Arts & Entertainment

Watch Focal Point: EEE Virus in Michigan, Governor Whitmer cuts funding For Pure Michigan commercials and more

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On this edition of Focal Point, EEE continues to spread through the state as government takes action with aerial pesticide treatments. Also, Governor Whitmer vetos a plan for millions in funding towards the Pure Michigan commercials. Plus, the MSU Surplus Store features a pretty unique item for sale. In sports, Spartan Football went on the road to face the Buckeyes in Columbus, a blacked-out night game. In entertainment, The Addams Family, Joker, and more hit the box office.

News

Inaugural ‘Blocktoberfest’ comes to Old Town

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For the first time, Old Town, Lansing hosted their very own Blocktoberfest. Locals were treated to a weekend filled with axe throwing, bratwursts, craft beers, and more. The event was 21 and up, and while the weather was a little chilly, attendees were treated to quite the experience. The food was provided by Morton’s Fine Catering which featured mac and cheese, chicken wings, potatoes, and bratwursts soaked in German beer. The event was a success, and should be making a return to Old Town next Fall.

Business & Economy

Local tourists spots voice concerns over Pure Michigan cut

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Governor Gretchen Whitmer cut the proposed $37.5 million budget from the 2020 state budget. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, MEDC, tells Focal Point News, “Governor Whitmer and the MEDC remain committed to the Pure Michigan Campaign and the positive impact it has had on the tourism industry in Michigan.” They continued to say the cut is a “recognition that the Legislature cannot continue to pass record-high budgets for Pure Michigan while funding for other economic development initiatives is cut to record lows.” Greg Taucher, an advertising professor at Michigan State, said you can’t just turn off the lights on Pure Michigan. “I think that if Michigan killed their tourism campaign, they’d be in a deficit position,” he said.

Article

An airplane crashed in Lansing as the pilot attempted to land

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A single engine airplane crashed while attempting to land at the Lansing airport on Thursday morning. The pilot was trying to land, when around 9 a.m. the plane crashed just west of Airport Road. The crash left three people dead and three people in critical condition at Sparrow Hospital. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The names of the victims have not been released.

Agriculture

Watch Focal Point: General Motors Strike, East Lansing rent increase and more

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On this edition of Focal Point News, General Motors workers are on strike for equal benefits. Also, students moving into the newest East Lansing sky rise, The Hub, experienced some unexpected complications. Plus, East Lansing and Ann Arbor were listed in the top ten for fastests growing rent. 

In sports, Michigan State football had a homecoming date with Indiana last week, with a high scoring affair between the two teams. 

In entertainment, Spider Man is set to return to the big screen. 

These stories and more on Focal Point. 

Article

Lansing honors those touched by suicide

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It’s the end of suicide awareness month and the Lansing community came together with an awareness walk to support those affected by mental illness. The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is an annual event that happens throughout the country and is sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. About one thousand people attended the gathering Saturday, September 27th at Hawk Island Park, raising almost $54,000. “Half of the money that we raise here stays locally and half
of it goes to the national level,” said Liz Baker, co-chair of the event. “The
national level provides advocacy and research and support.

Business & Economy

The deception of the title ‘no-kill’ state

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Michigan has gained the title of being a ‘no-kill’ state, meaning at least 90% of animals in shelters have gone home. “They either get returned to their owners, strays and returned to their owners, or transferred to another organization or adopted out,” Julia Willson, CEO and President of the Capital Area Humane Society, said. Willson said the CAHS takes in about 4,500 animals a year and several hundred a month get adopted. MSU senior Shannon Campeau rescued her dog, Beatrice, previously named Ada, from Georgia. “She actually was surrendered from a family which means they gave her up,” she said.

News

Lansing transitions to new trash collection policy

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LANSING— Recently, Lansing has adopted a new trash collection policy that will benefit residents, workers and the environment. According to Lansing’s website, the change was initiated to increase trash collection efficiency, to reduce driver injury, to prevent animals from entering trash bags and to avoid wear and tear on roads caused by garbage trucks. The proposal states that by the end of 2019, trash bags will no longer be collected. Residents will now have the option to purchase city issued trash carts. There will be three different sized carts to choose from, a 32,65 and 95-gallon.

Article

One Book One Community strives to educate

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For 18 years, East Lansing and Michigan State University have joined forces to provide to encourage its residents – permanent and temporary ones — to read. The One Book One Community committee selects a book for incoming Michigan State University freshmen and the local East Lansing community to read. “We meet once a week year-round and we discuss books, themes and programming,” said Kristin Shelley, the director of East Lansing Public Library, and on One Book One Community’s planning committee. “We are constantly reading and throwing titles out.”

This year, the committee decided to include the community in the selection process. “We narrowed it down to three books,” said Shelley.