On European Trade Trip, Gov. Snyder Promotes Failing Mich. Tech Firm That Has Lost $412.3M Dollars Since ’09
A2P Notes: In Fall 2010, A123 Systems opened what the company touted as the "world's largest lithium ion automotive battery manufacturing plant in North America" in Livonia, Michigan. According to a September 13, 2010 piece in the New York…
Photos Reveal Michigan “Trade Delegation” to Europe “Exploring Growth Opportunities”—At Italian Art Museums
by Rob Smith
In the March 13th issue of the New York Times there is an article about the severe economic problems that face Italy. That country, like Michigan, has been in one of the deepest recessions on record. Unemployment in Italy last…
The Culture Vulture: Looking for Movie Trailers? The Top 20 Sites That Serve ‘Em Up Hot ‘N Ready
by Nick Leshi
I love the coming attractions for movies. Sometimes, the sneak peaks are the best part of the movie-going experience, since some motion pictures don't live up to the hype! Often, though, you can't judge a film by its trailer.…
Ann Arbor Mayor: “Closing 1/2 of City Fire Stations Will Result In Much Better Fire Coverage.”
At Monday's City Council meeting John Hieftje evidently wanted to make sure he understood exactly how deep in his own personal pile of horse manure he was standing. So, Hieftje pointedly asked the new Fire Chief, Chuck Hubbard (below), a…
Insider Baseball: Ten Must-Read Political Pundits, Bloggers & Online Voices
by Joseph DiSano
Dipping your toes into the on-line world of Facebook and Twitter is a bit daunting. But just like in real life, you learn quickly who actually knows what they are talking about. Here are 10 folks you should be paying…
The Parent Trap: Tales From The (Unexpected) Family Bed
by Betsy McMillin
If you had told me, in the first twelve years as a parent, that I would be one to partake in the Family Bed (a.k.a. co-sleeping), I would have flatly said that you were without a doubt wrong, wrong, wrong.
I remember…
Green Energy Programs in Michigan Rely Heavily on Federal Subsidies—Some U.S. Senators Want To End the Flow of Money
by Rob Smith
Federal funding for rail. Federal funding for roads. Federal funding for green energy. Between 2009 and 2011, the state of Michigan has been the recipient of over $17 billion dollars in federal stimulus money also known as…
Interview: Mayor Brenda Lawrence Is The Definition of An Underdog—To Get To Congress, She Has To Beat Two Incumbents & the Media
BRENDA LAWRENCE (LEFT) grew up on the northeast side of Detroit and was raised by her grandparents; her mother died when she was three-years-old. She graduated from Detroit's Pershing High School, and earned her bachelor's degree in public…
Insider Baseball: “Operation Hilarity” Was An Epic Fail For Michigan Dems & Daily Kos—Or Was It?
A2Politico Notes: At A2Politico.com everyone is a political insider. That's the way it should be. Local, state and national politics have increasingly become the baileywick of professionals: candidates, their staffers, ad agencies, and…
The Parent Trap: When A Parent Can Do No More
by Kristina Lakes
I will admit that I avoided looking at what was happening at first. I am a positive, hopeful, can-do type of person. After the pediatrician prescribed a second round of antibiotics for my son who had strep throat, I…