Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Public schools will face cuts

Lansing - In a swift reaction to the budget deficit, Gov. Jennifer Granholm notified state public school districts Wednesday that funding will be cut as soon as March. "This is painful to any parent, whether you're a Republican or a Democrat," Granholm said. Despite the regret Granholm expressed, she said the budget had to be dealt with as soon as possible. "We have to bring the budget into line," she said.

MICHIGAN

Bus way to be discussed at open meeting

A public information meeting tonight will allow students and city residents to comment on the proposal of a new dedicated bus way between Harrison Avenue and Farm Lane. Representatives from the Capitol Area Transportation Authority and MSU will be present at the forum, which takes place from 5 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Landlords say occupancy codes difficult to enforce

Tenants beware - many area landlords are going the extra step to ensure occupancy codes are followed. With East Lansing officials pressing the over-crowding issue for the past couple years, landlords say students can sometimes be elusive. Fred Bauries, an East Lansing landlord, says he keeps a close look on the houses around him - mostly because he rents out the three houses right next door. "My most creative way would be that I live next door," he said.

MICHIGAN

Hollister confirmed by Senate committee

Lansing Mayor David Hollister was the first of Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm's appointments to go in front of the Senate Government Operations Committee in a series of hearings to examine candidates for top spots in the governor's cabinet Tuesday. A state Senate committee unanimously confirmed Hollister as the director of a new state department on labor and economic growth. "He will represent Granholm very well," said Mary Dettloff, spokeswoman for Jennifer Granholm.

MICHIGAN

Extension programs look for 'creative way' to balance budget

Two of MSU's educational programs for state residents are looking for creative solutions to upcoming funding problems - and hoping to avoid layoffs that may be inevitable. The Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, MSU Extension and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station were counting on nearly $4 million in state money to make up for a 2 percent cut to higher-education funding.

MICHIGAN

City, LCC combine to build education

Delta Twp. - With a combined cost of $43 million and a slow economy, Lansing Community College has reached out to local businesses and community partners to help pay for its new technical centers.As an extension of LCC, Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) and Technical Training Center are scheduled to open next year.The M-TEC cost the city nearly $34 million and the training center close to $9 million.

MICHIGAN

Rogers chosen to be on energy committee

Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, has been appointed to serve on the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce in the 108th Congress. Rogers' subcommittee assignments will be announced in the next few weeks. The committee, which was formed in 1795, provides principal legislative oversight related to telecommunications, consumer protection and food and drug safety. The committee also oversees public health, air quality and environmental health and the supply and delivery of energy, as well as interstate and foreign commerce.

MICHIGAN

Senator tours state promoting security

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., met with police and firefighters in Marquette Monday to address their concerns regarding homeland security. Stabenow spokesman Dave Lemmon said the round-table discussion was her sixth such visit to Michigan municipalities.

MICHIGAN

Union, school board square off in lawsuit

The bickering over the budget crisis in East Lansing Public Schools reached the legal level Monday.The East Lansing Education Association, the union representing East Lansing teachers, filed unfair labor practice charges against the East Lansing School Board - accusing them of breaking a state labor law.Union officials have pointed fingers at the school board, saying Superintendent Tom Giblin broke state labor laws by releasing budget plans publicly before they were presented to the teachers' union.

MICHIGAN

E.L. promotes recycling with new drop site

East Lansing residents again have an opportunity to turn their trash into reusable goods.The city reopened the Valley Court recycling drop-off site on Friday, located at Valley Court and Hillside Court.

MICHIGAN

Financial experts fight embezzlement

MSU Controller David Brower says he is ready to join the fight to rebuild the United Way's reputation while the local chapter attempts to recover nearly $1 million in missing money.Brower was appointed by the Capital Area United Way blue-ribbon panel of experts which will analyze the chapter's financial safeguards.

MICHIGAN

Michigan groups to fight for transgender causes

Lansing - The National Association for the Advancement of Transgendered People will with high hope for change, founder and president Melissa Sue Robinson says.The nonprofit association, which will act as a political activist group, union and support organization for transgender people, is beginning with a 25-person membership but Robinson said she expects that number to increase as more people learn about the association.The association will hold monthly support meetings on the third Saturday of every month."We will help transgendered people if they run into problems," she said.

MICHIGAN

Route loss might hassle riders

Students and East Lansing residents may soon have to go further down the road for personal railway service.About 40 people braved freezing temperatures Saturday afternoon to participate in a rally to protest the loss of ticket agents and possible route closing.As of today, East Lansing's Amtrak rail passenger station, located at 1240 S.

MICHIGAN

Fifth Third comes to E.L.

Fifth Third Bank officials say they are ready to tap into the banking needs of East Lansing business and MSU staff and students.A new branch of Fifth Third Bank is moving into its new digs at 309 E.