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Investigative Reporting

Schools

Two Years After Pledging to Increase DEI Efforts, Here’s Where ELPS Stands

By Al Hargrave Jackson | April 4, 2022

Following the murder of George Floyd, ELPS administrators vowed to undertake new efforts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Where does the district stand on meeting those goals?

Ask ELi to Investigate

Ask ELi: How Does East Lansing’s Geography Affect Home Maintenance?

By Emily Joan Elliott | March 30, 2022

In the latest Ask ELi to Investigate, Emily Joan Elliott explores how the marshy environment of East Lansing can affect local homes.

General News

More Women Among City’s Highest Paid Employees Due to Promotions, Retirements of Men

By Emily Joan Elliott | March 21, 2022

A series of Freedom of Information Act requests from ELi show how some changes in the City’s workforce mean women are more represented as the highest earners. Emily Joan Elliott reports.

Government

How MSU Plans To Keep Tabs And Hold Accountable Those Exempted From Its Sophomores-On Rule

By Andrew Graham | March 14, 2022

As MSU prepares for requiring sophomores to live on campus this upcoming academic year, University officials consider how they might exercise greater control over the behavior of registered student organizations and associated individual students. What might this process, including collaboration with City authorities, look like?

Arts & Cultures

What Artspace’s Feasibility Report Tells Us About Downtown East Lansing

By Emily Joan Elliott | March 7, 2022

One of the proposed locations for a development of affordable housing geared toward creatives is Valley Court Park. Emily Joan Elliott digs in to what else is in the feasibility report and what we can learn.

Community Disparities

The City’s Workforce Shrunk In the Last 2 Years, With Notable Attrition of Black Employees

By Emily Joan Elliott | February 21, 2022

The City currently has 64 fewer employees than it did on Dec. 31, 2019 — and the departures have been most prevalent among Black employees. What else did ELi find out about changes in the City’s workforce?

COVID-19

As Pandemic Drags Out, ELPS Grapples with Balancing Student Emotional Wellbeing and Physical Health

By Emily Joan Elliott | January 6, 2022

With the arrival of Omicron, how will the district balance protecting students from both Omicron and the detrimental effects of social isolation, just as students were adjusting to in-person learning?

Investigative Reporting

How Well Funded Is East Lansing’s Pension System? It Depends on the Numbers You Pull

By Andrew Graham and Alice Dreger | January 3, 2022

Why is Council being told the City’s pension system is 56% funded when the State believes it’s at 51%? We go beyond the graphs presented by the City’s auditors to explain this and a whole lot more.

General News

East Lansing Insider: The Uphill Climb For Transparency In East Lansing

By Andrew Graham | December 4, 2021

Andrew and Chuck are joined by ELi’s Executive Director and Publisher Alice Dreger to delve into the overall issues of transparency in the City of East Lansing. Listen in!

infrastructure

South Chesterfield Hills Residents Are Fed Up With The Smell of Poop

By Andrew Graham | November 22, 2021

“For the amount of money we pay in taxes each year, in comparison to similar houses in other cities, this situation is unacceptable,” wrote one couple to the City of East Lansing, echoing the feelings of their Chesterfield Hills neighbors.

Government

What Has East Lansing’s “Percent for Art” Law Cost and Brought to the City?

By Al Hargrave Jackson | November 8, 2021

East Lansing’s ordinance compelling some real estate developers to contribute art has not been without controversy. Seven years in, what effects has it had?

General News

Candidate Financial Reports Show Big Differences in Raising, Spending Money

By Chris Root | October 26, 2021

ELi looked through 118 pages of financial reports from candidates for the East Lansing City Council so you don’t have to. What do they reveal?

Community Disparities

ELPS Grapples with Student Misconduct, Masking

By Emily Joan Elliott | October 20, 2021

According to teachers’, administrators’, and families’ anecdotal reports, aggressive behavior among students has been on the rise. What has caused this uptick? How is it being handled?

Ask ELi to Investigate

Caught Between Local Governments, Flooded Homeowners Struggle for Answers

By Andrew Graham | October 4, 2021

On the eastern edge of East Lansing, five homeowners have spent weeks trying to figure out why the Aug. 12 rains flooded their basements with sewage. Weeks later, like most residents, they still haven’t gotten satisfying answers. Andrew Graham reports.

DDA

East Lansing Insider: East Lansing’s Evergreen Development Problem

By Emily Joan Elliott | October 2, 2021

The Downtown Development Authority purchased the properties in 2009, hoping to sell them for downtown development projects, but over a decade later, the DDA still owns the properties. Alice Dreger shares the long history with Emily Joan Elliott.

