General News
East Lansing Insider: What To Know With The Albert EL Fresco Returning
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Andrew Graham sits down with Emily Joan Elliott to talk about the imminent return of the Albert EL Fresco. Give a listen!
Arts & Cultures
Blue Owl Mic Drop Features Big Talent, Including Hamilton Cast Member
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Meecah, a singer, dancer, and actress who is currently part of the Hamilton cast, will perform at Blue Owl on Monday, April 4. Sarah Spohn reports on that and Blue Owl’s Mic Drop series.
Arts & Cultures
Graduate Rock Bar Serves Cocktails and the Community
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The Graduate Rock Bar opened up last July, and to some, the rooftop bar is a hidden gem. Sarah Spohn reports on the location and an exciting upcoming event.
Arts & Cultures
Broad Art Lab Closes Its Doors
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The MSU Broad Art Lab’s collaborative space that once welcomed makers, innovators, and lifelong learners, has shut its doors. Sarah Spohn reports.
City Attorney
Tie Vote At Council Nixes Application To Establish A Fraternity on Ann Street
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Council member Brookover’s arguments against approving a Special Use Permit to establish a fraternity at 532 Ann St. resulted in a 2-2 split vote, meaning the SUP was not approved, as many non-student residents expressed concern about the impact of student housing, especially, fraternities and sororities, on their communities.
Government
How MSU Plans To Keep Tabs And Hold Accountable Those Exempted From Its Sophomores-On Rule
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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
Slew of New Exhibits Coming to MSU This Spring
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A whole host of upcoming local exhibits are coming to East Lansing this spring. Sarah Spohn gives you the info on what’s out there!
Arts & Cultures
What Artspace’s Feasibility Report Tells Us About Downtown East Lansing
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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.
Development
East Lansing Insider: Talking Town-Gown Relations As MSU Moves Ahead with the Sophomores-On Rule
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Andrew is joined by ELi’s Alice Dreger to talk about where things stand regarding MSU’s sophomores-on-campus housing rule and other related issues. Listen in!
MSU
MSU’s Sophomores-Live-On Policy Creates New Leverage Over Greek Houses
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MSU has seriously changed the game for housing sophomores at fraternities and sororities in East Lansing. ELi’s Andrew Graham connects the dots to bring this special report.
General News
Body Believed to Be That of Brendan Santo Recovered from Red Cedar River (Updated)
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Santo has been missing since last October. A recent petition had called for damming the river to look for his body. Police have notified the family and expressed their own grief at the outcome.
Arts & Cultures
‘Kahlo without Borders’ Exhibit Provides Intimate Look Into Frida Kahlo’s Life, Health Issues
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Including never-before-seen artifacts, a new Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Broad Museum in East Lansing provides an extraordinary compilation of items connected to artist Frida Kahlo. Sarah Spohn reports for ELi.
Arts & Cultures
UKirk at MSU Students Taking on Issue of Book Deserts
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Students from UKirk at MSU are setting out to end book deserts in the Greater Lansing area, and the East Lansing community is able to help them in this effort. Adan Tomas Quan reports.
COVID-19
MSU Is Going Online Again; Return to Normal Remains Elusive in EL
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The plan calls for remote (online) education for the first three weeks of the semester. Learn more from ELi.
Government
East Lansing Stories We Expect to Be Big in 2022
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ELi’s mission is to bring East Lansing the news. Here’s a look at what we think we’ll be helping you to know about and understand in context in 2022.
General News
MSU to Require Covid Booster Shots While Parks & Rec Chair “Irritated” by City’s Lack of Mandate
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MSU announced today that it will require students, faculty, and staff to get a Covid booster for the upcoming semester. On Wednesday, the Parks and Rec Commission drafted a letter to the City Manager and Council, asking for the City, which has no plans for a vaccine mandate of its own, to change course on the issue.
Development
Greek Night: Planning Commission Deals With Bevy of Fraternity Matters
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East Lansing’s staff has decided to require special approval for new or newly-occupied frat and sorority houses, but “will not be applying the requirement retroactively.”
public safety
MSU Police Say Divers Continue to Search for Brendan Santo’s Body
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The search continues for the missing 18-year-old Grand Valley State student, contrary to circulating rumors today of a body being found. Police divers are searching the Red Cedar River near Sparty.
Your ELi
ELi Becomes History (But in a Good Way!)
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Why would we be happy that ELi has become history? Find out!
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: What’s Behind the Land Acknowledgment of the Indigenous History of East Lansing?
