This week from Capital News Service

Editor’s note: An early filing this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Wednesday, Nov. 27 — Each week, City Pulse runs a series of stories produced by Capital News Service correspondents at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism. This week’s topics cover the hampered growth of Michigan’s aquaculture industry, a federal grant to expand dental care, the state Court of Appeals approving an air emissions permit for DTE Energy and more.

• Efforts to expand Michigan’s aquaculture industry are being hampered by government regulations, environmental concerns and lack of financing. Most fish farms are in the northern Lower Peninsula. We talk to the president of the Michigan Aquaculture Association, from the Cadillac area, and experts from Sea Grant in Marquette, MSU and Battle Creek. By Matthew Hall.
• A $1.3 million federal grant will expand dental care for children in Mecosta and Genesee counties by putting dental hygiene students from Ferris State and U of M in schools with high numbers of Medicaid-eligible or low-income students. The SEAL! Michigan program already has at least one participating school in 19 other counties, including Marquette, Alpena, Ottawa, Alcona, Ingham and Wayne. By Becky McKendry.
• The illegal shooting of a black bear in Manistee County is evidence that poaching remains a problem in the state, DNR officials say. Michigan United Conservation Clubs wants tougher penalties for those who hunt, fish or trap illegally. A bill with tougher penalties for poaching big-antlered deer is on its way to the governor, with sponsors from St. Clair, Traverse City, Evart, St. Joseph and Grand Ledge. For news and outdoors pages. By Lacee Shepard.
• The Court of Appeals has approved air stack emission permits intended to reduce emissions from DTE’s coal-fired power plant in Monroe. The decision rebuffs the Sierra Club, which claimed the permit violates the federal Clean Air Act. By Eric Freedman.
• About 700 Michigan volunteers monitor rain and snowfall to assist such agencies as the National Weather Service. The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network makes it quick and easy work to measure precipitation and provide data used in predicting storms and floods. We talk to the state climatologist and a Mount Pleasant participant. By Erik Stiem.