MSU

Survivors of MSU mass shooting to sue Michigan State University

Jaden Beard

June 12, 2023

Attorneys representing the families of Nate Statly and Troy Forbush, survivors of the Feb. 13th mass shooting on MSU’s campus, filed a notice of intent to sue Michigan State University. Court documents cite the University’s failure to resolve complaints with regard to defective safety measures and a lack of restrictions to access University buildings, amongst other reasoning to file suit. 

MSU

MSU Police and Public Safety, MSU Parking to receive their own, updated websites

Selma Cogo

June 12, 2023

MSU receives two new websites for information on police and parking services.

MICHIGAN

Michigan legislature passes the CROWN Act, advances to governor's desk

Shakyra Mabone

June 9, 2023

SB 40, sponsored by Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, would prohibit discrimination based on hair, particularly protective or textured hairstyles often worn by Black people. The bill amends the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include hairstyles as an aspect of racial identity that cannot be discriminated against in the workplace. 

MSU

MSU announces allocation of $2 million donated to Spartan Strong Fund

Amalia Medina

June 9, 2023

Michigan State University announced its plan for the distribution of $2 million donated to the Spartan Strong Fund. The funds will go to the families of the three students who died, the education of the physically injured students and people who witnessed the violence. They will also pay for professionals who responded to the shooting and a memorial on campus.

MSU

Real or scam? MSU Global Tech Experience roll out confuses students and parents

Amalia Medina

June 7, 2023

Last week, MSU parents and students received several messages inviting students to participate in the new MSU Global Tech Experience. The only problem: the constant messages, informal wording and too-good-to-be-true statements led many recipients to believe it was all a scam. 

MSU

MSU adds smartphone notifications, megaphone system for alerts in latest security expansion

Alex Walters

June 7, 2023

Michigan State University announced Wednesday that they would begin rolling out new methods of receiving security alerts, including through a smartphone app and using a speaker system on tornado sirens. The university also announced policy changes and progress on the previously announced door locks and third-party review meant to enhance campus security.

MSU

Phat Nguyen's family files a lawsuit claiming negligence during hazing resulted in Nguyen's death

Jaden Beard

June 5, 2023

The family of Phat Nguyen, a 21-year-old Michigan State business student who died in 2021 during a Pi Alpha Phi pledging event, is suing eighteen individuals in pursuant of the Michigan Wrongful Death Act.

MSU

Banding initiative on MSU's peregrine falcons works to track chicks

Selma Cogo

June 5, 2023

MSU bands the peregrine falcon chicks, homed on top of the Spartan Stadium, to track their survival rates.

MSU

MSU updates Nassar support fund policy after State News story

Alex Walters

June 2, 2023

Hours after the publication of a State News story detailing the experience of David Batterson, a male Nassar survivor who was recently denied access to the fund, the policy was updated to include all survivors of his abuse regardless of gender, a university spokesperson said.

MSU

MSU healing fund denies assistance to male Nassar survivor

Alex Walters

June 2, 2023

David Batterson, a survivor of disgraced ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar, applied to receive support from a Michigan State University fund for counseling and mental health services, but he was rejected.

MSU

MSU researchers successfully sequence Michigan tart cherry genome

Selma Cogo

June 2, 2023

MSU agriculture researchers successfully sequenced the tart cherry genome to find which genes assist with late blooming. The resulting genome sequence was "beautifully complex" and can make the breeding of related species more efficient.

MICHIGAN

City council passes resolutions acknowledging impact of campus shooting, honors first responders

Amalia Medina

May 24, 2023

The East Lansing City Council passed four resolutions recognizing the impact of the Feb. 13 mass shooting on MSU campus. The resolutions also honored first responders, mental health professionals and city staff for their efforts during and after the shooting. 

MSU

'Completely fabricated’ Duffy Daugherty film embroiled in controversy, legal battles

Alex Walters

May 24, 2023

An upcoming film chronicling MSU's trailblazing integrated 1965 football team is reportedly rife with fabrication and racist tropes. The source material? A book published by the university's academic press.

MSU

Students discuss isolation on MSU campus over summer months

Selma Cogo

May 22, 2023

Students discuss what it's like to be on MSU's campus during the summer semester. "Campus is really quiet ... I've only seen a couple people (here) right now," genomics and molecular genetics senior Alex Stevens said.

MSU

MSU administrators file response to ex-business dean’s “desperate” lawsuit

Alex Walters

May 22, 2023

Michigan State University’s top administrators motioned for a complete dismissal of a lawsuit from controversial former business school dean Sanjay Gupta, describing the suit as a “desperate, last-ditch plea for this court to take on the role of super-personnel department.” Gupta’s suit alleges that seven MSU leaders defamed him in a presidential succession plot, with then Provost Teresa Woodruff ousting him for a mandatory reporting failure to best position herself to become the university president.

BUSINESS

Popular party store Jonna’s 2 Go changes name

Amalia Medina

May 19, 2023

The popular party store Jonna’s 2 Go recently changed its name to Manny’s 2 Go. The store owner said he preemptively changed the name to avoid being involved in legal action.

ENVIRONMENT

Northern lights spotted in East Lansing, may be visible throughout the year

Shakyra Mabone

May 19, 2023

The northern lights were visible across East Lansing on April 27 as a geomagnetic storm hits Earth. MSU astronomy professor Horace Smith explains solar cycles and why we may see more of the aurora this year.

MSU

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center team collects 500,000 pounds of materials during move-out

Selma Cogo

May 19, 2023

Each year during the move-out season, MSU’s Surplus Store and Recycling Center team works to collect as much unwanted material from students as they can. In a 48-hour period during this past semester's move-out, 500,000 pounds of materials were gathered from students and 155,000 were diverted from landfills.

MICHIGAN

Homeless people in Lansing feel unsupported by city, state programs

Liz Nass

May 18, 2023

Many homeless individuals in Greater Lansing have felt unsupported by the city programs that are supposed to protect them from harmful situations, such as poor housing and cycling through hotels and homeless shelters instead of finding long-term housing in their own communities. 

MSU

Shooting victims receive posthumous degrees at commencement ceremony

Amalia Medina

May 7, 2023

Arielle Anderson's sister and Alexandria Verner's godmother accepted posthumous degrees on behalf of the students who died in the Feb. 13 shooting on campus.