Mitch Albom wites that schools should start after Labor Day while Detroit News sportswriter Jerry Green says Charley Sanders deserves the Hall of Fame, maybe more than Madden. No argument here

New MEDC Head Working to Change Image
Crain's Detroit Business reports that new Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) head Jim Epolito is working to change the perception of Michigan's business development agency. Dissatisfaction with MEDC job-creation performance, particularly for small business, was a reason state House Republicans cited in cutting $7.5 million from the MEDC in their proposed fiscal 2006 state budget but in reality, the agency spends a majority of its time with businesses of 100 employees or less.

Michigan Drug Suit Law Under Fire
The Lansing State Journal reports that Michigan's 1995 law protecting drug companies from lawsuits if the drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and labeled properly is generating outcry from users of presription drugs who believe they have been harmed and House Democrats. A group called DIIME (Drug Industry Immunity Must End) has formed to support the efforts.
DIIME web site

Fall Spraying for Emerald Ash Borers Now Recommended
The Detroit Free Press reports that experts are now advising homeowners that they may be able to save their healthy ash trees by starting insecticidal treatments this fall to kill emerald ash borers. It is still recommended that this be followed with an application every spring.

Michigan Boating Accidents, Deaths Down in 2005
The Detroit Free Press reports that despite a rise in boat traffic on Michigan's lakes, Michigan Department of Natural Resources statistics show that there were 12 fatal boat accidents through the end of August, down from 2004, when there were 25 fatal boat accidents and 27 people killed in those accidents. Overall, there were 93 boating accidents involving 118 vessels in the state by the end of August, down from 168 accidents involving 217 vessels in 2004.

Port Huron's Secory Flyers Win National Softball Championship
The Port Huron Times-Herald reports that the Secory Flyers came out of the losers' bracket to win their last five games, including three Monday, to claim the Class A 10-man modified national softball championship. They finished it by beating Bonnell's Steel City Softball (Pennsylvania) twice - 5-4 and 9-6.

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