Current State #10 | January 25, 2013

Today on Current State: Newly elected State Representative Tom Leonard, Prima Civitas' "Young Innovators" competition, the Lansing-made Chevy Traverse at the Detroit Auto Show, and a classical music concert guide.

Newly elected State Representative Tom Leonard outlines legislative priorities

Freshman State Representative Tom Leonard of DeWitt is the new Republican representing the 93rd District.  He’s replaced fellow Republican Paul Opsommer, who was term-limited.  The 31-year old former Genesee County prosecutor shares his background and priorities and also comments on upcoming legislative debates involving guns, road funding and education.

The Prima Civitas Foundation honors young Michigan entrepreneurs

The Prima Civitas Foundation will announce the winners of the statewide 2012 Young Innovators Competition tomorrow.  In addition to business advice, the organization will give cash awards in excess of $10,000.  Students come from Ann Arbor, Detroit, DeWitt, Dexter, Flint, Grand Ledge, Holt, Lansing, Muskegon, Perry, Traverse City and Williamston.  The competition celebrates “solution-focused ideas.” Steve Bennett and Holly Hetzner from Primas Civitas discuss the competition's evolution and share some of this year's best ideas.

General Motors shows off Traverse and new Impala at the Detroit Auto Show

The 2013 North American International Auto Show continues at Detroit’s Cobo Center through Sunday. During last week’s media preview, WKAR’s Peter Whorf joined NAIAS product specialist Anne Marie Damon for a look at some of the latest products from General Motors. They took a look at the brand-new take on a Chevy classic, the Impala, and ran through the updates on the Lansing-made Traverse.

Friday sports check-in with Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free-Press

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.

WKAR's Jody Knol highlights the second half of the winter classical concert season

WKAR 90.5 classical music host and producer Jody Knol says there’s no excuse to be bored during mid-Michigan winters, especially when it comes to the  abundance of classical music concerts to choose from.  Current State executive producer Peter Whorf spoke with Jody earlier this week for a look ahead at the second half of the classical concert season.

Lansing-based musician Sergei Kvitko prepares for Carnegie Hall debut

Lansing-based classical pianist Sergei Kvitko continues preparing for a performance milestone: his Carnegie Hall debut on May 23.  Tonight, Kvitko performs some pieces from his upcoming New York City date at Lansing’s Absolute Gallery.  He’ll also accompany several other established Lansing-based artists.  Host Mark Bashore paid Kvitko a visit earlier this week at his studio.