Voters are being asked to consider three amendments on the Nov. 7, 2023, ballot.
Divisions within East Lansing’s City Hall have led to complaints and resignations.
ELi brings you what candidates had to say about the city’s workforce problem, redevelopment, climate change, public safety and lots more.
Investigation by ELi shows it’s been a rocky road to hiring a new city manager for East Lansing.
Material just released under the Freedom of Information Act shows the Metzger/Fabian family chose to redevelop their portion of Parking Lot #11 after being told the city would not continue to rent it for parking.
Internal communications reveal what’s been happening with the long-awaited Trader Joe’s store set to be built across Grand River Avenue from Whole Foods in East Lansing.
The seed donor for ELi’s new Investigative News Fund has let us know we can release his name. The fund has reached almost $5,000 in two weeks.
Mayor Ron Bacon says the Council won’t initiate a resolution to make the change, as he says the idea was to involve a “democratic sorting of that issue.”
The loss of surface parking is the chief objection of critics. But the owners of the land say the lot is going to be redeveloped one way or another.
Responses will be used to generate questions for the public candidate forum set for Sept. 14 at the Hannah Community Center.
The meeting where Robert Belleman was fired from his job as Saginaw County’s controller included strong public statements for and against his termination, a recording obtained by ELi shows. Two commissioners who voted for termination spoke with ELi.
The controversial amendment proposing changing City Council elections from odd- to even-numbered years was ruled to conflict with the Home Rule City Act.
Four other charter amendments have made it to the ballot, including one that’s confusing even to Council.
DTN’s attorney told the EL city attorney this was never about discrimination – it was always just about the money.
Cincinnati’s City Manager removed Collin Mays from his directorship following an HR investigation, documents show. Mays denied wrongdoing and subsequently resigned.
What’s the plan for 530 Albert Ave.? ELi explains the proposal, the opposition and the backstory.
The five semi-finalists’ applications raise a host of questions following investigative research by ELi.
View the packages using the links provided in the story; the interview process begins Monday (Aug. 7) at the Hannah Community Center.
Some departments have been hit harder than others after numerous key employees leave for other jobs or retire.
There’s no topic quite so contentious as parking downtown, as became evident at Thursday’s DDA meeting.
The deadline for filing for candidacy in the East Lansing City Council race passed today at 4 p.m. and it looks like there are either seven or eight candidates running for the three open seats on the November ballot. Interim City Clerk Marie Wicks told ELi at 4:54 p.m. today, “I can confirm that Mark…
What came of that heavy agenda at EL’s City Council meeting Tuesday?
“I don’t think I am exaggerating when I saw that this job is slowly killing me,” Gregg wrote in an early-morning announcement today.
“I do not intend to run this cycle,” Bacon told ELi Wednesday evening.
Who has and hasn’t applied to be city manager? Why the chatter about moving city operations? And what’s going on with the independent investigation into the anonymous complaint? ELi brings you up to speed on these stories and more.
ELi catches you up on big business in the city coming this Tuesday.
There is more than meets the eye behind the costs for renovation of the Patriarche Park courts.
As East Lansing’s Council decides whether to put three charter amendments to voters, we asked one experienced local official to articulate the pros and cons.
In other business, employee retention bonuses were unanimously approved, sidewalk repair assessments were stretched out and naming of a city art studio after a woman got support.
A local resident pushed the school district to open the facility for regular public use.
Council is encouraging organizations to post copies of General Order No. 3 and encouraging individuals to join the June 18 celebration.
In advance of Council’s discussion on the matter, ELi brings you two voices in favor and two against.
Three big surprises on this coming Tuesday’s City Council agenda.
So far, there are three confirmed candidates for the three open seats this November.
Weeks after being advised by Lansing’s deputy mayor that giving cash away to a local charity violates state law, East Lansing’s mayor supported another $5,000 donation by his city. And why did former city manager George Lahanas start two “nongovernmental” charities from City Hall?
ELi brings you an insider look at the City of East Lansing’s operations, revenue and spending as viewed through the lens of this year’s budget talks.
