Just the News with Kevin Dietz: November 19,2021

Death threats, Trillions in spending, Chronic school absenteeism, Succession nightmares and the release of an imprisoned journalist.

Kevin Dietz is on WJR 760 AM Radio M-F from 9am to Noon. Listen live to WJR

Receive a free copy directly sent to your email by subscribing today.

The highlight of the week by far was the release of journalist Danny Fenster who was locked up for 6 months in a Myanmar prison for working with news outlet the new regime did not agree with. While some reporters give little thought to the freedom of speech that allows them to do the job they love, some brave journalists put their own personal safety on the line to find the truth. Danny was locked up and convicted of bogus charges. He was sentenced to 11 years hard labor and still faced additional terrorism charges. Congressman Andy Levin represents the district where Danny’s mom, dad and brother live. He got to work trying to figure out a diplomatic solution to bringing danny home to south east Michigan. Ultimately former U.S diplomat Bill Richardson negotiated his freedom. We spoke with Congressman Levin Hours after Danny’s release.

The lowlight of the week was word that elected officials were getting death threats after voting in favor of the infrastructure deal. I have had death threats made against me and I assure you they are a big deal. They put fear in your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Threats are uncalled for and those who make them should be found and punished. I spoke with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell who shared horrifying tales of death threats made against her. She told her story to support other law makers being threatened including her friend Congressman Fred Upton.

The big news of the week was the passing of two of the largest spending bills in the history of this country. According to polls most Americans are in favor of investing in this countries infrastructure. Many are also skeptical that middle class taxpayers will get stuck with the bill. President Biden signed the 1.2 trillion dollar infrastructure bill this week and I got very different reactions from each political party. Democratic U.S. Senator Gary Peters and Republican Congressman Bill Huizinga could not feel any more differently about the legislation. Listen to both and then you decide. The president was in Detroit to talk about the bill and drove in the new EV Hummer truck. A pretty cool visual no matter what your politics.

Troubling news from Detroit School Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti who reports that 57% of kids are chronically absent. He says covid quarantines has exasperated the problem of keeping kids in school but the real culprit is poverty. If kids do not have transportation or have to stay home and take care of family members because mom or dad are at work that is a problem. The social conditions connected to keeping kids out of school need to be examined and remedied. We cant just say throw are hands up in the air when you have 57% of students chronically absent. We have to do better.

Show me the money! Baby boomers are ready to retire but many of their kids do not want to run the family business. There will soon be so many companies for sale that those retiring wont profit much from their life work. A good succession plan takes 2-3 years and most company owners are not thinking that far in advance on how to make the most from selling off the business. R J King of D Business talks about a smart read in this months addition.

Click the buttons below to listen to interviews. If you like this, please share it .

Thanks!

Kevin

Congressman Tim Walberg / M 7 on the house passing the social spending build back better bill.

U.S. Senator Gary Peters on President Biden visit to Detroit and passing of the infrastructure bill.

Bill Huizinga / M 2on on President Biden visit to Detroit and passing of the infrastructure bill.

Debbie Dingell / M 12 on her and Fred Upton getting death threats over infrastructure vote.

Dr Nikolai Vitti / Detroit Superintendent of schools on chronic absenteeism and a shortage of staffers.

Andy Levin / M 19 on the release of imprisoned journalist Danny Fenster.

R J King / Editor D Business Massive transfer of wealth is taking place and if you don’t have a succession plan your business may not survive.