Bonus budget – May 13, 2019

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May 13, 2019 – bonus file

To: CNS Editors

From: David Poulson

http://news.jrn.msu.edu/capitalnewsservice/

For technical problems, contact CNS technical manager Tony Cepak at (517) 803-6841; cepak@msu.edu.

For other matters, contact Dave Poulson at (517) 432-5417 or (517) 899-1640 poulson@msu.edu.

CNS EDITORS: Here are some stories that moved earlier during the spring semester but that you may not have had a chance to run.

Note that periodically through the summer we will move stories produced by our partner, Great Lakes Echo.

HERE IS YOUR FILE:

VEHICLE THEFTS —  Michigan vehicle thefts dropped from 50,000 in 2006 to less than 20,000 in 2017, according to a recent auditor general’s report. That’s also a drop of more than 600 vehicles the previous year. State officials attribute the drop in part to a program supported by an assessment on insured vehicles.  We talk to state officials and the head of an auto theft prevention program in Kent County. By Zaria Phillips. FOR ALL POINTS.

FARM TO SCHOOL: The state continues to expand a program for schools to buy local fruits and vegetables. The 57 grant-winning school districts purchased 93 different fruits and vegetables grown by 143 farms in 38 counties so far this year. We talk to state officials and to a Leelanau County school and farmer. By Kaley Fech. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL, CORPS!, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, BLISSFIELD, GREENVILLE, IONIA, HOLLAND, ALL BUSINESS DESKS AND ALL POINTS

SCHOOL LIBRARIANS – State lawmakers have introduced legislation requiring libraries and a certified librarian in every Michigan public school.  Michigan is one of the worst in the nation for library access, ranking 47th for its student-to-school librarian ratio, according to the Michigan Education Association. Supporters say librarians are needed to increase literacy rates and to help students identify credible sources of information. By Maxwell Evans. FOR ALL POINTS.

INTERNET ACCESS — Frustrated by a lack of access to high-speed internet, some communities in western Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are inventing work-arounds to give their residents better service. We speak with Rep. Sara Cambensy and online experts in Ludington, Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie.. By Zaria Phillips. FOR LUDINGTON, MARQUETTE, ST. IGNACE, SAULT STE. MARIE, BAY MILLS, CHEBOYGAN, LAKE COUNTY, OCEANA COUNTY, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS AND ALL POINTS.

WOLF STUDY: Relocating wolves to Isle Royale may be only a temporary solution to the island’s diminishing wolf population, according to a recent study. Researchers studying 30 years of the island’s wolf genetics say the restoration of a population by the National Park Service will reduce problems from inbreeding. But unless wolves keep crossing ice bridges — which are less frequent due to climate change — the improvement will be temporary. By Kaley Fech. FOR MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, ST. IGNACE, BAY MILLS AND ALL POINTS. W/WOLF PHOTO: Isle Royale’s remaining resident pair of wolves before the new influx are father and daughter, as well as half siblings. Credit: Rolf Peterson

RURAL AUTO INSURANCE: During a seemingly endless legislative battle over how to rein in the nation’s highest auto insurance premiums, some experts worry about  rural Michiganders fleeing the state for cheaper rates. Premiums in urban centers like Detroit are disproportionately high due to non-driving factors. But sparsely populated areas are also burdened with steep costs. An average of premiums in rural and suburban areas across Michigan would still equate to the “eighth- to 10th-highest” in the nation. By Maxwell Evans. FOR ALL POINTS.

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