My Michigan Connection

UM traffic hack exposes the Internet of things

2014-08-22T12:50:00.000-04:00

"The Michigan road agency's devices were all on the same network using commercially available radios. The protocol they used to communicate was proprietary but similar to the Wi-Fi we use in our homes. The connections were unencrypted, and the devices used factory-default usernames and passwords. Using one of the radios — which it assumed an able hacker could obtain with a bit of subterfuge — the Michigan team got onto the network and gained access to the controller. It was able to slow down or speed up light changes, freeze the state of the intersection indefinitely, and even turn the lights green along the route of a hypothetical getaway car. The malfunction-management units prevented it from turning on four conflicting green lights, but the team could send all the lights on the network into blinking-yellow mode, which could only be exited manually by workers at every intersection."

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John Conyers appeals to Obama over water shutoffs

2014-06-28T14:52:00.000-04:00

At the Detroit News -

"The water department, responsible for about $6 billion of Detroit’s $18 billion in debt, is a major issue in the city’s bankruptcy. Earlier this year, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department said it would be more assertive about delinquencies. About 46,000 shut-off notices were sent last month and service to about 10 percent of that number was recently cut.

Conyers, who also sent letters to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell and city water department Chief Executive Sue McCormick, specifically asked for some of the $200 million available to the state through the federal Hardest Hit Fund. He also urged an “immediate end to the shutoffs” and the designation of a public health emergency that would be “eligible for direct federal relief.”

There was no immediate response from federal officials."

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Report: Higher taxes helped Minn. economy outpace Michigan

2014-06-28T14:29:00.000-04:00

This item reported at Crain's Detroit Business on June 16, 2014

"Higher taxes — including those on business — are the key to Minnesota's economic good fortune in recent years, according to a report issued Monday by Michigan Future Inc. that takes an in-depth look at why our neighbor state has so outpaced Michigan in economic fortune since 1990.

For example, in 2012 Minnesota ranked 11th in the U.S. with per capita income of $46,227, the highest in the Midwest, while Michigan was 35th at $37,497. The difference was $8,730. In 1993, the difference favored Minnesota by just $555.

Other key statistics? As of last December, unemployment in Minnesota was 4.6 percent, the ninth-lowest in the country. Michigan had the fourth-highest, at 7.3 percent. And in 2012, Minnesota had a poverty rate of 11.4 percent, compared with 17.4 percent in Michigan."

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Nearly 1 million small businesses open in Michigan

2014-06-18T21:50:00.000-04:00

At Crain's Detroit Business -

"Nearly 1 million small businesses operate in Michigan – accounting for nearly half of the state’s private employers.

To be precise, Michigan has 856,273 firms with fewer than 500 employees, according the Small Business Administration’s annual state-by-state look at small business in America. The data, released today, looks at the demographics and lifecycle of these firms from 2010 to 2013.

“Michigan’s small businesses contribute so much to the state’s economy,” said Winslow Sargeant, the SBA’s Chief Counsel for Advocacy. “No one can doubt the significant role small businesses play in our economic landscape.”"

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Grand Rapids Griffins - Detroit signs Blashill to new three-year contract

2014-06-04T15:35:00.003-04:00

Post by Grand Rapids Griffins.

5 flavorful Michigan breweries worth the drive

2014-06-04T15:25:00.000-04:00

Posted at The Freep -

"For many Michiganders, summer and beer go hand-in-hand. Drive through Mitten towns on any given summer weekend, and you’ll likely spot folks sitting on their front porches, sipping on the cool, flavorful drink.

Michigan, of course, has endless top-notch choices when it comes to craft beers and Michigan-made brews. In fact, our state is currently fifth in the U.S. in the number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, according to Pure Michigan."

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Visas for Detroit? Unprecedented plan to repopulate ailing city

2014-05-14T17:52:00.001-04:00

From Examiner.com via Franklin Center -

"Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has opened an Office for New Americans, with the goal of luring foreign workers and overseas capital to pump up the Motor City. The once-bustling metropolis of 1.85 million people has shriveled to 701,000, and falling.