Community Disparities

As Friday’s Dedications Near, We’re Learning More about East Lansing’s History of Racial Integration

By Alice Dreger | September 22, 2021

Get details on Friday’s celebrations and find out what we’ve learned thanks to ELi readers about the history of racial integration in East Lansing.

Arts & Cultures

What’s Happening Administratively at the EL Public Library?

By Emily Joan Elliott | September 9, 2021

What renovations are coming to the East Lansing Public Library? What programs are being offered? What is happening with contract negotiations with non-supervisory workers? Emily Joan Elliott reports.

Development

Sewer Construction On Northlawn Avenue Didn’t Factor Into Localized Flooding, Says the City

By Andrew Graham | September 7, 2021

ELi’s Andrew Graham investigates what happened on Aug. 12 along Northlawn Avenue, and brings information about what you can do to help protect your home and belongings.

Development

East Lansing Insider: What We’ve Learned about The Big Flood of Aug. 11-12

By Alice Dreger | September 4, 2021

On this episode, Alice Dreger and Andrew Graham discuss the aftermath of the heavy rains on Aug. 11-12, and resulting floods. How are the residents who were hardest hit doing? What else did the duo discuss?

General News

Report on ELi’s Income and Expenses in the Last Fiscal Year

By Alice Dreger | August 17, 2021

You may be hearing about local news operations closing all over America. How come we are still here, 7 years in? Find out in our report on ELi’s income and expenses.

Environment

Has EL’s Tree Canopy Shrunk? We Might Find Out This Year

By Brooklyn Peppo | July 21, 2021

“Tree planting in East Lansing is not keeping up with the tree cutting,” wrote one ELi reader. Is that true? Brooklyn Peppo reports for ELi.

Podcast

East Lansing Insider: Freedom of the Press

By Emily Joan Elliott | July 3, 2021

Emily Joan Elliott and Alice Dreger talk to Brian Wassom about freedom of the press. Elliott and Dreger then discuss how Dreger used the Freedom of Information Act to report on a major gas leak that occurred near her home.

Community Disparities

What ever happened following that open letter from the ELHS newspaper? And will Pinecrest be renamed?

By Emily Joan Elliott | June 30, 2021

The staff of the ELHS newspaper called for a more inclusive and equitable district, but the town hall they called for didn’t happen. So what did? How might renaming Pinecrest Elementary honor local civil rights history?

Development

East Lansing Insider: Neighbors and Noise in East Lansing

By Emily Joan Elliott | June 26, 2021

ELi’s Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger and Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott discuss complaints made to East Lansing’s City Council about noise created by cars and motorcycles. Elliott also interviews ELPD’s Neighborhood Resource Specialist Tonya Williams.

Investigative Reporting

Major East Lansing Emergency Occurred Because Consumers Energy Contractor Failed to Mark Gas Line

By Alice Dreger | June 24, 2021

Hear the 911 call and learn what went wrong and right when a major gas leak erupted in a residential East Lansing neighborhood on June 3. Are the safety systems working?

Investigative Reporting

Emails Reveal Prosecutors and Police Struggled With Technology and Schedules as Now-Exonerated Man Sat in Jail

By Andrew Graham | June 14, 2021

East Lansing Council member Lisa Babcock says she obtained the same set of emails via FOIA and “found them deeply disturbing.” What do they show? ELi’s Andrew Graham reports.

Community Disparities

ELi Hears from Readers about Big Medical Bills – and Investigates Help for Those Suffering

By Emily Joan Elliott | May 29, 2021

MSU switched the insurance it provides for its retirees, causing some to face serious billing issues. International students are left to navigate a healthcare system very different from the ones that they are familiar with. What can those in our area do if they are facing large medical bills?

Policing

Islamic Center Trustee and Others React to ELi Report, While Deputy Police Chief Promises More Reforms

By Andrew Graham and Alice Dreger | May 19, 2021

Thasin Sardar, an Islamic Center Trustee, and Kelli Ellsworth-Etchison, a member of the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission, responded to ELi’s report, while ELPD Deputy Chief Steve Gonzalez promised some reform.

Investigative Reporting

Council Member Babcock Demanded ELPD Investigate “News Release That Condemned a Resident as a Rapist”

By Andrew Graham | May 17, 2021

After prosecutors dropped all the charges, Babcock questioned the “truthfulness” of one police officer’s report, the press release, and whether racial, ethnic, religious, or other biases played a role in this case. ELPD investigation found her complaint to be “sustained.” ELi’s Andrew Graham reports.

