Skip to main content
Michigan’s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source

Informing you and your community in 2025

Bridge Michigan’s year-end fundraising campaign is happening now! As we barrel toward 2025, we are crafting our strategy to watchdog Michigan’s newly elected officials, launch regional newsletters to better serve West and North Michigan, explore Michigan’s great outdoors with our new Outdoor Life reporter, innovate our news delivery and engagement opportunities, and much more!

Will you help us prepare for the new year? Your tax-deductible support makes our work possible!

Pay with VISA Pay with MasterCard Pay with American Express Pay with PayPal Donate

Land O Links

"True scholarship consists in knowing not what things exist, but what they mean; it is not memory but judgment" -- James Russell Lowell 19th century American poet and editor.

Welcome to a special Ron French edition of Land O Links. Each link you see here was recommended by Bridge's senior writer, a master of the written word and excellent armchair coach for his beloved Purdue Boilermakers.

* The small business sector reports large job figures, though most of them are in the "owner/operator" category. An expert recently told Bridge that such "forced entrepreneurship" was something best avoided. But, if you can't avoid it, slate.com has developed a set of tips for people looking to become the owner because no one would make them the employee:

http://hive.slate.com/hive/10-rules-starting-small-business/article/when-no-one-else-will-hire-you

* The University of Michigan is a well-rounded center of learning. In global rankings, U-M scored in the top 20 schools on planet Earth in six categories.

No. 7 in social sciences

No. 13 in arts and humanities

No. 14 in engineering and technology (Ron's alma mater, Purdue, came in at No. 39 on this one.)

No. 15 in clinical, pre-clinical and health

No. 16 in physical sciences

No. 19 in life sciences

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/

* The leaders of a Texas-based contractor hired to help in the cleanup of the Kalamazoo River after an oil pipeline failed in 2010 have been indicted by the federal government on allegations that they used illegal immigrants to work on the cleanup, busing "undocumented workers" from south Texas to Kalamazoo:

http://americanindependent.com/216487/feds-indict-oil-spill-contractors-over-undocumented-workers

* A decade after No Child Left Behind shook up the world of public schooling, what will be the next wave of school reform?:

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/mayjune_2012/special_report/introduction_the_next_wave_of037191.php

How impactful was this article for you?

Only donate if we've informed you about important Michigan issues

See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:

  • “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
  • “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
  • “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.

If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!

Pay with VISA Pay with MasterCard Pay with American Express Pay with PayPal Donate Now