February 5, 2013 | AP The Michigan Farm Bureau says the state's vegetable crops suffered only minor damage from bad weather last year, unlike the heavy losses to fruit, corn and hay.
The group says statistics released last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that vegetable production in Michigan was down about 2 percent in 2012 from the previous year, while the combined value of the vegetable crop rose by 3 percent.
The numbers are based on harvests of a dozen consumer staples, such as asparagus, snap beans, cabbage, carrots, squash and tomatoes.
Statewide production of most vegetable crops decreased slightly, but celery and sweet corn output rose.
Fruit crops such as cherries and apples were devastated last year by an early spring thaw, followed by a deep freeze that killed buds.
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Today Calvin College cuts 22 faculty, staff positions Grand Rapids MI May 24, 2013 | AP Calvin College is cutting 22 faculty and staff positions as the Christian liberal arts school looks to cut long-term expenses and its 2013-14 budget.
Bill would let Michigan install red-light cameras Lansing MI May 24, 2013 | AP Michigan's local governments would have the option to put cameras at intersections to spot drivers running red lights under proposed legislation in the state House.
Report: New state school district overstated power Detroit MI May 24, 2013 | AP A published report says the state district set up to turn around Michigan's lowest-performing schools overstated its authority to take over failing schools in a bid to win a $35.4 million federal grant.
Probation for man charged with threatening kids Howell MI May 24, 2013 | AP A man has been sentenced to probation in Livingston County for threatening to cut off his children's fingers with a kitchen knife at a Thanksgiving family dinner. US: Lock up ex-Michigan justice for bank fraud Ann Arbor MI May 24, 2013 | AP Federal prosecutors are urging a judge to send a former Michigan Supreme Court justice to prison for bank fraud.
Report: New state school district overstated power Detroit MI May 24, 2013 | AP A published report says the state district set up to turn around Michigan's lowest-performing schools overstated its authority to take over failing schools in a bid to win a $35.4 million federal grant. Detroit museum: City can't sell art to cover debt Detroit MI May 24, 2013 | AP The Detroit Institute of Arts says the city can't sell its collection to cover long-term debt. Officials: 150 dogs removed from Michigan facilities Lake County MI May 24, 2013 | AP Officials say they've removed more than 150 dogs from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula.
Wednesday Mosquito killer and repellent in demand May 22, 2013 | WGVU The recent mosquito explosion has created a run on mosquito killer and repellent. With outdoor graduation parties, weddings and the Memorial Day weekend ahead, you may want to consider some mosquito protection. ListenDownload Lawmaker proposes changes to Michigan fireworks law Lansing MI May 22, 2013 | WGVU State lawmakers are working against the clock to modify Michigan’s year-old fireworks law allowing consumers to buy previously illegal pyrotechnics. The changes include giving local governments more control on when people can shoot off these powerful explosives. WGVU’s David Moore reports ListenDownload Cousin tesifies in court that Jahleel Hoskins choked girlfriend May 22, 2013 | WGVU The cousin of an accused murderer testified in court today Jahleel Hoskins admitted choking to death his girlfriend, Latrice Maze. WGVU’s Caroline MacGregor reports. ListenDownload Man accused of lawmaker threats avoids trial Flint MI May 22, 2013 | AP A Flint man who authorities say threatened to kill three lawmakers from Michigan has been ruled incompetent to stand trial. Financially troubled district recalls more workers Buena Vista Twp MI May 22, 2013 | AP The financially troubled Buena Vista Schools district is recalling more employees who were laid off when the district shut down for about two weeks. Holland, Michigan site of AMC show's premiere Holland MI May 22, 2013 | AP An AMC talent show reality series will premiere Thursday with an episode set in Holland, Mich. After complaints, Grand Rapids copter patrols are grounded Grand Rapids MI May 22, 2013 | AP State police say they're halting helicopter patrols over Grand Rapids after noise complaints.
Proposal to block insurance coverage for abortions Lansing MI May 22, 2013 | AP Michigan's election board was expected to consider a petition form for a proposal that would prohibit Michigan health insurance plans for covering elective abortions unless individuals or businesses buy a supplemental policy. Performance pay for teachers moves forward in state House May 22, 2013 | MPRN A state House panel has approved a plan to tie teachers’ pay to student performance. But as Jake Neher tells us, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they’re worried the bill would strip away local control.
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Tuesday Entergy calls Palisades tank replacement permanent solution to leaks May 21, 2013 | WGVU Palisades Nuclear Plant has completed what it calls “extensive inspections” of its safety injection/refueling water storage tank and developed a comprehensive repair plan. WGVU’s Caroline MacGregor reports. ListenDownload Ottawa County Patriots caught up in IRS "scandal" May 21, 2013 | WGVU An audit by the Treasury Department inspector general found that IRS employees singled out groups with names like "tea party" and "patriots" for special scrutiny that delayed their applications for tax exempt status. The Ottawa County Patriots say its been targeted, too. ListenDownload Palisades water tank repairs take to early summer Covert Twp MI May 21, 2013 | AP Operators of the idled Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in southwestern Michigan say repairs to a tank that leaked slightly radioactive water into Lake Michigan will take until early summer to complete. Michigan Democrats lay out auto insurance bills Lansing MI May 21, 2013 | AP Detroit's Democratic state House Caucus is laying out an effort to change Michigan's auto insurance policies. Man with pressure cooker in baggage seeks bond Detroit MI May 21, 2013 | AP A federal defender has requested bond for a Saudi man arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after federal agents accused him of lying about why he was traveling with a pressure cooker. Michigan 6th-grader finalist in Geography Bee Bloomfield Hills MI May 21, 2013 | AP A Detroit area sixth-grader is a top 10 finalist in the National Geographic Geography Bee.
