Internet2 is 20,000 times faster than normal broadband, a feature that has landed some MSU students in hot water over alleged pirated movies and music.

Michigan Economy Ranks Dead Last
The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that a new national report finds that Michigan ranks dead last among the states in economic momentum. The report ranked states on growth in three key areas: personal income, employment and population, setting a national average at 0. Nevada, which ranked first with a score of 3.66. Only Michigan (-1.45) and Alaska (-1.29) scored below a -1 on the index.

Wild Fire Season: Drier & Earlier
The Associated Press writer John Flesher reports that state personnel had responded to 104 fires statewide through last Sunday that burned a combined 578 acres. On the same date a year ago, 47 fires had burned 170 acres. The DNR says that 2/3 of these have been caused by people burning debris in their yards and that it's been more dry than last spring.

Lake St. Clair Report
The Macomb Daily reports that a newly released federal report on improving water quality in Lake St. Clair is the most comprehensive of its kind, but it has created barely a ripple of impact. The over 200 page document (from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) has 110 recommendations on how to fight pollution and other problems facing the lake. As a result, few officials have digested it.

Pledge of Allegiance in Michigan Schools
The Lansing State Journal says Michigan lawmakers are one step away from joining 35 other states and making it mandatory to offer the Pledge of Allegiance. The House could take up a bill requiring all public and charter schools to allow time to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The bill passed the Senate unanimously & wouldn't require students to say the pledge if they or their parents objected.

Granholm Will Nominate Flanagan for State Education Supt.
The Detroit News reports that Mike Flanagan, who heads the Michigan Association of School Administrators, has agreed to be nominated for the top job at the state Department of Education by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Flanagan is also former superintendent of the Wayne County intermediate school district and the Farmington Hills school district.

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