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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Former Barnes & Noble spot has new tenant

Geoff Preston
October 18, 2013

A new addition to downtown East Lansing is bringing more than 100 insurance jobs to the city, a move local officials hope will encourage more students to stay in the area after graduation. Jackson National Life Insurance Company has a new office in downtown East Lansing, at 333 E. Grand River Ave., in the space formerly occupied by Barnes & Noble. The company is set to open formally in November.

MICHIGAN

East Lansing officials host Brew & Do event at Dublin Square Irish Pub

Olivia Dimmer
October 17, 2013

LEGOs, chicken wings and beer are not the kinds of items likely to be found at most city government functions, but the Brew & Do event held at Dublin Square Irish Pub Thursday night featured all of the above. The event was part of the city’s weeklong comprehensive plan review initiative, centered around the idea of having an informal atmosphere to encourage participation from citizens of all walks of life. About 40 people were in attendance.

MICHIGAN

Alleged robbery occurs

Katie Abdilla
October 17, 2013

Bath Charter Township police are investigating an alleged robbery that occurred at about 7 p.m. Tuesday in an apartment complex in Chandler Crossings. Journalism junior Matt Ward said he and his roommates, along with a few friends, were in his apartment when an unknown man walked through their door and pointed a gun at them. “He took one of our roommates around our apartment to look for things to steal or take,” Ward said. The suspect took several electronics, including an Xbox, a phone, an iPod and a laptop.

MICHIGAN

MSU community weighs in on government shutdown, debt controversy

Derek Gartee
October 16, 2013

Reaching the debt ceiling could lead to a national catastrophe, experts said. However, there is a faint glimmer of hope on Capitol Hill. As of Wednesday night, the U.S. Senate had passed a deal allowing the U.S. to avoid default, a measure that was being debated in the U.S. House late Wednesday evening. Even if a compromise is made, MSU professors said that the long impasse could leave behind lasting scars that would impact Michigan and the rest of the country.

MICHIGAN

Face Time: East Lansing City Council candidate Joanna Bosse

Geoff Preston
October 16, 2013

MSU assistant professor Joanna Bosse has lived in many university towns, but said she’s experienced the most animosity between students and residents during her time in East Lansing. By running for the East Lansing City Council this fall, she hopes to use her experience interacting with both constituencies to help bridge the gap between town and gown.

MICHIGAN

East Lansing residents visualize Park District development project

Geoff Preston
October 16, 2013

A change of venue and an influx of student attendees characterized the second of three community meetings about a project that could change the face of East Lansing’s downtown. The second public meeting regarding the Park District project, also known as a charrette, took place at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum Wednesday.

MICHIGAN

East Lansing City Council approves same-sex couple registry

Geoff Preston
October 16, 2013

If they choose to do so, both straight and same-sex couples can now place their names on a city directory and be officially recognized by East Lansing, even if state laws prevent them from formally doing so. On Tuesday, the East Lansing City Council approved an ordinance allowing for the recognition of domestic partnerships by the city in a directory. East Lansing is the second city in the state of Michigan to pass such an ordinance. Ann Arbor passed a similar ordinance in the 1990s.

MICHIGAN

Connor McCowan found guilty of second-degree murder

Simon Schuster
October 15, 2013

A jury has found Okemos resident Connor McCowan guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing of MSU student Andrew Singler. McCowan is accused of fatally stabbing Singler Feb. 23 after getting in a text messaging fight regarding Singler’s treatment of his girlfriend, McCowan’s sister Shay McCowan.

MICHIGAN

Indigenous student group protests Columbus Day

Simon Schuster
October 14, 2013

Members of MSU’s North American Indigenous Students Organization, or NAISO, and other supporters gathered at the rock on Farm Lane on Monday evening to protest Columbus Day, a federal holiday to celebrate the explorer’s discovery of America. A drum group performed and supporters held signs with messages such as “Columbus was lost” and “We were already here.”

MICHIGAN

Face Time: East Lansing City Council candidate Susan Woods

Geoff Preston
October 14, 2013

Even though East Lansing City Council candidate Susan Woods has lived all over the world, she decided a long time ago to make Spartan territory her permanent home.? A 1975 graduate of the University of California at Berkley, Woods previously has lived in Spain, Austria, Boston, Washington D.C. and San Francisco.? After her husband got a job at MSU in the early 1990s, Woods and her family moved to the city’s Bailey neighborhood and have remained ever since.?

MICHIGAN

East Lansing event gives residents glimpse of future city development plans

Casey Holland
October 14, 2013

Members of the East Lansing community had an opportunity to get a glimpse at the “bigger picture” of what’s to come Monday evening during an event geared at advancing city goals 20 years into the future. Monday evening marked the beginning of the city’s Bigger Picture Plan and Design Week, which helped kick off the city’s public portion of its comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan is a broad-based policy document for the physical, economic and social development of the city.

MICHIGAN

Closing arguments over, jury deliberations start in trial

Katie Abdilla
October 14, 2013

One side believes Okemos resident Connor McCowan stabbed and killed MSU student Andrew Singler to protect his own life. The other maintains the 19-year-old had plenty of chances to run away, go home or diffuse the situation, but chose not to out of intent to harm Singler. This week, the jury will decide who to believe.

MICHIGAN

UPDATE: Jury begins deliberation in McCowan case

Katie Abdilla  and  Simon Schuster
October 14, 2013

Both sides began presenting their closing arguments in the trial of Okemos resident Connor McCowan Monday morning in Ingham County Circuit Court. McCowan is accused of stabbing and killing MSU student Andrew Singler after a text messaging argument between the two escalated to blows on Feb. 23. The jury will deliberate over whether McCowan is guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter.