Nearly one in five black workers in Michigan is unemployed -- more than twice the rate for white workers.

The unemployment rate for black workers in Michigan is 18.7 percent, compared to 7.5 percent for white workers in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to a recent report from Washington, D.C.-based Economic Policy Institute, a liberal-leaning think tank.

Nationally, the black unemployment rate was 14 percent and the white rate was 6.3 percent at that time, according to the report.

For the full article, see Melissa Anders, "Michigan's black unemployment rate much higher than white rate, but why?", MLive, May 20, 2013.

The Department of Human Services is testing a pilot project in three counties designed to keep children out of foster care and save the state money.

Scheduled to begin in August, Lutheran Social Services will operate two of the projects in Macomb and Kalamazoo counties. The nonprofit, with one of its 44 offices in Sterling Heights, is a provider of foster care, adoption and family preservation services.

For the full article, see Ursula Watson, "State tries to ease load on Michigan's foster care system; Pilot effort offers support to keep kids with their families", Detroit News, May 20, 2013.

Active-duty military members living in Michigan can now get annual hunting and fishing licenses for free.

The Department of Natural Resources announced the new policy Monday. Military members must be on active duty, have a Michigan residence and have maintained their residence status in order to vote or get a driver’s license.

Qualified military members can get a free resident military all-species fishing license or any hunting license that doesn’t require a lottery.

For the full article, see "Michigan military members get free hunting, fishing licenses", Lansing State Journal, May 20, 2013.

When Michigan State University students decided to skip classes and strike over the war in Vietnam in May 1970, MSU President Clifton Wharton and Governor Milliken did their best to avoid a repeat of the Kent State University fiasco when four students were killed by the Ohio National Guard. Although the students occupied many buildings on campus, and at one point it was estimated that 15% of the student body was skipping classes, as long as other students were allowed to attend classes, there were no repercussions until May 20th, when President Wharton called in State Police to arrest 127 students, ending the strike.

Source : Michigan Every Day

Glenn Miller recorded "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" on May 20, 1942.

The song would resonate with women -- as well as swing dancers of both genders -- far beyond southwestern Michigan.

Since 1996, the song has been a regular pregame offering of the Western Michigan University Bronco Marching Band, according to Cheryl Roland, a spokeswoman for the school, which is based in Kalamazoo.

And when the marching band releases a CD of its classics or performs in a season-concluding concert, the tune is always one of the highlights.

Source : "This week in Michigan history ... 'I've Got a Gal' got its rhythm from Kalamazoo", Detroit Free Press, May 20, 2012.

Glenn Miller and His Orchestra Perform I've Got A Gal in Kalamazoo via YouTube