About a thousand people came to protest at East Lansing Police headquarters today as part of nationwide protests against racist police brutality. In a tense stand-off, a police vehicle’s windows were smashed.
Arts & Cultures
Little Local Joys: Modern Meets Medieval in Basement Build
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In our continuing series on small joys during the stay-at-home orders, we bring you the story of one teenager’s basement quest to build a pipe organ from scratch.
Environment
Area Composters Share the Dirt on Their Dirt
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Want to reduce your household carbon footprint? Here’s an easy way.
Environment
The Red Cedar River Is Flooding
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The Red Cedar River is up over its banks. ELi’s Gary Caldwell brings us photos.
General News
Citizen Petition Demands East Lansing Police Officer Stephenson Be Fired
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Following release of police body cam video, citizens and at least one Human Relations Commissioner are demanding more action by ELPD, the East Lansing City Manager, and City Council.
General News
Hey, 517! Playmakers Has a Run/Walk for Just for Us
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Marcy Gillespie Kinzer of the Playmakers team updates us on the store’s “fit at home” and virtual injury clinic help. And this Sunday, you can move to share the 517 love.
General News
ELi Readers Match Donated Local Funds, Raise $16K for Local News!
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Thank you, ELi readers, for your generous donations and wonderfully supportive words!
Ann About Town
Ann About Town: Campbell’s for Groceries
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“It is really the grocery store in East Lansing that many of us have wanted for years. The owners are local, the service is excellent.”
General News
ELi Obtains Support Through a New Spartan-Invented Donation System
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ELi Publisher Natalie Rose explains why we have been using Omella to fundraise for East Lansing Info during our Stimulate ELi’s Reporting campaign.
COVID-19
Where to Get Help for Stress, Depression, and Anxiety in the East Lansing Area
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Stressed out in the midst of all this? Lonely? Feeling down? Here is what you need to know about people who can help in our area.
General News
Kelli Ellsworth Etchison Recognized as Community Service Leader
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East Lansing resident Kelli Ellsworth Etchison centers her life on helping people feel that they belong. She has some advice for those who want to provide community service.
Arts & Cultures
How to Best Support Our Local Coffee Shops, Bakeries, and Restaurants
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Here’s how you can help keep your favorite East Lansing-area coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries alive!
General News
Natalie Rose Named New Publisher and Executive Director of ELi
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Natalie Rose is taking over the role ELi founder Alice Dreger has played until now. The changes come with unanimous support of ELi’s Board.
COVID-19
Amid Pandemic Challenges, MSU Safe Place Is Still Addressing Relationship Abuse
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Advocacy coordinator Erica Schmittdiel tells ELi what’s happening amid the Stay-at-Home orders for relationship abuse and sexual assault survivors.
COVID-19
Plasma Treatment Project Continues to Grow: An Update from Dr. Paneth
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MSU’s Dr. Nigel Paneth gives an update on the project he’s leading to bring antibodies from recovered people to those who might be saved.
COVID-19
Long-Time Owner of Curious Book Shop Is Hoping the Community Will Help
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Ray Walsh has owned and operated Curious Book Shop for fifty years. He’s hoping the community will help his employees.
COVID-19
We Have Almost $5,000 in Match Dollars That Need You
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We have now lined up $6,300 in match commitments from local donors, and so far we’ve brought in $1,356 in additional donations.
Arts & Cultures
Bar and Restaurant Owners Group Helps School District Solve Lunch Debt
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When the Responsible Hospitality Council learned of the ELPS need, its members quickly took action.
COVID-19
Racist Slurs Thrown at East Lansing Public Library Board by Zoombombers
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The City of East Lansing is working on how to hold public meetings without allowing disruptions that are seen as inappropriate.
General News
We Need Your Financial Help for ELi’s Reporting
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Can you help us stimulate local reporting and local jobs with some of your stimulus check?
Arts & Cultures
Sundance Jewelers’ Attempt to Reach Customers Is Blocked at Worst Time
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Bad time to have a communication to loyal customers go to spam! But Audrey Yonkus shares beautiful photos with ELi.
