Catch Up On Our Reporting From this Week

It’s Saturday!

Kick off your weekend by catching up on reports about the city’s financial challenges, the upcoming Art Festival and recently-retired fire chief. 

City officials discuss finances at Town Hall. 

As the start of fiscal year 2026 approaches, city officials are working to finalize the city’s budget. Right now, the proposed budget carries a $3.1 million deficit - forcing the city to dip into its reserve funds. Two consecutive years running at a deficit of this level would deplete the city’s reserve funds to a level that may hurt its credit rating. Read Managing Editor Luke Day’s story summarizing the city’s financial situation, and what we learned at the Town Hall this week. 

Dawn Carson, East Lansing’s first woman fire chief, retires. 

After more than 30 years of serving in the East Lansing Fire Department, Fire Chief Dawn Carson has retired. Carson is the first woman to serve as fire chief - but Carson is much more than just a trailblazer. Read Reporter Ayah Imran’s story about Carson’s efforts to improve the mental and physical health of ELFD employees while leading the department. 

The East Lansing Art Festival will soon return for its 62nd year. 

After starting out as a sidewalk sale decades ago, the East Lansing Art Festival has blossomed into one of the area’s most popular events. Arts and Culture Reporter Sarah Spohn wrote about the festival, which returns later this month. The story breaks down what vendors may offer, performances attendees can expect and what’s new at this year’s festival. Read Sarah’s story here.

There are five city meetings next week. 

City government will stay busy next week, as five meetings are on the docket. Monday (May 12), the Human Rights Commission meets. Tuesday (May 13), there is a City Council meeting. Wednesday (May 14), the Planning Commission gathers. Then on Thursday (May 15), the Charter Review Committee and Age Friendly Communities will each gather. When meeting agendas are posted, they can be found here. 

Cyclists are invited to the Greater Lansing Ride of Silence. 

The annual Ride of Silence is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21. The bike ride, which honors cyclists injured or killed by motorists, will meet near Wells Hall on the Michigan State University campus. Registration for the ride is 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., before the ride begins at 6:30 p.m. Participants will ride to the steps of the Michigan Capitol building. For more information, check out the “Ride of Silence - Lansing/MSU/East Lansing, Michigan” Facebook page. 

All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre to perform “The Laramie Project.”

All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre will perform “The Laramie Project” on Thursday May 15 and Friday, May 16 at Albert A. White Theater in the Hannah Community Center. The play will tell the story of Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student who was murdered in 1998. For more information about the show and how to purchase tickets, read the city’s press release. 

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