WATZ Today's Country

Monday News Summary 09-06-22
Tue, 06 Sep 2022 12:13:47 EDT

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

BACK TO SCHOOL
School bells will be ringing across Michigan this morning as a new year begins. While some districts started last month, thousands of students will be heading to class this morning for the first time this school year. While some districts are fully staffed, others are dealing with shortages of teachers, bus drivers and other workers. Local police are asking drivers to be alert as children will be at bus stops and to obey laws pertaining to school buses.

EMU PROFESSORS STRIKE VOTE
Eastern Michigan University administrators say classes will take place as scheduled despite a vote by professors on whether to authorize a strike. More than 500 members of the EMU-American Association of University Professors, who have been without a contract since last week, will vote today, and if approved could strike as early as Wednesday. A statement from the university says it is unfortunate that rather than continue to follow the mediator's path, with active negotiations still underway, the faculty union is suggesting that its members walk out on students on Wednesday, disrupting their education, just seven days into the semester. The next bargaining session is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

GOV CAMPAIGN
With the Labor Day holiday behind us, the campaign for Governor will be heating up. Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon says the economy is the top issue for many people who are upset about the high prices of gas and groceries. Governor Whitmer has been running ads criticizing Dixon's stance on abortion. The election is November 8th, but absentee ballots will start going out later this month

BODY FOUND IN LAKE MICHIGAN
Investigators in west Michigan are trying to identify a body that was pulled from Lake Michigan after being spotted about 12 miles from shore. The Berrien County Sheriff's Department says a sailboat captain saw the body Sunday offshore from the village of Shoreham and reported the discovery to the Coast Guard. A Coast Guard crew recovered the body and turned it over to the sheriff's department for the investigation. An autopsy is planned to identify the person and determine the cause of death.

ROAD CLOSED DUE TO EROSION
There is trouble near one of northern Michigan's most prominent landmarks. Officials say a portion of M-119, that is the Tunnel of Trees in Harbor Springs, has been shut down due to soil erosion. Pictures on the Tunnel of Trees Facebook show a steep drop where part of the shoulder has been washed away due to what officials are calling a little extra rain in Harbor Springs. The road is expected to be fixed soon, but there is no timeline yet for reopening.

U-M NURSES CONTRACT
Contract talks are set to resume today between the University of Michigan and the union representing the nurses at U-of-M hospital. The nurses have been working without a contract since July 1st. Last week the union voted in favor of authorizing their elected nurse bargaining team to call a strike as contract negotiations continue. More than 4,000 nurses voted, with 96 percent voting yes. The vote means a strike could be scheduled at any time. The nurses say the university has displayed a pattern of unfair labor practices, with the latest being the refusal to bargain over safe workloads.

GAS PRICES
If you're looking to pay less at the pump to begin the new work week, you might have to wait until next week. Drivers in Metro Detroit are paying an average of 3.97 for a gallon of regular gas -- three cents MORE than last week. The average price per gallon across the state is the same as last week -- sitting at 3.83. Gas demand increased over the past week due to the Labor Day holiday. The price of crude oil decreased during that time amid market concerns that crude demand will fall if economic growth slows or stalls due to a recession.

ANN ARBOR SCHOOL CLOSED TODAY
While most schools in Michigan will kick off the school year today, one school in Ann Arbor will have to wait a bit longer to get classes up and running. Skyline High School will be closed today due to what officials are calling a geothermal leak on campus. The school's superintendent says Friday evening, one of the geothermal lines at the school broke causing ethylene glycol, a light green toxic liquid, to bubble up in the school's parking lot. There is no danger to students or the public and classes are slated to begin Wednesday.

PORTAGE CRASH
Four people were injured in a two vehicle crash in Portage, south of Kalamazoo, on Monday. All four were taken to the hospital , one reportedly with serious injuries. There's no word what caused the crash.

WEST MI -HIGH TECH HUB
Leaders in West Michigan would like to make that area of the state a high tech hub in the future.
A regional economic development organization in Grand Rapids, The Right Place, is launching a 10-year strategy to grow the area into a major tech hub of the midwest. President & CEO, Randy Thelen (Thay-len) says young people are looking for a tech future & careers. Thelen says their strategy includes: working with universities to grow tech talent, building on the tech start up scene, and working to grow the businesses they already have.

MSU GRANTS
A handful of departments at Michigan State University are set for a financial boost from the federal government. The U.S. Department of Education is awarding MSU $9-million-dollars under Title-Six of the Higher Education Act. The money will be divvied up between five different departments in an effort to advance international education efforts. The African and Asian Study Centers are among the recipients. The grant money will be handed out through 2026.

DRUNK DRIVER-ROYAL OAK
Michigan State Police officials have a woman in custody after she was allegedly driving through Royal Oak with three-times the legal blood alcohol limit while three-children and a large dog were in her car. Troopers stopping the 36-year-old from Roseville just after 6 p.m. Monday evening for speeding after she was seen swerving, forcing other cars out of her way in the process. The woman was showing signs of severe intoxication, prompting the arrest for impaired driving and child endangerment. The children have been turned over to a family member. A prosecutor review will determine charges.

MARQUETTE HEARING ON HOTEL
There will be a public hearing about a proposed hotel near Marquette's lakeshore before the city planning commission this evening. W-L-U-C reports Skandia has proposed a four-story, 107 room extended stay hotel that would be between condos and residential streets. The Planning Commission will review standards for Special Land uses and site plan review.

MORAN IRON WORKS
Moran Iron Works in Onaway has been awarded a 500-thousand dollar grant to help modernize and expand area employment. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration recently awarded more than $19-million to 24 shipyards across the country. The grant will support the welding fabricator, drastically reducing production time and will give Moran the ability to compete on a global level.

FREE COFFEE FOR TEACHERS
If you're a teacher - you'll qualify for a free coffee today. Michigan-based Biggby coffee is offering a FREE 16-ounce coffee for anyone who produces a teacher's ID. Teachers will also get a custom cold cup sleeve and coupons for a future visit. The offer lasts through business today.