Breaking News

Proposed Federal Law To Force Retailers To Card Kids Buying Video Games WASHINGTON - A new bill in the U.S. Congress would force retailers to card kids attempting to buy video games bearing "mature" or "adults only" ratings.

Michigan Energy Package Could Produce Big Rate Increases LANSING - Michigan residential customers would see rate increases of as much as 28 percent and commercial and industrial customers as much as 9 percent under the House package that restructures electric regulation and requires energy efficiency and renewables.

Bill To Ban Cell Phone Use While Driving Under Review In Michigan House LANSING - The Michigan House Transportation Committee began its review Thursday of legislation that would prohibit people from using their cell phone while driving, which would make using a cell phone a secondary offense.

Stryker's Biotech Division Receives FDA Warning Letter KALAMAZOO - Stryker Corporation said Tuesday that its Biotech division has received a warning letter from the U. S. Food and Drug Administration related to quality systems and compliance issues at its Hopkinton, Massachusetts location.

Sprint Nears $12 Billion High Speed Wireless Deal With Clearwire KIRKLAND, Wa. - Sprint Nextel Corp. and Clearwire Corp. are close to announcing a $12 billion joint venture that plans to roll out ultra fast wireless Internet access for cellphones and laptops in coming years, with the backing of an unlikely alliance of technology and cable companies.

New Enterprise Forum Hosts Second Annual Battle Of The Elevator Pitch ANN ARBOR – New Enterprise Forum will host is second annual Entrepreneurial Improv: The Battle of the Elevator Pitch, an offbeat, slightly outrageous event that highlights how successful entrepreneurs must think fast on their feet that takes place May 15, immediately following the Michigan Growth Capital Sympoisium.

Podcast

Security IAM Series - The Importance of Web Access Management Systems SOUTHFIELD - Given the massive investments in Web-based applications, the importance of identity-centric security is only growing. If you think that all WAM systems are basically the same, then this session is for you.

CA's Dave Hansen - Looking For The Chief Security Officer Video SAN FRANCISCO - Dave Hansen, General Manager of the Security Business Unit at CA, who delivered the keynote address at the RSA Conference also developed a funny video, called Looking for the CSO (Chief Security Officer).

Automation Alley

Automation Alley Ideas For Impact Set For May 22 TROY - Join Automation Alley for the first Ideas for Impact roundtable event on May 22 to have your voice heard about the business issues that matter most to you.

Automation Alley Finally Unveils Enhanced Web Site TROY – Automation Alley has finally rolled out its newly redesigned web site with enhanced navigation. The new Web site offers users quick links to popular Alley benefits and services, an updated search function, and a more convenient member login.

Entrepreneur's Corner

Women In Communications Of Detroit Honors Winners; Celebrates Year 70 ROYAL OAK - Women in Communications of Detroit will celebrate its 70th anniversary and honor top level, innovative communicators at its annual Matrix gala event held May 8 at Vladimir's Banquet Center in Farmington Hills.

Women's Business Center Offers Business Start Up Classes BENTON HARBOR - How do I start my own business? Are there grants for my business? What if I am a minority? Questions often asked and often answered¦with misleading information. As part of the Women's Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance Orientation Sessions, participants will get straight forward answers to their questions about starting and operating a small business.

Security

Security Practitioner Wins Women In Tech Foundation Graduate Scholarship KALAMAZOO – Faith Heikkila, a security practitioner who is working towards completing a PhD in Information Assurance at Nova Southeastern University, was awarded the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation graduate school scholarship.

Walsh College Information Assurance Center Host BBQ May 30 TROY – The Walsh College Information Assurance Center is hosting a barbecue May 30 for alumni, students, faculty and friends. Attendees also will be able to sign up for security events and training opportunities.

ConnecTech

Diane Durance - GLEQ Spring Cycle 2008 Update ANN ARBOR - Diane Durance, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Entrepreneurs' Quest, discusses the overwhelming registration success of the spring cycle 2008. Some 79 entrepreneurs or teams of entrepreneurs have registered for the business-plan writing contest, nearly double the former record of 46.

ConnecTech Mentor Of The Month - Joe Sawasky DETROIT - ConnecTech has launched a new feature on the ConnecTech channel, the Mentor of the Month profile. The April Mentor is Joe Sawasky, CIO, Wayne State University Background: Prior to joining Wayne State University, he was the Chief Information Officer of the University of Toledo. Joe is mentoring Terrance Campbell.

GreenTech

Michigan Could Designate 5 New Green Fuel Zones LANSING – Michigan could designate five new renaissance zones for companies in the business of making fuel from cellulosic materials under legislation reported unanimously by the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.

Bills To Increase Michigan Renewable Electricity Will Not Meet Goal LANSING - The package of bills recently passed the Michigan House to increase investment in electric generation in the state, and particularly in renewable power, will not meet that goal, the American Wind Energy Association said in a letter to Governor Jennifer Granholm and Sen. Bruce Patterson (R-Canton), whose committee is now considering the legislation.

Biotechnology

U-M Geriatrics Director Wins National Award ANN ARBOR - Jeffrey Halter, M.D., director of the University of Michigan Geriatrics Center and Institute of Gerontology, has been named the 2008 Nascher/Manning Award recipient of the American Geriatrics Society – given to an individual with distinguished, life-long achievement in clinical geriatrics.

Michigan Health Systems Wraps Up Online Order Entry System ANN ARBOR - Nearly three years and thousands of hours later, patient safety received another boost at the University of Michigan Health System as the institution completed implementation of its online order entry system in the University Hospital and the Cardiovascular Center last week.

Guest Columns

CEOs: Beware Of Spear-Phishing DETROIT - By now, most e-mail users are wise to the scam of phishing - sending a spoofed e-mail message that appears to be from a legitimate business, such as a bank, which directs the recipient to a fake web site seeking verification of personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers. A new twist on phishing known as spear-phishing has been directed at Chief Executive Officers in order to gain access to the victims' computers.

Webroot Report Reveals e-Mail Security Threats Still Growing BOULDER, Co. - According to Webroot's State of Internet Security: Protecting Business Email report, there will be more than 42,000 spam e-mails for every single business e-mail account, or about 116 per day and that these threats are severely impacting businesses around the world during 2008.

New Products/Contracts

Money Caretakers Series - The Wealth Of Women LIVONIA - By 2010, women are expected to control 60 percent of the wealth in the United States, due to demographics and the success of professional women. Often, however, women don't have high confidence when it comes to personal financial management for themselves, their families and their businesses.

Online Technologies Hires Klein As President, Chief Operating Officer ANN ARBOR - Online Technologies Corporation has appointed Mike Klein President and Chief Operating Officer. In this newly created position, Klein will be responsible for strategic partnerships, commercial activities and managing day-to-day operations. Klein was also appointed to the company’s board of directors.