We published fresh news today…but not here.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request turns up a surprising letter, and the vice president for developer ACD explains how a project would restrict who can rent there.
Ron Bacon and Jessy Gregg say they’re “undecided,” but Noel Garcia will be running for election in November. ELi explains how the race works and how to run.
The 2018 deal with DRW/Convexity and City Council is setting the stage for the current council to make a big decision.
“When I was a young man, I didn’t really appreciate what Memorial Day meant,” Interim City Manager Randy Talifarro told those gathered.
River Caddis Development’s exclusive deal is facing expiration on July 17; the DDA will ponder the new “collaborative approach” for the next 30 days.
The proposal had its first public airing at East Lansing’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting today. ELi brings you the details.
Ron Lacasse would like to know how someone managed to get an entire Big Wheel down into the sewer system.
The wastewater treatment plant is processing over 4 billion gallons a year…and water rates are going up. Bike lanes are coming to Coolidge and Hagadorn Roads. The Red Cedar Neighborhood will get a new water main. What else can you expect in the coming year?
If City Council follows the committee’s recommendations, the pie will be split many ways between public services and infrastructure projects.
Four months after the 3-1 Council vote to declare East Lansing a sanctuary city, ELi gives an overview of what’s happening in the city to prepare should a sudden influx of immigrants occur.
Funding from MSU and the state is up while personnel services are down in the projected fire department budget. Learn more from ELi.
Peck graduated from Michigan State University in 2004 with a degree in journalism and a specialization in public relations, and her career has spanned marketing, fundraising, and nonprofit management.
The goals and objectives of the department for the coming year include working with a number of community groups and serving EL’s diverse population.
We’re not (just) working from an anonymous complaint, and this is not the first time we’ve looked very closely at local officials’ actions.
Mayor Ron Bacon spoke for about 13 minutes on the troubles at City Hall, covering a wide variety of topics and making many unexplained allusions.
Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg has said the matter is being overblown in importance, while records show Interim Planning Director Tim Dempsey has seen it as critical to understanding low staff morale.
Former employees of the City of East Lansing are shedding more light on the tensions that have existed within the government for months.
“There are some amazing college bars here,” the applicant representing Mash told the DDA, “and that’s not really our niche.”
The conversation was tense as Interim City Manager Randy Talifarro spoke to the eight-page draft reorganization plan that’s been rattling East Lansing’s government.
Senior players are forced to retire early from matches in order to make graduation.
The plan called for a substantial remaking of the city government, amassing power in the hands of DEI Director Elaine Hardy.
The staff at Blue Owl Coffee contacted ELPD after numerous high-stress encounters with the man.
The anonymous complaint has been released, as has a statement from Council.
ELi connects the dots on a surprise pair of agenda items.
ELi’s brings you the story behind this important win for the city.
Street sign theft amnesty, a small house with a big history and Falcon Pointe were all dealt with at Tuesday’s meeting.
Residents have been granted one-year land leases as the developers, FP Investors, are seeking a final decision from Council for further development.
FOIA response shows fact-checking notes taken by Superintendent Dori Leyko.
Find out what’s happening at ELi (and hurry if you want to join us tomorrow night).
The crash at the intersection of Lake Lansing Road and Coolidge Road left two dead and six hospitalized.
What did East Lansing’s City Council decide this week?
Who’s leaving, who is back, and what did former employees say about why they left?
Thanks for all your support of this local news service team, East Lansing!
If the project known as “Building C” shifts to a new, local developer who specializes in affordable housing, the number of income-restricted apartments built downtown may go up from 74 to 99. And they’ll be designed for families.
East Lansing’s City Council was busy this week. Find out from ELi what happened.
Why was “catastrophe” looming? ELi explains and tells you what happened with the latest refinance of the Evergreen Properties debt.
Only 12 of the 60 tickets remain, so act fast if you’d like to join us for a screening of “Storm Lake.” Before the film, you can grab dinner and a Storm Lake cocktail and check out an original indoor mural that will be on special display. Plus, meet members of the reporting team!
Why would anyone stand in the middle of the road to watch the sun set in East Lansing? ELi explains.
