Topic: Flint (Michigan)

Should states pay bonds to knock down buildings?

Two Ohio Members of Congress have introduced a bill to allow states to issue tax-exempt bonds to demolish buildings, which is a bad solution to a serious problem of urban development.

Trayvon Martin: the crime of being black, male, and wearing a hoodie

Whatever happens to neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, the dialogue on race must go on. Media perpetually associate criminality with black males. Legislators criminalize black dress. And the criminal justice system disproportionately penalizes black men and boys.

Iran's high court dismisses death sentence against American

Iran's supreme court threw out a death sentence Monday against Amir Mirza Hekmati, an Iranian-American convicted of spying by a lower court and sentenced to be executed.

Newbery, Caldecott winners: Jack Gantos, Chris Raschka take the top prizes

Award-winners Jack Gantos and Chris Raschka both wrote stories based on real-life incidents.

Oklahoma, Alabama, Joplin: Why we're seeing so many tornadoes and superstorms

The superfunnels that hit Tuscaloosa, Ala., in late April and Joplin, Mo., on Sunday, are generated by storm systems whose journeys across the country are slowed by a roadblocked jet stream.

Local jobs: Top five cities leading the turnaround

Last year, these five metropolitan areas were struggling economically with unemployment above the national average. By February 2011, however, they were among the fastest recovering cities in the United States, most of them with unemployment rates below the national average of 9.5 percent. Here’s a look at these Top 5 fast-recovery cities:

Black History Month: 7 great books for teens

From gritty memoir to evocative fiction, these stories offer powerful lessons about race in America.

Most dangerous city survey names St. Louis, Camden, Detroit

Most dangerous city: The annual rankings are based on population figures and crime data compiled by the FBI. Some criminologists question the findings, saying the methodology is unfair.

Top 10 banned fashions

Most of the time we use the phrase "fashion police," we don't mean it literally. But in many places around the world, your sartorial choices can get you fined, imprisoned, or worse. Here is our list of the top 10 banned fashions.

Hurricane Katrina anniversary: Can New Orleans' new mayor revive the city?

Mitch Landrieu wasn't mayor of New Orleans when hurricane Katrina hit. But he is now, and at the five-year Katrina anniversary, residents are looking to him to move the city forward.

Elias Abuelazam serial stabber case befuddles experts

Criminologists say the serial stabber may be a hybrid criminal: someone who is motivated by the grievances of a mass killer but uses the tactics of a serial killer. Police arrested Elias Abuelazam in Atlanta Wednesday.

Runaway Toyota Prius: Feds say they can't explain

Federal government officials said they can't explain why a Toyota Prius suddenly accelerated last week.

Cities, not just banks, are pursuing foreclosures, too

Desperate for revenue, more cities and counties are proceeding with tax foreclosures when residents fall several years behind on their property taxes.

Hoop houses extend urban farmers' growing season

Urban farmers can extend the growing season several months in fall and spring with hoop houses, a variation of greenhouses.

Movie review: 'Capitalism: A Love Story'

Michael Moore's amorphous, told-you-so attack is short on remedies.

Karate class combines martial arts and gardening

Teens take a break from practicing karate moves to tend to an urban garden.

Jobless? Here are 10 zany opportunities.

What the future of the auto industry will look like

Surging demand for cars in rapidly growing nations will mean a robust car industry in 20 years. The US will have a piece of it – though smaller than today – and the models it turns out will be much greener as the iconic industry reinvents itself.

Bulldoze the 'burbs?

For 'leaner GM,' which workers are the fat?

The impact will spread beyond the industrial Midwest to employees in states like Florida, Delaware, and Virginia.

A Rust Belt city tries to shrink its way to success

Youngstown, Ohio’s groundbreaking plan for revival collides with recession and hard choices about neighborhood survival.

Obama’s rapid rise to eminence

He’ll make his speech in Denver Thursday as the first African-American to win his party’s nod.

Vacant homes spread blight in suburb and city alike

Amid housing bust, foreclosures vex communities trying to hold dereliction and crime in check.

Ferrell turns court jester in 'Semi-Pro'

The comedian applies his antics to the basketball world of the 1970s for a movie where plot takes a backseat to skits.