End to Ape Captivity? Special Report | Teens Able to Handle Sex with Adults? | $4.6B Transportation Plan: Patch Weekly

» TOP READ

Killing of Gorilla Harambe Renews Ape Captivity Debate

Last week, the silverback Harambe was shot dead by a Cincinnati Zoo sharpshooter to protect the 3-year-old boy who had suddenly fallen into his den. The Western lowland gorilla mourned around the world was being celebrated just a day earlier on his 17th birthday. Fifty years ago, Harambe’s death might have been shrugged off, even cheered. Today, as the apes in his enclosure mourn, as people argue vehemently about whether the shooting was necessary, his death represents a seminal moment in the movement to end ape captivity.

» a special report by Patch's Beth Dalbey

What Great Ape Experts Are Saying …
“There was no moment of acute aggression. ... If the gorilla had wanted to kill the child, one bang of his fist would have done it People have no idea of their superhuman strength. Yet, he didn’t perform any killing move.”

— Frans De Waal, director of the Yerkes National Primate Research Living Links Center at Emory University

» read more from Jane Goodall, Jack Hanna and others

What Readers Are Saying ...

“Given that if you were to take them to Africa and release them the people there would probably shoot them for bushmeat, I am not a fan of repatriating great apes into the wild. When and if the human populations near those wild habitats actually learn to value these animals, then it would be wise.”

» see more Patch user comments

Also in This Report …

If you’re interested in mourning Harambe through wild gorilla conservation, be sure to click in to read 5 Gorilla Conservation Groups to Support in Memory of Harambe. Did you know that gorillas and humans have the same number of hairs on their bodies? Read Who’s the Hairy Ape and 5 Other Surprising Facts About Gorillas.

» OMG – POLITICS!

Some Teens 'Able to Handle' Sex With Adult: Michigan Libertarian

A Libertarian congressional candidate, commenting on a sensational Texas case involving a middle school English teacher and her student, thinks that when relationships between adults and minors are consensual, it’s not a criminal matter. “Some teenagers can handle these relationships,” said Tom Bagwell, of Wyandotte, who’s running for the 12th District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn.

It was a big news week for Michigan Libertarians.

Image via YouTube

Michigan Libertarian Prances Around On C-Span In His Jockstrap: ‘My Eyes! My Eyes!’

James Weeks II took it all off, baby, and C-Span cameras recorded every eye-popping moment of it.

– Photos by Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons

3rd Party Libertarian Could Siphon Votes from Clinton, Trump: Poll

And speaking of Libertarians, the party’s presidential candidate, Gary Johnson, could make a dent in either Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump’s support in Michigan, according to a new poll. But Democrat Bernie Sanders? Not so much.

» TRANSPORTATION

– Photo via Shutterstock

$4.6B Transit System Would Connect Detroit to Ann Arbor: Public Meetings

Average homeowner would pay about $7.92 more a month under plan that must be approved in Nov. 8 election.

» COURTS

Oncologist Fata's Victims 'Injured Twice' in Restitution Plan: Attorney

Victims subjected to unnecessary, painful cancer treatments stand in line behind insurers in restitution plan, their attorney argues.

» FACEPALM

Whoa, Michigan, You Seriously Have to Ask, ‘Where is Canada?’

That was one of the top questions posed in Google searches, according to an analysis. But at least you’re not still vexed by why the chicken crossed the road, as Arkansans are. But what's up wth the fascintion with Mr. T?

» AROUND PATCHLANDIA

A Ri-tronc-ulous Name Change for Tribune Publishing

Patch’s Dennis Robaugh in Chicago has a must-read on Tribune Publishing’s name change to tronc Inc., which many found to be an utterly ridiculous move for the paper of Joseph Medill and Col. Robert McCormick, which has 25 Pulitzer Prizes to its name and once upon a time boastfully dubbed itself the world's greatest newspaper. He collected swift reaction to the change, including this tweet: ” It's impossible to say, “I work for #tronc," and not have people wonder how you managed to dress yourself this morning.”

– Image via Wikimedia Commons

Muhammad Ali, ‘The Greatest,’ Dead at 74

Also on your must-read list is Patch team coverage of the death of Muhammad Ali, the heavyweight boxing legend who began his career as the polarizing Cassius Clay before becoming an admired worldwide champion of religious freedom, political activism and racial equality, died in a Phoenix hospital late Friday night. Be sure to click into the links for stories on the boxer’s biggest fights, his surprise appearance at the 1996 Olympic Games, his conversion to Islam and global reaction to his death at the age of 74.

The Patch community platform serves more than 30 cities and townships in Michigan. Everyone is welcome to post on Patch. Learn more about how to do that here.