Congratulations to Ashlee Baracy, Miss Wayne County 2007 & Miss Michigan 2008, as she joins Channel 4 WDIV Detroit's morning news team as their Traffic Reporter!

Her on-air debut will be this Monday, December 27, 2010.  You can watch her weekdays every ten minutes (Traffic on the 4s) from 5-7 AM.  She will also do cut-ins during the Today Show between 7-9 AM.

While, Miss Wayne County, Ashlee competed in Channel 4's Traffic Reporter Contest.  She placed in the top four and made an impression on them.  When they needed a new traffic reporter, they thought of Ashlee for the position.

Congratulations again, Ashlee!  We can't wait to watch you on TV!

Former Miss Michigan contestant, Sarah Letke,  will be one of 30 women who will try to win the heart of Brad Womack on ABC's "The Bachelor."  The 15th edition of the reality TV competition kicks off at 8 p.m. Jan. 3

Read more: Aretha Franklin out of hospital | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101216/ENT07/12160417/Aretha-Franklin-out-of-hospital#ixzz18K8bK6ub

LINWOOD, NJ (Dec. 8, 2011) – The 2011 Miss America Pageant presented by DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse promises to be an exciting event with the announcement of the strikingly diverse panel of national judges.  Daytime Emmy Award-winning hosts  of “The View” - Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd revealed the diverse panel of national judges for the 2011 Miss America Pageant on this morning’s show.  This year’s panel of seven esteemed judges includes an accomplished talk show host and comedienne; a Miss America turned veterinarian, broadcaster and philanthropist; an executive producer of one of the hottest shows on TV; an award-winning dancer and choreographer; a beloved actress, Golden Globe Nominee and health advocate; an orthopedic surgeon turned shoe designer; and a multi-platinum selling country music artist.  They will evaluate the contestants from the preliminaries through the final night of competition, which will broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on SATURDAY, JANUARY 15 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC.

This year’s panel of judges is comprised of experts from each of the fields that a young woman must excel in, to be named Miss America.  Miss America must be talented, intelligent and well-spoken, a leader, have a commitment to her community, be contemporary in her style and fashion - a relatable and individual ‘it girl’ who can connect with today’s modern woman, as well as being physically fit.   To determine who will be Miss America 2011 the following panel of judges has been selected: