Agriculture

Pollinator fans take a break from lawn mowing

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NO MOW MAY: Communities around Michigan will suspend enforcement of grass and weed codes in May in an effort to give bees and other pollinators a chance to thrive. Michigan cities promoting “No Mow May” this year include Ann Arbor, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Jackson and East Lansing. We talk to a No Mow May enthusiast in Muskegon Heights, the Rochester Hills-based Wildflower Association of Michigan and the West Michigan Environmental Action Council. By Morgan Womack. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE, FARM NEWS, PLANET DETROIT, WKTV, HOLLAND, LUDINGTON, IONIA, GREENVILLE AND ALL POINTS.

Environment

Bad year predicted for ticks carrying Lyme disease

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TICKS: Deer ticks that can transmit Lyme disease are already widespread in Michigan and the mild winter could spell deep trouble this season. But health officials say don’t let it discourage you from enjoying the outdoors – just take precautions. We talk to a supervising sanitarian at the Kent County Health Department who regularly checks areas for ticks and a medical entomologist with the state. By MORGAN WOMACK. FOR HOLLAND, LANSING, MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS, ST. IGNACE, SAULT STE. MARIE AND ALL POINTS.

Arts & Entertainment
The night sky on March 15 as photographed at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.

Lights out: Dark sky enthusiasts gather for first UP festival

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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 Emmett, Cass and Keweenaw counties and six state dark-sky preserves in Lenawee, Alcona, Huron, Presque Isle and Emmett 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.

Environment
DNR fisheries workers survey a stream

Shocking news for Michigan fish

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FISH SURVEYS: If you’re a fish in a Michigan stream, prepare to be shocked – literally. DNR’s latest survey of 172 inland lakes and 99 streams will help the department track fisheries populations, evaluate stocking efforts to increase angler opportunities and address angler concerns. References to parks and streams in Allegan, Montcalm and Manistee counties. For news and outdoors sections. By Morgan Womack. FOR GREENVILLE, HOLLAND, MANISTEE, IONIA, LUDINGTON, CADILLAC, LAKE COUNTY, WKTV AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy
Percentage of local officials who agree that recycling efforts boost the economy.

Recycling gets positive reviews as green groups press for more action

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COMMUNITY RECYCLING: Local leaders feel generally positive about the benefits of recycling, a new U-M study says, but environmental organizations say they should be pushed to encourage more recycling. We hear from Zero Waste Detroit, Michigan Environmental Council and Michigan Recycling Coalition. References to Detroit, Traverse, City, Ludington, Grand Rapids, Holland, Lansing and Oakland County. By Morgan Womack. FOR CORP!, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, PLANET DETROIT, LUDINGTON, TRAVERSE CITY, DETROIT, CORP! LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Environment
A seaplane lands on Isle Royale, the country’s fifth least-visited national park.

Few venturing to Isle Royale, and that’s good news

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ISLE ROYALE: Remote Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior remains among the country’s least-visited national parks – fifth in the number of annual visitors – and the goal is to keep it that way. We learn why from Visit Keweenaw and the Clarkston author of a popular guidebook to the park. By Morgan Womack. FOR IRON MOUNTAIN, MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS, SAULT STE. MARIE, CHEBOYGAN, ST. IGNACE AND ALL POINTS.

Diversity Issues
Psychiatric disorders associated with maternal deaths

Maternal deaths linked to psychiatric illness

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MATERNAL DEATHS: Suicides and drug overdoses killed 237 Michigan women within a year of giving birth between 2008 and 2018, and 70.9% had documented psychiatric illnesses, a new Wayne State-U-M-Duke University study found. Many had been taken off medications during pregnancy by doctors concerned about injuring the fetuses. A Central Michigan University ob/gyn and a Department of Health and Human Services maternal care expert explain. By Morgan Womack. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture
Volunteers from Friends of the St. Clair River, based in St. Clair, organize seeds for a native plants project.

Native plant projects help pollinators across state

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WILDFLOWERS: The Wildflower Association of Michigan has awarded almost $15,000 for local projects promoting the use of more native plants. Recipients include Friends of the St. Clair River in St. Clair, Little Traverse Conservancy based in Harbor Springs and nonprofit groups and local agencies in the Upper Peninsula, Metro Detroit and Montcalm, Kalamazoo and Ottawa counties. Reference to Michigan Wildflower Farm in Portage. By Morgan Womack. FOR IRON MOUNTAIN, MARQUETTE, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, CHEBOYGAN, WKTV, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, HOLLAND, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, SAULT STE. MARIE, ST. IGNACE, PLANET DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy

Educators struggle with affordable housing

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TEACHER HOUSING: Teachers, especially those just starting their careers, sometimes find it impossible to afford housing in the communities where they work. We talk to the Holland superintendent, a high school teacher and an education assistant from West Ottawa Public Schools and the Michigan Education Association about the need for financial incentives to recruit teachers to such communities. By Morgan Womack. FOR HOLLAND, WKTV AND ALL POINTS.

Health

Child psychiatrist shortage plagues rural areas

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CHILD PSYCHIATRISTS: There is a serious shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists across the state, with the most dramatic gaps in the Northern Lower Peninsula, UP and other rural areas. We talk to a Central Michigan University psychiatry professor who runs a mental unit at HealthSource Saginaw and the Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority. By Morgan Womack. FOR MIDLAND, MARQUETTE, IRON RIVER, BAY MILLS, ST. IGNACE, SAULT STE. MARIE, CHEBOYGAN, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, CRAWFORD COUNTY, CADILLAC, PETOSKEY, ALPENA, ALCONA, MONTMORENCY, CLARE, GLADWIN, LUDINGTON, MANISTEE, LAKE COUNTY, OCEANA COUNTY, BIG RAPIDS, HERALD REVIEW, BENZIE COUNTY AND ALL POINTS.