Category Archives: News

Modern-day segregation: How vouchers keep the poor out of rich neighborhoods (The Ann Arbor News)

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, MI — Courtney Vesey’s 30th birthday dinner was leftovers she pulled from the fridge and ate standing alone at the kitchen counter. There was no cake. She spent the quiet mid-December evening with her boyfriend, Mike Ponds, and her four kids. Romeiro, 12, Marcquise, 11, and Ramone, 8, watched cartoons in the backContinue reading “Modern-day segregation: How vouchers keep the poor out of rich neighborhoods (The Ann Arbor News)”

LGBTQ students at Christian colleges refuse to choose between sexuality and faith (MLive)

The pastor’s booming voice filled the Spring Arbor University chapel as he grew more passionate, testifying to students about the power of prayer. “I don’t have the time to tell you the history of those who have come to our church transgender and given their heart to God and changed,” the visiting pastor said duringContinue reading “LGBTQ students at Christian colleges refuse to choose between sexuality and faith (MLive)”

Dying for success: Anxiety driving teen suicide rate to record high (The Ann Arbor News)

By Lauren Slagter and Martin Slagter ANN ARBOR, MI – With tears streaming down her cheeks, Elise Boyd crept down the hall to kiss her brother goodbye in his bed, knowing that in a few minutes she would swallow enough pills to kill herself. Her plan was in place for weeks. The 14-year-old had storedContinue reading “Dying for success: Anxiety driving teen suicide rate to record high (The Ann Arbor News)”

Undocumented Ypsilanti valedictorian: ‘I want a bright future’ (The Ann Arbor News)

YPSILANTI, MI — Diana was one face in a sea of black-and-gold gowns and caps gathered for Ypsilanti Community High School’s commencement ceremony the evening of Tuesday, June 7. Diana, the Class of 2016’s valedictorian for Ypsilanti’s STEMM Middle College, draped honors cords, an Upward Bound stole and more than half a dozen medals fromContinue reading “Undocumented Ypsilanti valedictorian: ‘I want a bright future’ (The Ann Arbor News)”

‘We have to tell this story,’ says father of transgender child (The Ann Arbor News)

ANN ARBOR – Jacq Kai Tchoryk and Sydney Tchoryk giggled Saturday as they chased each other around the sunny backyard of their family’s home in a well-kept cul-de-sac northwest of Ann Arbor. Their father, Pete Tchoryk, emerged from the house late that afternoon with an aluminum bat and bag of baseballs. Sydney, 10, turned cartwheelsContinue reading “‘We have to tell this story,’ says father of transgender child (The Ann Arbor News)”

Woman’s death calls into question 911 dispatch practices (Kokomo Tribune)

Kokomo firefighters took 13 minutes to respond to a medical emergency happening less than one mile from the station on July 1, after Howard County 911 Communications dispatchers sent them to the wrong address. In the meantime, the woman who made the 911 call because she was having difficulty breathing died. Firefighter Kurtis Reed, whoContinue reading “Woman’s death calls into question 911 dispatch practices (Kokomo Tribune)”

A fine line between church and state: Eastern Howard School Corp. acknowledges Christian influence within public school district (Kokomo Tribune)

Eastern Howard School Corp. acknowledges Christian influence within public school district GREENTOWN – It’s there in the group of student athletes gathered before school each Wednesday to read the Bible together. It shows up when the elementary school student of the month is recognized for his “strong personal faith” as well as his classroom performance.Continue reading “A fine line between church and state: Eastern Howard School Corp. acknowledges Christian influence within public school district (Kokomo Tribune)”