Rural schools shrinking in Michigan; Cornel West on Nov. ballot; baby gorilla naming; more

Good morning, it's time to tackle this Tuesday.

🔥 Our weather shows an expected high of 96 degrees . There will be times of clouds and sun, hot and humid with a thunderstorm in spots late in the afternoon. Again, be sure to stay cool and be safe when outdoors. There is a heat advisory in effect from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today.

🎧 Prefer to listen to the news? Here are today's top stories .

Rural schools shrinking in Michigan

Michigan’s population decline is a statewide concern, and the Free Press recently analyzed the decline of the number of students enrolled in Michigan’s rural public schools, and it hovers around 11% in the last decade, according to data.

While some still find charm from living in a rural community, such as the Scott family, featured in this story , enrollment decline is coupled with school funding gaps.

Education and equity reporter Lily Altavena shares more here , including what life is like in a rural community.

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Also worth reading

📚 Education: And speaking of school, here's how the first day back, which was yesterday for many, turned out on a sweltering hot day in Michigan.

🗳️ Elections: Independent presidential candidate Cornel West is eligible to have his name appear on the Nov. 5 ballot , a Michigan judge ruled over the weekend, writes Paul Egan. … Also, Donald Trump spoke to the National Guard Association of the United States' annual business meeting in Detroit on Monday and said "I don't think we've ever been closer to World War III than we are now."

🍴 Food and dining: The owner of Bobcat Bonnie’s, a popular local chain of restaurants has closed its Partridge Creek location , reports Susan Selasky.

It's a girl!

The Detroit Zoo announced yesterday that the baby gorilla born on Aug. 8 — the first in the zoo’s 96-year history — is female and is thriving under the care of her mother, 26-year-old Bandia.

Want to get in on the naming process? Here are the name finalists and how you can vote on the one you like best.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Rural schools shrinking in Michigan; Cornel West on Nov. ballot; baby gorilla naming; more