This week from Capital News Service

Saturday, Sept. 28 — Each week, City Pulse will run a series of stories produced by Capital News Service correspondents at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism. While reports cover the entire state, some will be focused on the greater Lansing region.

This week’s topics cover the Michigan State Police’s aircraft fleet; young prostitutes as victims; public transportation agencies contracting out services; and botulism killing off loons in northern Michigan.

The State Police’s three-aircraft fleet based in Lansing is flying more than ever — chasing suspects, conducting search-and-rescue missions, hunting for pot fields and more. The pilots also patrol Detroit, Pontiac, Flint and Saginaw from the air. The aviation unit commander would like to add another helicopter based in the Saginaw area and possibly more aircraft further north. By Matt Hall.

Some legislators, led by one from White Lake, say Michigan law should presume that 16- and 17-year-olds caught in prostitution are victims, not criminals. Cosponsors include legislators from Clayton, Six Lakes, Detroit and Constantine. Some anti-human trafficking advocates say the state should go further and follow a federal policy that is more sympathetic to minors. We talk to U of M and Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force experts. By Becky McKendry.