Community Disparities

ELHS Students Eager to Get Vaccinated, Face Age Restrictions

By Adan Tomas Quan | April 28, 2021

Some students at ELHS have already received a vaccine, and more plan on it. What is preventing some from receiving a vaccine? ELi’s Adan Tomas Quan reports.

Development

“Twisted Explanations from the 800-Pound Gorilla”? MSUFCU Begs to Differ.

By Andrew Graham and Alice Dreger | April 22, 2021

Asked to reply to Dublin Square owner Paul Vlahakis’ complaints about how MSUFCU has treated him, the head of the credit union dropped something of a bombshell revelation. And now the building will be shrunk by 3 feet. ELI’s Andrew Graham and Alice Dreger report.

Policing

Tensions Rise Over City Manager’s Office Withholding Results of Survey on East Lansing Policing

By Heather Brothers | April 17, 2021

“The posture that is being taken tonight from the City Manager, to me, seems indicative of what’s to come for an oversight commission in how difficult things might be in this transparency quest,” said Study Committee member Kelli Ellsworth-Etchison. What’s going on?

Map showing flow of hydraulic oil spill at Abbott Woods on New Year's Eve 2020.
Environment

“Lessons Learned” from City’s Botched Handling of 55-Gallon Oil Spill on Private Property

By Alice Dreger and Nathan Andrus | April 2, 2021

Why did it take a month for the City of East Lansing to investigate a spill of at least 55 gallons of hydraulic oil, an unknown quantity of which went into a private storm drain? And what now?

Development

DDA May Demolish Publicly-Owned Buildings to Help MSUFCU Construct Offices

By Alice Dreger | March 23, 2021

Why do City staff and the head of MSUFCU think this is a good plan? And what don’t we know? ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.

City Council

Council Increases Down-Payment Assistance Program for City Employees

By Alice Dreger | March 3, 2021

Who has been benefiting from this program? A Freedom of Information Act request brings the answer.

Policing

School Board Member Calls East Lansing “A Sundown Town” as New Data Shows High Use of Force by Police Against Blacks

By Heather Brothers and Alice Dreger | February 9, 2021

In the last four years, ELPD has used force against more Black people than white people, while whites in the population well outnumber Blacks. The City Manager’s call for expert analysis was met with harsh criticism Monday night.

COVID-19

As Parking System Revenues Plummet, Lease with Georgio’s Pizza Amended (Again)

By Andrew Graham | February 8, 2021

The City’s parking system and some of the businesses that rent retail space from the City have been hit hard by pandemic-related shut-downs. A Freedom of Information Act response gives a window to some of the numbers.

finance and taxes

How is the City of East Lansing Spending Money?

By Emily Joan Elliott | February 6, 2021

East Lansing Info is making publicly available the register of all payments made by the City of East Lansing in fiscal years 2019 ad 2020. Tell us what you would like us to examine further.

Ask ELi to Investigate

No, A Dead Poet Did Not Vote In East Lansing’s Most Recent Election

By Andrew Graham | February 2, 2021

Did Charlotte Brontë vote in the November 2020 election in East Lansing while residing at the Dublin Square pub? ELi’s Andrew Graham brings the answer and explains what it tells us about how Michigan’s voting system works.

COVID-19

Council Goofed on Covid-Related Law – But Now They’ve Reinstated a $500 Party Fine

By Alice Dreger | January 28, 2021

Ordinance 1496, which makes violations of public health orders punishable by a fine from the City of East Lansing, expired on Dec. 31, 2020, and Council forgot to renew it. They met today to fix that.

Policing

Your ELi: It’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in East Lansing

By Emily Joan Elliott | January 18, 2021

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan will host an event on television this evening. This morning, ELi reflects on covering news related to racial equity and justice.

Ask ELi to Investigate

Ask ELi: Why is there a giant cross downtown?

By Alice Dreger | January 11, 2021

We get this question every now and then, so here’s the answer with the investigative backstory.

Center City District

Timeline of East Lansing’s Center City District Project

By ELi Staff | January 8, 2021

Here’s a comprehensive timeline of East Lansing’s Center City District redevelopment, beginning with the press conference where it was announced.

General News

What Will Be the Big East Lansing Stories of 2021?

By Emily Joan Elliott, Andrew Graham and Alice Dreger | December 31, 2020

Our staff compiles the top stories we expect to cover in 2021. But we can never know all that will happen — like, a pandemic — and that’s why we need your financial support.