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East Lansing, including Michigan State University, occupies the Lands of the Anishinaabeg, and Indigenous faculty at MSU are drawing attention to that with a Land Acknowledgement statement. The City has sometimes adapted and used the statement, too. What is the history of this Land Acknowledgment? What might it mean moving forward?
public safety
Alcohol Suspected of Contributing to MSU Student Death This Morning
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ELPD and ELFD responded to a call to a house this morning where four people were unconscious. One died at the scene, and the three others were taken to Sparrow Hospital.
Policing
East Lansing Insider: Discussing The Police Oversight Commission, Student Perspective On Couch Burnings
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ELi reporters Andrew Graham, Heather Brothers, and Jack Timothy Harrison dive in to some recent ELi reporting on couch burnings and policing. Give it a listen!
Policing
Mayor Bacon Joins Gregg’s Push for Culture Change on MSU “Celebrations”
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Alcohol cases at Sparrow’s ER surged, as officers faced a “more destructive” than usual crowd. Newly installed Mayor Ron Bacon is backing Jessy Gregg’s call, saying what’s needed is “a united front against destructive, malicious and dangerous actions.”
Policing
Man Seen with Gun and Gunshot Noise Leads to Emergency Alerts In East Lansing
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Alerts sent out by MSU tonight indicated a man with a gun in the area of Woodmere and Grand River Avenues downtown. ELi brings you the latest and reviews the recent spate of violence in East Lansing.
Arts & Cultures
Broad Art Lab Artist Residency Showcases Creative Upcycling
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The MSU Broad Art Lab is a collaborative space that welcomes and features makers, innovators, and lifelong learners. Don’t miss out on their upcycling events or seeing the work of Detroit-based artist Megan Heeres.
MSU
Students, MSU Officials Weigh in on Couch Burnings, Property Destruction in East Lansing
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While ELPD and MSU officials promise repercussions for burning couches and vandalism, MSU students tell ELi’s Jack Timothy Harrison how they view Saturday’s postgame events. The gap is clear.
MSU
Search Continues for Missing 18-Year-Old Brendan Santo
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Police have searched by helicopter, foot, drone, boat, and using advanced tracking technology and specialized canines. They are also asking the public to help.
Policing
After a Weekend of Mayhem, ELPD Moving to ID and Arrest Those Who Set Fires, Flipped Cars (UPDATED)
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ELPD is looking to identify, arrest, and prosecute those who set fires and destroyed property over the weekend. The scene became “a very serious safety issue for our emergency responders,” according to ELPD Chief Kim Johnson.
Policing
Young People in Spartan Garb Set Fires, Commit Destruction after MSU Beats UM
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Young people mostly in Spartan garb set fires in EL neighborhoods after MSU beat UM in football. Police and fire officers were well outnumbered. ELi brings you video.
General News
Mayor Gregg Implores “Don’t Be An Idiot,” as Sparrow ER Is Already Packed
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Local officials fear that big parties related to football and Halloween will add additional stress to an already strained hospital system. Alice Dreger reports.
General News
How Do Local Bars Deal with the College Town Problem of Underage Drinking?
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“In March 2020, we turned in over 4,000 confiscated IDs to the ELPD that we collected from the school year, just September to March,” said Pat Riley, the owner of Harper’s Restaurant and Brew Pub and the Responsible Hospitality Council’s president.
Community Disparities
Tensions Between Workers and Management Visible in East Lansing
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The controversy surrounding MSU’s request for faculty and staff to volunteer their personal time to work in dining halls is only the tip of the iceberg locally in terms of tensions between employees and management. What else is happening around town?
Arts & Cultures
MSU Museum Exhibits Examine Technology’s Tracking, Tracing of People
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From now until Dec. 11, the MSU Science Gallery presents Tracked & Traced at the Michigan State University Museum. The 15 exhibits collectively examine user data, personal information, surveillance, and ethics in today’s technological world. Sarah Spohn reports.
Government
All the East Lansing News We Don’t Know Where to Put
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City Council candidate forums, the possibility of a new City Attorney, an issue of representation at the Arts Commission, and parliamentary procedure. Alice Dreger brings updates on all that and more!
Arts & Cultures
MSU Broad Exhibits & Events Highlight Incarceration
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The latest fall 2021 exhibitions at the Broad focus on the issue of mass incarceration in the U.S. Sarah Spohn reports on what the exhibits include, associated events, and the meaning behind the installations.
Arts & Cultures
Students Finish Installment of Groovy Opportunity Mural Under Hamster Cage Garage
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Have you noticed the large mural on the Division Street Garage while walking or driving down Albert Ave.? ELi’s Sarah Spohn provides the backstory and inspirations for this artwork.
General News
Video: City of East Lansing Welcomes Back MSU Students With ‘Moonlight ExtravaGRANDza’
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The placemaking event brought droves of students to downtown East Lansing and included a mobile vaccine clinic from the Ingham County Health Department. Andrew Graham brings more.
