The State - A Podcast from The State News + Impact 89FM

THIS IS THE STATE FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 20TH WHERE WE BRING YOU THE HEADLINES THAT MATTER. I'M RACHEL FULTON.

For our first headline of the day focusing on city news,

The East Lansing City Council moved to terminate City Manager George Lahanas' employment contract with the city and voted former Lansing police Lt. Noel Garcia Jr. to fill in the council's vacancy during their meeting Tuesday.

Lahanas, who has been city manager for almost 11 years, will no longer serve in the position following a separation agreement voted on by the board and signed by Lahanas himself.

When discussing the agreement, East Lansing Mayor Ron Bacon said there was nothing disparaging in Lahanas' relationship with the council and the decision was based on the direction of things and what the council wants to see done. He said the agreement was made "out of respect."

In the vote to fill the council's vacancy, councilmembers initially tied in-favor of candidates Daniel Bollman and Garcia 2-to-2. Following deliberation, the board voted to elect Garcia in a 4-0 vote.

Councilmember Dana Watson said Garcia was her top choice for the position because of his work with the Independent Police Oversight Commission and the comfort his work provided when it came to the council's communication with the East Lansing Police Department.

Bacon said his top choice was Garcia because of his focus on public safety.

The council will meet again on Jan. 24 at the Hannah Community Center.

For our second headline focusing on campus news,

Although spring semester can be seen as the start of the end for the academic year, ASMSU is ready to kick things into action and continue the momentum of its accomplishments from fall semester.

ASMSU defines itself as the undergraduate student government. Its main goal is to help represent students and advocate for issues as well as try and improve student life at Michigan State.

Its members come from different backgrounds and represent a part of the student body in some way. This has allowed for many different bills ranging from donor accountability to issues in certain sports programs.

ASMSU isn't just about passing bills, though. ASMSU Chief of Staff Jack Harrison said this week's service events are exciting opportunities.

He said he has high hopes based on the success of the fall semester. Some bills he'd like to see brought up are parking accessibility and lighting on crosswalks.

For our final headline of the week focusing on Michigan State University culture,

Over 200 registered student organizations, or RSOs, gathered in Michigan State University's STEM building Tuesday for Springticipation. The event, held each semester, gives students an opportunity to engage with other students with similar hobbies or goals.

MSU Interim President Teresa Woodruff attended the event, where she talked and took pictures with different organizations. Woodruff said she was excited to be surrounded by so many students engaging.

Royal Encounters, one of MSU's volunteer-based organizations, showed up to attract more members. Members dress up as superheroes and princesses to attend events for sick, disabled or underprivileged children.

Here a few of the clubs available to students here at MSU...

First, The Outdoors Club is dedicated to exploring the nature. The club takes members on group outings and retreats, which english education junior Madelyn Turrill said allows people to step outside of their comfort zones.

Next, students looking to improve their artistic and writing skills might be interested in joining the Graphic Novels Club, zoology junior Alli Gregory said.

Finally, another option available open to students of all experience levels, Salsa Club is centered around learning the Latin dance.

"We have a lot of people come in from all different ages, all different areas of life," Spanish senior Kaitlyn Wehner said. "You can not know how to dance at all and they teach you from the ground up," Wehner said.

To end our last episode of the week, here are a few announcements!

Today's weather forecast is predicting cloudy skies with some possible flurries or snow showers with a high of 34 degrees and a low of 27 degrees. For the weekend, it looks like it will be lower 30's and cloudy with occasional snow showers on Sunday.

Finally, here is the MSU home athletic line-up for the weekend. Starting off tomorrow, Men's Tennis will go up against Brown at 12 P.M. and Bellarmine at 4 P.M. at the MSU Tennis Indoor Facility.

Finishing off the weekend on Sunday, Women's Basketball will go up against Rutgers at 3 P.M. at the Breslin Center and the Gymnastics team will face No. 3 Michigan at 7 P.M. at Jenison Field House.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE STATE... PRODUCED BY THE STATE NEWS AND IMPACT EIGHTY-NINE F-M. YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE AT STATE NEWS DOT COM AND IMPACT EIGHTY-NINE F-M DOT ORG. WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH MORE.

Show Notes

In the news today: For our first headline of the day focusing on city news, East Lansing City Council terminates City Manager and votes Noel Garcia to fill vacancy. For our second headline focusing on campus news, ASMSU hopes to keep momentum in spring semester. For our final headline of the week focusing on Michigan State University culture, Over 200 student organizations showcase their passions at 2023 Springticipation. 

Creators & Guests

Host
Rachel Fulton
MSU Journalism | Podcast Director/News Producer @impact89fm

What is The State - A Podcast from The State News + Impact 89FM?

The State is a daily rundown of the headlines that matter to the East Lansing, MI community.