Nolan finley detroit news biography

Forty years ago last week I walked through the doors of The Detroit News for the first time, an awestruck college kid who had never before worn a suit and tie to work.

I couldn’t have known that first day that I’d still be here four decades later, but neither during all those years could I ever think of a good reason to leave a great newspaper in a great news town.

Covering Detroit has to be the best beat in journalism.

Crime, corruption, corporate upheaval — it’s all right here, and I’ve been fortunate to have a front row seat.

For the past 16 years, I’ve been writing this column as part of my duties as editorial page editor. Recently I looked back through those pieces with the goal of pulling out a selection for a book.

The result is “Little Red Hen, A Collection of Columns from Detroit’s Conservative Voice.” Here are some excerpts that I hope you enjoy, for a second time.

Follow the Little Red Hen, Oct.

19, 2008

If America rea