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To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Vic Rauch

FINAL FILE AHEAD: Next Friday, April 28, will be our final file of the spring semester. As in the past, however, we will provide a bonus week on May 5 with a selection of still-timely stories that you may not have had space for earlier.

• COLDCASES -- Road maintenance projects are getting more costly, and counties are hard-pressed to pay for them, the Kent County Road Commission says. A proposal by the governor and related legislation -- whose sponsors include senators from the Upper Peninsula, Macomb County, Norton Shores and Bay City -- would make it quicker and easier for local road agencies to secure federal road improvement grants.  By Erica Richards. FOR LAPEER, ALPENA, MACOMB, OAKLAND & ALL POINTS.
  • With COXPHOTO: Attorney Gen. Mike Cox. Credit: Eric Freedman, Capital News Service .

• TOURISMBOOST -- Some lawmakers, including one from Farwell, and business groups want the state to put more money to promote tourism, saying Michigan  lags in spending to lure visitors – but they aren’t saying where the extra cash should come from. Travel Michigan concentrates its advertising dollars on just three markets---Chicago, Cleveland and Indianapolis, none of which generate many tourists to the UP. Meanwhile, MDOT welcome centers in Marquette and Menominee are providing tourism information and working with local businesses to promote the UP. By Matt Schuler. FOR MARQUETTE, MIDLAND, CLARE, NORTHWEST MICHIGAN BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

• MARRIAGE -- Couples would have to attend a marriage class or counseling before they can receive a marriage license if a group of GOP-sponsored bills passes. And there would be a mandatory minimum three-day waiting period between the date of  the license and the wedding bells. The lead sponsor, from North Branch, says the changes would strengthen families and  avert divorces, but the governor previously vetoed a similar proposal. Cosponsors include representatives from Allendale, Bad Axe, Bellaire, Midland, Farwell & Three Rivers. By Derek Wallbank. FOR LAPEER, CLARE, MIDLAND, HOLLAND, BAD AXE, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND, UP NORTH, PETOSKEY & ALL POINTS.

• WELLNESS -- School officials in Sturgis and Three Rivers won’t need to scramble to meet a July 1 federal deadline for adopting a “wellness plan” to address obesity, physical inactivity and poor nutrition among children. That’s because both districts have already been working to provide healthier meals and snacks and to promote healthier lifestyles. By Sandra Kao. FOR STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND & ALL POINTS.

• HOUSECAMPAIGN -- First-term Rep. Tim Moore of Farwell is either a Republican lackey of the pharmaceutical industry or a champion of the average guy, depending on who you ask in his northern Lower Peninsula district. Either way, if history repeats itself, the fall campaign between Moore and Democrat David Schwab Sr. of Omer could get nasty -- two years ago, Moore ousted an incumbent in a nasty race. Inside Michigan Politics ranks the district as a toss-up, and Democrats see victory there as a key move in their effort to regain control of the House. FOR CLARE, MIDLAND & ALL POINTS.

• FEMALEHUNTERS -- The Department of Natural Resources is taking aim at female hunters with special hunter education courses and more women instructors, including upcoming workshops at its center in Cadillac. He also hear from a DNR hunter ed  specialist in Traverse City. For news and outdoors sections. By Sandra Kao. FOR GRAYLING, UP NORTH, CADILLAC, GREENVILLE, ALPENA, BAD AXE, MARQUETTE, CLARE, MIDLAND, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND,  LANSING, SOUTH BEND & ALL POINTS.