Absolute Michigan's Michigan Blog: Five Things You Need to Know for Tuesday, April 12, 2005

The Lansing State Journal tells us that on this date in history (April 12, 1945), President Franklin D. Roosevelt died. The article also has local reactions and a PDF of the paper's front page.

New Passport Rules not Popular in Sault Ste. Marie
The Soo Evening News has a story stating that new passport requirements for U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the U.S. will almost certainly have a chilling effect on several aspects of everyday life along the border. Sault Ste. Marie derives a great deal of income and tourist traffic from Canada, residents and business owners there are concerned.

New Mt. Pleasant Jobs Good ... Too Good
The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun reports that the city of Mt. Pleasant won't qualify for a break in a federal loan used to finance the University Park technology park because the jobs created there were too good. The park led to the creation of more than 500 high-end manufacturing and technology jobs, but less than the required 30 low-income jobs.

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Give 'Em $39 Million
The Detroit Free Press reports that Toyota, (once public enemy #1 in Michigan) is expected to receive $38.9 million in tax breaks from the State of Michigan for its proposed engineering and testing operations near Ann Arbor. The incentive would be offered as part of Toyota's planned $11-million purchase of a 690-acre site off U.S.-23. in York Township.

Hmong Immigrants Struggle in Michigan
Today's Detroit News has a story looking at the difficulties many Hmong immigrants are having in making the transition from southeast Asia 17th century lifestyle to 21st century southeast Michigan. The Hmong (concentrated in Detroit, Pontiac and Warren) are one of the fastest-growing immigrant groups in Michigan and a third of the group lives in poverty.

Teaching Farming in Michigan Schools
The Muskegon Chronicle has a feature story on the agri-science program at Montague School wherein elementary students work with high school mentors and spend one session a month in a new greenhouse funded by a bond issue.