Quoteable: "Even if I were the biggest gambler on the planet, I would not be willing to bet the planet on the views of a small minority of scientists. Do they have a fallback planet if they are wrong?" (Catherine Kozlowski, Sterling Heights) Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land is on the right track with the proposals she outlined this week to revamp the state campaign finance system. Her best idea is that no money can be spent until it is reported on a public Web site. (Detroit News), Genetically modified crops aren't coming; they are already here. The question today is not whether farmers should be allowed to grow them, but whether a community has the right to tell farmers who live there not to grow them. (Jack Lessenberry Op-Ed)

Michigan's Resurgence Noted

USA Today has the first article we've seen in the national media in some time that takes a positive look at Michigan's economy. They report that fresh county population estimates from the Census Bureau show that although Detroit continues to shrink, 60 of Michigan's 83 counties have grown this decade, and 19 had population gains of at least 5%. The article focuses on three regions: the West Michigan cities of Muskegon, Holland, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo; Washtenaw County as a center of research and development and biotech activity; and northwest lower Michigan and Traverse City where tourists, retirees and entrepreneurs and executives who can work anywhere because of wealth and technology are moving in, lured by beaches and other natural attractions.

A well done article, though we are a little surprised that an article about successes outside of Detroit would use an image of the RenCen ... maybe USA Today is in the market for a little more photography of Michigan?
Read Michigan pulling itself out of slump in USA Today

Agriculture Has $60 Billion Impact on Michigan
Jack Lessenberry notes that while Michigan's manufacturing sector is struggling, the state's second-leading sector, agriculture, is doing very well. A recent Michigan State University study found that agriculture has a $60 billion impact on the state's economy, and provided a million jobs. Click below for a very interesting interview with Michigan Director of Agriculture Mitch Irwin.
Listen to Interview: Mitch Irwin from Michigan Radio

Made in Michigan Festival, May 20 & 21, 2006
BuyMichiganProducts.com, the MSU Product Center and the Old Town Lansing Association have teamed up to create the Made In Michigan Festival. The event kicks-off the statewide Michigan Week (May 20-26) and is scheduled for May 20 & 21 in Lansing's Old Town district. The goal is to educate Michigan residents about the wealth of Michigan-made products and services and to provide a venue for Michigan-based businesses to promote and showcase their products.
More details and links for the Made In Michigan Festival
Also see Take 5 with Ryan Anderson of buymichiganproducts.com in the LSJ

Report Finds Native American Students Play a Major Role
The Soo Evening News writes that a new report finds that Native American students play a major role in the Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools. The report has some interesting numbers, including news that while the drop-out rate has historically been quite high for students coming from Native American families, that does not appear to be the case anymore.
Read Native American students play major role in Sault Schools in the Soo Evening News

Conditions Great for Inland Trout Opener
The Detroit News reports that with near-perfect water and insect-hatch conditions on the Au Sable and Manistee rivers, Saturday's inland-water trout opener should be a classic. Grayling Fly Shop owner Steve Southard says "We have black stone-flies, blue-winged olives, Hendricksons, and a few caddis. Water levels are great. And everything, including the South Branch (Au Sable) is fishable." Southard feels brown trout are up while brook trout are down.
Read Good fish story: Forecast is promising for Michigan's trout opener in the Detroit News