Detroit

Current State #62 | April 9, 2013

Current State — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:04:24 +0000

Today on Current State: MSU plant biologist's expertise plays major role in criminal investigation; lead poisoning down in Detroit, but so is funding for lead cleanup; and iPad periodical developed by MSU journalism students.

Lead poisoning in children down in Detroit

Current State — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:47:21 +0000

A story from Environmental Health News reports that lead poisoning in children in Detroit has decreased 70 percent since 2004. However, the number of children with exposure to excessive lead levels in Detroit still exceeds the national average, and funding for cleanup is dwindling.

Brian Bienkowski is a senior editor and staff writer at Environmental Health News. He discusses the decrease of lead poisoning and the motor city's environmental future.

Detroit parade of shredding electric guitars ushers in spring

Current State — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:57:48 +0000

Tomorrow morning, the spring equinox occurs just after 7 a.m Eastern Time.

Diverse cultures throughout history have marked the passing of the seasons with music and artistic expression.

Gov. Snyder to announce Detroit emergency financial manager

Current State — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:03:37 +0000

Thursday afternoon in Detroit, Governor Rick Snyder is expected to name Kevyn Orr, a Washington D.C.-based bankruptcy attorney, as Detroit's incoming financial manager. The Michigan Public Radio Network's Rick Pluta explains the importance of this historic announcement.

Current State #42 | March 12, 2013

Current State — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:23:29 +0000

Today on Current State: former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's conviction; more on the Niowave pole barn; "STEMinists," a new exhibit at the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame; timebanks; and Holt and Mason leaders take the stage for a good cause.

Former Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick convicted of 24 counts

Current State — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:21:11 +0000

On Monday, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was convicted on 24 of 30 charges, including racketeering and extortion.

MLive’s Gus Burns has been covering the trial and joins us from Detroit.

Current State #35 | March 1, 2013

Current State — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 23:27:43 +0000

On today's Current State: Detroit's financial future, a local practitioner of the ancient Japanese art form called mokuhanga, sports with the Detroit Free Press' Joe Rexrode, the MSU football program's legacy of racial integration, Friday fish fries and a preview of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra's next performance.

Governor Snyder set to lay out plan for Detroit

Current State — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 23:19:47 +0000

Last week a state appointed financial review team concluded that the city of Detroit is in a financial emergency. Since then, Governor Snyder has been considering whether he should appoint an emergency financial manager to fix the city. He is expected to announce his decision today. Eric Scorsone, an MSU economist who specializes in municipal finance, discusses the future of Detroit’s finances.

Public Poetry Announcement: Jamaal May

Current State — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:43:21 +0000

Jamaal May is a world class spoken-word artist and poet from Detroit. He has a guest performance at this weekend’s Poetry Out Loud Michigan high school state championships, which are being held in East Lansing. Mr.

Detroit Boat Show series: Pontoons

Current State — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:00:50 +0000

The 55^th annual Detroit Boat Show wraps up this Sunday at Cobo Center. Dozens of dealers are on-hand with the latest and greatest for cruising the Great Lakes.

WKAR’s Peter Whorf spent some time at the expo earlier this week and brings us his last in a series of reports from Cobo. This time, Peter speaks with Bill Rose of Rose Marine Service about a boat that’s close to home.

Detroit Boat Show series: The Quadski

Current State — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:04:40 +0000

The 55th annual Detroit Boat Show continues at Cobo Center through this weekend.

WKAR’sPeter Whorf continues our series from the expo with a first look at a Michigan-made product. Gibbs Sports and Amphibians’ Graham Jenkins describes the new Quadski, a specialized craft that travels on land and water.

With Detroit facing emergency management, Flint leaders share their experience

Current State — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:56:05 +0000

A report released Tuesday afternoon by the Detroit emergency review team all but clears the way for Governor Snyder to appoint an emergency manager to take over the city’s finances. This scenario is nothing new to Flint, where, in late 2011, Governor Snyder appointed Michael Brown as emergency manager.

We speak with Brown, as well as Flint Mayor Dayne Walling, about what the experience is like and what Detroit officials can learn from it.

Detroit Review Team Finds Big Fiscal Troubles, State Takeover Could Be Imminent

Rick Pluta — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:45:25 +0000

A financial review team has found Detroit faces a cash crisis of epic proportions – and city officials do not have a workable plan to deal with it.

Current State #26 | February 18, 2013

Current State — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:17:58 +0000

Today on Current State: Michigan's hazy medical marijuana regulations, sports with Joe Rexrode, Detroit's financial woes, MSU's global reach, and Lansing business news with Angela Wittrock.

Detroit's financial woes may lead to drastic action

Current State — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:14:03 +0000

State officials and many in southeast Michigan have been keeping a very close eye on financial reports coming out of Detroit. Sunday's Detroit Free Press reported that an emergency financial report completed late Friday suggests an emergency manager is inevitable. The report found the city’s deficit continues to grow even after some degree of state oversight for more than 10 months.

Free Press reporter and columnist Nancy Kaffer joins us to explain one of the biggest, ongoing stories in Michigan.

Snyder: Short List Of Detroit Manager Candidates Ready

Rick Pluta — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:55:29 +0000

Governor Rick Snyder says he’ll be ready to move ahead with a state takeover of Detroit city hall – depending on the results of a financial review that should wrap within several days.

Hundreds Of Vehicles Displayed At 2013 Detroit Auto Show

Scott Pohl — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 05:00:01 +0000

The North American International Auto Show returns to Detroit's Cobo Center with a Charity Preview tonight. The show opens to the public tomorrow.

Detroit Mayor Announces 1-Month Income Tax Amnesty

The Associated Press — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 22:39:59 +0000

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has announced a one-month income tax amnesty to encourage people and businesses to pay what they owe for past years.

Bing: Decision On State Takeover Could Come Friday

The Associated Press — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:21:01 +0000

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing says a review team as early as this week could make a recommendation to Gov. Rick Snyder's on whether to order a takeover of the struggling city's finances.

Snyder, Treasurer: Review Should Spur Detroit To Move Quickly To Fix Finances

Rick Pluta — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:15:04 +0000

Governor Rick Snyder says the Detroit mayor and city council are operating under some tight deadlines if they want to avoid a state takeover. A formal state Treasury review of the city’s finances is underway.