Catch Up On Our Reporting From this Week

It was another busy week for the ELi team, as we brought reporting from City Council, the schools and on a historic East Lansing home.

Start your weekend by catching up with ELi's reporting.

Calls for transparency clash with safety concerns in East Lansing police oversight debate.

The East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission has been pushing back on amendments that could soon be made to the ordinance that governs the commission and would limit the commission's access to information and more. At this week's council meeting, community members spoke against the ordinance changes. Additionally, several downtown business owners said late night violence is becoming increasingly common downtown and urged city leaders to support public safety initiatives. Read City Government Reporter Ayah Imran's meeting coverage here.

Future of free school meals uncertain for East Lansing Public Schools.

For the past few years, East Lansing Public Schools students have been able to access free school meals, regardless of their family's income. Now, that state-funded program is up in the air due to the budget stalling in the state legislature. Deputy Editor Anna Liz Nichols breaks down what is at stake if funding for the program is not approved and who would be impacted in her reporting.

From social soirées to student rentals: 99-year-old East Lansing landmark home awaits its next story.

Nicknamed the Johnson-Stoddard Home after two of its notable former owners, a nearly century-old East Lansing home is on the market. Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty and Photojournalist Brian Wells toured the home to learn about its history and share photos of the landmark house.

Council votes to give rate increase to labor attorney; Refers charter committee’s recommendations to attorney.

Even though the city reached a new contract with its labor attorney just months ago, departures from that firm caused the city to pull out of the contract and reach a new agreement with longtime Labor Attorney Gouri Sashital's new firm. Under the new contract, the city will spend substantially more for Sashital's services. Read Managing Editor Luke Day's reporting on the new contract here.

Ask ELi: What's up with all the water main breaks?

If it seems like you've received more alerts about road closures due to water main breaks this year, it's not just your imagination. The city has already surpassed its average number of breaks in a year. But the frequent breaks aren't causing city officials to panic about broader infrastructure problems – all cities experience water main breaks and the number of breaks varies from year to year. Read Ayah's story explaining important facts about hidden infrastructure here.

Crossing with Ms. Pat.

This year was Pat Daniels' 40th as a crossing guard, helping East Lansing children get to and from school safely. During Daniels' time as a crossing guard, she's made powerful connections with the kids she helps keep safe, and noticed some troubling driving patterns. Read Dustin's feature story on Daniels here.

Six city meetings are scheduled next week.

City government stays active next week, with six meetings scheduled. Monday (Sept. 15), the Commission on the Environment meets and a public hearing on the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report will be held. Tuesday (Sept. 16) there is a discussion-only City Council meeting. Wednesday (Sept. 17), the Library Board of Trustees gathers. Then on Thursday (Sept. 18), both the Arts Commission and Age Friendly Communities will meet.

When meeting agendas are posted, they can be found here.

Hear from City Council candidates at a forum on Wednesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m., hear from the six candidates for East Lansing City Council at a forum at the Hannah Community Center. ELi and the Lansing Area League of Women Voters are working together to hold the forum, which will see candidates respond to the community's most pressing questions. Read more about the forum and the candidates in Luke's announcement.

City reopens application window for Financial Health Review Committee.

After receiving few applicants in the initial window, the city has extended the application deadline for those interested in serving on the Financial Health Review Committee through mid-October. City leaders are hoping this committee is able to identify ways to eliminate a structural deficit the city is operating under. Luke's reporting on the committee can be found here and interested community members can apply to be on the committee here.

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