General News
Here Comes the Free Yard-Waste Pick-Up
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Yard waste pick-up counts as “essential.” It also stops the storm drains from getting clogged.
General News
One Pint is Worth Three Lives
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Blood is needed to help people facing emergency surgeries and birthing mothers. Find out how you can help.
COVID-19
Latest Ingham County Coronavirus Stats Show Race Matters Here
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We bring the latest data from Ingham County, including about age, race, and geographic distribution.
COVID-19
Coronavirus Hits Burcham Hills Senior Center
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A resident and an employee have tested positive for COVID-19, but the cases are unrelated.
General News
East Lansing’s Public Health Is Threatened by Insurance Gaps
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East Lansing’s public health during COVID-19 is being shaped by our demographics and complex health insurance system.
General News
Eleven Thousand Masks Later, the Requests Haven’t Stopped
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The need and the challenges are high, but this ever-growing community of sewists keeps making masks, headbands, gowns, and more.
COVID-19
When Will MSU Students Return? Who Knows.
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When will life in East Lansing return to normal? And what’s happening to faculty and international students?
COVID-19
City of East Lansing Looking to Help Prevent Homelessness
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In an effort to prevent homelessness, the Cities of East Lansing and Lansing are making extraordinary contributions to Haven House and other charities.
General News
ELi’s Summer Youth Journalism Program
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East Lansing Info (ELi) isn’t just about producing meaningful news for the people of the East Lansing area. It’s also about engaging our community in the process of public-service journalism so that we increase media literacy and appreciation for high-quality journalism. We believe it is our job to help the people of our community learn to distinguish between real news and fake, independent news versus “sponsored content” (which we never publish), and fact from opinion. Our Summer Youth Journalism Program, running annually since 2017, contributes to both sides of ELi – news production and promotion of media literacy. Our program Director, Cody Harrell, has been at the heart of the program’s success.
General News
ELi Has a New Website!
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ELi’s Publisher explains why the ELi team decided to create a whole new website for our readers.
General News
What Whitmer’s Education Order Means for ELPS Families: TBD
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Under a new executive order, school buildings will remain closed for the rest of this school year. But what about the education of East Lansing Public Schools’ kids? Emily Joan Elliott reports.
Environment
Question of Park-Naming Leads to Significant Debate
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What to do – if anything – about there being no parks in East Lansing named after women or people of color? The debate continues.
COVID-19
East Lansing High Students Taking Varied Paths During School Closure
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ELi reporter and ELHS student Alex Hosey reports on what East Lansing High students have been experiencing in the last few weeks. What have been our teens’ activities and concerns?
General News
Newly-Released Data Show Racial Bias in East Lansing Policing
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What African Americans have been saying for years has now been shown conclusively: stops made by East Lansing Police Department officers evidence a cumulative racial bias.
Little Joys
Little Local Joys: Uniting with Light
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For our continuing “Little Local Joys” series, ELi’s Ann Kammerer spoke with East Lansing resident Nancy Cuddeback about the movement to honor medical professionals with candles tonight.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Are Our Hospitals Ready? What If We Run Out of Ventilators? ELi Bringing Answers
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Today, ELi brings answers to readers’ medical questions about the coronavirus: Are our area hospitals ready? What if they are overwhelmed? Will donated blood be safe? And more.
Arts & Cultures
ELHS Black Student Union Promotes Fellowship
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ELi’s Anaiis Rios-Kasoga reports on what the Black Student Union at East Lansing High School has been doing to promote self-love, insight, and community.
COVID-19
Eviction and Foreclosure Relief Available; Experts Recommend Communicating Needs
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Various groups in this region, including the Capital Area Housing Partnership, are working to help people avoid eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness.
COVID-19
Team Effort Serving Vulnerable Populations in East Lansing
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A group called “EL Neighbors and Communities Help Each Other” has been working to serve the needs of vulnerable populations during the pandemic.
COVID-19
Nurses and Doctors: “We need your help – stay home!”
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A local nurse tells ELi she is afraid “that people are not taking this seriously and putting our lives at risk” as healthcare providers. ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott reports.
