 and 2020 doesn't necessarily suggest that fewer people are experiencing homelessness, but only that shelter usage fell off, likely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Providers say some homeless people avoided shelter, fearful of exposure to the virus.
In Detroit, the homeless population is 85% Black. HAND also found that during the pandemic, people were homeless for longer periods, growing from 105 to 110 days ― and the rate of youth experiencing homelessness without a parent or guardian grew by 41%.
Whether those numbers are high or low, reality says there are too many people who need help. Even using that conservative 2020 figure, more than 1% of the city’s population is homeless, and what may be an illusory decline in the numbers seeking shelter must not be used to justify inaction.
It takes the will to do it
Other cities have simply tackled the problem head on.
Houston has been hailed as the gold standard for curbing homelessness, reducing the rate by more than 50% after investing $200 million in permanent housing.
During COVID-19, the City of Houston and surrounding Harris County invested $65 million in a program called Houston First. As of February, more than 7,000 formerly homeless residents had found housing. Last January, Houston First allocated another $100 million, seeking to place another 7,000 people in homes by 2024.
Berg, of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, says Houston is a great example for Detroit. The fourth-largest city in America uses federal programs that provide rental assistance, like the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The state has chipped in some cash, too.
“Houston used some of its local money to pay for rental assistance. Then they subsidized developers to come in and build modest rental units for people. They have housing they can afford," says Berg, who specializes in employment, economic development and human services, and the intersection between those issues and housing. “A lot of places talk about NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) responses and zoning and local government getting in the way of housing development. Houston doesn't have any of that.”
Los Angeles Mayor-elect Karen Bass said late last month that she'll declare a state of emergency on homelessness her first day in office, and says she will roll out a plan within her administration's first 100 days.
"We are definitely going to identify some of the most challenging encampments and make sure that we can get those people housed," Bass said. "But declaring a state of emergency really allows us to rally, bring together the city agencies and allows us to look at, especially city-owned land and fast track things."
So there are options, if Detroiters will consider them.
New money, new solutions
With federal American Rescue Plan Act funding flowing to the city, now is the time to begin thinking about new ways of helping Detroit’s homeless.
“Detroit might be a place where it's not so much building new units, as rehabbing existing units. That's what the money is needed for,” Berg added. “So the question is, how important is it to have homelessness be near the top of that list? I understand that these are tough decisions that leaders have to make, but that's why they're leaders. They can make those tough decisions. Some places are solving it by locking people up. That's been tried before and doesn't work. The real answer is housing.”
As Detroit continues to rebuild, we must continue to advocate for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Lives in our brutal winter weather depend on it.
Darren A. Nichols is a contributing columnist at the Free Press. He can be reached at darren@dnick-media.com or his Twitter handle @dnick12.
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2022-12-11T14:25:18Z
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Opinion: Detroit's homeless must be a higher priority for city leaders
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https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2022/12/11/detroit-homeless-duggan-council-winter/69683634007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2022/12/11/detroit-homeless-duggan-council-winter/69683634007/
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The Los Angeles Lakers have underwhelmed this season, but they’re still one of the NBA’s best teams when LeBron James and Anthony Davis are feeling it.
The Detroit Pistons were on the receiving end of a strong effort from the superstar duo Sunday, and a season-best performance from Bojan Bogdanovic wasn’t enough. The Pistons lost, 124-117, at Little Caesars Arena after a dagger 3-pointer from Austin Reaves gave the Lakers (11-15) a five-point lead with 12.4 seconds left.
A 3-pointer from Alec Burks on the next possession missed, and Davis made a pair of free throws to seal Los Angeles’ win.
James, who has had his share of strong performances in Detroit over the past two decades, finished with 35 points, five assists and five rebounds. Davis, one of the NBA’s hottest players over the past month, added 34 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists to hand the NBA-worst Pistons (7-22) their third straight loss.
OMARI SANKOFA II:What I like and dislike about Detroit Pistons one-third through NBA season
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Bogdanovic scored a season-high 38 points — 25 in the third quarter — to trim a double-digit halftime deficit to one at the end of the third quarter. But the Pistons couldn’t get another player going offensively to counter the Lakers’ one-two punch. Jaden Ivey finished with 16 points on 6-for-16 shooting, and Saddiq Bey (14 points), Burks (11 points) and Marvin Bagley III (10 points) reached double figures. Jalen Duren grabbed 13 rebounds, his third straight game grabbing at least 10.
Bogdanovic made his final bucket of the night, a layup, with 35 seconds left to bring the Pistons within 119-117. The Pistons took an early 1-0 lead after a split trip at the line by Duren, who started his second consecutive game. It was their only lead of the night, as the Lakers led by as many as 13 in the first quarter to take control.
The Pistons visit the Charlotte Hornets (7-20) on Wednesday, then have home games against Sacramento (Friday), Brooklyn (Sunday) and Utah (Dec. 20).
Bogdanovic has historic third quarter
When you’re feeling it, you’re feeling it. That’s the only way to describe Bogdanovic’s third-quarter heater, which saw him score 25 points and make five of six 3-pointers in the period. The Pistons trailed 61-49 at halftime, and Bogdanovic almost single-handedly was the reason the Pistons cut the deficit to 91-90 at the end of the third.
A crosscourt pass from Killian Hayes got Bogdanovic his first 3-pointer of the quarter with 6:14 on the clock, cutting the deficit to nine. Bogdanovic proceeded to score Detroit’s next nine points, all 3s. His fourth 3-ball at the 4:41 mark made it 75-70, and his fifth 3 roughly two minutes later reduced the deficit to 85-81. The 33-year-old capped the quarter with a trio of free throws.
The Pistons shot 13-for-24 in the quarter, 9-for-14 from 3 and outscored the Lakers 41-30. Bogdanovic’s 25 points were the second-most scored by a Piston in a quarter since the 1995-96 season. Will Bynum set the record with a 26-point fourth quarter on April 6, 2009, and Reggie Jackson matched Bynum’s record on Nov. 9, 2015 at Portland.
At halftime, Detroit was 6-for-19 for 3 and struggled to sustain runs, as James (19 points, 8-12 shooting at halftime) and Davis (12 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists at halftime) were both having strong offensive games. The Pistons ultimately fell short, but Bogdanovic’s heroics gave them a fighting chance late in the game.
Next up: Hornets
Matchup: Pistons (7-22) at Charlotte (7-20).
Tipoff: 7 p.m. Wednesday; Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina.
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2022-12-12T03:19:53Z
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www.freep.com
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Detroit Pistons lose to Lakers despite Bojan Bogdanovic big game
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/12/detroit-pistons-nba-game-lakers-bojan-bogdanovic-lebron-james-anthony-davis/69719550007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/12/detroit-pistons-nba-game-lakers-bojan-bogdanovic-lebron-james-anthony-davis/69719550007/
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Economic leaders and government officials gathered Monday at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn to celebrate the latest investments in Michigan's growing electric vehicle production: the closing on a $2.5 billion federal loan to help construct a battery cell facility in Lansing along with facilities in Ohio and Tennessee and a new battery workforce initiative.
The loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solutions, will support the new of lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facilities in the three states. The project in Michigan is expected to create an estimated 3,700 jobs — including more than 2,000 construction jobs and 1,700 permanent operations jobs — U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said during a news briefing.
She said during a news briefing that Michigan has "become a magnet for investment in battery manufacturing" and loans to the auto industry have helped facilitate the transition to electric vehicles.
"We began investing in car 2.0, the electric vehicle, and the batteries that form the guts of that vehicle," Granholm said. "We got Michigan skating to where the puck is going, we've turned this state into a leader in electric vehicle manufacturing."
She touted a recent vote to unionize by workers at an Ultium plant in Ohio last week to join the United Auto Workers, saying it signaled that many of the jobs at the factories supported by her department’s loan to Ultium "are going to be union jobs."
Granholm said the loan advances President Joe Biden's plan to reduce carbon pollution through encouraging Americans to make the switch to electric from gas-powered vehicles.
The new Battery Workforce Initiative announced by Granholm will bring together business, labor and government leaders to develop strategies for recruiting and training workers for the battery manufacturing industry, the former Michigan governor said.
"These are parts of the supply chain that we're building entirely from scratch," Granholm said. "And we need to build a labor force alongside that supply chain."
At the event announcing the initiative, Granholm was joined by U.S. Department of Labor Deputy Secretary Julie Su, Michigan's Democratic U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, UAW President Ray Curry, Alliance for Automotive Innovation President and CEO John Bozzella and Ultium Vice President of Operations Tom Gallagher. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was unable to attend the event. Michigan's Chief Infrastructure Officer Zach Kolodin attended a roundtable discussion portion of the event in her place aimed at securing high-quality jobs in the budding battery industry.
In a statement Monday, Whitmer said the loan and workforce program will help secure Michigan's manufacturing future. "As the state that put the world on wheels, high-tech manufacturing is part of both our past and our future. That's why we've been working hard to outcompete other states for every dollar of investment, so everyone knows Michigan is the place to do business."
Stabenow and Peters said that growth in the battery manufacturing sector represents a broader opportunity to boost domestic production.
"But in order to get that business, to bring it from offshore to the United States, we have to have workers that have the training," Peters said, underscoring the importance of the workforce training announcement. "And if we don't have that, we're not going to get the business."
The Biden administration has set a goal to achieve a 100% clean energy economy — reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The administration's plan to combat climate change through the widespread adoption of electric vehicles includes bolstering the domestic supply chain for electric vehicle production, incentivizing consumers to purchase electric vehicles and building more electric vehicle charging stations across the U.S.
Through these efforts, the administration hopes electric vehicles will make up half of new vehicle sales by 2030. American auto manufacturers have also announced their own plans, including GM which seeks to build one million electric vehicles in North America by the end of 2025.
By then, Granholm said there will be 10 battery factories operating in the U.S., heralding the development as a "new chapter for this country's industrial legacy" and "terrific news for the future of workers in America."
Whitmer has celebrated investments in Michigan's electric vehicle sector, including the deployment of millions in taxpayer dollars to fund economic development projects in the industry. A month before the recent midterm election Whitmer joined economic development officials to announce two electric vehicle battery plants coming to Michigan with the help of $1 billion in incentives, tax breaks and other assistance from the state.
But this latest investment in electric vehicle production in Michigan comes through a federal loan. The financing comes specifically from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program initially conceived by Stabenow in the Loan Programs Office housed in the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2009, Ford received a $5.9 billion loan to upgrade several facilities in Michigan under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program that was fully repaid this past summer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The latest loan from U.S. Department of Energy marks the first one closed under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program exclusively for a battery cell manufacturing project, according to the department.
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2022-12-12T18:21:25Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan EV battery makers get boost from loan, training initiative
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/12/michigan-ev-battery-makers-loan-training-initiative/69720014007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/12/michigan-ev-battery-makers-loan-training-initiative/69720014007/
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Domino's, the world's largest pizza chain, is bringing back its promotion to drive people to pick up their orders instead of having them delivered.
The Ann Arbor-based pizza chain carryout tip promotion provides customers who place an order online with a $3 "tip" to use on their next online order. Customers can claim the $3 offer and receive a promo code when ordering online. Customers need to claim the promo code in the week the order was placed to be used the following week. There's a minimum $5 purchase.
This promotion from the Ann Arbor-based pizza company first came about earlier this year ahead of the Super Bowl, one of the busiest days for ordering pizza. During that promotion, which ran through May, Domino's said customers claimed more than 17 million of its carryout tips.
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2022-12-12T23:51:57Z
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www.freep.com
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Domino's brings back $3 customer 'tip': Here's what to know
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/12/dominos-brings-back3-customer-tip-heres-what-to-know/69721950007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/12/dominos-brings-back3-customer-tip-heres-what-to-know/69721950007/
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George Rooks, a sophomore from New Jersey, is transferring, the Free Press has learned. He played in six games this season for the Wolverines and just three — against Rutgers, Nebraska and the Big Ten championship game against Purdue — against conference foes. He had a solo tackle against the Cornhuskers and didn't record a tackle over three games last season.
Rooks, listed at 6 feet 5 and 278 pounds, had a fumble recovery Sept. 17 against UConn. He was a four-star recruit, according to 247 Sports, and the No. 4 player in New Jersey when he committed in January 2021 to the Wolverines. Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Notre Dame offered Rooks a scholarship as a prep as well.
MORE:How a bizarre week further revealed mettle of a perfectly strange Michigan team
Michigan will play TCU at 4:30 p.m. New Year's Eve at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. The winner of that game moves on to the national championship and will play either Georgia or Ohio State, who meet at 8 p.m. New Year's Eve at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
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2022-12-13T00:05:00Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan football DL George Rooks enters transfer portal
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/12/michigan-football-dl-george-rooks-recruiting-wolverines/69722759007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/12/michigan-football-dl-george-rooks-recruiting-wolverines/69722759007/
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A 26-foot menorah graced Campus Martius early Monday afternoon.
Menorah in the D is a community Hanukkah celebration set to kick off at 5 p.m. Sunday in Detroit's Campus Martius Park.
On Monday, a one-of-kind steel and glass Menorah was put together piece by piece for the event.
Erik Nordin and his team at Detroit Design Center have been working on installations in Detroit for over 20 years now.
"It's made of stainless steel and features lights that work like regular lightbulbs," said Nordin. "We have vessels that can be linked with the flame for the ceremony. The 'P' stands for the community working together to celebrate, you'll see the different flames and shapes in the architecture. It stands for bringing all people together to celebrate."
Nordin said that he and his brother thought it would be great to build one that was taller than any other in the country.
"My brother and I felt that it was really important to make something that was perhaps the biggest menorah and free-standing menorah in the United States."
The lighting of the Detroit menorah, good foods, community leaders, and activities for kids will take place during the event.
More:Menorah in the D is coming back to Campus Martius this month
More:Michigan EV battery makers get boost from $2.5B loan, training initiative
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2022-12-13T01:49:23Z
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www.freep.com
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The 12th Annual Menorah in the D event begins Sunday
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/13/the-12th-annual-menorah-in-the-d-event-kicks-off/69717862007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/13/the-12th-annual-menorah-in-the-d-event-kicks-off/69717862007/
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New Wyandotte entertainment venue hopes to attract big music acts, weddings
The Wyandotte building has been renovated to include a digital marquee and box office windows.
A March 2023 grand opening is expected.
The venue includes state-of-the-art lighting, a sound system, and a 20-foot by 20-foot stage.
Two entrepreneurs are teaming up to put Downriver on the map with a new live music venue that they hope will find success like the Magic Bag in Ferndale or the Crofoot in Pontiac.
District 142, a 15,000-square-foot venue on Maple next to the Vault on First in the heart of downtown Wyandotte, aims to attract local and national acts plus host a space for themed events, private events, and more, the promoters, 360 Event Production, announced in a news release.
Julie Law, the owner of 360 Event Production, and Joshua Cade, owner of Whiskeys on the Water, said the teamed up on the project to make the best use of all their skills. Their backgrounds are in hospitality, event production and marketing. In 2017, they formed a team for event production that went on to host a series of Downriver festivals, including Swiggin’ Pig, Fire & Flannel Fest, Wyandotte Wine Crawl, Detroit River Cocktail Showdown, St. Patrick’s Party & Leprechaun Crawl and Wyandotte Beer Fest.
The Wyandotte Downtown Development Authority executive director Joe Gruber suggested that the pair consider setting up inside a century-old building — formerly home to nightclubs, bars and even a bowling alley — that was sitting vacant.
“When Joe showed us the building, it had been stripped down to the dirt floor, with no power or water, but we knew potential was there to turn it into a much-needed live music and entertainment venue,” said Law in a statement.
“As the owner of several Wyandotte restaurants and bars, I felt the area needed something that would drive traffic to the city year-round,” said Cade. “District 142 will be that venue — drawing in visitors for concerts as well as providing a space for residents to host weddings, parties and corporate events.”
