Michigan State University

A new academic year will get underway at the University of Michigan, and students will see more fresh and local items on the campus menu.  In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair gets together with Jeremy Moghtader, Farm Manager of the U-M Campus Farm at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, about the increasing focus on the U of M campus on food and sustainability. 

Back in March, the Trump Administration issued its budget recommendations that included a more 30% cut to the Environmental Protection Agency.  As part of the funding reductions, the Sea Grant program faced potential elimination.  As WEMU’s David Fair found out, the director of the Michigan Sea Grant Program has maintained faith the work will continue with financial support. For the latest, listen to this week’s “Issues of the Environment” conversation with Dr. James Diana. 

Michigan State University is asking a court to decide whether it has to release police and arrest records related to a highly publicized investigation.  The records are related to the criminal investigation into an alleged sexual assault that may involve members of the Spartan football team.

A state Senate committee holds a hearing today on bills to outlaw female genital mutilation in Michigan.  It’s already a federal crime with a penalty of up to five years in prison.  The bill’s sponsors say that’s not tough enough.  A lot of experts say a tougher law may not be enough to deter an entrenched cultural and religious practice.     

Michigan State University football coach Mark Dantonio is breaking his silence over controversy plaguing his team.  Dantonio held a press conference Tuesday.  It was his first time speaking publicly, aside from an earlier, written press release, since early February. 

A former sports doctor for Michigan State University and the US Olympics gymnastics team faces 22 more felony sexual assault charges, as levied by Michigan Attorney General, Bill Schuette. 

The value of biofuels has long been a subject of debate. Corn-based ethanol is in our gasoline and, along with biodiesel, is a part of the nation’s long-term energy plan. Last week, WEMU spoke with a University of Michigan researcher whose team has declared that biofuels are causing more environmental damage than gasoline.  On this week’s ‘Issues of the Environment,’ you’ll get an entirely different perspective.

A former USA Gymnastics doctor and Michigan State University professor has been charged with criminal sexual assault.  Dr. Larry Nassar was arraigned Tuesday on three counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the first degree for allegedly abusing a girl under 13 years old.