Freep technology writer Mike Wedland takes a look at the networked homes of tomorrow. Conspicuously absent is the flying car...

Aging Sea Wall Puts Great Lakes in Peril
The Northwest Indiana News reports that a fracturing sea wall in East Chicago is threatening to allow tainted soil from an abandoned oil refinery to spill into the waterway linked to Lake Michigan and has put local, state and federal agencies in crisis mode. A combination of age, freezing and thawing, and this year's heavy snow and rain are likely suspects in the shifting of the sea wall.

Plans for Higher Standards for Michigan High Schools
The Lansing State Journal reports that a coalition of 13 states (including Michigan) confirmed plans Sunday to require tougher high school courses and diploma requirements, changes that could affect about one in three students. Changes include requiring every student to take rigorous math and English regardless of career plans and tying college admissions to high school exit exams.

Small Towns, Big Dreams
The Detroit News has a feature on how the basketball playoffs light up small towns across the state. Today 748 high schools and nearly 9,000 student-athletes begin play in 128 districts throughout the state in single-elimination playoffs. The action culminates with 4 teams being crowned state champions on March 19 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Michigan Made Movies
The Lansing State Journal has a feature reviewing two wildly different films made in Michigan. Jeff Burton's "Dead End Road" (a slasher pic) and Rich Brauer's "Barn Red" (a thoughtful film about land management). The reviewer's verdict? Good production values but some inconsitent quality.

Home Builder Profile
The Detroit Free Press has an article profiling southeast Michigan home builder Julie Fielek who went from a desire to try a new career to an architectural drawing class at Schoolcraft College in Livonia to owning Fielek Builders. She is also the first woman president of the Michigan Association of Homebuilders.

Read More (external link) »