There’s a push for the state to help fill the regulatory gap left by the EPA’s rollback of air quality emission standards. Senators from Northfield Township, Royal Oak, Eastpointe, Detroit, Ann Arbor and Livonia have a bill to do that. We talk to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. By Madison Merrell.
Agriculture
End of critical food security survey leaves East Lansing facing data gap
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After nearly three decades, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will end its annual Household Food Security Report, a long-running survey tracking hunger and food insecurity nationwide. For communities like East Lansing, where many residents already struggle with rising food costs, the loss of this data could have serious local consequences.
Federal Government
Federal health cuts jeopardize Michigan mental health, recovery programs
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Federal funding cuts have affected programs in the greater East Lansing and Michigan communities, as well as the U.S. Experts at MSU are expressing their concerns about what would happen if the funding cuts continue.
East Lansing
Federal cuts to MeL, MeLCat leaves future of student ELPL resources uncertain
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Funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services officially ended in September of this year. Soon, East Lansing families will begin to see the impact in their classrooms and neighborhoods. While budget shifts in Washington can sometimes seem abstract, educators warn that the consequences could be felt in classrooms, living rooms and even college applications.
East Lansing
Federal cuts threaten ELPL programs, community resources
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East Lansing libraries will soon face significant challenges as federal funding for library services is set to be eliminated in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This threatens many communities’ local libraries, which are crucial for locals to come and learn, create, and connect with others.
Federal Government
Small town food pantries prosper despite impending struggles
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Stockbridge Community Outreach director Gwen Reid shows off some of their current food supply. “We have chicken and beef and tons of pork,” Reid said. “I know. It’s amazing.” Williamston Food Bank director Jill Cutshaw has been seeing increased need for help in her community.
“We had been averaging about 63-64 families,” Cutshaw said.
Campus News
Trump’s DEI executive order: Will it impact MSU’s College of Education?
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But despite President Donald Trump threatening schools, including Michigan State University, with the pulling of federal funding, the DEI office at MSU’s College of Education has not seen and does not expect significant changes to its programs.
Federal Government
Women’s Center of Greater Lansing celebrates 20 years of service for Lansing women
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The Lansing Meeting of the Whole recognized the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing for celebrating 20 years of service to the Lansing area.
Elections & Politics
How Michigan’s split ballots turn into Electoral College votes for Trump in January
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Michigan’s polls had a narrow margin between the two presidential candidates—generally 1% or less—leading up to Election Day. Though most of the votes between Vice President Kamala Harris and former-president Donald Trump were tallied the night of Nov. 5, anticipation may be prolonged as Trump isn’t the official president-elect until Jan. 6.
This delay is due to the Electoral College, a group of electors invented as a voting compromise between citizens and Congress. Here’s how it works and affects Michigan as a battleground state.
Congress
Elissa Slotkin leads polls for Senate seat; What a win could mean for Greater Lansing
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LANSING, Mich.– Following the unexpected retirement of Sen. Debbie Stabenow in Michigan, Rep. Elissa Slotkin tops the Democratic ticket for the position. She will compete against Mike Rogers, CNN commentator and former federal representative for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. Slotkin currently serves Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, which encompasses the Greater Lansing area, and is currently leading the election in Michigan, according to the most recent New York Times/Siena College polls. If elected in November, Slotkin could bring many issues relevant to the Lansing community to the national political stage, one of which involves concerns around gun violence and mass shootings.
On Feb. 13, 2024, the first anniversary of the mass shooting at Michigan State, Slotkin visited campus and delivered a speech on the state House floor.
Federal Government
Organizations supporting domestic violence victims adjust to cuts in federal Crime Victims Fund
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LANSING, Mich.– The Crime Victims Fund is a federal fund that goes towards organizations that support victims of crime. These organizations include domestic violence shelters, child advocacy centers, rape crisis centers, and many others. This upcoming fiscal year, the federal fund is being slashed by $600 million. The Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office reported more than 2,000 domestic violence charges in 2020, 2021 and 2022. In the United States, 12 million individuals each year experience intimate partner physical abuse, dating stalking or rape.