Here are some stories making news across the Midwest today:
MLK Day: Two of the biggest names in the modern civil rights movement are celebrating MLK day here in the Midwest. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the Rev. Jesse Jackson planned to spend last night sleeping on the floor of a Chicago homeless shelter and the Associated Press reports that Rev. Al Sharpton will be in Michigan protesting outside the house of Gov. Rick Snyder. Sharpton will be protesting the state’s emergency manager law. Activists argue the law has disproportionately affected areas with a high African-American population. Gov. Snyder says the law is needed to prevent bankruptcy in cash-strapped communities. And here’s more information on that emergency manager law, from partner station Michigan Radio.
Ohio Schools: Partner station WCPN Ideastream has an interesting story out this morning that looks at the school districts in Ohio with both the highest and lowest per-pupil spending numbers. Spoiler alert: the district with the lowest per-pupil spending is actually in a well-to-do suburb.
More Rail? The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported over the weekend that officials at Amtrak are looking to expand rail service between Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The line runs through Wisconsin. In August, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker rejected an $810 million plan to expand the line between Madison and Milwaukee. Now, Wisconsin and Minnesota may split the $60,000 price tag for a feasibility study to expand rail across the region.
Speaking of Wisconsin, The TV website Hulu announced it’s launching an original comedy show focused on Wisconsin politics.
And, finally, the Chicago Tribune reports on the end of an era. Playboy, which started in Chicago in 1953, says it will close its Chicago office on April 30th. Employees will be asked to move to LA.