Week of September 26, 2024
Week of September 26, 2024
It wasn't a typical Sunday morning. It couldn't have been. Not in Birmingham. Not in or around the city that's been my home now for more than a decade. Not like one Birmingham has seen in decades. Almost 65 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" said: "One of the shameful tragedies is that 11 o'clock on Sunday morning is one of the most segregated hours, if not the most segregated hour in Christian America." That has changed little, alas, in more than...
Union workers are still on strike at the Marathon Oil Refinery in Southwest Detroit. The 273 union members had voted by 95% to strike after negotiations and mediation did not end in a resolution. Now with expired contracts since January, members of Local 283, are demanding that their concerns be met. Outside the entrance, members can be seen walking, talking and chanting to get the attention of anyone who passes by along, with other employees and those who are in charge. It is interesting to...
Michigan's most vulnerable communities are receiving federal funding to fight the devastating effects of climate change. It's part of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. This spring, Michigan was awarded $156 million to use as grants, which is the largest initiative of its kind in history. The goal is to strengthen the nation's economic competitiveness and advance energy independence, while at the same time reducing energy costs in historically underserved communities. Shalanda H....
Vice President Kamala Harris decisively took control of the first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, delivering a performance that put Trump on the defensive for much of the evening. Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News kept a tight handle on the debate, significantly improving from CNN's June handling of Trump and President Joe Biden. The debate began with a surprise as Harris approached Trump to shake his hand and...
Heading out to the cider mill to pick apples, sip cider and enjoy fresh donuts is an autumn tradition here in southeast Michigan. As the air turns crisp, think about visiting a local orchard and cider mill; you'll be supporting our local agriculture while enjoying an outing away from home. Below is a list of local cider mills and orchards and contact information. Most operate through the end of October or until commodities are exhausted. Be sure to check websites and even call ahead to ensure...
Following the signing of the Michigan Family Protection Act by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, concerns remain about a potential federal ban on in vitro fertilization. The Act, signed in April, safeguards reproductive services such as surrogacy IVF and abortion. However, Project 2025 could limit access to these services if he wins the presidency in November. Stephanie Jones of Grand Blanc, a mother who used IVF to conceive and had her daughter via surrogacy after secondary infertility, is a strong...
Ecorse Public Schools has renamed its alternative high school after a former employee. The former Hope Alternative Academy is now the Vincent G. Parks Alternative Education Center. The Ecorse Public Schools Board of Education approved the renaming of the alternative academy to honor longtime district employee and alumnus Vincent G. Parks. A dedication ceremony was held in August. Parks served in various capacities during his tenure at Ecorse Public Schools and retired from the district within...
WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 13, 2024)-Today, UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization, proudly unveiled its 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report. The report, Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs, commissioned by UNCF's Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute (FDPRI), is a comprehensive, data-driven analysis highlighting the substantial contributions the nation's 101 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) make...
