How to fix the graduation rate and attendance woes of Detroit Public Schools?  Change the way we think about it would be a good starting point, said Rev. Jesse Jackson on “Michigan Matters” airing on WWJ-TV CBS Detroit.

Brandon Turner, 25 of Detroit was arraigned in court today on charges relating to a shooting this past weekend that injured six people.

An Ohio man was indicted on federal charges Friday morning on what authorities believe to be a racially motivated arson attack.

Our hearts were deeply saddened to hear that Dr. MaLinda Sapp (the wife of Pastor Marvin Sapp) made her transition on Sept. 9, 2010. Dr. Sapp, a wife, mother, co-pastor, first lady, professor and psychologist was loved by everyone and touched so many.

Victoria Woodyard Pickard, mother of William F. Pickard, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Mrs. Pickard had been a Michigan resident since 1955 when she and her husband relocated from Troup County, Ga. After her son, William, founder of Global Automotive Alliance, ushered Victoria into early retirement she continued to spread joy to friends and family. She dedicated her retirement years to caring for numerous siblings and family members, sharing her cooking skills, and serving on the usher board at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.

In a meeting with the Michigan Chronicle Editorial Board, Wayne County Circuit Court Chief Judge Virgil Smith vehemently disputed allegations made by Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano that the biggest offender in driving up the budget deficit over the years has been the courts.

In a Sacramento courtroom Monday, prosecutors asked the judge to delay Lakers’ forward, Matt Barnes’ arraignment to determine whether charges should be brought against him following his arrest last Wednesday.

There has been little conversation about education in the governor’s race between Republican Rick Snyder and Democrat Virg Bernero.

But that is expected to change Sept. 30 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the University of Michigan-Dearborn when some of the state’s leading education advocates put the education crisis before the gubernatorial candidates.

Education and business go hand-in-hand and Michigan cannot expect a sound economy without sound education policy that empowers tomorrow’s leaders, observers are saying.

“Michigan’s Education Crisis: Issues of the Next Governor” is the title of a forum featuring Carol Goss, president of The Skillman Foundation; Reginald Turner, member of the State Board of Education; Curtis Ivery, chancellor, Wayne County Community College;  Tom Watkins, former Michigan superintendent of education; and Daniel Little, chancellor, UM-Dearborn.

Bankole Thompson, Chronicle senior editor, will moderate the forum at UM-Dearborn Fairlane Center North – Quad E.  Admission is free.

The forum part of UM-Dearborn’s “Issues in Diversity and Social Change” lecture series will mark the first constructive discussion around education since the governor’s race began taking shape.

For more information, contact Ann Lampkin-Williams at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Update: A 15-year-old male was charged with assault this afternoon in connection with the Mumford High School shooting that took place on Sept. 7 that injured two students.

A revolutionary vaccine that offers hope for metastatic prostate cancer patients will be used for the first time in Michigan at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit in the coming weeks.