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VIDEO 9-9-09 WKZO.COM news with Emily Wolfram.

Today's headlines include another new face has jumped into the Kalamazoo City Commission race; Fears of another outbreak of youth violence may have been averted by efforts again this year to offer alternatives; The holiday gas spike never materialized over the Labor Day weekend; and as budget battles behind closed doors continue in Lansing, public universities are among those caught in the crossfire.

Budget Negotiations Continue in Lansing

LANSING -- As budget battles behind closed doors continue in Lansing, public universities are among those caught in the crossfire. Western Michigan University students are back in school, but it's still unknown if they'll be receiving any money from the Michigan Promise scholarship program. WMU President Dr. John Dunn says that while lawmakers have been good at keeping in touch with schools, it's not likely they know much more than anyone else for the moment.

"Right now, I think this thing's locked in with the Speaker of the House, the Senate Majority Leader, and also the Governor," says Dunn. "I'm not sure that even members of the legislative parties, Republicans or Democrats, are really in the loop as to what's happening behind closed doors."

Lawmakers have only until the end of the month to finish the budget before the new fiscal year begins.

Gas Prices Drop Despite Holiday Weekend

KALAMAZOO -- The holiday gas spike was nowhere to be seen in Michigan over the Labor Day weekend. Gasoline prices continue to decline as the summer driving season is coming to an end. Triple-A Michigan says their latest survey found prices at the pump dropped over five-cents per gallon last week statewide.

Prices across southwest Michigan cover an unusually wide range, running anywhere from around 2.30 to 2.50 in the Kalamazoo area, 2.45 to 2.55 in the Battle Creek area, and hovering near 2.36 in the Holland area. Drivers around Saginaw are finding the lowest prices near 2.25, while they reach as high as 2.75 near Detroit.

Michigan Big Business Tells State Government to Make Major Spending Reforms

LANSING -- About a dozen big Michigan businesses are pushing state lawmakers to make major spending reforms rather than raise taxes. Lawmakers are still battling with a nearly three-billion dollar budget deficit with an October 1st deadline on the horizon.

The businesses are pushing for several changes, including cutting back on Michigan State Police road patrols by moving that burden to sheriffs' departments, cutting the number of school districts, pooling public employees in one health insurance program, and increasing paroles.

The businesses say it's spending reforms that are needed, not higher taxes.

Hoekstra Gets No Guantanamo Bay Info

WASHINGTON -- Efforts to get more detailed information about the relocation of Gitmo detainees to a Standish prison in Michigan are proving unsuccessful. Representative Pete Hoekstra has asked that information about the prisoners be declassified for state and local officials to review. Hoekstra also wants to take a one day group tour of the facility in Guantanamo Bay so that he and other officials can be briefed on several topics.

In his response to Hoekstra's letters Defense Secretary Robert Gates says that after the Obama administration has a "clear idea of where the detainees will be relocated, we will be sure to engage state and local officials and their representatives in Congress." Representative Hoekstra says he is frustrated by Gates' response.

The Diva Entertainment Minute with Lori Moore: Buzz Kill

by Lori Moore
WKZO.COM Entertainment

I can't believe I'm blogging about a blogger, but I finally saw "Julie & Julia" this weekend. It was the first movie all summer that I was actually interested in seeing.

It's the story of a writer (Julie played by Amy Adams)who has a really depressing job so she decides to make every recipe in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking and "blog" about her experiences.

While we're following her story, there is another story line on Child herself and her years in France before she was a household name.

Wow. I was swept along with the food, the French fabulousness, and the great acting (Meryl Streep amazing as Child...Stanley Tucci awesome as her husband).

It was just loads of fun. It built to a climax as both women's dreams are coming true: Julia gets her book contract, Julie gets the attention of "The New York Times" and the publishing world and then BAM.

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!

Director Nora Ephron decides to put in a scene where a reporter calls Julie to tell her that Julia hates what she has done.

