Lansing - As the crowd finished its countdown from 10, the towering White Spruce before the Capitol transformed from a dark silhouette against the late November sky into a brilliant, blazing beacon of holiday cheer. Seconds later, fireworks exploded over the Capitol dome, and the crowd cheered.
With the holiday season sneaking up on shoppers, online retailers are projecting a 29-percent increase in online sales compared with last year, officials say. David Berkowitz, spokesman for the online research firm eMarketer, said the company is predicting online sales to reach $17.8 billion in the fourth quarter and is projecting continual growth over the next few years as Internet use increases. "Each year, the rising uptake of broadband is making it even easier for people to quickly and conveniently go online," Berkowitz said.
U.S. House approves debated Medicare bill The U.S. House of Representatives passed a Medicare bill Saturday that supporters say will provide about 1.5 million Michigan residents with access to prescription-drug coverage. The final roll call was 220-215 and the bill is now awaiting a U.S.
Lansing Community College students soon will be able to learn about fuel-cell energy, a field in need of employees that utilizes cells to convert hydrogen into electricity and other forms of alternative energy.LCC received a $1 million appropriation from the federal government Monday to set up the alternative-energy program.Because of the small amount of pollutants emitted by the cells, they are looked at by some as a possible solution for pollution problems created by automobiles.The school previously had earned a $250,000 grant from NextEnergy, a Michigan group dedicated to furthering alternative energy.
East Lansing police say Kevin Schaibley, 24, embezzled nearly $150,000 from the Ascension Lutheran Church, which he served as treasurer.The Lansing man was arrested and charged this week, East Lansing police Capt.
There are some different types of commercials popping up lately in the holes between television shows.
A man is being treated at Lansing's Sparrow Hospital for head injuries after he was assaulted while breaking up a fight outside Beggar's Banquet early Thursday, East Lansing police said.As the man intervened in the scuffle, he was pushed or shoved, causing him to fall backward and strike the back of his head against the pavement.
She sang "New York New York," wore a black evening gown and dazzled a panel of judges with her gleaming personality. But it was the beauty of age and experience that led 66-year-old Beverly Hunt-Sherrod to win the 25th annual Ms. Senior Sweetheart of America Pageant. Hunt-Sherrod, a Lansing resident with silver and black hair and bejeweled fingernails, won the national pageant over 34 contestants on Nov.
A proposed parking ordinance amendment was unanimously struck down by the East Lansing City Council during its Tuesday meeting, following almost a month of debate.
The city of Lansing and the Wolverine Pipe Line Co. are awaiting a decision by the Michigan Supreme Court as to whether city approval is needed to build a 26-mile gasoline pipeline.The two sides argued their case before the court Thursday in what was the latest in the company's almost three-year struggle to construct the pipeline.
Residents wishing to receive information regarding identity theft are invited to attend a free seminar at the MSU Federal Credit Union, 600 E.
New York Times best-selling author and columnist Mitch Albom will visit Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 333 E.
Jazzy tunes and fast beats are for more than just listening pleasure - they're also designed to influence consumer spending habits, according to music distributors and business owners. PlayNetwork spokesman Ryan Risenmay said there's definitely a connection between music and consumer behavior, based on informal observations from retailers. PlayNetwork, a company based in Redmond, Wash., distributes thousands of songs from jazz to pop to retailers, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Cosí, Finish Line and Starbucks. "Research found that some softer music can put people at ease and some faster pace music can pick up the pace of the shopping experience," Risenmay said.
Downtown Lansing will be lit up from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday as the city hosts the Silver Bells in the City celebration.The festival, in its 19th year, is designed to welcome the upcoming holidays.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed an order Tuesday requiring state departments to try to locate new state facilities in urban areas.The order requires state officials to consider the adaptive use of historic buildings or reuse of existing buildings in urban areas.
East Lansing City Council members plan to re-evaluate amendments to the city parking ordinance at their 7:30 p.m.
About 50 city residents and officials packed into the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, on Monday to discuss how cuts to revenue-sharing funding would affect the quality of life in the city.The concerned citizens wore brightly colored tags to the forum with the words "Save our revenue sharing" and "Revenue sharing is critical to us" while addressing the importance of the city programs they represent.Public safety, road repair, library funding and programs for children and senior citizens could be affected if revenue-sharing dollars are slashed to alleviate the $920 million state budget deficit."These are programs that are at the core of what this city is about," said City Manager Ted Staton, who led Monday's discussion.
State House Democrats unveiled an eight-bill package aimed at protecting and creating jobs on Monday.The Michigan Jobs and Opportunity Bring Success Act comes in light of the $920 million state budget shortfall and three weeks after Republicans introduced their jobs package.The Democrats say the plan improves the Republican plan by being revenue-neutral, addressing rising costs of heath care and prescription drugs and supporting the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority."We need to jump-start this economy, because nationally we're getting no help," said House Democratic Leader Dianne Byrum, D-Onondaga.
A special forum held today will offer citizens in East Lansing the chance to voice their concerns regarding the effects of the state budget cuts.The forum will be held at 1 p.m.
The nation's clouded economy shouldn't affect holiday retail this year, as Michigan retailers are projecting a 5-percent increase in holiday sales over last year's figures, according to the Michigan Retailers Association.