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10 Detroit Stories To Follow In 2014

As we usher in a new year in the Motor City, here are some of the top stories WWJ Newsradio 950 will be keeping an eye on:

1 - Detroit's Bankruptcy: Will it all be said and done by September? How much will Detroit's retirees get — and what will they lose?  Now that Detroit is official bankrupt, there's a lot of work to be done to get the city's financial house in order in 2014. [Catch up HERE].

2 - Future Of The DIA:  Will art be sold to fund Detroit's bankruptcy? Christy's auction house estimates that city-owned pieces (5 percent of the collection) at the Detroit Institute of Arts are collectively worth up to $867 million.  The DIA's director has said an art sale would be tantamount to closing the museum; and there's been talk that a tri-county millage that funds the DIA's operations is at risk.

3 - Detroit's New Mayor: Mike Duggan takes office Wednesday, Jan. 1. He's the city's first white mayor in 40 years, and he beat the odds by winning the primary by write-in vote. Duggan clearly has a lot of support — but how will he be received by Detroiters? And how will he get along with Kevyn Orr, who remains at the helm in the city under the state's emergency manager law?

4 - Lions Search For A New Coach: He told players that, apparently, he just didn't win enough. After five seasons, Jim Schwartz is out as head coach of the Detroit Lions. A lot of names are being tossed around, but it's unknown who will lead the team in 2014.

5 - It's An Election Year: Some battles have already begun — including the U.S. Senate race to replace Carl Levin. Gary Peters is running as a Democrat; and so is Republican Terri Lynn Land. Gov. Rick Snyder is up for reelection and is expected to seek a second term. Also, will Wayne County Executive Bob Ficano run again?

6 - Development In Detroit: Even as the city continues to struggle financially, downtown's landscape has been changing at a rapid pace. How many more buildings will real estate mogul Dan Gilbert buy? How soon will the Red Wings break ground on the new arena, and will plans for a new entertainment district move ahead?

7 - Abandoned Wayne County Jail Project: After roughly $311 million was spent, the half-built 2,000-bed  facility is standing there vacant. As an investigation continues into exactly what, and who, is to blame for the debacle, it's unclear what will happen with the property.

8 - 2nd Bridge To Canada: "Let's build a bridge!" Gov. Snyder said, and it's going to happen — eventually. After much ado about  who will pay for the project, it's yet unclear when crews will break ground on the second span from Detroit to Windsor.

9 - Work To Fix I-96: We've had to "Dodge The Lodge," and now it's time to repair seven miles of I-96, with work shutting down the freeway in Livonia and Redford for a total makeover. This will affect thousands of drivers trying to get from the western suburbs to downtown. Keep it tuned to WWJ for the latest during traffic and weather on the 8s, 24 hours-a-day.

10 - Detroit Tiger's New Manager: Whether you were glad or mad to see Jim Leyland go, it will be interesting to watch how and what Brad Ausmuswill do in his first stint as a major league manager. Tigers baseball season begins with Spring Training on Feb. 25 in Lakeland, Florida.

Follow these stories all year long here at CBSDetroit.com.

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