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Because Pollution Can't Read Maps
MLive.com reports that new federal air-quality regulations will help to improve air quality in Michigan by cutting pollution generated in Chicago and Milwaukee that drifts into Michigan by cutting the release of soot-causing sulfur dioxide and smog-forming nitrogen oxide over the next 10 years.

Marquette Study Finds Housing Prices Jumping
The Mining Journal reports that a study has found that the median price of homes in the Multiple Listing Service for the Marquette area jumped 14.8 percent, rising from $113,250 in 2003 to $130,000 in 2004. The average sale price (which saavy buyers know is not the same as the asking price) rose even more, to 16.4%.

U-M Researcher Finds Trouble With Michigan Civil Rights Initiative
The Detroit Free Press reports that Susan Kaufmann, associate director of the U-M Center for the Education of Women, will release a study today finding that breast cancer screenings, science camps for girls and other programs for women would be threatened under the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative that could appear on Michigan's ballot in 2006.

Michigan Senate Passes Anti-Spyware Legislation
The Detroit Free Press reports that the state Senate unanimously approved legislation Wednesday that would slap spyware makers with stiff fines and prison time. The measure heads to the House but some experts say legislation won't do much to curb spyware, noting that federal legislation didn't prevent e-mail boxes from being flooded by spam.

Michigan Hard Cider Industry Growing
The Detroit News reports that Michigan is the third leading apple producing state (21 million bushels of apples annually) and that more of these apples are going into the production of hard cider, a fermented apple drink with about the same alcoholic content as a bottle of beer. With cheap Chinese apple concentrate driving juice prices down, the trend is welcome to apple producers.

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There's always room for another invention ... witness the Cup-A-Cake.


Wind Farms on Lake Michigan
Earthwatch Radio has an audio feature reporting that energy developers are looking at coastlines and even the surface of the Great Lakes for windmills. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently produced a new map of Michigan's wind resources that you can find from the link below.

Michigan Not Cool Enough
The Detroit News reports that the number of people 25-34 dropped by 5,800 last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates to be released today. Since 2000, Michigan has lost about 51,000 people in that age range (Michigan ranks 11th in the US). Overall, the state's population grew about 1/3% to just over 10 million.

What about Hockey, Volleyball, Wrestling, Cheerleading, Swimming & Diving?
Basketball & football get great coverage in the media. Today's Detroit News has a story that looks at some less popular sports who nonetheless have athletes vying for the right to call themselves state champions.

Beach Case Update
WXMI-TV (Grand Rapids) reports that complex theories and conflicting case law are being presented in the beach walking case before the Michigan Supreme Court. A ruling isn't expected until summer, and if the court rules in favor of the defendant, Michigan would be the only Great Lakes state to require people to walk in the water along its coast.

Slow Ice Fishing Reported Around Michigan
The Detroit News reports that cold temperatures, strong winds and cloudy water have poor catches as the norm for ice fishing around the state according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This is a pretty detailed report!

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Just a little apology for not being regular with this every morning. That's been the intent, but sometimes I get bogged down in other tasks.

Flown in a hot-air balloon? If it was over Michigan, you'll need to thank Bill Milliken for rescinding a 1931 law on this date in 1976. More from Michigan History Magazine.


Cougar Sightings in Lenawee County
The Detroit Free Press has a report on several cougar sightings over the last few weeks in Lenawee County. The article also points out a great information site for cougars in Michigan (with a cougar video!).

Virtual Detroit
The Detroit Free Press reports on a new, interactive Web site that lets users tour a virtual downtown launched by Technology Productions Inc. Mapdetroit.com is a free site that catalogs nearly every business, parking deck and monument from the Detroit River to I-75, and from I-375 to the Lodge.
Visit MapDetroit.com

Rather ... or not?
The Detroit Free Press reports that WWTV-WWUP, a Cadillac-based CBS affiliate in northern Lower Michigan is asking viewers to vote on whether it should air tonight's prime-time tribute to outgoing CBS anchor Dan Rather.
WWTV-WWUP web site

U-M Announces Grant Program, MSU Seeks Donors
The State News has a report on a new program announced by the University of Michigan this week called M-PACT, which would reduce loans students have to repay. The program would award grants in the amounts of $500, $1,000 and $1,500 to students based on their amount of need. An MSU official was quoted as saying that the school was looking for donors to step forward to start a similar program.

Board of Education Requests Changes in No Child Left Behind
MLive.com reports that the State Board of Education of Michigan is requesting changes from the U.S. Department of Education that would make it easier for Michigan schools to meet academic standards required under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Without the changes, 1,444 schools next year, up from 861 this year, would not make Adequate Yearly Progress under NCLB.

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11" of snow forecast? Whoo. Hoo.