The building was renovated to include a digital marquee and box office windows. The interior features industrial, steampunk vibes exposing the natural framing of the 1890 building but also highlighting finishes like weathered wood, metalwork stairs, exposed brick and vintage light fixtures.
Renovation company Rise Above Ventures is making its final fixes so that by March, everything will be ready for the grand opening.
For concertgoers, the variety of viewing points comes as a plus. Guests can choose from a more intimate experience on the main floor or a more elevated experience on the upper mezzanine with your typical tables, chairs, private bar and restrooms.
More features of the new live music venue include state-of-the-art lighting, a sound system, and a 20-foot by 20-foot stage.
Talent will also be provided with private dressing rooms, bathrooms with showers, a production office and on-site laundry and stage-level load-in. Once acts start rolling in, guests can buy tickets from Live Nation, which is the booking partner for the venue. The ticketing capacity is around 700 people.
Gruber has high hopes for the new entertainment facility.
“This is a tremendously exciting moment for us, and really, all Southeast Michigan and the Metro Detroit music scene.” said Joe Gruber in a written response. “The City of Wyandotte and the DDA have long supported Josh and Julie’s events which bring thousands of visitors into Wyandotte annually. Their continued investment in our community helped cement our position as a regional destination and the 'Downtown of Downriver.' We’re thrilled for this new venue that will allow even more people to discover all Wyandotte has to offer.”
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2022-12-13T21:25:06Z
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www.freep.com
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District 142, a new music venue in Wyandotte, to open in old building
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/13/district-142-music-venue-wyandotte-opening/69724305007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/12/13/district-142-music-venue-wyandotte-opening/69724305007/
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Michigan's redistricting commission sued the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate Monday evening in the state's Court of Claims, asking the court to order state lawmakers to appropriate more than $3.1 million to help fund the group as it faces pending litigation challenging the new voting districts it drew.
The commission was not included in the budget for the current fiscal year that began in October, and state lawmakers did not pass a supplemental spending bill before the end of the year. A new legislative session will begin in January when Democratic lawmakers will hold majorities in both chambers.
Lawmakers' failure to appropriate funds for the commission has left the commission "no choice but to file this lawsuit," the commission's complaint states.
In its complaint, lawyers for the commission argue that state lawmakers have violated the Michigan Constitution by failing to appropriate funds for the commission, which continues to operate almost a year after approving new congressional and state legislative district maps. The November midterm marked the first election held under the new district lines drawn by the commission.
The group has continued to meet because the Michigan Constitution states that the commissioners' terms cannot end "before any judicial review of the redistricting plan is complete." The commission faces two pending lawsuits challenging the voting districts it adopted: one that alleges that the state legislative maps violate federal voting rights requirements and another that argues the congressional map has population differences between districts that are too big.
"The Commission has incurred and will continue to incur legal expenses defending these matters," the complaint states.
Lawyers for the commission argue that the Legislature is legally required to make annual appropriations for the commission. The Michigan Constitution states that each year the commission operates, "the legislature shall appropriate funds sufficient to compensate the commissioners and to enable the commission to carry out its functions, operations and activities," including retaining legal counsel.
The complaint from the commission also notes that the Michigan Constitution also gives the commission "legal standing to prosecute an action regarding the adequacy of resources provided for the operation of the commission."
The lawsuit states that lawmakers failed to appropriate money for the commission despite repeated requests from the commission. At a meeting in September, David Fink, a lawyer for the commission, forecasted the possibility of legal action against state lawmakers if they didn't provide funding for the commission.
"The Legislature has to provide the resources to defend the plans," Fink said. "How are you going to defend the plans if you can't operate as a commission?"
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2022-12-13T21:25:12Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan redistricting commission sues state lawmakers
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/12/13/michigan-redistricting-commission-lawsuit-lawmakers/69725030007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/12/13/michigan-redistricting-commission-lawsuit-lawmakers/69725030007/
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Jaelin Llewellyn had one final message for reporters as he signed off his most unwanted Zoom call on Tuesday afternoon.
"Croatia is getting it done today," the injured Michigan basketball point guard said, making his pick in Tuesday's World Cup semifinal with a smile.
"No way, man, Leo (Messi and Argentina) all the way," one reporter responded.
"Nope, Croatia is taking them down," he said, laughing.
Minutes earlier, he had talked about his middle name, Blaze, and thanked his parents for giving him a "cool name" and went as far as to say he wishes he had gone by that nickname.
"I guess it's too late for that," he joked.
Llewellyn has done his best to keep his spirits high over the past 10 days since suffering an ACL tear in Michigan's 73-69 loss to Kentucky in London on Dec. 4, but the sadness in his eyes was apparent.
THE INJURY:Llewellyn suffers ACL injury, out for the rest of the season
THE REPLACEMENT:Dug McDaniel stars in first start, a 90-75 win at Minnesota
He wasn't meeting with the media to talk nicknames or soccer, though. Instead, the Zoom call was because — for the third time in as many years — his basketball career is on hold for an extended time.
Michigan was down by six points with less than eight minutes to play against the Wildcats in England when the transfer point guard from Princeton had the ball in his hand for the final time this season.
"It was late in the shot clock, I went to take a pull-up and felt something popped right when I planted," Llewellyn said. "I kind of knew right then what had happened, but it was definitely a shock factor, and painful as well."
The official diagnosis: torn ACL. His season, just eight games in? Officially over.
Llewellyn was averaging seven points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
Still, Llewellyn said he's going to lean on what he has learned in recent years to get through this process, because there have been hard times before.
He was at Princeton when the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the end of the 2019-20 season. The following season, the Ivy League was the lone Division I conference to cancel the entire 2020-21 season as well giving him more than 18 months between competitive games.
He told the Free Press in October that was the toughest stretch he'd ever gone through and now, he's at another crossroads.
"It's definitely challenging, because it's not what I wanted from this year," he said Tuesday. "I wanted to play the rest of the season with these guys. But I've been in a long rehab situation before, so I'll be able to bounce back"
That previous rehab came during the COVID shutdown, nearly as soon as he was able to play basketball again in Virginia. He suffered a torn Achilles in his first workout indoors. Although it didn't cost him a collegiate season, it slowed his growth in the game.
Now, Llewellyn is looking to grow in other ways.
"I think I can be the team's biggest supporter," he said Tuesday. "Even though I can't be on the court, I've played a bunch of college basketball, I can provide insight where I think I need to give input.
"Just telling guys what I see out there, because when you watch from the sideline you can notice more things sometimes, so just being as involved as I can be."
That involvement will likely include mentoring point guard Dug McDaniel. The freshman from Washington looked sharp in his first career start, a 90-75 Michigan win at Minnesota last week, with 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting (including making all three 3-pointers) and three steals to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
Llewellyn doesn't have an official surgert date set, but the first week of January appears likely. In the meantime, he said, he's focusing on strengthening his quads so he can begin his rehab with as much strength as possible.
"They've been all right, not too good, not too bad, just trying to get through the beginning stages," Llewellyn said of his mental state since the injury. "My teammates have been great supporting me, a lot of people have reached out and wished me well.
"It's just the beginning of it, but I'm hopeful to keep working through the rehab process."
Llewellyn passed up two separate chances to comment on his future. With only eight games played, he'll qualify for a medical redshirt. That's on top of the extra year he gained from the NCAA's COVID waiver, meaning he still has at least two years of eligibility remaining. But for now, he's focused on getting healthy.
"I'm not really sure yet," Llewellyn said. "I've said before, I'm taking things day by day because I've got a long road ahead of me, and I don't want to get too far ahead in the future."
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2022-12-13T21:25:18Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan basketball's Jaelin Llewellyn to be 'as involved as I can be'
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/13/michigan-basketballs-jaelin-llewellyn-acl-tear/69724907007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/13/michigan-basketballs-jaelin-llewellyn-acl-tear/69724907007/
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CAROL CAIN
Detroit Free Press Business Columnist
Attention Millennials and Gen Z-ers — you’re needed to help the Salvation Army by ringing bells at grocery stores, malls and other places as part of the organization's annual Red Kettle Christmas fundraiser taking place right now.
This is the 132nd year of the effort, making it the largest and longest-running of its kind. Funds raised last year during the campaign helped over 25 million Americans nationwide.
Presently, the metro Detroit chapter is working to meet its 2022 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign goal of $8.2 million. Officials are worried, though, about making that goal if they do not get enough folks to help ring bells in front of stores and other places.
“We’re in desperate need of bell ringers,” said Maj. Robert "Bob" Mueller, who runs the Salvation Army of Metro Detroit. He was sent to Detroit along with his wife, Maj. Lisa Mueller, general secretary of the Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, to help oversee the regional operation, in June.
As baby boomers retire, not enough younger people are stepping up to fill that void. It’s a missed opportunity, Mueller contends.
“This really is a wonderful way for people and even children to learn about helping others. Some people make it a family tradition,” he said.
To help recruit more young people, the Salvation Army turned to the Jonas Brothers who in their 2022 “Love Beyond” promo talk up the virtues of the organization and the Red Kettle campaign.
Funds raised during the campaign subsidizes two-thirds of the organization's annual operating budget and support programs all year long.
Organizations like the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor are helping as the club picks a day each holiday season and members ring bells at area stores. On Dec. 3, Dave LaMoreaux and Jill Damon, members of Kiwanis, helped ring bells at a Busch’s store in Ann Arbor .
“It’s good to help them, knowing how many people they are helping across the community,” said LaMoreaux, who has volunteered the past five years. Damon has volunteered for three seasons.
Garry Donner, chair of the Human and Spiritual Values Committee of the Ann Arbor club, said, “We have been doing this for 25 years to honor Col. Harold Crowell. He was part of The Salvation Army and also a member of our group.”
Donner said dozens of their club members and family also put in time ringing bells on Dec. 3 and together raised $5,000 that day.
Those wanting to help can go to registertoring.com to sign up for volunteer shifts.
Coins really add up
There are stories about donations beyond U.S. currency that sometimes have ended up in Red Kettles. In metro Detroit, a "secret Santa" dropped a rare 1980 South African gold Krugerrand into a kettle on the east side a few weeks ago — making it the 10th consecutive year that has happened.
That coin, valued at about $1,765 (according to Monex), will help the Salvation Army provide 2.1 million meals, 405,000 nights of shelter, 88,000 holiday toys and gifts for children and seniors in Southeast Michigan.
As news of that coin was reported by media, other coins began appearing including a silver Krugerrand at the Kroger at 8 mile and Wyoming, a silver Krugerrand at Ferndale Foods in Ferndale, a 1-ounce Gold Liberty coin and two half-ounce Gold Liberty coins at Kroger in Southgate, and a 1-ounce Gold Liberty coin at Greek Island restaurant in Plymouth.
“Generosity breeds generosity,” Bob Mueller said.
View from the Muellers
Bob and Lisa Mueller have been married 38 years and joined The Salvation Army 27 years ago.
The organization operates like a military organization and as commissioned officers, the couple served in six regions before coming back to Detroit. It's a homecoming as they left 27 years ago after donating their worldly goods before getting commissions. Bob Mueller answered some questions about his experiences. His answers have been edited for brevity.
QUESTION: Talk about the need for bell ringers.
ANSWER: The Salvation Army utilizes both paid bell ringers and volunteers to cover the hundreds of kettle sites and tens of thousands of bell ringing hours. The labor shortage combined with a decline in volunteerism is negatively impacting our Red Kettle campaign. There are more unmanned kettles than ever before. Hence, we’re in desperate need for more volunteer bell ringers.
Q: Tell me about your job and your wife’s.
A: My official title is divisional secretary for Metro Detroit Area Command and I oversee programs and social services for 13 Salvation Army Centers in the tricounty area. I share responsibility for fundraising, public relations, community development. Lisa’s title is general secretary, which means she is second in command of the Great Lakes Division (which covers most of Michigan). She provides oversight to the Harbor Light system, Emergency Disaster Services and legal matters. We previously served in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Roseville, Minnesota; St. Paul, Minnesota; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Rochester, Minnesota. The average appointment is three to five years.
Q: You grew up in Detroit — talk about that.
A: My siblings (a younger brother and sister) lived across the street from the Salvation Army Grandale Corps Community Center on Montrose Avenue (near Greenfield and West Chicago) until our mother relinquished custody of us to my father. He then moved us to Livonia where I met my wife, Lisa. She is a Salvation Army officer kid. She is the youngest of five daughters who are also all Salvation Army officers.
Q: What's it like being back in Detroit?
A: It’s bittersweet. We’re back home, but our three adult children (and) three grandchildren live in the Twin Cities, so we don’t get to see them very often. On the other hand, we are slowly getting reacquainted with friends and family that we left behind 27 years ago. Some days we feel like we never left Detroit. Other days it’s as if we have never lived here. My role as area commander has afforded me the opportunity to see more of the Detroit metropolitan area in five months than the 30 years that I lived here prior to leaving. After spending the past 11 years in smaller cities, Detroit has been overwhelming in its size, speed, and diversity. It’s also changed. The old neighborhood is not the same. While the house I lived in still stands, many of the neighbor’s homes are now gone. And my elementary school has shuttered its doors. But the Salvation Army still has a presence there and continues to serve our neighbors in need.
Q: What’s The Salvation Army life like?
A: I often say, “Every day is an adventure in the Salvation Army.” No two days are the same. One moment I could be serving meals to the homeless living on the street, and the next moment be in the office of a president of a major corporation. The Salvation Army uniform takes you places you never dreamed you would ever go. We’re on call 24/7, 365 days a year. There’s no greater reward than doing the most good for people in the most need.
Q: Anything else to mention?
A: I’m glad to be back in the big “D” to support my home sports teams, especially the Red Wings. I named my son after Steve Yzerman and when the Wings won the Stanley Cup in 1997, we named our new dog Stanley Pup!”
Contact Carol Cain: 248-355-7126 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of “Michigan Matters,” which airs 8 a.m. Sundays on CBS 62. See Bill Ford, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Google CFO Ruth Porat on this Sunday’s show.
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2022-12-14T14:14:56Z
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www.freep.com
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Salvation Army needs bell ringers and is hoping for young volunteers
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/columnists/carol-cain/2022/12/14/salvation-army-needs-bell-ringers-and-is-hoping-for-young-volunteers/69723482007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/columnists/carol-cain/2022/12/14/salvation-army-needs-bell-ringers-and-is-hoping-for-young-volunteers/69723482007/
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Game notes: In the first meeting of the season, the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets find themselves linked not only as they carry the two worst records in the league, but could be headed in a race for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft. The loser of tonight's game will hold the dubious honor of having the league's worst record. If the Pistons want to climb out of the NBA cellar, they'll be doing it without Cade Cunningham after the announcement of his season-ending surgery to repair his left shin.
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2022-12-14T14:15:41Z
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www.freep.com
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/14/detroit-pistons-vs-charlotte-hornets-tv-radio-game-info/69725077007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/14/detroit-pistons-vs-charlotte-hornets-tv-radio-game-info/69725077007/
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EPIC RUN:From Harbaugh rumors to a perfect fall, Michigan football's 2022 is almost too crazy to believe
READ MORE:How a bizarre week further revealed mettle of a perfectly strange Michigan football team
The duo combined for perhaps the most important play of that season, when All caught the winning touchdown pass at Penn State; a 47-yard drag route with 3:29 to play in Happy Valley to help the Wolverines survive the Nittany Lions, 21-17, and preserve their chances at a Big Ten title.
All had a career year in 2021, catching 38 passes for 437 yards (11.5 yards per catch) and two touchdowns. He caught a career-high 10 passes for 98 yards in the Wolverines' lone regular season loss, 37-33, to rival Michigan State in East Lansing. McNamara also had a career day statistically that October afternoon, throwing for 383 yards, his only game with more than 300 passing yards.
All, listed at 6 feet 5 and 255 pounds, was an All Big-Ten honorable mention.
