Lindsey Smith

Ford Motor Company is making tens of thousands of white-collar retirees decide whether they want to keep getting their pension in monthly installments, or get a lump sum payout. Ford sees the unprecedented move as a way to reduce the company's liabilities.

The Palisades Power Plant, one of Van Buren County's biggest employers, has one of the worst safety records in the country. After five unplanned shutdowns in 2011, the plant is now trying to prove to federal regulators that it's up to their standards.

The American office furniture maker Steelcase is celebrating its centennial. At its peak in 2001, Steelcase employed 21,000 workers worldwide. Now that's down to 12,000.

Christmas tree growers are frustrated that politics are delaying a marketing campaign to promote real trees over artificial. Following four years of work to get it passed, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the industry-sponsored real Christmas tree campaign in November. But conservatives quickly branded it as "President Obama's Christmas tree tax," and the program was delayed within days of its approval. There are 18 other commodities — like pork and eggs — with similar generic advertising programs. They show anywhere from a two-to-one to a 10-to-one return on investment.

Last June, the city council of Holland voted against adding sexual orientation and gender identity to local anti-discrimination laws. Now, religious leaders and Republicans have joined to pressure the council to change that vote.