Why? I don't care if it really happened or not. What a wet blanket! It was so out of character for the ebullient woman that we had grown to love throughout the movie. I thought it had to be some kind of mistake. But no, the movie ends shortly thereafter and when goes to "worship" Julia at her museum in the final scene it just felt WEIRD, WEIRD,WEIRD.

What a stupid turn of events. I really hated how it turned out. It wrecked an otherwise enjoyable experience for me.

Do you hear me Nora?

Lori Moore hosts "The Lori Moore Show" weekdays 6-10AM on 590 KZO. Watch LIVE on WKZO.COM or listen on 590 KZO. Lori is blogging daily on WKZO.COM.

Back to School

UNDATED -- It's that time of year, back packs, school buses and apples for the teacher. As you get ready to send your children back to school, it may mean more than just waving as they walk out the front door…

Van Buren County Undersheriff Paul Edwards is asking parents to make sure their kids walking to school are informed.

He thinks parents should walk with their child the first week to make sure they know the route and can do it safely. But Edwards says young students aren't the only ones who need safety reminders. He says parents should also talk to carpooling teens about avoiding distractions while driving, like texting.

Most crashes among new drivers occur while going to and from schools. Parents should require seat belt use by the driver and all passengers, and limit the number of teens in the car.

First Day of School...Ever

GREATER KALAMAZOO -- These are tough times in Michigan schools, with serious cutbacks in revenue projected in the next few years, but on the first day of school, there is electricity, hope, promise and the thrill of the unknown in the air.

That’s particularly true on Kalamazoo’s west side, where the brand new
Linden Grove Middle School is opening for its first day of classes.


The same goes for the 12th Street Elementary in Portage, where Principal
Ron Jones is in charge. He says this doesn’t happen often.

There hasn’t been a new school open in Portage since Moorsbridge Elementary in
1992. The ripple effect both of those new schools have had on their districts, means hundreds of other students have been reassigned to new buildings, where they will be meeting new teachers and making new friends this year.

Kalamazoo School Students were not only be greeted by their teachers this morning…but celebrities were also on hand to impress upon the children just how important it is that they are in school and learning.

We aren’t talking Hannah Montana here…it’s mostly local elected officials, clergymen, and a few media types. It’s the 12th year that the District has invited the celebrity greeters to launch the school year.

Back to College

KALAMAZOO -- It’s not only the first day of school in very nearly every Public School District in Michigan, but it’s also the first day of classes at W.M.U.

While the recession has given a boost to enrollments at Community Colleges, WMU has tried to control growth so they don’t overtax their facilities and their budget.

Spokesperson Cheryl Roland says students begin the year not knowing if the Michigan Promise will be there for them. She says they are sending out bills for the full amount and working with each student individually until they know what the legislature is going to do. It will be a few weeks before they start getting break downs on enrollment numbers and how the class of 2013 breaks down demographically.

Parent’s who are sending their kids off to college, should warn them about the dangers of alcohol. Binge drinking is rampant on the nation’s campuses, and students can find themselves under peer and social pressure to join in.

Dr. Peter Cressy, President of the Distilled Spirits Council says every year kids die from overdoing it. He says parents have a great deal more credibility on this subject than they may think.

17-hundred die in alcohol related crashes every year and nearly three dozen literally drink themselves to death, ingesting so much alcohol, they drown in it.

Swine Flu at School

UNDATED -- The first place the Swine flu popped up in Michigan earlier this year was on a college campus, when ten students at Hope College came down with the bug. In the few weeks since college classes resumed in some states, there have been 2,000 new cases.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan is calling for calm, and lots and lots of hand washing, and telling parents to keep their children home when they are sick. Dr. Alana Levine with the American Academy of Pediatrics says parents play a role, but schools must have plans in place to deal with children who show up sick.

Schools are being urged not to close when cases start to appear.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points to the importance of children getting swine flu shots when the vaccine becomes available in mid-October.

The H1N1 virus earlier this year killed 36 children in the U.S. CDC Director Thomas Frieden says two-thirds of the children who died had high-risk medical conditions, such as asthma, muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.

