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IN-DEPTH AHEAD: Next week will be your first set of in-depth stories.

REMINDER: STATE BAR JOURNALISM AWARDS: The application deadline is Feb. 13 for the State Bar’s Wade McCree Award for the Advancement of Justice, open to newspapers of all sizes. See www.michbar.org. Follow the Public Services link to the Events & Awards link.

Articles for week of Friday, February 6 , 2004

• ELECTRICCHOICE-- With higher electric bills on the horizon, a Senate panel and the Public Service Commission are examining ways to provide the public with more alternatives in selecting power providers. A senator from Warren says it’s important for the state to plan ahead. By Ann-Marie Murphy. FOR MACOMB, C&G, GRAND RAPIDS, TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

• HUMANBODYDISPOSAL-- A new law makes it a felony to accept payment for the final disposal of a body without fulfilling the contract. Meanwhile, other legislative changes may be in the works for Michigan’s funeral and cemetery industry. By Arjun Kashyap. FOR LUDINGTON, MANISTEE, GRAND RAPIDS & ALL POINTS.

• UNISEXCLASSES -- It’s been more than a year since a Roseville senator introduced a bill that would give public schools the option of separating middle-school boys and girls in math and science classes, but the proposal is dormant in committee. A Detroit senator says it’s a good idea, although the Holland senator who chairs the committee doesn’t plan to bring up the measure up for debate. By Stephanie Korneffel. FOR MACOMB, C&G, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, HOLLAND & ALL POINTS.

• BUTTERFLY -- Potential extinction of the nickel-size Karner blue butterfly, already on the endangered list, could signal continuing damage to the oak savanna habitats of western Michigan. By Kevin Hardy. FOR HOLLAND, CADILLAC, LUDINGTON, MANISTEE, SOUTH BEND, MICHIGAN OUTDOOR, MONROE, GREENVILLE, THREE RIVERS & ALL POINTS.

• RANDALLGREENVILLE -- After 26 years at the Capitol, House Clerk Gary Randall, the former state representative from Montcalm County, is a thread of continuity in this era of term limits. By Alex Nixon. FOR GREENVILLE.

• GARYRANDALL -- After 26 years at the Capitol, House Clerk Gary Randall, a former GOP state representative, is a thread of continuity in this era of term limits. By Alex Nixon. FOR LANSING & ALL POINTS.

• LIGHTS&WIPE -- Monroe lawmaker Randy Richardville is leading the drive for a lights-while-you-wipe law. The proposal, promoted as a highway safety measure for bad weather, would require drivers to use their headlights when their windshield wipers are on. By Gitte Laasby. FOR MONROE & ALL POINTS.

• JOBSRETENTION -- Hillsdale County economic development officials and Hillsdale Rep. Bruce Caswell call for more tax incentives to keep industries and jobs in the state. By Alex Nixon. FOR HILLSDALE.

• BILLBOARDS -- Petoskey-based Scenic Michigan is backing Senate bills that would increase fees and lighten regulations on billboards, but the legislation is mired in disputes among business groups, advertisers and tourism industries. Local tourism and business associations are neutral. By Jamie Gumbrecht. FOR PETOSKEY, TRAVERSE CITY, GRAND RAPIDS, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS & ALL POINTS.

• FATKIDS -- Legislation to make schoolchildren healthier is languishing in Senate and House committees. Bills sponsored by legislators from Eastpointe, Marquette, Lansing and Burton to require supervised exercise and to limit junk food and soft drinks haven’t moved, and a Monroe County school superintendent who supports kids’ fitness, doesn’t like the idea of imposing new state mandates on schools. By Mike Weber. FOR C&G, MACOMB, MARQUETTE, LANSING, MONROE & ALL POINTS.

• EXTENSIONSTJOSEPH -- MSU Extension in St. Joseph County wrestles with state budget cuts as it tries to sustain its programs. By Linda Stephan & Alex Nixon. FOR STURGIS & THREE RIVERS.

• EXTENSIONLAPEER -- MSU Extension in Lapeer County wrestles with state budget cuts as it tries to sustain its programs. By Linda Stephan & Alex Nixon. FOR LAPEER.

  
  Capital News Service Archives