Oct. 18, 2013 CNS Budget

Oct. 18, 2013 – Week 7
To: CNS Editors
From: Eric Freedman http://news.jrn.msu.edu/capitalnewsservice/. For technical problems, contact CNS tech manager Andrea Raby at rabyand1@msu.edu or 616-914-9670.
All articles ©2013, Capital News Service, Michigan State University School of Journalism. Nonmembers cannot reproduce CNS articles without written permission.
AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT AHEAD: On Monday, Oct. 21, our correspondents will interview the director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Jamie Clover Adams. Possible topics include export markets, new invasive plants and animals, and the environmental stewardship program.
HERE’S YOUR FILE:
ROADKILL: It would be easier to keep roadkill and avoid the salvage tag process under a bill sponsored by senators from Evart and Troy. It would also give first dibs to drivers who want to take the carcasses they hit.  A DNR official questions its necessity but a Marquette County Road Commission official says it’s a good idea. By Becky McKendry. FOR MARQUETTE, CADILLAC, MANISTEE, LAKE COUNTY, HERALD STAR. ROYAL OAK, BIG RAPIDS & ALL POINTS.
ONLINESCHOOLS: It will soon be easier for high school students to take more classes online. We talk to Michigan Virtual University, the Michigan Education Association and school officials in Blissfield and Big Rapids. By Stephen Ingber. FOR BLISSFIELD, BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.
DYINGMOOSE:  Parasites, climate change, disease and a deadly beetle threaten the U.P.’s moose herd, a DNR expert warns. Michigan United Conservation Clubs says the slow growth of the moose population means delay in allowing hunting, and a U.P. tourism official notes that many visitors try to see moose, although usually unsuccessfully. By Matthew Hall. FOR MARQUETTE, ST. IGNACE, BAY MILLS, SAULT STE. MARIE, CHEBOYGAN & ALL POINTS.
w/DYINGMOOSEPHOTO: Credit: Department of Natural Resources.
PUBLICLANDS: . An improved network of equestrian trails in Southeast Michigan is part of the DNR’s public lands strategy, along with more public access to Great Lakes shoreline, smaller inland lakes, parks and trails. We talk to DNR and the Sierra Club. By Matthew Hall. FOR MACOMB, OAKLAND, DEADLINE DETROIT, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND, BLISSFIELD, MANISTEE, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, ALPENA, CHEBOYGAN, ST. IGNACE, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, TRAVERSE CITY, BAY MILLS, CADILLAC, BIG RAPIDS, GREENVILLE & ALL POINTS.
w/PUBLICLANDSGRAPHIC: Major recommendations of DNR public lands report. Source: Department of Natural Resources.
w/PUBLICLANDSMAP: State public land. Credit: Department of Natural Resources.
WOLFHUNT. With the state’s first wolf hunt only a few weeks away, the debate continues. We talk to the Escanaba sponsor of the bill legalizing such hunts, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, a Michigan Tech wildlife expert and the organization that is running a petition drive for a statewide vote on the issue. By Greg Monahan. FOR BAY MILLS, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, ST. IGNACE, CHEBOYGAN & ALL POINTS.
w/WOLFHUNTPHOTO: Credit: Department of Natural Resources.
SQUATTERS: A Wayne County representatives wants felony penalties for squatters, saying they’re gaming the legal system in ways that are unfair to property owners and taxpayers. Squatting has grown since the foreclosure crisis left many homes empty or abandoned. A Warren senator, who says there are problems in Macomb and Oakland counties, is also working on the issue. We also talk to a Macomb County homeless organization and the directors of MSU and University of Detroit Mercy housing law clinics. By Eric Freedman. FOR MACOMB, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, DEADLINE DETROIT, CITY PULSE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.
w/SQUATTERSTABLE: Number of hours a minimum-wage worker must work each month to pay “fair market rent” on a two-bedroom apartment. Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition.
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