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"They used to say that knowledge is power. I used to think so, but I now know that they mean money" -- Lord Byron, 19th century English poet.

* The first charter-school program got legislative authorization in Minnesota 20 years ago. Its author writes in Education Week to dispel myths about the formative years of the charter (or "chartered," as she writes) school movement:

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/06/13/35junge_ep.h31.html?tkn=YQXFm67N0trbpG3kbF6eO4fWe%2Fi%2FQGUgJp6P&cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS1

* Residents in four Michigan cities now under emergency managers don't like EMs, but prefer them to municipal bankruptcies, according to a poll commissioned by the advocacy group Business Leaders for Michigan. The poll surveyed 200 residents each in Flint, Ecorse, Pontiac and Benton Harbor. One very interesting data point -- a slight majority in Benton Harbor sees events getting better in the next year:

http://www.businessleadersformichigan.com/home/majority-of-michigan-residents-in-cities-with-emergency-mana.html

* This tale probably wouldn't make a national ripple had the owner's name been Curt Sailing, but since it's Curt Schilling, famous retired ballplayer who has been vocal in his political views, it is. Aren't these stories inevitable as long as state and local governments try to guess which business ideas will work out?:

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/06/_38_studios_and_kingdoms_of_amalur_how_curt_schilling_s_video_game_company_duped_rhode_island_out_of_75_million_.html

* We all know by now that the weather trends have been warm and that last winter was unseasonably warm. Many of us might think, "Woo-hoo, less ice to navigate, less snow to shovel!" Winter has its purposes, folks. Here's an important one: Slowing down the spread of tree disease. And not just hippies worry about tree health. "According to (Brenda Owen of the Michigan Association of Timbermen), the loss of oak lumber puts a big financial strain on mills, loggers and landowners that produce lumber products."

http://greatlakesecho.org/2012/06/13/michigan-forests-hit-hard-by-oak-wilt-disease/

* Today's lesson in education innovation: Technology breaks.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/06/ipads_in_education_lessons_lea.html#incart_river_default

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