CNS budget, Oct. 28, 2022

Week 8 – 10/28/22

CNS Budget

To: CNS Editors

From: David Poulson and Judy Putnam

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

Welcome to the eighth CNS file of the 2022 fall semester. 

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:

WALKING AND BIKING: Older and poorer people in Michigan walk and bike far less than their younger and richer counterparts, a gap that grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent study reports. Age, education and identification as a minority correlate with less walking and biking for recreation, the study said. One reason why lower-income people walked less than wealthier people during the pandemic could be that more of them had to work in the service sector as essential workers. We talk to an Michigan State University expert, the Michigan Municipal League and the League of Michigan Bicyclists. By Liam Jackson  FOR HOLLAND, LUDINGTON, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS AND ALL POINTS. 

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COLLEGE TRANSPORTATION: Attendance at Michigan community colleges is declining, and transportation could be a factor. Most community college students are lower income and more likely to lack reliable transportation. The problem is especially challenging for community colleges that seek students from multiple counties. They are partnering with county transportation systems and establishing emergency funds for students with car trouble. We talk to representatives from Alpena Community College, Delta College, and Kirtland Community College. By Sarah Atwood. FOR ALPENA, MIDLAND, CRAWFORD COUNTY, ALCONA, CHEBOYGAN, MONTMORENCY AND ALL POINTS

Editors, note localization opportunity for listing distance between colleges and nearest public transit stops at https://www.shs.foundation/shsf-transit-map 

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MICHIGAN WINTERS: Northern Michigan communities are gearing up for more days of rain and snow this winter after climate scientists predict a wetter-than-average season. Some parts of northern Michigan could face severe weather. We talk to an Upper Peninsula Travel official, Leelanau, Kent, Grand Traverse road commissions, the Midwest Regional Climate Center in Indiana and a climatologist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Ann Arbor. Alpena and Sault Sainte Marie mentioned. By Janelle James. FOR ALPENA, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL, SAULT STE. MARIE, WKTV, IRON MOUNTAIN, MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS, ST. IGNACE , CHEBOYGAN, ALCONA, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS AND ALL POINTS

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MASS TIMBER: Using timber instead of steel or concrete in construction can reduce carbon footprints dramatically. Nationwide, demand for what is called mass timber tripled between 2018 and 2021 and last year, Michigan State University opened  the state’s first mass timber building in the state. We interview the director of MassTimber@MSU, the head of the Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville, the Michigan Environmental Council and the board chair of the Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute.  By Cameryn Cass. FOR LANSING, ST. IGNACE, SAULT STE MARIE, IRON MOUNTAIN, BAY MILLS, MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN FARMNEWS AND ALL POINTS. 

w/MASS TIMBER PHOTO1: Michigan’s first mass timber building at Michigan State University, the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, stores nearly 2,000 metric tons of carbon in its timbers, the equivalent of not burning more than 2 million pounds of coal. Credit: Cameryn Cass.

w/MASS TIMBER PHOTO2: Mass timber advocates hope that Michigan State’s STEM Teaching and Learning Facility will be a place where contractors can learn to build with the more sustainable alternative. Credit: Cameryn Cass

w/MASS TIMBER PHOTO3: Michigan State University revamped a power plant and added two mass timber wings to create a hybrid structure in the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility. Credit: Cameryn Cass

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MUSSEL RESCUE: Lake Superior State University is surveying U.P. river habitats, including the Menominee River, to learn how to rescue native mussels threatened by hydropower dams, with funding from the utility company We Energies. Hydropower dams can kill mussels by stranding them during water drawdown, and the project can help power companies better manage their reservoirs to protect native animals that live in them. We talk to the lead researcher and a DNR fisheries expert. By Nicoline Bradford. FOR SAULT STE. MARIE, MARQUETTE, ST. IGNACE, BAY MILLS, CHEBOYGAN, IRON MOUNTAIN AND ALL POINTS.

w/MUSSEL RESCUE PHOTO 1: Michael Hillary of Lake Superior State University holds a freshwater mussel collected during a snorkeling survey. Credit: Ashley Moerke

w/MUSSEL RESCUE PHOTO 2: Undergraduate researcher Michael Hillary measures a mussel. Credit: Ashley Moerke

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ROOFTOP SOIL: Researchers have found a new way to boost plant growth that could make it easier to cool buildings with rooftop gardens. It involves a new variety of biochar, a mix of carbon and ash added to soil to prevent erosion, nutrient loss and water loss. The president of a Traverse City urban landscaping company that designs and builds green roofs and a University of Toronto researcher discuss. By Daniel Schoenherr. FOR TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, LEELANAU AND ALL POINTS. 

w/ROOFTOP SOIL PHOTO: A green roof in Chicago. Credit: U.S. General Services Administration

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CNS