MICHIGAN

Local taxi drivers speak out at city council meeting

Erik Sargent

April 1, 2014

The city of East Lansing continues to struggle with an overload of available taxi services operating in the city, and local taxi drivers are starting to speak out.At the East Lansing city council meeting Tuesday night, cab drivers from the East Lansing cab company Shaggin' Wagon Taxi spoke out about the current cab situation, citing too many licensed cab drivers in the city taking away business from them.According to a previous interview with East Lansing city clerk Marie Wicks, there are over 190 licensed taxis with permits in the city.On top of that, there are plenty of other taxi services available that aren't licensed and are just started up by people who want to make some extra money.

MICHIGAN

Student pleads guilty to charge of soliciting sex in Wonders Hall

Geoff Preston

April 1, 2014

An MSU student who was arrested in February  on a misdemeanor soliciting prostitution  charge has taken a plea agreement, according to court documents.

MICHIGAN

MSU could lose $500k for union affiliation

Olivia Dimmer

April 1, 2014

A recent state subcommittee proposal could cut $500,000 out of MSU’s appropriations because of the university’s involvement with union-building workshops. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education approved a budget on March 27 that included new language requiring public universities to “not participate in any instructional activity that encourages or discourages union organizing of employees.”

MICHIGAN

Signup deadline for Insurance Marketplace passed Monday

Michael Kransz

March 31, 2014

Although many people enrolled for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace before the March 31 deadline, those still uninsured, including students, might face financial repercussions.

MICHIGAN

Spring excites students, but temps expected to dip

Sierra Lay

March 31, 2014

It finally felt like spring time in lower Michigan, and some MSU students were already breaking out their shorts and T-shirts.

MICHIGAN

DNA evidence links suspect to Cedar St. shooting

Geoff Preston

March 30, 2014

Police have uncovered DNA evidence linking Grand Rapids resident Marquay McCoy to the scene of hospitality business sophomore Dominique Nolff's murder, according to court documents obtained by The State News.

MICHIGAN

Rep. Mike Rogers will not seek re-election

Simon Schuster

March 30, 2014

With less than 8 months before midterm elections, the race for Michigan’s 8th congressional district was blown wide open Friday after an unexpected announcement from Republican Rep.

MICHIGAN

New brewing laws expected to bring local boom in craft beer industry

Sara Konkel

March 30, 2014

Gov. Snyder signed a package of bills into law March 25 that are expected to boost Michigan’s already-thriving craft beer industry.

MICHIGAN

Same-sex marriages recognized federally

Erik Sargent  and  Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

March 30, 2014

Same-sex couples in the state of Michigan who were married last week now will be recognized by the federal government, according to a statement released Friday by U.S.

MICHIGAN

DNA evidence shows suspect was at the scene of Dominique Nolff's shooting

Geoff Preston

March 28, 2014

DNA collected from the scene after the shooting of MSU student Dominique Nolff's indicates the man accused of shooting him was on scene and likely fought with him before he died, according to court documents.

MICHIGAN

U.S. Attorney General: Same-sex couples married in Michigan recognized by federal government

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

March 28, 2014

Michigan’s same-sex couples that were married last week will be recognized by the federal government, making them eligible for marriage benefits, according to a statement released by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

MICHIGAN

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers announces he will not seek reelection

Sierra Lay

March 28, 2014

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., has decided not to seek re-election at the end of his term this year.

MICHIGAN

Dodging the competition

Erik Sargent

March 27, 2014

T hrowing, ducking, jumping and dodging are all necessary moves for success at an MSU club dodgeball practice.

MICHIGAN

Potholes cause damage to cars, lead to costly repairs

Michael Kransz

March 27, 2014

Nearly a thousand dollars per day are being shoveled into city potholes in an attempt to alleviate a problem which also is costing drivers hundreds of dollars.

MICHIGAN

Vets of a different breed

Sara Konkel

March 26, 2014

When long-time MSU Veterinary Medical Center client Cory Russell trailered her horse Ben to East Lansing from her home in Chelsea, Mich., for surgery, she had little hope he would pull through.“He was (laying) down in the trailer on the ride up there and the vet said to me, ‘Cory, it’s not looking good. I need to warn you,’” she said.

MICHIGAN

Snyder: Gay marriages valid, but no benefits yet

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

March 26, 2014

Gov. Rick Snyder declared the marriages of about 300 same-sex couples married in Michigan valid Wednesday, but newlyweds shouldn’t expect to see full marriage benefits yet. In a statement, Snyder said the state would recognize the legality of the same-sex marriages that took place on Saturday after U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman’s ruling struck down the ban. 

MICHIGAN

Oberon springs into East Lansing bars

Geoff Preston

March 26, 2014

The large, inflatable Oberon beer bottle standing outside of Crunchy’s on Sunday night signified one thing.Despite the cold temperatures, it is almost springtime in East Lansing.

MICHIGAN

City to give penalties if lawns are not litter-free beginning mid-April

Michael Kransz

March 26, 2014

The sun is shining, the snow is melting and the garbage is blowing — it's spring, and the city's in need of some cleaning.

MICHIGAN

Subcommittee approves $77 Million increase in higher ed funding

Olivia Dimmer

March 26, 2014

A near $77 million dollar increase is in the works for Michigan's higher educations institutions and soon will head to the House Appropriations Committee for further approval.The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education approved the increase to higher education funding at its meeting Wednesday morning.

MICHIGAN

City Council passes moratorium on cab licenses

Erin Gray

March 25, 2014

East Lansing City Council unanimously passed a 15 month moratorium on the application or renewal of taxi cab vehicles,