I'd like to introduce Steven Johnson, who will also be working to compile Five Things.

Michigan History Magazine sent us a brief feature on Chief Pontiac's Rebellion that tells of the charismatic Odawa leader's rebellion against the British at Fort Detroit.

DNR Announces Plans to Trap UP Wolves
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced plans Tuesday to trap and kill as many as 20 of the Upper Peninsula's growing population of gray wolves this summer. DNR employees will use lethal methods only for wolves that have preyed on livestock or pets and are a threat to continue such activity.

Narrowing Streets for Skateboarding
The Detroit News has a feature that looks at the inherent conflict between skateboarders and community leaders & business owners and how regulations restrict skating access. The article points out that academics who study American childhood say this just one more example of the way public space -- where kids can just be kids -- has shrunk over the years.

Northwest Michigan Jobless Rate Improves
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that the unemployment rate for the 10-county northwest Michigan area fell by six-tenths of a percentage point in March, improving to 8.7% (an increase of 900 workers) over the 9.3% rate posted in February according to the Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

A Look at Michigan State Symbols
The Lansing State Journal has a look at our 14 state symbols and past and current efforts to expand Michigan's somewhat modest official things. Three bills to add the cherry as the state fruit and the replace the robin with the Kirtland's Warbler as state bird, and to create the post of official state poet laureate are in the Legislature now.

Credit Score Ban Overturned
Crain's Detroit Business reports that a Barry County judge has blocked new state rules that would have prohibited insurance companies from using credit scores to set rates. In an opinion issued Monday, Circuit Judge James Fisher said the rules were illegal as an attempt to rewrite the insurance code through administrative rulemaking and being "contrary to the insurance code".

Read More (external link) »

It appears that the 1st Annual Motor City Music Conference was a great success.

Military Recruiters Falling Short in Michigan Schools
The Detroit Free Press has an interesting feature on the mission to recruit about 80,000 fresh recruits for the U.S. Army this year, almost 2,400 of them from Michigan that is failing to meet quotas. Little known clause in the No Child Left Behind Act: Every high school that gets federal money must allow military recruiters the same access to students as they give college & job recruiters.
Also see this peripherally related story about the Army-sponsored eCYBERMISSION contest

New Wave in University Housing
The State News has an interesting feature on the rise of gated communities that provide hotel-like living experiences for students with amenities including a 50-seat movie theater, indoor tennis courts, sand volleyball and even a golf simulator. The article also explores the challenges of cities as they try to lure students back to downtown areas.

Oakland County Wireless Internet Plans Unveiled
The Detroit News reports on the reactions of Oakland residents & business leaders as well as technical experts to plans to construct a $50-100 million wireless Internet network to blanket the over 900 square mile county. County leaders propose partnering with private technology firms to build the network using some 2,400 publicly owned access points and pledge that no public monies will be needed.

Michigan Shoreline Access in the Courts
WZZM TV-13 Grand Rapids has a reprint of a Detroit News story (couldn't find it on detnews.com!) that explores how courts increasingly are being asked to settle battles over access to 11,000 inland lakes and four Great Lakes (the second-largest shoreline of any state). Recent interpretations of law from Michigan's courts favor property owners' rights over public interest in water access.

Upper Peninsula Business Leaders Hopeful for 2005 Tourism Rebound
The Soo Evening News reports that two eastern UP business leaders, Sault Area Chamber of Commerce Director Virginia Zinser and St. Ignace Mayor Bruce Dodson, see reasons for a tourist season turnaround after a poor year in 2004. Both voiced the hope that high gasoline prices may bode well rather than ill for the make-or-break summer season as visitors choose to stay in-state.

Read More (external link) »

Hybrid vehicle sales grew 81% in 2004 and the Detroit News has a list of the top 15 states for hybrid vehicle registrations. Let's see, Michigan is number ... well, we're not on the list.

Winter Returns, Not Welcomed by Farmers & Gardeners
Michigan received an unwelcome encore of winter this weekend as over a foot of snow fell in the northern Thumb and 10-13 inches in Detroit's northern suburbs. The late-April cold could damage farm crops, destroy spring blooms and slow the growing season and has farmers & gardeners playing the wait-and-worry game.
Also see Wintry blast throws curve at farmers in the LSJ

Alternative Energy Conference Energizes the Blue Water Area
The Port Huron Times-Herald reports that organizers of a symposium on alternative forms of vehicle fuel and electricity achieved their goal. Renewable energy has been a buzz topic in light of escalating gas prices & concerns about fossil-fuel supplies and the area is feeling it has the potential to attract businesses interested in alternative energy.

Michigan Cougar Book Review
The Flint Journal has a feature on Lake Ann, Michigan author Bob Butz's new book Beast of Never, Cat of God that chronicles the search for Michigan pumas and the debate between those who believe the state harbors wild pumas and the skeptics.
Visit Lyons Press site for Beast of Never, Cat of God book information

Michigan Youth Engineering and Science Expo
The Great Lakes IT Report passed along the news that the second annual Michigan Youth Engineering and Science Expo (sponsored by Michigan Tech) will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at Ford Field. The all-day event is designed to bring together the scientific departments of the state's universities, its science-based employers, and students (tickets are apparently free!).
Sign up for the Great Lakes IT Report

Governor Issues Energy Efficiency Directive
Last Friday, in recognition of Earth Day, Governor Granholm issued an executive directive designed to make Michigan government more energy efficient and save tax dollars in energy costs. The order directs the Department of Management and Budget (DMB) to reduce energy use in all state-owned and operated buildings 10 percent by 2008, and to reduce grid-based state energy purchases 20% by 2015.

Read More (external link) »