10/02/20 CNS Budget — Week 4
To: CNS Editors
From: David Poulson and Judy Putnam
http://news.jrn.msu.edu/capitalnewsservice/
For technical problems, contact CNS technical manager Eryn Ho at (616) 485-9295; hoeryn@msu.edu.
For other matters, contact Dave Poulson at (517) 899-1640; poulson@msu.edu.
Here is your file:
CENSUS WOES: Seasonal properties, vacant houses, the lack of internet, distrust of government and fewer census takers, not to mention the pandemic, are challenges to the 2020 U.S. census, especially in Michigan’s rural northern counties, census experts say. Statewide, about 71% of Michigan households self-reported their numbers online to the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s better than the national rate of 62.1%. But the statewide number obscures low rates of self-response in the low-population rural north, especially Lake, Mackinac, Oscoda, Keweenaw and Alcona counties. By Zholdas Orisbayev FOR BAY MILLS, MARQUETTE, BIG RAPIDS, SAULT STE MARIE, ST. IGNACE, ALCONA, LAKE COUNTY, LUDINGTON, CORP! AND ALL POINTS
W/CENSUS SELF-REPORT RATE BY MICHIGAN COUNTY: This chart indicates the rate of households reporting information directly to the census themselves for each county. Editors may wish to insert local numbers into the story.
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MICHIGAN SOLAR: Solar energy newcomers and longtime aficionados can tour solar-powered homes virtually in Michigan and across the nation as an annual live tour goes digital due to the pandemic. By Taylor Haelterman FOR LANSING CITY PULSE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS AND ALL POINTS
With photos:
SOLAR 1: Installation of the roof-integrated solar panels on John Sarver’s East Lansing home in 2010. These were the only panels he used until 2019 when he added additional traditional style panels. Credit: John Sarver
SOLAR 2: The first solar panels Bob Synk had installed in 2018 on the roof of his garage in Grand Rapids. Credit: Bob Synk
SOLAR 3: Bob Synk and the solar panels being installed on the roof of his home in Grand Rapids this year. Credit: Bob Synk
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COLUMN: LIVING WITH CANCER: Twenty-nine years after I was treated for breast cancer, it came back – and now it is dug in and metastasized. And so, I bought a horse. Then I bought an 8-week-old golden retriever puppy. The new kind of winning – living with cancer and not letting it stop me from finding that elusive everyday Better Life – is a victory measured in horse rides, dog walks, outdoor dinners with our daughter and laughs with the others on FaceTime. By Sheila Schimpf. Note that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. FOR HEALTH AND FEATURE PAGES. ATTENTION LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.
W/SCHIMPF PHOTO: Sheila Schimpf bought a horse, Q the Applause, after her breast cancer returned.
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NATURE & COVID: If there’s one upside to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that more people are getting outdoors and connecting with nature. We often hear about how crucial it is to “eat our greens.” But rarely do we talk about the importance of “seeing green.” We interview several outdoor enthusiasts and an Okemos psychologist explains the mental health benefits. FOR LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.
w/NATURE & COVID PHOTO DICKENS: Mckenzie Dickens takes a break from walking around the Michigan State Botanical Gardens. Credit: Anne Hooper.
w/NATURE & COVID PHOTO STROUPE: Michigan State professor David Stroupe hikes near the Red Cedar River. Credit: Chioma Lewis.
w/NATURE & COVID PHOTO TETTEY: Lansing resident Driscilla Tettey has been spending more time outdoors. Credit: Audrey Porter.
w/NATURE & COVID PHOTO BRETTON: Anne Bretton enjoys birdwatching at Harris Nature Center in Okemos: Credit: Yue Jiang.
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FARMERS MARKETS: New farmers markets in low-income, urban areas of Michigan face challenges in recruiting and retaining vendors, a new study finds. Farmers motivated by their love of gardening or the desire to build community are least likely to drop out of those urban markets, the study concludes. Four farmers markets were canceled this year because of the pandemic in Benzonia, Munising, Lansing and Grayling. We talk to a study author and the Michigan Farmers Market Association. By Eric Freedman. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, LANSING CITY PULSE, CORP! BENZIE, MARQUETTE, CRAWFORD COUNTY, MANISTEE, TRAVERSE CITY, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS AND ALL POINTS.
W/FARMERS MARKETS PHOTO: The Michigan Farmers Market Association lists 225 markets on its website. Credit: Michigan State University.
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CNS