In the news

Revised African Town moves ahead

Frank Wu, dean of the WSU Law School and author of the book Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White, is quoted in a story about Detroit's African Town controversy. He points out that the controversy over the proposed business area is complicated and is a lesson in race relations. "It\'s become more than just black and white. It involves Arabs, Asians, Latinos and immigrants who might be black or white as well. It\'s about money and symbolism. And the process of bridge building will take tremendous time and effort and frustration. But it is absolutely necessary. Most importantly, non-black minorities have learned how important it is to reach out to African-Americans,\" Wu said.

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Dave Bing, President and CEO of The Bing Group, was the guest on \"Leaders on Leadership,\" co-produced by Detroit Public Television and the WSU School of Business Administration. The School of Business Administration\'s Larry Fobes, host of the program, and WSU students in the audience questioned Bing for leadership viewpoints from his college and professional basketball careers, his plans to grow his auto supplier firm to $1 billion/year revenue, and his community involvement.

Hepatitis C diagnoses rise; health cost concerns spread

More patients with the hepatitis C virus, the leading cause of liver failure, are turning up in doctors' offices across Metro Detroit with liver damage - a phenomenon likely to drive up health care costs. About 20 percent of persons with the virus will eventually need liver transplants, but "there\'s just not enough livers to go around,\" said Dr. Milton Mutchnick, head of gastroenterology at Wayne State's School of Medicine. \"It\'s really an epidemic here in Detroit.\"

Halloween fun shifts

A story about trick-or-treating on Halloween includes a comment from Charo Hulleza, managing director of Wayne State\'s Center for Urban Studies. She said the choice to trick or treat in affluent subdivisions where houses are close together is a market-driven choice. \"There is a perceived opportunity of maximum benefit from minimum effort,\" Hulleza said. \"And you will see parents from all sorts of communities facilitating this by driving (their children) around.\"

Hispanics testify before State Commission on Higher Education

Hispanic educators and community leaders testified before Lt. Gov. John Cherry's Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth at Wayne State on Oct. 18. Among those on hand to make presentations was Jorge Chinea of Wayne State's Center for Chicano-Boricua Studies. He cited findings from a report on the state Hispanic population published by the WSU Center for Urban Studies and the Skillman Center for Children. Andre Furtado, acting director of CBS, emphasized the importance of boosting Detroit's college completion rates across all ethnic and racial lines.