Inflation may be moderating, but there still aren’t enough hourly workers to fill open restaurant, retail and other lower-paid hourly jobs. In Michigan, businesses that depend on such workers are still raising pay to attract employees, a trend they say can’t keep doing.

The legal settlement with Asahi Kasei Plastics North America over PFAS at its Brighton plant comes as Attorney General Dana Nessel pursues lawsuits against a host of companies tied to Michigan’s PFAS crisis.

A spokesperson says the lawmaker adhered to social distancing, but the arrangement is drawing criticism weeks after Democrats took control of the Legislature.

About 1,400 acres of assembled land, including a farm now owned by MSU, is under contract in tiny Eagle Township. Economic developers pitch the land as ‘America’s best megasite’ for energy-heavy projects like semiconductors or EV batteries.

Resolving a long turf war, Michigan now allows local community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees in nursing through partnerships with universities. The program allows more students to stay close to home, helping them and their community.

Behavioral problems are increasing in post-pandemic Michigan schools. In East Lansing, students and parents say enough is enough.

The state’s outdoor shopping centers won’t have to deal with vacancy for long if big-box stores file for bankruptcy, said Chris Brochert, managing partner at Lormax Stern.

Some Republicans say the tax cuts don’t go far enough and only help select classes of people. Lawmakers also pumped in money to help businesses, including $200M for an Upper Peninsula paper mill.

Community colleges sustain the biggest drop, but the percentage of recent high school graduates at four-year schools remains well below pre-COVID levels.

Rivers and lakes are becoming saltier while law and practice limit effective responses.