Last month brought Michigan's first minimum wage increase in nine years and, so far, East Lansing businesses haven't noticed an impact. "Generally, in this area, all the jobs are already above minimum wage," said Phil Gardner, director of MSU's Collegiate Employment Research Institute. Previously, the minimum wage rested at $5.15 per hour, but rose to $6.95 in October.
Michigan's Legislature is looking a little more blue. After Tuesday's midterm elections, Democrats have claimed the House of Representatives, 58-52, and are battling for more ground in a Republican-controlled Senate, 21-17.
Sixteen drivers in the past two days have learned the costly way why they shouldn't enter through the exit of Lot 9. MSU police cited 16 drivers on Tuesday and Wednesday for fraudulently entering the parking lot by driving up to the exit gate, causing the gate arm to rise, MSU police Sgt.
Jennifer Ismirle trudged home from class on another gray Wednesday afternoon. "It's so dreary," the English senior said. Now that the days are becoming shorter — daylight-saving time ended Oct.
Think of Michigan as an ocean liner or an aircraft carrier. In that context, Gov. Jennifer Granholm was re-elected as the admiral of the ship, economics Professor Charles Ballard said. "An admiral can't stand on the bridge and make that thing turn around rapidly," Ballard said, alluding to the race between Dick DeVos and Granholm that focused on finding a solution to Michigan's struggling economy.
MSU students voted to ban dove hunting, keep affirmative action, restrict government seizure of property, increase education funding and help the environment. Of the five, only two weren't supported by the statewide electorate. Nearly eighty percent of votes cast in student precincts voted against Proposal 3, which would have created a mourning dove hunting season, and 69 percent of statewide voters agreed. "We went door to door, we made phone calls, we sent out fliers.
Raising the speed limit along Hagadorn Road, two redevelopment projects, creating a dog park and allowing a service to transport people from East Lansing to Detroit are some of the issues being considered by the East Lansing City Council tonight.
A Lansing firefighter pours water on fuel burning underneath a scorched Cadillac Escalade Monday night.
Voters today will need to consider which trade-off they're willing to have: More education funding or less police and fire safety. Proposal 5, which would automatically allocate a minimum of $565 million toward K-16 education if approved, would pull money from the state's General Fund to cover its costs.
People planning ahead for their holiday trips can purchase discounted Northwest Airlines tickets. The airline flies out of the Lansing Capital City Airport.
Democratic candidates in Michigan and the nation could retake control of Congress from Republicans if MSU students "go to work at the polls" Tuesday, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said. "What we're fighting for is honesty in government," he said early Saturday at a Kellogg Center rally.
State representatives have voted more than 950 times since the beginning of March, and East Lansing residents have not been represented in any of those votes. The 69th District Representative seat has been empty since March 14, when Democratic Sen.
To fight off cold and flu symptoms, students can pick up free comfort packs at Olin Health Center beginning Tuesday. The packs contain a thermometer, a chamomile tea bag, cough drops, sanitary hand wipes and information on staying safe from the bird flu. "The thermometer is probably the most important thing in there," said Jonathan Kermiet, an Olin health educator.
Michigan's interests haven't been met in Washington with Sen. Debbie Stabenow at the helm, says Republican challenger Mike Bouchard. Bouchard is a former small business owner, and he said when it comes to a failing economy that forces businesses to make tough financial decisions, he can "understand those issues very personally." Bouchard formerly owned three businesses, including one in yogurt and ice cream food products, corporate consulting and security applications. "Not only do I have a record of creating and supporting job creators, but conversely, my opponent has been incredibly hostile to job creators," he said.
Philosophy junior Joey Gaylord votes by absentee ballot because it helps him make more educated decisions, he says. "It helps with the proposals," Gaylord, 21, said.
Some MSU students have very ambitious extracurricular activities this semester. From Michigan's House of Representatives to the MSU Board of Trustees, students and local young politicians are campaigning for public office to make needed changes, they say.
Correction: The map accompanying the story mistakenly switched the locations of where the incident occurred and where the suspects were found. Friends of an MSU student assaulted with a handgun Wednesday morning were able to help police track down the three suspects within minutes of the incident, East Lansing police said. The man who allegedly brandished the Highpoint .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun used in the assault was charged Wednesday with multiple felony counts, including felony firearm and carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. Lansing resident Anthony Derek Richard, 20, was arraigned Wednesday at East Lansing's 54-B District Court and charged with a total of five counts stemming from the incident that occurred at 1:30 a.m.
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow plans to help Michigan's struggling economy by voting for more federal funding for education and research, stem cell research and reform trade laws if re-elected. Saving Michigan's jobs and economy must start with a change in health care funding and fair trade laws that lessen expenses for American businesses while making workers a top priority, she said. "I work in Washington where a president believes the way to compete is by saying, 'If you work for less, pay more in health care and lose your pension, we can be competitive,'" Stabenow said.
Since the '90s, the cost of natural gas has doubled — meaning students are paying more for their heating bills. But a new Environment Michigan report released Oct.
With less than a week until Michigan midterm elections, candidates are pulling every big-name politician and celebrity in their arsenals to get voters enthused about Tuesday. Musician Kid Rock is scheduled to appear in Royal Oak today with Republican Mike Bouchard, Sen.