Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, speaking at a symposium on judicial election and selection at Wayne State University earlier this week, urged Michigan to change the way it chooses judges from an electoral system to one of merit-based selection as is done at the federal level. Michigan is one of 39 states that has elected judges rather than judges selected by legislatures and then given life tenure to insulate them from political influence. http://michiganmessenger.com/34629/oconnor-change-judicial-elections-in-michigan http://new.whtc.com/news/articles/2010/feb/10/justice-oconnor-calls-new-system-judge-selection/ http://www.record-eagle.com/statenews/local_story_041071029.html http://www.freep.com/article/20100209/NEWS02/100209027/1004/News02/Justice-OConnor-speaks-at-Wayne-State-event http://detnews.com/article/20100210/POLITICS02/2100361/Ex--Supreme-Court-Justice-O-Connor--Change-way-Mich--elects-judges http://www.metrotimes.com/blog/newsblawg.asp?perm=975

Crime, poor schools and a lack of employment are common themes Detroiters point to as reasons why more than 200,000 people have left the city in the past 10 years. Brian Raveau, 23, said he worries about his fiancée walking home at night from Wayne State University. "I've had a pleasant experience," he said about living near WSU where he also attends school. He said Detroit needs to create a better image to get people to want to move to the city. He said getting rid of abandoned buildings will help.

Law professor Peter Henning comments on unusual, heightened interest in GM stock. The company is privately held following the bankruptcy filing of its predecessor corporation. From almost record lows, the stock gained 37 percent in one day Friday. "This certainly has all the hallmarks of market manipulation, but it's very hard for the S.E.C. to prove," Henning said.