ON THE MOVE:Michigan football defensive lineman George Rooks enters transfer portal
All put some feelers out to the NFL following his junior season before opting to come back for his senior year. However, he was never completely healthy. He tried to battle through nagging back problems (that stemmed from the 2021 season).
He caught one pass in each of the Wolverines' first three games, totaling 36 yards, before he was shut down for the year.
On Oct. 21, All posted on social media that he went through a "life-changing" surgery. He was seen on the sideline for a number of games before and after the surgery, most recently the 45-23 victory over Ohio State in Columbus on Nov. 26.
"Wolverine nation Love you guys but it's time for me to move on. I know some of you are wondering why I would leave and the answer to that question is unexpected. 1/2," All wrote. "Not everything/everyone are what they seem and I learned that from my time here at Michigan. Sometimes you have to let go and do what's best for you and your family. Love you guys. Go Blue 2/2."
THE AWARDS CONTINUE:Blake Corum, Olusegun Oluwatimi named consensus All-Americans
Michigan didn't have any dropoff in production at tight end this season with Luke Schoonmaker, Colston Loveland, Max Bredeson and Joel Honigford all elevating their roles.
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2022-12-14T20:56:04Z
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www.freep.com
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Ex-Michigan football captain Erick All transferring to Iowa
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/14/michigan-football-erick-all-transfer-iowa-hawkeyes-cade-mcnamara/69728298007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/14/michigan-football-erick-all-transfer-iowa-hawkeyes-cade-mcnamara/69728298007/
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Assaggi Bistro in Ferndale to shut after New Year's Eve
A longtime, popular Ferndale Italian eatery is closing its doors after New Year's Eve, according to a Facebook post by the restaurant.
Assaggi Bistro, 330 W. 9 Mile, opened more than 20 years ago . A new restaurant is expected to open in the spring after the space is renovated, the post said.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal customers for their years of patronage and many wonderful memories," the post said.
More:Domino's brings back $3 'tip' for customers: What to know about the pick-up order promo
Assaggi Bistro on Thursday afternoon posted with that "mixed emotions," the restaurant will permanently close after more than 20 years in business at the end of this month.
The last night of service, according to the post, will be New Year's Eve.
"The space will be undergoing a complete renovation before a new restaurant opens this spring," the post read. "We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal customers for their years of patronage and many wonderful memories. Thank you and we hope to see everyone soon!
Owners George Gize and Josie Knapp sold the restaurant in August after operating it for more than 22 years in downtown Ferndale on W. Nine Mile.
Knapp, reached by phone Thursday afternoon, said the restaurant was put up for sale in 2021. The sale, she said, closed at the end of July. The new owners have been operating the restaurant since August 1.
"We sold it after 22 years and the people who bought are going to change the name and have a new concept," Knapp said. "We got this opportunity to sell and all my staff, 16 employees stayed on. My staff are happy and working. Everything is exactly the same until the end of the year."
Assaggi Bistro is known as an elegant, white-tablecloth restaurant. Its dining area has seating for more than sixty. An adjacent room seats 35 people, according to its website. There's also an outdoor patio seating.
The menu features Mediterranean and European influences.
Its twice-cooked Moroccan duck legs were a "Great Plates" feature by the late Sylvia Rector and Free Press restaurant critique. Rector described the duck meat as "fork-tender" with "exotic Moroccan flavors." The dish, still on the menu according to the website, features pairs the duck legs with couscous, pistachios, dried fruits, pomegranate barbecue sauce and sesame.
A call to the restaurant verified they will be closing to renovate the space into a new concept.
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2022-12-14T23:41:04Z
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www.freep.com
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Assaggi Bistro in Ferndale to close after New Year's Eve
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/12/14/assaggi-bistro-in-ferndale-to-close/69729255007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/12/14/assaggi-bistro-in-ferndale-to-close/69729255007/
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Bill Pulte, a pioneer in "Twitter philanthropy" and grandson of the late founder of the home-building giant PulteGroup that was started in Detroit, is suing a top PulteGroup executive for allegedly harassing and trolling him on Twitter.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Palm Beach County, Florida, where Pulte, 34, now resides after living in metro Detroit, claims that PulteGroup's incoming Chief Operating Officer Brandon Jones held a grudge against Pulte and used several fake identities on Twitter, starting in 2021, to harass him and other Pulte family members.
Pulte has 3.2 million followers on Twitter and is renowned for giving away money to people who message him as well as for helping to raise money for needy individuals, including survivors and victims of the school shooting last May in Uvalde, Texas.
One of the tweets at issue in the lawsuit concerned the February fire at Oakland Hills Country Club, which early on was believed to have started from construction workers using a propane torch against a wall.
On Feb. 17, Bill Pulte tweeted a statement of condolence about the devastating fire and mentioned how his father, Mark Pulte, and his wife, Julie, are members of the club.
According to the lawsuit, Jones replied to that tweet using an alter ego account with a fake name and photo of a deceased man from Kentucky. Jones' reply said, "Are you insinuating your father had something to do with the fire? Was Mark Pulte involved in the fire? Mark Pulte recently bought a competitor course. Is that a coincidence?"
Jones "tagged" nine other Twitter users, including news reporters, to notify them of that inflammatory tweet, the lawsuit says, and when Jones' alter ego was questioned by another Twitter user — "Why would his dad start the fire??" — the account shared a 2021 news article about the Pulte Family Foundation's purchase of the Inn at St. John's golf course in Plymouth.
Pulte's lawsuit is against Jones as an individual, not in his capacity as a corporate officer of Atlanta-based PulteGroup, which moved its headquarters out of Bloomfield Hills in the mid-2010s.
PulteGroup is not a defendant in the lawsuit. However, the lawsuit claims that Jones used company time and possibly company equipment to carry out his harassment campaign, a violation of the company's ethics code.
The lawsuit accuses Jones of defamation and libel and tortious interference with business relationships. It seeks between $30,000 and $75,000 in damages, plus a court injunction to force him to erase offending tweets.
Additionally, Pulte told the Free Press that he wants PulteGroup to hire a truly independent and impartial law firm to investigate Jones' alleged conduct. He said the company did hire a law firm to investigate, but one it has existing relationships with and which is "totally compromised" and not fit for the job.
“My family has a great legacy, we have a great name," Pulte said.
“Nobody should be treated maliciously like this," he added. "I mean, I’m on Twitter all day long. People say terrible things about me, I can deal with that. But to have a sophisticated bot network that’s being run by a No. 2 at a Fortune 500 company is totally and completely inappropriate.”
Asked how he can be sure the offending Twitter accounts belonged to Jones, Pulte said he cannot yet reveal specifics but more details will emerge as the case proceeds.
"Obviously, if we are filing the suit, we are confident in what we’re putting forth," he said.
Jones did not respond Wednesday to a message for comment sent through PulteGroup.
In a statement, PulteGroup said that "having recently been made aware of certain social media activity by a company executive, we are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the facts and whether there has been a violation of our company’s standards and policies.”
Started in Detroit
Bill Pulte is the grandson of the late William J. Pulte, who started Pulte Homes in Detroit in the 1950s and grew the company to become one of the nation's largest homebuilders.
The younger Pulte, who also runs a private-equity firm called Pulte Capital Partners, was very close to his grandfather, and according to the lawsuit, was his only descendant to receive an inheritance.
William Pulte retired from the company and its board in 2010 and remained a top shareholder. He later was critical of the company's decision to leave metro Detroit for Atlanta. Pulte died at age 85 in 2018 at his home in Naples, Florida.
The lawsuit says that the elder Pulte, amid his dissatisfaction with PulteGroup's then-CEO Richard Dugas, in 2016 recruited his grandson to help turn around the company. Bill Pulte was appointed to the board of directors that year and the two Pultes pushed for Dugas' ouster.
Bill Pulte stayed on the board for four years. During that time, he opposed a proposal by current PulteGroup CEO Ryan Marshall to directly promote Jones to chief operating officer from Michigan division president. The board agreed with Pulte and rejected the proposed promotion for Jones.
This October, with Pulte off the board, the company announced that Jones, now a senior vice president, will become executive vice president and chief operating officer starting Jan. 1.
Alter egos alleged
The lawsuit claims that Jones has used several alter ego Twitter accounts under fake names, including the now-defunct @GoDetroitWin and @EverythingTaket. He sometimes used two accounts in tandem to give the illusion of a conversation between different people, the lawsuit says, and generally acts by chiming in to reply to some of Pulte's posts.
Other allegedly defamatory tweets cited in the lawsuit include:
“Pulte Family is kind of a mess. Money does that.”
“@pulte mentioned his father Mark Pulte and an investigation into the fire. Sounds like he may suspect his father.”
“You and the Pulte board spend BILLIONS on stock buy backs. You also did layoffs. Grandpa Pulte would have invested in land, homes and People.”
“@pulte Nah, you just took advantage when his faculties were diminished. You manipulated an elderly man and are trying to hijack his legacy. He didn’t ‘wait’ a generation. He got old and you were opportunistic.”
“@pulte, I was laid off when you were on the board. You claim you were in the weeds to fix it so you were culpable. You had a massive compensation as a board member and a private jet. You are a hypocrite!!!”
“Honest question… since you never worked for Pulte, why do you feel entitlement?"
The lawsuit says many of the tweets were untrue and intended to sully Pulte's reputation in the business and philanthropic communities. And other tweets, the lawsuit said, "even if true, are conveyed in such a manner as to give false impressions."
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2022-12-14T23:41:10Z
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www.freep.com
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Pulte grandson sues PulteGroup exec, claiming Twitter trolling
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2022/12/14/pulte-grandson-sues-pultegroup-exec-twitter-trolling/69728089007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2022/12/14/pulte-grandson-sues-pultegroup-exec-twitter-trolling/69728089007/
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It was a historic moment, one with great personal as well as political meaning for this prominent politician from Michigan's big, affluent county north of Detroit.
As a teen, he got busy in student politics in suburban Detroit and after graduation grew active in local politics. But Dave Coulter said he never thought back then that he could hold public office — not as a gay man.
On Wednesday, Coulter was back in Michigan, and back at work as the Oakland County executive, after a one-day jaunt to Washington, D.C., where he watched history made on behalf of all LGBTQ Americans. On Tuesday, on the White House lawn, Coulter was among thousands invited to watch President Joe Biden sign the Respect for Marriage Act.
The bipartisan act capped decades of political toil to put all Americans on equal footing for marriage. Watching Biden affix his signature meant a lot in two ways, Coulter said.
"On one hand, it was personal for me. I clearly understood the historic nature of the moment. . . But I also saw this in terms of helping people understand that we have a rich, diverse county. I feel this act represents something not just for our LGBTQ residents. It's also for every person who ever felt held back by who they are or what they look like," Coulter said.
The nation's sanguine shift in how it views gays and other minority members mirrors the arc of Coulter's career, a rise through politics that no one could've predicted when he walked the halls of Bishop Gallagher High School, which closed in 2002 after 40 years in Harper Woods. Coulter found his first big success in politics in 2002. After years of working in the nonprofit sector, he was elected an Oakland County commissioner from Ferndale, which had gained a reputation as Detroit's most gay-friendly suburb. In 2011, he was elected mayor of Ferndale. And in 2019, Oakland's county commissioners appointed him to be the Oakland County executive, filling the remaining year in the term of L. Brooks Patterson, who had just died.
When he was appointed, several Republicans said they approved of Coulter because years earlier as a commissioner he'd been easy to work with, receptive to their concerns, reaching across the party aisle to get things done. Still, none crossed back to vote for him. But the Democrats had gained a one-vote margin, allowing Coulter, a Democrat, to succeed Patterson, a GOP stalwart. In 2022, reflecting Oakland County's shift in the last two decades from red to blue, Coulter was easily elected to a four-year term as Oakland County's top elected official. Through his rise in politics, Coulter has always been openly gay. Still, from the start, he campaigned more inclined to talk about policies he favored than about his sexual orientation.
This week's trip was Coulter's third visit to the White House this year. His first, in June, was for presidential signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first legislation regulating guns in decades, incorporating policies that had reduced gun deaths in California.
"I think I was invited to that because of Oxford, frankly," Coulter said, referring to the nationwide attention focused on Oakland County since last year's mass shooting at Oxford High School. He was invited again to the White House in October, to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and Biden's cabinet secretaries -- including former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm, now secretary of transportation. That gathering, called "Building a Better Michigan," aimed to find the best ways for the state to use its share of federal pandemic aid.
With so many quick trips, "I'm getting some frequent flyer miles," Coulter quipped.
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2022-12-15T04:33:02Z
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www.freep.com
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Oakland County's boss watches Biden sign historic bill for all LGBTQs
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/12/15/oakland-county-boss-dave-coulter-marriage-equality-law/69729458007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/12/15/oakland-county-boss-dave-coulter-marriage-equality-law/69729458007/
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The Detroit Pistons confirmed earlier this week that their blossoming second-year guard, Cade Cunningham, will miss the rest of the season. On Wednesday, Killian Hayes offered more confirmation that until Cunningham returns, the Pistons are in good hands.
A deep, stepback 3-pointer from Hayes with 1:11 left in overtime helped the Pistons defeat the Charlotte Hornets on the road, 141-134. It continued a stretch of strong play for Hayes, who finished with a season-high 25 points, eight assists, seven rebounds. That included a career-high five 3-pointers to help Detroit snap a three-game skid. Alec Burks led the Pistons with 27 points off of the bench.
PISTONS PULSE:Troy Weaver's rebuild lining up for a needed leap in 2023-24 season
CARLOS MONARREZ:So much for Pistons taking a step forward. Next season isn't guaranteed either
Detroit (8-22 overall) also got strong contributions from Bojan Bogdanovic (24 points), Isaiah Stewart (19 points, 11 rebounds), Kevin Knox II (17 points), Jaden Ivey (13 points) and Jalen Duren (seven points, career-high 19 rebounds). The Pistons led by 13 toward the end of the third quarter, but the Hornets used a 21-8 run to tie the game in the fourth quarter, which featured four lead changes and five ties before going into overtime.
In his first game since Nov. 16 because of an ankle injury, LaMelo Ball tallied 23 points and 11 assists for the Hornets. He fouled out with 29 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Kelle Oubre led all scorers with 28 points.
Hayes sets tone early with aggressive start, finish
We have more than a month of evidence suggesting that Hayes has truly turned a corner. From start to finish Wednesday, Hayes supplied big play after big play for Detroit.
Before Hayes clinched the win for Detroit with his deep 3, he got himself going with an uncharacteristically aggressive opening quarter. Hayes entered the game averaging 8.8 shot attempts this season. He ended the first quarter with 12 points — his career-high for points in a quarter — on 5-for-8 shooting. Foul trouble slowed Hayes down, as he picked up his third foul with 4:46 before halftime while attempting to draw a charge.
Hayes regained his momentum in the fourth quarter and overtime. He knocked down a 3-pointer with 3:04 to play in the fourth period to tie the game at 120, and then gave Detroit a 125-122 lead at the 1:41 mark. On the second possession, he initially missed a corner 3-pointer but made a second try after Stewart grabbed the offensive rebound and kicked it back out to him in the corner. His final 3-pointer of the night was the dagger 3 late in overtime, his third such 3-pointer in the month of December after he hit two in overtime in a 131-125 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 1.
Beyond the consistent playmaking, defense and his newfound willingness to call his own number, Hayes is developing a penchant for knocking down clutch shots as well. He has grown tremendously since Cade Cunningham played his final game Nov. 9, and has become one of the Pistons’ best success stories this season.
Stewart shows off improved dribble drive game
The Pistons finally gave Stewart the green light to shoot 3s this season, and he has quickly become one of their most reliable shooters. In the last week or so, he has also showcased his improved comfort creating his own shots.
Wednesday was his best performance of the season as a driver. The Hornets tried running him off the line, and Stewart capitalized by demonstrating that he may be making an all-around leap. He scored 11 of his 19 points in the third, making all five attempts in the period. He knocked down a corner 3-pointer from a one-handed pass from Hayes to open the period, but showed off his touch by hitting a finger roll and a hook following drives to the rim.
