Article

Senior center asks the city to be on Nov. ballot

By |

Julie Rudd, a volunteer at the Williamston Area Senior Center, gives a presentation to the City Council about the center. Photo: Sophia Lada

Williamston Area Senior Center

Julie Rudd, a volunteer at the Williamston Area Senior Center, asked the Williamston City Council to add its organization to the November ballot to ask voters to support operational costs. The center’s budget is $26,000 each year. If voters vote down the millage, said Rudd, then the center will have to shut down within the next five years. If voters approve the millage, then it would receive $125,000, which would cover operational costs, increase staff and improve the volunteer program.

Congress

Gretchen Driskell campaigns at James Madison College

By |

State of MichiganGretchen Driskell

EAST LANSING – Michigan House of Representatives Democratic candidate Gretchen Driskell spoke at a Feb. 3 event for James Madison College Kennedy Democrats. 

“She is an incredibly optimistic and hardworking candidate who is very excited to bring about progressive change in Washington, D.C.,” said Jasper Martus, president of the Kennedy Democrats. Driskell is running in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District to turn the traditionally Republican district blue by defeating incumbent Tim Walberg. 

“Tim Walberg is basically your average Republican Congressperson,” said Trevor Jones, a Driskell campaign staffer. “Walberg isn’t creating any new policy. He just kind of sits back, floats along and votes with Trump 98% of the time.”

Jones, a recent University of Michigan graduate, previously worked on Driskell’s campaign as an intern and jumped at the opportunity to work with her again. 

“Gretchen is just the perfect candidate,” Jones said.

Congress

WATCH: Trump impeachment trial opens; Delta flight dumps fuel mid-air

By |

Chief Justice John Roberts was sworn in to preside over the impeachment trial of President Trump that officially opened today in the Senate, almost a month after the House voted to impeach the President. The Senate will look to determine if the President acted in obstruction of Congress and in abuse of his power. A flight heading to Shanghai dumps fuel on heavily populated school district in Los Angeles as it stopped for engine problems.

Article

Michigan lawmakers go forward on snow day forgiveness bill

By |

A plan to help Michigan school districts with snow day forgiveness is moving through the legislature. The House Education Committee approved a bill this week to forgive the snow days when Michigan was under a state of emergency from Jan. 29-31. However, it’s not getting complete support. This bill does not give hourly school employees the pay they missed during those days .

Article

Elissa Slotkin opens congressional office in Lansing

By |

After six weeks in her Congressional Office in D.C., Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin booked a trip home. Slotkin invited the community to join her in Lansing where she opened a Michigan congressional office. She stresses the approach of radical listening and an open door policy within the community. She said it’s about people, relationships and knowing who represents you. “You have to be present, you have to be in the community, people have to know where you are,” she said.

Arts & Entertainment

Watch Focal Point: CMU sexual assault goes to trial, campus robberies continue, Michigan native wins an Oscar, and more.

By |

On this edition of Focal Point, get an overview of a CMU sexual assault going to trial, campus robberies continue in a dorm and in the Eppley Center, and a Michigan native wins an Oscar. In sports, MSU men’s basketball won against Michigan and a high school wrestler shows what true sportsmanship is like. Those stories and more this week on Focal Point.

News

Watch Focal Point: Engler cancels Nassar survivor fund, Michigan new minimum wage and more

By |

On the last show of the semester, Interim President John Engler has put a halt to a fund dedicated to help Larry Nassar survivors. Plus, a easy way to get money in Michigan could soon not be possible. Also, a student is trying to get more American flags installed on campus, but he’s being met with complications. In sports, the MSU football team is going west for their bowl game against Oregon. This week in entertainment, Kevin Hart gives up his Oscar-hosting gig after old homophobic slurs resurface.

Ballot Issues

Joe Biden makes an appearance in Lansing before election

By |

The Democratic rally got started an hour and a half late, but local residents patiently awaited Former Vice President Joe Biden’s arrival. “It’s been a rough couple of months,” Biden said. “Folks, we’ve gotta turn this around”. Democrats Gretchen Whitmer and Elissa Slotkin were among the candidates attending the rally at Lansing Community College. “I am running because it is time for a new generations of leaders,” Slotkin said.

Congress

WATCH: Midterm Election Recap, Trump and CNN reporter, first black Massachusetts congresswomen, California Daylight Savings Proposal

By |

This week on the Spartan News Update: Midterm election results and Michigan elections including Gretchen Whitmer wins Michigan Governor. President Donald Trump and CNN reporter feud. A school in New York gets tip of bomb threat. Ayanna Pressley was elected as first black women to represent Massachusetts in Congress and California voted on ending Daylight Savings Time.