This Week's File

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May 1, 2009 -- Week 14

To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Sheila Schimpf

http://cns.jrn.msu.edu

THANKS, CNS EDITORS: Since 1981, Capital News Service has been supplying our member subscribers with coverage of state government, politics and public policy and training future journalists to cover issues of importance to the public. We know these are tough economic times for our members—newspapers and online news outlets alike—and the MSU School of Journalism and our student correspondents greatly appreciate your continued guidance and support.

“IN SEARCH OF A NEW JOURNALISM”: CNS editors and staffers are invited to attend a free “news summit” on the future of journalism on Monday, May 11, with a mix of journalists, news consumers, students, entrepreneurs, academics and innovators from outside journalism. It will be hosted by the MSU School of Journalism, with a public session starting at 1:30 p.m. in Studio E of the Communication Arts & Sciences Building. Seating is limited, so reserve a spot by e-mail to jrn@msu.edu. The session also will be Webcast live at www.spartantv.cas.msu.edu.

BONUS WEEK AHEAD: This is our last regular file of the spring. Next week, we’ll send our traditional Bonus Week file of still-timely stories that you might not have had enough space for earlier in the semester. We’ll be in touch before the fall semester begins with the names of our new cadre of correspondents.

HERE'S YOUR FILE:

EAGLES: After decades of recuperation, the state’s bald eagle population has risen high enough for it to be removed from the endangered species list, though it’s still illegal to hunt or harm the bird. They thrive in the U.P. and northern Lower Peninsula, but there have been sightings in Wayne, Monroe, Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties, among others. We hear from DNR, the Audubon Society, Kalamazoo Nature Society and Michigan United Conservation Clubs. By Joe Vaillancourt. FOR MARQUETTE, LUDINGTON, CADILLAC, ALPENA, PETOSKEY, CLARE, GLADWIN, TRAVERSE CITY, GRAYLING, BLISSFIELD, OAKLAND, MACOMB, SOUTH BEND, ROYAL OAK, UP NORTH & ALL POINTS.

SCHOOLAIRQUALITY: Two schools in Detroit and Norton Shores are among 62 nationally where the EPA is testing exterior air quality. The pilot program, a partnership with the Department of Environmental Quality, is intended to help determine whether pupils are at risk from airborne pollutants and to identify possible sources of the dangers. The Detroit principal is pleased his school was selected but wishes the EPA had communicated better with him about the project. By Thomas J. Morrisey. FOR LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

THENEWBACHELORS: Some lawmakers, led by one from Livonia, want to let community colleges grant bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields: nursing, cement technology and culinary arts. Community colleges like the idea, but the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan, says community colleges should stick to their own mission. All 28 community colleges now offer associate’s degrees in nursing, seven or eight in culinary arts and only Alpena Community College in concrete technology. Among the community colleges pushing the idea are ones in Traverse City, Rochester Hills and Dowagiac. Other sponsors include Holland, Traverse City and Clinton Township representatives. By Danielle Emerson. FOR LANSING, ALPENA, OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK, TRAVERSE CITY, HOLLAND, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

HOUSINGREDEVLOPMENT: Fifteen cities, including Benton Harbor, Roseville, Royal Oak, St. Clair Shores, Wyoming, Muskegon and Muskegon Heights, will share $7.5 million in housing redevelopment grants. The money comes from the state Housing Development Authority, which may add two more cities, including Farmington Hills. Muskegon and Kalamazoo officials explain how their cities will use the money. By Gabriel Goodwin. FOR SOUTH BEND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK, OAKLAND, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

BRASSKNUCKLES: Some lawmakers want to make it a misdemeanor to sell brass knuckles to minors. Ironically, Michigan law already makes it a felony to manufacture, possessor or sell “metallic knuckles” regardless of age—meaning the new bill would lessen penalties if a customer is younger than 18. Sponsors from Dearborn and Detroit defend the bill, while the State Police and Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency question it. Co-sponsors include representatives from Tipton, Alpena, Pontiac and Hancock  By Tim Weatherhead. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN, OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK, OAKLAND, BLISSFIELD, MARQUETTE & ALL POINTS.

BLUESTARMOMS: Blue Star Mothers, a national organization formed in Flint during World War II, is still helping women whose children are deployed overseas. Local chapters, including ones in Port Huron and Flint, engage in a variety of charitable projects to assist the troops and their families. By Gabriel Goodwin. FOR LAPEER, OAKLAND, GRAYLING, ALPENA, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

AIRREPORT: Many Michigan counties received low or failing air quality grades from the American Lung Association, but the Department of Environmental Quality questions the organization’s methodology, saying the report measures only two types of pollution. The counties scoring best or worst are Allegan, Berrien, Wayne, Oakland, Lenawee, Ottawa, Ingham, Clinton, Missaukee, Macomb, Muskegon and Kent. By Thomas J. Morrisey. FOR HOLLAND, LANSING, OAKLAND, BLISSFIELD, CADILLAC, SOUTH BEND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS & ALL POINTS.

KEGS: A House-passed bill drafted by an East Lansing legislator would require beer kegs to be tagged with the purchaser’s name and address in a move to reduce alcohol-related injuries and increase accountability for party hosts. MADD says similar laws have proven useful in 31 other states, but the Michigan Retailers Association cautions that it would mean more regulation for businesses. A Leland lawmaker questions its possible impact in deterring underage drinking. By Jack Johnston. FOR LANSING, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, TRAVERSE CITY, LUDINGTON, CADILLAC  & ALL POINTS.

TOXICSUPERIOR: The largest, deepest and coldest Great Lake holds another distinction: the highest levels of toxaphene in the region and possibly anywhere in the world, with serious implications for fish consumption. Levels in Lake Superior are twice as high as in Lake Michigan. We talk to the Department of Community Health and experts from Kalamazoo, Minnesota and the Michigan Environmental Council. By Matt Cimitile. FOR MARQUETTE, LUDINGTON, CADILLAC, HOLLAND, ALPENA, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, SOUTH BEND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, OAKLAND & ALL POINTS.

DREDGING: The Army Corps of Engineers has earmarked more than $41 million in federal stimulus money for Great Lakes area projects. Beneficiaries include projects at Grand Haven, Petoskey, Harbor Beach, Holland, the Inland Route, Ludington, the U.P.’s Little Lake Harbor, the Saginaw River, St. Joseph, Saugatuck and the Ecorse River in Downriver Detroit. But the Great Lakes shipping industry complains that the region should have gotten more and is angry that there’s no money to build a new Soo Lock. By Matt Cimitile. FOR HOLLAND, LUDINGTON, SOUTH BEND, PETOSKEY, TRAVERSE CITY, MARQUETTE, MACOMB, ALPENA & ALL POINTS.

CNS

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