The state says Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has remained unchanged at 8.9 percent in the latest month, as both the number of people working and the size of the labor force rose slightly.
Advocates are lobbying Congress this week to protect a Great Lakes environmental program from across-the-board cuts that will hammer many federal programs unless a budget agreement is reached.
A Michigan legislative panel is set to start considering a new bill that would expand a program designed to boost schools with the lowest academic performance.
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing says he believes Michigan Governor Rick Snyder will appoint an emergency manager over the city's finances and that he "intends to work collaboratively" with that person.
The Big Ten conference is up in the air, as Ohio State upset Indiana last night. Fred Heumann is here to analyze the game, and talk about some college basketball rumblings. Oakland University forward Drew Valentine joins Fred to discuss his season, and later is pleasantly surprised on-air by his father, Carlton Valentine. We then close the show with General Manager Ken Holland from the Detroit Red Wings. Open lines follow and BTN’s Lisa Byington also chimes in.
Today on Current State: The local impact of federal budget cuts; climate change in Michigan; Michigan farmers markets; the new dynamics of the Michigan Supreme Court; and Lansing's new city attorney designate.
Due to expected federal budget cuts, the Head Start program at Capital Area Community Services, Inc. in Lansing is expected to serve 150 fewer children, says director Lucy McClintic.
Automatic cuts to the federal budget, known as sequestration, went into effect last week. If the initial round of $85 billion in cuts to the military and domestic discretionary spending are not averted, the cuts will resonate throughout the nation's economy, including in Michigan.
Climate change is continuing to influence Michigan’s environment. Last March a sudden thaw and freeze devastated the state’s berry crops. While recently, record low water levels have forced the government to spend millions on dredging.
Jeff Andresen, Michigan Climatologist and assistant professor of geography at Michigan State University, discusses Michigan's climate future.
