Category: Analysis
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Education Beat: Keiona Murphy settles in as Flint School’s assistant superintendent; aims to help district “move forward”
By Harold C. Ford Keiona Murphy has settled in to her new position as assistant superintendent of Flint Community Schools. Murphy was elevated from her interim status as assistant superintendent. Her salary of $114,954 is augmented by an additional $4,200 stipend. Her appointment on Feb. 9, along with other central administrators, was approved by a…
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Arbor Day means “Tree City USA” again for Flint, many new trees for Pierce Park
By Jan Worth-Nelson A dozen retirees from the College Cultural Neighborhood Association (CCNA) worked alongside a half dozen professional tree lovers more than half their age to celebrate Arbor Day in Pierce Park Friday. The day also marked the City of Flint’s 22nd year as a “Tree City USA,” a national designation of the Arbor…
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Flint honors “Heroines and Humanitarians” in sculptures at City Hall
By Paul Rozycki It’s been a long and winding road, but the sculptured busts of the six women honored as “Heroines and Humanitarians” have now found their way to a permanent home in the Flint City Hall. In a well-attended ceremony at Flint City Hall April 28, the statues of Claressa Shields, Edith Prunty Spencer,…
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Flint’s 200th anniversary of founding honored with premier of new musical work at May 1, 3 p.m. concert
By Tom Travis Michigan composer and Saginaw resident, Catherine McMichael was commissioned by the Flint Symphonic Wind Ensemble (FSWE) to compose a work commemorating the 200th anniversary of Flint’s founding in 1819. The work was intended to be performed in the 2020 season but due to the COVID shutdown the FSWE did not perform a…
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Public speakers plead with council to approve updated zoning ordinance
By Tom Travis A passel of young people from across Flint attended the last city council committee meeting to show their support and rally the council to approve the new proposed zoning ordinance. The new ordinance is expected to be on the council’s agenda the first week of May. In a nearly unanimous council response…
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Commentary: A critical look for critics of the 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory
By Paul Rozycki If there is any doubt that race plays a powerful role in American history, one only needs to examine the response to the 1619 Project from around the nation. Pulitzer Prize winning author Nikole Hannah-Jones, the creator of the 1619 Project, which explores American history through the lens of slavery and race,…
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Flint Repertory Theatre makes history with an LGBTQIA+ take on the world’s longest-running musical
By Tom Travis The Fantasticks, the world’s longest-running musical, is being produced by Flint Repertory Theatre this summer, June 3 to 19. But there is an unusual plot twist in the Rep’s production that will make theatre history: A fresh new rewrite with an LGBTQIA+ focus by the show’s original book writer and lyricist, Tom…
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Education Beat: Critical deadline approaches for Flint Schools; board triad hints Northwestern to be Flint’s high school campus; no criminal charges for Green
By Harold C. Ford In its recent meetings, the Flint Board of Education (FBOE) faced looming critical deadlines about staffing decisions and building closures, suggested Northwestern might become Flint’s one high school, and heard that former president Danielle Green, accused of assaulting board treasurer Laura MacIntyre, will not be charged. “We knew this day was…
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Fire Chief Ray Barton and Flint Fire Department grieve the loss of fellow firefighter John Stenger
By Tom Travis This story has been updated to include John Stenger’s obituary. – Editor In a somber and poignant moment during last week’s city council meeting, Flint Fire Chief Ray Barton shared, at the request of council, news of a recent untimely death of one of Flint’s long-time firefighters, John Stenger. In a hushed…
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AFSCME contract with seven to eight percent raise a “step forward and not a step backward” Mayor Neeley declares
By Tom Travis “This contract is a step forward and not a step backward,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said today, announcing a new negotiated contract between Local 1600 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the City of Flint. “This is the first negotiated contract since our city was deconstructed by…
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