Grand Marshall Mrs. Dorothy Kennedy surrounded by children at the Letts Community Center during a press
conference about the parade and
festivities.

Photo by Michael Jennings

LANSING, MI – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation that offers a Michigan income tax credit to individuals who make in-kind food donations to food banks, food pantries, and homeless shelters as part of a matching program with a participating food retailer.

 Presidential hopeful turns down request to sponsor car in Sprint Cup series

                    _{Obama seen with Governer Granholm}

AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE MORE OFTEN TARGETED BY PHONE FRAUD - Learn the steps to recognize and report a scam. Many types of fraud start with a phone call.  Do you know who's calling you?

It feels good when someone shows appreciation for something that you have done. A simple gesture of gratitude can promptly put a positive spin on an otherwise mediocre day. I have always felt that positive reinforcement goes a lot further than any negative feedback. I do understand sometimes someone might have to just break it down to brass tacks. That may be necessary but uncomfortable, however if done skillfully it can still be a favorable transaction. I believe that you would agree that being positive is good. Am I wrong?  

Studio:     Sony Pictures (90 min.)
Plot:     A misunderstood superhero turns to the help of a PR agent to improve his image.
Cast:    Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron
Rating:     PG-13
Bottom Line:     **1/2

Reading is Fundamental:  Tim Wong, who's a former student of Marilouise Smith-Mays visited her recently.  Mays specializes in teaching adults how to read or improve their reading skills. Photo by Quincy Allan Hodges

MICHIGAN -- Michigan has had more than its share of economic hardships in recent years, but when Michigan voters were asked the biggest economic problem facing their family, the cost of fuel trumped everything. Gas prices have risen to $4.15 across the nation. 

Is Eddie Murphy getting tired of the Hollywood grind? While plugging his upcoming film "Meet Dave," due in theaters July 11, the actor told "Extra's" Tanika Ray that he may leave movies for good and return to his roots on stage.      

LANSING, MI - Ken Wyniemko was convicted of a rape he didn't commit in 1994. Wyniemko was freed from prison in 2004, after spending 9 years locked up.   The results of DNA test of a cigarette butt and semen stained nylons showed that it didn't match his DNA.  Although, Wyniemko professed his innocence, he was convicted of rape and burglary.   A court appointed attorney assigned to Wyniemko's case had less than a week to prepare for his defense.  The jury also heard from a jailhouse informant who was spared a life sentence for his testimony that Wyniemko confessed.  Even though the victim was blindfolded and the attacker wore a ski mask, she said she was certain that it was Wyniemko.  A judge exceeded the sentencing guidelines because Wyniemko didn't show remorse and sentenced him to 40 - 60 years in prison.

Dr. Judi Brown Clarke, Silver Medalist in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California

Before you sign on the dotted line, check it out before you check in:
 
Would-be travelers are spending  thousands of dollars to take advantage of travel deals that didn’t exist.

One company was also ordered to pay $70,000 in restitution to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.

When I was eight I remember my mother walking into the kitchen where I was sitting and announcing, “This is my week to be mean.” Nothing else. I was utterly confused. I understood the parent child relationship that every week, no everyday, had the potential of mom being mean. What made this week any different than any other? Being at that age I did not get the connection when she made that announcement about once a month. I would just politely get up from where I was hearing that announcement and send myself to my room. If mom was going to be mean I was not going to be the one to bring her there.

LANSING, MI  -- Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Don Koivisto has announced that Michigan-grown tomatoes are not associated with the current Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak and have been declared safe to eat by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Michigan has been added to the FDA’s “safe to consume” list available online.