In the fourth, he had consecutive driving dunks — one in a halfcourt set and another one in transition — to give Detroit a four-point lead with seven minutes remaining. Stewart is still developing his vision — he had a sloppy turnover to Duren midway through the opening period trying to find him for a layup. But with each passing week, he looks more like a natural stretch power forward.
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2022-12-15T04:33:08Z
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www.freep.com
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Detroit Pistons close OT with 9 straight for 141-134 win over Hornets
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/15/detroit-pistons-score-charlotte-hornets-killian-hayes/69729947007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/15/detroit-pistons-score-charlotte-hornets-killian-hayes/69729947007/
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Warren Evans: Concrete facilities in dense Wayne Co. communities are health hazards | Opinion
Here in Wayne County, we’re car people. All of us instinctively understand the consequences of throwing sand into the gears of an engine. It’s not good.
The lungs are one of the most important parts of the body’s engine, which is why we shouldn’t be putting sand in them. As more research emerges about the relationship between our air quality and our health, we’re learning about the particularly dangerous impacts of particulate matter. More specifically, we’re learning that it’s not just about harmful chemicals in our air, but tiny particles that stay suspended in the air for hours or even days.
And that’s what’s so perplexing about plans to build two new concrete facilities in densely populated Wayne County communities. One company is proposing to build a concrete crushing facility in the heart of Detroit’s Core City neighborhood, just steps from homes and schools. The other is a concrete facility temporarily stationed on the Riverwalk, one of the community’s most beloved locales.
More:'No concrete crusher' in Detroit's Core City, advocates say
More:U-M study needs 100,000 residents to help track contamination's health impacts
At issue here is what’s known as fugitive dust. As concrete is scraped and moved and poured, plumes of dust plumes can waft upwards dozens of feet into the air. That fugitive dust can contain hazardous chemicals, which is bad enough. But the dust itself is another name for particulate matter which is, in effect, microscopic particles that can act like sand in the gears of the human body’s engine.
Particulate matter kills. In children it exacerbates asthma. In adults it leads to chronic lung disease which, over time, can stress the heart as it struggles to push blood through increasingly leathered lung tissue, leading to premature heart attacks and heart failure. A recent review of the scientific literature found that particulate matter exposure predicted higher rates of all-cause mortality resulting from increases in death due to lung cancer, respiratory disease, and cardiovascular disease.
And that’s just the health problems related to particulate matter. Indeed, the owners of both of these potential factories are deliberately placing them in densely-populated lower-income communities because they want to save money on transportation costs. By locating their concrete closer to construction sites, they wager they can save a pretty penny on trucking it from less-populated communities further away. So in addition to the health risks caused by particulate matter, local communities will be forced to breathe the ceaseless exhaust emanating from truck tailpipes at all hours of the day.
Will the amount of money saved by the companies be worth the health risks inflicted upon the surrounding communities? How many families could be forced to bear the cost in trips to the emergency room as their children struggle to draw breath? How many elders could be forced to pay the ultimate cost by dying too soon?
Wayne County is one of the most diverse, most vibrant communities in the Midwest. Building on that means ensuring that our communities are safe, healthy, and prosperous. That means Wayne County must continue to be one of the best places in Michigan to own and operate a business and it must equally be one of the best and safest places to work. We can’t afford to jeopardize Wayne County’s quality of life, and we certainly cannot sacrifice the health and safety of our community’s most vulnerable populations by poisoning the air they breathe for the benefit of two cement factories trying to save money.
During the first two terms of this administration, we have been able to make a tremendous amount of progress towards improving the quality of life for Wayne County residents. Building cement factories in our most densely populated communities, which puts the health of those residents at risk, is the exact opposite of progress. It is wrong. And that is why we oppose their construction.
Warren C. Evans is the Wayne County Executive.
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2022-12-15T14:02:59Z
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www.freep.com
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Concrete crusher in Detroit would be health hazard | Opinion
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https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2022/12/15/opinion-concrete-crusher-detroit-health-hazard/69729420007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2022/12/15/opinion-concrete-crusher-detroit-health-hazard/69729420007/
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A blast of bitter cold air is expected across North America just before Christmas, a sign that there could be a white Christmas in Michigan.
If that's what you're dreaming of.
Still, cold and snow are, after all, two things that Michiganders are familiar with.
In Michigan, National Weather Service in White Lake forecasted temperatures to plunge from the mid-40s on Thursday down to the 30s this weekend and then in the 20s leading up to Christmas, about 10 degrees below what is usually is this time of year.
But whether that qualifies as the "deep freeze" that the AccuWeather news is reporting will sweep across "the eastern two-thirds of the U.S." is debatable, weather service meteorologist Sara Schultz said. AccuWeather's forecasters are predicting the blast to come from Siberia, "one of the coldest locations on the planet."
As for the coldest cities in the United States with a population of at least 10,000, Michigan's Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula makes it into the top five, at least according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, an annual guide full of weather forecasts, planting charts, and astronomical data.
The four other cities, if you are wondering, are:
Fairbanks, Alaska.
More:Wind knocks out power to 30,000 across Michigan as crews scramble to make repairs
It's uncertain whether there will be much snow before Christmas.
Schultz said Thursday's rain should lighten up and then quit. There's a 30% chance of snow Friday, mostly just flakes.
The weather service only predicts a week out, and for now, other than Friday, Schultz said there could be some snow Wednesday, but the lower temperatures usually bode well for the possibility of white Christmas, just like the ones we used to have in the 1980s and 2000s.
Weather service data, which has documented snow on the ground at Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus going back to 1958, shows there's been at least an inch of snow on the ground on Dec. 25 only 29 times, a little worse than a coin flip. Not the best odds.
But Wayne County's Division Director of Roads Steve Shaya has said in the days leading up to Christmas, his crews are preparing to clear as much as four to five inches of roadway snow if that's an indicator of anything. Fingers crossed?
More:Need to drive in the snow or recover from a skid on ice? Tips on how to deal with the white stuff this winter
As for that Siberian blast, Schultz said the weather is all connected, but, mostly, the cold "will be coming from Canada."
Writers Keith Matheny and Nour Rahal contributed. Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.
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2022-12-15T17:06:14Z
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www.freep.com
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Blast of bitter cold air expected in Michigan just before Christmas
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/15/michigan-weather-christmas-predictions/69730254007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/15/michigan-weather-christmas-predictions/69730254007/
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Three men convicted of helping to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer were sentenced Thursday in Jackson County, with the prosecution arguing that despite the defense that "nothing happened," they committed the most serious of crimes, an attack on democracy.
Judge Thomas Wilson sentenced Pete Musico to a minimum of 12 years in prison, his son-in-law, Joe Morrison, to 10, and Paul Bellar to 7. Musico and Morrison's sentences on the first two counts — providing material support for a terrorist act and gang membership — are to run consecutively, while Bellar's sentence is concurrent.
The defendants were each consecutively sentenced for using a gun while committing a felony.
In addition to the handing down punishment, the state said the sentences were a message to others that actions — including seemingly idle words — have consequences. It also wanted to show that in America, democratic values — and justice — still prevails.
Part of a bigger, ongoing case
The state argued that all three men — Musico, 45, Morrison, 28, and Bellar, 24 — had joined with the ringleaders who plotted to kidnap Whitmer — Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr., who were convicted in federal court — and were members of a group, the Wolverine Watchmen, that engaged in illegal activity.
Fox, 39, is fighting a life sentence, which could be handed down later this month.
The seven convictions, former Michigan-based federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow has said, may persuade the remaining defendants — Michael and William Null, Shawn Fix, Brian Higgins, Eric Molitor — to consider a different legal strategy or seek a plea deal.
Whitmer said that in a democracy, citizens resolve their differences through elections: "We debate, and then we vote." But the men who were being sentenced, she added, supported "a violent conspiracy" and terrorism, choosing actions that are antithetical to what makes "our nation strong and safe."
The governor added that she wanted her family to know that their mom, wife, daughter, sister is tough and stands up for what she believes, but now scans crowds for threats and thinks carefully about the last thing she says when they part. She worries about the safety of other around her, including her security detail.
She called the plot to kidnap her a "threat to democracy," and violent extremism, too common.
Defendants beg for mercy
In addition, each made statements, expressing regret for their actions. Musico, near tears, said there there was a lot going on in his life, and he had a "lapse in judgement," but was a family man, and "threw himself at the mercy of the court."
Morrison, whose attorney pointed out his youth, also asked for mercy, apologized to the governor and went so far as to renounce his membership in the Watchmen, the boogaloo and "liberty movement." He said he regretted "ever allowing" himself to have those ideas, and called Fox a "danger to society."
He said he was "not the boogie man the prosecution is trying to claim that I am."
Bellar, the youngest of the the men convicted, also apologized for his "highly inappropriate comments he made in the past," that "do not represent the man" he said he is now. He said he can't so much to change that. He too apologized to the governor, and turned to the court gallery to also apologize to his family.
Whitmer was never physically harmed and no violence was committed, but the prosecution argued at sentencing that the men's actions were as bad as if they had.
Assistant Attorney General Sunita Doddamani said that the jury sent a message by convicting the defendants, and the court should too, linking the protests at the Michigan statehouse with riots months later at the U.S. Capitol. Their crimes, she added, are more than just the governor: They are against society.
Terrorism, she said, "replaces public discourse with intimidation and fear."
And, she added, one act of terror inspires others.
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2022-12-15T19:22:00Z
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www.freep.com
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3 sentenced, plead for court's mercy in plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/15/whitmer-kidnap-plot-sentencing/69731173007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/15/whitmer-kidnap-plot-sentencing/69731173007/
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A Detroit mansion once owned by the Queen of Soul, the late singing legend Aretha Franklin, is back on the market. The house, listed for sale earlier this year for $1.2 million, had a price change last week and is now listed at $975,000.
The 5,623-square-foot mansion at 18261 Hamilton Road in the Detroit Golf Club Community backs to the seventh hole on the golf course.
“The house needs quite a bit of rehab, but it has a ton of original character,” said listing agent Arlita Harvey of Alite Realty about the three-story brick home built in 1927 on about half an acre.
A circle driveway leads to the front of the mansion that sits on a private road with 24-hour security across from Detroit’s Palmer Woods Historic District near 7 Mile Road and Woodward.
Franklin purchased the five bedroom, 4 ½ bath house with an attached three-car garage and slate roof in 1994.
She lived there when she recorded her Grammy nominated album “A Rose Is Still a Rose.”
When developer Anthony O. Kellum, who currently owns the house, saw it for sale four years ago, he thought it was an opportunity of a lifetime and something he wanted to be a part of, knowing that it once belonged to musical royalty like Aretha Franklin.
“It was her home, as in Detroit, and it is off the golf course,” said Kellum as he recalled memories of listening to Franklin’s music as a kid.
More:'Jazz without patriarchy:' Women celebrated in exhibit that combines music, visual art
The house had been vacant for 10 years and needed extensive work, according to Kellum.
Reminders of Franklin’s time in the house are still present, like the red clawfoot bathtub in the main bathroom near the primary bedroom, along with chandeliers and curtains in the living room.
Full of Old-World charm, the home has three fireplaces, wood beams and carved woodwork, original hardwood floors, tall casement windows, elaborate tiling in bathrooms and unique archways and doors.
The first floor has a library, family room, two-story living room, kitchen and breakfast area and a solarium with stone-arched walls overlooking the terrace and golf course.
A grand central staircase leads to the second floor that has five bedrooms and a third floor that can be finished for additional living space.
The back of the house has brick paver walkways and patios along with open views of the golf course.
Franklin died Aug. 16, 2018 of pancreatic cancer at 76 years old. She was living at Riverfront Towers in downtown Detroit at the time of her death.
The mansion was sold by the entertainer’s estate in October 2018 to Kellum for $300,000, who has made renovations since owning the property.
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2022-12-16T01:06:01Z
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www.freep.com
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Detroit mansion once owned by Aretha Franklin is for sale
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2022/12/15/detroit-mansion-once-owned-by-aretha-franklin-is-for-sale/69730370007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2022/12/15/detroit-mansion-once-owned-by-aretha-franklin-is-for-sale/69730370007/
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The Army Corps of Engineers, seeking a much-larger funding authorization to complete its work on a new supersize navigational lock in northern Michigan, got its wish as the U.S. Senate on Thursday gave final passage to a wide-ranging Pentagon spending bill that included the request.
The annual National Defense Authorization Act that now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature includes an authorization for the Corps to spend as much as $3.2 billion on the new Soo Lock under construction at Sault Ste. Marie.
Earlier this year, it appeared the Biden administration had committed the last funding needed to finish the new lock, which will be one of only two big enough to permit the largest cargo vessels sailing on the Great Lakes to pass between Lake Superior and the St. Marys River leading to Lake Huron and the lower Lakes beyond by raising or lowering them 21 feet. The only existing lock large enough to do so is 53 years old and studies have indicated that if it was damaged and closed for an extended length of time, it could severely hurt the economy with manufacturers counting on supplies, including iron ore pellets widely used in making products including automobiles and appliances.
Carrie Fox, spokeswoman for the Army Corps' Detroit District, said the project, which has already received funding of more than $1 billion, is still on schedule to be completed by 2030, depending on the availability of the necessary funding.
Along with funding to bolster to the Soo Locks, the Army Corps will also receive funding to authorize projects to stop invasive species of Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, prevent coastal erosion and flooding, and improve water quality in Michigan.
The defense authorization, a sweeping $858 billion bill that includes a 4.6% pay increase for military personnel, removes commanders from the prosecutorial process in sexual assault and rescinds, over Biden's objections, a mandate that service members be required to have a COVID-19 vaccine.
Several other portions of the bill are likely to be of particular interest in Michigan, including:
The phasing-out of military contracts for firefighting equipment containing PFAS chemicals linked to cancer and other ailments, a $1.2 billion authorization for cleaning up contaminated military sites and $11 million for PFAS-related research. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, also won approval of a measure directing the Pentagon to begin providing service members alternatives if current gear contains the chemicals. Michigan has more than 200 known PFAS contamination sites.
A report, called for by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, that evaluates the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, including the impact of wheat imports to that country being hurt by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Southeastern Michigan has one of the largest concentrations of Arab Americans, including those with family ties to Lebanon, in the country.
Military funding, secured by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, including $16 million for a National Guard armory at Camp Grayling, more than $20 million for the Marine Corps Reserve Unit in Battle Creek and $1.6 million to finish construction on maintenance facilities at the Army Reserve Center in Southfield. U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township, also said she secured a report on Air Force moves to eventually divest itself of A-10 aircraft such as that flown out of Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township.
An authorization of $350 million to be spent on the acquisition of a Great Lakes icebreaker and a measure urging completion of a Great Lakes study to help determine measures to best protect shoreline from future lake levels and increased storm severity.
Free Press staff writer Arpan Lobo contributed to this article.
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2022-12-16T03:08:17Z
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www.freep.com
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Soo Locks gets funding boost in latest defense spending bill
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/16/soo-locks-funding-boost-defense-spending-bill/69715668007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/16/soo-locks-funding-boost-defense-spending-bill/69715668007/
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Game notes: The Kings have lost two of their last three, but that win came Wednesday vs. the Toronto Raptors. Sacramento's high-powered offense (second in the NBA at 117.6 points per game) is led by De'Aaron Fox, who is averaging 22.5 ppg on a career-high 49.4% from the field and 36.5% from 3-point range. Domantas Sabonis is having an All-Star-caliber year as well leading the team with 6.4 assists per game and 11.6 rebounds per game to go with his 17.5 points per game.
The Pistons have largely been mediocre, or worse, offensively, which is actually better than they were last season, when they had the league's second-worst 3-point shooting attack (32.6% from 3 up to a respectable 34.9%). Bojan Bogdanovic (21.1 ppg on 50.4 FG% and 43.2 3-point%) has added a jolt to the offense as has Alec Burks, who had 27 points in the win Wednesday over Charlotte. The Pistons defense hasn't really improved though allowing 117.6 points per game, the 29th in the NBA, and 48.3% shooting from the field, 26th in the NBA.
