‘Occupy’ No Longer
It looks like the ‘Occupy Movement’ in Detroit is winding down. “Most of the Occupy Detroit protesters ended their stay in a downtown park as a permit neared its deadline. The Detroit City Council gave protesters a one-week extension until last night to remain at Grand Circus Park. About 150 people were taking part in the protest that started October 14th”, the Associated Press reports.
Possible EM for Benton Harbor Schools
The state is reviewing the finances of Benton Harbor Area Schools. That’s the first step in a process to determine if the school district needs a state-appointed emergency manager. Lindsey Smith reports:
It does not mean one would be appointed for certain. But, the rumors are already flying in the community about a takeover. The school district needs to cut more than $2.6 million to avoid major problems like not meeting payroll. That would trigger the state to appoint an emergency manger to run the school district’s finances. The state’s financial review of the district is due in late December. The City of Benton Harbor has been under emergency management for a year and a half.
State Jobless Benefits
Unemployed people in Michigan have a harder time getting jobless benefits than in other states in the Midwest, according to a new report from the Michigan League for Human Services. Laura Weber reports:
The report also says Michigan pays the lowest maximum unemployment benefits in the region to people out of work. Peter Raurk wrote the report for the Michigan League for Human Services. He says making sure unemployed people have access to jobless benefits helps stimulate the economy. The report also says Michigan provides the fewest weeks of unemployment coverage in the region. Raurk says the Legislature should not approve proposals that would make it even more difficult for workers to get unemployment benefits.
