Tuesday, December 30, 2025

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MSU

MSU's gardens among best in the U.S.

MSU's W.J. Beal Botanical Garden and Hidden Lake Gardens have both been ranked by Best Colleges Online among the "50 Most Amazing University Botanical Gardens and Arboretums in the U.S." The rankings and ratings for each garden were assessed on a points system which awarded gardens for not only having a wide and manicured variety of plant species, but also for categories such as previous awards won, conservation and education, having a connected university degree program and 'Wow' factors. "I was certainly pleased and excited when I found out," Curator of the W.

MICHIGAN

Fireworks in East Lansing under strict regulation over holiday weekend

Those looking to discharge fireworks this Fourth of July should be cognizant of East Lansing's fireworks ordinances, East Lansing police Lt. Steve Gonzalez said. According to East Lansing city ordinance, fireworks may only be discharged on the day before, day of and day after a national holiday. And even on those days, fireworks may not be discharged between the hours of 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. Violation of this ordinance may result in a $500 fine.

BASKETBALL

New recruit Joshua Langford discusses family, future at MSU

When Madison Academy (AL) head basketball coach Andy Blackston saw a then 7th grade Joshua Langford come to his school for the first time and pick up a basketball, that’s when he knew. For Tellus Langford, it was when he saw his son win the Alabama 3A player of the year as an 8th grader on the Madison Academy varsity basketball team.

NEWS

Following same-sex marriage ruling, lawmakers debate state LGBT discrimination laws

While the historic Supreme Court ruling last Friday was a big victory for members of the LGBT community, there is still a lot to be done in Michigan according to lawmakers in order to make Michigan a truly accepting state.  While some cities throughout Michigan, such as East Lansing, already have nondiscrimination ordinances in place that prohibit discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations/services -- Michigan has not made all of these adaptations yet.  Currently, 

SPORTS

Tom Minkel entering last season as head wrestling coach

When his mother got him involved with the sport in fifth grade Tom Minkel, head coach of the MSU Wrestling team, knew wrestling would be a big part of his life. Minkel said it has been “heavy in his blood” since the beginning. Growing up with a father, who was an administrator at MSU, and a mother, involved in the music program at MSU, as well as attending former MSU Wrestling Head Coach Grady Peninger’s wrestling camp at IM Sports-West as a kid, Minkel found that MSU has also always been a big part of his life.

MICHIGAN

City of East Lansing closing offices for Independence Day

City of East Lansing offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.  The closures of the offices include: East Lansing City Hall, the East Lansing Department of Public Works (ELPL), the East Lansing 54-B District Court, The East Lansing Public Library, the East Lansing Hannah Community Center(ELHCC), East Lansing Prime time and the childcare program at the Bailey Community Center.  ELHCC and ELPL will be closed on Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5 as well.  Refuse and recycling will be collected on Monday, July 6, instead of normal time on Friday.

SPORTS

Wrestling head coach Tom Minkel to retire

A succession plan for the MSU wrestling program has been announced, which includes the retiring of  Head Coach Tom Minkel. Minkel, who has been with the program since 1991, will retire following the 2015-16 season and 25 years as the head coach at MSU.  Roger Chandler, who has been with the program for 18 seasons and was promoted to assistant coach in 2011, will assume head coaching position after Minkel's retirement.  "I'm excited about the future of Michigan State wrestling," said Mark Hollis, MSU athletic director in a news release.