Lawn parties as seen from overhead
East Lansing

St. Patrick’s Day, the pandemic and partying: students balance choices

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More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic and with a second Saint Patrick’s Day in the midst of the crisis, East Lansing partiers weighed plans for the holiday and their worries about the virus. Sheldon KrauseStudents on Albert Avenue walk by El Azteco. The coronavirus pandemic was officially declared by the World Health Organization March 11 2020. This declaration came days before St. Patrick’s Day, when safety advocates across the country encouraged governors to close or limit public gathering spaces before the holiday.

Business & Economy
Capt. Russ Clark of Sea Hawk Charters in St. Joseph.

On course for a ‘phenomenal year:’ Charter anglers hope for a boom in 2021

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FISHING: Charter boat operators sound optimistic about prospects for spring and summer business, thanks in part to pandemic-related travel restrictions that keep anglers closer to home. Captains from St. Joseph, Charlevoix and Traverse City explain. By Sheldon Krause. FOR HOLLAND, LUDINGTON, MANISTEE, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, ALCONA, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, CHEBOYGAN, ST. IGNACE, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, BENZIE, OCEANA AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy

Latest stimulus package offers ‘huge win’ for small towns

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SMALL TOWN STIMULUS: How will some of Michigan’s least-populated cities and villages spend the money they receive from the newly passed federal stimulus package? Not surprisingly, Detroit is getting the most of any municipality in the state, but we look at how much small municipalities should expect, including Blissfield, Cheboygan, St. Ignace, Harrisville, Manistee Township and Harbor Springs. By Sheldon Krause. FOR CHEBOYGAN, ST. IGNACE, BLISSFIELD, HARBOR SPRINGS, PETOSKEY, ALCONA, MANISTEE, LUDINGTON AND ALL POINTS.

Campus News
Cornel West

“Extraordinary dialogue happening in extraordinary times:” MSU community members discuss Cornel West’s recent event

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Dr. Cornel West has held many roles throughout his career: Harvard professor, political commentator, social justice advocate, author, musician, two-time actor in The Matrix series, among many others. On Feb. 25, West spoke as part of Michigan State University’s annual lecture series through the College of Osteopathic Medicine, while professors and student organizers alike praised his knowledge on social and historical topics. The yearly tradition, titled the “Dr. William G. Anderson Lecture Series, Slavery to Freedom,” took place for the 21st time this year with three virtual speakers and around 800 attendees per event. The first speaker was Dr. Monique Morris, executive producer and co-writer for “PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools,” a 2019 documentary that discusses the way in which Black girls are more harshly disciplined in schools than their peers.

Health

Medicare for All in Michigan: What would it look like?

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MEDICARE FOR ALL: Some lawmakers are proposing changes in health insurance that fall far short of a “Medicare for All”-type health insurance program. Sponsors’ hometowns include Adrian, Farwell, Dearborn, Portland, Wolverine, Commerce Township, Ann Bollin of Brighton Township, Coopersville, Lake City and Traverse City and Mary Whiteford of Casco Township. We talk to an ex-Democratic candidate for governor and Wayne State and MSU health economists. By Sheldon Krause. FOR CLARE COUNTY, IONIA, BLISSFIELD, HOLLAND, DETROIT, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP! BIG RAPIDS, LANSING CITY PULSE, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU AND ALL POINTS.

Construction & Development

Extreme weather threatens aging water infrastructure

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WATER INFRASTRUCTURE: Dramatic damage to water infrastructure in Texas raises the question of how well-prepared Michigan’s water systems are for extreme weather and natural disasters. We talk to the water system officials in Cheboygan and Midland, where two dams collapsed last year, forcing evacuations and causing massive property damage. A U.S. representative from Southfield is cosponsoring new federal legislation that would pour billions of dollars into water infrastructure systems nationally. By Sheldon Krause. FOR CHEBOYGAN, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, DETROIT, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS AND ALL POINTS.

Federal Government

Justice advocates praise move to close private federal prisons

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PRIVATE PRISONS: President Biden’s executive order against renewing contracts with private companies to hold federal prisoners has anti-private prison advocates happy but could mean a hard financial hit to Baldwin, the Lake County community where the state’s only private federal prison is located. We talk to criminal justice experts at Grand Valley State, Oakland University and Wayne State. By Sheldon Krause. FOR LAKE COUNTY, LUDINGTON, MANISTEE AND ALL POINTS.

Diversity Issues

East Lansing Police Department faces oversight commission amid significant policy changes

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After many months of increased scrutiny and renewed conversations about the role of law enforcement in American society, the City of East Lansing has formed a study committee to put in place a permanent oversight board to work with the East Lansing Police Department on better serving their community.

The Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission, which began in October following the summer’s mass protests over police brutality and misconduct, is working with East Lansing community members, officials and law enforcement to form a board to provide guidance to the police department.

East Lansing

“It’s the same education in a different space.” East Lansing prepares for in-person instruction

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As East Lansing prepares to bring students back for in-person learning for the first time, students and teachers alike are anxious to return to normal — but many recognize that it won’t quite be the same.

After nearly a full year of remote learning, East Lansing secondary schools are planning to return to in-person instruction on March 1. Elementary schools are returning Feb. 22.