This article on the growth in Livingston and Washtenaw counties quoted extensively Wayne State\'s Kurt Metzger and his census-based population growth report.

Wayne County continues to sustain some of the nation\'s worst population losses, while Livingston and Macomb counties set the pace for growth, according to U.S. Census numbers provided by Kurt Metzger, research director with WSU\'s Center for Urban Studies. "The story continues to be one of sprawl in a region that really isn't growing," he said. \"We\'re building houses faster than our population requires."

From 2003 to 2004, Macomb County\'s population increased by more than 7,000 -- the biggest numerical increase in any of the state\'s 83 counties, according to U.S. Census figures. Oakland County is second with an increase of more than 5,000 residents. Kurt Metzger, research director in the Center for Urban Studies, said the immigration of ethnic groups is one reason for the increase. He added that some Oakland County residents are moving to central Macomb County to avoid higher taxes. Meanwhile, Wayne was the only county in Michigan to lose more than 1,000 residents. But it still has the highest population of any county in the state.

Members of minority groups often do not get the latest medical drugs and interventions, according to a study released by the American Heart Association. There are many theories as to why, but most experts agree that it is up to doctors and the health care establishment to lead the effort to break down walls that make people distrust physicians. \"We can\'t care for patients until they understand you care about them,\" says Dr. John Flack, professor and associate chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, where he is training the next generation of heart specialists. He tells students to answer patients with \"yes, sir\" and \"yes, ma\'am\" and \"to convey to people (that) we\'d care for them like a member of their family.\"

The article speculates about who the next state superintendent of schools will be. Writer Michael McGuinness points up some irony in the departure of former superintendent Tom Watkins, who is "off at Wayne State University doing some online course or something like that." It is noted that Gov. Jennifer Granholm "wanted previously-popular . . . Tom Watkins gone, so he ultimately was shown the door." However, "Watkins was highly regarded by many educators and political figures. . ."

An article about the success of a Ferndale Schools team in the FIRST Robotics regional competition last month mentions that the competition was held at Wayne State University.

Researchers from General Motors, Wayne State University and Henry Ford Hospital are researching brain activity in humans while driving. The research, shared at the SAE World Congress on Monday, was conducted in 2003 and 2004 and is believed to be the first that addresses driver distraction by using brain imaging to examine driving-like behaviors in a laboratory setting.

An article mentioning that veteran White House columnist Helen Thomas will deliver the commencement address at Northern Kentucky University notes that she graduated from Wayne State University before eventually going to Washington to work for the UPI wire service.

A survey done for Canton Township Leisure Services shows that residents believe recreation programs build community, raise property values and decrease crime. Leisure Services worked with Wayne State University to write the questions and randomly select residences to receive the survey.

The Wayne State men's hockey team has announced that senior goalie Matt Kelly and senior defenseman Greg Poupard of Jackson will be co-captains of the 2005-06 team. Senior defenseman Steve Kovalchik, junior forward Jason Bloomingburg and junior forward Mark Cannon were named assistant captains.

The area between Detroit and Lansing is experiencing the largest population growth in the state, while the UP continues to lose population. "The 'edge suburban' counties - Livingston, Ottawa, Allegan, Monroe and St. Clair - continue to attract residents from the more heavily built-up core counties, while 'urban core' counties - Oakland, Kent, Washtenaw, Genessee and particularly, Wayne - continue to send more residents to other areas than they attract," said Kurt Metzger, research director at the Center for Urban Studies at Wayne State University.

WSU's "E2 Entrepreneur Day" on Monday, April 18, combined a daylong conference with a business plan contest.

Wayne State University's Hilberry Theatre rounds out its 2004-5 season with a very impressive production of George Bernard Shaw's "Misalliance."

A feature story on Madison Heights Bishop Folly High School baseball coach Angelo Gust mentions that he was the baseball coach at Wayne State for nine years is a member of the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame.

People of Arab descent are at significantly greater risk of diabetes than the general population and use tobacco at high rates, especially younger people, according to findings of the first studies of Arab-Americans\' health published in the medical journal Ethnicity & Disease. The studies were compiled by the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services in cooperation with Wayne State University. Some of the studies were based on information culled from Arab-Americans in metropolitan Detroit as part of a series of health conferences sponsored by ACCESS. Other studies were undertaken by researchers at Wayne State University and the University of Michigan.

Sports columnist Rob Parker profiles Wayne State baseball player Frank Jeney, a fifth-year senior who is batting .456, with four home runs and 37 RBI's in 26 games. His performance has helped propel Wayne State (18-8 overall, 6-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) into first place. "He's a big reason for our success," Warrior coach Jay Alexander says. "…He's now one of the best shortstops in our league. He's having the best season of his life."

Columnist Betty DeRamus mentions that "Project Safe Neighborhoods" is sponsoring an ongoing parent-university program that helps Metro Detroit parents raise children and hold their families together. Free two-hour sessions are held at 6:30 p.m. at Wayne State University's Northwest campus, 7800 W. Outer Drive.

Wayne State University\'s Entrepreneur Day event is coming Monday. The daylong conference combines top-name speakers with a business plan contest that will bring together researchers, master\'s students, Ph.D. candidates, venture capitalists and business leaders interested in creating an entrepreneurial community at Wayne State.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick on Tuesday presented a budget plan that would cure a $300 million deficit and stave off financial collapse, but only if negotiations can quickly resolve some of the city\'s -- and the region\'s -- most intractable problems. Kurt Metzger, director of research at the Center for Urban Studies, said Kilpatrick\'s layoff plan and decision to renegotiate health insurance costs is what the city needs and suggested the cuts may not have gone far enough. \"There\'s no way he can\'t do that,\" Metzger said. Workers may be resistant to the changes, but they may have no choice. \"What is the alternative?\" Metzger asked. \"There really is none.\"

Among "News Hits" items is a story about the proposed restructuring of the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA). Proponents say the change will have few repercussions with the majority of degrees within the college still being available, including the largest in the department of interdisciplinary studies, and centers being dispersed to other offices within the university. Jack Kay, CULMA interim dean, says he does not think the students are going to see a real difference. "I don't want to diminish the views people have, but they are going to have the same faculty teaching and they are going to have the same courses." Stuart Henry, chair of the interdisciplinary studies program, expresses concern that students may be open to problems down the road. With students spread throughout the university, rather than consolidated within one college, he says, they will have a diminished voice should the administration decide to curtail classes or make other money-saving moves. The proposal is scheduled to be presented before the Academic Senate next month and the Board of Governors in June.