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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

High tax leads smokers to smuggle cigarettes

Isabella Shaya
January 15, 2013

In 2011, almost 30 percent of the cigarettes smoked in Michigan were smuggled from other states, according to research from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, which factored information from 47 of 48 states. Michael LaFaive, director of Morey Fiscal Policy for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, said the high smuggling rate is partly because Michigan currently has the 10th highest tax rate at $2 per pack, according to statistics from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

MICHIGAN

Updated: Former City Center II property’s future remains undecided

Michael Koury
January 15, 2013

Well into Tuesday night, the East Lansing City Council discussed before a crowd of residents the future of the formerly proposed City Center II property, an ordinance that would allow those looking to sell their homes to rent them for a short period of time and approved the contract of East Lansing and Lansing Fire Department Chief Randy Talifarro. The council decided to send the proposition back to the planning commission for review and recomendations for the future of the site as well as attempt to solve the parking issue.

MICHIGAN

Working Together: One Year Later

Michael Koury
January 14, 2013

East Lansing and Lansing Fire Department Fire Chief Randy Talifarro works between 40 and 50 hours a week, receives 100 or more emails a day and treks between East Lansing and Lansing daily. Adding time spent outside of work at city council meetings and other community events, his work week sometimes can stretch to nearly 70 hours.

MICHIGAN

Michigan universities differ on Taser use in police depts.

Darcie Moran
January 14, 2013

After Eastern Michigan University police began using Tasers this month, MSU police and students are joining the debate of when and how they should be used on campus. MSU police have about 55 to 60 Tasers for all officers assigned to the road who complete a four-hour training, with renewed training every two years, said MSU police Sgt.

MICHIGAN

US Supreme Court to rule on drunken driving law

Kellie Rowe
January 14, 2013

A Michigan law that required police to obtain a warrant before forcing State Rep. Bob Genetski to take a blood test for evidence of drunken driving now might be implemented nationally, pending a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court held oral arguments last week, but are expected in June to reach a decision on whether or not police should be able to draw blood samples from suspected drunken drivers without a warrant or consent from the driver, which currently is illegal in Michigan.

MICHIGAN

Flu shots scarce in local pharmacies

Isabella Shaya
January 10, 2013

As a deadly flu strain hits Michigan, pharmacies in the East Lansing area are dealing with increasing demand for vaccinations. CVS Pharmacy, 240 M.A.C. Ave., did not have any available shots as of about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, but the store expects to receive a shipment today. CVS Pharmacy distributes shots on a walk-in basis.

MICHIGAN

Evidence of self-defense in stabbing

Darcie Moran
January 10, 2013

Recently found evidence shows MSU freshman Yanlin Li might have acted in self-defense when he reportedly stabbed three other students Sept. 13, 2012 during a street fight in Lansing, Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said Thursday. As of Thursday, Li was listed as a student in MSU’s online directory.

MICHIGAN

Experts warn against deadly flu strain

Darcie Moran
January 10, 2013

With about 285 confirmed cases of a flu strain that killed four children and adults in Michigan, health professionals said everyone who can get a flu vaccination should. Experts say those in close contact with large numbers of people, such as students at MSU, are especially at risk for contracting the virus. Despite the hazard, few students have been vaccinated at Olin Health Center this year, Associate Medical Director at MSU Student Health Services Suman Kashyap said.

MICHIGAN

Job opportunities for students staying in Mich.

Isabella Shaya
January 9, 2013

As Michigan’s economy slowly recovers from the recession, job opportunities still are available for students now that almost 15 percent of the state workers are slated to retire next year, said Charisse Blanks, internship and career consultant for the state of Michigan.

MICHIGAN

MSU Evening College cuts courses, focus turns to web

Isabella Shaya
January 8, 2013

Last semester, people inside and outside the MSU community learned about everything — from cheese to ballroom dancing — through more than 75 Alumni Lifelong Education/Evening College noncredit courses. This semester, program changes have knocked that number down to four, a trend that might continue next fall, a program official said.

MICHIGAN

Fewer police in E.L., statewide than a decade ago

Isabella Shaya
January 7, 2013

Six fewer officers are patrolling the streets of East Lansing today compared to a decade ago, a trend which also can be seen across Michigan as budget cuts hit law enforcement. In 2003, there were 64 officers with the East Lansing Police Department, or ELPD, East Lansing police Capt. Jeff Murphy said. Currently there are 58, he said.

MICHIGAN

Fiscal cliff negotiations hit home for local businesses, student workers

Michael Koury
January 7, 2013

Small businesses were saved from most automatic tax increases from the fiscal cliff thanks to a last minute deal from Congress, but some local stores and working students still might face increased taxes. If no deal had been made by the midnight deadline on Jan. 1, 97 percent of small businesses would have been hit with the tax increases. MSU economics professor Charles Ballard said most economists believe that without the deal, the economy would have plummeted further into a recession.

MICHIGAN

Experts predict mild winter, local businesses face effects

Lindsay Spagnuolo
January 6, 2013

After a mild start to the season, local winter sports businesses are finding ways to keep snow lovers on the slopes and spending money. This winter has been significantly milder than previous years, according to the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids. In December 2012, Lansing experienced an average temperature of 33.5 degrees — 5.2 degrees above the normal of 28.3 degrees.