Friday, February 7, 2003

Prosecutor: Agency not protecting kids
An infant girl from Clarkston dies in July 2000, accidentally suffocating while under the covers in bed with her parents, who had been drinking.

U.S. loses patience on smelter cleanup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday that it has ordered 11 companies to do a final cleanup at a former lead smelter on Detroit's east side or face triple the costs of having the EPA do it.

Thursday, February 6, 2003

Be calm, flu experts say
Four children are dead and flu season is well under way, yet state and local health officials have a message for parents: Calm down.

Grant to fight lead poisoning in Detroit
Community activists in Detroit cheered Wednesday when they learned that the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development approved a grant of nearly $1 million to combat lead poisoning in the city.

Highland Park gets federal help to keep its children safe
In a city that has an understaffed police department, heavy drug trafficking and one of the highest rates of gun-related violence in the state, keeping children safe in Highland Park has been a challenge.

KIDS' HEALTH: States might get to keep money for insurance
WASHINGTON -- States would be able to hold on to about $2.7 billion for children's health insurance instead of sending it back to the federal government, under a compromise announced by key House lawmakers Wednesday.

Study: Drug programs failing to reach girls
WASHINGTON -- Girls and young women face greater health risks from smoking, alcohol and drug use than their male counterparts and require different prevention and treatment programs, a study released Wednesday said.

Wednesday, February 5, 2003

Legislators revive children's caucus
LANSING -- In the face of a state budget deficit that could mean millions of dollars in cuts for all kinds of programs, a group of legislators revived the Legislative Children's Caucus on Tuesday to protect and promote children's interests.

Tuesday, February 4, 2003

NURSING IN PUBLIC: Law's on mothers' side, but critics say there is too much exposure
Molly Bascom-Keller sat inside the Summit Place Mall's new primary-colored play structure, discreetly nursing her baby while her older children romped in the ball pit.

Monday, February 3, 2003

Action sought on polluted Detroit smelter site
People who grew up near the abandoned former Master Metals plant on Detroit's east side say they want more answers and more action from government officials on the polluted smelter. And at least one official, Wayne County Commissioner Kwame Kenyatta, said he plans to demand more action.

EXPLAINING TO KIDS: After a disaster, a child's questions can be daunting
When space shuttles blow up, when airplanes fly into skyscrapers and when a nation prepares for war, there is usually one consistent question children ask their teachers: Why?

Thursday, January 30, 2003

March of Dimes campaign begins: Premature births a booming concern
Stephanie and Chris Caton knew there were risks of medical complications when they turned to a fertility specialist to help them become parents.

Plan to remove lead gets approval
Promising to keep the pressure on to prevent lead poisoning, the Detroit City Council endorsed a $500,000 pilot program Wednesday to help renters remove lead from their homes beginning next month.

Tuesday, January 28, 2003

Courts propel search for kids
Some of Michigan's missing foster children fled back to the mothers who had lost custody of them. Others ended up in juvenile detention centers while their next destination was debated. Still more of the missing turned themselves in to authorities after learning they were among more than 200 kids the state was looking for.

Monday, January 27, 2003

LEAD'S TOXIC TOLL: Report prompts action on smelter
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to do more testing at the old Master Metals lead smelter site in Detroit and in the nearby neighborhood, the top official in the agency's Chicago office said.

Saturday, January 25, 2003

Child rescue force finds missing teens
At the same time that 17-year-old Andrea Harrison was preparing for her daughter's second birthday party, a Wayne County Juvenile Court judge was convening a trial on Thursday that could result in Harrison losing her parental rights to the girl.

LEAD'S TOXIC TOLL: Wanted: A leader who says 'enough is enough'
Michigan needs to test more children for lead poisoning, abate more homes and do a better job of enforcing housing ordinances if it wants to significantly reduce the number of lives damaged each year.

NEW PARENTS' CONCERNS: Girl from China is lead poisoned
When Mike and Christine Schulte adopted their daughter from China a year ago, the adoption agency had a suggestion: When you get home, test her for lead.

THE POLITICS OF SCIENCE: Danger level is a matter of dispute
For the first timein 12years, a federal advisory committee is considering that controversial question, weighing new science about the effects of lead on a child's body.