Politics

LANSING - Utilities would be allowed to spread the cost among ratepayers of improving and expanding natural gas infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas under a bill the House Energy Policy Committee debated Wednesday. Both Consumers Energy and DTE Energy spoke in support of HB 4303, which would permit the utilities to submit an Infrastructure

HOWELL - Republican presidential candidate Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz drew laughter from a crowd of nearly 500 people when he made a joke of Vice President Joe Biden's name, but then told reporters he was sympathetic to Biden following the death this week of the vice president's oldest son, Beau. Asked by a reporter

DETROIT - Wayne Snyder, IT Program Manager for NextEnergy, was honored with the Merit Award for Innovation in Networking and Information Technology at the 2015 member conference. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that have shown leadership in computer networking and information technology, engaged in community building and shown strong involvement in the Merit community.

DETROIT - Most Intelligent Transportation Systems are still in development or pilot stages, with many of the anticipated benefits hinging on the ability of cars and trucks to communicate with each other and infrastructure. One specific challenge, Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication, is similar to that of a cliche couple in a bad sitcom; they have no ability

LANSING - Lost amid the slew of conference committees approving budgets last week, a joint resolution extending the Michigan Constitution's prohibition against unreasonable government search and seizures to electronic data and communications was sent to the House floor. HJR N was unanimously reported by the House Criminal Justice Committee. The resolution would need two-thirds support

MACKINAC ISLAND - For years state policymakers, business executives and political observers have worried about the out-migration of young people from Michigan. A study released by Michigan's three research university suggests one answer to the issue may be to have young people graduate from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan or Wayne State University.

MACKINAC ISLAND - Legislation that would cut funding to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation sends the wrong message to corporations and could cost the state jobs, Governor Rick Snyder said Thursday to the attendees at the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Conference. Stern without being over-critical, Snyder said he understood why legislators might introduce bills like

ANN ARBOR - First I attended a joint gathering of the Community Values Advisory Board, Scientific Review Board, Board of Directors of the Michigan BioTrust for Health and the Michigan Department of Community Health's Institutional Review Board in Lansing.    The BioTrust is a program to oversee our state's stored blood spots and their use

  CRAWFORD COUNTY - The Michigan Public Service Commission commended Crawford County for becoming the latest Michigan community to be certified asconnected, meaning the county has developed a broadband and technology plan to expand broadband access, adoption and use. "Michigan now has 14 communities that have achieved the important 'connected' broadband distinction," said MPSC Chairman

LANSING - The Pickle Recipe, a film created by former Detroit advertising executives and produced by West Bloomfield natives, has demonstrated the right formula to qualify for an incentive from the Michigan Film Office. The film is eligible to receive a maximum incentive of $491,706 from the state based on an anticipated spend of $1,412,129.