Charges sought after swastika carved into locker East Lansing MI May 21, 2013 | AP Police say they're seeking malicious destruction of property charges against three Michigan high school students after a Jewish classmate found a swastika carved into her locker.
Hathaway lawyer: Don't lock her up for fraud May 21, 2013 | AP An attorney for a former Michigan Supreme Court justice says community service would be an appropriate sentence for a scandal that forced her out of office. Michigan reveals program to prevent school violence May 21, 2013 | AP Michigan's attorney general is backing a proposed new program aimed at preventing violence in the state's schools. Authorities: Possible human skull fragment found May 21, 2013 | AP Authorities say a bone found last week in West Michigan appears to be part of an adult human skull. Commission suggests 3 pct raise for Michigan judges May 21, 2013 | AP A commission has recommended that Michigan judges get a 3 percent pay increase. Top Michigan Senator: No Medicaid expansion in budget May 21, 2013 | AP The leading Republican in the Michigan Senate says lawmakers and Republican Gov. Rick Snyder are nearing agreements on the state budget targets that will likely not include a proposed expansion of government health insurance for low-income adults. Gov. Snyder, GOP lawmakers agree to budget targets May 21, 2013 | AP Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and leaders of the GOP majority in the Legislature have reached a budget agreement for next fiscal year that puts Michigan's unexpected surplus toward funding roads and K-12 education. Lansing budget deal has $ for roads, schools but delays some big decisions May 21, 2013 | MPRN There’s a tentative budget deal between Governor Rick Snyder and the Legislature’s Republican leaders. It puts more money into savings, schools, and roads. But, as we hear from Rick Pluta, it also delays decisions on some of the governor’s priorities. ListenDownload New student safety hotline aims to stop school violence before it happens May 21, 2013 | MPRN State officials say students need new and better ways to report threats of school violence. Today they announced plans to create a new anonymous tip-line that would include a mobile app for tech-savvy teens.
Jake Neher has more.
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Monday BBB: Medic alert scam targets Seniors Grand Rapids MI May 20, 2013 | WGVU Senior citizens are the targets of a widespread scam involving medical alert devices. As WGVU’s David Moore reports, this is one of the latest ways of getting access to sensitive personal information. ListenDownload Kayakers find body in Thornapple River May 20, 2013 | WGVU Officials say kayakers have found a man's body in the Thornapple River. Step Forward MI program invokes faith leaders to help at risk homeowners May 20, 2013 | WGVU Mayor George Heartwell was joined by Republican State Senator Mark C. Jansen and Democratic State Rep. Winnie Brinks Monday to announce a faith-based initiative to help at-risk homeowners avoid foreclosure. WGVU’s Caroline MacGregor reports. ListenDownload Snyder officials to meet with Michigan residents May 20, 2013 | WGVU Officials from Republican Gov. Rick Snyder's administration are planning to travel across the state this week to take suggestions and answer questions from Michigan residents. Michigan cancer patients to back Medicaid expansion Lansing MI May 20, 2013 | AP Cancer patients and survivors in Michigan are expected to call on lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage for about 400,000 uninsured Michigan residents Michigan works to get some inmates higher education Lansing MI May 20, 2013 | AP The Michigan Department of Corrections has several efforts to teach community college courses and vocational training in-house to a small number of inmates near parole. Suspended judge faces tenure commission hearing Ann Arbor MI May 20, 2013 | AP A judge who a state agency says had an affair with a woman who had a child-support case pending in his court faces a hearing. Officials to kick of Michigan seat belt campaign Detroit MI May 20, 2013 | AP Law enforcement officials across Michigan will be enforcing federally funded safety belt enforcement zones. AAA Mich.: Gas prices rise 10 cents over past week Dearborn MI May 20, 2013 | AP AAA Michigan says gasoline prices have risen about 10 cents during the past week to a statewide average of about $3.88 per gallon. Police get high-priority tips in search for woman May 20, 2013 | AP Police looking for a 25-year-old woman who disappeared from her job at a West Michigan gas station last month say they're investigating high-priority tips received over the weekend. Effort aims to keep Mich. kids out of foster care May 20, 2013 | AP The Michigan Department of Human Services plans a pilot project in three counties designed to keep children out of foster care and cut costs. Advocates for the poor: Restore Earned Income Tax Credit with tax windfall May 20, 2013 | MPRN The debate continues in Lansing over how the state should spend almost half-a-(b) billion dollars in unexpected revenue this year.
As Jake Neher tells us, some advocacy groups say lawmakers should use it to restore tax credits for the working poor.
ListenDownload Salary commission will recommend no changes to governor’s paycheck May 20, 2013 | MPRN A state salary commission is expected to recommend no pay raises for the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators when it meets tomorrow . But, as we hear from Rick Pluta, there could be a dust-up over judges’ salaries.
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