Arts & Cultures
Threat of Coronavirus Forces Peace Corps Volunteer to Leave Dominican Republic
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Caitlin Hegg is concerned about the community she left behind two weeks ago when Peace Corps officials told her she had to return to the U.S. Amalia Medina files this report for ELi.
COVID-19
Ingham County Health Department: “This virus has spread in the community.”
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Data are showing conclusively that coronavirus has been spreading in Ingham County. Local experts say the real numbers are definitely above the official counts.
COVID-19
How to Get Tested When the Hotlines are Ringing off the Hook
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Should you get tested if you have symptoms of the coronavirus? And if so, how do you go about it here? ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott explains.
Arts & Cultures
East Lansing Couple Share View of Pandemic from Taiwan
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Smitty Smith, known to folks in East Lansing from the Pump House Concert series, shares a view of the pandemic from Taiwan, where he currently resides with his wife.
General News
Like to Write and Need Money for College? Here’s a Chance to Earn $2,500
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Lansing Area Fedral Credit Union (LAFCU) will award two high school seniors $2,500 each for their essays on the impact that technology has on their lives. ELi’s Noa Kuszai provides the details.
Little Joys
Little Local Joys: My Aunt’s 100th Birthday
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A milestone in life amid emergency conditions: a time to celebrate, albeit a bit more quietly.
COVID-19
Pandemic Stalls Construction – But The Abbot Lands a Retail Tenant
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The crane is no longer moving at The Abbot. But there’s some good news from the project. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
General News
Local Citizens Unite to 3D Print Face Masks – And You Can Help
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A tech-savvy team is running a 3-D printing operation out of East Lansing High School to supply emergency face masks. Marie Adele Grosso reports for ELi on how you can help.
Development
The Slow Movement Toward Marijuana Sales in East Lansing
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What will the Skymint operation on Coolidge Road be like, and what is more generally the status of retail marijuana sales in East Lansing? ELi’s Chris Gray reports.
Ann About Town
Ann (Not) About Town: Charlie Kang’s, ‘A Truly Local Old Standby’
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When sheltering in place and staying safe, one must rely on the tried-and-true. For ELi’s Ann Nichols, that means a hearty helping of Korean and Chinese cuisine delivered from Charlie Kang’s.
General News
Playgrounds Close, but Recreation Opportunities Await at Area Parks
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There are plenty of outdoor paths and exercise opportunities to explore in East Lansing, Meridian Township and throughout the tri-county area — while still practicing social distancing. ELi’s Chris Gray brings us this tour.
Little Joys
Stories of Joy. Tales of Hope. We Want Yours.
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What’s keeping you positive during the pandemic? We want your little stories of joy, hope, and kindness.
Little Joys
Little Local Joys: My Milk Door
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A milk door in the Bailey neighborhood brings a resident joy — and now candles from Massage and Wellness, too!
General News
International Students Face Struggles, Including Possible Challenges from Homeland Security
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What’s it like being an international student at MSU during the rapid changes caused by the pandemic? ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott spoke with Ramya Swayamprakash and Liao Zhang to find out.
General News
How Are Two of Our Most Dogged Reporters Handling the Crush of East Lansing News?
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What’s it like reporting during a pandemic? ELi reporter Emily Joan Elliott and photographer Gary Caldwell share their experiences.
COVID-19
Updated Info on Emergency Meals for Kids and Senior Citizens
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The East Lansing schools-based system for emergency food distribution is changing starting now, and meals will be available for seniors on Wednesday.
COVID-19
MSU Epidemiologist Speaks Frankly about COVID-19 Dangers
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Why do death rates tell us more than test results can? What will save lives as the virus spreads? ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott brings you the latest important information from MSU epidemiologist Nigel Paneth.
COVID-19
The Mayor of East Lansing Is Angry
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East Lansing Mayor Ruth Beier is angry that the federal, state, and county governments did not act much sooner on COVID-19. ELi spoke with her just after the Governor’s stay-at-home order.
