Obama speaks firmly to students and supporters at the U of M in Ann Arbor

President Barack Obama was on the stage for about 40 minutes at the University of Michigan for a speech Friday in front of thousands of students, touching on the need for making higher education more accessible and affordable. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us USA News Network)

ANN ARBOR (Tell Us USA) - President Barack Obama called Friday for an overhaul of the higher education financial aid system, warning that colleges and universities that fail to control spiraling tuition costs could lose federal funds.

The election year proposal was also a political appeal to young people and working families, two important voting blocs for Obama. But the initiative faces long odds in Congress, which must approve nearly all aspects of the president's plan.

Speaking to students at the University of Michigan, Obama said the nation's economic future would depend in large part on making sure every American can afford a world-class education.

"We are putting colleges on notice," Obama said. "You can't assume that you'll just jack up tuition every single year. If you can't stop tuition from going up, then the funding you get from taxpayers each year will go down."  

Tigers finalize $214 mil 9 year contract with 3 time All-Star, Prince Fielder

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms with first baseman Prince Fielder on a nine-year contract through the 2020 season.

Fielder batted .299 (170x569) with 95 runs scored, 36 doubles, a triple, 38 home runs and 120 RBI in 162 games with the Milwaukee Brewers during the 2011 season. He finished second in the National League with 38 home runs, 120 RBI, 107 walks and a .415 on-base percentage, while he finished third with 322 total bases and 

Detroit Children’s Museum reopens to DPS students

District explores options to reopen museum to the general public

DETROIT - Detroit Public Schools today announced that operations have resumed at the Detroit Children’s Museum, allowing DPS students to continue to experience and learn from the rich curriculum provided at the country’s third oldest children’s museum.

DPS, which owns the museum, has severed its 10-year services agreement with the Detroit Science Center to manage the museum. At the present time, federal funding restrictions preclude DPS from extending the museum’s services to non-DPS students or opening the museum to the general public. However, the district administration is exploring new partnerships and ways to raise funding that will allow the museum again to benefit all children. 

Evicted 101-year-old Detroit woman can't go home

DETROIT - The federal government now says a 101-year-old Detroit woman it promised could move back into her foreclosed home four months ago can't return because the building's unsanitary and unsafe.

Texana Hollis was evicted Sept. 12 and her belongings placed outside after her 65-year-old son failed to pay property taxes linked to a reverse mortgage and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development foreclosed on the home. 

College scholarships available to Detroit students through the Coleman A. Young Foundation

DETROIT - The Coleman A. Young Foundation (CAYF) is accepting applications for the prestigious 2012 CAYF Scholars Program. The Scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who are Detroit residents, attending a Detroit public, private or parochial school, a minimum 2.5 grade-point average and demonstrates financial need. 

iPhone, iPad app rewards being a couch potato

LOS ANGELES - Want to earn stuff by watching TV? A free app for that debuted Wednesday.

When you tap the screen, Viggle's software for iPhones and iPads listens to what's on, recognizes what you're watching and gives you credit at roughly two points per minute. It even works for shows you've saved on a digital video recorder.

Rack up 7,500 points, and you'll be rewarded with a $5 gift card from retailers such as Burger King, Starbucks, Apple's iTunes, Best Buy and CVS, which you can redeem directly from your device.

NAIAS 2012 closes with smiles, high-fives, and best crowds in six years

DETROIT - After a spectacular nine day run, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2012 is in the books. Today's attendance of 101,141 topped last year's final day numbers of 98,106, bringing total attendance of the 2012 show to 770,932, the highest since 2005.

Bill Perkins, chairman, NAIAS, said the show lived up to its reputation of being one of the top in the world.

Amid scandal, revered PSU coach Joe Paterno dies

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Happy Valley was perfect for Joe Paterno, a place where "JoePa" knew best, where he not only won more football games than any other major college coach, but won them the right way: with integrity and sportsmanship. A place where character came first, championships second.

Behind it all, however, was an ugly secret that ran counter to everything the revered coach stood for.

Verizon Wireless, 100 Black Men of greater Detroit and Detroit Urban League recognize Everyday Heroes

Call for Nominations Now Open

DETROIT—Verizon Wireless, 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc and The Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan today announced a call for nominations for “Everyday Heroes,” a program aimed at recognizing modern day heroes who make a difference in the community and who touch the lives of others. Everyday Heroes are the teachers, mentors, volunteers, clergy or family members who give of their time and resources in creative ways to effect change – either in the life of an individual, family, school or community.  

