News

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

Lansing, MI – Michigan's January jobless rate of 11.6% does not include people who gave up looking for work, or have part-time jobs. Those groups boosted Michigan's unemployed-and-under-employed rate to 18.7%

State and federal statistics show almost 352,000 people in Michigan had either given up looking for work in the past year, or were holding part-time positions while seeking full-time employment.

By Rob South, WKAR Radio News

East Lansing, MI – EAST LANSING (WKAR) - The author of a book on General Motors says news that the auto maker's auditors have doubts about its future isn't surprising. William Holstein, author of the book, Why GM Matters, was in town for a book tour Thursday.

Classic soul, R & B, traditional blues and inspired originals from a Michigan favorite.

Originally aired 3/4/09

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

Audio Feature

Lansing, MI – Lansing, MI (MPRN) -- A group of property owners brought their case against Dow Chemical to the Michigan Supreme Court today. It's been almost six years since the property owners first went to court, claiming dioxin contamination made their homes unsafe, and reduced their property values.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

Lansing, MI – Lansing, MI (MPRN) -- A group of property owners brought their case against Dow Chemical to the Michigan Supreme Court today. It's been almost six years since the property owners first went to court, claiming dioxin contamination made their homes unsafe, and reduced their property values.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

Lansing, MI – Lansing, MI (MPRN) -- Michigan can expect about $18 billion from the economic recovery bill signed today by President Obama. Some of it will be in the form of tax breaks. Some of it will be funding for public works projects that will create jobs. State and local officials say they're anxious to put the money to work as soon as possible. And they hope that won't be delayed by fights over who controls the money.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

Lansing, MI – Lansing, MI (WKAR) - A coalition will launch a campaign tomorrow to get state officials to act on a report issued last June. It says Michigan fails to ensure that people who can't afford an attorney get proper legal representation, and the state may be violating the U.S. Constitution. But fixing the problem will require money the state does not have during a budget crisis.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

Lansing, MI – Lansing, MI (MPRN) -- Governor Jennifer Granholm's budget request for the coming fiscal year cuts money for schools, universities, prisons, and health care. The governor says the recommendations are painful. But she says the plan attacks the built-in spending pressures that created years of recurring budget deficits.

Hard bop with jazz bassist Rodney Whitaker and colleagues from the College of Music at MSU

Originally aired 1/21/09