In 1988, Judge Norman Lippitt sentenced Karen Kantzler to life in prison for killing her husband, who she said was abusive. Lippitt never imagined she would actually spend her life behind bars.
Judge haunted by 26-year-old conviction
Posted inMichigan Government
Conservatives seek to lead on prison reform
Republicans are rethinking the wisdom of “tough-on-crime” formulas of the past, as they eye alternatives to incarceration.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Texas conservatives to Michigan: Cut prisons now
Texas has shed its “throw-away-the-key” mantra for nonviolent offenders. Seven years ago, it invested in drug courts and community monitoring for low-level offenders. The result: crime is way down, so is recidivism. And the state has saved billions in prison costs.
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
Bug juice, canoes, lanyards, s'mores and summers that change lives
Summer camp isn’t just two weeks away from the city. It’s a time for children to learn new things, and learn about themselves.
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
Once vilified, Coleman Young deserves reconsideration
Time has put the former Detroit mayor’s reputation in perspective, 20 years after he left office, and sooner, if you were ever stopped by a STRESS unit.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Road funding stalls as state elections near
Republican lawmakers don’t want to be seen as supporting tax increases. Democrats want to blame Gov. Snyder for Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure. The result: a shortage of lawmakers willing to lead the charge for better roads.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Better roads boost economy, business groups say
Many in Michigan’s business community favor increasing fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees, saying crumbling roads make it difficult to do business, and attract new businesses and visitors to the state.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Why are Germany’s roads better? Or are they?
Michigan’s harsh winters and surrounding Great Lakes are difficult foes, even for roads built to German highway standards. But lessons abound
Posted inBusiness Watch
Searchable database: How bad are YOUR roads?
In the last eight years, roads have taken a pounding, with Michigan spending the least in the nation on road work. Use our searchable database to find the current condition of roads in your community.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Aging boomers are ready for their Encore
Blessed with better health, a longer life expectancy and the conviction that we can do anything we set our minds to, boomers can make significant contributions for the social good. One program shows how.