Michigan State University assistant professor Anne Scott is testing a new method of controlling parasitic sea lampreys in northern Michigan streams.

New compound may expand sea lamprey control

SEA LAMPREY: A recently discovered chemical compound that makes it difficult for invasive sea lamprey to find their breeding grounds in Northern Michigan streams may be a new tool for controlling a parasite that threatens Great Lakes fish. We hear from the MSU fisheries and wildlife professor who leads the research team and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. By Ben Eiler. FOR LUDINGTON, TRAVERSE CITY, MONROE, MARQUETTE, ALPENA, SAULT STE. MARIE, ALCONA, HOLLAND, OCEANA, LEELANAU, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, CADILLAC, CHEBOYGAN, ST. IGNACE, BIG RAPIDS, CRAWFORD COUNTY, BAY MILLS AND ALL POINTS.

Pop Up Pantries bring food stability to Lansing Community College students

his year, administrators of Lansing Community College aimed to do something about that need for its students. LCC realized that some of its students were experiencing food insecurity, so it created “pop-up pantries” for its students. According to studies from 2022 from the Greater Lansing Food Bank, more than one in six people in mid-Michigan face food insecurity, and about 92,000 residents lack consistent access to food.

The Waverly High School building. Many students attending Waverly use Anna Piazza's mental health resources.

Anna Piazza Guides Waverly High School Students Toward Mental Wellness

In her initial two years as the sole therapist at Waverly High School, Anna Piazza conducted 1,452 therapy sessions with students.

As part of the Expanding, Enhancing Emotional Health (E3) Program, Piazza, a therapist from Child and Family Charities, serves as a resource for students grappling with mental health issues.

Mental health issues among adolescents are on the rise. According to the CDC, in 2021, over 42% of students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, with nearly 29% experiencing poor mental health. Additionally, in 2021, 22% of students seriously considered attempting suicide and 10% attempted suicide.

Students work with manufacturing equipment at Three Rivers High School

Manufacturers work to put career tech back in high schools

PRIME PROGRAM: Michigan has more high schools participating in a national program to increase shop and technical training opportunities than any other state. The Michigan Manufacturers Association, whose members face a serious shortage of skilled workers, is leading the charge for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education. We hear about a program in St. Joseph County. Includes references to programs in West Ottawa, Grand Haven, Romeo, Pontiac, Grand Rapids, Rudyard and Hancock. By Liz Nass. FOR THREE RIVERS, STURGIS, SAULT STE. MARIE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP!, DETROIT, WKTV, HOLLAND, IRON RIVER AND ALL POINTS.

The 13 districts currently with Promise Zones

Financial aid program could expand to include room and board

PROMISE ZONES: Students in 13 Promise Zones may be able to receive more financial aid to assist with on-campus housing and meal plan costs at public colleges and community colleges under pending legislation sponsored by a Keego Harbor senator. Cosponsors include senators from Lansing, Trenton, Bay City and Warren.. Current zones include Detroit, Baldwin, Hazel Park, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Mason County. Meanwhile, the Treasury Department is soliciting applicants for two more communities to create Promise Zones. By Kenzie Terpstra. FOR DETROIT, LUDINGTON, LAKE COUNTY, MIDLAND, LANSING CITY PULSE, WKTV, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS AND ALL POINTS.

Some Michigan universities see higher enrollment rates, despite statewide decline

HIGH ENROLLMENTS: Many public campuses report record-high enrollments this fall, reversing a downward trend in recent years. A new scholarship program and an upcoming application program that guarantees admission to high school students who earn at least a 3.0 grade point average are credited, in part, with the current and projected increases. Statewide, however, enrollment is down with some campuses reporting dramatic declines. Grand Valley, MSU, Northern Michigan University, Ferris State, Michigan Tech, University of Michigan-Dearborn, University of Michigan-Flint and Oakland University report increases but Western, Eastern, Central, Saginaw Valley are down. We talk to the Michigan Association of State Universities. By Kayte Marshall. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE, CORP!, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, WKTV, MARQUETTE, IRON RIVER, SAULT STE. MARIE, BIG RAPIDS, GREENVILLE AND ALL POINTS.

Adrian College anglers on the varsity bass fishing team pose with their catch.

Small college uses niche sport to boost enrollment 

BASS FISHING: Adding a bass fishing team has helped Adrian College lure more students, and the team is now one of the best in the country. The campus president explains how and why the small private school launched the initiative in 2015. There also are teams and clubs at Southwestern Michigan College, Ferris State, Grand Valley State, MSU, U-M, Lake Superior and Northern Michigan. For news and sports sections. By Stephanie Rauhe. FOR ADRIAN, BLISSFIELD, BIG RAPIDS, WKTV, STURGIS, GREENVILLE, THREE RIVERS, SAULT STE. MARIE, MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS AND ALL POINTS.

Private colleges seek more diversity

BUILDING DIVERSITY: DEI efforts are expanding at private colleges and universities with an emphasis on recruiting and retaining minority students. Some are now majority-minority institutions with more non-white than white students. Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, is tied for first place as most ethnically diverse among U.S. colleges. We also talk to Davenport College in Grand Rapids, Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities and Ann Arbor-based Michigan Future Inc. By Liz Nass. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP!, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, BAY MILLS, LANSING CITY PULSE, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.