Arts & Cultures

The Top Ten East Lansing Stories of 2020

By Emily Joan Elliott and Alice Dreger | December 29, 2020

What were the biggest stories in East Lansing for 2020? ELi’s Publisher and Managing Editor bring you the top 10 list.

Your ELi

The Ten Stories That Meant the Most to Your ELi Reporters in 2020

By ELi Staff | December 26, 2020

From ELHS closing due to Covid-19, to volunteers sewing masks to donate, to the Harbor Bay dealings, our reporters highlight stories they enjoyed bringing you in 2020. At this page, you can click on “play” buttons to hear individual recordings of the articles read by their own reporters!

Center City District

Episode 8 and A Special Edition of The ‘East Lansing Insider’ Are Now Live

By Andrew Graham | December 10, 2020

The team at ELi brings you the regular weekly pod and a special edition from Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott on the refinancing of the Center City District bonds. Listen on.

Center City District

Who Really Benefited from the Center City Bonds’ Refinancing?

By Alice Dreger | December 10, 2020

Spoiler alert: the developers benefited. And now, with yet another of the deal’s financial protections for the City seeming to fall away, former mayor Mark Meadows is saying that “injunctive relief should be sought.”

Ask ELi to Investigate

Ask ELi: When, Exactly, is the Deer Cull?

By Andrew Graham | December 4, 2020

Following questions from readers about when the deer cull begins, if it hasn’t already, Andrew Graham got back in touch with the City to find out the precise dates.

Ask ELi to Investigate

Ask ELi: Will a Cell Tower Be Built Near Kedzie Street?

By Andrew Graham | December 4, 2020

An ELi reader shared a legal notice indicating that a cell tower is proposed to be built on the south end of the Bailey Neighborhood. So what would be going where, exactly? Andrew Graham finds out.

Development

Episode 7 of the ‘Insider’ is Live

By Andrew Graham | December 3, 2020

Andrew Graham, Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott talk shop and decompress while discussing a whirlwind few days in East Lansing.

finance and taxes

Why Are East Lansing’s Water and Sewer Rates Higher Than Meridian Township’s?

By Andrew Graham | December 2, 2020

Several factors contribute to the difference in costs, but one main factor is the differing ages of infrastructure. Andrew Graham explains further.

Center City District

East Lansing BRA Advised to Refinance Bonds to Avoid “Considerable Headline and Reputational Risk”

By Alice Dreger and Andrew Graham | November 30, 2020

Who is the investor for the refinancing bonds? Mark Bell’s father. Again. And any chance of saving that $6 million in taxes appears to be evaporating.

Center City District

We Still Don’t Know What’s Happening With The Center City Bonds

By Alice Dreger | November 24, 2020

One week away from a $2.4 million shortfall for the payment due to the bondholder, many questions remain unanswered. Not least, the $6 million question. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.

finance and taxes

Going Green or Going to Lunch? The City’s Green Fleet Resolution in Action

By Emily Joan Elliott | November 23, 2020

The City told ELi that its efforts to “go green” involved the use of GPS for route optimization. Documents received through the Freedom of Information Act suggest the GPS units were also used to monitor worker performance. Emily Joan Elliott reports.

General News

More on the Cost of Living Rising in East Lansing

By Alice Dreger | November 21, 2020

How does ELi cover taxes and finances in East Lansing? Publisher Alice Dreger explains.

General News

Join the ELi Team on Sunday for “Fun with FOIA,” a Live Conversation and Workshop!

By Emily Joan Elliott | November 20, 2020

Join the ELi staff Sunday at 7p.m. for “Fun with FOIA,” a live conversation about our work using documents provided through the Freedom on Information Act and a workshop on developing your own FOIA request.

Policing

East Lansing Says It Is an “Open Government.” The Reality Is More Challenging.

By Andrew Graham | November 17, 2020

ELi has frequently encountered issues with Freedom of Information requests, finding that requests are often incomplete and are answered at the last possible moment. Andrew Graham explains.

Ask ELi to Investigate

Ask ELi: How is the City Addressing Potential Lead in Service Lines?

By Andrew Graham | November 4, 2020

An ELi reader wanted to know what the City is doing about potential lead contamination in service lines. Andrew Graham brings answers.

General News

A Deep Dive on Center City District in Latest ‘East Lansing Insider’

By ELi Staff | October 29, 2020

ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott, Alice Dreger and Andrew Graham break down what happened over the weekend and bring an in-depth feature on the Center City District bonds disputes.

