
Tracy Samilton
Tracy Samilton covers the auto beat for Michigan Radio. She has worked for the station for 12 years, and started out as an intern before becoming a part-time and, later, a full-time reporter. Tracy's reports on the auto industry can frequently be heard on Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as on Michigan Radio. She considers her coverage of the landmark lawsuit against the University of Michigan for its use of affirmative action a highlight of her reporting career.
Tracy graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature. Before beginning her journalism career, she spent time working as a legal assistant at various firms in the Ann Arbor area.
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Ford Motor Company is scrambling to find another supplier that can make a key part for its highest profit vehicle, the Ford F-150 pickup, after an explosion and fire at a key parts supplier. Ford has shut down its truck plants, and it's likely there will be a ripple effect because the plant made parts for other automakers, too.
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In Flint Michigan, hundreds of people have filed lawsuits over that city's lead water crisis. Most of the lawsuits have been consolidated into one massive case. On Thursday, a federal district judge in Ann Arbor ordered all the parties into mediation.
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Drone technology is quickly becoming more sophisticated — and more affordable. Now, criminals are using drones to smuggle drugs, cell phones and even weapons to inmates in prisons.
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Despite its recent water crisis and economic troubles, there is a trend of urban hipness in Flint, Mich.'s small downtown and a partnership to help the city's children.
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Some undocumented immigrants in Flint, Mich., are just finding out that the water from their taps is contaminated with lead. Fear of being deported keeps some from picking up free water and filters.
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Facing competition at home, Indian manufacturing company Mahindra recently introduced to the U.S. the GenZe, a scooter with cargo space designed to appeal to young Americans in cities.
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For the first time in more than 30 years, factory workers at a Detroit Three automaker have rejected a national contract.
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The Environmental Protection Agency is accusing Volkswagen of intentionally dodging clean air rules on nearly half a million vehicles in the U.S. The EPA says Volkswagen installed software called a "defeat device" that only runs full pollution controls during official emissions testing. Under normal driving conditions, the vehicles emit nitrogen oxides at up to 40 times allowable levels, according to the EPA.
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Two of the plaintiffs in the landmark same-sex marriage Supreme Court case got married Saturday. But April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse's road to the high court was almost accidental.
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As Big 3 Automakers Begin Union Talks, Both Sides Say Profit Is Job 1GM and the UAW kicked off contract talks Monday; Chrysler and Ford will do the same this month. Negotiations are never easy, but since industry bailouts in 2009, there's a stronger push to cooperate.