Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/author/sarahatwood/)
HEARING AIDS Experts are urging caution with greater access to over-the-counter hearing aids. We talk to a Holland audiologist and a Michigan State University expert about the federal move to expand access to the devices. While appropriate for mild hearing loss, experts worry about people with severe loss getting adequate help. By Sarah Atwood. FOR HOLLAND, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.
TAX CREDIT: The expansion of a federal tax credit to low-income families during the pandemic lifted more than half a million Michigan children out of poverty. That is set to end at the end of the year, and advocates worry some of those children, especially in rural families, could slip back into poverty. By Sarah Atwood FOR ALL POINTS
DONOR FRAUD: Fertility doctors who secretly substitute their own or others’ sperm would be punished under a bipartisan package of bills that nearly passed this legislative session. Advocates, including a Traverse City resident who found out her biological father was her mother’s fertility doctor, want regulation of the medical service. Sponsors say they will push the package again next session. By Sarah Atwood. FOR TRAVERSE CITY AND ALL POINTS
NATIVE CHILDREN: A legal challenge to the federal Indian Welfare Act has raised fears that Native American foster children in Michigan may be less likely to be placed with Native American families. By Sarah Atwood. FOR BAY MILLS, TRAVERSE CITY, SAULT STE. MARIE, ST. IGNACE, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, LEELANAU, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS
ACCESSIBLE CHILD CARE – Some Michigan families pay more for child care than their monthly housing costs. Child care advocates are calling for more government help.
Recently the state directed federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act to child care providers across the state. The money is intended to stabilize these providers and keep them from closing. By Sarah Atwood FOR MIDLAND AND ALL POINTS
SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS – While political heavyweights battled it out this election some of the more hotly contested races were for school board. School officials say that in some races more money was spent from outside sources on these races than they’ve ever seen. By Sarah Atwood. FOR ALL POINTS
FIGHTING FARM PESTS: Michigan farmers are gearing up to fight new pests creeping into the state as climate change extends their range. Warmer weather for longer allows insects and weeds to thrive in crop fields and they’re able to resist commonly used pesticides and herbicides. Drones that spot outbreaks to target pesticides as needed is one advancement. Farmers and scientists are collaborating to find new ways of fight pests. We talk to Michigan Farm Bureau conservation specialist, an MSU professor of environmental sciences and a farmer in Ada. By Sarah Atwood FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL, HOLLAND SENTINEL AND ALL POINTS
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 AND ALL POINTS
TEACHER HEALTH: Michigan teachers struggled with too many demands even before the pandemic, school psychologists and the teachers’ union say. Districts are seeking ways to help ease the anxiety reported by more than a third of teachers in a nationwide survey last year. We talk to school psychologists in Sanford near Midland and in the Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD as well as the head of the Michigan Education Association. By Sarah Atwood. FOR ST. IGNACE, SAULT STE. MARIE, MIDLAND AND ALL POINTS.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS: University housing officials and off-campus landlords are alarmed about fake certification letters that are boosting the state’s number of emotional support animals. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would better limit who issues the certification for emotional support animals letters. We talk to officials at Northern Michigan University and Wayne State University and an official with a statewide landlord group. By Sarah Atwood FOR DETROIT, LANSING, MARQUETTE AND ALL POINTS.