Free Press technology writer Mike Wedland muses that he didn't really mind when a virus knocked him offline for a week.

Michigan DEQ Gets Green
The Detroit News reports that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's regional office at the old Warren Tank Plant is Michigan's first "green" state office building. It was designed with technologies like wind power, low-flow toilets, passive solar and a hardy, native plant "lawn" to save energy and water (and money) and reduce the discharge of harmful gases like carbon dioxide.

Government & Environmentalists Agree on New Mercury Limits
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Bush administration's new limits on mercury pollution from the US power plants (to be unveiled today) have forged a rare agreement between government and environmentalists: neither think they'll do much good. Mercury impairs brain development in fetuses and young children and remains in lakes and ponds for years.

Little Increase in Salaries Expected
The Detroit News reports that the American Society of Employers' 2005 Salary Survey finds that salaried employees in southeast Michigan can expect raises of about 3.5% for 2005. That barely keeps pace with the inflation rate (3% for January). The survey also found that only 30% of survey participants planned to increase hiring for '05 compared to 43% in the survey from Manpower Inc..

Signs of Spring: Robins, Buds on Trees and Harbor Openings
The UP Mining Journal reports that the brand new U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder cleared a path through the ice in Marquette's harbors and Marquette Bay. Nice photo of the ship too!

Cinderella Oakland to Dance with the Tarheels
It's fitting that we go to the Oakland Press for the story on the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies' 79-69 victory over Alabama A&M in the NCAA tourney play-in game. OU will play No. 1 seed North Carolina Friday afternoon in Charlotte.
Hard Core Sports fans will want to read MICHAEL ROSENBERG: The stage is set for unknowns from OU in the Freep!

Read More (external link) »