This Week's File

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Dec. 5, 2008—Week 14

To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Vic Rauch

http://cns.jrn.msu.edu

BONUS WEEK AHEAD: This is the semester’s last file. As in the past, we will move a Bonus Week budget next Friday, Dec. 12, with still-timely stories you may not have had space to run earlier.

NEXT SEMESTER’S CORRESPONDENTS: We will advise you before the spring semester starts of your assigned correspondents. They will be expected to contact you to discuss the types of stories you’re looking for.

HERE’S YOUR FILE:

ONLINETEACHING: High school students in Lorri MacDonald’s introductory forensic science classes can talk, chew gum and even wear their pajamas—they’re among a rapidly growing number of Michigan students enrolled in online courses. With teachers like MacDonald, who is also a professor at University of Detroit Mercy, the state ranks second in the country in online education, and it’s the first state to make an online learning experience a requirement for graduation. The president of the Michigan Education Association notes that it’s tough for public schools to keep up with the latest technological innovations. By Diane Ivey. FOR LANSING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, OAKLAND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK & ALL POINTS.

ASTHMA: Inhalers that use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) will be banned in January, and asthma sufferers will have to use alternatives that don’t contribute to ozone depletion. A West Bloomfield asthma specialist predicts no shortage of alternative products, but the Asthma Network of West Michigan, which serves Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm, Muskegon and Newaygo counties, notes that some patients worry that the alternatives are less effective. Detroit’s asthma rate is higher than the statewide average. The Michigan Environmental Council explains how CFCs contribute to a breakdown of the upper atmosphere. By Brittany Kinstle. FOR OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK, HOLLAND, GREENVILLE, LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, MACOMB, ROMEO & ALL POINTS.

VANPOOLS: Confronted by crowded roads and steep gas prices, commuters are revving up for vanpools, with about 100 new ones launched this year, especially in Southeast Michigan MDOT says. A Troy company that provides vans says its business is booming, By Diane Ivey. FOR OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK, MACOMB, ROMEO, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

EDUCATIONEXPENSES: With school districts tightening their belts, teachers like Lansing’s Brenda Henderson are dipping deep into their own pocketbooks to buy supplies for their classrooms. The federal government provides a maximum $400 income tax deduction, but that’s not enough when the average teacher spends $500 in personal funds for supplies, the Michigan Education Association and a Monroe tax accountant say. By Alison Costello. FOR LANSING, MONROE & ALL POINTS.

MATT’SLAW: The Senate may move on a long-stalled bill to require school districts to enact anti-bullying policies. It’s named for Matt Epling, a 14-year-old who committed suicide after being bullied by high school classmates. A Farmington Hills legislator who sponsored part of the legislation explains why it’s needed. By Charles Roltsch. FOR OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

MEACONTRACTS: Many public school employees, including those in Shepherd, Grand Rapids, Waterford, Southfield and Capac, are working without contracts, and negotiations between Michigan Education Association locals and their school districts have stalled, the union says. By Courtney Bowerman. FOR OAKLAND, LAPEER, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

RICKSHAFFER: Term-limited Rep. Rick Shaffer heads home to St. Joseph County at the end of the month after six years at the Capitol but says a state Senate run may be in his future. We interview him, Sheriff Matt Lori who will replace him and a local judge.  Even a Democratic colleague from Washtenaw County says nice things about him. By John Hudson. FOR THREE RIVERS, STURGIS, SOUTH BEND & ALL POINTS.

ONLINEAUCTIONS: High-end jewelry, a mink coat, sports card collections and even houses—the state and local governments auction them off in its own online site, along with surplus electronics, used police motorcycles and  items seized from parents who fail to pay child support. We hear from the Department of Management and Budget, which runs MiBid, the Ingham County Friend of the Court, Clinton County Road Commission and Hamburg Township Police Department. By Nico Rubello. FOR LANSING, OAKLAND & ALL POINTS.

EDUCATIONCUTS: Local school districts are girding themselves for anticipated cuts in state school aid. The governor has made no announcement yet, but the Michigan Education Association says cuts would leave schools in the lurch. A Traverse City schools official is also worried but says he thinks there won’t be cuts for this year, adding that his district has adequate reserves. By Nico Rubello. FOR TRAVERSE CITY & ALL POINTS.

OBSTETRICS: Oakwood Healthcare in Dearborn is among 13 hospitals participating in a pilot program to improve obstetrics care and reduce problems and costs. Others include hospitals in Monroe, Lansing, Traverse City and Grand Rapids. The Michigan Health and Hospitals Association hopes the program will become available statewide after the one-year test period ends in September. By Alison Costello. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN, OAKLAND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK, LANSING, MONROE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

LOCALTRANSPORTATION: A last-minute push is underway for legislative action to help municipalities pay for transportation development. The proposed system would help the state get more federal transportation aid, create jobs and attract businesses to Michigan, advocates say. The sponsor, from Royal Oak, promises to reintroduce the measure in 2009 if it dies this month. By Charles Roltsch. FOR ROYAL OAK, OAKLAND, MACOMB, ROMEO, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

TRIPGRANTS: State grants are helping some cash-strapped school districts pay for cultural field trips to places like the Detroit Institute of Arts, Greenfield Village and the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing. Demand for the competitive $500 grants exceeded the amount of money available. Schools’ financial problems are being felt by the cultural institutions at well—school group attendance is down 7 percent this year at the Henry Ford. By Diane Ivey. FOR LANSING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, OAKLAND, MACOMB, ROMEO, ROYAL OAK, MONROE & ALL POINTS.

CNS

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