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Phoebe Wall Howard Detroit Free Press Published 10:52 p.m. UTC Jun 21, 2018 Ford said Thursday that the public open house at the Michigan Central Station this weekend is booked to capacity and it had started a waiting list for the tour. More than 20,000 people are expected to visit the train depot on the western edge of Corktown. Ford announced its purchase this month of the 1913 train depot from the Moroun family, under whose ownership the 18-story Beaux Arts structure became a vandalized symbol of Detroit's demise.  The purchase, with Ford aiming to make the station the centerpiece of a two-acre Corktown campus for advanced automotive development, has prompted an outpouring of pride and emotion, and is seen as the biggest step yet in Detroit's rebound.  The depot will be open for free tours Friday-Sunday for a look at the historic building's past and what Ford calls "a glimpse into an exciting future." Scheduled hours are 1-6 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday … [Read more...] about More than 20,000 sign up for Detroit train station tour; it’s booked

David Jesse Detroit Free Press Published 10:53 p.m. UTC Jun 21, 2018 For more than a week, lawmakers, students and alumni excoriated Michigan State University Interim President John Engler.  Two MSU board members even called for him to step down. But on the eighth day, Engler issued an apology, saying he was sorry for attacking a Larry Nassar survivor in an email and saying she was taking kickbacks from an attorney involved in suing the university. That appears to be enough to save his job, even though it did little to quiet the howls of protest on social media. “John’s apology for the comments contained in an April email that was released last week is appropriate and appreciated by a majority of the Board,” said Brian Breslin, chairman of the MSU Board of Trustees. “The majority of the board believes Interim President John Engler has played a significant leadership role developing our new approaches and has been a driving force in the rapid … [Read more...] about Michigan State board after John Engler apology: His job is safe

Christina Hall Detroit Free Press Published 10:51 p.m. UTC Jun 21, 2018 Federal prosecutors called them bribes. The defense called them loans. But it took a federal jury just over an hour Thursday to decide that they didn't buy the loan argument, convicting former Clinton Township Trustee Dean Reynolds of 14 bribery counts in a widespread federal corruption probe that started in Macomb County and took down a trash empire. Reynolds, who was accused of taking bribes that included cash, a free divorce lawyer and a trip to Disney World,  is the first person to stand trial in the probe that has netted more than a dozen guilty pleas and the sentencing of former trash kingpin Charles Rizzo, Jr. Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon welcomed the verdict but said he was shocked to learn from trial testimony that the township's longtime planning director was involved in the scheme but never charged. He said the planning director has been placed on leave. Reynolds … [Read more...] about ‘Shakedown artist’ Dean Reynolds guilty in Macomb corruption probe

Orion Sang Detroit Free Press Published 11:01 p.m. UTC Jun 21, 2018 The University of Michigan athletic department projects a $2.5 million surplus for the 2019 fiscal year. Athletic director Warde Manuel presented the department’s operating budget for the 2019 fiscal year at Thursday’s Board of Regents meeting. The department projected the surplus based on operating revenues of $187.8 million and operating expenses of $185.3 million. The university also announced that based on preliminary results, it expects to finish the 2018 fiscal year with a surplus of approximately $2.5 million, which is well above the projection of $2.0 million that was given last year. The department stated this year's “favorable operating outcome” is due to higher than anticipated preferred seating contributions, revenues related to the football team’s participation in the Amazon documentary series "All or Nothing" and licensing revenues. More: Warde Manuel: John … [Read more...] about Michigan’s athletic department projects $2.5M surplus for fiscal 2019

Helene St. James Detroit Free Press Published 10:58 p.m. UTC Jun 21, 2018 DALLAS — This NHL draft figures to be especially significant for the Detroit Red Wings, who hope to use it to speed up their rebuilding efforts.  The Wings hold 11 picks in Friday and Saturday’s seven-round event at American Airlines Center, four of them within the first 36 selections. They have the sixth overall pick, a spot that gives them access to high-end defensemen and high-scoring forwards in what is considered a deep draft year. Tyler Wright, the team’s director of amateur scouting, estimates he’s scouted the players projected to go in the top 50 in double-digit figures. Other team hockey operations personnel, including Ken Holland, Kris Draper, Ryan Martin and a dozen amateur scouts have logged many miles and hours preparing for this weekend.  “We have to get it right,” Wright said. “There is no room for error and we are aware of that. … [Read more...] about Detroit Red Wings ‘have to get it right’ in draft crucial to rebuild

Orion Sang Detroit Free Press Published 10:55 p.m. UTC Jun 21, 2018 After a flirtation with the Detroit Pistons, John Beilein believes he’s meant to finish his career as the head coach of the Michigan basketball team. U-M athletic director Warde Manuel echoed that belief. Speaking after the university’s monthly Board of Regents meeting Thursday afternoon, Manuel said he was “very relieved” Beilein is back at Michigan. An extension appears imminent, as Manuel says a new contract will be done as “soon as we can.” “This process started for me in April after the season ended,” Manuel said. “For me, I look forward to putting everything on the dotted line, dotting all I’s, crossing all the T’s and putting our signatures to a contract." Read more: Why Jalen Wilson may be perfect for John Beilein, Michigan Manuel was adamant Beilein didn’t use his discussions with the Pistons as a bargaining chip during contract … [Read more...] about Warde Manuel: John Beilein didn’t use Michigan as contract leverage