DDA
Taxes Diverted in Hopes of Greater Economic Development in EL’s Downtown
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Over a half-million dollars in local taxes will be directed towards hiring economic development specialists to focus on East Lansing, if all goes as planned. Andrew Graham reports from the latest meeting of the East Lansing DDA.
COVID-19
Covid Update: Linda Vail Lauds Local Schools and MSU Amid Rising Hospitalizations
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At a media briefing on Tuesday, Vail praised ELPS and MSU for Covid mitigation efforts and provided a general update on Covid in Ingham County, including increased hospitalizations.
City Council
East Lansing Insider: The Scenes Change Again at Council and Downtown
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Three members of ELi’s government reporting team talk about changes on Council, the dismantling of the Albert EL Fresco, the disappearance of Ordinance 1500, and more. Give a listen!
Policing
A Closer Look At Why The ‘Albert EL Fresco’ Is On Hiatus
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The Albert EL Fresco was dismantled on Sunday, and some readers wrote in to express their sadness to see it go. Why has it been paused? When might we see it again?
MSU
Ordinance Changing East Lansing’s Rental Timeline Is Now Gone (Without Ever Taking Effect)
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A City ordinance that would have significantly altered the annual housing rental timeline here has been “deemed rescinded.” Andrew Graham reports on why and what it means.
MSU
MSU to Require Covid-19 Vaccines for Students, Faculty, Staff
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All students, staff, and faculty must be vaccinated against Covid-19 before the start of the fall semester – a move that has effects for not only MSU but also the wider East Lansing community.
Development
Council Debates Enforcement Versus “Forgiveness” Before Approving Frat’s Request
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“As crappy as it sounds, forgiveness and compliance” is the way to go in cases of zoning violations like this one, said Mayor Aaron Stephens. What did other Council members have to say? Jack Harrison reports for ELi.
City Council
Slim Council Majority Votes Through New Leasing Regulation – But It’s Contingent on Lansing and Meridian Following Suit
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In an unusual and somewhat tense split vote, Aaron Stephens, Jessy Gregg, and Dana Watson voted in favor, while Lisa Babcock and Ron Bacon voted against. Why? ELi’s Andrew Graham reports.
Community Disparities
Expert Looking at How to Attract Developers of Non-Student Housing to East Lansing
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In meetings with the Housing and Planning Commissions, questions were raised about housing for seniors and about how a more racially diverse population could be attracted to live in East Lansing. What now?
General News
The Senior Ambassador Program Connects East Lansing’s Students and Seniors
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The program has paired MSU students and local senior citizens for both one-on-one meetings and larger group classes online. What have students and seniors enjoyed? How might the program evolve in fall 2021?
City Council
Change the Student Rental Timeline? Landlords Say No, Students Say Yes, Council Says Maybe
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East Lansing’s proposed Ordinance 1500 brought a lot more public comment than most draft laws do. ELi’s Andrew Graham explains what makes the issue heated and what the various parties think.
Development
Construction of Student Apartments Is Far Outpacing Enrollment at MSU. What Comes Next?
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The expert hired to examine East Lansing’s housing situation brought her findings this week to City Council. So, what did we learn? ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
Arts & Cultures
Broad Brings Art to MSU Science Festival STEAM Virtual Events
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What is the relationship between art and science, technology, engineering, and math? Sarah Spohn reports on how you can find out this upcoming week.
COVID-19
ELPS Considers Lifting Pause on Sports, as Area Sees Covid Situation Worsen
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Our area is a national Covid-19 hotspot. How are schools and local government responding? How is the vaccine rollout going?
Development
MSU’s Decision to Have Sophomores Live-On Is Part of New Program to Reach Across Grand River Ave.
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We asked MSU Vice President Vennie Gore about whether MSU’s decision is driven by finances, how on- and off-campus students might benefit, and what to expect in terms of enrollment post-Covid.
COVID-19
MSU Is Working to Make On-Campus Housing More Attractive
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After announcing that second-year students will be required to live on-campus, MSU is upgrading its infrastructure and making other changes. What will this entail?
COVID-19
Absent Obvious Solutions, Elected Officials, MSU Leaders, and Bar Owners Seek a “Unified Front”
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Many restaurants and bars downtown will now refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask. What else is happening to prepare for fall?
Development
East Lansing Development Updates (Spoiler Alert: The Abbot Opens Late August)
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News on The Abbot, The Graduate, affordable housing, Coleman Road, the new elementary schools, MSUFCU’s downtown project, and marijuana sales locations. We also tell you where in East Lansing the state’s wetland protection agency plans a new office building that would disturb a wetland.