Bad news: Siberia is melting ... fast. New Scientist article describes an "ecological landslide that is probably irreversible and is undoubtedly connected to climatic warming". Bummer.

We also have a great feature on Peaches (with recipes) from Taste the Local Difference and Sojourner Truth, the latest feature from Michigan History Magazine.

Special Report on the Great Lakes
The Sunday Detroit News had a special feature taking an in-depth look at each of the myriad ways in which the Great Lakes are under pressure: invasive pests, shoreline development, pollution, industrial waste, water diversions and sulfide mining. The report also contains a number of photo galleries and video tours and is heartily recommended.

Old Growth White Pines Stand Amid Controversy
The Chicago Tribune reports that the 49 acres of old-growth forest at Hartwick Pines State Park hold the only virgin pine trees left in what once was a land of giant conifers stretching from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron. Some of the white pine trees are more than 300 years old and forest managers are readying a management plan for the Huron-Manistee National Forests (almost 1 million acres of public land east and west of Hartwick Pines) that environmentalists and loggers will likely both oppose.

Michigan Home Schooling Provokes Criticism
The Detroit News reports that with home schooling on the rise in Michigan, critics say that because Michigan has one of the nation's most liberal homeschooling laws (requiring only voluntary registration) there is no way to monitor how many children are involved and whether they are getting a better education or any education at all. For the 2004-05 school year, 943 households reported educating 1,566 students.

Finn Fest Sauna One for the Record Books
The Mining Journal reports that about 600 people, led by St. Urho, the patron saint of Finnish immigrants, took part in the World's Largest Sauna at Finn Grand Fest 2005 Saturday afternoon. The amount should be enough to shatter the current Guinness World Book of Records entry of about 220.

Lansing Farmer to Leave Legacy for Ag Research
The Detroit Free Press reports that David Morris, a Lansing-area farmer, has announced that he'll donate more than $7.5 million from his estate to endowment funds for agricultural research at Michigan State University. Morris said MSU research helped him raise beef cattle and grow corn, wheat and soybeans.

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