Freep columnist Tom Walsh argues that Michigan needs more than autos to heal our economic woes.

Unemployment Rises, but More Working in Michigan
The Lansing State Journal reports that while Michigan's unemployment rate for April rose slightly to 7% (national rate 5.2%), total employment hit its highest level since November 2001. According to the state Department of Labor and Economic Growth, about 4.78 million people were working in April 2005, up 34,000 over March.

Budget Shortfalls May Force School Funding Cuts
The Associated Press reports that House and Senate Fiscal agencies are warning in new reports that the state budget faces shortfalls, opening the door for possible cuts to universities and K-12 school districts this school year and more problems in 2006. The agencies expect school aid fund revenues to be down over $40 million from January estimates which could force a cut in per pupil money.

Efforts to Bring Coasters Back to Superior & Great Lakes
The Associated Press has a feature by writer John Flesher on the efforts of more than two dozen government agencies, conservation groups and Indian tribes in the United States and Canada are working in Lake Superior to bring back the "coasters". Coasters are brook trout that, for reasons still unknown, migrate into the big lake instead of remaining in tributary streams like other brook trout.

Flanagan New Michigan School Superintendent
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Board of Education voted yesterday (5-1, with two abstentions) to hire Gov. Jennifer Granholm's choice, Michael Flanagan, as the new state superintendent after an all-day interview session with 3 applicants. Flanagan heads the Michigan Association of School Administrators and will replace Tom Watkins, who resigned following a feud with Granholm.

Marriage & Divorce in Michigan
The Detroit News has an in-depth feature on marriage (and divorce) in Michigan. The article has some statistics: 43% of all U.S. marriages end in divorce (down from 50% in 1981), 62,900 Michigan couples tied the knot in 2003 and some history, but the most interesting part is the views of Michiganians profiled and the reader comments regarding what makes a good marriage (and what doesn't).

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