The Detroit newspaper war fizzled. So ML, Marc and author Bryan Gruley look back at the last great Detroit newspaper battle for supremacy.

STRAIGHT DOPE: Before he wrote "Starvation Lake," "The Hanging Tree," and "Skeleton Box," Bryan Gruley was a Detroit News reporter who became the city's foremost expert on the Joint Operating Agreement that tied the Detroit News and Free Press together in a deal that was supposed to last 100 years. He looks back at that deal in the wake of this week's shocking announcement that the Free Press would buy the News.

Back when newspapers were 10 cents a copy -- and almost guaranteed to make double-digit profits -- the Free Press and News claimed they could not survive unless they teamed up. Bryan investigated whether they were really going broke -- or just crying poor. His work yielded the book "Paper Losses," which he discusses with ML and Marc.

The fight over the future of the News and Free Press went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the court deadlocked 4-4 on whether they could combine. No one knows why one justice recused himself from the decision, but Bryan kinda thinks he might be to blame. Listen and learn why.

Journalists at the News and Free Press were shocked to learn they were about to owned by the same company. ML says it seems like a good thing in the short term. Bryan speculates on its long-term prospects.

Marc wonders whether two newspapers owned by the same company is good business. Bryan says one big newspaper with all the talent and resources would be better. ML says two competing newsrooms, even if they are owned by the same company, is good for journalism, Detroit and Michigan.

Will two newspapers with one owner continue to compete as if their survival is on the line? ML, Bryan and Marc offer their perspectives -- and how the bottom line likely depends on profit and ... the bottom line.

Bryan recalls how the Free Press Bulldog edition sorta backfired and gave the News a competitive advantage.

ML explains why the survival of the Free Press and News is so important, and why competition makes journalists better -- and exposes the frauds.

Bryan discusses his award-winning mysteries based in Michigan, and some of the real stories that inspired his upcoming book.

Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts

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GEEK OF THE WEEK: ML was going to give this week's award to a college linebacker who will play his EIGHTH season, until Marc convinces him that someone else is to blame for this debacle.

ROOM 7609: We're talking journalism, so there's no better guest in the New Wave suite than Joe Jackson performing "Sunday Papers." Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com

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