A 12-year-old student's high-rolling ways may be making her popular with classmates, but less so with the police. They're just trying to get to the bottom of how she ended up at school Monday with a backpack loaded with cash -- a circumstance that Taylor's Chief of Police Mary Sclabassi told WDIV-TV was "extremely unusual." ABC News Radio reports that the young girl brought $20,000 to Sixth Grade Academy in Taylor, Mich. that day and was handing some of the bills out to her fellow classmates. After learning about the situation, the school's principal notified police.

Read more at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/12/20000-backpack-taylor-michigan-student_n_2862353.html?utm_hp_ref=detroit

An environmental group is taking action against an energy utility company they say is responsible for at least 1,400 violations of the federal Clean Air Act. The Sierra Club filed a lawsuit against Michigan's DTE Energy in regards to four Southeast Michigan coal-fired power plants on Tuesday in U.S. District Court, following a notice of intent to sue issued last fall.

Read more at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/12/michigan-air-pollution-lawsuit-dte_n_2860760.html?utm_hp_ref=detroit

Over the last four years, Eastern Michigan University has clearly stamped itself as the statewide leader in keeping costs down for its students while still reinvesting in key academic facilities and programs, President Susan Martin said Tuesday (March 12) in testimony before Lansing lawmakers.

During her appearance before the House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, Martin noted that affordability and accessibility have become synonymous with Eastern Michigan. She cited Eastern’s singular efforts in keeping tuition down, while arguing those efforts should be strongly noted in the funding formulas laid out in Governor Rick Snyder’s budget proposal.

Among President Martin’s key points on tuition:

•Eastern’s tuition has increased only $32 per credit hour or 2.86% per year over the last four years, which is the lowest increase among the state’s fifteen public universities.

• Eastern was a nationwide pioneer when it froze tuition, room, and board in 2010 with 0%, 0%, 0% increases. “We took this bold and unprecedented step because, in the midst of the global recession, we felt it was vital to keep higher education affordable and accessible to Michigan families,” Martin said.

• Eastern has also increased institutional financial aid by 78%, from $21.4 million to $38.1 million, over the last six years. The dramatic increase in funding supports scholarships and awards that supplement federal financial aid and private loans.

Martin emphasized that, in addition to keeping college affordable, Eastern is making the investments necessary to preserve its stated mission of “Education First” by undertaking key initiatives designed to meet Michigan’s workplace needs.

Those include opening a new graduate program in 2014 to train physician assistants, a rapidly growing field that pays high wages, along with Eastern’s Information Assurance program, which encompasses the scientific, technical, and management disciplines to ensure computer and network security. “The recent news of Chinese cyber attacks against our governments and American companies gives even greater urgency to this field of study,” Martin said.

The President noted that being accessible to a wide variety of students involves forging strong partnerships with Michigan’s community colleges. Eastern has more than 130 articulation agreements with community colleges that clarify the path to a four-year degree with 84 to 92 credits taken at the community college, saving students time and money.

Such efforts at limiting student costs and program development have resulted in increased enrollment and a higher number of graduates at Eastern. Over the last five years, enrollment has increased 7 percent, to 23,547 students from 22,027 in 2008. Last fall, Eastern enrolled its largest undergraduate class in history, with 5,076 students. The incoming freshmen class of 2,595 students was the largest in a decade, which represented a 21-percent increase from the prior fall’s freshman class.

In addition, 4,460 students are expected to graduate this academic year, representing a 9 percent increase over last year and nearly a 28-percent increase in just three years.

Martin cited the results of a recent market analysis by Deloitte, which identified 183 high-wage, high-growth occupations. Half of these occupations are in education and health care, while another quarter exist in positions reliant on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Eastern is preparing students in the high-wage, high-demand occupations in 72 percent of its bachelor’s degrees, 70 percent of its master’s degrees, and 84 percent of its doctoral degrees, Martin noted.

Meanwhile, Eastern maintains a leading role in administrative cost reduction efforts that help keep tuition low. In the past two fiscal years, the University has eliminated 111 administrative positions, which included forty layoffs, saving $5.6 million in wages and benefits. Eastern’s employees now share 20 percent of health insurance costs. Because of such efforts, Eastern received the best score this year in the state budget performance metric that measures a university’s spending on administrative overhead.

Martin said Eastern supports the Governor’s proposal to include performance funding and tuition restraint from 2013 in EMU’s appropriation for 2014, but strongly requested that any increase in funding be made permanent. She also applauded the proposed increase in total funding for higher education by $30 million, but added that, “far more is needed to support our students financially.”

“Eastern has consistently proven that we will reinvest the State’s resources in lower tuition,” Martin said.

