Topic: Michigan

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Focus Big Three automakers, reinvented, eye consumers worldwide

GM, Ford, and Chrysler have reinvented themselves in the years since the Great Recession almost spelled the demise of two of the Big Three automakers. Their 'transformative' evolution puts them in a position to compete globally.
Focus Lower wages now at Big Three automakers, but new hires aren't whining

A sixth-generation GM worker is delighted to have landed a job at the US automaker, even if her wages and benefits don't hold a candle to what her own father made there. Such jobs, it seems, are still prized.
Energy Voices JPMorgan Chase accused of rigging energy markets

JPMorgan Chase developed schemes to sell electricity at falsely attractive prices in Michigan and California, according to The New York Times. The market manipulation could result in JPMorgan Chase receiving penalties from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Opinion US intervention in Syria must be legitimate in eyes of international law (+video)

Israeli air strikes on Damascus and the conflicting reports on the use of chemical weapons (sarin gas) may complicate President Obama's decision on intervention in Syria. The US must consider the international laws of war before taking any action.
Immigration reform: When is family reunification also 'chain migration'?

Immigration reform legislation promises expedited reunification for millions of families awaiting visas, but critics caution that the overhaul could also produce uncontrolled 'chain migration.'
Teenagers, social media, and terrorism: a threat level hard to assess

Authorities are leaning more toward zero tolerance of teenagers who fling around online threats about acts of violence or terrorism. As a result, what might have once merited a slap on the wrist may today result in criminal charges.
Cover Story Dow at 15,000: What the stock market is telling us

As Wall Street posts a new record, experts decode its message about the state of the economy – and whether it's too late to invest.
747 crash mourned: Video of Americans killed in Afghanistan

747 crash mourned: US families mourned the deaths of seven Americans in a 747 cargo plane crash in Afghanistan. New video adds information about the crash.
Reader recommendation: The Fine Print

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.
Energy Voices Prague blast: How big a threat are natural gas explosions? (+video)

An explosion in Prague follows by a day a blast in France, both thought to linked to natural gas. Big natural gas blasts like the one in Prague are rare in the US, but more could be done to avoid them, experts say.
Immigration reform: While Congress debates, Supreme Court stays clear

With the White House and Congress working on immigration reform, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Alabama and let stand a finding that the state's statute was preempted by federal law.
Pot smokers can be fired, Colorado court rules

Pot smokers can be fired even if it was used for medical purposes and off duty. While marijuana use is legal in Colorado, appeals court says pot smokers can still be fired because the drug is still barred by federal law.
In Gear Obama administration to add 10,000 hybrids for 'green' government fleet

The Obama administration plans to add an additional 10,000 hybrid vehicles to its fleet of roughly 200,000 cars and trucks, Voelcker writes. Currently hybrids make up 5 percent of the government fleet.
Colorado court rules marijuana smokers may be fired

Medical and recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado, but federal law says employers can lawfully fire workers who test positive for the drug, ruled a Colorado appeals court Thursday.
White House all but sure Syria used chemical weapons – but needs to be sure

Since August, President Obama has laid down use or transfer of Syria’s chemicals weapons as a 'red line.' The White House letter puts the US closer to acknowledging such a line has been crossed.
Along the Mississippi, river views trump flood protection

Mississippi floods don't have the impact today that they had during the Great Flood of 1993, thanks to better flood walls and levees and thousands of flood-plain homes converted to green space. But in some river towns, flood protection is a non-starter.
Cinnamon challenge: MDs warn teens, 'Don't take it' (+video)

The cinnamon challenge, a dangerous teen prank shown in You Tube videos, has led to a surge in calls to poison centers. Doctors advise teens not to get involved in the cinnamon challenge fad.
Boston Marathon bombing: the blame game begins

Just days after the Boston Marathon bombing, the political maneuvering and blaming have begun. Some lawmakers fault the FBI for not following up on intelligence about one of the alleged bombers. Others want to prosecute the surviving suspect as an enemy combatant.
Midwest sees record floods, road closures, runaway barges, and evacuations

After a week of torrential rains, six Midwestern states are struggling with massive flooding. Two Mississippi River bridges and part of the river have been closed as the waters continue to rise.
Decoder Wire Ricin roils Washington: How dangerous? (+video)

Preliminary tests indicate that letters sent to President Obama and to Sen. Roger Wicker (R) of Mississippi were laced with the potentially deadly poison ricin. They were postmarked Memphis, Tenn.
McDonald's settles lawsuit over false 'Halal-friendly' food claim

McDonald's has agreed to pay $700,000 in a lawsuit brought by members of Michigan's Muslim community. The group claims that a Detroit-area McDonald's falsely advertised food as prepared according to Islamic law.
Chapter & Verse World Book Night US: Washington, Michigan, and New York attract the most volunteers

As World Book Night approaches again, a list of rankings shows where volunteers – who give away free books on April 23 – are most heavily clustered in the US.
To reinvigorate Republican Party, tea party takes page from Occupy

Tea party activists have come up with 10 bills that they call the New Fair Deal – a nod to ending special interests in D.C. The plan includes privatizing Social Security and replacing Obamacare.
How Chuck Schumer plays the congressional chessboard

The New York Democrat, though often a fierce partisan, represents a particular breed of dealmaker on Capitol Hill who combines policy understanding with an intuitive knack for legislating.
Aurora Borealis tonight? Dazzling northern lights forecast

Aurora Borealis tonight? Yes, New York, Pennsylvania, and parts of the US Midwest could see a rare spectacular aurora borealis light show tonight, based on the forecasts.