General News

What City Laws Do ELi Readers Want Changed?

By Andrew Graham | October 27, 2020

Earlier in October, ELi asked what laws in East Lansing you, the readers, would like to see changed. Andrew Graham brings you the responses.

Center City District

New City Attorney Asked to Look at $6M Question of the Center City District Bonds

By Alice Dreger | October 23, 2020

A new review by ELi of prior meetings on the subject finds yet more evidence that this matter won’t be simple to sort out. See the key video clips now.

Center City District

Investors Interested in $29M East Lansing Bond Offer Must RSVP Fast

By Alice Dreger | October 16, 2020

Experts are describing the Center City District bonds as “hairy” and having “sharp edges.” What’s so weird about them? Alice Dreger unpacks it for you.

Elections

Did You Get Mail That Claims You Didn’t Vote?

By Emily Joan Elliott | October 15, 2020

One woman received mail saying her Aug. 4 ballot hadn’t been counted, but the City Clerk was able to confirm that it had. So why did she receive the notice? The possible answers are surprisingly simple.

Development

Documents Show Harbor Bay’s Persistent Efforts to Change Deal

By Andrew Graham | October 12, 2020

A Freedom of Information Act request from ELi yielded a cache of informative documents regarding the Center City District and Newman Lofts. Andrew Graham unpacks them.

Ask ELi to Investigate

Ask ELi: Who Got PPP Loans in East Lansing?

By Andrew Graham | October 10, 2020

Which companies in East Lansing got big bucks from the federal Paycheck Protection Program? ELi’s Andrew Graham takes a look.

Center City District

East Lansing Bond Default? Not If Mark Bell Pays His Father $2.4M, As Required

By Alice Dreger | October 5, 2020

Why is East Lansing’s government poised to take on as much as $4.4M in debt when it doesn’t have to? The execution of the Center City District deal continues to baffle even experts.

Center City District

Meadows: Harbor Bay Started Asking for Age-Restriction Elimination Over a Year Ago

By Andrew Graham | September 24, 2020

Steve Willobee came asking for accommodation long before Covid-19, says former mayor Mark Meadows. Now the City has issued violation notices to Harbor Bay, requiring the tenants of the four illegal rentals be moved out.

Government

You Get a Car? Depends on Who You Are in the City of East Lansing.

By Emily Joan Elliott and Nathan Andrus | September 15, 2020

Following up on a tip from a City employee who thinks East Lansing’s vehicle policies waste tax dollars, ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott provides a look at the spending.

Government

The City of East Lansing Decries Bias. Its Workforce Demographics Tell a Different Story.

By Emily Joan Elliott | July 6, 2020

At the City of East Lansing, men hold two-thirds of the full-time jobs, and five departments employ only white people. ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott reports.

Schools

Survey Says: ELPS Parents Want Improvement if Fall Involves Remote Learning

By Emily Joan Elliott | June 15, 2020

ELi brings you the results of the school district’s survey of elementary, middle, and high school parents. What did they report back about the stay-at-home learning experience?

Schools

Stats Show Lack of Diversity in ELPS Faculty Ranks

By Emily Joan Elliott | June 2, 2020

About 56% of ELPS students are white, while about 96% of the teachers are white. Students, parents, and School Board members talked to ELi about why this matters.

General News

Citizen Petition Demands East Lansing Police Officer Stephenson Be Fired

By Alice Dreger | May 16, 2020

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.

Government

December Arrest Video Finally Released, As City Manager Seeks New ELPD Chief

By Alice Dreger | May 13, 2020

New developments in the shake-up at ELPD: videos from December are released, and changes are in the works.

Government

State Police Investigation Exonerates ELPD Officer with History of Bias Complaints

By Alice Dreger | May 4, 2020

City Council will pursue a Citizen Oversight Panel for complaints, and ELPD will look anew at “head stabilization” in light of injuries to two black men.

General News

East Lansing’s Public Health Is Threatened by Insurance Gaps

By Emily Joan Elliott | April 16, 2020

East Lansing’s public health during COVID-19 is being shaped by our demographics and complex health insurance system.

Shifting to Distanced Life at MSU Has Not Been Simple

By Emily Joan Elliott | March 21, 2020

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.

COVID-19

Senior Citizens Facing Unique Set of Circumstances, Especially in Nursing Homes

By Emily Joan Elliott and Alice Dreger | March 20, 2020

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.

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