In 2024, Khalil Al-Hajjal became deputy editorial page editor of the Detroit Free Press. Optimistic yet realistic, Al-Hajjal dissects complex politics—and his own thought process—in a personal, digestible way that gives readers a perspective on Detroit, its Arab American community, and the politics and politics that shape our world. And sometimes the Detroit Lions. The partridge offers hope in a world where despair is easy.
At my Arab-American parents’ dinner table, we discuss the Trump-Harris vote
“The expansion of absentee voting in Michigan has created a new tradition for my family — before each election, we get together after Sunday dinner, pull various endorsements and voter guides, discuss races, and each one casts a ballot.
“Under normal circumstances, it would not be difficult to choose a presidential candidate.
“These are far from normal circumstances.
“For many Arab Americans, the presidential race represents an agonizing decision, made increasingly impossible by the expanding US-funded war in Gaza and Lebanon that is getting bloodier, continues to expand in scope and carnage, and continues to be broadcast live on social media. In excruciating detail “And he continues to creep closer and closer to the Syrian villages from which my family immigrated in the seventies.”
Read the full column here
I learned how Michigan’s energy regulation works. What you should know about DTE Energy quote requests
“I’ve spent the last two weeks combing through thousands of pages of… Case files In judging DTE Energy Latest price increase requests.
“And this is what I learned:
A 10th straight year of rate hikes seems inevitable, but DTE likely won’t get the full amount it says it needs to fund a five-year plan to reduce power outages by 30% and outage times by 50%.
“The process of discussing interest rate increases is astonishing, admirable and questionable.
“The terminology is infuriating.
“The amount of effort and mental strength that goes into testifying back and forth is amazing.”
Read the full column here
Detroiters enjoy the best of fireworks night, but they deserve more
Part of the fun of fireworks night in Detroit is finding the right spot to enjoy the view.
Families set up chairs and grills on every street corner within viewing distance as there is any bit of daylight between the buildings and trees toward downtown Detroit and Windsor. …
It’s hard to know exactly where the fireworks will go off before the show begins, and many end up with just a squinting view of the overhead bursts of light.
Crowds gather downtown, of course, at Hart Plaza, Spirit Plaza and outside Belle Isle, the only official viewing areas the city offers. The Belle Isle channel reached capacity just after 6 p.m. Monday, hours before the show began.
Meanwhile, most of Detroit’s riverfront parks, many sparkling with recent renovations, remain empty during Ford’s fireworks show, under police guard.
It’s been that way for years now, and for residents of the neighborhoods surrounding those parks, it’s infuriating.
Read the full column here
Winning Isn’t Easy: Letting Go of a Losing Identity as a Detroit Lions Fan
“My father tried to protect me from him.
“I was always frustrated and always pessimistic.
“Forget it. They don’t deserve it,” he whined.
“I felt very disloyal. He was very spoiled. Like the Grinch, who ruins Christmas every Sunday.”
“But he was trying to keep me from investing too emotionally in me Detroit Lions The team that wasn’t fully equipped to win.
“And he was right. Almost every time. For decades.”
“yet.”
Read the full column here
Are Michigan lawmakers afraid of open records laws? Their actions speak for them.
“Cheese.
“If this Legislature fails, once again, to make the FOIA complete, this will be the only explanation.
“Weakness.
“Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act gives residents access to documents created by elected or appointed government officials doing taxpayer business, for a taxpayer dime. FOIA laws give anyone the right to request emails, contracts, recordings, employee records, and travel expenses And anything else records from any Michigan government office, from the town treasurer and local water board to the district attorney and secretary of state.
“But Michigan remains the only state in the country that provides the governor’s office with an explicit exemption from the public records law.”
Read the full column here
