Tagged: WKAR

By LANSING, MI

AP –

Fewer people - especially young adults - appear to be leaving Michigan for other states.

Figures released Tuesday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show migration rates of 18- to 24-year-olds weren't as steep in 2009-10.

The migration rate for ages 18-19 topped 5.5 percent in 2008-09, compared with about 4 percent the following year. For 20- to 24-year-olds, out-of-state migration was about 5 percent in 2008-09 compared to about 4.5 percent in 2009-10.

By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News

Lansing, MI – Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero struck an upbeat tone in his seventh State of the City Address Monday night. Bernero came armed with an array of positive statistics about rising housing markets and relatively low unemployment. But the mayor also recognized some difficult decisions ahead in 2012.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI –

A new report says the Great Lakes should be permanently closed off from the Mississippi River system to prevent Asian Carp from invading the lakes. The report from the Great Lakes Commission makes three suggestions on how the two waterways could be separated, with price tags that range from $3 billion to $9 billion.

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow says it's time to move forward with a plan.

By Mark Bashore, WKAR

LANSING, MI –

Economic developers have their sights on what they're calling a "burgeoning" part of Michigan's economy--the garment industry. East Lansing's Prima Civitas Foundation wants to connect scattered designers and manufacturers and morph them into a greater economic force. Several Lansing participants are playing key roles in the effort.

By AP

DETROIT –

More than five months after it was asked for a ruling, the Michigan Supreme Court still hasn't decided whether to declare if the state's new emergency-manager law is legal.

At least one justice is growing impatient. Justice Stephen Markman, a Republican, says it's time for the case to be "considered and resolved."

Opponents of the emergency-manager law filed a lawsuit last year to stop it. In August, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder asked the Supreme Court to leapfrog the lower court and quickly settle the matter.

By AP

DETROIT –

Updated state rules mean that public schools in Michigan must offer all-day kindergarten to receive full funding for each kindergarten pupil starting in September.

The Detroit News reports Monday (http://bit.ly/zGwzes ) that the rules were approved last year by the Legislature. The state this month updated school districts about the half- and full-day options as well as the financial consequences.

By AP

ROCHESTER, MI –

Oakland University says a donor who has requested anonymity is giving $21 million to the school to help enhance students' academic experiences.

The Rochester school said Monday that university President Gary Russi announced the donation in an email to the campus community. Russi says it's the largest single planned and cash gift from an individual in Oakland University history.

Russi says the gifts "will touch the lives of hundreds of student and faculty for generations to come."

By AP

DETROIT –

Quicken Loans founder and chairman Dan Gilbert says his venture capital firm is buying downtown Detroit's historic Federal Reserve Building.

Gilbert said Monday that he hasn't landed a tenant for the 176,000 square-foot building but believes it's ideal for one occupant. The original building was constructed in 1927 and an eight-story annex was added in 1951.

The purchase price wasn't disclosed for the building, which has been vacant since 2004.

By WKAR

Lansing mayor stresses economic growth in annual State of the City address

WKAR

Lansing, MI – Thank you President Jeffries. I look forward to working with you, Vice President Dunbar, Clerk Chris Swope and all of your colleagues in the year ahead. I also want to welcome our newest colleague, First Ward Councilmember Jody Washington.

Thanks to the Accident Fund, our gracious hosts tonight, for allowing us to gather in this amazing space.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

HIGHLAND PARK, MI –

The new emergency manager of Highland Park public schools begins work in the district Monday.

As Michigan Public Radio's Laura Weber reports, community activists gathered at the district's administrative building to unveil their plans to combat the emergency manager law.

By Scott Pohl, WKAR News

FLINT, MI –

ReWorking Michigan examines our evolving economy, as the people of the Great Lakes State explore new ways to make a living and build a future.

For our Monday reWorking Michigan report this week, WKAR's Scott Pohl visited a laboratory where inventors can get help making a prototype of the product they want to take to market.

The Fab Lab is at Mott Community College in Flint.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – Governor Rick Snyder says he has heard many opinions about how projected surplus tax revenue in the state budget should be spent.

The governor appears to have his own ideas as he prepares to present his budget proposal next week.

Governor Snyder says he agrees with the many Democratic lawmakers who want more money to be spent on education.

By AP

LANSING, MI –

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero is taking heat from Indian representatives who say he made racially insensitive comments at a fundraiser as heated debate continues over his plans for opening a casino in Michigan's capital city.

James Nye is a spokesman for tribes challenging Bernero's casino plans and says he's been told Bernero called him "Chief Chicken Little" at last week's fundraiser.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI –

There are now half a dozen emergency local managers in Michigan. As Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta reports, the Highland Park school district is the latest local government to face a state takeover for failing to manage its finances.

By AP

GRAND RAPIDS, MI –

A Detroit-area man has been sentenced to six months in prison for concealing what he knew about a major arson by environmental activists at Michigan State University.

Jesse Waters was seeking probation Friday, but the sentence still is far short of the maximum penalty of three years in prison. He also was fined $5,000.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI –

The gray wolf no longer has endangered species protections in Michigan. The wolf was officially moved off the federal endangered species list Friday. And, as we hear from Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta, state wildlife officials are now responsible for wolf management

By AP

JACKSON, MI –

The Michigan Supreme Court has removed a Jackson County judge from office for misconduct.

District Court Judge James Justin was accused of dismissing traffic cases after talking to people in the hallway or elsewhere outside court. He also was accused of dismissing tickets for himself, his wife, friends and staff.

The Supreme Court unanimously ordered Justin's removal Friday. Justin has been a judge for decades in Jackson. He's been suspended with pay since July 2010.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI –

A conversation about a small piece of unused train track in Petoskey has turned into a larger discussion about the future of train transit in Michigan. As Michigan Public Radio's Laura Weber reports, state lawmakers are weighing the benefits of converting old train tracks into recreational trails.

By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News

East Lansing, MI – East Lansing has a new city manager. In a unanimous decision, the city council chose George Lahanas. He's acted as interim city manager since October. He's served East Lansing for 13 years, having previously worked as a labor relations specialist and deputy city manager. Lahanas says he's looking forward to working with the council on a permanent basis.

By AP

GRAND RAPIDS, MI –

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says he liked some of President Barack Obama's ideas on college tuition restraint.

The Republican governor didn't attend the president's Friday speech at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor about holding down college costs. Instead, Snyder was in Grand Rapids addressing the Michigan Press Association's annual meeting.

Snyder declined to say whether he'll recommend more state money for universities, saying "that will be part of the budget message" on Feb. 9.