Feeling blue in West Michigan? Why not drop by Clowns of America International Convention in Grand Rapids today.

Michigan Education Association Joins No Child Left Behind Suit
The Lansing State Journal reports that on Wednesday, the Michigan Education Association went to court with other unions and school districts to challenge President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" program. The 20 plaintiffs from across 10 states claim that the federal government isn't providing enough money to pay for the testing and other efforts it is demanding.

Michigan's Big 50 Companies
It's apparently "list week" at the Detroit Free Press. The latest is their listing of Michigan's top 50 publicly traded companies. GM & Ford (#1 & #2) accounted for As a group. the 50 businesses performed better in terms of revenue and earnings in 2004 than 2003.

Sustainable Manufacturing Can Pay Big Dividends
The Michigan Land Use Institute has an engaging feature that explores how "sustainable" manufacturing (which aims to slash expenses, boost profits, and bolster company image by paying extremely close attention to environmental performance) can positively impact a company's bottom line. An example is an $8.50 brass nozzle that saved a large manufacturer $10,000 a year.

MHSAA May Get Answer Soon on Appeal to Supreme Court
The AP reports that the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) could know within a few weeks if it will be forced to change next year's prep sports seasons. The US Supreme Court will decide whether or not accept MHSAA's appeal to lower court decisions the Michigan schedules discriminate against girls because it forces them to more often play in less advantageous seasons than boys.

Frederick Meijer Gardens Celebrate 10th Anniversary
WZZM TV-13 Grand Rapids reports that the Frederick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids is now the second leading tourist attraction in the Michigan with 600,000 visitors a year. 2005 is the 10th anniversary and special events include 10 days of birthday cake, the release of a book on the gardens and a special birthday party on April 27.

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