Six O'Clock News - Here Now No News Edition
Lessenberry calls this the "death of democracy". Some bad news out of the newspaper industry today; the Ann Arbor News will cease publication in July and go to a web-only product. Other Michigan news news, the GR Press will cut wages and benefits, and will probably raise their home delivery price again this year, and the Bay City Times, Flint Journal and Saginaw News will go to a three day print schedule in June. On the plus side - they promise more web content and "intense" local coverage.
I'm not one of those bloggers that cheers on the demise of the traditional media. I want them, I need them, I may still complain about them, but I'm praying they find a way to transition to profitability on the web and keep good reporters working. I think they will - the demand is definitely there, with web readership of newspaper sites growing all the time. So chill out Jack. In the end, I think that we will find that news coverage will be even better as the new model finds its niche, and between that and the bloggers, we will call it the "rebirth of democracy". Or, in other words, "we're all Big Brother now", as everyone is filming everything all the time. Wait and see.
No recession for the Michigan lobbyists - spending in Lugnut Land was up 6% in 2008, breaking the record that was set in '07. $34 million buys a lot of government - check the list of the top 200 tricks here.
Why do Michigan House Republicans suggest other people should get an immediate pay cut, when not a one of them will volunteer to cut their own pay? Also, why is it that they complain that the governor has "no urgency" on the budget deficit, when all they have suggested so far is to make that deficit worse? Is this some kind of joke? No wonder y'all lost so many seats last year. I mean, really. How mean and stupid can you be.
This is what I get for defending DTE and Consumers. Smack! When will I learn? Well, it would have happened anyway, with or without my help. Benefits: it will create jobs as the utilities look to improve their computer systems and upgrade electric lines.
A positive note from DTE - plans for 280 wind turbines in Huron County. Groundbreaking set for 2011, the construction will create 200 jobs. According to the AP, the turbines could create 4 to 4.5 percent of the company's total power when all is said and done.
What is creating "buzz and enthusiasm" these days in Michigan? The film industry, that's what. Here's yet another article on how Michigan workers are re-training for new careers in this high demand field. Naturally our legislature will want to bring it to a grinding halt, and yeah, I'm looking at you, Switalski and Cushingberry. You cap this right now and you just may kill a really good thing before it takes hold.
Stop by AJ's Music Cafe in Ferndale and support the "Assembly Line Concert" - a 10-day, 240 acts, non-stop tribute to the auto industry and workers that looks to land in the Guiness Book of World Records. Sounds like a really cool place, and it's for a great cause.
Sweet 16! Up next for MSU: Kansas, this Friday. Be there.