Campus News

WATCH: Focal Point News 3-12-2021

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In this edition of Focal Point, we’ll a visit a comedy club with a cause; take a look at a rally to reopen schools at the Michigan State Capitol; get a sneak peek inside the MSU greenhouses on campus. In entertainment, we’ll take a look at a new movie to hit the digital movie market. In sports, take a look at highlights from both men and women’s hoops, as well as soccer from DeMartin Stadium. This week’s weather might require you to bring out your snow shovel again. Here’s a look at your 7-Day forecast:

Weather graphics by Connie Rahbany and Collin Membiela.

Business & Economy

Watch Focal Point: COVID-19 and the Economy of East Lansing

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On this special edition of Focal Point, a look COVID-19’s impact on East Lansing’s economy. We take you to local businesses using new technology and old-fashioned customer service to adapting to stay open. We also meet MSU students out of work because of the pandemic, and some entering the job market in an unprecedented time. Those stories and more on this Focal Point Special Report.

News

Resale store in Williamston combats COVID-19 virtually

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Many small businesses continue to be affected by COVID-19. As the pandemic surges on, businesses are having to adapt as they try to survive these tumultuous times. For one resale boutique in Williamston, they celebrated their one-year anniversary this August. A first-year that was unexpected and full of uncertainty. “It was definitely worrying,” said co-owner Garrett Gabriel.

Arts & Entertainment

Chorale students adjust to practicing during pandemic

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If you drive into a parking ramp, you might expect to here a few things; footsteps echoing or a car engine whirring to life. But one thing you wouldn’t expect to hear, is singing. The University Chorale, made up of 15 graduate students, went from practicing in a classroom to a concrete structure known as the Kellogg Center parking ramp. This outdoor structure was the perfect acoustic and socially distanced space choir director David Rayl could think of. And the members of the choir also found it suitable as long as they could sing again.

COVID 19

Religious organizations adapt to COVID restrictions

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The oldest known religious site is 11,000 years old. Ever since gathering together has been an important part of many religious practices. With large gatherings being tied to the spread of COVID-19, religious organizations have to adapt services

Riverview Church used to have a group meeting at MSU’s Union every Sunday. The church began meeting online in March and plans to continue online services until the pandemic passes. Similarly, the Shaarey Zedek, a Jewish Synagogue in East Lansing went virtual in March.

News

#ENDSARS seeks to end police brutality in Nigeria

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Nigeria is experiencing police brutality and the youth are doing something about it. The movement is called #ENDSARS. It is similar to Black Lives Matter in the United States. SARS stands for Special Anti Robbery Squad, a special police force facing criticism in Nigeria for abuse of power. Focal Point’s Shade Moore met with MSU computer engineering major who’s from Nigeria, Tim Nwanze, to learn more about the movement.

News

Freshmen skip dorm experience for off-camus living

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When the pandemic hit, only 2,000 students were allowed to live on campus instead of the regular 1,500. With Michigan State recommending students to stay home, most freshmen have not had the traditional college experience. But some freshmen made the decision to live near campus while still feeling at home. “Usually you meet people in the dorms,” Nayna Chhabria, a freshman at Michigan State, said. Nayna knew she couldn’t live in a dorm, and she knew she may get homesick.

Campus News

“That smile of his.”

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MSU Sophomore Michael Zyrek is loved around East Lansing. He’s the President of Sigma Nu and impacted a lot of Spartan lives throughout his two years. But during a workout with one of his close friends mid-February, he began having a raging headache and texted his girlfriend saying something just felt off. It was then a split-second decision by her to leave a Zoom class, not even wearing shoes, and rush him to Sparrow Hospital. Just seconds after walking through the automatic doors, he collapsed unconscious.