R.I.P. MIchael Jackson

Cuts can't erase Detroit Public Schools' deficits

Detroit Public Schools may begin the 2009-10 school year with more than 12,000 fewer students, as many as 1,900 fewer employees, and with a multimillion-dollar deficit. The district has until Tuesday to file a budget for the next school year. Freep.com

Water, sewer rate hikes OK'd

Metro Detroit residents will see their water and sewer bills rise starting next month after the Detroit City Council approved rate increases Thursday. The council's 4-3 vote came after months of wrangling and opposition to the increases and a 4-4 vote against them Tuesday. Freep.com

Legislature OKs Cobo deal

The Legislature voted overwhelmingly today to allow the expansion of Cobo Center and thus assure it would keep the Detroit auto show. Freep.com

Conyers convicted of conspiracy

UPDATED AT 10:18 A.M. -- Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers pleaded guilty this morning to conspiring to commit bribery and is free on personal bond. U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn said, "The defendant now stands convicted." Freep.com

Monica Conyers to plead guilty today in Synagro scandal

Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers is expected to enter a guilty plea this morning in connection with the Detroit sludge hauling bribery scandal detnews.com .

As council president, Conyers hired aunt

While City Council president this year, Monica Conyers hired her aunt in the council's administrative offices, which manages payroll, travel and purchases for the council members. Detnews.com

Bing: I have council votes for Cobo deal

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said today he believes he has the support of five council members willing to vote for a deal to renovate Cobo Center. Freep.com

Detroit Mounted Patrol back on duty today

The Detroit Police Department’s Mounted Patrol is returning to duty today -- just in time for the 51st annual Target Fireworks display over the Detroit River. Freep.com

Detroit Mounted Patrol back on duty today

The Detroit Police Department’s Mounted Patrol is returning to duty today -- just in time for the 51st annual Target Fireworks display over the Detroit River. Freep.com

Audit reveals 257 ghosts on DPS payroll

A payroll audit this month at Detroit Public Schools turned up 257 names that will be subject to an investigation into illegal ghost employees. Freep.com

Detroit bridge company accuses state of dumping dirt on newly paved ramp

The ongoing dispute between the state and the owner of the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit escalated today with the bridge company’s president accusing the state of dumping huge piles of dirt on a ramp that could be used for truck traffic once I-75 reopens. Freep.com

Baptists expect a 'lot of learning' at Detroit convention

An estimated 40,000 members of the National Baptist Convention kicked off their 104th annual session of the Congress of Christian Education on Monday at Cobo Center. Detnews.com

Detroit City Council nixes water rate increase

Detroit -- The City Council has rejected a water rate hike for 4 million customers in 126 communities throughout southeast Michigan. Detnews.com

Expanded unemployment benefits debated in Lansing

Lansing -- Labor groups want Michigan to pass legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for people in job training programs and to some who were laid off as part-time workers. Detnews.com

Thousands gather at Cobo for Baptist convention

The issue of HIV and AIDS in the church was discussed at a forum this afternoon. Freep.com

State gets $32.8 million to cut energy usage

Michigan will receive $32.8 million in federal grants to reduce energy consumption in homes and businesses, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced Monday. Freep.com

Detroit Council extends review of pay-to-play ordinance

Detroit -- An ordinance aimed at ending the pay-to-play culture in City Hall has been pushed back for three weeks for more review. Detnews.com

Happy Fathers Day

Opinion

DAVE BING AND ROBERT BOBB

Cooperation builds better school system

An educational system that works for our children is the foundation for rebuilding a strong Detroit. Given the looming economic challenges faced by organizations and individuals alike throughout the region, citizens deserve to know that their governmental leaders are hard at work to find solutions. Freep.com

Robert Bobb's state of emergency

The DPS deficit could top $400 million, millions in contracts are under scrutiny, prosecutions loom ... and there are students to educate

BY SANDRA SVOBODA - Metro Times

Judge rules for people’s DPS audit

Greg Frazier By Diane Bukowski The Michigan Citizen DETROIT — As Detroit Public Schools czar Robert Bobb slashes and burns his way through the district, closing schools and cutting staff based on publicly undisclosed audits, Greg Frazier, C.P.A., has won a major victory, a court order mandating a people’s audit of DPS finances.

Did cops grope men in Detroit?

In pockets of Detroit, they were known as the Booty Boys -- two cops with a reputation for conducting searches on men that went too far. Frep.com

Corktown neighbors worry as sheriff seeks bar sale OK

Detroit --Corktown residents say they're worried about trouble from an unlikely landlord: Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans, who is scheduled to be in court next week trying to get approval to sell the troubled bar -- once named Porter Street Station. The bar was shut down by deputies in 2007 on claims it operated as an unlicensed after-hours joint featuring illegal drugs, booze and prostitutes. Detnews.com