For the second year in a row, 93 percent of Michigan drivers and front-seat passengers are buckling up, according to statewide observation surveys conducted this summer by the Wayne State University Transportation Research Group. According to the findings, there was an overall marginal decrease of .6 percent from 2012 in the statewide seat belt use rate. Other things remained consistent: males, younger occupants and those in pickup trucks continue to exhibit lower belt use rates. Among the findings, SUV occupants had the highest belt use at 94.3 percent, and pickup truck occupants the lowest at 90 percent. Women buckled up 94.8 percent of the time compared to 92.1 percent for men. Seat belt use was highest for those 60 and older at 95.7 percent, and lowest for those 0 to 15 at 91.2 percent.

A study conducted by ACCESS and Wayne State University found an alarming health statistic: The rate of Arab-Americans with diabetes is triple the rate of other groups. As a result, ACCESS and Enroll America are teaming to increase the number of people enrolled in the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare." Gary Dougherty, the state advocacy director for the American Diabetes Association, said more than 1 million Michigan residents have been diagnosed with diabetes and another 2.6 million are prediabetic, meaning their blood sugar is higher than normal. But, only 7 percent of those people are aware they're prediabetic. He also said that in 2012, at least $8 billion was spent on diabetic medical costs in the state.

Wayne State University last week hosted an open house for aspiring morticians that drew hundreds. Once prerequisites are completed, a mortician can complete the Wayne State University course work in three semesters. Students and professors at the school took groups of seven or eight through the classrooms giving them a glimpse of what they can expect. Founded in 1939, the Wayne State University mortuary science program is the only accredited school in Michigan meeting requirements necessary for state licensing.

Oakland Community College(OCC) nursing graduates, who work in the field for six months, will be able to transfer directly into Wayne State University's College of Nursing bachelor of science program at WSU's Farmington Hills campus under a new agreement. The agreement eases the transition into WSU's bachelor of science program by allowing the prescribed list of credits required to earn OCC's associate nursing degree program to transfer to WSU, with minimal duplication of courses. OCC has more than 500 students in its nursing program, one of the largest in Michigan. Nancy T. Artinian, interim dean of the Wayne State's College of Nursing, said the college hopes to start enrolling OCC nursing graduates now to start the program in January. The agreement runs through June 30, 2016. "Wayne State University nursing graduates are prized for their leadership, case management and practitioner skills in all areas of the healthcare system," Artinian said. "We are excited to see what this partnership leads to."

Detroit Mayor-elect Mike Duggan will give the keynote speech at Tuesday's Detroit News forum focusing on how to lead the city back to local control. The forum will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Wayne State University's Community Arts Auditorium. The free, reservation-required event will include a discussion with City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, former Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel, Brand Jessup of Michigan Forward and Daniel Howes, columnist and associate business editor at The News. News Editorial Page Editor Nolan Finley will moderate.

Back in August, The Detroit Business Support Network announced the release of the Detroit Biz Grid, which is a physical infographic that helps Detroit entrepreneurs connect with an array of organizations that provide business assistance within the city. Leslie Smith, president and CEO of Tech Town, visited Craig Fahle to discuss small businesses and the future of the city. The Detroit Business Support Network will host Biz Grid Live! on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Wayne State University's McGregor Memorial Conference Center.

NPR international correspondent Deborah Amos and Fred Pearson, professor of political science and director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Wayne State University, spoke with Craig Fahle about the 2013 Max Mark-Cranbrook Peace Lecture and Peacemaker Awards Ceremony. Amos is the scheduled keynote speaker at the ceremony, and will receive a Global Peacemaker Award.

The addition of two more universities offering courses in Livonia soon will push the number of places area residents can earn a degree in Livonia to eight. The move by Schoolcraft College to partner with Wayne State University and the University of Toledo to offer four-year degrees just enhances the opportunities for students looking to stay close to home. Programs offered through the newly announced "Schoolcraft to U" initiative include business, nursing, engineering and criminal justice. Classes will be offered in a recently acquired building on Schoolcraft's campus at Seven Mile and Haggerty in Livonia.

A report includes highlights from Thursday's Accelerate Michigan Competition. In the student competition, the University of Michigan's three year grip on first place was broken. First place and a $25,000 prize went to Soletics of Grand Valley State University, a developer of gloves and jackets heated by solar energy for outdoor sports wear. Second place and a $15,000 prize went to SIB Medical Technologies LLC of Wayne State University, developers of a sample collection device for home stool samples. Taking third place and a $10,000 prize was AirFuel of Michigan State University, which builds miniature lightweight wind turbines to provide off-grid electricity. Additional WSU finalists are named in the report.

Irvin D. Reid, director of the Forum on Contemporary Issues in Society (FOCIS) and inaugural holder of Wayne State University's Eugene Applebaum Chair in Community Engagement, and James Spiotto, Chapman and Cutler, LLP bankruptcy lawyer, were guests on The Craig Fahle Show talking about FOCIS's Nov. 21 event titled "Bankruptcy: What could it mean for Detroit: Voices from other places." The half-day public conference will feature two panel discussions: One panel features elected officials and an educator whose cities went through bankruptcy. The second panel comprises advocates for the various players in those municipalities. They were the lawyers who represented the pensioners, bondholders, city officials, ordinary citizens and the municipalities themselves in federal court. They are the few experts in this relatively new area of law, for what is known as Chapter 9 clearly is different from other forms of bankruptcy. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium at WSU's Law School.

