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Renewable energy is a part of Lansing’s future

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According to Michigan State Senate Bills 437 and 438, Michigan State law will require that Michigan utilities buy or produce at least 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2022. There is also a nonbinding goal to reach 35 percent by 2025. What is Lansing doing to make this happen? John Krzystowczyk, an energy analyst in the energy and eco-strategies department of the Lansing Board of Water and Light (BWL), works to promote renewable energy growth in the Lansing area. He believes that the 15 percent goal laid out by the government is attainable.

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Recycling in Lansing is bigger than you may think

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According to Lansing’s official government website, recycling makes a huge difference in the community. In fact, for every 1,000 tons the city collects, 14,903 trees are saved, 6,404,606 gallons of water are saved, 408,412 gallons of gasoline are saved and 2,856 metric tons of greenhouse emissions are saved. But how exactly does Lansing recycle materials? Too often does recyclable material get thrown out with regular trash, ending up in landfills. This is why the Lansing Recycling Center on East Northrup Street and South Cedar Street takes recyclables in addition to garbage.

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Michigan Walk of Fame brings a hint of Hollywood to Lansing

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From coast to coast, every American has heard of the famous Walk of Fame in Hollywood. You have seen pictures on social media of people crouching down next to the star-studded engravement in the sidewalk with the name of their favorite movie star or musician embedded in the center. But what many people do not know is that there is a Michigan Walk of Fame in downtown Lansing that honors past and present residents of the state of Michigan. Located on Washington Square in downtown Lansing, the Michigan Walk of Fame consists of 23 bronze plates inserted into the sidewalk, commemorating some of the most famous Michiganders of all time, such as Henry Ford, Rosa Parks and Stevie Wonder. Sandra Clark, the director of the Michigan History Center, said that the idea came from Lansing economic development leaders.

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Michigan State tournament streak gives Lansing sports fans something to root for

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If you blinked, you just might have missed it. But the Michigan State Spartans led by head coach Tom Izzo ended their 2017 NCAA Tournament run after playing but two games. With a victory over Miami in the round of 64 and a loss to Kansas in the round of 32, it is not difficult to guess what East Lansing citizens were watching Friday and Sunday nights. But does the same loyalty to Spartan basketball exist next door in Lansing? Most people in Lansing are not directly connected to MSU other than the fact that they are only separated by a few miles.

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Urbanization could actually help improve Lansing’s natural environment

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Spring is coming. It may not feel like it today, it may not feel like it tomorrow and it may not even feel like it in the middle of May. Nevertheless, it is coming. Soon, the smell of freshly-cut grass on a neighbor’s lawn or the fragrance of a beautiful young wildflower will remind us something we often forget in the winter. There is nature around us and it is worth protecting.

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Historic Michigan State Capitol building delights guests, one tour at a time

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It would not take a Michigander to point out the Michigan State Capitol building in downtown Lansing. Perhaps this is because its architect, Elijah Myers, designed it so closely with the U.S. Capitol. Both are centered with a white dome, sandwiched by a right and left wing. Is this a coincidence? Matt Van Acker, the Capitol Tour and Information Service Director, thinks not.

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Lansing falls behind rest of the nation in higher education

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You know how the saying goes. A high school diploma is useless in today’s society. More and more quality jobs are requiring bachelor’s degrees. Unfortunately, this does not sit well in the city of Lansing. According to Census data, Lansing’s high school graduation rate is consistent with the rest of the nation.

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Lansing small businesses look to target MSU students

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Small businesses have been a major economic drive in Lansing for decades, but Michigan State University provides them a unique opportunity. Some business owners believe that the presence of MSU and its students can provide an economic boom to their enterprises. “It depends on the type of market that company is looking to going into,” said Jessica Bunce, the Program Director for the Master of Science in Marketing Research Program within the Eli Broad College of Business at MSU. “If you’re thinking about the traditional college student, you are possibly going to be looking more at the undergrad. Perhaps they have student loans.