MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Protecting Predators in the Classroom? Proposal Threatens Student Safety, Could Overturn Valuable Education Reforms.” (Press release) “Effect of “Protect Our Jobs” on Students, Public Education in Michigan” (Memo) Who: Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution What: Press release and memo to statewide media Truth Squad call: Foul Questionable statements: “Under the proposal, numerous […]
Anti-Prop 2 group goes too far with sexual predator claim, Truth Squad rules
Posted inBusiness Watch
Drooping natural gas prices slow rush to 'frack'
Two years after oil and gas companies spent a record $178 million for the right to drill on state land, the rush to tap deep deposits of natural gas using a controversial drilling technology known as “fracking” still has momentum in Michigan. Even the Chinese government has joined the pursuit of what could be large […]
Posted inPeter Luke: Eye on the Capitol
Michigan, where school is part-time and sports are king
The calendar for the 2012-13 school year began on Aug. 6 and stretches all the way to June 15. Has Michigan finally and dramatically expanded the number of days that students will spend in public school classrooms? And therefore ended an era when a post-Labor Day start and varying degrees of snowfall could result in […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page” — St. Augustine (Born 354, died 430). * Is this good or is this bad? The House Fiscal Agency found that since the state has scaled back on money for “secondary road patrol” the number of traffic tickets has dropped, but […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Remaking a river
Demolition crews in August took down the old powerhouse at the Brown Bridge Dam near Traverse City. This is part of a larger project to remove two dams and modify a third on the waterway. Bridge photo contributor John Russell reports that the powerhouse was built in 1922; was 33 feet above the waterline; and […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Dexter, Dearborn are among next stops in education townhall series
Michiganians from Grand Rapids to Birmingham, Dexter to Dearborn have opportunities in the next few weeks to discuss K-12 education and reform as part of the Center for Michigan’s ongoing townhall series on the topic: WHEN: Sept. 20, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: LINC Community Revitalization, Inc., 1167 Madison SE Grand Rapids RSVP: Emberly […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Michigan, you don’t know everything about manufacturing
By Jim Danielski/Career Planning Specialists What … somebody recognized that manufacturing in the U.S. isn’t dead? That maybe, just maybe, the much touted service sector may actually be a byproduct of manufacturing? Many of us, including me, believe that manufacturing will make a comeback – only it won’t be in the form of the “factory” […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Hoekstra's ad isn't 'worst,' but distortions used earn foul, says Michigan Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Meet the Parents” Who: Hoekstra for Senate What: Internet video Truth Squad call: Foul Questionable statement: “How about that Debbie Stabenow? Never met a tax increase she didn’t like … worst senator Michigan has ever had. “ These are broad generalizations, including a personal attack on Stabenow, that the video and […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Khan Academy sparks passion from fans, skeptics
Google CEO Eric Schmidt is a big fan. So is Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who calls California-based Khan Academy “a glimpse of the future of education.” Founded in 2006 by Bengali-American Sal Khan and profiled on “Sixty Minutes,” the academy’s free online video tutorials on everything from math to finance to cosmology reach some 5 […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Universities eye out-of-state budget help
Faced with tight budgets and prospective dwindling in-state enrollment, public universities across Michigan are looking beyond the state line for answers. One option, say advocates such as Domino’s Pizza CEO Patrick Doyle and University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman, is to boost recruitment of out-of-state students – students who pay much higher tuition rates […]