22-percent of the children who died from swine flu were under five and otherwise healthy. One important CDC finding is that many of the children who did not have an underlying condition and became seriously ill also had a bacterial infection. They are telling doctors that antibiotic treatment might be appropriate.

MDA Telethon Raises over 60-million

LAS VEGAS -- The Annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy fell about $4.5-million short of last year’s record breaking 65-million dollar total, but it is a rough economy out there.

In west Michigan, the telethon raised nearly $272-thousand dollars.

The Funds pay for research to find treatments and cures, and also provides assistance to sufferers, like wheelchairs and leg braces, and special MDA summer camps and clinics.

Combatting Terrorists with Coupons

BYRON TOWNSHIP -- A West Michigan Woman is helping American troops overseas by sending them expired grocery coupons.

Sarah Wheeler of Byron Township is a volunteer with the Overseas Coupon Program. Manufacturers will often honor coupons for six months after their expiration, if they are used at a military commissary or PX overseas.

She got involved because she was an avid coupon clipper, and has an uncle in the Navy, and hates to see a coupon go to waste.

She says Americans stationed overseas don’t have access to coupons and aren’t paid that much.

Labor Day Fatalities

UNDATED -- It was a relatively safe Labor Day weekend until yesterday.

Allegan County Sheriff’s deputies say just before 4AM on the holiday,
28 year old Daniel Cunningham II of Allegan left 120th Ave. west of 16th St. in Watson Township.

His 1999 GMC Suburban slammed into several trees and he was ejected. The first EMS and rescue crews on the scene attempted to resuscitate him, but could not. He was dead at the scene.

They are testing to see if alcohol was a factor. He was not buckled up.

A horrific crash killed two along I-196 near Grandville yesterday morning.
A semi hauling pies, collided with a Chevy Tahoe on the I-196 overpass at Chicago Drive and burst into flames, rolling down the embankment.

Dead are the 70-year-old truck driver, Robert Osborne of Mancelona, and 83 year-old Edna Gorter of Grand Rapids, who was a passenger in the SUV.

82-year-old Robert Gortner was pulled from the Chevy Tahoe as it burned but she was trapped. The blazing semi sent up a plume of black smoke that could be seen for miles, closing the intersection for 9 hours.

A Path of Destruction

ALLEGAN -- Allegan County Deputies are looking for the miscreants who caused thousands of dollars damage to private and public property this weekend.

They suspect a group of vandals slashed tires, cut loose boats after trashing them, broke windows smashed windshields, and ruined the Labor Day weekend for dozens of visitors and residents.

They struck at the Allegan Sports Complex, Allegan Fair Grounds, boat launches at Echo Point, Indian Shores and the Allegan Dam. They also damaged cars on several streets in the City of Allegan.

A reward is being offered and County Deputies are looking for witnesses who may have spotted anyone acting suspiciously late Sunday or early Monday morning.

Stabbed in the Back

BATTLE CREEK -- Battle Creek Police are looking for a 17 year old who stabbed another man in the back about 2pm Sunday morning on W. Michigan Ave.

Detectives did not release a motive for the crime, but apparently the 37 year old victim knows the suspect, who was last seen running down West Michigan Avenue and may still be at large.

The stab-wound was not life-threatening, and the victim was treated at Battle Creek Health Systems.

VIDEO: Broncos Getting Back to Basics After Loss to Michigan

KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan Broncos held their 1st practice since a 31-7 loss to Michigan Saturday afternoon. For the full interviews click Bronco Sports First in the WKZO.COM menu section. Dan Cash has the story:

Matt Back in West Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS -- Kalamazoo’s American Idol, Matt Giraud was back in West Michigan last night, as the American Idol tour, featuring the ten Finalists from last year’s show, came to the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.



Girauld has been getting good reviews for his performances during the tour and said before last night’s concert that it’s a dream come true.

