Download of Stories

NOTE: CNS articles are for the exclusive use of CNS member publications. Any other use is prohibited under federal copyright laws.

To download the text of a story, follow the link for that article and highlight the text. Copy the text (under the Edit menu of your browser) and paste it into your text editing program.

If you have any problems, contact Amy Payne at payneam1@msu.edu or at 517-353-9569.

www.cns.jrn.msu.edu

To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Vic Rauch

IN-DEPTHS AHEAD: Our second in-depth file will be Friday, March 24.

HALL OF FAME RESERVATIONS: Reservations are being taken for the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame induction dinner on Saturday, April 22, at MSU’s Kellogg Center. This year’s honorees are long-time CNS director Bill Cote,  Mary Lou Butcher, Ed Kearney, Luster (Les) Root and John Teahen Jr.  For reservations, call 517-353-6430 or go to http://hof.jrn.msu.edu.

• PRISONERREENTRY -- A year-old Corrections Department program is easing the transition of parolees back to the community and reducing the rate  at which they end up behind bars again. The program operates in several pilot areas, including Wexford, Leelanau, Crawford, Benzie, Kalkaska, Otsego and Antrim in northern Michigan, and will expand to seven more areas this year, including Oakland  and St. Clair counties. By Jennifer Linn. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN, PETOSKEY, LEELANAU, GRAYLING, CADILLAC, OAKLAND, MACOMB & ALL POINTS.

• DORMSMOKINGBAN -- Residence halls in all public  and private community colleges and universities would be tobacco-free under a legislative proposal that would impose a maximum $100 fine on violators. The Western Michigan University-based Michigan Organization of Resident Hall Associations supports the concept. Some Michigan State students are pushing their campus to impose such a ban, but the organization representing state university presidents says a ban may drive students to move off campus. By Sandra Kao. FOR STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND, LANSING, MIDLAND, HOLLAND, MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

• CLEANBUSES -- School districts in 25 counties, including Huron, Lapeer and Ingham are in line to share a $389,000 U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency grant to clean up school bus emissions. The Bad Axe district’s transportation supervisor says his department has taken other steps to reduce harmful exhausts, and a Lapeer schools official says his district couldn’t afford the upgrade without the federal aid.  Among the other counties eligible are Berrien, Allegan, Ottawa, Van Buren, Monroe, Macomb, Oakland, Cass and Mason. The Okemos district is coordinating the distribution. Meanwhile, the Traverse City school district snared a separate $140,000 grant. By Erica Richards. FOR BAD AXE, LAPEER, LANSING, NORTHWEST MICHIGAN BUSINESS, SOUTH BEND, HOLLAND, MONROE, MACOMB, LUDINGTON, OAKLAND & ALL POINTS.

• SPORTSBETTING -- It’s March Madness for countless college basketball  fans who wager  – illegally – on betting pools.  Nor is sports betting limited to hoops. Two Detroit  Democratic representatives want to legalize  the practice, and a Macomb Township Republican suggests the idea be expanded to include office pools. What are the political odds that the Legislature and governor will go along with the idea? Don’t bet on it.  For news and sports sections.  State Police lack the resources to fully enforce the current gambling laws. By Derek Wallbank. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN, MACOMB & ALL POINTS.

• COMMCOLLEGES -- A number of Democratic lawmakers, led by a senator from Roseville, want  to waive the high school diploma/GED requirement for community college admissions of outsourced workers and low-income residents. They say the institutions, such as Oakland and Macomb community colleges, have the resources to educate and retrain displaced workers for new careers.  Co-sponsors include senators from Ishpeming, Highland Park, Detroit, Battle Creek and Warren. By Jacquelyn Halas. FOR MACOMB, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, SOUTH BEND, MARQUETTE, OAKLAND & ALL POINTS.

• CRANBERRIES -- Tiny Whitefish Point on the Lake Superior shore wants the Legislature to anoint it as Michigan’s cranberry capital, propelling it into the ranks of other capitals such as Belding (apples), South Haven (blueberries) and Mesick (mushrooms) and luring agri-tourists. The UP’s only cranberry farm harvests a mere 14 acres, but after 130 years in the same family it’s the state’s oldest. Owners of much larger operations in Cheboygan County and South Haven say Whitefish Point deserves the honor, and so do dozens of lawmakers who back a UP representative’s resolution to do just that. By Eric Freedman. FOR MARQUETTE, PETOSKEY, SOUTH BEND, HOLLAND, ALPENA, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.
  • With CRANBERRYPHOTO: Credit U.S. Department of Agriculture