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.

1pm Friday - Spring Convocation for graduating seniors,  featuring actor Timothy Busfield.  | 3:30pm Friday - Advanced Degree Commencement Ceremony, featuring author Richard Ford. WATCH LIVE HERE

The panel discusses a resolution to the Jase Bolger-Tim Greimel feud and an update on road funding.

The guest is L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive

Chris Christoff, Zack Gorchow and Chad Livengood join senior capitol correspondent Tim Skubick.