Capital News Service

Michigan rolls out welcome mat for Afghan refugees

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AFGHAN REFUGEES: Michigan aid organizations are scrambling to provide housing and services for 1,300 Afghan refugees they’ve pledged to resettle. Housing is the biggest obstacle. It takes about $57,000 a year to support a family of seven. House lawmakers recently passed a resolution supporting them. We talk to a Michigan State University professor who help evacuate Afghan researchers and refugee aid experts in Lansing, Bloomfield Hills. By Emerson Wigand. FOR ALL POINTS.

Capital News Service

House passes bill to make more space for child care

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CHILDCARE BUILDINGS: Long child care wait lists, especially for infant care, could be eased under legislation that would rethink the type of buildings where day care businesses could be located. In Traverse City, one new center that could help meet demand had been hampered by a prohibition on licensing facilities in spaces shared with “hazardous operations,” that include restaurants that serve alcohol. We talk to Traverse City day care owners, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, a Traverse City developer and a business advocacy group. By Emerson Wigand. FOR TRAVERSE CITY, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL, CORP! MAGAZINE and BUSINESS SECTIONS AT ALL POINTS.

Capital News Service

State expands regional child care program

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TRISHARE CHILDCARE: Michigan is expanding a program that covers two-thirds of the cost of child care for certain working parents. Employers, desperately looking for workers, pick up a third of the cost while the state covers another third. By Emerson Wigand. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP! AND ALL POINTS.

Capital News Service

Group pushes for teacher training to recognize epilepsy

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EPILEPSY EDUCATION: School officials are trained to use fire extinguishers for disasters they’ll never see, but they haven’t a clue how to respond to the needs of some 13,600 Michigan children with epilepsy. Advocates are pushing to require teachers and administrators to learn to administer life-saving medication and to avoid expensive and unneeded trips to the hospital for children who have the illness. By Emerson Wigand. FOR BENZIE COUNTY and ALL POINTS

Capital News Service
Protestors rallied on the capital lawn Wednesday against the proposed Michigan Cannabis Safety Act.

Michigan caregivers protest proposed marijuana limits

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CAREGIVER RIGHTS — Michigan’s medical marijuana caregivers say proposed legislation supported by licensed growers would hurt their patients. A group representing licensed growers would require testing of cannabis products for unlicensed growers and reduce how many patients they can serve. Caregiver advocates from across the state recently rallied at the Capitol against the proposed Michigan Cannabis Safety Act. Interviews with Grand Rapids caregiver and patient. By Emerson Wigand. For GRAND RAPIDS, DETROIT and ALLPOINTS.

Agriculture

Michigan’s growing hemp industry faces roadblocks

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INDUSTRIAL HEMP: Michigan’s hemp industry could get up to $100 million in federal funds to help it compete globally under a proposal pushed by a nationwide growers association.
The state is one of four with emerging hemp industries targeted by the National Hemp Association, along with Oregon, New York and Florida. The funding would be for developing a “regional super site” in each state to aid in the industry’s growth, said Geoff Whaling, the association’s chair. We interview farmers in Saranac and Spring Lake, association officials and a state agriculture spokeswoman. For IONIA, HOLLAND and ALL POINTS.

News

Bath and DeWitt experiencing continued growth

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Much like a flower needs water and sunlight to grow, a city needs certain things to flourish as well. Developing neighborhoods, thriving businesses, and exceptional school districts help the communities of Bath and DeWitt to grow. Both these townships are in periods of growth and development according to their planning and building commissions. Bath’s Planning Director and Zoning Administrator Brian Shorkey said from a project perspective it’s been a slow year, but there are big plans for the township. Building new houses and businesses

There’s been an uptick in housing developments including apartments, duplexes and senior housing.

News

People in Bath march to their own drum

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Laurie Tossava , Jasper Bergen and Daniel Gebes prepare to drum with their different varieties. Photo by Emerson Wigand. To Michele Leonard, all people have a sense of rhythm and the heartbeats are the foundation. This is the mantra she uses to promote the Bath Community Drum Circle. The circle started in September and has happened five times.

News

Bath library continues growth

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A view of the Bath Township Public Library located at 14033 Webster Road. Photo by Emerson Wigand. “We’re pretty tight on space but we make it the best we can,” youth librarian Carrie Frazer said. Frazer walked around the 2200-square-foot strip mall space, giving a short tour of the Bath Township Public Library. In the same room where the used books are sold and the library holds its meetings, there was an event for the public on Michigan true crime stories.