The Design Observer Group on Wednesday posted the first of a three-part essay written by Jerry Herron, dean of the Irvin D. Reid Honors College. In the essay, titled \"Borderland/Borderama/Detroit,\" Herron explores Detroit\'s unique place -- somewhere between city and non-city.

Law professor Jocelyn Benson commented in a story about yesterday's Michigan State Supreme Court decision, in which a divided court ruled that insurance companies can use customers\' credit scores to set rates for automobile coverage. Benson, who is also the Democratic nominee for Secretary of State, called the ruling "a bad decision for Michigan drivers."

President Obama said that investments made last August in the development of advanced battery and electric drive projects, which include new education and workforce training programs at institutions such as Wayne State, are paying off. Obama said that the United States could have as much as 40 percent of the world's advanced battery market by 2015, up from only 2 percent a few years ago.

Law professor Peter Henning commented in a story about a murder case that was dropped Tuesday by a Fresno County (Calif.) judge after learning that authorities destroyed key evidence.

Wayne State technology principal and E2 Challenge program administrator Eric Strief and Sebrina Shields, a special education graduate student, were guests on the Craig Fahle Show, where they discussed the E2 Challenge, which will support three teams of up to two WSU students in their efforts to explore the potential of their own business ideas.

Jewish News publisher Arthur M. Horowitz questions Wayne State's decision to uphold the Wayne State University Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity Award, in light of her recent remarks that were denounced as anti-Semitic. Horowitz does mention that the school has been at the forefront of promoting diversity and inclusion on and around its campus and the region. He cites as an example a recent Chaldean-Jewish young entrepreneurs\' forum at Wayne State\'s TechTown. http://djn.pressmart.com/JN/JN/2010/07/08/index.shtml (Subscription Access)

Law professor Bob Sedler was a guest on the Paul W. Smith Show, where he fielded questions from listeners about immigration law.

An article on the tuition increases at Michigan's public universities mentions Wayne State's lower than expected increase of 4.4 percent for in-state undergraduate students.

Wayne State law professor Peter Henning commented about a case involving a Brighton lawyer, Ron Plunkett, being charged with aiding and abetting the delivery of heroin which resulted in a death. Plunkett's trial, delayed by an appeal that marked the first significant challenge to the new law which allows for charging him with the same offenses as the seller, is now scheduled for November. Henning says the Michigan Supreme Court ruling that upheld the law was so broad that anyone who buys drugs could be charged with the same offenses as the seller.

Brazeal Dennard, a Wayne State graduate and former part-time faculty member, died Monday at the age of 81. Mr. Dennard was a longtime music teacher with the Detroit Public Schools who became the district\'s music supervisor. But he was perhaps best known for the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, a group of vocalists who performed African-American spirituals as well as contemporary music written by African-American composers. It is the oldest organized chorale group in Detroit. http://www.detnews.com/article/20100705/METRO/7050385/1409/metro#ixzz0sv6fyoIY http://www.freep.com/article/20100707/ENT04/7070309/1039/Ent04/Brazeal-Dennard-Chorale-founder-preserved-spirituals

Wayne State researchers are taking part in a study to assess whether aspirin can not only prolong life but help provide a life free of physical disability and/or dementia for healthy older people. The study, Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly, is the largest international trial ever sponsored by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health.

"Picturing Hemingway's Michigan," written by Michael Federspiel, is a compilation of Hemingway family photos and other glimpses into what northern Michigan was like in the early 1900's. Published by Wayne State University Press, the 200-page hardcover book was released in May.

Urban planning professor and SEED Wayne director Kami Pothukuchi participated in a first-of-its-kind urban farming summit at the University of Michigan Dearborn in March. Pothukuchi describes SEED Wayne's new Detroit Fresh project which pairs local growers with corner grocers in communities where residents lack access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Wayne State University medical school researcher Dr. Bengt Arnetz heads a five-year study, funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health. The $2.6 million study of post-traumatic stress among Iraqi war refugees in the Detroit area will track Iraqi refugees who have been exposed to war in their native land. It will look for the effects of employment, language classes and mental and social services in reducing stress and trauma. Arnetz says it\'s the first such look at a random sample of immigrants starting from when they arrive in their new country. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-bc-mi--iraqrefugees-traumastudy,0,3658816,print.story http://mms.tveyes.com/Transcript.asp?StationID=2160&DateTime=7%2F4%2F2010+10%3A13%3A42+PM&Term=wayne+state&PlayClip=TRUE http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/07/26m_us_study_looks_at_stress_a.html http://www.wndu.com/michigan/headlines/97761919.html http://www.q13fox.com/news/nationworld/sns-bc-mi--iraqrefugees-traumastudy,0,3279689.story http://mms.tveyes.com/Transcript.asp?StationID=999&DateTime=7%2F5%2F2010+5%3A36%3A57+AM&Term=wayne+state&PlayClip=TRUE http://mms.tveyes.com/Transcript.asp?StationID=2985&DateTime=7%2F5%2F2010+5%3A37%3A02+AM&Term=wayne+state&PlayClip=TRUE

A Youth Theatre Intensive Day Camp will run July 12 to 16 at Wayne State. All classes and workshops, including acting, scriptwriting and directing, will be taught by actors, writers and directors from metropolitan Detroit. Registration information is provided.

Wayne State\'s Detroit Orientation Institute and local nonprofit Inside Detroit are accepting applications for a one-day summer session July 21. The fee is $250 for \"Understand Detroit: Past, Present and Future.\" Registration, rates and contract information are provided.

Wayne State law professor John Mogk was a guest on "Am I Right or Am I Right" featuring a discussion on an August property tax renewal ballot measure. Mogk said that probably there is no more important issue that will come before the voters this fall than the smart transportation system millage proposal included in the ballot measure. "We can\'t look forward to keeping businesses and being a world-class region economically unless we have a transit system," Mogk said.

Wayne State University\'s Mel Small, distinguished professor of history, is noted as the source for a Detroit Free Press quiz on the U.S. presidents.

Padmaja Rao, assistant director of career services at Wayne State University, commented in a story about job prospects for Michigan's college graduates. Rao said more companies were showing interest in hiring graduates for full-time and part-time jobs, as well as for paid and unpaid internships.

The Wayne State University softball staff was named the Division II Midwest Regional coaching staff of the year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The staff was led by head coach Gary Bryce, associate Pat Kent and student assistant Sarah Berry. The Warriors were 52-13 last season and won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Association title.