As I talk to people in my hometown of Detroit, I’m confronted with a question more often than I would like. I hear it asked by young people frequently, but increasingly I’m hearing it from veterans of the workforce, too. The issue at stake is collective bargaining, and the question is, "Why do unions still matter?" There’s another question implicit there. Even if unions and collective bargaining do matter, ...

A day after being visited by Mayor Dave Bing, Detroit City Council found itself flummoxed by his administration’s executive organization plan at its formal session Oct. 23. Detroit Animal Control, which was previously under the umbrella of the Department of Health and Wellness Promotion (DHWP), has been under the purview of the police department since Oct. 1. However, the transfer did not include a budget, ...

While most Detroiters have not cast a ballot for the next president of the United States yet, another race is gaining momentum — the Detroit mayor’s race. Early polling has fueled headlines, speculation and supporters for a 2013 showdown. Big city politics is fundamental to the region and 2013 will not be an exception. Early polls indicate Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon would be a strong contender in D ...

Parents, teachers and students of Detroit School of the Arts High School (DSA) have discovered that being a self-governing school means even less self-government. "More autonomy and outside input," is the promise of the nine self-governing Detroit Public Schools, according to Emergency Manager Roy Roberts. ...

Despite three debates and a bitterly fought presidential race, young voters are still waiting to hear details of the candidates’ plans for affordable education. ...

State Rep. John Olumba has asked the Michigan attorney general to investigate the transfer of the Detroit health department to a private nonprofit corporation. He has also asked the voters of Detroit to recall Mayor Dave Bing. Do you support the recall of Mayor Bing? ...

Within a few days, many of us will cast our ballots for the next president of the United States. We will also face a host of state and local candidates. In most places in Michigan, six main statewide initiatives will be accompanied by local ballot questions. This should signal a vigorous public life. But many of us recognize there is something very wrong going on in our country. ...

Friday, Oct. 26, 2012 ...

At this year’s Detroit Public School Championship football game at Ford Field, the same squads from last year will play. But this year one squad has a different name. Formerly Crockett Tech, The East English Village Academy will face the same opponent they defeated for the PSL Crown, Martin Luther King. ...

The overflow audience rose as one. They enthusiastically cheered the Rev. Al Sharpton. His electrifying, passionate message: Don’t let the gains of the Civil Rights Movement and the historic election of President Obama be taken away. “People died to get us the right to vote,” Rev. Sharpton powerfully reminded an audience of more than 1,500 people Oct. 9. “People lost their careers. Children were bombed in c ...