Catch up with Our Reporting from this Week
Read our stories about the lasting impacts of city staff turnover, when alcohol was prohibited in East Lansing and more!
Calendars have flipped to August and before we know it, the city will be buzzing with the return of Michigan State University students.
It was another busy week of reporting for the ELi team. Start your day by catching up with our work.
East Lansing faces lasting impact from staff turnover.
For years, a top priority of East Lansing city officials has been hiring and retaining employees after many top staff members left the city ranks. City Manager Robert Belleman said staff turnover has led to some of the most glaring problems in the city today, but he is optimistic about the team he is building. Read Managing Editor Luke Day’s story about staffing challenges here.
When East Lansing was dry.
Today, bars, restaurants and stores that sell alcohol are a major industry in East Lansing. But up until the late 1960s, it was illegal to sell or consume alcohol in city limits. Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty dug into the history of prohibition in East Lansing and explains why a proposed development that never materialized is largely responsible for the city’s change in policy. Read Dustin’s story here.
Ask ELi: Did you hear about the candidate who…
Less than a week after the filing deadline to run in this November’s City Council election, we received questions about the eligibility of a couple of candidates. One question was about if a police officer who retired after the deadline is eligible, and another was about a candidate who was rumored to live outside of the city. Both candidates are eligible, Dustin explains why and how the questions emerged in his story.
DDA recommends expansion for The Graduate rooftop bar - but warns of potential resistance from City Council.
The Downtown Development Authority recommended The Graduate be allowed to expand its rooftop bar and patio. If the proposal is eventually approved, it will mark a substantial expansion to one of the city’s new, popular downtown destinations. One DDA member, however, warned that the project may face a critical reception from some members of City Council. Read Luke’s story on last week’s DDA meeting here.
East Lansing birders club soars in popularity.
In May of 2023, the East Lansing Public Library started its Birders Club, which meets monthly to share knowledge about birds. Over the last two years, the club has grown to be one of the library’s most popular programs, drawing nearly 40 participants every month. Read Reporting Intern Belle Potter’s story about the Birders Club here.
City meetings ramp back up next week.
After a quiet close to July, city government is back in action next week with six meetings on the docket. Monday (Aug. 4), the Seniors Commission and Transportation Commission each meet. Wednesday (Aug. 6), the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals will gather. Thursday (Aug. 7), the Downtown Management Board and Housing Commission each convene. When meeting agendas are posted, they can be found here.
City to host “Touch-a-Truck” event Tuesday.
Community members are invited to the East Lansing Public Library parking lot Tuesday, Aug. 5 for the annual “Touch-a-Truck” event from 6-8 p.m. At the event, attendees will be allowed to explore fire trucks, police cruisers, construction vehicles and more. The event will also include police dogs and ELPD officers serving hot dogs. For more information, read the city’s press release.
Remember to submit a claim for your portion of the Franchise Fee settlement.
Earlier this year, the city settled to pay out $7.8 million reimbursing Lansing Board of Water & Light customers. People who lived in East Lansing and paid a BWL electric bill between April 2, 2019 and April 30, 2025 are encouraged to go to https://www.eastlansingelectricsettlement.com/ to file a claim. Claims must be submitted by Sept. 2. For more background on the case, check out Luke’s story from last month.
Thank you for supporting our work.
ELi is a nonprofit news service that is able to operate due to the generosity of our readers. To support our work, consider subscribing to an East Lansing Insider membership. Subscribers have stories emailed directly to them even before they are published to our website. Here is a list of ways you can help ELi continue our work.
