Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Multimedia

MSU

Michigan seeks to keep graduates in-state

In the wake of the July 1 student interest rate hike, which effectively doubled rates overnight from 3.4 to 6.8 percent because lawmakers were unable to find a compromise, legislatures in Washington, D.C., are scrambling for solutions. Here in Michigan, the name of the game is keeping graduates in the state, which is where State Rep. Andy Schor’s Student Loan Tax Credit Bill, HB 4182, comes into play.

MSU

MSU researchers continue working on "Baby Kate's" remains

The search for missing Katherine Phillips, or “Baby Kate,” continues as MSU faculty, law enforcement and experts work together to narrow down the location of the four-month-old infant’s final resting place. During a recent weekend search, over 80 volunteers gathered plant and moss specimen in hopes of finding the plant fragments that were found on the suspect’s shoes before she went missing two years ago.

NEWS

Common Ground returns

When the Common Ground Music Festival began in downtown Lansing, it originally focused on classic rock, but as the festival progresses into its 14th year, it now headlines some of the nation’s brightest stars along with upcoming local and regional talent. “We bring in a wide variety of diverse acts of all types of music,” said Scott Keith, board chair of Center Park Productions.

MICHIGAN

Locals celebrate National Hot Dog Month

The sun’s out, the weather’s warm and the grill is hot. It’s July, and it’s National Hot Dog Month. The monthlong July celebration is more of a second nature in the summer season than a known national holiday. Americans scarf down more than 2.3 billion hot dogs in July, equaling roughly seven hot dogs per person this month.

MICHIGAN

New farmers market could solve fresh food shortage

With the possibility of a year-round farmers market coming to the Park District, MSU professors have pondered the greater issue of food deserts in Greater Lansing. A study by community sustainability professor Phil Howard and geography professor Kirk Goldsberry revealed supermarkets in the Lansing area are closing and relocating to the suburbs.

MSU

Study shows exercise benefits diabetes patients with or without weight loss

Diabetic patients often report difficulty in losing weight even though they follow a strict exercise regimen, but according to a recent study, they still are bettering their health, with or without weight loss. A study conducted by scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School and the University of Copenhagen concluded regardless of weight loss, exercise does have a positive impact on fat stored in the body.

MSU

MSU license plate No. 1 specialty plate

MSU fans and alumni, a rabid collective of green and white-clad supporters often bordering on zealotry, express their school spirit through purchasing everything from apparel to seat cushions, and license plates are no exception.

COMMENTARY

Loan increase puts congress in hot seat

In the midst of a congressional gridlock last week, student loan interest rates doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Congress failed to meet its July 1 deadline to stop the increase, and if it fails to reach any agreement, this would mean each student will have to pay an extra $800 more on a student loan, according to Philly.com

FEATURES

Lansing prepares for Fourth of July fireworks, parade

Every year the city of Lansing has a July 4th celebration including a parade, live music and fireworks.