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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

First Lady's visit promotes women in business

Saginaw - First Lady Laura Bush spoke Thursday to a small group of workers and President Bush supporters at the Mahar Tool Supply Company in Saginaw. Addressing the group of about 175 people, Bush spoke about small businesses, women entrepreneurs and the economy. "You're living a great American success story... small businesses are the engines of our economy," Bush said to the crowd. The Mahar company is a family-owned industrial distribution business that has been owned by Barbara Mahar Lincoln since her husband, James, passed away in 1978.

MICHIGAN

Costs rise at E.L. Planned Parenthood

The cost of contraceptives and office appointments at the Planned Parenthood north of campus has risen during the last year. Federal and state Title X funding, which grants money to family planning institutions, was not applied to the 515 E.

MICHIGAN

Granholm forms Arab, Chaldean commission

Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced the creation of a Commission on Arab and Chaldean American Affairs last week. The new commission will inform the governor about important issues concerning the Arab-American and Chaldean-American communities, and it will also help showcase their achievements and contributions to society. The new commission is set to be signed into executive order after Granholm and commission members make finishing touches. "The governor thought it was really important with so many Arab-Americans and Chaldean-Americans residing in Michigan that they would be able to provide guidance and advice on a variety of issues," Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said. Michigan has the largest population of people of Arab and Chaldean descent outside of the Middle East.

MICHIGAN

Rain, cool weather hurts summer tourism industry

Cool temperatures coupled with unseasonable rain put a damper on Michigan's summer this year. The state's tourism industry, as well as local businesses that rely on warm weather, slowed this season. "Travel in Michigan was down," said Steve Yencich, president and CEO of the Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association.

MICHIGAN

E.L. reports drop in crime over weekend

East Lansing and MSU police officials experienced a slowdown in crime this Labor Day weekend, a week after Welcome Weekend and a week before the first MSU home football game. There was nearly a 90 percent decrease in minor in possession complaints and parking complaints in East Lansing during the weekend, and more than 60 percent decreases in other common crimes. East Lansing police Sgt.

MICHIGAN

River to decrease for repairs to sea walls

The water level of the Grand River will decrease by 18 inches in Lansing starting today. The Lansing Board of Water & Light lowered the river above the Moores Park Dam so property owners upstream of the dam can repair sea walls and make other property improvements. The river will drop by six inches each day from today until Friday.

MICHIGAN

Federal legislators to present Kerry plan

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) and area public and environmental officials will meet today to present presidential candidate John Kerry's proposal to stop Canadian garbage from being sent to Michigan landfills.

MICHIGAN

E.L. City Council to hold public hearing on MIP laws

Minors who have been repeatedly caught drinking might face jail time, if the East Lansing City Council approves an ordinance that will revise its current policy. The proposed changes to East Lansing's minor in possession laws will be discussed at a public hearing during the East Lansing City Council meeting 7 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Hospitals retain security

Heavy security measures at hospitals since Sept. 2001 have become second-nature to area hospital patients, local officials said this week.