Changing Gears

Michigan may be getting more federal dollars to modernize its railway system. U.S. Transportation officials will be in Detroit today to make an announcement, probably about Michigan and New York splitting the $2 billion dollars in high speed rail funds Florida recently declined.

MOVE Detroit want to get 1,100 people to move into downtown Detroit by November 11, 2011. What’s the best way to get young people to move downtown? Throw some loft parties!

Protestors followed Governor Rick Snyder, chanting "traitor!" Photo by Lindsey Smith / Michigan Radio.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder didn’t get a very warm welcome at this year’s Blossomtime Parade from some attendees. Protestors followed the governor throughout the event, chanting “shame” and “traitor” for passing a law that gives more power to emergency managers.

Students studying the arts are not fated to a starving artist lifestyle. In fact, there’s a good chance they’ll find a job not long after graduating from college, according to a new study by the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project.

McDonald’s sales figures were up by six percent in April. The Oak Brook,
Illinois-based company saw strong sales of McCafe drinks and breakfast items nationwide. 

High gas prices and poor emissions standards are leading the State Line Energy Plant in Hammond, Indiana to close. The coal plant started working in the 1950’s, and will likely shut down next year.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is holding open office hours this afternoon for Chicagoans who want to say goodbye ahead of his retirement next week. (See our look at Daley’s beautification efforts.)

A new report shows that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s budget proposal is out of balance by more than $2 billion. The report says Quinn is overestimating some state revenues.

Meanwhile, despite facing an $8 billion budget gap, Ohio may end up with a budget surplus. Lawmakers say currently there is an $840 million surplus in the budget, but by the end of this fiscal year that may grow to as much as $1.5 billion.

TravelCenters of America LLC didn't have a great first quarter this year, but they still did better than the same quarter last year. Photo by Greg Turner via Flickr.

The Ohio Education Association has decided to invest heavily in efforts  to combat the state’s recently passed collective bargaining law. The law limits union members collective bargaining rights. The unions are trying to overturn that law via a referendum this November.

TravelCenters of America LLC reported losses in the first quarter of this year, but not as much as in the same quarter last year. The Westlake, Ohio based company lost$16.7 million during the first three months of 2011, but during the same period last year the company lost $41.2 million.