Good luck this weekend to former Kent State student Michael Keaton as he competes for Hollywood’s most prestigious award. Keaton is up for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his film “Birdman.” Keaton, known as Michael Douglas, attended Kent State University in 1971-72. He majored in journalism and speech, but did not graduate. Keaton made a name for himself in the 1980’s with movies like “Night Shift” and “Mr. Mom.” He later went on to star in “Beetlejuice” and “Batman.” However, it is his role in “Birdman” that is getting all the attention. Keaton later returned to Kent St...

Kent State University researchers will launch three new studies of harmful algal blooms (HAB) in Lake Erie this spring as part of an overall $2 million water quality initiative by the Ohio Board of Regents.  Harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie can produce toxins that make water hazardous to drink and force cities to use additional treatment steps to remove the toxins. In August, nearly 500,000 of the city of Toledo’s customers were without safe tap water over a weekend due to the HAB in Lake Erie.  Protecting Drinking Water A $250,000 project, “Harmful Algal Bloom Detection, Map...