This Week's File

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Oct. 19, 2007 – Week 7

To: CNS Editors

From: Vic Rauch & Sheila Schimpf

PRISONS AHEAD: On Monday, Oct. 22, your correspondents will interview Patricia Caruso, director of the Corrections Department. Likely topics will include the state’s prison capacity and overcrowding, alternatives to incarceration, soaring health and mental health costs, changes in sentencing guidelines and prison safety.

HERE’S YOUR FILE:

INTERNATIONALSTUDENTS: The journey from India to Michigan was lengthy and sometimes baffling for Kaustav Mukherjee—but he wouldn’t have it any other way. The graduate student from India is one of more than 20,000 international students at Michigan’s 15 public universities this fall. Two campuses, University of Michigan and Michigan State, rank among the nation’s top 25 in international student enrollment, with Wayne State not far behind. By Tim Alberta. FOR LANSING, OAKLAND, MACOMB & ALL POINTS.

MILITARYCELLCONTRACTS: Military personnel on long tours of duty would be able to get out of a cell phone contract without paying a penalty if a proposal by a Howell representative wins approval. Some troops have had to pay for a service they can’t use overseas. A wireless provider could be fined for violating the law By Jeff Riley Jr. FOR TRAVERSE CITY, LANSING, UP NORTH, HOLLAND, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MACOMB, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, OAKLAND & ALL POINTS.

HALLOWEEN: Parolees convicted of sex crimes with minors should be barred from Halloween activities, including handing out candy, some lawmakers say. Sponsors, who include representatives from Waterford and Grand Ledge, say pedophiles often repeat their crimes. But the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency says the proposal might be a “good move politically” but is unnecessary because paroled sex offenders already are required to stay away from activities involving children. By Gregory Herbert. FOR OAKLAND, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

NURSINGHOMEDIVERSION: Michigan has snagged a $500,000 federal grant to help keep elderly people away from nursing home care. Three local agencies on the aging will work with the state on the diversion program. One in Southeast Michigan includes Monroe, Oakland and Macomb counties; a second in mid-Michigan serves Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties; the third in western Michigan includes Allegan, Ionia, Lake, Mason, Montcalm, Newaygo and Osceola counties. By Jeff Riley Jr. FOR OAKLAND, MACOMB, MONROE, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, LANSING, GREENVILLE, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND & ALL POINTS.

ENERGYPRICES: The Public Service Commission predicts rising costs for heating oil, propane and natural gas this winter will hit residents hard in the pocketbook. The Michigan Gas & Electric Association, whose members include Alpena Power, Indiana Michigan Power and Upper Peninsula Power, blames government policies for restricting domestic energy supplies and contributing to higher prices. We also talk to a Lansing man who has winterized his apartment in hopes of controlling his heating bills. The PSC offers suggestions for lowering heating costs. By David Salisbury. FOR LANSING, MARQUETTE, ALPENA, SOUTH BEND, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

TRAFFICCAMERAS: Some Genesee County legislators want the state to implement a trial traffic camera program at the 10 intersections with high crash rates. The proposal is intended to deter traffic violations and free up police for other duties. Violators would be fined but get no points on their driving record. Traffic cameras are used now in a number of cities across the country. By Crystal L. Burks. FOR OAKLAND, LAPEER & ALL POINTS.

SMALLBUSINESS: To survive, small businesses must adapt to changing market realities and demands, Macomb County business experts say. We also hear from a Macomb County legislator who owns a small business in Romeo. By Melanie Trusty. FOR MACOMB, ROMEO, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

RESTROOMACCESS: Some people don’t understand what it’s like to have a medical condition that requires immediate access to a toilet but the only one nearby is off limits because it’s for employees only, advocates of a restroom access bill say. A Farmington Hills-based advocacy group for people with Crohn’s disease and colitis is pushing the legislation, calling it a “human” rather than partisan issue. By Melanie Trusty. FOR OAKLAND & ALL POINTS.

GIFTCARDS: If you're sick of losing money on gift cards because you don't use them fast enough, a possible solution is in the works. The House is debating bills that would regulate them more strictly, including a ban on service or inactivity fees and a requirement that they not expire for at least five years. We hear from a co-sponsoring Monroe legislator and the Michigan Retailers Association. For news and business desks. By Gregory Herbert. FOR MONROE, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

NOWORKER: The state's new No Worker Left Behind initiative, intended to help more than 100,000 displaced workers with free community college and training program tuition, drew almost 2,000 enrollees in its first month. For news and business desks. By Andrew F. Mutavdzija. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, UP NORTH, TRAVERSE CITY, LAPEER, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

w/NWLBINFO: Box listing who is eligible for NWLB program, from Michigan.gov

ANIMALWELFARE: People who care about animals can be more certain that shelters have the money to meet needs if a proposal for a check-off donation on state tax returns gets final approval. By Hayley Outslay. FOR CLARE & ALL POINTS,

CNS

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