Nestle in Negotion with Evart for Ice Mountain Water
The Associated Press reports that Nestle Waters North America Inc. is in talks with Evart officials to begin purchasing water that would be trucked 40 miles to its Ice Mountain water-bottling plant in southern Mecosta County. Nestle is willing to build baseball and softball diamonds and a football practice field by next year. The company also would relocate at least 300 campsites at the Osceola County Fairgrounds to provide a buffer around Evart's water wells.

Budget or Tracking?
The Detroit Free Press reports that Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Monday that a college grant of up to $500 promised to tens of thousands of middle school students in 2000 and 2001 can't be awarded because state records don't show which students qualify. Initially, the measure was pitched as strictly budgetary.

Marysville Setter Named Miss Volleyball
The Port Huron Times-Herald reports that senior Stephanie Booms, setter for the Class B Marysville Vikings has been named Michigan's 3rd Miss Volleyball. From the start of her freshman year through last week's regionals, Booms has led the Vikings to a 231-5-1 record. This year, Marysville is 57-0 and boasts league, district and regional championships.

Michigan Tourism Posts Gains
The Detroit dBusiness News reports that the Michigan Tourism Index (compiled by Detroit-based Comerica Bank) found that tourism activity in Michigan increased 10.2 points between the third quarter 2004 and fourth quarter 2004. The fourth quarter index, at 121.45, is up 2.7 percent from 118.21 a year earlier.

Hybrids Exhibit Staying Power
The Detroit News reports that an annual Consumer Reports survey found that hybrid owners (at least those of the Toyota Prius) exhibited strong satisfaction with their vehicle as the hybrid systems have proven very reliable over time. Early on, it was feared that they were likely to be trouble plagued and expensive to maintain.

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11" of snow forecast? Whoo. Hoo.

Nestle in Negotion with Evart for Ice Mountain Water
The Associated Press reports that Nestle Waters North America Inc. is in talks with Evart officials to begin purchasing water that would be trucked 40 miles to its Ice Mountain water-bottling plant in southern Mecosta County. Nestle is willing to build baseball and softball diamonds and a football practice field by next year. The company also would relocate at least 300 campsites at the Osceola County Fairgrounds to provide a buffer around Evart's water wells.

Budget or Tracking?
The Detroit Free Press reports that Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Monday that a college grant of up to $500 promised to tens of thousands of middle school students in 2000 and 2001 can't be awarded because state records don't show which students qualify. Initially, the measure was pitched as strictly budgetary.

Marysville Setter Named Miss Volleyball
The Port Huron Times-Herald reports that senior Stephanie Booms, setter for the Class B Marysville Vikings has been named Michigan's 3rd Miss Volleyball. From the start of her freshman year through last week's regionals, Booms has led the Vikings to a 231-5-1 record. This year, Marysville is 57-0 and boasts league, district and regional championships.

Michigan Tourism Posts Gains
The Detroit dBusiness News reports that the Michigan Tourism Index (compiled by Detroit-based Comerica Bank) found that tourism activity in Michigan increased 10.2 points between the third quarter 2004 and fourth quarter 2004. The fourth quarter index, at 121.45, is up 2.7 percent from 118.21 a year earlier.

Hybrids Exhibit Staying Power
The Detroit News reports that an annual Consumer Reports survey found that hybrid owners (at least those of the Toyota Prius) exhibited strong satisfaction with their vehicle as the hybrid systems have proven very reliable over time. Early on, it was feared that they were likely to be trouble plagued and expensive to maintain.

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This article suggests that the UP might be the most endangered place on earth and is worth a read.

Northern Michigan Initiative Proposed
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that 3 northern Michigan Republicans are rolling out a plan, dubbed the Northern Michigan Initiative, to boost area's economy and promote regional tourism. It would create a Great Lakes Recreational Pass, allowing visitors to purchase one pass to gain entrance to Michigan and neighboring parks and recreation areas. Also proposed are a single business tax credit to maintain and invest in short-line railroad tracks and a plan to channel Community Development Block Grants to rural areas.

UP County Governments Pondering New Federal Forest Rules
The UP Mining Journal reports that county governments across the Upper Peninsula are weighing in on new federal forest rules put forth by President George Bush in December. The rules are designed to reduce the bureaucratic overhead but there has been some concern over the allowable cut.

Michigan's College Fund Gets High Marks
The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan's college savings plan, the Michigan Education Savings Program, got another round of high marks from investment ratings firm Morningstar Inc, who named the Michigan plan one of the six best plans in the country.

Michigan Jobless Rate Declines in January
The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth released a bit of good news regarding Michigan's economy last week that we missed. Over the month, total employment rose by 22,000 and unemployment fell by 25,000 as the state civilian labor force decreased slightly.

Granholm Proposes Medicaid Cuts
The Associated Press reports that Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposal to remove coverage for caretakers of low-income children and 19 & 20-year-olds to help balance the budget would save Michigan $5 million. Advocates for low-income adults worry that cutting off health care will mean higher costs down the road.

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