Up next for the Pistons is a home game Sunday vs. the Brooklyn Nets. The Kings get a bit of a break before playing the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.
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2022-12-16T10:44:51Z
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Detroit Pistons game vs. Sacramento Kings: TV, time, radio
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/16/detroit-pistons-game-score-sacramento-kings-live-updates/69731358007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/16/detroit-pistons-game-score-sacramento-kings-live-updates/69731358007/
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Another upscale, meat-centric restaurant is expected to open in the space formerly occupied by Michael Symon's Roast.
Chicago-based real estate and hospitality investment firm Oxford Capital Group announced they've secured Sullivan's Steakhouse as the new first-floor tenant at the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit. Sullivan's Steakhouse is an American steakhouse offering hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and signature cocktails paired with the sounds of jazz music, according to its website.
The restaurant space is on the ground floor of the Westin Book Cadillac on Washington Boulevard in downtown Detroit.
"Along with the hotel's comprehensive strategic renovation and repositioning, the addition of Sullivan's Steakhouse to The Westin Book Cadillac will further improve the overall guest experience and provide an exciting new venue in the growing downtown neighborhood," said John W. Rutledge, founder, chairman, and CEO of Oxford Capital Group, LLC and Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC in a statement.
This is the first Sullivan's Steakhouse location that will be inside a hotel and the first in Michigan, according to the news release. Plans are to renovate the 8,500-square-foot restaurant space and offer a new outdoor patio. A mid-2023 opening is planned.
More:Westin Book Cadillac renovations to begin in January will include a new restaurant
Sullivan's Steakhouse specializes in hand-cut steaks, including filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip, and Cajun ribeye, according to its menu. Bone-in cuts include the ribeye cowboy cut, wagyu strip, roasted rack of lamb, porterhouse ad a dry-aged long-bone ribeye. For the non-meat diners, there's a variety of fresh seafood and chicken dishes. Sullivan's Steakhouse menu also includes a variety of soups, salads, and starters.
"We've long had our sights set on expanding to Michigan, and when the opportunity to open in the historic Westin Book Cadillac Building presented itself, we knew we simply had to take advantage of this unique opportunity and moment in Sullivan's evolution and growth," said Nishant Machado, president and chief executive officer of Dividend Restaurant Group in a statement. "We look forward to being part of the Detroit community and for residents and visitors alike to have the chance to try our signature American fare."
Oxford Group also noted that they are in talks with other potential tenants to fill restaurant space formerly occupied by 24Grille — now located inside nearby Hotel Indigo on Washington Boulevard.
Last January, Roast abruptly closed. Employees were notified of the closure after finishing a Saturday night shift. Since 2008, Roast has been a prominent fixture within Downtown Detroit's dining scene, opening at the same time as the grand reopening of the historic hotel.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Roast was known for having one of the best bar happy hour menus in the city. The darling of the Roast happy hour menu was its burger, topped with an egg, cheese, and bacon along with its rosemary fries.
The Oxford group acquired the historic hotel along with Taconic Capital last December. A renovation of the 453-room hotel is currently taking place that includes guest rooms, public spaces, meeting rooms, and ballrooms, according to a news release.
Sullivan's Steakhouse was founded in 1996 in Austin, Texas, and is billed as an American steakhouse. Across the country, Sullivan's Steakhouse has 14 locations including Anchorage, Alaska.
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2022-12-16T18:22:06Z
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www.freep.com
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Upscale Sullivan's Steakhouse to fill space formerly occupied by Roast
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2022/12/16/sullivans-steakhouse-detroit-roast-westin-book-cadillac/69734131007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2022/12/16/sullivans-steakhouse-detroit-roast-westin-book-cadillac/69734131007/
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The surgery was expected, as league sources told the Free Press that Cunningham would undergo the procedure this week. The 2021 first overall pick was initially shut down for five games after Nov. 9 for what the team characterized as "shin soreness," but there was suspicion a stress fracture was the cause of the underlying soreness Cunningham had been dealing with off-and-on for an extended period of time. He averaged 19.9 points on poor efficiency (41.5% on field goals, 27.9% on 3-pointers) with 6.2 rebounds and six assists in 12 games this season. His absences leaves the Pistons with a handful of unanswered questions moving forward.
TRADE TALK:Who could stay, go for Detroit Pistons at February trade deadline?
OPINION:So much for Detroit Pistons taking a step forward. Next season isn't guaranteed either
“We expect him to come back even better,” general manager Troy Weaver told reporters after the Pistons’ practice Tuesday. “He’d been dealing with the issue a little bit, off and on for a while. We want him to be healthy and be himself. He’s a young player, we don’t want this thing to linger two or three years. We want to get it settled. We expect him to recover well and be the best version of himself.”
BEEF STEW COOKING:Pistons' Isaiah Stewart showcasing improved ball-handling as power forward
PISTONS MAILBAG:What does Killian Hayes' breakout mean for the future? What to do if Pistons get No. 2 pick?
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2022-12-16T19:05:43Z
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Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham undergoes shin surgery
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/16/detroit-pistons-nba-cade-cunningham-surgery-shin-injury/69735190007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/16/detroit-pistons-nba-cade-cunningham-surgery-shin-injury/69735190007/
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The new owner of what remains of the old Continental Motors Co. plant on Detroit's east side confirmed Friday that his firm is demolishing all of the industrial ruins, including its prominent smokestack, and plans to replace it with a self-storage building.
Anthony Scavo, chief operating officer for Miami-based Basis Industrial, formerly known as MCSS Self-Storage, said in a phone interview that all the factory structures still standing at 1610 Algonquin St. will be razed, with completion of the demo expected by late February or early March.
“We are taking everything down to the dirt on the whole site. It’s going to be a complete demolition," he said.
The demolition started earlier this month. The firm at one point considered keeping the brick smokestack in the old powerhouse that has "Continental" in vertical white lettering, he said.
But the smokestack was "in too bad of shape," he said, and preserving it would have crowded out needed infrastructure space for the future self-storage building, such as a retention pond and underground utilities.
“There was just no room on the site without taking the entire building down,” Scavo said.
The self-storage building would be 78,000 square-feet with 641 units, averaging 100 square-feet in size, he said. The firm has yet to file development plans with the city, but expects to in coming weeks.
It will be their first project in Michigan.
"We have developments similar to the one in Detroit in about 12 states," Scavo said. “We go anywhere we can, as long as the taxes aren’t that crazy and you can actually build (the) storage. For instance, Illinois, you don’t go near that, because the (taxes) are too much. In Detroit, the taxes were reasonable and we could fit in a building and we felt like the site was well priced.
“We have a very in-depth due diligence process where we seek out sites. We run metrics on population density and where there is no self-storage buildings. And this one is actually close enough to the surrounding areas of Grosse Pointe that we felt there was a big enough hole in the market to put a self-storage.”
The project will not seek any city tax breaks or Brownfield development incentives, Scavo said. He did note how the site is within a federal Opportunity Zone, a designation that can provide capital gains tax breaks to investors who put money into development projects.
He said he hopes construction can start once the demolition is done.
"We want to get this building finished as quick as we can. With the rise in construction costs and everything that’s going on, we had to do some redesign."
The once-sprawling Continental Motors plant was designed by architect Albert Kahn and opened in 1912. It originally made car engines, later producing tank and aircraft engines during World War II, and briefly auto engines again after the war, according to the Historic Detroit website.
Most of the plant was razed decades ago and only a few remnants still stand. The last significant business to operate there was a scrap aluminum recycling operation, Continental Aluminum, which reportedly left in the late 1990s.
Basis Industrial bought the property for $817,000 in October 2021 from Detroit developer Philip Kafka, who bought it several years earlier from a Continental Aluminum affiliate, land records show.
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2022-12-16T20:54:27Z
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www.freep.com
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Self-storage building to replace Continental Motors plant in Detroit
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2022/12/16/self-storage-building-continental-motors-plant-detroit/69735005007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2022/12/16/self-storage-building-continental-motors-plant-detroit/69735005007/
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Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency will suspend collection activities for all claimants who were told they were overpaid jobless benefits in the pandemic.
The pause on collection activities — which can include garnishing claimants' wages or seizing tax returns, for example — applies to overpayments related to claims filed starting March 1, 2020, and going forward and comes as part of a court order in a class-action lawsuit against the agency.
Implementation of the suspension is expected to begin next week, the joint status report, which was filed with the Michigan Court of Claims Thursday, said.
The pause on collection activities — which lasts until the agency works through a backlog of claims and the court agrees to terminate the preliminary injunction — is broader than what the court required. In August, Court of Claims Judge Brock Swartzle clarified that the suspension applied to any claimant with an overpayment letter who appealed or protested the decision and who has yet to exhaust all their options (not just the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit).
Julia Dale, the director of the state's UIA, said in an interview Thursday that the litigation has provided the agency with broader authority to halt collection activity. Previously, the agency was requesting authority from the U.S. Department of Labor to pause collection activities, and those pauses were limited in time and scope.
The court-ordered pause, though, has taken at least five months to implement, a process that Dale called "no small feat."
"It takes a significant amount of technical effort and expertise to make those changes to the system to accommodate such a broad-ranging pause on collection activity," she said.
Michigan's UIA selects Deloitte to replace unemployment insurance system
David Blanchard, the attorney representing the claimants suing the agency, said it's unfortunate it took so long to get to this point, but he's happy the pause is coming.
"I'm so glad that it will take one piece of stress out of people's lives for the foreseeable future and for the holidays," Blanchard said. "I hope (the scale of this) communicates to the people of Michigan that you're not alone. You didn't do something wrong. It wasn't you. It really is the computer system."
Dale said the agency is still working to determine how many claimants the pause applies to. There are some indicators. More than 54,000 claimants were subject to collection activities even though there was a pending protest or appeal, according to a September court filing. The agency was attempting to collect $783 million from those claimants. There were 274,000 pending appeals on the agency's computer system and 45,000 pending appeals via web chat, leading Blanchard to believe that the suspension will affect hundreds of thousands of claimants.
The UIA has issued 76,000 waivers this year with a total value of more than $555 million. Dale said the agency is working to identify additional waiver populations.
"We're going to continue to issue waivers into the new year so that process has not stopped and won't stop," she said.
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2022-12-16T20:54:33Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan UIA to pause collections for all pandemic overpayments
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2022/12/16/michigan-unemployment-agency-collections-overpayments/69734458007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2022/12/16/michigan-unemployment-agency-collections-overpayments/69734458007/
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Robert Saleh insisted Zach Wilson's career with the New York Jets was not over when he benched the 2021 first-round pick last month. Now, Saleh and the Jets are turning to Wilson to help keep their NFL playoff hopes alive.
"I mean, we kind of had an idea, so we’re ready," Campbell said Friday. "We knew he was going into the game anyway, so we figured they were going to play him. So it’s really the same thing, man, it’s about being disciplined. We know what kind of game this’ll be, what they’re going to want to do offensively. We got to play our keys, we got to be disciplined. We got to run, we got to hit, all the same things that we know here."
The Jets benched Wilson in late November after a 10-3 loss to the New England Patriots when the offense managed 103 total yards and six first downs, and Wilson took little accountability for the unit's poor play.
"The good thing about them, they have a system there and they're going to run what they're going to run regardless of who the quarterback is," Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said. "The mobility element does factor in and you know that’s things that we've had issues with this year as far as these mobile quarterbacks, so that's something that obviously we have to deal with in the game. But our guys all year has progressed and gotten better and better and better as far as caging in these mobile quarterbacks and things like that. So our plan isn't going to change whatsoever. We've been preparing all week and we're going to MetLife (Stadium) with our plan."
For Wilson, who was demoted to third-string after his benching, Sunday's game marks a shot at redemption and maybe one final chance with the Jets to live up to his billing as the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2021.
"I’m sure he’s a competitor like most players in this league, so he’ll want to go out there and play well," Campbell said. "He’s certainly talented and they’ll have a good game plan designed for him to where he can succeed and get it to their weapons and control the game and play good defense. They’re going to try to take the pressure off of him as much as possible and just let him be him. Use his talents, his skills."
The Lions got some of the help they needed in their chase for a playoff spot Thursday, when the San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks, 21-13, to clinch the NFC West title.
The Seahawks (7-7) remain ahead of the Lions in the NFC standings, and hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their October win at Ford Field, but the Lions (6-7) can pull within a half-game of the final wild-card spot with a win over the Jets and a non-tie in Sunday's New York Giants-Washington Commanders game.
The Giants-Commanders winner will control the second wild card, while the loser will have the seventh and final playoff seed. Both teams are 7-5-1.
"We know we’ve got a chance, but we also know we feel like we need to win out here and it all starts with the Jets," Campbell said. "If we don’t handle our business it’s all for naught. It’s nice to be able to look up there and see that’s a team that’s in front of us that did get a loss, and so it’s hard to ignore that. But also we know, our guys know we have to do our part."
The Seahawks visit the Kansas City Chiefs next week and close the season with home games against the Jets and Los Angeles Rams; the Commanders visit the 49ers and host the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys to close the season; and the Giants have games remaining at the Minnesota Vikings, home vs. the Indianapolis Colts and at the Philadelphia Eagles.
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2022-12-16T20:54:39Z
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www.freep.com
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Dan Campbell says Lions 'need to win out;' Jets to start Zach Wilson
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/12/16/detroit-lions-nfl-playoffs-new-york-jets-zach-wilson-starting-qb/69734837007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/12/16/detroit-lions-nfl-playoffs-new-york-jets-zach-wilson-starting-qb/69734837007/
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Jason Carr’s firing by WDIV-TV (Channel 4) last week came after multiple run-ins with co-workers and management, station insiders have told the Detroit Free Press.
Carr, a co-host of “Live in the D,” was dismissed after the Dec. 6 airing of “Jason Carr Live” on the station’s streaming channel, Local 4+. His biography was quietly purged from the station website and he was edited out of the “Live in the D" intro.
WDIV confirmed Carr's termination earlier this week, but did not offer further details. A "Live in the D" Facebook page confirmed his departure in a Tuesday statement.
"WDIV is very fortunate to have viewers who are deeply passionate about our programs and our people," the message read. "Many of you are asking what happened to Jason Carr. As you might imagine, we don't comment on station personnel issues. As it relates to Jason, last week he and the station parted ways. Jason's impact at WDIV was substantial and we wish him great success and happiness in the future."
Co-workers told the Free Press that Carr had been admonished by management half a dozen times before his final show, in which he described unnamed colleagues as unfriendly. In one previous incident, the co-workers said, he left the set during a commercial break to browbeat someone working in the control room.
In a video of the Dec. 6 show obtained by the Free Press, Carr called an unnamed former colleague "one of the worst human beings" he has ever met.
"I pull no punches and I offer no apologies," he said. "There’s somebody that used to work here who no longer does. No secret at all that this person and I ... oil and water, did not care for one another in the slightest. In fact … one of the worst human beings I feel like I’ve ever met in my life."
More:Legendary Detroit news anchors and Tigers featured in WDIV prime-time special
More:As other anchors retire, WDIV's Devin Scillian ponders his timeline | Rubin
Carr said during the rant that he has "never encountered" so many unfriendly people at any of the other news stations he has worked at, and that they never stop to talk to him.
Throughout the video, Carr is talking with co-worker Khary Hobbs, who is mainly off-camera.
"You and I both work with somebody, and you know exactly who I'm gonna talk about," Carr said to Hobbs about an unnamed co-worker, "who is infamously cranky, cantankerous, sullen. Rarely smiles or laughs... I see him being gregarious with other people, but all I have ever gotten from him is cantankerous. Why he and I are not friends... I literally have no idea."
Carr said a manager in the building once told him he was "aloof," a characterization he disputed at length.
