Recent study shows major increase for prison costs

For years, when policymakers were asked how they would protect the public, the answer was to put more people behind bars. Although this policy applied to the entire nation, Michigan saw the effects more than most states. The effect was an explosion in prison populations and, in turn, an explosion in the budget for correctional facilities, MSU economics professor Charles Ballard said.

MSU adapts to lower high school graduation rates

From Friday night football games, to homecoming dances, to simply schmoozing with friends, high school is remembered by most with a certain nostalgic aura. But Michigan might see significantly less students trekking across gymnasiums to receive their diplomas, according to research from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, or WICHE. The report, Knocking at the College Door, details shifts in graduation rates state by state, placing Michigan in the dwindling product category, saying the state is expected to lose 15 percent or more high school graduates in the near future.

MSU joins fight to gain more research funding

Last week, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon signed an open letter to Congress and President Barack Obama, taking a stand against federal funding cuts geared toward higher education and their research ventures. Her mission? To end an innovation deficit. To fill a gap between what research does and what it can do.

U.S. Department of Energy approves timetable, cost of FRIB project

MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB, received approval from the U.S. Department of Energy to proceed with the project on Friday morning.

MSU researchers debunk game theory

Two MSU researchers quashed a spin on evolutionary game theory from 2012 that held coercion as a more favorable action than cooperation. “In an evolutionary setting, these zero determinant strategies (those using coercion) will go extinct,” said Christoph Adami, professor of microbiology and molecular genetics.

Whole Foods Market announces plans to open in East Lansing in 2015

Whole Foods Market has announced plans to open an East Lansing establishment in 2015.

MSU brightens future of electric car technology

While the internal combustion engine fundamentally changed lives for individuals in the 1900s, faculty and students at MSU are working to bring about another monumental technological advancement for the 21st century through work with hybrid and electric cars.

MSU faculty make strides in brain research

In April, President Barack Obama released his plan for the BRAIN Initiative, a $100 million project to investigate further into the depths of the brain: how it learns, retains and recovers from injury. Teams of MSU researchers have worked to stay ahead of the game with various projects, including two discoveries made this month.

A stitch in time

Woven Arts, located at 325 Grove St., is one of the “hidden gems” for Lansing’s knitters, weavers, crocheters and spinners, according to Lansing resident Kathy Scieszka, who has been an active knitter there for a while. The store, however, offers more than hand-painted and hand-spun yarns. For many it offers a sense of community.

Carmack receives 2 year probation

Saline, Mich., native Brandon Carmack was given a two-year probationary sentence on Wednesday before Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina. Carmack faced charges for filing a false report of a misdemeanor, third-degree home invasion and a misdemeanor of stalking. “We are all going to win if Mr. Carmack can take this opportunity to get rehabilitated,” Ingham County Prosecutor Andrew Stevens said. “He, of course, has a wonderful benefit in front of him if he can do so.”

Republicans, Democrats set sights on 2014 elections

Even with elections more than a year away, Republicans and Democrats within Michigan are gearing up for fierce races across the state in 2014. With at least 29 guaranteed open seats in the House and all 38 Senate positions up for grabs, as well as a contentious battle for governor, leaders from both parties say they already are preparing their pitches to prospective voters. While Republicans currently control the Legislature, Lon Johnson, chairperson of the Michigan Democratic Party, believes his party has the potential to make significant gains in the next election. With a platform focused on restoring education funding across the state, as well as ensuring an equitable tax system, Johnson said his party has a strong pitch for voters. “All the way from governor to drain commission, we’re going to talk about how to keep people in Michigan,” he said. Johnson also emphasized his party’s efforts to educate voters on the recent cuts to business taxes to the tune of $1.8 billion, the cost of which he maintains has been passed onto working families and pensioners. Darren Littell, the communications director for the Michigan Republican Party, said his party will focus on fiscal issues and illustrating the progress made during the past four years. “(We’re going to) make the case to voters on how much of an improvement has been made,” Littell said. Michigan ranked fourth in the nation for capital investments in 2012, something Littell believes demonstrates the success of Gov.

Come and get it

While you were catching rays at the pool this summer, construction has been underway to bolster the Greater Lansing restaurant selection. Eastwood Towne Center in Lansing Charter Township, will welcome Capital Prime Steak & Seafood in early September. “If you ask someone, ‘Where would you go to get a great steak?’ I don’t think there’s really a good answer to that right now,” Capital Prime Majority Owner Joseph Goodsir said.

E.L. doesn't hesitate to offer domestic partner benefits

East Lansing didn’t wait long to reinstate domestic partner benefits to same-sex couples after a federal judge ruled the ban unconstitutional.

Lansing resident creates popular, positive stickers

Signs are everywhere in East Lansing and very few signs are pleasing to the eye. Often the signs contain routes of detours, construction chaos or simple speed limits, which occasionally trip people up. But for once, there is a yellow caution diamond sign, not to cause stress, but to generate a smile. That sign reads “This Is A Good Sign” and they are located across the nation, and even overseas.

Meridian Township experiences rise in housing permits

The Charter Township of Meridian has reported a growth trend in the number of construction requests for single family residences. Associate Planner in the Department of Community Planning and Development at the Charter Township of Meridian, Peter Menser said the area has seen growing numbers in construction since the end of last year.

Welcome to the neighborhood

Welcome to the “Capital of Cool,” where ribbons are cut with teeth instead of ceremonial scissors. On Tuesday, Old Town in Lansing welcomed five new businesses, as well as two existing business that expanded or moved.

Republicans, Democrats gear up 2014 elections

New E.L. apartment complex opens doors on Aug. 1

As the 2013-14 school year lingers on the horizon, DTN Management Co. is preparing to open one of East Lansing’s newest student housing establishments. 550 Michigan — no catchy apartment names here — is set to open its doors Aug. 1 as construction and inspections wrap up this week, Wolf River Development Company managing partner Mike Dowdle said.

MSU alumna knitting for local homeless shelters

While some people take the morning to sleep in, some local Lansing residents are up bright and early knitting and packaging items to help the homeless. Lansing residents, Emily Trumbull, 76, and Tilly Montaven, 71, both came together this morning at Trumbull’s home to knit, stuff and send out packages that contain items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, sunscreen and shampoo, that will be sent to various shelters around the Lansing and East Lansing area. Before retiring years ago, Trumbull was a teacher and counselor for Riddle Elementary School and other surrounding Lansing area schools with Montaven as her assistant.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative could lose substantial amount of funding

The Great Lakes could be in danger, environmentalists say, after a proposal to gut restoration funding by 80 percent cleared a U.S. House subcommittee last week.