Friday, January 2, 2026

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MICHIGAN

Center to host event with Wharton official

The first executive director of the Wharton Center, Ken Beachler, will speak at noon on Thursday at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road. The speech will include Beachler's memories about Wharton Center headliners he encountered, including Duke Ellington and Tony Bennett. Lou and Harry's Five-Star Deli, 245 Ann St., will cater the day's lunch, reservations are required and tickets are $10. Call (517) 337-1113 for more information.

MICHIGAN

Michigan highways might suffer from federal reductions

Increasing congestion on Michigan highways could cost businesses and commuters in the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year if something isn't done to relieve it, state transportation officials say. The statements come in response to a federal highway spending reauthorization bill that has spent months stagnating because the White House is refusing to accept two proposed versions.

COMMENTARY

Employment boost

The unemployment rate in Michigan has historically been higher than the U.S. rate, and has caused many of the state's college graduates to fear for their future or to look elsewhere for employment opportunities. However, with an announcement by Gov.

MICHIGAN

Rise in cigarette tax might not affect spending

Michigan smokers might not have to face another cigarette tax increase this year, but some local business owners and residents say any potential increase would have a minimal effect on smokers' buying habits. Doc Wallace, owner of 7-Eleven, 311 Grove St., said smokers will continue their spending habits regardless of whether there is a tax increase.

SPORTS

Women's golf team ends season in 24th

The MSU women's golf team took 24th place at the NCAA National Championships. The Spartans posted a 305 on their final round Friday to finish with a score of 1,215 (302-310-298-305). Senior Allison Fouch tied for 16th place with a round score of 291 (70-72-73-76). Fouch's score is the second best in history for MSU at the national championships.

NEWS

Driving storms

Severe weather blew through the Lansing area for a third day Sunday, triggering a funnel cloud near Williamston and flash floods throughout major local thoroughfares. Lansing was splashed with 1.89 inches of rain yesterday, as of 8:30 p.m.

NEWS

E.L. Art Festival generates record crowd, low sales

A record 80,000 attended the weekend's 41st annual East Lansing Art Festival, browsing through rainbow pottery, life-like paintings and three-dimensional media collages while sampling local humus and sandwiches as children created origami sailboats. Though large crowds swarmed the downtown, many artists said their sales were down while business owners said purchases picked up at local shops. "Saturday was the busiest it's ever been," said Leslie Donaldson, a third-year festival coordinator.

SOFTBALL

'U' ends season in regionals with loss to Georgia

The MSU softball team ended its season at the NCAA Regional in Athens, Ga., with a 9-1 loss to host school, Georgia. The Spartans managed only one run and six hits for the entire game and were unable to muster up any offense. "I think it's putting together hits and we didn't do that," senior third baseman Brittney Green said.

MICHIGAN

Local group holding fund-raiser for statue

A $75,000 life-sized bronze sculpture of Ransom Eli Olds might soon be appearing in Lansing. The committee, "A City's Ransom in Bronze," has taken up the project and will be holding fundraising events to raise money for the tribute.

MICHIGAN

Racers compete for 'U'

MSU took 34th place out of 129 teams at the International Formula SAE Racing Competition this weekend at the Pontiac Silverdome, due in part to a disqualification during one of the contest's events. The team was disqualified during the endurance event on Saturday, costing the team a crucial 400 out of 1000 points.

NEWS

E.L. Council approves city budget

The East Lansing City Council passed its $54 million budget Tuesday night, opting to fund library materials while street and sidewalk repairs faced cuts. The council eliminated $524,000 from street and sidewalk repairs, but saved $50,000 for the library.