The population of Detroit continues to shrink, and Detroit News columnist Nolan Finley suggests that urban farming might hold the key to the city's future.

The Sound of Massive Budget Cuts
The Grand Rapids Press reports that administrators are considering taking the Grand Rapids schools to the brink of bankruptcy, closing buildings and privatizing busing and custodial work to stave off an $18 million deficit and send a message to lawmakers. However, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming, said the only likely response from Lansing would be a pat on the back.

Honoring Michigan's Fallen Soldiers
The Detroit News has a feature exploring the different ways that communities across Michigan are honoring soldiers killed in the Iraq and Afganistan conflicts.

More Alkaline Leachate Found
The Petoskey News-Review reports that the EPA has found evidence of alkaline wastes like those which prompted closings of two sections of Bay Harbor's waterfront last year along the Little Traverse Bay shoreline at Resort Township's East Park. Parts of East Park were built over accumulations of cement kiln dust from the Penn-Dixie cement plant which once occupied the Bay Harbor site.

High School Basketball Fever Running High in Lansing
The Lansing State Journal reports that high school hoops fans in the Lansing area have plenty to cheer about. In State Basketball Semifinals today at the Breslin Center Holt meets Grosse Pointe North (Class A) and Haslett faces Muskegon Heights (Class B). Olivet is already in the Class C Finals and will play Unionville Sebewaing.
Complete tourney schedule from MHSAA

Helmet Law Moving Closer to Repeal
The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan's 36-year-old law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets moved closer to repeal Thursday when the state Senate voted to rescind the law. The bill will likely clear the House as well, but a veto by Gov. Jennifer Granholm is likely.

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