News

For 24 years, John Schneider's column was a "destination read" in the Lansing State Journal.  Schneider retired from the paper just over a year ago to free up more time for fishing and meandering in the woods...but it's been a thoroughly modern retirement.  It's continued to include a blog, a regular column with Bridge magazine and -- Current State has learned -- a periodic return to the Lansing State Journal.

The summer movie season is upon us.  In a few weeks, we will be inspired by the feats of cinematic superheroes, clutching our popcorn in fear as we watch the world's demise.  Current State's Emanuele Berry joined MLive.com and Grand Rapids Press entertainment reporter and film critic John Serba to sort out the many films of summer. 

With springtime finally arriving in mid-Michigan, the sounds of the season have also emerged again.  The song of the northern cardinal is one of hundreds recorded by Dr. Pamela Rasmussen.  She's an assistant professor of zoology at Michigan State University and assistant curator at the MSU Museum.

The Michigan Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge to the policy that allows live-in partners of state employees to be covered by their health coverage.

Today on Current State: The debate over Medicaid expansion continues; gun safety; the value of art and physical education in school; a Public Poetry Announcement featuring John Balaban, and NPR's Don Gonyea comes home to MSU this weekend. 

Michigan legislators and numerous stakeholders around the state continue to spar over whether to fund an expansion of Medicaid in Michigan.  

Supporters of expansion--which would happen as part of the federal Affordable Care Act--claim it’s fair to extend coverage to more low income residents and that it would be good for the economy.  Opponents say they fear the future costs of the move, and some resist anything connected with ‘Obamacare.’  

The senseless tragedies that took place last year at a Colorado movie theater and a Connecticut elementary school brought renewed focus to the national debate over gun control.  It’s a thorny issue that impacts everything from constitutional rights to mental health care.

  Recently, the Lansing school district announced that it will cut as many as 87 teachers in an effort to address the district’s budget deficit. Many of the teachers expected to be laid off are certified to teach art, music and physical education to elementary school students. The district says it's not eliminating its arts and physical education programs, but “redesigning” them, using existing teachers and outside programming as  a substitute.

Today's public poetry announcement features David Clauson reading "Passing Through Albuquerque" by John Balaban. 

Current State's Public Poetry Announcements are brought to you by the Center for Poetry at MSU's Residential College in the Arts and Humanities.

The MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences will honor NPR National Political Correspondent Don Gonyea this week with the 2013 WKAR Public Media Master Award.  Gonyea earned two degrees from MSU on his way to a remarkable career in radio. Current State’s Scott Pohl spoke with Don Gonyea about the award and his work at NPR.

Matt opens the show with discussion on Big Ten Football security, in wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.  He also talks about the Big Ten divisions, and the difficulties that Michigan State will face.  NBA playoffs coverage is also a hot topic, and Matt delves in the discussion whether the Oklahoma City Thunder can hold on for the next round.  Matt closes the show with the potential draft choices for the Detroit Pistons, and the confusion that it could give fans.

WKAR book reviewer Lev Raphael is finally done grading student papers and has been reading a book set on a Midwestern college campus. The book is “The Raising” by Laura Kasischke. Lev Raphael spoke with WKAR’s Melissa Benmark about it.

WKAR book reviewer Lev Raphael is finally done grading student papers and has been reading a book set on a Midwestern college campus. The book is “The Raising” by Laura Kasischke. Lev Raphael spoke with WKAR’s Melissa Benmark about it.

WKAR book reviewer Lev Raphael is finally done grading student papers and has been reading a book set on a Midwestern college campus. The book is “The Raising” by Laura Kasischke. Lev Raphael spoke with WKAR’s Melissa Benmark about it.

A pair of bills that would revoke welfare benefits from some Michigan families has cleared the state House.

Governor Rick Snyder’s early June deadline to finish the budget, come up with more money for roads, and expand the Medicaid program is fast approaching.

Today on Current State: Ingham County Chief District Judge talks Indigent Defense ; the Lansing Information Technology Empowerment Center; Michael Finney from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and re-imagining the Grand River corridor.

Matt Ludtke starts the show off with MSU football recruiting, and potential NFL talent on the current roster.  He switches gears to the Detroit Red Wings, as they drop their first game to the Ducks.  Plus, the NBA playoffs are in full swing, and "dirty play" is an issue looming with one NBA team.  He closes the show with the debate of the Redskins.

The sixth amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes it clear:  any citizen accused of a crime will--if necessary--have access to qualified legal representation in court.  Many legal professionals think that guarantee has been seriously compromised in Michigan for many years.   The state often ranks low in assessments of its system of indigent defense.   In recent years, several efforts by the state legislature to strengthen the system have failed. 

For this week’s Neighbors in Action we feature the Information Technology Empowerment Center, which works with students and families in the Capital Region to build excitement for coursework and careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

K-12 Program Manager Cathy Post and ITEC student Joshua Ambrose join us in studio to discuss the non-profit and the technology training courses offered to children and adults.