A column highlighting some of the best cold and flu season advice includes suggestions from Tonia Reinhard, senior lecturer in nutrition and food science at Wayne State University. Reinhard says that while vitamin C can't make a cold or flu go away, it can reduce the time you're affected by it. She recommends eating bell peppers and dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, brussel sprouts and broccoli raw or dipped in hummus for some extra protein, to maximize nutritional content.

Wayne State University's Mortuary Science Building is opening its doors to the public. No reservations are required for Thursday's annual open house event, which draws hundreds of visitors, many of whom line up outside the building. The Mortuary Science Open House is free to attend. It began in 1991 as a small gathering of alumni, students and friends of the mortuary science program. The four-story building houses teaching and research resources in embalming, anatomy, restorative arts, clinical laboratory science and pathology assistant laboratories. The Wayne State mortuary science program began in 1939 and was one of the nation's first programs of its kind. The school says it still is the only accredited, undergraduate degree program leading to state licensure in Michigan.

Wayne State University lecturer Saeed Khan, an expert on Near East history, politics, and culture, talked with Craig Fahle about the current nuclear talks between the United States and Iran. The talks between the two nations represent the first effort to negotiate since the 1970's.

The Wayne State University School of Medicine has partnered with the Detroit Lions Living for the City philanthropic initiative that focuses on sustainable community health, wellness and development. In a partnership that's the first of its kind between an NFL franchise and a university medical school, the Detroit Lions and WSU School of Medicine's Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences will work with Detroit residents, especially children, to teach methods to improve health, conduct health fairs and plan other programs, event and activities. "This collaborative effort will provide another structured active learning approach for the students in this area as well as an opportunity for faculty and staff to share their expertise and knowledge on a variety of public health and medical issues with the Detroit Lions and their partners," said Juliann Binienda, Ph.D., assistant professor of family medicine and public health sciences, and principal investigator of the school's Bridges to Equity program.

Wayne State University's Mortuary Science Building will open its doors to the public for its annual open house from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14. This is a 'learn and tour' experience through the four-story building, which houses the most advanced teaching and research resources in embalming, anatomy, restorative arts, clinical laboratory science and pathology assistant laboratories. There is no charge and no reservation required for the WSU Mortuary Science Open House. The WSU mortuary science program began in 1939 and was one of the nation's first programs of its kind. Today, it is still the only accredited, undergraduate degree program leading to state licensure in Michigan.

Having the opportunity to play football at the college level is one not many players get. And aside from just getting the opportunity, Wayne State University kicker Stefan Terleckyj is doing something with it, as he was honored in both September and October by the Fred Mitchell Award organization, which recognizes place-kickers for excellence on and off the football field. Terleckyj was one of 26 kickers to receive the accolade in September, with 35 being recognized in October. According to a release by Wayne State University, the Fred Mitchell Award is given to the nation's top collegiate place-kicker among more than 750 FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA football teams.

Producers from Katie Couric's talk show "Katie" came to Detroit Monday to help make Christmas wishes come true for formerly homeless girls and young women. And they left town with about $3,500 worth of apparel and gifts. The producers arrived at Wayne State University's Student Center Building to try to help Alternatives for Girls, a Detroit-based nonprofit serving homeless and high-risk girls and young women. It's part of Couric's "Challenge for Change." Producers are visiting five cities, including Phoenix, Denver and New York City. Their next step is Washington, D.C. Wayne State students and employees and Detroiters are being asked to adopt one girl's holiday wish list for $30, or to make another donation to the organization. Jeffrey D. Block, assistant vice president for special events and services, coordinated the event. "It was a really short notice because we didn't hear from the producers until Saturday," he said. "We've gotten so much support from our athletes, other students, Barnes & Noble and others on campus."

Patrick Hannah, Student Veteran Resource Center manager, WSU alum and Marine Corps veteran, joined an in-studio discussion about Veteran's Day. Hannah offered information about Wayne State University's Office of Military and Veteran's Academic Excellence and the services extended to veteran students.

The Detroit Business Support Network is sponsoring a real-world event to help companies get off the ground. Called BizGrid Live!, it's scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 19 at Wayne State University's McGregor Memorial Conference Center. Accomplished, novice and aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to the free event, where they will have an opportunity to meet representatives from the 54 BizGrid organizations. "We want people to know that they can do business in Detroit, and that there are organizations to support them," said Stephanie Fries, BizGrid Live organizer and relationship manager for The Front Door, Wayne State University's one-stop business assistance center. "Whatever stage they're in and whatever help they need, they can find it here."

The changes coming to American health care through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and other forces¬ - with a greater focus on preventive care - will require universities to rethink what they teach and how they interact with their communities, said several college and health-care experts who spoke on Sunday on a panel at the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities' meeting here. As universities think about the new jobs coming to health care, "we have to stop talking about primary-care physicians and start talking about primary-care services," said M. Roy Wilson, president of Wayne State University.