PFLAG Detroit celebrates 25th anniversary

The Detroit chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, a national non-profit organization comprised of more than 200,000 members, celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend with a dinner catered by the Ukrainian Cultural Center.

Tony DeOrio, president of PFLAG Detroit, said the evening acknowledges the organization's 25 years of keeping families together after a family member has come out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or intersex. "We've been a safe place for parents who don't know where to turn when their son or daughter has come out," said DeOrio. "When parents are hurt or confused and they want to understand their children, they can come to us …

Obama promises hoops in White House

Barack Obama sidestepped picking a winner in Sunday's NBA Finals game, but the basketball aficionado is ready to take a firm stand if he makes it to the White House.

"I hear there's a bowling alley and obviously that hasn't gone too well," Obama told comic Jimmy Kimmel in a satellite interview from Philadelphia on Sunday. "So we're getting rid of the bowling alley and replacing it with a basketball court in the White House."

Obama was referring to his disastrous attempt at bowling a few weeks before Pennsylvania's Democratic primary in April. The party's presumptive nominee for president is much more at ease on the basketball …

Hiatt and Colvin celebrate the finest singer-songwriter tradition

John Hiatt, Shawn Colvin

AT Charter One Pavilion

A double bill of folkie Shawn Colvin and rootsy, Americana-inspired troubadour John Hiatt might appear to be too similar apairing, especially with both scheduled to perform solo, brandishingonly acoustic guitars (and, in Hiatt's case, a keyboard on severalsongs). But Wednesday night at the Charter One Pavilion on NortherlyIsland, the two veterans played sonic counterpoints and unveiled, forthe midsized but adoring crowd, unique performing styles thatcomplimented and enriched each other's sets.

If Hiatt's almost two-hour show (he was the official headliner)was like a stiff drink of whiskey, burning as it went down …

Medical team to help with emotional issues caused by attack

As emergency workers sift through the wreckage of United Airlines Hight 93 in Somerset County, an eight-person team based at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center prepares to help repair the emotional and psychological damage the workers might suffer.

The center's Critical Incident Stress Management Team is one of several groups statewide being sent by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Although the scope of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is unlike anything he has ever witnessed, team coordinator Lee Groff said the team will use lessons learned in past experiences.

"We learn something from every incident," Groff said. "We learn more about ourselves and how to deal with …

Belgian pol shocked to get Norway shooter's email

BRUSSELS (AP) — A right-wing Belgian politician said Wednesday he was shocked and dismayed to learn he had been sent an email by the perpetrator of the Norway massacre shortly before a powerful bomb exploded in Oslo.

Tanguy Veys, a member parliament for the anti-immigration Belgian Vlaams Belang party, said Wednesday he had never met nor even heard of Anders Behring Breivik, who has admitted carrying out the bombing and shootings that killed at least 76 people in Norway.

So receiving the email was a setback, he said.

"I was connected with a terrorist act, and I didn't want to be connected with a terrorist act," Veys said.

The email, with Breivik's 1,500-page …

Stocks pull back in early morning trading

Stocks fell Friday after Google's profit failed to impress investors and a new housing report showed that the industry continues to struggle.

Concerns about rising costs at Internet giant Google Inc. more than outweighed stronger-than-expected earnings from General Electric Inc. and Bank of America Corp. Both GE and Bank of America say the economy is improving and loan losses are moderating.

The Commerce Department said housing construction rose to a 16-month high in March. However, construction of single-family homes, the most important segment of the market, fell. Economists are also concerned about continued hurdles in the housing market, like rising …

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Police have been beating African Americans and Hispanics foryears and nary a word was uttered. Now that white folks are gettinga taste, it is news. Go figure.

I'm so tired of same-sex couples being blamed for the downfall ofmarriage. How does me wanting to marry my partner threaten anyone'smarriage?

I only have one further question concerning Officer Abbate andthe beating of the female bartender. After being refused any morealcohol due to his intoxication, and beating up the bartender, didhe then go outside, get in his car, and drive home on the …