July 3, 2008

The Latest Business Headlines from WWJ Newsradio 950

GM Shares Below $10 | The stock fell 15.1 percent, to close at $9.98. The session low of $9.96 marked GM's lowest price since Sept. 13, 1954, when it hit $9.92. | Story | Related Podcast

Chrysler Could Close Plant | Eroding pickup truck sales could lead to the closure of Chrysler's St. Louis truck plant by next year, the Detroit Free Press reports. | Story

Honda's Small-Car Success | The automaker never put both feet into the U.S. truck market, focusing instead on slow-but-steady growth with cars like the Civic and Accord. | Story

State Sues Blues | Michigan's largest health insurer is accused of using $125 million from health care customers to help its for-profit subsidiary buy an insurance company. | Story

Jobless Funds Shrinking | Unemployment funds in Michigan and other states are at risk of running out in less than a year unless they're replenished, The Detroit News reports. | Story

Flooding, Power Outages | Severe thunderstorms that swept across Michigan's Lower Peninsula have caused power outages to about 185,000 homes and businesses and flooded streets. | Story

Bear Market | U.S. stocks fell on concerns about record oil prices, the economy and corporate profits. | Story

UM USES $5 MILLION DONATION TO RAMP UP STUDY OF HEALTH SAFETY RISKS

The University of Michigan says a $5 million gift from an Ann Arbor couple will position the university to become the nation's premier, comprehensive resource for assessing, quantifying and communicating risks to public health.

The money, donated by UM graduates and long-time donors Charles and Rita Gelman to UM’s Risk Science Center, provides immediate funding to expand the center’s research agenda, the university says. The gift also will be used to support graduate student fellowships and general operations – including the hiring of two new faculty members – and establishes a named professorship for a senior researcher.

The Risk Science Center, established in 2003, is one of about a dozen such centers in the United States. Housed in the School of Public Health, it studies health hazards using expertise from across UM and outside the university. It draws on expertise in fields including public health; medicine; law; business; engineering; natural resources and environment; public policy; social research; economics; and communication. More...

A National Energy Policy Is Essential Now More Than Ever

By James A. Croce
CEO NextEnergy

Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain: I hope you read this.

With gasoline prices shooting up past $4 a gallon and the economy of our nation reacting to this energy cost disruption with unpredictable surges in the price of food and nearly all other goods and services, it’s apparent to me, and to many others, that our nation now needs a formal and far-reaching national energy policy. Such a policy could guide our nation securely through the approaching decades of wildly fluctuating energy costs that are most assuredly headed our way. More...

INSIDE THE BETTER MADE PLANT: In an "Our Michigan, Our Future" report, WWJ Newsradio 950's Pat Sweeting takes us inside the Better Made Snack Food Co. plant in Detroit, where she talks with General Manager Mike Schena. The company, best known for its potato chips, has been part of the Detroit business community since 1930. To listen, click here.

MSU UNVEILS PUSH FOR BIG NUCLEAR PROJECT: U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon have joined with business, labor and economic development leaders to announce a united Michigan campaign to help MSU win a national competition for the $550 million Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Levin has pledged his support for the massive project along with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Reps. John Dingell and Mike Rogers. More...

LAND POLICY INSTITUTE WORKS ON NEW ECONOMY PROJECTS: Michigan State University says its Land Policy Institute is working on several initiatives to boost the state's transition to a knowledge-based economy. Among them: a study on the new economy contributors to growth in states around the country, from quality-of-life amenities to creative class industries. More...

TROY BIOLOGY TEACHER HONORED – AGAIN: In a "Making the Grade" report, WWJ Newsradio 950's Greg Bowman talks to Troy High School biology teacher Rebecca Johns, who continues to receive honors as the best biology teacher in Michigan. To listen, click here.

STATE OFFERS MONEY-SAVING IDEAS: Gov. Jennifer Granholm rode her bike to work Wednesday, accompanied by her security detail. Granholm told reporters during a media roundtable that the state has created a ''Save Money'' Web site to help Michigan residents find ways to share rides, find the cheapest gasoline and use alternative transportation. More...

UPPER PENINSULA 911 SYSTEM IN THE WORKS: Marquette County has approved an agreement to create a regional 911 dispatch authority for the entire Upper Peninsula. The Marquette County Board approved the interlocal agreement which officials say is a first step that creates a framework for other counties to join. More...

WORLDWIDE AUTOMOTIVE REPORT PODCAST: GM stock drops below $10 a share. How did Honda buck Junes downward sales trend? Lincoln dealers in the middle of a very important launch.

HEAR 'EDUCATION MINUTE' ON WWJ AND ONLINE: WWJ Newsradio 950's Pat Vitale gives education tips in an on-air series that is a joint production of Eastern Michigan University-Education First! and WWJ. "Education Minute" airs daily on WWJ at 9:22 a.m., 12:23 p.m.; 5:40 p.m., and 9:53 p.m. For podcasts of Vitale's reports, as well as other resources for helping our kids learn, click here.

METRO DETROIT YOUTH DAY: WWJ Newsradio 950 is a sponsor of the 26th Annual Metro Detroit Youth Day, happening July 9 on Belle Isle. Founded in 1981, following altercations between youngsters and area store owners on Livernois Ave. between 6 and 7 Mile roads, Metro Detroit Youth Day has a goal of bringing together Metro Detroit area youngsters from diverse backgrounds. The day includes supervised sports clinics, games, contests, a free lunch, motivational speakers, entertainment, the awarding of annual scholarships, and various other activities. More...

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PUBLICATION SCHEDULE: The Daily Dash will not be published on Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. We wish you all a happy and safe holiday.