Catch up with ELi's Reporting From this Week

It was another busy week for the East Lansing info reporting team, as we brought stories on the schools, city government and from the community. Start your weekend by catching up with our recent reporting.

The numbers: East Lansing City Council election sees two candidates run away from the field; high turnout. 

An analysis of last week’s City Council election showed that Steve Whelan and Chuck Grigsby earned their seats by a sizable margin – but that no one in the six candidate field appeared on a majority of ballots. Data also showed that absentee voting remains popular in East Lansing, this election saw high turnout and more. Read the full analysis in Managing Editor Luke Day’s story.

East Lansing Human Rights Commission opts to investigate complaints, despite attorneys advising against.  

For weeks, the East Lansing Police Department and ELPD Chief Jen Brown have been wrapped in a scandal over an August incident where an officer deployed pepper spray on two men downtown. The city later published a misleading press release about the incident that named the men and listed misdemeanors they were charged with, before new footage emerged that contradicted the release. Now, the city’s Human Rights Commission will investigate complaints about the series of advice, despite city attorneys advising it not to due to pending litigation. Get the full story in City Government Reporter Ayah Imran’s reporting. 

Miniature service horse helps area woman overcome anxiety and educate the public. 

Following a traumatic incident in 2010, Abrea Hensley struggled with ordinary activities like getting groceries. Eight years ago, she got a miniature service horse, Flirty, and the difference has been monumental as the two go places like movie theaters and comic conventions together. Deputy Editor Anna Liz Nichols met with Hensley and Flirty in a Lansing coffee shop to find out more. 

School board begrudgingly passes state-mandated provision to receive mental health funding. 

At this week’s school board meeting, the board decided to comply with a new state requirement that school districts waive attorney-client privilege if there is a “mass casualty event” in order to receive funding to support student mental health. While the board agreed to the new rules, members were not happy about the change. Find out why in Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty’s article. 

East Lansing High School orchestra to celebrate 75 years with reunion concert. 

For generations, East Lansing students have started practicing instruments at a young age in preparation to play in the lauded East Lansing High School orchestra. This spring, the high school is inviting orchestra alums back for a reunion concert. Read more about the orchestra and concert in Dustin’s story. 

East Lansing residents warned of fake invoice scam. 

Earlier this week, the city put out a notice about an attempted scam where a resident was sent a fake invoice that claimed to be a charge from the city. City Manager Robert Belleman spoke with Dustin about the scam and shared a copy of the invoice, so residents know what the scam looks like. Learn what to look out for in this reporting. 

Paper butterfly art exhibit at Hannah Community Center raises awareness for Michigan’s direct care workforce crisis. 

The Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index projects that over the next decade, the state will be short of more than 170,000 needed home healthcare aides. To draw attention to the shortage and importance of direct care workers, an art exhibit will soon fill the halls of the Hannah Community Center that features paper butterflies filled with inspiring messages. Read more about the exhibit in Dustin’s story. 

East Lansing Insider podcast: Post election day conversation with recently elected East Lansing City Council members. 

Chuck Grigsby and Steve Whelan were elected to serve on the East Lansing City Council at the Nov. 4 election. Anna spoke with East Lansing’s newest leaders about their backgrounds and what they hope to accomplish on council. Listen to the conversations here, or on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

A busy week in city government awaits. 

Local government wakes up next week, as there are nine meetings on the docket. Tuesday (Nov. 18), City Council and the University Student Commission each meet. Wednesday (Nov. 19), the Library Board of Trustees, Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission all gather. Then on Thursday (Nov. 20), the Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Arts Commission and Building Board of Appeals each convene. When meeting agendas are posted, they can be found here. 

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