“Joyful Noise” will have you laughing and dancing in your seats

Tellusdetroit.com’s Entertainment Editor Karen Dinkins says it’s a powerhouse musical where Detroit represents.

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - “Joyful Noise” hits all the bases with outstanding performances, knee-slapping comedy and a story line that we can all relate to. This Gospel-musical, rated PG-13 features mega-stars Queen Latifah and Dolly Pardon. Director Todd Graff draws you into this entertaining journey by offering an authentic but not preachy movie and takes the edge off the drama by making us laugh.

9th Annual Winter Survival Radiothon for The Heat And Warmth Fund Hits the Airwaves January 27-28

31-hour Radiothon Plans to Raise $1.6 Million in Emergency Energy Assistance Funding for Struggling Michigan Families

DETROIT, MI – When colder temperatures arrive, many households face the danger of losing their heat and/or electricity entirely because they cannot afford to pay their utility bills. To help our neighbors in need keep the lights and heat on this winter, WWJ Newsradio 950 has once again teamed up with The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) to produce the 9th Annual Winter Survival Radiothon on January 27-28, 2012.

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Protesters tell DTE Chairman Anderson: Don't forget the 99%


Hundreds point up company’s tax breaks and salaries, and ask for compassion in utility shutoffs

DETROIT, MI – On Thursday, hundreds of residents stormed the headquarters of DTE Energy and demanded a meeting with DTE Energy Executive Chairman Gerard Anderson, citing the company’s high salaries and profits, zero taxes, and continued utility shutoffs despite the region’s economic challenges.

Shouting, “No more shutoffs!” and “We are the 99 percent!” Southeast Michigan residents, including members of Good Jobs Now, staked out DTE headquarters both inside and outside for more than 90 minutes early Thursday. After DTE security and Detroit Police officers arrived, seven ministers remained in the building and were willing to be arrested while the rest of the group took the protest outside.

Michigan Forward and Detroit branch NAACP call on Gov. Snyder to show transparency in PA 4 bill


DETROIT – On Monday, January 23, Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder received a letter from Michigan Forward and the Detroit Branch NAACP calling for greater transparency and accountability from the Governor’s teams conducting emergency management reviews in Detroit and Inkster. The letter mailed on Friday, January 20, 2012 cites alarming trends disenfranchising Michigan residents affected by financial mismanagement and resolving fiscal crisis. A copy of the letter is attached with this press release.

Detroit produced Powerbag is perfect recharging station for electronic devices on the go


LAS VEGAS, NV - We've all been in that situation when you are on the go and your treasured electronic - phone, iPad, computer - dies at the most inopportune time.

You aren't at an office or home so you can't just plug in to a wall outlet, but instead appear to be out of luck with no battery life remaining in your treasured iPhone 4S.

Major College Fair Targets African American Teens


DETROIT - With the holidays in the rear view mirror and the end of the school year in sight, parents turn their attention to exploring college options for their children. On Friday, February 3, 2012, from 6 pm to 9 pm, Second Ebenezer will kick-off its 15th annual College Fair with a Greek Step Show to be held at Second Ebenezer, 14601 Dequindre on Detroit’s east side. The college fair targets African American teens. 

BME Leadership Award winners receive a combined $200K to strengthen Detroit


DETROIT - Ten Detroit men – teachers, businessmen, writers and pastors – have been named winners of the BME Leadership Award, created to honor black men who step up to lead the community.

“The award shines a light on a truth about Detroit that we need to remember: there are thousands of black men in this city who choose to make it a stronger and better place to live for all of us,” said Trabian Shorters, one of the leaders behind the BME Challenge, which sponsors the award.  

"Red Tails" fly's into theaters with rave reviews


(Tell Us USA) “Red Tails” will open in local theaters on Friday, January 20th. If you haven’t already heard or read about this outstanding star studded movie that chronicles the heroic past of the proud, brave men of the Tuskegee Airmen Fighter Group you will. This action packed film is about courage, strength and pride. It has been the talk of the movie industry for months, and is finally in movie theaters. 

Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix visits the Auto Show to promote the June 1-3, 2012 event


DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Some of the top road racers in the world cruised into the Motor City on Friday, Jan. 20 meeting with media and fans at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center.. 

Free tax preparation for those who can't afford it


DETROIT - Members of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) will volunteer their tax preparation expertise to help low income individuals and families in Detroit as part of the Accounting Aid Society’s (AAS) 2012 “Tax Assistance Program”. The MACPA will once again participate in the AAS Adopt-A-Site program by preparing taxes at Focus: HOPE on Saturday, January 28, Saturday, February 4 and Saturday, February 11.