"Do you find me to be remotely aloof?" Carr asked Hobbs
"No," Hobbs replied.
Carr noted that at a previous job, he was well-liked and nicknamed "the mayor," "the glue" and "man of the people."
"I feel like the word implies I'm too good to talk to you, I'm aloof. BS," Carr said. "I walk down the street to American Coney Island, I get stopped seven, eight, nine times in four blocks for selfies and I talk to the viewers. 'Oh, we love you' and I'm like 'I love you back, thanks for watching.' I'm always engaged... I'm not aloof.
"I find three in 10 people that work in this building to be aloof."
Carr, a Michigan State University graduate who is married to WJBK-TV (Channel 2) anchor Taryn Asher, has amassed a large following on social media, but has not commented on any of his platforms about his departure from WDIV.
He came to WDIV in 2016 from WJBK, where he had been a casualty of corporate-wide budget cuts. He had been regarded highly enough there that the station allowed him to craft a Facebook Live video in which he left WJBK on his final day and was transported to his new job at Channel 4.
At WDIV, he co-hosted the 11 a.m. “Live in the D” program with Tati Amare, who has been joined since his departure by Michelle Oliver.
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2022-12-16T22:38:54Z
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Jason Carr firing from WDIV came after admonishments, rant
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/television/2022/12/16/jason-carr-firing-from-wdiv-came-after-admonishments-rant/69734067007/
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America's Thanksgiving Parade, Meadow Brook Holiday Tour among USA Today's 10Best winners
Voters have decided. Michigan is home to the best holiday parade in the country and the third-best holiday home tour.
USA Today, owned by Gannett —the same parent company as the Detroit Free Press— announced its 10Best Readers' Choice 2022 winners Friday.
"A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote," according to USA Today.
America's Thanksgiving Parade named Best Holiday Parade in the country
For a third year, America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White won first place for Best Holiday Parade in USA Today's 2022 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The parade also received this award in 2018 and 2019.
"The parade itself is the heart and soul of our city. It's viewed by a million people live on Woodward Avenue; the television audience is massive," said Tony Michaels, President, and CEO of The Parade Co. "This is a 96-year tradition, a beloved tradition, that means so much to so many people, kids, families... And that's why this means so much."
This year, the crowd was larger than ever. Tens of thousands showed out to view the 26 large floats, marching bands, colorful balloons, clowns, dancers, papier-mache heads, and more.
The parade will only continue to grow, as preparation for next year has already begun.
"We started the Tuesday after (Thanksgiving)," Michaels said. "We innovate every year. We're already working with current and new sponsors. We never ever stop."
More: Penguin recovering after swallowing dime at Grand Rapids zoo
Meadow Brook Hall named third Best Holiday Home Tour
Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Hills earned third place for Best Holiday Historic Home Tour in USA TODAY's 10Best 2022 Readers’ Choice travel awards.
"The expert panel selected Meadow Brook Hall as Michigan’s only contender for Best Historic Home Tour from a pool of nearly two dozen historic house museums across the country," states the release. "The award recognizes the Holidays at Meadow Brook events—Holiday Walk and Winter Wonder Lights."
The National Historic Landmark was built between 1926 and 1929 by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto pioneer John Dodge.
The Holidays at Meadow Brook is available until Friday, Dec. 30. The self-guided, three-story, indoor tour of the historic mansion has more than 50 decorated trees and several themed displays.
Tickets must be purchased online.
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2022-12-17T00:18:59Z
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Thanksgiving Parade, Meadow Brook tour among USA Today 10Best winners
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/16/thanksgiving-parade-meadow-brook-tour-usa-today-10best-winners/69735385007/
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The Rev. Carl Zerweck, founder and executive director of Detroit's Rippling Hope, died on Tuesday at 66.
Hundreds of Detroit homes are standing on stronger legs thanks to Zerweck's leadership at Rippling Hope, a ministry dedicated to providing free home repairs for those in need with the help of volunteers and trained professionals. Zerweck worked alongside the hordes of volunteers who flocked in nationwide, often completing maintenance projects at dozens of homes each week.
"He was a very giving man," said Oliver Cole, the vice president of Rippling Hope. "Just like the name of the organization, Rippling Hope, he believed that by tossing this small pebble into a pond, it would create a rippling effect of goodwill."
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More:Faculty, others call out MSU: Stop hiding reports about business school dean
In Zerweck's 12 years at Rippling Hope, it's estimated he helped 70 block clubs and community associations.
Zerweck was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Carl and Jean Zerweck, and he remained in Missouri until completing high school, when he left the midwest for Texas to attend Texas Christain University in Fort Worth for his undergraduate degree. He later obtained his Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School and served as an associate pastor at Community Christain Church in Richardson, Texas then as pastor at Disciples Christian Church in Plano.
Zerweck lived and breathed Rippling Hope, Cole said, and most days worked from sunrise to sundown.
"It's not that he gave to the city, that's a misnomer, he did stuff for the people," Cole said. "He wanted people to volunteer with Rippling Hope so they could do more work, it was about the neighborhood and a sense of community. Neighbors helping neighbors."
Zerweck's entire life was shaped by service, driven by a passion to help those impacted by the harshness of life, and to get them safe and warm homes to raise their families. Over 35 years, he started three Habitat for Humanity organizations, helping to build more than 30 homes and 15 churches around the country.
"It would serve everyone else, if they want to remember a man like (Zerweck), to do some volunteering," Cole said, encouraging people to give what they can in whatever means they're able to whether it be money, time or expertise. "There's all sorts of things people can do — but mainly, just be neighborly."
Services to celebrate Zerweck’s life will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ-Disciples of Christ 26550 Cherry Hill Rd. in Dearborn Heights. Visitation is 10-11:30 a.m. followed by a service of celebration at 11:30 a.m. and aluncheon at the church. In lieu of flowers, loved ones are encouraged to consider a donation to Rippling Hope or the Ferndale Cat Shelter in memory of Zerweck.
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2022-12-17T00:19:05Z
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Rev. Carl Zerweck, founder of Rippling Hope, dies at 66
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/obituary/2022/12/16/rev-carl-zerweck-founder-of-rippling-hope-dies-at-66/69734848007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/obituary/2022/12/16/rev-carl-zerweck-founder-of-rippling-hope-dies-at-66/69734848007/
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Teen alcohol use rebounds after pandemic dip
More than half of high school seniors used alcohol this year.
Researchers who study substance use among young people had wondered whether drops in use of alcohol and other drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic would last. Now, they have a preliminary answer.
The 2022 Monitoring the Future survey results released this week showed that while illicit drug use remained stable, alcohol use among teens has already rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
“Most of these declines that we saw the previous years have held,” said Richard Miech, a co-investigator of the Monitoring the Future study. “The only one that didn’t was alcohol use in the past year.”
This year, just under one-third of seniors said they used cannabis and 27% of them vaped nicotine — the same percentage that reported using these substances in 2021. But the percentage who said they used alcohol in the past year bounced up from 47% to 52%, where levels had hovered before the pandemic.
“It seems like it’s back,” said Miech.
More teens vape than drink or smoke pot
Miech was also interested to find that for eighth and 10th graders, vaping topped both alcohol and cannabis use, making vaped nicotine the most-consumed substance for younger teens. “Back in 2017, the prevalence was really quite small,” he said. “Now, it’s sitting at the top.”
Insights such as the prevalence of vaping could help guide public policy and target the right age groups with interventions.
“The purpose of our study is to document and highlight findings like this,” said Miech, who has worked on the survey for 10 years running. “People really are trying hard to reduce adolescent nicotine vaping as much as they can. But it's the most prevalent form of substances now. So, clearly, there's still room to improve.”
More:Growing number of Michigan schools adding therapy dogs to assist social-emotional learning
The Monitoring the Future survey, which is paid for through the National Institute on Drug Abuse and conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Michigan, asks students to self-report their substance use over various time periods such as the past 30 days, the past year and their entire lifetime. The survey also asks children about their mindset and perception about substance use, including how easy or difficult it is to get drugs and how dangerous they believe them to be.
Researchers have administered the survey to a nationally representative sample of 12th grade students every year since 1975. The team began including eighth and 10th graders in 1991. Each year sees minor tweaks to reflect the times; questions about vaping were added in 2017, for example.
Unprecedented drops in drug and alcohol use during the pandemic
Use of marijuana, nicotine and vaping dropped more last year than ever before in the survey’s 48-year history. There was a giant reduction in the percentage of 10th graders who said they used alcohol that year — 30% fewer students than the year before.
The percentage of students in all grades who reported vaping nicotine also decreased significantly a year ago, as did the percentage of kids who reported using any illicit drugs.
Nora Volkow, who directs the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said the drop was unprecedented. “We have never seen such dramatic decreases in drug use among teens in just a one-year period,” she wrote in a statement upon the report’s release last year.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that drug overdose deaths among adolescents increased 109% between 2019 and 2021.
More prescription pills and performance-enhancing drugs
Monitoring the Future researchers wondered whether more students returned this year to unhealthy and potentially dangerous approaches to fitness and weightlifting, since they noticed students in all grades increased their use of anabolic steroids outside of a doctor’s supervision, 10th and 12th graders bumped up their use of creatine and seniors used more performance-enhancing drugs.
They also noticed a statistically significant increase in the percentage of children taking prescribed medication for ADHD, with 15% of seniors now taking it.
Use of ADHD medication had approached an all-time low in 2020.
Researchers surmised that children spent more time under the observation of their parents during the pandemic, leading to higher rates of diagnosis and treatment. But they said the increase could also be attributable to adolescents experiencing more stress.
More:Schools take new approaches to growing mental health challenges among students
More:DEA says it's seized 4 million deadly doses of fentanyl in Michigan, Ohio
Drug use for today’s kids could be lower forever
Miech and his colleagues point to two possible scenarios explaining why cannabis use and nicotine vaping stayed lower this year. The first is that kids continued to have trouble getting their hands on drugs and using them with friends outside of their parents’ supervision.
“You might think, well, those big declines that occurred in 2021, they're very likely just an immediate response to the social environment, right?” said Miech.
But the second possibility is that the weird and wacky pandemic year delayed or halted adolescents’ drug use in a way that could change the trajectory of their substance use for the rest of their lives.
“Maybe if kids are somehow delayed in their onset of drug use by a year, or they halted … for one year, maybe that puts them on a trajectory where they’re less likely to use for the rest of their life,” said Miech.
Or maybe, Miech speculated, kids whose brains would have been primed to be receptive to nicotine and other drugs weren’t primed during a very sensitive time.
“I don’t know what the answer is yet, but it is pretty exciting,” Miech said. “The fact that we see those declines have continued even though the social environment has pretty much returned to normal, that’s kind of leaning toward the idea that maybe this pandemic might lead to lasting change.”
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2022-12-17T13:18:30Z
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www.freep.com
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Teen alcohol use rebounds after pandemic dip
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/2022/12/17/teen-alcohol-use-rebounds-after-pandemic-dip/69734975007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/2022/12/17/teen-alcohol-use-rebounds-after-pandemic-dip/69734975007/
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After 46 years on deadline, a new chapter begins | Opinion
So here's the part where I thank a bunch of people, most of whom you've never heard of:
Encouragement, direction and even shelter
More:I'm fighting for an America I've never seen | Opinion
More:Opinion: A divided America won't cure cancer
Thanks to Dave Barry, one of the funniest people in the business. When a column starts getting traction, a lot of weird stuff happens -- syndication contracts, speaking engagements -- that nobody prepares you for. Dave took it upon himself to tutor me. I no longer recall all the advice, but I've never forgotten the gesture.
Finding a new rhythm
Tomorrow, I will wake up for the first time in 46 years without a deadline to meet. It's going to feel strange. I've always considered this podium a great privilege: Everyone has an opinion, after all, but precious few get to have their voices amplified -- much less to be paid for it.
Leonard Pitts Jr. is a Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist for the Miami Herald.
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2022-12-17T14:14:59Z
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Opinion: Leonard Pitts' final column
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https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/columnists/2022/12/17/opinion-leonard-pitts-final-column/69734598007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/columnists/2022/12/17/opinion-leonard-pitts-final-column/69734598007/
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Game notes: Michigan returns to the court for the first time in nine days since winning its Big Ten opener at Minnesota. ... This game will not be televised, but is available with a subscription at bigtenplus.com. ... Hunter Dickinson leads the Wolverines averaging 19.6 points and 8.6 rebounds, who will be playing their second game without starting guard Jaelin Llewellyn (torn ACL, out for season). Freshman Dug McDaniel broke out with 15 points, seven assists and three steals in his first start of the season last week. ... The Bisons are led by 6-foot-7 junior forward Jacob Ognacevic's 16.9 points per game. They are upset-minded, having lost 66-65 at Notre Dame a month ago. ... Next up for the Wolverines is a test Wednesday vs. national runner-up North Carolina in Charlotte.
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2022-12-17T14:15:11Z
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Michigan basketball game vs. Lipscomb Bisons: Time, TV channel
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/17/michigan-basketball-game-score-live-updates-tv-streaming-lipscomb/69734479007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/17/michigan-basketball-game-score-live-updates-tv-streaming-lipscomb/69734479007/
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Uber Technologies Inc. on Friday announced a new partnership with Meijer that will offer grocery delivery to its Midwest store customers.
Starting now, a Meijer grocery delivery option offering on-demand and scheduled delivery will be on the Uber Eats app. It's available to shoppers at nearly 250 Meijer locations in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Kentucky.
This is part of Uber Eats' expansion efforts into grocery e-commerce and delivery. Shoppers will be able to order their favorite Meijer "must-haves," according to a news release, such as fresh and frozen options to baked goods and produce for delivery to their doorsteps.
Uber independent contractors shop for and deliver groceries. Customers pay both a service and delivery fee, according to Uber, just like all other Uber Eats orders. Both the service and delivery fee, Uber said, are based on conditions such as time of day and courier availability.
Uber will highlight and feature the Grand Rapids-based retailer's locations on its Uber Eats app during the holiday season, according to the news release. The stores will also be included in Uber's Holiday Shop, a spot on its app designated to be a one-stop shop for holiday products.
"Meijer is known for freshness — fresh food, fresh thinking and a focus on innovation makes them a natural partner for Uber," said Christian Freese, Uber's Head of Grocery and New Verticals across the U.S. and Canada, in a news release.
Those who belong to the Uber One member program do not have to pay the delivery fee and benefit from 5% off on Meijer orders of $35 or more, according to Uber. All customers are eligible to receive $10 off their first $40-or-more Meijer order with promo code MEIJER10 through Dec. 31.
In 2020, Uber began providing grocery delivery, partnering with other grocery chains in the U.S. including a partnership with Grand Rapids-based SpartanNash stores.
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2022-12-17T17:21:55Z
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Meijer partners with Uber Eats for grocery delivery service
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/17/meijer-uber-eats/69735826007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/17/meijer-uber-eats/69735826007/
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The child care shortage. The urgent need for affordable water access. How state leaders prepared for a potentially turbulent election.
As the year winds down, I want to draw your attention to our coverage of these crucial topics, made possible by an important partnership that has allowed us to expand reporting in metro Detroit.
The Free Press is proud to partner with Report For America, a program that places journalists in newsrooms across the country to cover issues that need attention.
Since 2020, the Free Press and Report for America have brought three journalists to our newsroom to bolster:
Political fact-checking and reporting on democracy in Michigan.
Reporting that unpacks the complex issues affecting people who struggle financially.
Coverage of the well-being of children.
Report for America funds a portion of these journalists' salaries, and we need your help to match their contribution. We ask that you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to support this work at https://bit.ly/freepRFA.
These dollars stay local, supporting essential journalism right here in Michigan.
Here’s what the journalists covering these stories have to say about their beats and what drives them.
Jennifer Brookland covers the well-being of children in Michigan, a topic she calls "supremely important" but one that is often underreported by newsrooms. It's also an expansive coverage area, she notes.