Martin said EMU strongly supports the recommendation of the Business Leaders for Michigan group to add a performance metric that measures Pell Grants, which go to low-income students. She also recommended using overall degrees awarded as a performance metric instead of six-year graduation rates, which fail to take into account transfer students, including those from community colleges, along with veterans and career changers.

“Why are we using a metric that discourages universities from reaching out to veterans, punishes partnerships with community colleges, and is inconsistent with the Governor’s call for more a flexible and seamless learning system?” Martin asked.

Martin noted that keeping higher education affordable and accessible is personal for her. She grew up on a farm in rural Michigan and attended a one-room schoolhouse before earning a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and an MBA and doctorate in accounting from Michigan State University.

“I took a test in high school and the State of Michigan taxpayers funded a competitive scholarship for me that paid my tuition and fees,” Martin said. “Eastern is committed to working with the legislature to give the students of today and tomorrow the opportunity to work hard, earn a college degree, and become productive taxpaying residents of Michigan. Our role is to serve Michigan.”

A full copy of President Martin's testimony can be seen at http://www.emich.edu/president/ 

Advertising agency Campbell Ewald, which last week announced its decision to relocate its headquarters from Warren to downtown Detroit inside Ford Field, is in talks to pick up a major new client: Cadillac.

Crain's has been briefed on the matter by sources familiar with the situation, but who agreed to speak only on the condition of anonymity.

A deal has not yet been finalized and financial terms have not been disclosed, but the account for the General Motors brand is believed to be valued at about $244 million annually in media billings. No timeline has been disclosed.

Read more at http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20130311/NEWS/130319974/campbell-ewald-near-deal-on-cadillac-account-sources-say

Looking for a quality car? If you're planning on buying American, you've got quite a couple of neat options.

Consumer Reports has released it's latest list of "Top American Cars". Who's at the top? Chevy wins big. After being dubbed by the publication as the "best of the best" brand, the automaker placed in several categories.

Budget car: the Chevrolet Sonic LT sedan

Compact car: Chevrolet Cruze Eco, Ford Focus SFE

Midsized sedan: Ford Fusion Hybrid

Green car: Toyota Prius, Chevrolet Volt, Ford C-Max hybrid

Small SUV: Ford Escape Titanium

Midsized SUV: Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia

Sports sedan: Cadillac CTS

Luxury car: Chrysler 300

Sports car: Ford Mustang V6, Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan

The company with the most profits parked overseas is General Electric, according to a new Bloomberg analysis of 83 corporations. GE said in a Feb. 26 regulatory filing that it was holding $108 billion in profits overseas as of the end of last year. That is up from $102 billion a year before. GE said in the filing that it reinvested most of these profits in foreign business operations and does not intend to bring those profits back to the U.S. The practice of holding profits overseas has been highlighted as a strategy to avoid paying taxes. GE paid no U.S. taxes at all in 2010, according to The New York Times -- an allegation GE spokesman Seth Martin called "untrue" in an email to The Huffington Post Monday. GE did not comment on the $108 billion in profits overseas.

Read more at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/11/general-electric-taxes_n_2852094.html?utm_hp_ref=detroit&ir=Detroit

Yesterday's historic conviction of former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick sent city residents in a tweeting frenzy. Taking to social media to express their thoughts on the verdict, Detroiters created a whirlwind of response. Quickly making #kwame a trending topic, some expressed profound disappointment while others celebrated what they consider justice being served. 

Some individuals have made a huge mockery of the entire situation, posting "poke fun" images be better suited for Instagram. Others carried a theme of "Free Kwame", expressing their support through planned parties and even t-shirts. 

What many believe is Detroit's "trial of the century" has been a long-standing case. It is one that lasted over a span of five months and fifteen days of deliberation. The jury found Kilpatrick guilty of 24 counts, including racketeering, mail fraud, extortion, wire fraud, tax evasion charges and bribery. 

The former mayor is no stranger to social media himself, though his profile was noticeably silent following his conviction. During the trial, he directly responded to friends and fans, expressing gratitude for their support.  

Kilpatrick's last tweet under the handle @KwameandFamily was made on Saturday, Mar. 10 just two days before returning to court to learn his fate.

His account might remain frozen for a while, but people in Detroit and across the country are sure to continue expressing their opinions in the days following the monumental conviction.  

Follow Britney Spear on Twitter @MissBritneySp

It took a jury more than two weeks of deliberations to settle on judgments in the federal case charging former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick with running a criminal enterprise out of City Hall. After months of trial, the eight women and four men were responsible for determining his guilt on 30 charges, as well as charges levied at Kilpatrick's contractor friend Bobby Ferguson and the ex-mayor's father, Bernard Kilpatrick.

