East Lansing

East Lansing shows its Pride

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Brad Johnson couldn’t wait to celebrate Pride month this year. Johnson, the Community Outreach Manager at the Hub East Lansing, along with the whole company is leading an initiative for Pride. “I’ve only been with this company for a year and my old company never really did anything for Pride so being able to do something for this company is really exciting for me,” said Johnson. 

The Hub East Lansing is located on Grand River in East Lansing, next to Michigan State University’s campus. The building is decorated with Pride flags by the rooftop pool. However, the flags are just one part of the Hub’s celebration. 

“We are having Pride events; we gave out mini flags and temporary tattoos and we are hopefully getting a bakery to make rainbow donuts or cookies for our residents,” said Johnson.

Article

One Student Organization uses the Wharton Center to celebrate Black Achievements

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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.

News

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

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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.

Commentary

Will return of students help East Lansing’s labor shortage?

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When walking around downtown East Lansing, you will run into help wanted signs out front of many of the businesses and restaurants. Starting fall 2021, Michigan State University is set to resume in-person classes for the first time since March, 2020. Will students returning to campus coincide with an increase in the labor workforce? Peter Dewan, who served on the Downtown Development Authority board for 11 years until resigning this July, said that the DDA was particularly concerned in helping downtown businesses navigate the negative effects of lacking students on campus during the pandemic. “So many businesses rely on the students,” said Dewan.

Greater Lansing Community News

East Lansing family spreads positivity with Positive A Tree

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On the corner of Cowley Avenue and Harvard Road, you’ll see some new signs in the neighborhood. Sara Olsztyn, with the help of her husband, son, and next-door neighbor left a message for anyone that walks by. With the permission of East Lansing and the support from neighbors, they tied signs with positive messages written on them to spread hope and positivity to the community. Jaci Sayen, Sara’s friend, heard about the messages on Instagram. She said that being in a pandemic for over eight months has made glimmers of hope hard to find every now and again, but these signs portray a timely message that could be carried on for a lifetime.

business

Tasty Twist weathers pandemic despite shutdown

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East Lansing’s Tasty Twist ice cream shop has been handling COVID-19 and the pandemic from the business point of view since early March. Scott King, the owner of Tasty Twist, said that things have been going up, even with some small setbacks.

King said, “They’ve been fairly good. I don’t think it’s really 100% because I think that there are folks that are out there that don’t want to leave their homes with everything going on, but, we are doing better than expected.”

King touched on how Tasty Twist, located on 1137 E Grand River Ave, didn’t have to technically shut down but still did for the safety of their community and customers.

King said, “Our license with the health department and city says we are considered carryout. We closed for 6 weeks in March up until May 1st because of how strict the governor’s orders were and the safety of our customers.”

News

Students react to MSU canceling in-person classes for fall

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Students respond to MSU canceling in-person classes less than two weeks before classes start and undergraduates move on-campus. Jay Gooden wants better communication from Michigan State University and its staff when informing students of changes due to COVID-19. Gooden, 22, Spartan Remix co-director at Michigan State University, said he is worried about his lack of drive, lack of being able to be social and most of all, not receiving the full experience of acting with in-person class. MSU planned on resuming in-person classes for undergraduates when the semester starts Sept. 2 but reversed their decision Tuesday and moved most classes entirely online.