Detroit’s unemployment rate officially is 8.3 percent, but tops 15 percent when accounting for residents who have quit looking for work. The city perennially ranks as one of the worst job markets in the country.

“For decades, Detroit has watched its manufacturing jobs exported overseas while suffering fiscal mischief at the hands of corrupt city officials,” said Dane, who grew up in the city now going through bankruptcy."

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Red Wings' top prospect Anthony Mantha leads his team to the QMJHL title, spot in Memorial Cup

2014-05-14T17:33:00.000-04:00

From MLive -

Detroit Red Wings top prospect Anthony Mantha again showed why he was the most valuable player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Mantha scored with 52 seconds remaining in the third period Tuesday to lift Val-d'Or to the QMJHL championship with a 4-3 victory over Baie-Comeau in Game 7.

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Lawmakers split on upfront payment to help settle Detroit bankruptcy

2014-05-06T15:40:00.000-04:00

At The Freep -

"The city of Detroit's latest bankruptcy exit plan, released Monday, calls for the state of Michigan to contribute $194.8 million upfront toward the settlement, rather than $350 million over 20 years, as originally proposed.

In Lansing, where bills to provide for the payment are expected to be introduced this week, some lawmakers said Tuesday the revised plan could make approval of the state money easier, while at least one believes the opposite is true.

The state money would be part of a “grand bargain” under which foundations and philanthropists and the Detroit Institute of Arts have also pledged about $466 million to minimize the impact of the bankruptcy on city of Detroit retirees and prevent a sell-off of DIA artwork."

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Special Mustang marks 50th anniversary

2014-04-16T17:17:00.000-04:00

From The Detroit News -

"Ford Motor Co. today will unveil a limited-edition 50th-anniversary Mustang pony car.

The Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition, modeled on the Mustang GT fastback, will be limited to 1,964 — in honor of the year the car was introduced — and will come with nearly every available option.

“We wanted to provide our most dedicated fans with the emotion of the original Mustang in a 21st-century car,” said Ford executive chairman Bill Ford Jr. in a statement ahead of the reveal at the New York International Auto Show. “With this 50 Year Limited Edition, I believe we have accomplished our goal.”"

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Ted Lindsay donates $1 million for autism program at Beaumont

2014-04-02T20:12:00.000-04:00

The story from The Detroit Free Press -

"The foundation of Detroit Red Wings great and Hockey Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay is donating $1 million to the Beaumont Health System to help children with autism and their families.

Beaumont announced today that support from the Ted Lindsay Foundation will expand and create a new facility for the Hands-On Parent Education Center, which offers services for families of children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders.

“It’s not just the child that has autism. It’s the whole family that has autism,” Lindsay said in a released statement. “It’s not a one-person thing.”"

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6 things to know now about the landline phone bill signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

2014-03-26T18:39:00.000-04:00

From mLive -

"Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 636, which makes it easier for a company to stop traditional landline or "plain old telephone service" in an area. The bill stirred up controversy as senior citizens, led by AARP Michigan, fought the bill over concerns that residents would be left without reliable access to phone, medical alert and alarm services. "AARP remains concerned that some people could be left without affordable, reliable phone service when this bill takes effect," spokesman Mark Hornbeck said in an email after the legislation passed the House. "Also, it does not provide the consumer protections that are in current telecommunications law.""

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Arrest warrant issued for Anita Baker for contempt of court over unpaid bill

2014-03-23T19:19:00.000-04:00

Reported at The Detroit News -

"Songbird Anita Baker could wind up a jail bird.

A Wayne County Circuit judge has issued an arrest warrant for the eight-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter.

Judge Annette Berry on Wednesday authorized a bench warrant for Baker’s arrest for contempt of court, according to court records."