Family and friends from Kalamazoo threw him a welcome home party after last night’s concert.

The Governor Walks, not Runs

MACKINAC -- For the first time in her term Governor Granholm will be walking across the Mackinac Bridge, and not running on this Labor Day. The 50 year old Governor will be crossing with her Aunt and Uncle who are visiting from Vancouver.

They are both in their 70’s. Last year she had her best time at 35-minutes 27-seconds. The annual event is the only chance all year they allow pedestrian traffic on the Big Mac.

Gov. Granholm used her weekly radio address to salute Michigan workers. In her Labor Day address the Governor talks about successes in bringing business to the state. She highlights the fact that leaders in advanced-battery development and manufacturing have been attracted to Michigan.

The Governor also points out that the state continues to build on its manufacturing strengths and is being transformed into a center for energy. The governor says, quote, "better days lie ahead for Michigan workers, and we are on our way."

The Search Continues

CALHOUN COUNTY -- Three cadaver dogs from Grand Haven and Indiana searched a swampy area near Albion, spending 17-hours looking for any trace of Mary Land, who has been missing for 5 years. They were brought in by “Track Missing”.

They are seeking out volunteers and trained dogs to conduct an even larger search on September 26th.

Christopher Pratt, her boyfriend at the time says she stormed out of their apartment and disappeared after a fight, and was never seen again. He remains a person of interest in her disappearance, and is currently serving time for assaulting another woman.

A Clean Defeat

ANN ARBOR -- WMU’s football team managed to outscore the Wolverines 7 to 0 in the second half at the Big House on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Broncos, they had been outscored 31 to 0 in the first half. It gave the University of Michigan their first opening game win in three seasons.

The Big House was also a safer house. University officials didn’t want fear of the Swine Flu to keep people away, so they set up hand sanitizing stations, according to reporter Jeff De Fran.

WMU has also set up hand-sanitizer dispensers all over campus as classes begin tomorrow on the Kalamazoo Campus.

Busted as School Begins

MATTAWAN -- State Troopers will be riding school buses in the Mattawan District as school begins this week. They will be there to make sure that other drivers obey the laws when driving near buses.

The troopers will be linked by radio with patrol cars that will be handing out the tickets to drivers who don’t stop when the bus flashes its red lights. Its part of the federally funded “BusTED” program…Which stands for “Bus to Educate Drivers”, which has been tried and worked in other districts, like Hastings.

With State Watching, WMU Falls Flat at Michigan

by Emily Wolfram
Bronco Sports First

ANN ARBOR -- So much to discuss after the 31-7 Michigan win over Western Michigan Saturday.

And for the second time this season I was surprised at Head Coach Bill Cubit’s responses.

He was composed, even positive. “We’re going to be fine,” Cubit repeated again and again. By the end of the conference he even had me convinced that things weren’t as bad as they seemed.

Cubit explained that he was content with his defense’s performance and although they appeared to just lie down at times he felt it was more of a mild case of inexperience rather than lack of preparation.

Tim Hiller was not the man WMU expected him to be tonight. Perhaps on another day with a different performance he would have carried this team but today he looked physically exhausted and lacked the zip on his throws that he displayed a year ago.

Hiller’s numbers will tell you different. He was 22-of-38 for 259 yards with one TD and two interceptions. Most of those yards came in the second half and the majority of those in the third. Regardless of how you rate Hiller’s game today, he was without a doubt pressured all day. Which leads me to wonder where was this veteran offensive line? You know the ones with all the size, strength, and experience we keep hearing about?

Cubit said, “Were we over matched? I don’t think so. We’re just inexperienced.” That’s fine to say about the defense but why did no one address the reason for Hiller’s lack of comfort and pace in the pocket?

There is a lot that can be said either way. The offense was non-existent, both of the Broncos second year kickers were far from their best and the defense was, well, secondary to Michigan’s 439 yards. Of course the Broncos performance was far from superb but it did show some glimpses.

Running Back Brandon West didn’t rack up a lot of yards but he did hit the holes well on his 13 carries.