"Reporting on children is, by nature, reporting on families, schools and society," Brookland says. "Examining how children are faring in their everyday life, from their physical and mental health to their economic and social conditions, can reveal cracks in the systems meant to support those children and identify policy changes needed to address them.
"Covering kids also allows me to showcase how communities unite to help one another, which I believe humanizes disparate communities and highlights an issue on which we can all agree: Every child deserves to be safe and healthy."
Clara Hendrickson reports on Michigan politics with a focus on fact-checking and the future of democracy in the state.
"During the 2020 election cycle, I debunked misinformation that had been widely circulating online," Hendrickson says. "Since then, I've closely tracked efforts to change Michigan's election laws as well as the challenges facing election officials across the state."
Hendrickson has led the Free Press' coverage of Michigan’s first independent, citizen-led redistricting process and fact-checked claims candidates made while campaigning ahead of November's midterm election. The polarization of today's shifting political landscape has made her work all the more important.
"With high-profile proposals on the ballot, I provided essential voter information on a measure to decide the future of abortion rights in Michigan and another to extend voting rights across the state," Hendrickson says.
Thanks to her efforts, Michiganders could find the facts they needed to cast their ballot with confidence.
Nushrat Rahman covers issues related to economic mobility, including housing, affordability and inequities that prevent low-income families from achieving financial stability. Her stories often touch on wider community concerns, such as problems renters face and unaffordable water rates.
"I try to untangle big issues while getting practical information out into the hands of Detroiters," Rahman says. "This work allows me to fill information gaps and connect people to resources that can help address acute needs."
As a native Detroiter, Rahman knows the obstacles city residents face and her work helps to ensure Detroiters can find crucial resources to rise above them.
"I find it fulfilling to do local journalism in the place where I grew up," she says. "I'm able to listen to neighbors and take the time to shed light on the challenges they face, from home repairs and evictions to rising food costs and high utility bills."
This reporting makes a difference, putting essential information into the hands of our neighbors, community leaders and decision-makers. It couldn’t be done without you. Thank you for your support.
Peter Bhatia is editor and vice president of the Detroit Free Press.
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2022-12-18T14:06:54Z
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Help the Detroit Free Press boost reporting on important issues
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/18/help-the-detroit-free-press-boost-reporting-on-important-issues/69717858007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/18/help-the-detroit-free-press-boost-reporting-on-important-issues/69717858007/
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Central United Methodist Church in Detroit held its Merry TubaChristmas show Saturday, marking its first in-person performance since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The free concert featured tuba players of various ages playing different types of tubas from the church's altar space. Led by conductor Markita Moore, director of bands at Cass Technical High School, the musicians performed beloved Christmas carols, including "Deck the Halls," "Silent Night" and "O Come all Ye Faithful."
"We are so happy to be back in the sanctuary this year; it's been a long time," Moore said.
The show featured lively interaction between performers and the audience members, who were encouraged to sing along using lyric sheets distributed to the crowd. The performers would play an instrumental version once, then Moore began singing, indicating for audience members to join.
Organizers used musical variety to break up the program, including a tuba performance of "Frosty the Snowman" by a trio of Cass Technical High School students. During a performance of "Jingle Bells," Moore encouraged children in the audience to come up to the altar to ring bells alongside the musicians.
The church was full of holiday spirit, with lights, Christmas trees and other decorations lining the altar. Performers and organizers wore holiday-themed apparel, and Santa Claus even stopped by — and left with a tuba gifted to him by organizers.
Organizers paused in between several breaks in the program to promote operations of the church. Senior Pastor Rev. Jill Zundel spoke about the church's program to support unhoused residents in Detroit, and organizers collected donations to support the service.
The Christmas show began in 1974, started by tuba player Harvey Phillips. Since then, it has spread widely, with performances in 280 cities worldwide, according to the Harvey Phillips Foundation.
In Detroit, Central United Methodist began holding performances of the show 12 years ago, said coordinator James Bull. The live shows came to a pause as the pandemic hit.
In 2020, Moore worked to create a virtual event for the community. Tuba players sent her videos of performances and she edited them together into a showcase posted to YouTube. In 2021, the church declined to hold the show, as an in-person gathering didn't yet feel safe, and a virtual showcase took too long to compile, Bull said.
During the show, Moore asked tuba player Patrick Zerse to stand up and describe his instrument, a rare double-bell euphonium produced in Grand Rapids in the early 20th century. Zerse said he's owned it since his childhood, when he found it in his grandmother's attic.
"It means a lot to all of us low brass players to get together and have a chance to play together just us as an instrument family," Zerse said.
Church leaders plan to move forward with future Merry TubaChristmas shows with community support. Bull passed around clipboards with sign up sheets during the show, seeking volunteers for various staff positions for future shows.
The event represents the positivity of the Christmas season in Detroit, Moore said.
"It's a really festive and warm time together and a time for us all to be joyful and singing along and playing along with low brass," Moore said.
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2022-12-18T20:33:59Z
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Merry TubaChristmas returns to Central United Methodist Church
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/12/18/merry-tubachristmas-returns-to-central-united-methodist-church/69737629007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/12/18/merry-tubachristmas-returns-to-central-united-methodist-church/69737629007/
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Jared Goff and Brock Wright teamed up to save the season, just when it looked like a 54-yard field goal try might do in the Detroit Lions again.
Goff threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Wright with 1:49 to play Sunday as the Lions rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the New York Jets, 20-17, at MetLife Stadium.
The Lions (7-7) have won three straight and six of their past seven games to move within a game of the final wild-card spot in the NFC playoffs. The Lions have three games remaining against teams with a sub-.500 record: at the Carolina Panthers next week, home against the Chicago Bears in Week 17 and at the Green Bay Packers to close the regular season.
TRENDING:Finally, it's the Detroit Lions who are getting the breaks and gaining playoff momentum
They have a 42% chance to make the playoffs as of Sunday afternoon, according to FiveThirtyEight.com. The Washington Commanders and New York Giants are both 7-5-1 and own the sixth and seventh spots in the NFC. They play on Sunday Night Football in Washington. Seattle is in eighth place at 7-7, and owns the tiebreaker over the Lions due to a 48-45 win Week 4 in Detroit.
The Lions controlled play most of Sunday, holding the Jets (7-7) to three first downs on their first four possessions of the second half, but gave New York’s sputtering offense life with a risky field goal try with just under 8 minutes to play.
Michael Badgley left his 54-yard attempt short, and the Jets started the ensuing possession at their own 44-yard line.
ROOKIE RISER:Nobody knew Lions' James Houston 4 weeks ago. Now he's wowing NFL with pass rush skills
The decision to kick the field goal was reminiscent of one Lions coach Dan Campbell tried in a Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Austin Seibert missed that try, and the Vikings scored the winning touchdown three plays later with 45 seconds left.
On Sunday, the Lions answered the Jets’ rally with their own.
Wright dropped a pass on the first play of the drive, but the Lions went back to him on fourth-and-1 from their own 49-yard line on the first play after the two-minute warning.
Wright, who took over as the Lions’ No. 1 tight end after the trade of T.J. Hockenson, faked a block from the right side of the line of scrimmage and leaked across the middle of the field as the Jets defense followed a play-action fake the other direction.
Goff threw to a wide open Wright, who sprinted down the sideline to the end zone, adding to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's impressive resume.
The Jets had a chance for the tying field goal after Wilson sidestepped two sacks to complete a 20-yard pass to Garrett Wilson with 1 second on the clock, but Greg Zuerlein missed his 58-yard field goal attempt wide left.
Goff finished 23 of 38 passing for 252 yards for the Lions, who got two field goals from Badgley and a 47-yard punt return touchdown from Kalif Raymond to build a 13-10 lead in the fourth quarter.
Zach Wilson was 18 of 35 passing with two touchdowns and one interception for the Jets, who managed just 50 yards rushing on 22 carries.
Wilson’s interception to Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs on the opening drive of the second half set up Badgley’s second field goal.
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2022-12-18T22:27:12Z
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Detroit Lions keep NFL playoff hopes alive with 20-17 win over Jets
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/12/18/detroit-lions-game-nfl-playoffs-new-york-jets/69738373007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/12/18/detroit-lions-game-nfl-playoffs-new-york-jets/69738373007/
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Pregnancy Aid Detroit, a clinic in Eastpointe, was the victim of vandalism early Saturday morning, along with a board member's home in Grosse Pointe Woods. The attackers spray-painted pro-abortion messages on the buildings and broke windows on the board member's home, the nonprofit group said.
This attack is similar to other incidents that have occurred in Michigan and across the country since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June and may be connected to a shadowy pro-abortion group called Jane's Revenge.
Nancy Anter, executive director of Pregnancy Aid Detroit, said she learned of the incident Saturday when the board member called to inform her of the vandalism at the board member's home. Anter said she went to the clinic where she found similar pro-abortion messages spray painted on the building.
Vandals spray-painted pro-abortion messages on exterior walls, broke windows 11 windows and three glass doors at the Lennon Pregnancy Center in Dearborn Heights in the early morning of June 20.
The building housing Rep. Tim Walberg's Congressional office in Jackson was vandalized with pro-abortion messages overnight on June 22.
The Mother and Unborn Baby Care Center in Southfield was attacked on Sep. 16, The Detroit News reported. Vandals broke multiple windows and spray-painted pro-abortion messages on the building.
The Church of the Resurrection, a Catholic Church in Lansing, was vandalized on the night of Oct. 8, WILX reported. Pro-abortion messages were spray-painted on the church doors and sidewalk in front of the building.
A number of incidents this year were claimed by Jane's Revenge, an extremist pro-abortion rights group that targets anti-abortion clinics across the U.S. A photo provided by Pregnancy Aid Detroit shows Jane's Revenge spray-painted on the clinic exterior wall.
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2022-12-19T00:11:52Z
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www.freep.com
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Eastpointe pregnancy clinic targeted with vandalism
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/2022/12/19/eastpointe-pregnancy-clinic-targeted-with-vandalism/69738749007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/2022/12/19/eastpointe-pregnancy-clinic-targeted-with-vandalism/69738749007/
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The Detroit Pistons were on the receiving end of a tag-team effort by the superstar duo Sunday at Little Caesars Arena. Despite leading by 19 points in the second quarter, the Pistons fell to the Nets, 124-121, behind a combined 81 points by Durant (43 points, six rebounds) and Irving (38 points, six rebounds). The Pistons' fortunes shifted in the second half, outscored 70-50 as their offense went cold and Brooklyn’s heated up.
BIG AND BRIGHT:Detroit Pistons' rookie Jalen Duren: 'I felt like I could hold my own at this level'
TRADE TALK:Who could stay, go for Detroit Pistons at February's NBA trade deadline?
Durant essentially put the game away in the third quarter, scoring 26 points to help Brooklyn (19-12) win the quarter, 44-25, and give the Nets control of the game. Durant is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, and there wasn’t much the Pistons could do as he punished them from all three areas of the floor: rim, midrange and 3-point land. He closed the third quarter with back-to-back 3s, giving the Nets their first lead of the night, 98-96, with 2.7 seconds left.
Irving joined in on the fun, scoring 23 in the second period. The superstar duo outscored the Pistons in the second half by a 55-50, and tallied 55 of Brooklyn’s 70 second-half points.
Ivey energizes Pistons with strong first half
It took a couple of months, but Ivey finally got his first poster on Sunday.
With three minutes left in the opening quarter, he blew past Nets forward Yuta Watanabe and rose above him to finish a right-handed dunk. Detroit’s entire bench, and a significant portion of the home crowd, stood in excitement as Ivey flexed in front of Watanabe before getting back on defense. Ivey was whistled for a tech for the gesture. It was probably worth it.
It was the most exciting play of an exciting first half for the fifth overall pick. He scored 16 of his xx points in the first two periods, making six of his eight shot attempts and one of two 3-pointers. Brooklyn struggled with his speed, and he capitalized repeatedly. He finished a transition layup off of an outlet pass from Duren with three minutes left until halftime to extend Detroit’s lead to 15, and grabbed an offensive rebound from a missed Duren hook and laid it in to extend Detroit lead to 19 — its biggest lead of the night — a couple of minutes later.
Detroit dominated the first two periods, leading 71-54 at halftime. Ivey’s energy, along with strong off-the-bench halves from Saddiq Bey and Marvin Bagley III, allowed the Pistons to control the early portion of the night before Durant and Irving changed Detroit’s fortunes in the second half.
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2022-12-19T02:00:24Z
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www.freep.com
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Detroit Pistons battered by Nets' Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, 124-121
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/19/detroit-pistons-nba-game-recap-brooklyn-nets-kevin-durant-kyrie-irving/69739045007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/12/19/detroit-pistons-nba-game-recap-brooklyn-nets-kevin-durant-kyrie-irving/69739045007/
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The buzz: Had 13 catches for 108 yards this season in eight games and will come to MSU as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility. Caught two touchdowns on seven receptions in 2021. He's from Roswell, Georgia.
The buzz: Was a three-star recruit from Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the 2019 class. Made five tackles and had two passes defensed in four games in 2022.
The buzz: From Fredericksburg, Virginia, recruiting class of 2019. Kim served as the kickoff specialist for North Carolina, but seemingly wanted a chance to put points on the board. Is 0-for-1 in his career on field goals, missing a 50-plus yarder as a freshman, and is, 3-for-3 on extra points.
DL Jalen Hunt
DL Dashaun Mallory
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2022-12-19T19:11:59Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan State football transfer player portal tracker
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2022/12/19/michigan-state-football-transfer-portal-players-tracker/69738768007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2022/12/19/michigan-state-football-transfer-portal-players-tracker/69738768007/
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The buzz:The Cardinal senior played in 27 games across four years at Stanford, including 24 over the past two seasons. The Colorado native was named to the 2022 watch lists for both the Rimington and Outland awards.
LB Ernest Hausmann, Nebraska
The buzz:The Nebraska native started seven games as a true freshman for the Cornhuskers in 2022. He appeared in 10 games, recording 54 tackles (36 solo) with one sack (against Michigan) and one fumble recovery. He set a career-high with 10 tackles against the Wolverines, before topping it the following week with 12 against Wisconsin. According to Pro Football Focus, Hausman was tied for eighth in tackles among all Power Five freshmen.
The buzz:The former Cardinal appeared in nine games this season after starting nine in 2021. He entered Stanford as a U.S. Army All-American in 2020 and a four-star recruit, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings. He was rated the No. 74 player in the country and No. 6 at offensive tackle. In his first season in Palo Alto, he was named an outstanding freshman in the Cardinal program. He’ll arrive in Ann Arbor with two years of eligibility, thanks to the NCAA’s COVID waiver for the 2020 season. His older brother, Christopher, played three seasons for coach Jim Harbaugh and Michigan, and father Chris was a seven-time Pro Bowler with the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons over 13 seasons from 1983-1995.
The buzz:Bowman transferred in from Texas Tech prior to the 2021 season with hopes of competing for the starting job, but was beat out by both Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy (as the backup). Bowman, who spent his time in maize and blue mostly working mop-up duty, completed eight of 11 passes (72.7%) for 69 yards, with one touchdown and one interception across four games in two seasons. Prior to that, he started 16 games across three years for the Red Raiders and completed 67% of his passes for 5,260 yards, 33 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
The buzz:All had three catches for a combined 36 yards before back issues shut him down for 2022. He is expected to recover fully from the back surgery performed in October. All had a career year in 2021, catching 38 passes for 437 yards (11.5 yards per catch) and two touchdowns. He caught a career-high 10 passes for 98 yards in the Wolverines' lone regular season loss, 37-33, to rival Michigan State in East Lansing.
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2022-12-19T19:12:05Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan football transfer portal tracker: Who's coming, who's going
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/19/michigan-football-transfer-portal-tracker-players/69739239007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/12/19/michigan-football-transfer-portal-tracker-players/69739239007/
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Detroit King quarterback Dante Moore, the No. 1 recruit in Michigan for the class of 2023, is changing his college commitment.
