Current State

Scientists have conducted extensive research on the plastic-filled gyres of the ocean. This past summer, however, researchers decided to look inland for the first time and measure plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. Some of the groups' water samples had concentrations of plastic greater than those found anywhere else. The study has resulted in several other projects. Chemistry professor Dr. Sherri Mason discusses the plastic pollution in the basin.

  The Michigan Humanities Council will have a new executive director starting in May. Erik Nordberg is a long-time board member and will be coming to Lansing from Michigan Technological University where he most recently served as the University Archivist. He spoke about the humanities and his new position with WKAR’s Melissa Benmark.

Tomorrow is National “Kick Butts Day,” a day of activism to call attention to the hazards of tobacco use. In mid-Michigan, the managers of a local apartment complex are marking the day by celebrating their recent status as a smoke-free property.  Current State talks with Ingham county health officer Dr. Renee Canady about current available smoke-free housing, what's being done to ensure these properties are available, and whether it makes economic sense.

  Tomorrow morning, the spring equinox occurs just after 7 a.m Eastern Time.

Diverse cultures throughout history have marked the passing of the seasons with music and artistic expression.

Today on Current State:  Governor Snyder’s 2013 economic conference; Michigan Municipal League leaders discuss the revenue debacle; sports with Detroit Free Press' Joe Rexrode;  the Higgs boson; and Lansing business news with MLive's Angela Wittrock.

Governor Rick Snyder calls his “Governor’s Economic Summit," which begins today in Detroit, a “centerpiece event” for 2013.  Over the next day and a half at Cobo Center,  the Governor is bringing together private sector employers and workforce developers to determine Michigan’s future hiring needs.  He plans a follow-up summit with educators in April to align the effort. Governor Snyder shares more details. 

Since 2000, Michigan's state government has cut a total of $4.2 billion of revenue sharing with municipalities.   With lawmakers at work on the next state budget, and with a modest surplus projected, advocates for Michigan’s cities and towns are pleading for an increase in revenue.  This afternoon, many of those advocates will meet at the Lansing office of the Michigan Municipal League to make some noise.

Detroit Free Press sportswriter Joe Rexrode joins us every Monday and Friday to discuss what's happening in the sports world -- from Michigan State to local prep athletics to the pro leagues. Today he discusses the upcoming NCAA tournament. 

Last July, scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, announced that they had found a particle they described as “Higgs-like." Last week, after completing their examination of the data, lead researcher Joe Incandela announced that, in his words, “it is clear that we are dealing with a Higgs boson."

MLive's Lansing beat reporter Angela Wittrock joins us every Monday for a rundown of the latest news about the local economy, business and development.   

Today on Current State: GM's possible Lansing expansion;  Lansing Financial Health Team members discuss details of report; Lansing's school superintendent on why she opposes Educational Assessment Authority; the screenwriter of the new Israeli film "Rock the Casbah";  MSU Wharton Center presents "Garden of Joy"; and Cello Plus Chamber Music Festival with a live music performance.

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero announced today that GM is interested in building a $38 million expansion to its Grand River plant and is looking for tax incentives. WKAR's Kevin Lavery reports.

In Lansing, city leaders and many others have begun digging into pages of new recommendations for addressing long-term city revenue shortfalls.  Former mayor Dave Hollister led the 14-person effort that began last November. The blue-ribbon Financial Health Team divided its work into two areas: long-term costs and debt and a regional approach to cutting and streamlining.  

A bill is moving through the Michigan legislature that would expand the state's oversight of struggling schools.

Lansing schools Superintendent Yvonne Camaal-Canul says the move to expand the preview of Michigan's Educational Achievement Authority is "not about education.It's about politics." She joins us. 

The new Israeli film "Rock the Casbah" takes place during the first intifada in the late 1980s. It's the first feature film produced in Israel to address the tumultuous period and is showing this weekend as part of the Israeli Film Festival put on by MSU's Jewish Studies Program. The film's screenwriter, Guy Meirson, served in the Israeli army at the time. He's a guest lecturer in screenwriting this semester and joins us to discuss his new film and Israel's complex relationship with the Palestinians.

A new production opening tonight at MSU’s Wharton Center pays homage to the Harlem Renaissance.  In the 1920’s, the arts in America, like just about every other industry, were dominated by whites. Most representations of African-American life were done in parody.  One of most popular programs of the day was “Amos and Andy.”  It debuted in 1928 with two white actors who would later appear on screen in blackface.

In a surprisingly short conclave, the Roman Catholic cardinals elected a new pope yesterday. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of the Buenos Aires diocese, became the first Jesuit and first Latin American to be named pope.

Monsignor Jerry Vincke of the Lansing diocese is stationed at the North American College in Rome. He shares what the process has been like and introduces  Pope Francis the First.

The 13th annual Cello Plus Chamber Music Festival begins on March 17 at MSU. The festival will feature the music of Schubert, Beethoven, Bach and Brahms. 

MSU cello professor Suren Bagratuni details the line-up and plays live in studio.

The City of Lansing's blue ribbon Financial Health Team has begun releasing draft recommendations on how to address the city's long-term financial deficits.

Current State's Kevin Lavery attended today's early morning meeting at the REO Olds Museum and has an update.