Sarah Hulett

Bad Bets, Costly Promises Put Detroit On The Brink Of Bankruptcy

Sarah Hulett — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:33:00 +0000

The state of Michigan is taking over its largest city's finances. Washington, D.C., attorney Kevyn Orr's job is to reverse a death spiral in Detroit, brought on by an eroding tax base, and years of unwise financial decisions — like promising generous retiree benefits with money that wasn't there, and a pension financing deal that backfired in a big way. Now, massive debt service that threatens the city's ability to provide even a modicum of services.

Can Detroit Be Saved?

Sarah Hulett — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:05:00 +0000

Detroit is broke. On Friday, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced the state will take over the city's finances.

"It is time to say, we need to start moving upward with the city of Detroit," he said.

But the question on many people's minds is whether state intervention will be enough — and whether the more ominous and painful scenario of municipal bankruptcy can be avoided.

Adding Up The Debt

Just how far gone is Detroit?

An Urban Tree Farm Grows In Detroit

Sarah Hulett — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:45:00 +0000

An entrepreneur says he's got a plan to curb urban blight in parts of Detroit. He's buying up acre after acre of abandoned lots and planting thousands of trees. But where backers of the plan see a visionary proposal, critics see a land grab.

Entrepreneur and Detroiter John Hantz, owner of Hantz Farms and the tree-planting effort called Hantz Woodlands, wants to plant at least 15,000 trees on about 140 acres.

Racial, Regional Divide Still Haunt Detroit's Progress

Sarah Hulett — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:36:00 +0000

For many years — perhaps even decades — Detroit has been the poster child for economic malaise.

Students Say They've Been Denied The Right To Read

Sarah Hulett — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 23:18:00 +0000

Eight Detroit-area public school students returning to classes this week are plaintiffs against a school system they say has failed them.

Their families and the American Civil Liberties Union say that the Highland Park school system has denied the students the right to learn to read, and that the state has a responsibility to fix that.

Michelle Johnson has five children in Highland Park schools.