Feb. 3, 2012 CNS Budget

All articles ©2012, Capital News Service, Michigan State University School of Journalism. Nonmembers cannot reproduce CNS articles without written permission.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AHEAD: On Monday, Feb. 6, your correspondents will interview Olga Dazzo, director of the Department of Community Health. Potential interview topics include children’s health services, health care for the uninsured, substance and alcohol abuse treatment and obesity.
CLARIFICATION: We have clarified a comment by Tom Frazier of the Michigan Townships Association in the posted version of our Jan. 27 SEPTICWASTE story.
HERE’S YOUR FILE:
STOPINVADERS: Beware the northern snakehead, inland silverside and a host of other threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, a new report warns. Although the Asian carp is today’s political and media bogeyman, environmentalists worry that even more perilous invaders may sneak in through the Chicago water system. We hear from environmental groups, Great Lakes Commission, U.S. Rep. Camp and U.S. Sen. Stabenow. By Jon Gaskell. FOR LUDINGTON, HOLLAND, SOUTH BEND, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, TRAVERSE CITY, CHEBOYGAN, ST. IGNACE, MARQUETTE, ALPENA & ALL POINTS.
w/STOPINVADERSMARSHDEWFLOWER: Credit: U.S. Geological Survey.
w/STOPINVADERSCUBANBULRUSH: Credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
w/STOPINVADERSNORTHERNSNAKEHEAD: Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
w/STOPINVADERSINLANDSILVERSIDE: Credit: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
HEALTHSERVICES: A proposal would merge local mental health and substance abuse programs. Advocates say it would save money and increase efficiency, but skeptics worry that it will reduce services, especially in rural areas such as Northern Michigan and the UP. We hear from experts in Oakland and St. Clair counties, Petoskey, Gaylord, Marquette and the Lansing area. Sponsors are from Jackson, Newaygo, Stevensville and Clarklake. By Saodat Asanova-Taylor. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN, JACKSON, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, CHEBOYGAN, CADILLAC, ST. IGNACE, HARBOR SPRINGS, MARQUETTE, LUDINGTON, CLARE, GLADWIN, ROYAL OAK, LANSING, SOUTH BEND & ALL POINTS.
CHILDABUSE: Cheboygan County logged the biggest percentage jump in child abuse and neglect reports, a situation attributed to high unemployment, substance abuse and poverty, with Lake and Roscommon counties in second and third place. We hear from a Lake City legislator, U of M expert, Michigan League for Human Services and Michigan’s Children. By Jennifer Chen. FOR CHEBOYGAN, LUDINGTON & ALL POINTS.
 
CHILDPOVERTY: The poverty rate among children in Ottawa and Allegan counties is worsening, a new report shows. Great Start Collaborative leaders in both counties discuss the situation, and the Michigan League for Human Services explains some of the reasons. By Xinjuan Deng. FOR HOLLAND & ALL POINTS.
AGRICULTUREEXPORTS: Officials hope the new South Korea Free Trade Agreement will expand the international market for Michigan agricultural products. Soybeans, grains and wheat are currently the biggest exports, with Canada and Mexico among the major buyers. We hear from Cherry Central in Traverse City, the Agriculture Department and the Farm Bureau. By Wei Yu. FOR BLISSFIELD, TRAVERSE CITY, ALPENA, PETOSKEY, SOUTH BEND, STURGIS, LAPEER, THREE RIVERS, BROWN CITY& ALL POINTS.
TANNING: Scientists may disagree on the health risks of tanning beds, but a Royal Oak legislator wants to ban minors from tanning salons to avoid the long-term hazards of melanoma. The industry calls a ban medically unwarranted and economically harmful. A U of M expert supports the proposal. Co-sponsors include lawmakers from Ypsilanti, Huntington Woods, Lansing and Kalamazoo. By Patrick Lyons. FOR ROYAL OAK, ANN ARBOR, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, LANSING & ALL POINTS.
DENTALPROGRAM: A dental care program for low-income children has expanded to Mason, Manistee, Oceana and Muskegon counties, but 18 counties—including Oakland, Wayne and Macomb—remain excluded. We hear from dental experts in Boyne City and Hart, Michigan League for Human Services, a Hart lawmaker, the state Dental Association and Delta Dental. By Patrick Howard. FOR LUDINGTON, MACOMB, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, ROYAL OAK, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.
CNS