COVID-19
City of East Lansing Postpones Income Tax Deadline, and Faces Financial Uncertainty
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People who owe the City of East Lansing an income tax return for 2019 now have until July 31 to file. But what’s the outlook for the City’s finances now?
COVID-19
Governor Moves From Recommendation to Stay-at-Home Order
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Doubling of state’s coronavirus cases prompts Whitmer to take decisive action. ELi’s Chris Root provides an update.
COVID-19
East Lansing Public School Families – Including Governor’s – Facing Confusion, Frustration
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer isn’t the only East Lansing Public Schools parent who wishes kids could keep learning for credit during the public health emergency. What’s going on?
General News
Volunteer Local Crafters Hard at Work Sewing Masks
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Organizer Jessy Gregg calls this community of sewing volunteer ‘crisis crafters.’ They are now making fabric masks to help with the worsening COVID-19 crisis. ELi’s Sarah Spohn reports.
Shifting to Distanced Life at MSU Has Not Been Simple
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The shift to online learning happened with little warning at MSU. ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott brings this inside look at the rapid and monumental change at East Lansing’s core institution.
Arts & Cultures
Break Out the Chalk, Take a Walk and Reconnect (at a Safe Distance, Of Course)
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A virtual group effort is creating a community healing event for the whole family. Amalia Medina files this report for ELi.
COVID-19
Owner of SBS Wants the City of East Lansing to Give Financial Aid to Small Businesses
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Greg Ballein, owner of East Lansing’s Student Book Store (SBS), has closed the store for COVID-19. He tells Eli’s Noa Kuszai why he thinks the City should be giving small businesses financial assistance.
COVID-19
East Lansing Emergency Services Continue, with Precautions
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East Lansing’s emergency services providers are now taking special measures to reduce the odds that they will be exposed to COVID-19. ELi spoke with the police and fire chiefs to learn more.
General News
East Lansing City Council Meets Under New Rules to Extend State of Emergency
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City Council met today to extend East Lansing’s State of Emergency. ELi’s Alice Dreger donned a mask to attend and report for you what happened.
COVID-19
Senior Citizens Facing Unique Set of Circumstances, Especially in Nursing Homes
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At Burcham Hills, elimination of communal activities is one of the protections in place during the coronavirus emergency. ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott spoke to residents about their concerns.
COVID-19
MSU Community Hit with Two More COVID-19 Cases
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MSU has confirmed two more cases of COVID-19 in the university community. ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott brings the latest numbers.
COVID-19
ELi’s Updates on the Situation in East Lansing
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Many businesses are offering by-appointment help but make sure to call ahead. There are college students willing to help, if you need it. ELi’s Alice Dreger helps by filing this rundown.
General News
City Council Holding Special Meeting on Friday Morning
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Friday morning 3/20/20 at 10 a.m., East Lansing’s City Council will meet partly electronically to vote whether to extend our local State of Emergency.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: Will the Coronavirus Change the Census Count in East Lansing? UPDATED
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The Census Bureau is saying students who normally attend school here should be counted as living here for the census. But will they be?
General News
Entertainment Venues and Local Hangouts Close Temporarily
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In observance of federal, state and local orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, many businesses have scaled back their hours and services. ELi’s Sarah Spohn provides the details.
COVID-19
MSU Epidemiologist Urges More Awareness: ‘This is an under-reaction.’
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An MSU epidemiologist and resident of East Lansing tells ELi he has never seen such a public health threat in his life. And he’s worked in public health for over 40 years. Read why Dr. Nigel Paneth is alarmed.
Arts & Cultures
East Lansing Neighbors Are Crowdsourcing Take-Out/Delivery Info to Help Restaurants
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There’s a new resource to help people in East Lansing figure out which restaurants are doing take-out and delivery. ELi’s Natalie Rose reports.
COVID-19
Mayor Beier Declares State of Emergency in East Lansing: UPDATED WITH NEW INFO
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Mayor Ruth Beier has declared a state of emergency in East Lansing. We tell you in practical terms what that means.
