May 8, 2015 Budget

Capital News Service Budget – May 8, 2015
To: CNS Editors
From: Perry Parks & Sheila Schimpf
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BONUS WEEK: This is our traditional end-of-semester Bonus Week file with a selection of still-timely spring semester stories you may not have had space for earlier. Of course, CNS subscribing news organizations are free to continue using any of our other archived stories and visuals.
HERE’S YOUR FILE:
SIBLINGSEPARATION: At 14, Tiana Randolph called the police on her mother and stepfather in an attempt to protect her four younger siblings. Four years later, three of the five children remain in foster care with the other two adopted out. State law allows for the adoptive families to limit or refuse contact with biological families, and Tiana has been cut off from two siblings. Sibling separation is a problem plaguing Michigan’s foster care system, child advocates say. Bob Wheaton, communications manager for the Department of Human Services, said around half the siblings who enter the system end up being split into different homes across the state. With commentary from children’s advocates and state officials. By Caitlin McArthur. FOR ALL POINTS
w/SIBLINGSEPARATION_PHOTO_Tiana_Randolph: Photo of Tiana Randolph, 18, who has been separated from her siblings after their adoption.
DISABLEDEMPLOYEES: The state is working to make government jobs more accessible for disabled workers. A new council is developing employee training on the importance of including disabled people in the workplace, after determining this training doesn’t exist. We speak to council members and the president of West Michigan’s Goodwill to hear about the misunderstandings employers can have about disabled workers. By Elizabeth Ferguson. FOR ALL POINTS.
MATHHELP: Studies find that many commonly used math textbooks are missing an average of one quarter of necessary Common Core requirements. With math textbooks essential to teachers creating lesson plans, teachers are faced with a problem — and MSU has a solution. Released in March, the Textbook Navigator is a free, web-based program that helps teachers understand what parts of the Common Core are found where in their textbook, and what chapters can be skipped. By Brooke Kansier. FOR ALL POINTS
MANUREENERGY: The Detroit Zoo is working on a project to transform animal waste into energy to power some parts of the zoo, which has never been done before in North America. We speak with zoo officials about how the project will benefit the zoo, as well as the community. We also speak with an assistant professor at Michigan State University who has been a consultant for the zoo since the project was conceived in 2012.  By Josh Thall. FOR ALL POINTS.
DRONEXPLAINER: With new state and federal laws about drone use, and a variety of national and international stories on the new technology, here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about drones. We talk with recreational and commercial drone users, looking at drone use and new regulations and policies dealing with drones. By Collin Krizmanich. FOR ALL POINTS.
-w/ DRONE_EXPLAINER1: Aerial shot of MSU taken with drone by Ryan Latourette of  Grand Ledge
-w/ DRONE_EXPLAINER2: Aerial shot of MSU taken with drone by Ryan Latourette of  Grand Ledge
-w/ DRONE_EXPLAINER3: Photograph DJI Phantom drone equipped with GoPro camera, used to photograph MSU campus
SNYDERVIEWS: Rick Snyder has spent a majority of his time as governor focusing on jobs and the economy instead of social issues. This has left some activists wanting a stronger position on the causes that matter to them. We talk to Gov. Snyder, representatives from the ACLU, Right to Life, and a political science professor, to review the responses to Snyder’s history of trying to run Michigan like a business. By Cheyna Roth. FOR ALL POINTS.