Week 12- 4/14/23
CNS Budget
To: CNS Editors
From: David Poulson and Judy Putnam
http://news.jrn.msu.edu/capitalnewsservice/
Welcome to the twelfth CNS file of the spring 2023 semester.
For technical problems, contact CNS technical manager Eryn Ho at (616) 485-9295, hoeryn@msu.edu.
For other matters, contact David Poulson at (517) 899-1640; poulson@msu.edu.
OFFICER TRAINING: Sheriff deputies around the state will be offered training in how to intervene to stop excessive force by another officer. It’s especially important when a more experienced officer or superior is letting emotions dictate decisions or otherwise making a bad choice that could harm a person under arrest. The training is by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. We talk to the deputy director of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association and the Alpena County sheriff. By Sophia Brandt. FOR ALPENA and ALL POINTS.
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ADVERTISEMENTS: Two out-of-state groups are recruiting Michigan businesses by claiming that the state’s recent repeal of right-to-work laws is bad for business. A Florida group plays off of Michigan’s official motto: “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, move to Florida.” It notes: “The Free State of Florida protects your Right to Work.” A North Carolina business group took out a newspaper ad in Lansing touting North Carolina’s low-unionization rate and that it is also a “proud Right to Work state.” By Dan Netter FOR CITY PULSE AND BUSINESS AND NEWS PAGES OF ALL POINTS.
w/ADVERTISEMENT BILLBOARD PHOTO: Just off of Interstate-496 in Lansing, near Pennsylvania Avenue, a billboard advertising Florida as a right-to-work state, used a play on Michigan’s state motto. Credit: Dan Netter.
w/ADVERTISEMENT LSJ AD PHOTO: In the Lansing State Journal’s April 9 edition, the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce took out a full-page advertisement encouraging Michigan businesses to migrate to the Tar Heel state. Credit: Steve Japinga/Twitter
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LEAD TESTING: Only 14% of the state’s 6 year old were tested for lead poisoning in 2021. Advocates say all should be. A package of bills would require testing of all children between 9 to 12 months and again at 2-3. High-risk kids, such as those living in pre-1978 housing, would be tested again at 6. We talk to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Alliance for Lead Safe Homes and a national nonprofit. By Jaden Beard. FOR DETROIT, GRAND RAPIDS, LANSING AND ALL POINTS.
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POLICE OFFICER SHORTAGE: Police agencies across the state are trying to figure out how to attract more applicants for law enforcement jobs. The decline is dramatic, down 4,000 positions from a peak of 22,000, due to attrition, according to interviews with the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, the Michigan State Police and the Harbor Springs police chief. By Jack Timothy Harrison. FOR HARBOR SPRINGS, LANSING CITY PULSE and ALL POINTS.
w/POLICE OFFICER SHORTAGE PHOTO: Michigan State Police promotes trooper openings through a billboard campaign, including one in Barry County, with Wayland Post Trooper Steffon Mayhue. Credit: Michigan State Police
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DARK SKY PARKS: “Astro Bob” King is among the 50 tourists headed to Marquette with telescopes and gadgets to measure the darkness of the sky. They’re celebrating the Upper Peninsula’s first Dark Sky Festival. Michigan has three dark-sky parks designated by an international organization in Emmet, Cass and Keweenaw counties and six state dark-sky preserves in Lenawee, Alcona, Huron, Presque Isle and Emmet counties. By Morgan Womack. FOR ALCONA, ALPENA, ADRIAN, BAY MILLS, BLISSFIELD, CHEBOYGAN, MONTMORENCY, MARQUETTE, IRON MOUNTAIN, SAULT STE MARIE, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS and ALL POINTS.
w/DARK SKY PARKS PHOTO: The night sky on March 15 as photographed at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. Credit: Visit Keweenaw
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CAMP: The pandemic spurred more campers to head to the state campgrounds. The popularity peaked last year but as Covid restrictions become more relaxed, people still are seeking campsites. We talk to the head of the DNR’s parks and recreation department and Ari Adler of Okemos, a dedicated camper. By Sam Blatchford. FOR ALPENA, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND, CHEBOYGAN, IRON MOUNTAIN, MARQUETTE, PETOSKEY, SAULT STE. MARIE, ST. IGNACE, TRAVERSE CITY and ALL POINTS.
w/CAMP PHOTO: A tent at Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground. Campground reservations, which soared during the pandemic, remain strong. Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
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RENEWABLE ENERGY: Michigan ranks 22nd and 17th among the states when it comes to solar and wind-generated energy. Advocates say the state must do better. Raising the cap on the share of energy that comes from solar panels on home rooftops and other sources is one way to improve the state’s renewable energy profile. State senators from Ann Arbor and the U.P. want to require the cap to be lifted. We talk to a leader of a nonprofit promoting renewable energy, the Michigan Environmental Council, an energy business group and DTE. By Jack Timothy Harrison. FOR DETROIT, PLANET DETROIT, CORP!, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, BAY MILLS, ST. IGNACE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, WKTV, CADILLAC and ALL POINTS.
w/RENEWABLE PHOTO 1: Wind turbines, like these in Cadillac, put Michigan 17th among the states for the share of power generated by wind. Credit: Craig Zerbe
w/RENEWABLE PHOTO 2: Advocates hope to raise a cap on the amount of solar power generated from panels like these at an Alto home. Credit: Beau Brockett
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SEXUAL ASSAULT BILLS: Minors would learn about sexual consent as early as sixth grade and young patients could not receive pelvic treatment without parental consent under a package of bills designed to prevent sexual abuse. Another measure requires medical records to report treatment involving penetration and that an additional individual be present during certain medical examinations of minors. By Maggie George. FOR ALL POINTS.
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