Edward J. Latessa from the University of Cincinnati Correctional Institute has been hired by Muskegon County to re-design the county's juvenile justice system.

He spoke about his vision March 20 to a diverse group of court employees, judges, politicians and other public officials at Grand Valley State University's Innovation Hub on the waterfront in Downtown Muskegon. Muskegon County Circuit Court Administrator Eric Stevens and Family Court Presiding Judge Gregory C. Pittman also spoke.

A new documentary film Determined 2 Make It tells the stories of youth who have participated in Youth Arts Alliance! workshops and shows how art, music, photography and more can be powerful forms of self-expression for incarcerated youth.

A vote in the Michigan House this afternoon will upend many of the strict, zero-tolerance policies in schools that many say are unfairly kicking kids out of school — sometimes for months at a time — for offenses that could be handled differently.

The House voted 107-1 today to provide the final legislative approval of a package of bills aimed at giving schools greater flexibility in meting out punishment to students — and ultimately cutting back on the number of kids expelled or suspended from Michigan schools.

The House vote came after the Senate voted 37-0 Tuesday night. The House originally approved the bipartisan, seven-bill package in June, but had to vote again today because of changes made to the legislation in the Senate.