News

The stretch of Grand River Avenue and Michigan Avenue from the Capitol building all the way east to Webberville is this region’s busiest corridor. A new plan, led by the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, is in the works to transform this corridor with more attractive design, improved rapid transit, and sustainable business and infrastructure improvements.  

A state House committee is holding a hearing on a measure that would change how hunting is managed in Michigan, and bypass a referendum on wolf hunting if it’s on the ballot next year.

Today on Current State: a review of April's news while looking to May; Michigan sustainable food systems and a new exhibit features local architecture. 

Current State reviews the biggest news stories in April, as well as some that flew under the radar.  Lansing City Pulse columnist Walt Sorg, Michigan Information and Research Service news director Kyle Melinn and Michigan Public Radio Network managing editor Rick Pluta join Current State's Mark Bashore in a reporters' roundtable. 

This month, the Vermont-based local food advocacy group "Strolling of the Heifers" released its second annual Locavore Index. The index ranks states based on their commitment to local food. Michigan earned a spot at # 22 on the list.

Michigan State University Art and Art History professor Susan Bandes has run a student project this year examining notable architecture in East Lansing. The focus has been on homes and businesses built between 1940 and 1970.

 The summer movie season is upon us. Soon we will be inspired by the feats of cinematic superheroes, and clutching our seats in fear as we watch the world’s demise. Entertainment reporter and film critic for MLive.com and The Grand Rapids Press, John Serba, helps Current State's Emanuele Berry sort through the many films of summer.

Republicans in the state Senate say it’s time to go back to the drawing board on a bill that would facilitate state takeovers of struggling schools.

Detroit and other Michigan cities are turning to businesses to help pay for schools that offer a wide array of services for students, their families, and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently released a massive study that analyzes health care in counties across the country and ranks them based on health data. The data shows some noteworthy findings about health disparities across 83 counties in Michigan. For instance, two neighboring counties, Wayne and Washtenaw, have very contrasting health outcomes. 

MLive's Lansing beat reporter Angela Wittrock joins Current State every Monday for a rundown of the latest news about the local economy, business and development. Today, she talks with Current State host Emanuele Berry about how Lansing will balance its budget, the proposed Kewadin casino project and more.

China’s economic and political growth has been well documented.  However, limited attention has been paid to how rapid development has dramatically impacted the nation's cultural life. Organizations in both China and the U.S. are working together to preserve and share China's "intangible" heritage and build cultural ties.

Allen (Al) Martin is joining WKAR as the host of “Sports Talk 870.”  Al’s passion for sports journalism stems from his own experience on the court.  In high school he played basketball. In college he translated his love for the game into the field of journalism. Al joins Current State's Emanuele Berry to talk about his connection with sports journalism and the future of “Sports Talk 870.”

Today on Current State: Michigan’s health disparities across 83 counties; Lansing’s business news with MLive’s Angela Wittrock; an oil boom in Jackson County; China and U.S.’s mutual efforts to preserve Chinese intangible cultural heritage and new WKAR “Sports Talk” host Allen Martin. 

Lou Anna K. Simon and Dan Gilbert talk about the future of Detroit.

A plan to change Michigan’s high school graduation requirements could be sent to the state House floor as early as next week.

Matt Ludtke is back to recap last night’s NFL draft.  Ludtke analyzes the Ansah choice and other potential picks for the Detroit Lions.  He also looks into the possibility of a recent MSU basketball commitment becoming a recruitment advocate for Tom Izzo.  The Detroit Red Wings defeated Nashville last night, and the NBA playoffs are in full swing.  These topics are among others on today’s SportsTalk.

Today on Current State: Lansing native Maureen Abood explores her Lebanese culture through writing and food; a researcher penetrates the murky world of  organ trafficking; and MSU Library's world renowned comic book collection. 

A few years ago, writer, photographer and chef Maureen Abood quit her job, left Chicago -- where she lived for 14 years -- and moved to San Francisco to follow her passion and attend culinary school.