Drug testing could hinder driver shortage progress

DRUG TEST: Mandatory drug testing for bus drivers, including testing for legal medical and recreational marijuana, makes it harder for public transit agencies to recruit and retain drivers. It’s a matter of public safety, but causes problems when many local transit need more drivers. We talk to the Michigan Public Transit Association, the Ionia director of transportation and Harbor Transit in Harbor Springs. By Brandy Muz. FOR IONIA, GREENVILLE, HARBOR SPRINGS, PETOSKEY AND ALL POINTS.

East Lansing residents seek changes to neighborhood speeding concerns

City residents advocated for change in regard to neighborhood speeding concerns at the Transportation Commission Meeting on Nov. 6.  Public comments to the commission calling for better traffic regulation come less than 24 hours after a fatal hit-and-run near Michigan State University’s campus. While a suspect was arrested in connection to the crash, which killed a 20-year-old Oxford man, it is just one of many road safety concerns, according to the city residents. The residents’ focus? The children.

Coast Guard station in St. Clair Shores

Charter boat captain faces prison for unlicensed vessel

UNLICENSED BOAT: A Detroit man faces prison and a fine when sentenced early next year for violating a Coast Guard order to stop his illegal charter boat business on Lake St. Clair. On one occasion, investigators found an insufficient number of personal flotation devices aboard Benjamin Jones’s unlicensed 39-foot PWR TOWER, and on another occasion the vessel caught fire, its passengers were rescued and the boat had to be towed to shore. For news and outdoors sections. By Eric Freedman. FOR DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.

Michigan participates in the national Click It or Ticket campaign

Pandemic bad habits mean fewer are buckling up

SEAT BELT USE: Seat belt use in the state is unfortunately on the decline, and one factor may be the pandemic, a period when police made fewer traffic stops and when more people drove solo rather than carpooling or sharing rides. Gladwin County had the lowest compliance rate in the Lower Peninsula. The other lowest compliance rates were in Gogebic, Ontonagon, Keweenaw, Baraga, Iron, Schoolcraft and Wayne counties. Even so, Michigan drivers and passengers are more likely to buckle up than their counterparts nationally. We hear from MDOT, AAA Michigan and the Office of Highway Safety Planning. By Liz Nass. FOR GLADWIN COUNTY, DETROIT, MARQUETTE, IRON MOUNTAIN, SAULT STE. MARIE, BAY MILLS, ST. IGNACE, CHEBOYGAN AND ALL POINTS.

Snow plow at work clearing a highway.

Reducing salt use on snowy roads proves challenging

WINTER DRIVING: The Department of Transportation and country road agencies are using new technology and trying different products to make winter roads safer and to minimize environmental damage from road salt. We hear from the MDOT director and road commissions in Oakland, Marquette and Kent counties. By Kenzie Terpstra. FOR DETROIT, MARQUETTE, PLANET DETROIT, WKTV AND ALL POINTS.

State parks and other facilities where EV chargers are planned for 2024.

Electric vehicle charging stations to be installed at more state parks

EV CHARGERS: The DNR is installing chargers in more state parks to accommodate the growing number of visitors who drive EVs. The initiative is a partnership with EV manufacturer Revian and national nonprofit Adopt a Charger. We speak to DNR, Adopt a Charger and the superintendent of Holland State Park. Also mentions Belle Isle, Bay City, Leelanau, Orchard Beach and Mears state parks and the Oden Fish Hatchery, By Kayte Marshall. FOR HOLLAND, LEELANAU, TRAVERSE CITY, OCEANA COUNTY, PETOSKEY, MIDLAND, WKTV, HARBOR SPRINGS, PLANET DETROIT, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.

Struggle bus: districts trying to fill driver seats

SCHOOL BUS: School districts across the state are in the midst of a continuing shortage of bus drivers, and some are offering higher pay and benefits to attract applicants. The Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation explains why. The Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District managed to fill its positions this school year. By Brandy Muz. FOR BIG RAPIDS, LAKE COUNTY AND ALL POINTS.

Few neighborhoods affordable when commuting costs added

HOUSING & TRANSPORTATION: A Citizens Research Council says about half of the average Michigan household income goes to transportation and housing, a figure that some experts say could be reduced with better public transit services. There’s a tradeoff between affordable housing and affordable transportation. How do local government plan for car dependency and how are neighborhoods affected by quality transportation options.We hear about a Bay Area Transportation Authority effort and talk to experts from Wayne State, the Michigan Municipal League and Michigan State Housing Development Authority. With references to Metro Detroit suburbs, Includes references to Traverse City, Lansing, Ann Arbor and East Lansing By Liz Nass. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE, CORP! PLANET DETROIT, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU AND ALL POINTS.

Participants in a MI Paddle Stewards invasive species training paddle on the upper Grand River in Jackson.

Helping the fight against invasives, on land and in water

FIGHTING INVASIVES: The Midwest Invasive Species Information Network needs help finding and identifying invasive land and aquatic species. The organization leads several citizen science initiatives, two of which – Eyes on the Forest and MI Paddle Stewards – are expanding their programs, looking for volunteers to cover more ground and water. Includes references to Mason, Oceana, Ottawa, Allegan, Benzie, Oakland and Muskegon counties. By Elinor Epperson. FOR LUDINGTON, OCEANA, OTTAWA, DETROIT, PLANET DETROIT, HOLLAND, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS AND ALL POINTS.