This Week's File

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April 24, 2009 -- Week 13

To: CNS Editors

From: Sheila Schimpf & Vic Rauch

http://cns.jrn.msu.edu

CNS CORRESPONDENTS HONORED: Three CNS correspondents were honored for their work at the School of Journalism’s April 19 awards convocation. Jack Johnston (Spring ’09) received the Augenstein Scholarship, named for Edward Augenstein, longtime manager of the Capitol Press Room. Diane Ivey (Spring ’08 and Fall ’08) received the Milliman Award, named for CNS founder, publisher and Michigan Hall of Fame member Richard Milliman. Brittany Kinstle (Fall ’08) received the Cote Award, named for former CNS director and retired MSU journalism professor William Cote.

LAST REGULAR FILE NEXT WEEK: Friday, May 1, will be our last regular file of the spring. The following week, however, we’ll have our traditional Bonus Week file of still-timely stories that you might not have had enough space for earlier in the semester.

HERE'S YOUR FILE:

MICHFRUITABROAD:. Michigan dried fruits are popping up in international markets. Overseas sales of dried fruits jumped from $49 million to $122 million in four years, partly because fruit companies now have sales people dedicated to selling their products in places like Japan, the Philippines and Europe. We talk to Shoreline Fruit in Traverse City, the Michigan Agriculture Department. state and food export experts. Also involved are companies in Grand Rapids and Frankfort and the Cherry Marketing Institute in DeWitt. By Thomas J. Morrisey FOR TRAVERSE CITY, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, GREENVILLE, LUDINGTON, PETOSKEY, HOLLAND, BLISSFIELD, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

---------            CHERRYFACTS:

SIDEBAR TO MICHFRUITABROAD:  Four fabulous facts about Michigan’s favorite fruit, cherries.

MICHFRUITABROADPHOTO: Michigan cherries. Credit Cherry Marketing Institute Inc.

INDUSTRIALBYPRODUCTS: The Michigan Manufacturers Association says Michigan is behind the times and behind many other states in over-regulating the use and disposal of potentially valuable industrial byproducts, such as fly ash from power plants. We talk to a Michigan Technological University professor who is working on a federal project to figure out a way to mix fly ash and cement, the MMA and Detroit Edison engineer. By Danielle Emerson. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, UP NORTH,  PETOSKEY, TRAVERSE CITY, LANSING, OAKLAND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK & ALL POINTS.

EMPLOYEEFREECHOICEACT: The Michigan Manufacturers Association and other business groups are heavily lobbying the state’s congressional delegation to block “employee free choice” legislation that would make it easier for unions to win recognition without the need for worker elections. The proposal is high on the priority list for unions, who say it’s necessary to protect workers. Opponents counter that it tips unfairly in favor of labor. We talk to Wayne State and Michigan State experts, labor union officials, Dawn Foods in Jackson and a Monroe teamster.  By Alison Costello. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, LANSING, BLISSFIELD, MACOMB, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

MILITARYKIDS: Children of active-duty military personnel will have the chance for a free week of camping in special programs at YMCA camps in Three Rivers and Jackson. It’s part of a national program sponsored by the National Military Family Association, with Sierra Club financial support. Activities are intended to strengthen and build the children’s resiliency. By Tim Weatherhead. FOR STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND, LANSING, GRAYLING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

MICHIGANSAVES: A new $8 million grant will help families and small business improve their energy efficiency. We talk to the Public Service Commission, Public Sector Consultants and Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth. By Gabriel Goodwin. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN, OAKLAND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

WINDMANUFACTURING:  The governor wants Michigan to be a leader in wind power, and two companies have taken up the challenge in Manistee. They will make windspires, a type of windmill without propeller blades that is designed for individual homes. Also involved are companies in Ludington, Freesoil, Cadillac and Grand Haven. By Gabriel Goodwin. For GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, LANSING, LUDINGTON, TRAVERSE CITY, CADILLAC & ALL POINTS.   

POISONED:  DNR is investigating the poisoning death of a bald eagle and a white-tailed deer in the Upper Peninsula. A Keweenaw Bay Indian Community conservation officer discovered the bodies. We hear from experts at Michigan State University, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, DNR and Michigan Environmental Council. By Joe Vaillancourt. FOR MARQUETTE, LUDINGTON, CADILLAC, ALPENA & ALL POINTS.

SHELLFISH: The federal government has authorized the state Agriculture Department to inspect and certify shellfish, making it easier for Michigan businesses to ship shellfish out of state. We talk to companies in Detroit and Grand Rapids that would benefit from the change. Jack Johnston. FOR MACOMB, OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

BROWNFIELDS: An innovative Ingham County program is cleaning up brownfields—abandoned former industrial sites—and building housing. Brownfield projects avoid the need to develop agricultural and other undeveloped land. Some brownfield projects in Detroit, Bay Harbor and elsewhere in the state have confronted contamination problems. By Joe Vaillancourt. FOR LANSING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, PETOSKEY & ALL POINTS.

SEDIMENT: As contaminated sediment is cleaned up in the Great Lakes, persistent pollutants continue to blow in, threatening again to poison soil and harm human health. Federal funding under a 2002 law is helping to pay for cleanups, including sites on the Detroit River and in Sault Ste. Marie and Muskegon. We hear from environmentalists, scientists and the EPA. By Matt Cimitile. FOR MARQUETTE, LUDINGTON, CADILLAC, HOLLAND, ALPENA, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, SOUTH BEND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, OAKLAND, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

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