Red Wing owners pledge $12.2M to clear up Joe Louis Arena issues

2014-03-18T16:23:00.000-04:00

Today at The Detroit News -

"Olympia Entertainment would pay nearly $12.2 million in rent and other considerations to settle any claims the city has against it as part of a new lease for Joe Louis Arena, the Red Wings home that will be demolished after a new hockey arena is built near lower Midtown.

The revelations came in a proposed lease agreement that the city of Detroit circulated Tuesday to City Council members for the 34-year-old arena and its parking garage. The new lease — to replace the original 1978 lease that expired July 1, 2010 — would require rent of $1 million a year and requires council approval by the end of the month.

The lease deal — part of the proposed new $450 million multipurpose arena and surrounding $200 million in development projects in another part of downtown — also depends on approvals needed by April 1 from the Red Wings owners and the Detroit Downtown Development Authority."

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Bond insurer says Detroit knew better when it agreed to $1.4-billion debt deal in 2005

2014-03-17T20:42:00.000-04:00

Over at The Detroit Free Press -

"One of the major bond insurers that backed a controversial debt Detroit took on during the Kilpatrick administration asked the federal judge overseeing Detroit’s bankruptcy Monday to allow it to intervene in the city’s legal bid to wipe out the debt.

In January, Detroit sued in bankruptcy court against two quasi-legal subsidiaries called service corporations and two trusts created by the city and its two pension funds to handle a complex deal brokered in 2005 and 2006.

That arrangement slashed Detroit’s unfunded pension liabilities but later backfired and was called one of the bigger factors pushing the city into bankruptcy."

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Red Wings' offensive cold spell continues against Blackhawks

2014-03-16T22:35:00.002-04:00

At The Detroit News -

"The Red Wings aren't scoring enough goals to win games.

It's probably to be expected considering the personnel they don't have in the lineup, but it's costing them in the playoff chase, and did again Sunday, losing 4-1 to the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Red Wings have scored three regulation goals in the last four games – in which they've gone 1-3-0. The victory was a 2-1 shootout win over Edmonton.

With the loss, the Red Wings dropped three points behind the New York Rangers (36-29-4, 76 points) for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Washington (74 points) leads the Red Wings by one point – though the Red Wings do have two games in hand on both teams."

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Spartans 69, Wolverines 55: Michigan State dusts Michigan to win Big Ten tournament

2014-03-16T18:53:00.000-04:00

Reported at MLive -

"Life doesn't always give you another chance to right your wrongs, to get back what you once lost. But Sunday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Michigan State got that chance. The Spartans gripped the moment and threw it down with a windmill dunk, beating the No. 8-ranked Wolverines 69-55 to win the Big Ten tournament title. The celebration of their title -- the schools' fourth overall and second in three years -- was a cathartic mix of pure joy and sweet relief. After all the injuries, the February losses and a regular-season sweep at the hands of the Wolverines, Michigan State was able to cut down the nets."

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Recycling Detroit's building past: How do you save bricks, wood from landfills?

2014-03-16T15:29:00.001-04:00

From the Freep -

"The bricks, wood and other valuable building materials are there for everyone to see on many of Detroit’s 80,000 blighted houses.

But a major unknown as the city gears up to raze all of those structures in just six years is how effectively the city and its partners can salvage and recycle the material."

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Ford Fund to award $1M in auto design scholarships in honor of William Clay Ford Sr.

2014-03-14T21:38:00.001-04:00

Reported at Crain's Detroit Business -

"The philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Co. will award $1 million in automotive design scholarships over the next 20 years in honor of William Clay Ford Sr., the former company vice chairman and last surviving grandson of founder Henry Ford who died Sunday.

The Ford Motor Co. Fund will award five automotive design students $10,000 per year each under the William Clay Ford Automotive Design Scholarship that commemorates the late Ford’s design legacy, the fund announced today.

Ford was design committee chairman of the company’s policy and strategy committee from 1957 until his retirement in 1989; he died at age 88 of pneumonia Sunday morning at his home. His son, William Clay Ford Jr., is executive chairman of the Dearborn-based automaker."

