Pistons advance to NBA finals!! Mitch Albom says "Bring on the Spurs!". Also see ESPN's Daily Dime and These Finals are must-see by Dan Wetzel, Yahoo Sports. I have to tell you, knowing that these finals are straight out of Bill Walton's darkest nightmares makes me feel warm inside.

Michigan GOP Announces Balanced Budget, But Few Details
The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan House Republicans announced that they have a plan to balance the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year without raising taxes and fees. They have yet to explain how they will come up with the estimated $543 million in cuts needed to balance the budget, however. Welfare changes will be part of the plan.
Then read Welfare changes among those in the House GOP balanced budget plan in the Freep

Also see Michigan Chamber Supports Plan to Balance State Budget Without Raising Taxes from the PR Newswire

Archeology Students Seek to Unearth MSU's Past
The Lansing State Journal reports that a team of MSU archaeology students will spend the next 6 weeks excavating the site of the school's first dorm, a three-story dormitory building, nicknamed "Saints' Rest" that was destroyed by fire in 1876. They hope to find for clues about how students lived in the latter half of the 19th century.

U-M Softball Team Falls in National Championship Opener
The Detroit News reports that the #1 ranked University of Michigan softball team reached its goal of earning a spot in the national championship series, but lost 5-0 to two-time defending national champion UCLA in Game 1 on Monday night. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is tonight (7:30, ESPN) and Game 3, if necessary, will be played on Wednesday.

Legislation Signed to Regulate Ballast Water, Form Invasive Species Coalition
The Detroit Free Press reports that Gov. Granholm has signed legislation requiring oceangoing ships to prove they will not discharge ballast water or are equipped to treat it. The law also authorizes Michigan to form a coalition with other states in the Great Lakes region to deal with invasive species like the zebra mussel, sea lamprey and round goby.

Old Rails to Become Gaylord to Mackinac Trail
WOOD-TV Grand Rapids reports that over 60 miles of abandoned railroad rights-of-way in northern Lower Michigan will be turned into paved recreational trail linking Gaylord and Mackinac City. Slated to open next year, it will be open to walkers, bicyclists and both cross-country skiers and snowmobilers in the winter.

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