Ask ELi to Investigate
ELi Is Answering Your Local Coronavirus-Related Questions
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ELi is getting lots of “small” questions related to life in the East Lansing area under the public health emergency. Send us your questions and we will keep answering them at this page.
General News
Everything is up in the air’: ELHS Students React to School Closure
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ELHS students were caught off guard with all the uncertainties facing them as Michigan schools were closed. Amalia Medina brings ELi the story.
General News
MSU President Pushes Students to Stop Partying in Crowds and Go Home
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MSU is taking further action to try to get its undergraduate population in particular to stop hanging out in large groups that might spread the coronavirus. ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott reports.
COVID-19
City Leaders Trying to Disperse Bar Crowds for Public Health
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East Lansing City leaders are working steadily to try to figure out a way to reduce or eliminate bar crowds in East Lansing to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
General News
ELPS Emergency Plan for Feeding Kids Announced
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The East Lansing Public Schools administration has announced plans for feeding children during the public health emergency now ongoing. Here are the details.
COVID-19
Michigan Flyer to Put the Brakes on Travel to DTW
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Michigan Flyer will suspend its service to DTW for a month starting Monday, March 16. The decision will alter the plans of MSU students who use airplane travel to get home. Emily Joan Elliott reports.
General News
Your ELi: Covering COVID-19 for East Lansing
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An update from ELi leadership on how we plan to cover all facets of East Lansing news during this unprecedented public health crisis.
Ask ELi to Investigate
How to Social-Distance in East Lansing
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“Social distancing even one day sooner will save lives,” says the dean of Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. What does that look like for people in East Lansing?
COVID-19
ELPS Superintendent Says “Situation Is Fluid and Quickly Changing”
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East Lansing Public Schools’ superintendent told district families this afternoon, “We are in the process of making plans for if/when we are directed to close.” ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
General News
Are You Really Prepared for an East Lansing Emergency?
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ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott spoke with East Lansing’s deputy police chief and an MSU epidemiologist to help you prepare, in case you’re stuck at home.
General News
East Lansing Info’s Annual Report for 2019
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East Lansing Info (ELi) provides nonpartisan, nonprofit, meaningful local news and information about East Lansing, Michigan. We take donations from the community and engage a team of paid and volunteer citizen reporters in the process of bringing high-quality, accurate, relevant reports of life in East Lansing. Today we bring you a report of our activities for 2019. Highlights this year included:
Jodi Spicer joining us as Office Manager and NewsMatch CoordinatorJiquanda Johnson and Ann Nichols joining our Board of DirectorsDana Watson becoming Chair of our Community Advisory BoardCody Harrell adding an advanced course to our Summer Youth Journalism ProgramELi obtaining $30,000 in NewsMatch fundsRaymond Holt joining as lead photographer/videographer and producing a video that explains our work in less than four minutes:
In 2019, ELi brought 578 original reports from 45 local citizen-reporters (some of whom are professional reporters). We covered East Lansing city government, East Lansing Public Schools’ Board of Trustees, the City Council election, the institution of the new income tax, big development, zoning changes, parking issues, arts and entertainment, downtown businesses, police activity, the local environment, and a whole lot more.
General News
Growing Their Businesses in the Town Where They Grew Up
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Small business owners Hunter Seyfarth and Ken Campbell didn’t know each other when they attended East Lansing Public Schools. Seyfarth was four years older than Campbell — an eternity for a student. The two also lived in different neighborhoods, making the chance of an occasional encounter even more remote. But now as adults, the two “townies” find themselves in daily contact, fewer than 20 feet apart on East Lansing’s main drag. Seyfarth owns Evergreen Cycle and Repairs, a veteran retail mainstay on the city’s cycling scene.
General News
East Lansing Info’s Annual Report for 2018
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East Lansing Info (ELi) serves as this community’s dedicated independent local news organization. We are a public service news organization, operating in 2018 entirely on funds donated by readers, using local citizens as reporters. Our work is nonpartisan, noneditorial, and nonprofit. Today we bring you this report on our activities in 2018, including details on our income and expenses. We do this in part to remind you that no one owns ELi.