News@noon: Over too soon, living with lead
Today is Friday, April 22, 2016, and we're coming off a rough one. Yesterday, the world lost an incredible artist. There's no doubt Prince’s purple reign is over too soon. But there's been plenty of celebration of his life and his music. What was your favorite Prince song? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @detroitnews
Another thing that's over too soon? The Red Wings playoff run: The Lightning finished them off in Game 5. And to make it worse, this might be the last time fans will see Pavel Datsyuk in a Wings uniform.
Oh and the Tigers lost, too.
So let's pull ourselves up and get ready to take on a new day. Here's what's making news right now:
Living with lead
- The number of Detroit children under age 6 with elevated levels of lead in their blood has dropped by more than half in the last six years. Despite the dramatic decrease — outlined in a new lead report compiled by Detroit’s Health Department — officials say there’s more work to be done.
- Children in Detroit remain four times more likely to have elevated blood lead levels than children in the rest of the state, according to the 15-page April 2016 report.
A Bashara bombshell
Handyman Joseph Gentz for the first time publicly described in detail Thursday how he killed Jane Bashara at the behest of her Grosse Pointe Park businessman husband. It was the latest surprise bombshell in a case full of them.
With great responsibility comes great compensation
- General Motors Co. Chairman and CEO Mary Barra’s total compensation of $28.59 million in 2015 grew nearly 77 percent from the year before, mostly due to a one-time stock option grant aimed to retain senior executives.
- As columnist Daniel Howes points out, lately the best product GM is delivering is performance.
- Meanwhile, GM's former vice chairman Steve Girsky, who helped turn the company around following its 2009 bankruptcy, is retiring from the board of directors.
The final fight
- A fight in a high school restroom involving several female students ended with the death of a 16-year-old sophomore Thursday, authorities in Delaware said.
Coach faces charges
- A former high school swim coach faces criminal charges and has lost his job after allegations of inappropriate sexual contact between the man and a student, according to the Allen Park School District.
Landmark climate deal
- More than 170 countries are lining up to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change today as the landmark deal takes a key step toward entering into force years ahead of schedule.
Weekend fun
- It's Friday, so it's time to figure out what you are doing this weekend!
- It's a fantastic time to find a new favorite restaurant. The scene in Metro Detroit is blooming with options. Here are some details on what local culinary leaders are up to.
- It can send shivers through the bravest of us: using color in our decor. So get some advice and then get bold.
- It's another good weekend for movies. Here's what's out and what our critics think: The Huntsman: Winter’s War | Elvis and Nixon | Miles Ahead | A Hologram for the King | Embrace of the Serpent
- And if all else fails, you can be like almost everybody else and spend the weekend gearing up for the return of "Game of Thrones."
Detroit News at noon is a daily roundup of the biggest stories on www.detroitnews.com. Get more anytime by liking our page on Facebook and following us on Twitter, Instagram (@detroitnews) and Snapchat (Search for "Detroitnews").