April showers might bring May flowers, but February showers seem to just bring mud.

State of the State of Michigan
Today's Detroit News has an excellent and detailed article detailing the State of Michigan's economy, budget and the challenges that Gov. Granholm (and the state as a whole) faces heading into the second half of her term.

Michigan Home Builders Sue to Block New Energy Regulations
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Association of Home Builders is suing the state to block it from enforcing stricter energy rules for new and remodeled homes and condos because the new energy code doesn't meet a state requirement that new regulations pay for themselves in under seven years.

Ice Climbing in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
The UP Mining Journal has a feature on last weekend's 2005 Ice Fest celebration in Munising. The festival drew ice climbers from across the US to tackle ice formations in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the feature has a great photo!

Third Coast for Film Industry?
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Muskegon Film Festival is pitching Michigan to be the Third Coast (along with Hollywood & NYC) of the film industry, hoping to bring a new revenue stream into the state.

Lower Peninsula Wolf Search
WZZM TV-13 of Grand Rapids reports that for 2 weeks starting Feb. 21, biologists will search for wolf tracks and other signs in a northern Lower Peninsula area centered on northern Montmorency and southern Presque Isle counties. Residents of lower Michigan north of M-32 who find tracks or are able to photograph wolves during the survey period, Feb. 21 through March 4, should call the DNR office in Gaylord at (989) 732-3541.
Also see Traverse City Record-Eagle story on the Wolf search

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