WKAR NewsRoom

Plan to close SoS branch office draws criticism

East Lansing, MI (2009-11-20) A plan to consolidate one of the more public functions of state government has some civic officials concerned. Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land is proposing to close branch offices in downtown Lansing and East Lansing. Land says consolidating those services into a single "super center" would allow for better customer service and save money.

MSU students rally for Promise Scholarship funding

EAST LANSING, MI (2009-11-18) Governor Granholm and MSU president Simon joined students in calling for restoring the Promise Scholarship, but they also met with some criticism.

Granholm taking revenue fight to campuses

LANSING, MI (2009-11-16) LANSING, MI (MPRN) - Governor Granholm takes her campaign for revenue to college campuses this week. She will urge students and their families to press the Legislature to fund the Michigan Promise college scholarship, as well as restore other budget cuts.

DOE studies F-RIB environmental impact

EAST LANSING, MI (2009-11-12) The U.S. Department of Energy is looking into the possible environmental impact of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams on the MSU campus.

Lansing Symphony goes "Into the Heavens" with Holst, Poulenc

UNDATED (2009-11-05) UNDATED (WKAR) - WKAR's Morning Edition host Melissa Ingells speaks with the conductor of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Timothy Muffitt, about the next Masterworks concert at Wharton Center. The program features Holst's "The Planets" and Poulenc's "Gloria."

State budget affects City of Lansing budget

LANSING, MI (2009-11-02) WKAR's City Hall reporter talks with Morning Edition host Melissa Ingells about the cutbacks in state shared revenue and how those cutbacks affect the City of Lansing's budget.

Kalamazoo votes Tuesday on gay rights ordinance

KALAMAZOO, MI (2009-11-02) KALAMAZOO, MI (MPRN) - On Tuesday, Kalamazoo voters will decide whether to keep a city ordinance protecting gay, lesbian, and transgendered people. It prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations. It's being challenged by a group that says gay activists are seeking special rights.

Under the Radar: Raphael reviews Trotsky biography

EAST LANSING, MI (2009-10-30) EAST LANSING, MI (WKAR) - Lev Raphael reviews Trotsky: Downfall of a Revolutionary in his monthly Under the Radar segment.

Jobs An Issue In Lansing Mayor's Race

LANSING, MI (2009-10-30) Courting the Creative Class could be a key factor for Virg Bernero and Carol Wood in next week's election.

LCC Board: Three To Be Elected

LANSING, MI (2009-10-29) Seven candidates are vying for three spots on the Lansing Community College Board of Trustees next Tuesday.

Budget's almost done, but the fight over revenue isn't over

LANSING, MI (2009-10-20) Governor Granholm expects the last bills that make up the state budget to arrive on her desk as soon as Tuesday. She signed the budget to fund K-12 schools on Monday. The school budget reflects a cut of $165 for every student. But even with a big cut, there's not enough money in the School Aid Fund to cover K-12 spending for the balance of the fiscal year. That means the governor and state lawmakers have to come up with more money.

MSU's Dubai campus is looking for economic turnaround

East Lansing, MI (2009-10-15) Michigan State University opened a campus in Dubai in 2008. Since then, the economy there has tanked.

Regional cooperation is an issue in Lansing mayoral race

Lansing, MI (2009-10-14) On November 3, Lansing residents will choose between incumbent Virg Bernero and councilmember Carol Wood for their next mayor. In today's economy, the mayor of Lansing must be a regional leader who can forge partnerships with neighboring governments. Those agreements ensure residents receive vital services the city might not otherwise be able to deliver on its own.

Lansing voters consider economic development in Mayoral vote

LANSING, MI (2009-10-13) As Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero shoots for re-election, many voters consider whether his record on jobs and development is worthy of their vote. Many say the administration's economic agenda is just what the city needs. Others, including challenger Carol Wood, say the Mayor's attention-grabbing style shows there's less there than meets the eye.

Mayor's political fund draws criticism

Lansing, MI (2009-10-12) The Director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network says a political fund set up by Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero could lead to accusations that the city has a "pay to play" system of awarding contracts. The City Administrative Account has collected about $200,000 since it was created when Bernero took office in 2006.

Frank Kelley partners with MSU College of Law

Lansing, MI (2009-10-01) Former Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley is lending his name and expertise to a new program at the Michigan State University College of Law.

Stimulus argument delays budget deal

LANSING, MI (2009-09-30) LANSING, MI (MPRN) - At the state Capitol, work on the budget is progressing slowly with a midnight deadline for getting the job done.

After long wait, a safer Farm Lane re-opens on MSU campus

East Lansing, MI (2009-09-30) Michigan State University has long had a traffic problem related to the railroad tracks that cross the southern part of the campus. Every day, trains block north-south traffic at MSU, creating an annoying and potentially dangerous situation. Now, those days are over.

Republicans strategize on Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island, MI (2009-09-28) Mackinac Island was full of Republican Party loyalists over the weekend for a GOP strategy conference. Much of the discussion focused on the state's economic woes. And all eyes were on the five gubernatorial candidates for the Republican nomination, who participated in their first debate and straw poll. There was another group of people that drew a lot of attention as well.

Budget deal edges closer

LANSING, MI (2009-09-28) LANSING, MI (MPRN) - At the state Capitol, the House and the Senate canceled plans to meet into the weekend to try and strike a budget deal. The Legislature will also take off Monday because of the Jewish Yom Kippur religious holiday. But legislative leaders say they're confident they can wrap work on the budget as soon as Tuesday.