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Jay Leno donates $10,000 to Gilda Radner's charity

2014-03-13T23:55:00.001-04:00

Saw this at The Detroit News -

"Not only did Jay Leno produce laughter during a stand-up appearance in Grand Rapids, he also produced some cash.

The former “Tonight Show” host ended his headlining set Wednesday night during an annual festival of laughter by announcing a $10,000 donation to Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. The organization is named for comedian Gilda Radner, who died in 1989 from complications from ovarian cancer."

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Red Wings want Teemu Pulkkinen to unleash his rocket shot in NHL

2014-03-13T23:50:00.000-04:00

From the Detroit News -

"Pulkkinen (5-10, 185 pounds) scored 51 points (26 goals, 25 assists) in 60 games with Grand Rapids, leading the Griffins (second among AHL rookies).

Pulkkinen leads all AHL rookies in goals (26), shots (175) and with a plus-20 rating.

But it’s that shot -- that cannon of a shot that some scouts were comparing to Brett Hull’s during Pulkkinen’s draft year -- that will be interesting to see against NHL competition."

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U.S. Rep. John Dingell 'resting comfortably' after heart procedure in Detroit

2014-03-13T13:45:00.000-04:00

From The Detroit Free Press -

"Retiring U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the longest-serving member in Congress, is “resting comfortably” after undergoing a minimally invasive procedure to correct a heart problem today at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, his office has announced.

“He recently developed atrial fibrillation, and the procedure (sought) to find the source of the abnormal heart rhythm and correct it,” according to news releases today. “He plans to leave the hospital tomorrow and will have a light workload during the upcoming district work period. He plans to return to work as Congress reconvenes on the 24th.”"

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Red Wings retaining playoff hopes despite their many injuries

2014-03-11T21:01:00.000-04:00

This posted by Terry Foster at The Detroit News -

"The Red Wings are down five centers after Joakim Andersson said Monday he could miss two weeks with a broken left foot.

That’s bad news for the Red Wings, who are in a heated battle to make the playoffs. Only six points separate the No. 3 seed Canadiens from the out-of-the picture Red Wings (77-71), but including those two, there are 10 teams between 67 and 77 points.

That’s why Detroit’s game Tuesday night in Columbus, which has the No. 8 spot, is huge. Both teams have 71 points with 18 games remaining, but the Blue Jackets (whose game with the Stars was postponed on Monday) own the tiebreaker."

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Masonic Temple won't be sold, judge rules in dispute with ex-management firm

2014-03-11T20:53:00.002-04:00

Reported at The Freep -

"A judge has dismissed a former management company’s attempts to force a sale of the Masonic Temple.

In an order filed this morning in Wayne County Circuit Court, Judge Leslie Kim Smith granted partial summary disposition in favor of the Masonic Temple’s owner, Masonic Temple Association of Detroit, and an affiliated company, 450 Temple, against claims by ex-management company Halberd Holdings that it was entitled to purchase the iconic venue. The court action appears to be the most significant development since dueling lawsuits were filed in 2012 and 2013 in the ugly legal battle involving the iconic concert venue."

Barnes & Noble's Royal Oak store to close next month, but 8 other area stores to remain open

2014-03-11T19:44:00.000-04:00

Reported at Crain's Detroit Business -

"The downtown Royal Oak Barnes & Noble store will close April 5, but store managers at eight other metro Detroit locations said today they will remain open.

David Deason, vice president of development for New York City-based Barnes & Noble Inc., confirmed to Crain’s in an emailed statement the closing of the Royal Oak store at 500 S. Main St.

Barnes & Noble operates more than 1,300 retail and college bookstores, including 21 in Michigan. Other metro Detroit stores, which will remain open, are in Allen Park, Ann Arbor, Grosse Pointe Woods, Northville, Rochester Hills, Shelby Township, Troy and West Bloomfield Township."

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