Superintendent Dori Leyko has provided ELi more information about the hiring process that was used.
An email leaked to ELi provides details on what Superintendent Dori Leyko says led to Shannon Mayfield’s resignation.
This article tells you about the job and why ELi’s Board of Directors is making this move.
The 2-2 vote to not sign the MEDC agreement means the project as proposed will not move forward.
ELi’s Board thanks Ray Vlasin for his exceptional service during a difficult time and looks forward to working as a new leadership team.
McPherson’s resignation adds to a pile of resignations by top East Lansing city administrators.
City Councilmember George Brookover wants two council members in the final round of interviews for department heads.
ELi obtained the grant materials related to the proposed $2.5 million renovation and found some interesting claims made by East Lansing’s former director of planning.
A single threat of violence led to the emergency closure of EL schools and locking of City Hall doors.
Mayor Ron Bacon addressed rumors while Talifarro described “an emotionally challenging and arduous time.”
In what’s become a fairly regular occurrence, ELi received an anonymous tip this afternoon of another major resignation from the City of East Lansing’s workforce.
Interim director of human resources also gives notice joining a wave of people leaving city jobs.
ELPS administrators and Black parents and mentors paint differing pictures of the easing tensions.
The process used for filling the vacant position was decided out of sight of the public.
What’s going on with the city’s pension debt, property values, the cost of staffing and the income tax? And why might a single lawsuit throw everything out of whack this year?
Council members and city officials make emotional statements in the aftermath of the MSU mass shooting.
“This decision should put an end to [Chappelle’s] vindictive crusade,” ELi’s attorney Brian Wassom said about the decision, “and serve as a reassurance to journalists across the state that freedom of the press is still alive and well in Michigan.”
The deadline to apply is coming up fast: Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.
Tomorrow, a special debriefing will help East Lansing’s first responders try together to make some sense of what happened Monday night.
What happened at Monday’s school board meeting? ELi catches you up on the leadership shake-up and expressed public concerns.
Students and other members of the community gathered on Wednesday to mourn and to vow to take action.
A message from ELi’s publisher.
Randy Talifarro’s first formal statement as East Lansing’s interim city manager was about the killings on MSU’s campus.
Shelter in place order has been lifted; ELPS cancels classes for Tuesday.
As of 11 p.m., the shelter-in-place order continued for all of East Lansing.
Local alerts exploded this evening with warnings of an active shooter on the Michigan State University campus.
New board members are well-versed in ELi operations and goals.
In-depth digging (and lots of capitalizations) raise concerns about this foundation.
We’re asking your patience while we work out the bugs at our website.
Trustee Monica Fink is calling out transparency problems with East Lansing’s school board. We explain her objections and the backdrop.
These resignations add to a wave of departures of key city staff that began in advance of City Council deciding to terminate the contract of City Manager George Lahanas last month.
As struggles at East Lansing’s High School are making statewide news, the school’s administration has shifted approaches to student discipline starting today. The school board will meet tonight to discuss a “School Safety Plan.”
The latest in the push to deal with concerns about violence in East Lansing High School.
Learn about ELi’s operations, income and expenses for 2022 in this annual transparency report.
Hundreds turn out for event at Hannah Community Center.
Unusual half-hour meeting included discussion of plans for tonight’s [Jan. 27] “listening session” and much more.
The latest events occur as ELi continues to work to understand what happened at the school on Tuesday morning.
The event is an opportunity for community members to have their say about safety concerns. Meanwhile, ELHS students are calling for the school board president to step down, and the school board has issued a statement.
ELPD called the school to confirm it was, in fact, in lockdown.
The shelter in place lockdown that occurred around 10 a.m. ended late this morning.
If the “test” area for a new form-based zoning code works out, it could be implemented in other parts of East Lansing, too.
An inside look at what’s happening at ELi.
A long-time East Lansing resident says her son was racially profiled by the library director, and she wants the director removed from her position. What comes next is not clear.
You’ve got questions about why East Lansing’s Council just did what it did. We’ve got answers.
Big shake ups in city administration were approved at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
