MICHIGAN

Flint crisis, economic recovery and infrastructure major topics in State of the State

Mason Bailey

January 19, 2016

Under heavy scrutiny for the events that have unfolded regarding the Flint water crisis, Gov. Rick Snyder took the stage in front of state representatives and his constituents for his annual State of the State address. Contrary to what some predicted, Snyder did not mention anything about higher education, especially the relationship between declining state support and increasing tuition rates. Here is a brief recap of what Snyder said.

MICHIGAN

Local activists protest Snyder's handling of Flint during State of the State

Ian Wendrow

January 19, 2016

Groups of protesters huddled together on the Capitol steps, trying to keep warm against the cold evening but more concerned with amplifying their irate chants against the state government and Gov. Rick Snyder in particular. Shouts of "Drink the water Snyder!" and "Flint! Flint! Flint!" could be heard among the hundreds of demonstrators around the Capitol grounds, a reference to the ongoing Flint water crisis. As the governor began his State of the State Address, the protesters moved to the side of the steps, facing towards the upper level of the building where the legislative chamber is located.

MICHIGAN

Contrary to reports, ELPD not interested in armored vehicles

Ian Wendrow

January 19, 2016

Recent concerns that East Lansing Police Department is interested in obtaining an armored vehicle have been denied, according to an ELPD statement.  "We are cognizant of recent concerns from the public about the militarization of local police," ELPD Lt. Scott Wriggelswoth said in the statement. 

MICHIGAN

5 things to look for during Gov. Snyder's State of the State address

Alex Kurrie

January 19, 2016

Gov. Rick Snyder will deliver his annual State of the State address to representatives of the state legislature as well as many Michiganders at home. This year highly volatile issues will supplement the usual pressing concerns of state politics. Here are five issues Gov. Snyder may address.

MICHIGAN

Looking back at local, state and national laws during civil rights era

Stephen Olschanski  and  Stephen Olschanksi

January 13, 2016

With the approach of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, The State News looked back on the impact Dr. King and the civil rights movement had on laws in East Lansing, the state of Michigan and the nation.

MICHIGAN

Last suspect pleads no contest in 2014 murder of MSU student

Ray Wilbur

January 13, 2016

A fourth suspect has been convicted in the robbery and killing of Dustyn Frolka, an MSU student in Clinton County nearly two years ago, according to a Lansing State Journal report. 

MICHIGAN

Life in Color coming to Lansing

Alexis Sargent

January 13, 2016

The World’s Largest Paint Party is coming to East Lansing for the first time ever, and MSU students say “it’s about to be lit.” This event, called “Life in Color," attracts students who will be pelted with paint while dancing to electronic-style music.

MICHIGAN

MSUPD report several instances of theft over break

Ray Wilbur

January 13, 2016

MSU Police are reporting three instances of stolen items — two of which occurred during break.

MICHIGAN

Valley Court Park to get ice skating rink after fundraising goal was met

Stephen Olschanski

January 12, 2016

Valley Court Park will be getting an ice skating rink for East Lansing residents to use after all. In a release sent to media on Tuesday afternoon, the Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Management Board announced the installation of the ice rink and thanked generous East Lansing businesses and groups for their donations to the community outreach and engagement program.

MICHIGAN

Local reactions to the elimination of straight-ticket voting in Michigan

Alex Kurrie

January 11, 2016

Students and representatives react to Governor Snyder signing bill eliminating straight ticket voting.

MICHIGAN

Winter weather expected during first week of classes

Ian Wendrow

January 11, 2016

Regular snow is expected throughout the rest of the week, with 2 inches coming Monday night and throughout Tuesday. Wednesday gives a slight reprieve with only a predicted half inch of snow. The remainder of the week will have slight chances of snow showers.

MICHIGAN

Lawsuit against MSU, terrorism threat and assault cases to watch

Ray Wilbur

January 10, 2016

MSU student Sydney Gort was charged with two counts of making terrorist threats. She was was charged in November 2015 for a threat she allegedly made at the MSU School of Packaging just before Thanksgiving and another charge was related to a similar case from April 2015.

MICHIGAN

Planned power outage to affect East Lansing

Cameron Macko

January 8, 2016

A planned power outage was scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday and is affecting large parts of East Lansing. The outage was announced by the Lansing Board of Water and Light, according to an alert sent out Friday morning by the East Lansing Police Department. The power outage is expected to last 10 to 15 minutes. ELPD will be providing traffic control at major intersections and they are advising drivers to be cautious.

MICHIGAN

Valley Court Park might get ice rink, DDA hopes

Stephen Olschanski

January 5, 2016

The Downtown Management Board, Downtown Development Authority, city staff and residents of East Lansing have spent the last year discussing the possibility of adding a seasonal ice rink for East Lansing residents to use, according to a press release.

MICHIGAN

Mayor Meadows places friendly wager on Cotton Bowl

Jake Allen

December 31, 2015

East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Mayor Walter Maddox have made a friendly wager for the Cotton Bowl football game between MSU and Alabama.  The two mayors have agreed that if the Spartans win, Mayor Maddox will fly a Spartans flag over Tuscaloosa City Hall for one day and wear green and white to the following City Council meeting. Mayor Maddox will also donate $50 to the East Lansing Educational Foundation – the charity of Mayor Meadows’ choice. If the Crimson Tide wins, Mayor Meadows will fly a Crimson Tide flag over East Lansing City Hall for one day and wear crimson and white to the following East Lansing City Council meeting.  Mayor Meadows will also donate $50 to the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative – the charity that Mayor Maddox has chosen. “We at the City of East Lansing are so proud that the Spartans have made it to the Cotton Bowl and wanted to celebrate the team’s success this season with this fun, friendly wager,” said Meadows.

MICHIGAN

E.L. prepared for outages, icy roads and 30 mph winds

Staff Reports

December 28, 2015

Freezing rain and icy conditions are in the weather forecast for mid-Michigan on Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Ice accumulations of one quarter to one half of an inch are possible by 5 a.m.

MICHIGAN

MSU will have to release athlete info to ESPN, court rules

Ray Wilbur

December 23, 2015

A civil lawsuit between MSU and ESPN Inc. involving 301 student-athletes' crime records will end with the release of student-athlete information following nearly two months of stagnation.

MICHIGAN

Stores see mixed sales results for Cotton Bowl retail items

Josh Bender

December 23, 2015

Stores selling apparel and memorabilia related to MSU’s recent Big Ten Championship victory and upcoming appearance in the 2015 College Football Playoff are seeing mixed sales results. The Student Book Store saw a substantial jump in sales, causing them to hire additional staff for the holiday season. “If we weren’t going to a bowl we probably would have sucked it up and not hired anybody” SBS assistant manager Mike Wylie said. Other stores haven’t enjoyed the same sales spike. Campus Street Sportswear manager Tom Tatum said people seem to be waiting to see if the team makes it to a national championship.

MICHIGAN

MSU student who threatened School of Packaging receives reduced bond

Ray Wilbur

December 18, 2015

Sydney Gort, the MSU junior charged with two counts of making terrorist threats in the MSU School of Packaging, was approved a request on Friday morning for a personal recognizance bond by 54B District Court Judge Andrea Larkin.

MICHIGAN

East Lansing residents, MSU students rally to support Muslim refugees

Ian Wendrow

December 15, 2015

It was an afternoon of solidarity and communal healing, as dozens of students and residents from the greater Lansing community gathered on Grand River to stand in support of Muslim refugees and to speak out against anti-Muslim rhetoric that has become popularized in the wake of the San Bernardino shootings in California.