Radio Made in Michigan

Today on Current State: MSU plant biologist's expertise plays major role in criminal investigation;  lead poisoning down in  Detroit, but so is funding for lead cleanup; and iPad periodical developed by MSU journalism students. 

A Michigan State University plant biology professor is playing a unique role in piecing together a tragic West Michigan crime.  Dr. Frank Telewski is part of an effort to locate a Ludington infant who was abducted and likely killed by her father in 2011.  

Telewski and other professionals have analyzed bits of plant material from the suspect’s shoes in an attempt to find the location of four-month-old’s remains. Using the findings, investigators plan to narrow the search this summer.  

A story from Environmental Health News reports that lead poisoning in children in Detroit has decreased 70 percent since 2004. However, the number of children with exposure to excessive lead levels in Detroit still exceeds the national average, and funding for cleanup is dwindling.

Brian Bienkowski is a senior editor and staff writer at Environmental Health News. He discusses the decrease of lead poisoning and the motor city's environmental future.

MSU Journalism students have produced an online-only magazine called Glyph. As publications like Newsweek move to eliminate print editions, these students are learning what it takes to succeed in online journalism.

A senior-level class has published this new magazine for the iPad. Two editions of Glyph are available at no charge in Apple’s app store.

Today on Current State: musician Chuck Leavell on sustainable communities;  the executive producer of “The Waiting Room” documentary, takes us inside an American public hospital; and Lansing business news with MLive's Angela Wittrock.

The U.S population is expected to increase by 90 million in the next 30 years. According to the book  "Growing a Better America: Smart, Strong, Sustainable,"  now is the time for the Untied State’s to plan for that growth.  The books author,  Chuck Leveall,  is a conservationist, confounder of the Mother Nature Network,  tree farm owner and rock-n- roll star. He’s toured with Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison and many others. Leavell  discusses his thoughts on growth models, conservation and music.

The documentary “The Waiting Room” takes viewers inside a public hospital in Oakland, California. The powerful film captures the struggles of both health care workers and patients in a system that is broken and stretched to its limits. It also shows how public hospitals can become more than just places to receive medical care.