The Detroit Free Press's "Our Spirit" will follow two young readers as they read C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia for the first time. Speaking of our spirits, they have to be a bit higher after the Lions convincing thumping of Green Bay.

Michigan 2006 Budget Agreement Reached
The Detroit Free Press reports that schoolchildren, the needy and Michigan prison employees are among those who stand to benefit from an agreement reached Friday by lawmakers and Gov. Jennifer Granholm on a $41-billion state budget. Republican leaders described the agreement as a signal to Michiganders that state government could live within its means and balance a budget without raising taxes.

Republicans Now Back Ban on Canadian Trash
The Canadian National Post reports that Republicans who control the Michigan House are now joining the effort to ban Canadian trash from Michigan landfills. Republicans had resisted a ban on Canadian garbage in the past, arguing that action must come from the federal government. Now, with federal regulation from the U.S. House expected, Republicans have introduced legislation.

Michigan Joins 17 Other States to Collect Internet Sales Tax
The Detroit News reports that beginning October 1, 2005, Michigan and 17 other states will work together to persuade online and mail-order retailers to collect state and local sales taxes. The Streamlined Sales Tax Project provides computer software and other items to make it easier for out-of-state retailers to calculate and collect the tax. While states can't force out-of-state retailers to collect the tax, state law requires Michigan residents to pay the 6% sales tax on items they buy over the Internet or from catalog retailers in other states. The state hopes to net $8 million to $12 million in the first year of the voluntary program.

Cassis Withdraws, DeVos now Sole GOP Candidate for Governor
The headline is almost longer than the story, but WZZM TV-13 Grand Rapids reports that West Michigan native Dick DeVos is now the only Republican gubernatorial candidate after the withdrawal of State senator Nancy Cassis of Novi. Cassis has endorsed DeVos.

30 Years Later, Questions Unanswered on Edmund Fitzgerald Wreck
The Dowagiac Daily News has a detailed feature on the still mysterious wreck of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. The article talks about the history of the ship and several theories including a gigantic wave, the 'three sisters' phenomenon and striking the bottom in a shoal area due to the deep wave troughs. This is a good read on the Fitz

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