Federal Government
Michigan Capitol Building

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.

Campus News

The Izzo Legacy Family Fund gives back to the community they call home 

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Tom Izzo and his family have been a part of the Lansing community for over three decades and continue to have a large impact on the city. One of the main events that the fund hosts is the annual Izzo Legacy 5K race, which occurred this year on April 20. East Lansing resident Joseph Darda came in first with a time of 15:56.5. According to Izzo Legacy executive director Raquel Izzo McDonald, initial counts show that the event raised over $40,000. 

Business & Economy
Norm Hess is executive director of the Michigan Association for Public Health.

Limited access to health care contributes to higher rural death rates

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RURAL MORTALITY: The gap in death rates between urban and less healthy rural areas has widened, USDA figures show. Rural hospitals are reducing services and communities are having trouble recruiting and retaining health care providers. We hear from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department and the Michigan Association for Local Public Health. By Anish Topowala. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, SAULT STE. MARIE, IRON MOUNTAIN, MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS, CHEBOYGAN AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy
A view of the shore of Muskegon Lake

Community input sought for cleaned-up lakes, shorelines

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GREAT LAKES FOR WHOM?: The cleanup of Muskegon Lake, a designated Great Lakes Area of Concern, after 30 years and $89 million is raising questions about the future of the decontaminated area. Some community residents worry it will become costly condos and other high-end uses. We hear from the Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership, a Grand Valley State researcher and the Michigan Environmental Council. Other Areas of Concern in Michigan are the Kalamazoo, Clinton, Detroit, Rouge, St. Marys, St. Clair and Manistique rivers, River Raisin, the UP’s Torch Lake and Saginaw Bay and River. By Theo Scheer. FOR LUDINGTON, OCEANA COUNTY, HOLLAND, TRAVERSE CITY, PLANET DETROIT, SAULT STE MARIE, ST. IGNACE, DETROIT, MONROE, ADRIAN, IRON MOUNTAIN, MIDLAND AND ALL POINTS.

Bath

MCAH works “behind the scenes” to end homelessness

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Chronic homelessness is defined as living on the streets for 12 months out of the last 36. A number of shelters and organizations are finding their own ways to address the needs of these citizens in Lansing. One of the organizations is the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH). According to MCAH’s communications manager Amy Stephenson, MCAH works more “behind the scenes.”

Business & Economy
Nicole White is the policy director BirthDetroit.

Measures, new birth center, take aim at disparities in maternal health care

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IMPLICIT MATERNAL BIAS: New Senate legislation may allow Michigan to join 41 other states in licensing and reimbursing birth centers for their services. The proposal comes as a Detroit organization plans to open a Black-led birth center later this year. Sponsors are from Detroit, Lansing, Taylor and Redford Township. We hear from BirthDetroit, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. By Sophia Ceru. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Diversity Issues

GAAY Sports cultivates community through athletics

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April 6 marked the final day for GAAY, which stands for GLBTQIA+, Athletes, Allies and You. The non-profit hosts many sports, including dodgeball, kickball and bowling across Lansing, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. For Lansing’s final dodgeball game of the season, it didn’t take long for the group of almost 60 players to mingle, make new friendsn and let the anxiety of gym class fade away.

East Lansing

The Capital Area Humane Society enters third year of fostering hope

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The Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS) is a beacon of hope for animals in need. While the organization is renowned for its dedication to animal welfare through adoption and rehabilitation efforts, it’s their fostering program that truly shows their commitment to saving lives and nurturing compassion within the community. At CAHS, fostering isn’t just about providing temporary shelter for animals; it’s about offering them a chance to thrive in a loving environment while awaiting their forever homes. Whether it’s a litter of kittens needing round-the-clock care, a shy dog requiring socialization, or an injured animal in need of medical attention, CAHS fosters step up to provide the individualized care and attention these animals deserve. One of the program’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to connect animals in need with the right caregivers.

Business & Economy

Grants help integrate newcomers into Michigan communities

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NEWCOMERS: State grants will help nonprofits serve immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers integrate into their communities. The money comes from the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the federal government. Farmworker Legal Services in Grand Rapids will use its grant to expand its education and oversight activities to the Upper Peninsula. Les Clays, also based in Grand Rapids, will provide “second step” support for immigrants coming from Africa to West Michigan. Other grants recipients include support for Burmese immigrants in Calhoun County and, Islamic Americans in Detroit, partnerships between Catholic churches and local immigrants in Northern Michigan, and Latin American immigrants in Allegan, Kent, Ottawa, and Van Buren counties. By Alex Walters. FOR MARQUETTE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, SAULT STE. MARIE, IRON MOUNTAIN, WKTV, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE, HOLLAND AND ALL POINTS.

Education

Advocates work to fix shortage of mental health professionals, social workers serving rural schools

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K-12 MENTAL HEALTH: Michigan school districts face a shortage of social workers and other mental health professionals, and small rural districts have an even tougher time recruiting and retaining them. The Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency talks about the impact in that region. We also hear from the Michigan Association of School Boards, state Education Department, Michigan Association of School Social Workers and Michigan League for Public Policy. By Anish Topawila. FOR ALPENA, ALCONA, MONTMORENCY, BIG RAPIDS, CLARE, GLADWIN, CHEBOYGAN, CRAWFORD COUNTY, MIDLAND AND ALL POINTS.