Read more at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/11/kwame-kilpatrick-corruption-_n_2854957.html?utm_hp_ref=detroit

 Barbara McQuade, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, whose office prosecuted one of the largest public corruption cases in Detroit’s history that was dubbed “the Kilpatrick Enterprise,” that resulted in a guilty verdict by a federal jury today, told journalists at her office this afternoon that there are some pending corruption cases including the Detroit Pension Board, Detroit Public Schools and the Detroit Public Library.

       McQuade, flanked by the prosecution team that included her deputies, FBI, IRS and EPA agents, said the verdict against former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, his longtime friend Bobby Ferguson and Bernard Kilpatrick should send a message to public officials that they will be held to the highest standard their office requires.

      “Although this investigation spanned many years, this case is not about the past.  It is about the future.  This verdict has sent a powerful message that corruption will not be tolerated in this community,” McQuade said. “The people of Detroit deserve better and expect better.  Candidates should seek public office to make a difference, not to make money for themselves."

      McQuade, using harsh words, said Kilpatrick looted Detroit and that the case is about the future for those who are called to service in any capacity.

      Mark Foley, Detroit FBI special agent in charge, said, “The FBI led Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force worked tirelessly to pursue and prosecute individuals associated with a criminal enterprise run for years out of the Detroit Mayor's Office.”

      According to Foley, “Due to the scope and complexity of the investigation, it was imperative to make sure no corners were cut and no stone was left unturned. With this conviction, the public can be reassured that no corrupt activity will be left unchecked. No violation of the public's trust will go unpunished. The citizens of the state of Michigan and in this case the city of Detroit, deserve and expect the highest quality of government, and we remain

dedicated to ensuring they receive it.”

      Eric Martinez from the Internal Revenue Service said it was painstakingly difficult to bring all of the elements together.

      “We worked very hard with our revenue auditors. This was a case about following the money,” he said, and they did just that.

      Richard Weber, chief of Criminal Investigation at the IRS, said, “Corruption at any level diminishes the hard work and dedication of the thousands of elected officials and government employees who are dedicated to providing honest services to the American public.”

      He added, “IRS-CI stands committed to weed out individuals who ignore the public's well-being and choose to take the path to financial success by using greed and corruption. Mr. Kilpatrick attempted to conceal his public corruption by failing to report to the Internal Revenue Service his illicit receipt of hundreds of thousands of dollars. When elected officials disregard their sworn oath because greed has clouded their judgment, let this case serve as a reminder that no one is above the law and everyone is accountable for their misdeeds.”

      McQuade said it is unlikely the federal government will prosecute the former mayor’s sister, Ayanna Kilpatrick, or his ex-mistress, Christine Beatty, even though they were tied to the case. She cited government resources and the complexity of the cases that come before them.

      In the Kilpatrick-Ferguson verdict she said, “We expect the sentencing to be significant,” and that federal prosecutors will look at similar cases around the country before recommending a sentence.

      McQuade cited the trial of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich who received 14 years in federal prison. 

I recall almost a decade ago when former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick at the height of his powers walked up to me at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and asked “Can a brother get a good word from you?” My response was, “Mr. Mayor, give me something good to write about.”

Apparently, the mayor was concerned that he wasn’t getting favorable press from the media and that journalists like myself and others were too critical of his administration, and thus he needed a break. This morning, standing in front of the federal courthouse in downtown Detroit waiting for the historic verdict in Kilpatrick’s corruption trial, I could not help but recall all of my interactions with the man who once wielded so much power that anyone close to him was to be avoided.

When the verdict came in rendering the former mayor guilty on 24 counts and his longtime friend Bobby Ferguson guilty on nine counts of racketeering and extortion, the most serious charges, it ended an important chapter in Detroit’s history. His father, Bernard Kilpatrick, was found guilty on one tax charge. Plain and simple, the Kwame Kilpatrick era has officially ended and now Detroit must move on to the next chapter, and we will know this week if that chapter will mean the era of an emergency manager. Kilpatrick had so much potential when he first took office and because of political power and hubris, wasted that potential.

In 2004, Kilpatrick was a keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Boston with then Sen. Barack Obama. Years later, Obama went to the White House and Kilpatrick sunk into insurmountable legal troubles that now will send him to prison for a very long time. How quickly things change and to see history come full circle in this way is a big loss for Detroit because the former mayor was talented but decided to use his talents for something other than upholding the public trust.

The level of arrogance since the Kilpatrick scandals began that the former mayor displayed was unbelievable. Even when his mounting legal troubles began he arrogantly told the news media, “Detroit, you’ve set me up for a comeback,” hoping to be vindicated from all his issues that were at the center of the public corruption trial. Our elected officials should be held to a higher standard, and the lesson here from the Kilpatrick verdict from a very diverse jury is that those who swore to uphold public trust must do so diligently.

This case will go in the annals of history as one of the most riveting trials in public corruption. The diverse jury, which included African Americans and a Hispanic, sent a strong message: No more business as usual in Detroit