Moore, the No. 3 quarterback in the country for this upcoming recruiting class, has flipped from Oregon to UCLA, according to his social media post Monday afternoon and multiple reports.
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Moore was a Free Press Dream Team selection this season after leading the Crusaders to the Division 3 state championship, a second consecutive title. He also led King to a state title game as a freshman in 2019.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Moore's decision comes after former Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham left to become the head coach at Arizona State. Also, the chance to play in the Big Ten, home of both U-M and Michigan State, enticed the QB. UCLA cleared the final hurdles set by the University of California Regents last week and is scheduled to join the Big Ten in 2024.
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2022-12-19T19:12:11Z
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www.freep.com
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Detroit King QB Dante Moore flips from Oregon football to UCLA
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/12/19/detroit-king-dante-moore-flips-oregon-football-ucla-chip-kelly-big-ten/69740981007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/12/19/detroit-king-dante-moore-flips-oregon-football-ucla-chip-kelly-big-ten/69740981007/
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Dearborn-based apparel firm Carhartt plans to hire up to 125 more workers in Dearborn with an average $43 hourly wage, rather than in Kentucky or Mexico, with help from a recently approved state grant.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday that Carhartt has been approved for a $937,500 performance-based grant from the Michigan Business Development Program to assist with an anticipated $4.65 million capital investment at its Dearborn campus, which is expected to result in the new hiring.
The grant was approved last week by the Michigan Strategic Fund.
Carhartt had told economic development officials that, absent the nearly $1 million in grant assistance, it may have hired those new positions not in Dearborn but rather at its IT service center offices in Mexico or distribution center in Hanson, Kentucky, or Supply Chain Administration office in Irvine, Kentucky. The firm also considered making the new positions fully remote.
Carhartt must create all 125 jobs to get the full grant
"A new facility in Mexico and two Kentucky facilities are alternative locations for this project due to thehigher cost of recruiting and maintaining talent and the higher cost of doing business in Michigan comparedto those locations," according to a Michigan Economic Development Corp. briefing memo.
The ultimate size of the state grant will depend on the total number of new jobs Carhartt creates over a three-year period. The firm must create all 125 jobs to get the full $937,500.
Carhartt does about $1.1 billion in annual revenues, according to the briefing memo, and already employs 644 people in Michigan and more than 5,500 worldwide.
"We’re working hard in a bipartisan fashion to ensure Michigan’s business climate and talented manufacturing workforce can thrive and create more jobs," Whitmer said in a statement. "That work paid off over the last year, as evidenced by the investment and growth by longstanding companies like Carhartt continuing to invest in Michigan,”
Carhartt's anticipated $4.65 million capital investment would expand the firm's digital presence and online marketing, according to the briefing memo.
Jobs for web developers, marketers, sales and customer service workers
Carhartt has already spent more than $30 million at two of three facilities at its Dearborn campus, the memo said, and the anticipated project could bring about an expansion at the third building, "as well as future projects that involve a women's brand and diversity, equity and inclusion program expansion."
The project will involve hiring people for designing and managing digital content for the Carhartt brand, including web developers, marketing specialists and sales and customer service personnel. The jobs will pay an average $43 per hour, or $33.20 per hour at the lowest end.
“We’re excited to bring more high-paying jobs to Michigan,” Carhartt Chief Financial Officer Susan Telang said in a statement. “Our business continues to grow year over year, and partnering with the MEDC allows us to expand our employee base by adding top talent and, at the same time, continue to invest in our home state where Carhartt was established in 1889.”
A Carhartt representative did not provide any additional details about the planned expansion in Dearborn.
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2022-12-19T21:48:36Z
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www.freep.com
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Carhartt chooses Dearborn expansion over Kentucky, Mexico
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2022/12/19/carhartt-dearborn-expansion-michigan/69740768007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2022/12/19/carhartt-dearborn-expansion-michigan/69740768007/
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Chanel Stitt
Candle-making classes at She's Home Soaptique have become very popular. So popular in fact that Detroit entrepreneur Wanda Curdez had to make a change — she had to move some of her manufacturing back home to make a space that could accommodate the growing classes of instant artisans.
Enveloped in the aroma of earthy, fruity and floral tones with walls that are bright pink, the space accommodates up to 16 people at a time to participate in the classes, called Sip and Pour events.
The immersive experience for regular customers and newcomers alike involves picking a candle vessel and two fragrances in order to make one 10-ounce candle and one 4.5-ounce wax melt.
“And then you have the opportunity to customize your candle and wax melt exactly how you want,” said 33-year-old Curdez. “We have dehydrated botanicals, we have glitter and we also have labels, so it's going to be yours. When you leave here, you're going to be a professional chandler.”
Vegan hors d'oeuvres, wine and nonalcoholic beverages are included with the two-hour experience for a total cost of $65. The candle-making class slots start at 11:30 a.m. and end at 10 p.m. The store’s busiest days are Fridays and Saturdays, but weekdays are beginning to pick up because customers book for birthday celebrations.
“I have had people book — it was only two or maybe one person,” Cordez said. “I’m never gonna turn anyone down. We’re always ready, so we don’t have to get ready.” This means that if someone is interested in a solo class, it is possible to do so.
In addition to the classes, Curdez sells homemade vegan soap, body butter, body polish, body oil, home decor, hand-poured candles and sage from her store. Some of the most popular scents are tea tree, lavender and sandalwood. The business has been operating since 2019, and is now located at 15607 Grand River Ave. This is its second location. The other is no longer open.
Curdez has eczema and said that her aloe vera, cocoa butter, turmeric and vitamin E products are able to help with inflammation, itchiness and dark marks.
“I want my community to be able to have natural alternatives for skin care products and vegan soaps, so they don’t have to drive 30 minutes out their way,” Curdez said. “They have someone right here that looks like them, that talks like them, that can relate to their skin care.”
More:18 small shops at Downtown Detroit Markets help you avoid bland gifts
Over the past year, she had been hosting her Sip and Pour events in the store space, and she would have to move all of her products out of the way to do so. But in October, she decided to clear out her former workspace to make room for the Sip and Pour classes. She is now making her products at her home — where she started in 2019.
In her own community
Curdez said she started making soap in the kitchen with her grandmother when she was 7 years old. And she spent a lot of time shopping at the intersection of Greenfield Road and Grand River Avenue, at Greenfield Center Shopping Center and Tower Center Mall. She grew up in the Schoolcraft and Greenfield roads area, which is near where she now has a storefront.
“I suffer from eczema, and so me and my grandfather, we would go to the African herbalist store,” Curdez said. “And we would always grab ingredients. He always had a Mayo Clinic book. We will literally do our research on different oils, and different botanicals, and the properties and what they do. So, at a young age, I was experimenting with skin care products, so the passion started a long time ago.”
This inspired Curdez to take the science and chemistry route. She graduated from Cooley High School, has an associate's degree from Wayne County Community College and will have a bachelor of science degree — double majoring in public health and global health and social science medicine — from Wayne State University next year.
Five years ago, she began to think about how it could become a business.
“I started with first coming up with the name,” Curdez said. “And then doing my legal documents, my LLC, my EIN. Then I also had to do my research with the IFRA, which I have to know exactly how much essential oils you can put in a product and the liabilities behind it. And also the insurance that you need and the proper labeling of body butter.” The IFRA is the International Fragrance Association.
She first opened her business in Greenfield Plaza, which is a building in Oak Park that holds several small businesses. She decided to move the business to Detroit in 2020.
“It's important for me to keep my business in the city because I grew up in the city, I still live in the city and my sons go to school in the city,” Curdez said. “So the money that I pay in taxes for my business, I wanted to go to my community. I want it to be beneficial to them.”
In the future, Curdez wants to purchase her own building and hire people that live in the community. She also wants to start a nonprofit that will provide candle-making classes for people with different abilities, people who experience anxiety and children.
For more information, go to the store's website at shes-home.myshopify.com.
Contact staff writer Chanel Stitt on Twitter: @ByChanelStitt. Become a subscriber or gift a subscription.
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2022-12-20T12:23:21Z
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www.freep.com
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Candle-making classes, vegan soaps are popular at She's Home Soaptique
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2022/12/20/detroit-candle-making-classes-vegan-soaps-shes-home-soaptique/69715371007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2022/12/20/detroit-candle-making-classes-vegan-soaps-shes-home-soaptique/69715371007/
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An Oakland County man showed up to a family member's home on Thanksgiving with a slightly unusual request. He needed to use their safe.
Earlier that day, the 64-year-old man had made a trip to the Kroger at 9741 Dixie Highway in Clarkston and purchased a Magnificent 7s instant Michigan Lottery ticket, according to the Michigan Lottery. He scratched the ticket in his car and discovered he'd won $2 million.
"When I saw I’d won $2 million, I went completely numb," the man, who chose to remain anonymous, told the Michigan Lottery. "I drove straight to a family member's house to have them look the ticket over and lock it in their safe. It’s safe to say I was feeling extra thankful this Thanksgiving!”
More:$3.73 million Michigan Lottery Lotto 47 winning ticket sold in Clarkston
He opted to receive a one-time lump sum payment of about $1.2 million instead of 30 annuity payments for the full amount.
He plans to use the money to buy a cottage.
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2022-12-20T15:39:15Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan Lottery: Oakland County man wins $2 million
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/12/20/michigan-lottery-winning-instant-ticket-oakland-county/69743085007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/12/20/michigan-lottery-winning-instant-ticket-oakland-county/69743085007/
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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: How to watch Eastern Michigan football vs. San Jose State
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Eastern Michigan Eagles (8-4) vs. San Jose State Spartans (7-4)
When: 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
Betting line: Spartans by 4 (provided by Tipico Sportsbook).
Game notes: Eastern has won three straight, finishing 5-3 in the Mid-American Conference and tied for first in the West division with eventual MAC champion Toledo. San Jose went 5-3 in the Mountain West, tying for second in the West division. The teams have one common opponent from the regular season: San Jose State crushed Western Michigan, 34-6, in San Jose in Week 3; EMU also beat up WMU, 45-23, on the road in October. ... EMU is searching for its second-ever bowl win and first since the 1987 California Bowl where they coincidentally stunned 17½-point favorite San Jose State, 30-27. The Eagles are 0-4 in bowl games under ninth-year head coach Chris Creighton.
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2022-12-20T15:56:40Z
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www.freep.com
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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl TV info: Eastern Michigan vs. San Jose State
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2022/12/20/famous-idaho-potato-bowl-tv-info-eastern-michigan-vs-san-jose-state/69743415007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2022/12/20/famous-idaho-potato-bowl-tv-info-eastern-michigan-vs-san-jose-state/69743415007/
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Report: Mat Ishbia finalizing purchase of Phoenix Suns
Mat Ishbia, the billionaire owner of Pontiac-based United Wholesale Mortgage and former Michigan State basketball walk-on who was part of the 2000 national championship team, is finalizing a purchase of the NBA's Phoenix Suns, according to a report from ESPN inside Adrian Wojnarowski.
According to ESPN, the purchase price is in the neighborhood of $4 billion and includes the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.
The Free Press has reached out to
Current Suns owner Robert Sarver is practically being forced to sell the organization after a series of reports were published in the last year detailing the toxic workplace culture that the owner has fostered for years, including racist and sexist comments and behavior toward employees.
Ishbia, 42, donated $32 million to MSU for a new football building back in 2021. Later that year, he helped spearhead the contract extension for football coach Mel Tucker, making him one of the highest-paid in the sport.
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2022-12-20T18:07:06Z
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www.freep.com
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Mat Ishbia finalizing purchase of Phoenix Suns, report says
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2022/12/20/mat-ishbia-phoenix-suns/69744393007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2022/12/20/mat-ishbia-phoenix-suns/69744393007/
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But with the spending bill expected to be one of the last legislative trains leaving Washington D.C. before the end of the 117th Congress, one group of passengers has been left on the platform: thousands of salaried retirees of Delphi, the Michigan-based auto supplier. They have been battling for some 13 years to get somebody, anybody, to help restore pensions they argue were unfairly slashed years ago.
They say when the Obama administration intervened in 2009 to save General Motors, which had spun off Delphi a decade earlier, GM moved to protect the full pensions for union retirees at the supplier, which had entered bankruptcy. No such protection was offered the salaried retirees by the Treasury Department. Their arguments that their plan was still healthy and shouldn't be handed over to the federally charted Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC), the insurer of last resort, and slashed, ultimately went nowhere in the courts.
More:For Delphi's former salaried workers, retirement has been a long fight for fair treatment
In July, however, the retirees -- a group that included some 20,000 employees of the Troy-based auto supplier initially concentrated in Michigan, Ohio and New York -- got their biggest win to date, as the U.S. House passed legislation, spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, to require the PBGC to restore their pensions with interest.
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2022-12-20T20:08:56Z
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www.freep.com
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Delphi retirees' pension hopes appear dashed again
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/20/delphi-retiree-pension-congress/69744272007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/20/delphi-retiree-pension-congress/69744272007/
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Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed a lawsuit against a paper manufacturing company that previously operated a plant in Port Huron, alleging the company transported waste contaminated with harmful PFAS and PFOS chemicals to a nearby landfill for more than 20 years while claiming the waste was non-hazardous.
The lawsuit against South Carolina based-paper manufacturer Domtar Industries, filed Friday in the 31st Circuit Court, states the company had informed the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (the predecessor to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy) in 1996 its paper sludge was “inert,” or free of hazardous substances.
From 1998 to 2020, the state estimates Domtar moved around 145,000 cubic yards of waste from a paper mill in Port Huron to the Techni-Comp landfill site, also in Port Huron. However, the lawsuit alleges Domtar knew the waste it transported was contaminated, and contaminants later seeped into nearby land, surface waters and groundwater supplies.
“On information and belief, Domtar knew at the time that it self-declared its paper sludge as inert that the paper sludge contained hazardous and toxic PFAS chemicals, and that PFAS were toxic contaminants that posed a direct threat to the health and safety of the environment and public health, but failed to disclose this to the DEQ,” the complaint states.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are contaminants that can cause health concerns such as thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancers as well as higher levels of cholesterol. The contaminants can be found in stain- and water-repellent fabrics, nonstick products, polishes, waxes, paints, cleaning products and fire-fighting foams, per the Environmental Protection Agency. They are hard to break down, and are sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals.” In 2018, EGLE estimated PFAS could be found at more than 11,000 sites in Michigan.
The state seeks a court order forcing Domtar to investigate and clean up contamination caused by the waste. Officials also want the court to order Domtar to pay costs and damages incurred from state efforts to identify, monitor and clean up contaminated sites.
A Domtar spokesperson said the company does not comment on pending litigation. Domtar closed its plant in Port Huron in 2020.
From 2019:PFAS contamination is Michigan's biggest environmental crisis in 40 years
Water and compost samples collected from the Techni-Comp landfill by the state in 2019 found the number of contaminant parts per trillion exceed the state’s water quality standards. Groundwater samples collected from the site in 2021 also exceeded standards.
Further testing of residential wells which provide drinking water has not found contaminants exceeding standards, although the state says it still needs to test other samples to fully understand the scope of the contamination.
“The extent of Domtar’s contamination has not been fully identified, and the State reasonably anticipates further testing will reveal additional groundwater, surface water, and drinking water contamination due to Domtar’s historical operations,” the lawsuit states.
EGLE notified Domtar in 2020 that it was voiding the “inert” declaration of the company’s waste. That year, Domtar began sending paper mill sludge to a landfill in Smith’s Creek, also located in St. Clair County, instead of the Techni-Comp landfill.
Domtar currently employs around 6,000 employees, with 20 combined paper mills, converting sites and packaging mills across the U.S. and Canada, according to its website.
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2022-12-20T20:09:02Z
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www.freep.com
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Michigan sues paper company Domtar Industries over PFAS contamination
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/20/michigan-lawsuit-domtar-industries-contamination/69743702007/
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https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/20/michigan-lawsuit-domtar-industries-contamination/69743702007/
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