Health

Fines for tobacco sales to minors could increase

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By YUEHAN LIU
Capital News Service
LANSING—The penalties for selling or furnishing tobacco products to minors would increase if the House passes a bill approved by the Senate. Under the bill introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, violators would face a fine of up to $100 for a first offense and up to $500 for a second offense. Currently, the fine is only up to $50 each time. Bieda said the main concern is people who sell or furnish tobacco products to minors repeatedly. The bill would also require retailers to post signs warning that it’s illegal to provide tobacco to minors and that minors who illegally buy tobacco face criminal penalties.

Business & Economy

Community colleges push job training for new workers

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By YUEHAN LIU
Capital News Service
LANSING—Michigan employers can get free job training for their new workers from local community colleges. While Michigan companies are expanding and hiring more workers, many need training for skills. Where can employers find an organization to provide that training? The Michigan Community College Association says: their local community college. Michael Hansen, president of the association, said the New Jobs Training Program uses state income taxes paid by the newly hired workers to repay the community colleges for the cost of training.

Education

State joins online education consortium

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By YUEHAN LIU
Capital News Service
LANSING—Michigan has joined a consortium of other states designed to improve online education and increase access while saving money for colleges and universities. According to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, before gaining acceptance into the reciprocity agreement, Michigan was one of several states that did not regulate distance education providers. Those not located in Michigan were not required to register or meet guidelines to offer online education courses to Michigan residents. The state had received more than 1,500 inquiries from out-of-state institutions requesting approval or exemption to offer distance education to its residents. The structures of online class varies.

Business & Economy

International students with startups face visa difficulties

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By YUEHAN LIU
Capital News Service
LANSING—International students face daunting challenges starting a business. But as more and more international students enroll at Michigan universities, more and more keep trying to open businesses in the state. And the Small Business Association encourages their idea. For example, Grand Valley State University has 400, Western Michigan University has more than 1,800, and Michigan State University has more than 7,000 international students. Yue Dai, one of the founders of Mr. Pot, a Chinese hot pot restaurant in East Lansing, says a simple idea made him want to start the business: “When I open up ‘Student Info’ and I see the price of my tuition, I feel ashamed to be the person that only knows to ask for money from my family.”
“I want to use what I’ve learned, to earn my own living,” Dai said.

Education

Proposal would mandate school social media policies

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By YUEHAN LIU
Capital News Service
LANSING–Social media is one of the communication ways between teachers and students. Now a pending bill would require all districts and charter schools to have a social media policy that would regulate e-contacts, especially one-on-one contacts between staff and students. Aaron Keel, assistant director of government relations for the Michigan Association of School Boards, said the organization thinks it is good to have such a policy because a lot of school districts don’t have one. Education experts such as Terry Abbott, the former chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Education, have linked sexual misconduct to social media. “Two things have become popular and had a massive effect on the prevalence of sexual misconduct in schools: social media and text messaging.