Agriculture

Watch Focal Point: fatal car accident on Mt. Hope road, an elevator shaft accident and more

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On this episode of Focal Point News, we bring you breaking news on a fatal car crash in East Lansing. An elevator form shifted at a construction site in downtown East Lansing creating an eight hour fix. Plus, Michigan State switches from green to teal for “It’s On Us” week to raise awareness for sexual assault prevention. Also, we get student opinions on the university’s new flat-rate tuition model. Media day for the much-anticipated men’s basketball team gave us an insight into what the players expect from this season.

A role of stickers for voters sit on a table at a voting precinct in Delhi Township.
News

Michigan youth vote dipped in 2016, but might have surged in 2018

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The 2016 presidential election was a polarizing time for the country, and Michigan was no exception. Donald Trump won Michigan by 0.3 percent, taking the presidency with him by a margin of fewer than 10,000 votes, according to the New York Times. In contrast, Barack Obama won Michigan by 9.5 percent in 2012, netting roughly 450,000 more votes than his runner-up. MLive attributes this swing, at least partially, to voter turnout: More people voted in terms of raw numbers, but fewer voters turned out in traditionally Democratic counties. While partisan shifts are apparent in results, changing participation among Michigan’s voter demographics could provide more insight into the state’s level of civic participation and how it ranks alongside the Midwest and the rest of the country.

Campus News

MSU students campaign for midterm elections

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With the 2018 midterm elections recently behind us, MSU students worked overtime the weekend before the election to encourage people to get out and vote. Members of the MSU College Republicans used the weekend to work the phones and to knock on doors as a last minute push to support their candidates and encourage people to vote. “We have a senate candidate up for election, all the state reps, all the state senators are up for election, governor, and a lot of other positions, so we think it’s really important to make sure people are going out and voting,” said Aleks Oslapas, Chair of MSU College Republicans. Midterm elections are known for having a lower voter turnout than presidential elections; the message to get out and vote was a strong one this year. “Again it all goes back to getting people to get out to vote.

Ballot Issues

Watch Focal Point: Special Election Coverage

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On this special election episode of Focal Point News, we break down everything leading up one of the most anticipated midterm election in years. From campaign trails to ballot proposals, Focal Point dissects each candidate, their values and what they would bring to Michigan’s leadership. The state was star-studded the weeks leading up to the election with appearances from past and present government officials including Vice President Mike Pence and former President Barack Obama. Some of the proposals on the ballot this year revolved around gerrymandering, the legalization of recreational marijuana and easier voting registration. All this and more on this election edition of Focal Point News.

A sign at Precinct 12 at the MSU Union in East Lansing.
Campus News

Voters head to polls on Election Day

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In Michigan, voters will elect a new governor, attorney general and secretary of state, as well as members of the boards of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Michigan Voters also will decide whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use and whether to create an independent commission to draw voting districts.

News

‘Voters Not Politicians’ pushing Michiganders to vote Yes on Proposal 2

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It is basically Abby Schwartz’ second career. “It gets a little bit easier each time,” said Voters Not Politicians canvasser, Abby Schwartz. Each week, Schwartz trains her army of canvassers on Gerrymandering. Margaret Tassaro is just one of them. “Gerrymandering is not a flashy subject, so people don’t necessarily know what it is.

Featured in Series

Watch Focal Point: Overview of ballot issues, a popular app creating unrealistic expectations and more

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On this week’s Focal Point News, an overview of issues on November’s ballot. Plus we have an update on a student who was killed a few weeks ago. Fraternity’s ban hard alcohol above 15% at Greek life events. MSU played its biggest rival, University of Michigan, twice this past week. Those stories and more on this week’s Focal Point.