One Student Organization uses the Wharton Center to celebrate Black Achievements

The Wharton Center can be easily recognized for its Broadway musicals and performances. Flyers for Mean Girls and Hamilton can be seen all throughout the city of Lansing. As graduation season approaches, The Wharton will be expecting a different type of crowd. 

On April 24, the African American Celebratory will be hosting the Certified Black Graduation for the 2022 academic year to celebrate the achievements of black graduates at Michigan State. 

“This is the first one since the pandemic has started so we’re just excited to come back and just to celebrate all the black grads on MSU campus because it was a momentous experience to have,” said Kennedy Walters, Vice President of African American Celebratory. Students can register through the link in the organization’s Instagram bio. The registration fee allows for graduates to receive a kente print black grads matter stole.

Local festival returns to Charlotte

The cold weather and mud couldn’t stop the fun at the Michigan Nordic Fire Festival this weekend. 

The event returned after being cancelled last year due to COVID-19 concerns. Festival goers were happy to return to the Eaton County Fairgrounds, as nearly 10,000 people were in attendance on Saturday. The annual festival offers fire performing acts, axe and spear throwing, live entertainment and more. More than 60 vendors were present, selling handmade items for viking enthusiasts of all ages. 

The festival’s chairperson Bryan Myrkle said the festival is a way of saying goodbye to winter and hello spring. He said he hopes people will enjoy the festival and return to Charlotte in the future. 

 “If you’re into this kind of a scene this is the best place you could be on the last weekend of february,” he said. 

The festival encourages people to wear their best cloaks, costumes and fur, as people were able to enter contests and win prizes. 

“We are not religious, we are not political, we are just about getting together, having fun and being family friendly.

Southbound Okemos bridge closes

The Southbound structure of the Okemos bridge closed for reconstruction on Feb. 14. Okemos traffic will be detoured through Dobie Road, Jolly Road and Grand River Avenue. Construction on the southbound structure will take place in July, according to Ingham County Road Engineer Eric Burns. 

“We’ll switch the northbound traffic to the southbound side and then remove and demolish the northbound structure over the Red Cedar River. Then, we will build the other half of the Okemos Road structure,” he said.

Intramural Basketball Returns to MSU

Basketball is back, but it’s not what you think. Intramural basketball has been absent for nearly a year because of the pandemic. “It’s great, we haven’t experienced it since freshman year,” said Andrew Vogel, an MSU Freshman. “I can’t imagine without it. It’s given us a great thing to look forward to.”

For the people behind the scenes at IM sports, they made sure to take a stepback for a clear shot this season.

Raisin Canes to open in East Lansing

LANSING, Mich—The first Raisin Canes in Michigan is coming to East Lansing. The announcement, which came in early February, has excited many students. The new location of the Raisin Canes is expected to be on the corner of M.A.C. Avenue and East Grand River. “One day I woke up to 20 text messages saying that a Canes was coming to Michigan,” Mitch McSweeney, a Raisin Canes superfan, said. “I was so excited.”

Chateau Coffee Celebrates Grand Opening

By: Nathan Stearns

LANSING, Mich—For Tarek Chawick, opening Chateau Coffee was a culmination of his upbringing in Lebanon. “Coffee really runs through the streets there,” Chawick said

Chawick, a 24-year-old graduate student at Michigan State, also runs Chateau Coffee full time as the sole owner. The shop celebrated its grand opening on Feb. 1 and is located at 1701 South Waverly Road in Lansing. Chawick isn’t alone in running the shop, however, he employs a team of baristas who also happen to either be in school or recent graduates.

Greater Lansing Records Biggest Snowfall in 22 Years, See How Students Spent the Day.

EAST LANSING – Wednesday, February 2nd turned out to be the snowiest February day in Mid-Michigan in 22 years. Some spots in East Lansing got 16 inches. The storm made driving at night treacherous. It seemed like a snowball fight got a little more traction, whether they enjoyed it, or not. “Anyways, we regret being out here,” said MSU Freshman Anna Zacharski.