Cubit’s post-game outlook was a good reflection of the team’s attitude. The Broncos however didn’t let up, took their licks and carried themselves well on and off the field.

However, perceptions of Bronco football took a large hit today. There wasn’t much on the line in the grand scheme of things but the game was on National television and with the Rodriquez allegations, Michigan’s squad had to unite. U of M fans were watching to see if their “In Rod We Trust” banners were reusable. (Little brother) Michigan State fans had to see the outcome.

And all three in-state MAC schools had to see how the conference will handle Big Ten teams this season. The Broncos will need every one of the next seven days to learn from their mistakes in time to challenge Indiana, then again, Indiana isn’t Michigan.

Which…as we saw Saturday…is finally back.

Rodriguez Tried to Warn Michigan Fans in 2008 But No One Would Listen

by Dan Cash
Bronco Sports First

I eat my words on Western Michigan having a chance to unseat Michigan as MAC king having only lost a single game to the Mid-American Conference over their 100+ seasons.

It was probably too much to ask a Bronco team that had lost Jamarko Simmons, Schneider Julian, Branden Ledbetter and its entire secondary to either the NFL or at least an NFL tryout.

Early on it was clear that a win over Michigan simply wasn’t possible.
The Wolverines came out fired up in the 1st half and Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson found “athletes” and as Forcier put it: “The athletes did what athletes do, make great plays”.

This Michigan team…at least in game 1 is so far removed from the 3-9 team that opened the season with a loss to an unknown Utah team and dropped its first game to the MAC playing Toledo at “The Big House”.

Maybe it was false hope for WMU fans who thought that with all the allegations and problems and coming off such a tough season that Rodriguez Wolverines were simply ripe for the taking. That just wasn’t the case and we all should have known that.
Take a look at the history books.

Rich Rodriguez has been a Head Coach at 2 other college programs. Glenville State and West Virginia. At both of those programs Rodriguez began with an atrocious introduction season, only to be followed by wins and championships.

After finishing tied for 6th and 5th in his first 2 seasons Rodriguez went on to finish 6-4 before winning 4 straight league titles.

At West Virginia Rodriguez began 3-8 before finishing 2nd in 2002 at 9-4 before finishing no less than 2nd over his next 6 seasons at West Virginia.

The spread system Rodriguez runs obviously takes at least one season to grasp enough to put together strings of wins. Even at Michigan that is the case.

It’s obvious to me that Michigan fans overlooked that in season one…which allowed for the venom that followed Rodriguez throughout the end of 2008 and had continued until his 31-7 rout of Western Michigan Saturday.

Whether you like Michigan or not you need to give the University credit. It is a brilliant research institution and they have had some fantastic scholars, artists, writers and athletes come through their halls. Because of that, the Wolverines fans demand instant success.

There is no time for failure (especially in Football) and that is why Rich Rodriguez had to go through what he did last season. You can’t go 3-9 at Michigan…no matter how difficult your system is to learn…and expect the fans to be peachy with you.
Rodriguez knew exactly what he was getting himself into when he took the job (and the money) to coach the University of Michigan.

He knew what he was getting into and he also knew that it was going to be a struggle at first. Even going so far as to try and tell fans and alumni that it was going to take time.

The man came out and said…look everywhere I have been it has taken time. He tried to brace Michigan fans…but in typical Michigan fashion…no one listened. (Listen to Rodriguez telling Dan Cash on 1660 THE FAN last season about how difficult his 1st season can be below.)

They expected greatness from the start…it took them a year but Michigan fans finally got a glimpse Saturday afternoon of what Rich Rodriguez is making this team. A fast paced machine that moves all over the field to disturb any plan the defense has.

For the Western Michigan Broncos they simply got too Michigan Stadium one season too late and one thing became clear…Michigan will not be embarrassed like last season.
Not now, not ever.

VIDEO: Michigan Quarterback Tate Forcier After Michigan 31-7 Win Over WMU