SW Michigan

Farmers across the state said they are optimistic about a fruitful growing season after the massive losses incurred last year by the erratic weather."We couldn't do any worse than last year," said Norm Holtz, who grows everything from tomatoes and strawberries to potatoes and pumpkins on the family's 60-acre farm in Ida.

PORTAGE, MI - During his 65 years in Portage, Engel Corstange was a fixture. He taught industrial arts at Portage Public Schools, worked as a building contractor, regularly attended First Reformed Church and served as mayor of Portage for 12 years, from 1973 to 1985. On Wednesday, Corstange died at the age of 89.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Several Kalamazoo-area organizations will have to make do with less this year, as the sequester forces a 5 percent drop in federal funding. Laura Lam, deputy director of the city's community planning and development department, said city staff focused the funds on four areas of the city's consolidated plan that need improvement: youth education and mentoring, homeownership, streetscape enhancements and business and job development.

East Lansing - Michigan became the nation's 24th right-to-work state Thursday, but its residents remain deeply divided over whether the law will help or hinder the economy, according to a Michigan State University survey released Thursday.

Gov. Rick Snyder called for "a chance to move forward" Thursday as union officials held a series of protests in Metro Detroit and Lansing as the traditional labor stronghold became the nation's 24th right-to-work state. Republicans and conservative supporters said giving employees the legal right not to pay dues to unions for collectively bargained wages and benefits would strengthen unions and benefit workers.