News

From Junk Bonds to Junk Schools: Cyber Schools Fleece Taxpayers for Phantom Students and Failing Grades. Like the ubiquitous African email scammers that promise great things as long as you pay them in advance, evidence is building that some full-time charter schools charge state taxpayers big bucks for students who may only spend a few days or a few weeks in front of a computer before they decide that “virtual” education is not for them — but the schools keep the cash anyway. PR Watch

MI: Michigan rejects bids to privatize prison; offers were ‘substantially’ higher than current costs. Michigan is not moving forward with plans to transfer nearly 1,000 inmates to a privately run prison after receiving bids that were “substantially” higher than current costs. The Bay City Times

MI: State Senate panel studies complaints about Grand Rapids veterans home. Lawmakers are taking seriously complaints that care for veterans has deteriorated since state nursing assistants at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans were replaced by lower-paid workers hired by a contractor, a committee chairman said Thursday. Detroit Free Press

IL: Emanuel prepared to sink plan to privatize Port of Chicago. Two days after the Colorado-based Broe Group “amicably suspended” exclusive negotiations on a 62-year master lease, Emanuel said he was prepared to walk away from the deal, just as he pulled the plug on privatizing Midway Airport. Voices