MITCH ALBOM

Marinelli decision obvious, but Ford fumbles bigger call

There is a time when firing the coach is enough. This is not that time. There is a case where promoting from within works. This is not that case. There is a team where modest changes can bring a winning season. This is not that team.

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BILL MCGRAW

Landmark Book Building to go dark

The Book Building represented the first piece of real estate in an early 20th-Century project to transform once-dowdy Washington Boulevard into Detroit's version of New York's Fifth Avenue.

DREW SHARP

Michigan State's Raymar Morgan finally sees light

There remains an imprint of Tom Izzo's foot on Raymar Morgan's back pocket, the result of three years of relentless prodding and challenging. It appears that Morgan finally got the message.

FREE PRESS CARTOONIST MIKE THOMPSON

Toyota's sales in the toilet

Looks like GM, Chrysler and Ford have company.

BRIAN DICKERSON

More than one way to sell a seat

If Chicago politicians have taught us anything, it's that there's a right way to sell a U.S. Senate seat and a wrong way.

SUSAN TOMPOR

IRS to cut taxpayers some slack

Last year was so miserable that even the Internal Revenue Service had to roll out a few breaks this tax season to give a hand to taxpayers who lost jobs, lost homes and faced other hardships.

ROCHELLE RILEY

Burris shouldn't have been put in limbo over Senate appointment

No U.S. senator should be treated this way. Yes, Roland Burris asked for trouble when he accepted a U.S. Senate appointment from an arrogant governor under investigation for trying to sell the seat to the highest bidder before giving it to Burris.

Book Building closure stirs memories

The Book Building -- for more than 90 years a Washington Boulevard landmark -- is empty and essentially shut down. The final tenant, the popular Bookies Downtown Tavern, had its last call Monday at 2 a.m. It was crowded, and some people got emotional.

FREE PRESS CARTOONIST MIKE THOMPSON

Auto sales slump

Move over GM, Ford and Chrysler, here comes Toyota.

SUSAN TOMPOR

Tax credits, tips for filing season

Douglas Shulman, the IRS commissioner, said today that the IRS wants taxpayers who are facing financial difficulties to understand all the available tax credits, as well as some additional breaks for those facing extreme hardships.

TOM WALSH

Car czar should be named now

This may sound pushy, or even panicky, but President-elect Barack Obama needs to name a car czar immediately to clear the air about the terms and conditions of federal aid to our quasi-nationalized automobile industry.

ROCHELLE RILEY

War on violence needs troops

The staff and supporters of Ford High School in Detroit are to be commended for their increased efforts to reduce violence at the school, site of the first killing at a Michigan school in eight years.

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MIKE THOMPSON'S BLOG

Toyota's sales in the toilet

MARK SNYDER'S BLOG

Soon-to-be U-M players hit the classroom before field

Michigan’s winter semester begins today and, according to the university directory, seven players in the recruiting class of 2009 will be enrolled.

HELENE ST. JAMES' BLOG

Chelios, Lebda will be in lineup tonight vs. Columbus

Update from the Red Wings' morning skate Tuesday: Mike Babcock said Chris Chelios and Brett Lebda will play tonight against the Blue Jackets.

RON DZWONKOWSKI

Michigan's great water debate

Did you know that Los Angeles, in the middle of a two-year water shortage, has 15 “drought busters” who patrol the city in white Toyota Priuses and can write tickets carrying fines of up to $1000 if they see people violating water rules? That could include anything from watering the lawn between...

RON DZWONKOWSKI

Safe and secure:are we?

Are we truly safer?

MATT HELMS

Driven crazy by roadway madness

In a perfect world, these behaviors wouldn’t happen. But they do, much to my daily driving dismay.

MIKE WENDLAND

Low-key CES, Macworld trade shows reflect economic tough times

The tech industry's two big winter gatherings open this week amid signs the recession and diminished demand for new gadgets are resulting in much lower-key affairs with fewer attendees and less glitz and glamor.

VINCE ELLIS' BLOG

Hamilton likely out vs. Blazers, Wallace may play

Shooting guard Rip Hamilton will likely miss his sixth game with a slight tear in his left groin when the Pistons face the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

FREE PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

Michigan's next best hope?

Perhaps Michigan's talk about becoming the epicenter of renewable energy is more than wishful thinking.

MARK SNYDER'S BLOG

John Beilein won't stress one game over another

Michigan coach John Beilein has spent his career living in the moment, focusing on the game at hand. And, despite the importance of Sunday’s win over Illinois and not starting 0-2 in the Big Ten, it was a philosophy he tries to preach to his team.

NICHOLE CHRISTIAN

Doesn't the U.S. Senate have bigger battles?

The writers of Saturday Night Live would have a hard time topping the comedy set to take place in the U.S. Senate this week between Majority Leader Harry Reid and Roland Burris.

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