If you go by the numbers, it would seem that things are looking up for Michigan’s engineers and other professionals. According to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development, the automotive sector added jobs between December 2009 and the end of 2010. Although the overall number of jobs is still much lower than pre-recession numbers, graphs suggest that the gap between “supply” and “demand” is getting significantly smaller.
In the state that put the country on wheels, car ownership is as American as apple pie. But there are a growing number of people in Michigan who are giving up their vehicle titles and turning to Zipcar, one of the better known of a growing number of car-sharing services.
The former Detroit mayor was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for violating the terms of his probation. Kilpatrick only paid the city a portion of what he owed and then failed to report all of his assets during numerous court hearings. Yesterday Judge David Groner told Kilpatrick he hadn't learned anything during his probation, saying, "most compelling is that you lied to this court, continued to lie after pleading guilty to lying to the court." Noah Ovshinsky, reporter for WDET in Detroit, details the latest.
In an ambitious five year rehabilitation program, the Detroit Public Schools' emergency financial officer announced that he will close 45 public schools throughout the city. The closures come at a time when the student population is shrinking drastically and the system's deficit is getting worse.
In June, President Obama promised the nation a "New GM" as part of his administration's restructuring of the auto industry in the wake of its financial collapse. Now General Motors is expected to emerge from bankruptcy reorganization as the promised “New GM” —a partially-government-owned entity. The brand will hang on to successful lines like Chevrolet and Cadillac and let go of others. How will this "New GM" fit in with the old Detroit? The Takeaway is taking the pulse of Detroit today. We are joined by Bishop Charles Ellis of the Greater Grace Temple and WDET reporter Noah Ovshinsky.
"I see a lot of people moving into their passions—entrepreneurial things and visions and dreams... They never stepped out into those other things that they had burning within them. But now they are finding that there is life beyond the automobile industry."
—Bishop Charles Ellis of Detroit's Greater Grace Temple
Have your own story or thoughts on the "New GM"? Let us know!
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with The BBC World Service, New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
Major funding provided by:
