Top News stories from 2011 @michiganradio.org

Take a look back at  my end-of-year look back at some of the more notable stories, here's a collection of 2011 arts and culture stories that we feel deserve another look.
the list

The Christmas tree debate: real or fake? What side are you on?

There’s a long-running debate about which kind of Christmas tree is greener: real or artificial. We wanted to try to settle that debate... or at least add to the discussion:
Lauren Northrop and her husband Tom are big fans of Christmas.
“We love celebrating it, I love decorating, but we always have this dilemma: what do we do about a tree?”
They didn’t want a plastic tree because it’s, well, plastic. And they didn’t like the idea of bringing a live tree into their house, only to have it die and then drag it out to the curb to be recycled.
Audio Here

Breaking news: Great Lakes restoration funding survives budget cuts

Jeff Skelding is the campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. He says in a time when many budgets are getting slashed, funding for Great Lakes cleanup will remain steady.

read more

look at Detroit's financial troubles

Detroit’s financial troubles have been in the news quite a bit recently with Mayor Dave Bing announcing a plan to lay off 1000 city workers and the looming possibility of the state assigning an emergency manager to take over the city’s finances. Michigan Radio's Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry took a look back at Detroit's history of financial problems.listen here
http://www.michiganradio.org/post/historical-look-detroits-financial-troubles

Report: Michigan universities among the top for international students

According to Open Doors 2011, an annual report put out by the Institute of International Education with support from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, two Michigan universities placed in the top 10 in terms of international student enrollment
more below
http://www.michiganradio.org/post/michigan-universities-among-top-international-students

Detroit to run out of money by April then what?

Governor Rick Snyder would decide if, and when, to appoint an emergency manager for the city. The Detroit Free Press spoke to Geralyn Lasher about the city’s situation. Lasher is Communications Director for the Governor. Lasher, “doesn't know the specifics of what Bing plans to talk about Wednesday, but Snyder is committed to working with Bing and the city to prevent the need for appointment of an emergency manager,” the Freep reports.


http://www.michiganradio.org/post/report-detroit-run-out-money-april

GOP candidates touch on manufacturing, auto bailouts @ Michigan debate

The debate took place at Oakland University in suburban Detroit. But for the most part, the candidates spoke little about issues specific to Michigan or the Midwest.

Read More

The Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC) has been found in contempt of court for refusing to comply

Michigan Radio is reporting that Detroit International Bridge Company found in contempt of court. Read full story here

The Detroit International Bridge Company has been found in contempt of court over a dispute regarding new construction around the bridge with the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Rich Rodriguez vs University of Michigan

Do you think that Rich Rodriguez was set up to fail at University of Michigan?

By John U. Bacon tells all at Michigan Radio see link below.

Michigan based Whirlpool to cut 5,000 jobs

Mark Brush at Michigan radio is reporting Michigan based Whirlpool to cut 5,000 jobs. The jobs to be cut are mostly in North America and Europe.

They include 1,200 salaried positions and the closing of the company's Fort Smith, Ark., plant. The company expects the moves will save $400 million by the end of 2013.
Read more here

Army Corps to turn up juice on Asian carp barrier in the Great Lakes Michigan

Asian carp have been making their way up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers toward the Great Lakes for decades. Bighead and silver carp are the species people are the most concerned about.

The full Audio is here

I'm back

Sorry I have been gone for a while. I have been busy with local news here in Michigan. But I have a few good stoires to come back with.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder make plans to visit China

Zoe Clark from Michigan Radio reports that: Michigan Governor Rick Snyder will travel to Asia late next month. “Snyder's office said Monday the Republican governor is expected to arrive in Tokyo on Sept. 25. The trip is expected to include stops in Japan, China and South Korea. Snyder is scheduled to return to Michigan on Oct. 1 Read More here

Drugs & obesity tops on Parents minds

New data a poll from the University of Michigan shows parents have a growing concern about childhood obesity and illegal drug use. read more here

Focus: HOPE’s co-founder Eleanor Josaitis died of cancer this morning

Josaitis and her partner Reverend William Cunningham founded the social services organization in the aftermath of the Detroit riots. Cunningham died in 1997. more here

Michigan: Snyder appoints 11 board members to oversee new education system

Governor Snyder has appointed eleven people to oversee the state’s Education Achievement System. That’s the system designed to turnaround the state’s worst schools – starting with Detroit. read more here

A great day for Detroit lions fans

The longest lockout in the history of the National Football League is over.   Now, what may be the shortest free agency period in NFL history is about to begin.   The Detroit Lions are expected to be busy during the whirlwind of player trades and signings during the next few days. 

more Detroit Lions news here

Ohio bill poses threat to Lake Erie reports Jack Lessenberry

Jack Lessenberry, has a great audio story on Ohio bill that
poses a threat to Lake Erie listen here

John McCulloch, announced that he plans to run for Debbie Stabenow's Senate seat

Jhon McCulloch, 55, is a former Oakland County board chairman and CPA, plans to run for Debbie Stabenow's Senate. Read more here

Pot still on DEA's list of "really bad" drugs

Mark Brush @ Michigan Radio is reporting that pot still on DEA's list of "really bad" drugs.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has rejected a nine-year-old petition seeking to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, holding that it meets the three criteria for placing a substance in Schedule I under 21 U.S.C. 812(b)(1): Read more here

Great Audio story by Jack Lessenberry: The Importance of Betty Ford

Jack Lessenberry audio commnetary called The Importance of Betty Ford give a listen here

The one year anniversary of the Enbridge oil spill Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River. Has your life changed?

How has your life changed since the oil spill into Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River? Michigan Radio would like to hear from you.  go here

Anti-discrimination laws in Holland Michigan still stand

Last month Holland City Council voted against adding sexual orientation and gender identity to their local anti-discrimination laws. But the fight over gay rights continues in the generally conservative town.

Read more here

Michigan Radio reports: Lansing teachers agree to layoffs, benefits cuts and a pay freeze

Lansing teachers have approved a new one year contract that includes benefits cuts and layoffs.  Under the deal approved by Lansing teachers, the district will eliminate up to 95 positions.   The one year agreement also freezes wages, while increasing employee contributions to their health care plans.

get the full story

Breaking Michigan News: Muskegon's Public Safety Director steps down

Tony Kleibecker is leaving his post as Muskegon's public safety director


Read More

Michigan News: how to be a juror in Michigan

Beginning this fall, people serving on Michigan juries will be allowed to play a more active role in the pursuit of justice.   The Michigan Supreme Court announced today that it is revising the rules for people serving as jurors

Read more here

Michigan: Teachers' union trying to derail push to change tenure laws

Gunesha Frederick is a kindergarten teacher in Wayne County.   She and other members of the Michigan Education Association are urging state senators to ignore the House passed bills.  Instead, Frederick supports legislation to turn tenure decisions over to an arbitrator.
More here

Michigan News......Breaking

Update 11:41 a.m.:
Democratic Congressman Sander Levin will testify at a state Senate hearing in Lansing this afternoon about the proposed redistricting maps. The Congressman is set to testify at 2:30 p.m..


Read here

A great Story on The Fish Monger's Wife (part 2)

The vacuum-sealed bags of whitefish filets, and packages of smoked whitefish are disappearing quickly. Petersen's husband Eric stands next to her, packing the fish in ice and wrapping it in old copies of The Muskegon Chronicle.
Read More

Redistricting in Michigan: the New political maps from the Michigan Senate

The Senate Redistricting Committee has been working on maps that will change political boundaries for  the Michigan Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. get the news here

Breaking News: Gender identity, sexual orientation laws fail to move forward at Holland City Council

Michigan Radio Reports that sexual orientation laws fail to move forward at Holland, Michigan City Council Meeting. Must Read

Wild Hogs in Michigan the debates goes on

Michigan Department of Natural Resources says wild hogs have gotten out of hand. The DNR says the hogs have gotten loose and are running around... doing things like tearing up the soil, destroying crops and competing with other animals for food.
news here

Breaking news: Michigan Supreme Court agrees to decide pension tax question

Governor Snyder made the request to avoid what potentially could be years of litigation.read more

Breaking news: Detroit Mayor Bing planned to take over council and schools | Michigan Radio

Detroit, Mayor Dave Bing has filed a lawsuit that alleges the mayor had plans to dissolve the Detroit City Council and the Detroit School Board
read here

Virus Killing Fish in Michigan lake

 fish-killing virus has been found in Budd Lake in Clare County. The viral hemorrhagic septicema or VHS virus can infect a lot of species in the Great Lakes basin. more

Jeb Bush in Michigan Education reform the topic

Governor Snyder's office reports that Snyder and Bush will meet with Michigan Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger, and Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan at 11:30 a.m. this morning today to discuss education reforms.full story

Michigan growing season Shorten'ed

Mark Brush has the info @ michiganradio.org here

Michigan news: $3 million for Michigan tourism ads wow

This is big for Michigan. The Travel Michigan Ad Partnership Program announced Monday that the contributions from 28 communities and destinations in Michigan are double those from 2010. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. is matching those contributions.
Read the full story

Should Military Posers be put in Jail?

Michigan Radio puts the question on thier facebook page here