Good morning, Lansing.

Several businesses in Old Town Lansing have joined forces to host a late-night shopping fundraiser on Thursday after a masked individual spray-painted racist and homophobic messages on store fronts last month—Twiggies, Odd Nodd Art Supply, and others will donate part of their profits to groups supporting criminal justice and refugee services.

A 53-year-old Mason man died Monday morning after failing to stop at a sign and colliding with a semi-truck on M-52 at 7:40 a.m.—Ingham County Sheriff's officials said morning sun glare may have contributed to the crash and that the investigation is ongoing.

On Tuesday morning, families from Michigan and beyond arrived at MSU campus in East Lansing to move belongings into residence halls despite the rain.

University President Kevin Guskiewicz helped his daughter move in—adding that the university has increased resources to support student success for the fall semester.

Students return today to Lansing schools that now have new safety features such as metal detectors at Dwight Rich School of the Arts and secure vestibules at other schools—new fencing, stronger window film and upgraded cameras are in place.

The district spent nearly $1 million on these updates and will add more measures to keep students and staff safe.

Climatologist Ricky Rood explained that smoke from Canadian wildfires will make Michigan summers smoky and lower air quality as warmer, drier conditions fuel bigger fires—risks that will become common in the coming years.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy already issued 27 air advisories and 4 alerts this year—prompting residents to take precautions when outdoor air quality is poor.

Local government leaders have proposed an $800 million affordable housing plan over the next five years that could create 10,000 new or rehabilitated homes by easing zoning rules and providing grants to developers—bipartisan lawmakers support the idea even as state budget negotiations remain uncertain.

Michigan Municipal League members and state legislators are proposing an $800M plan over five years to guide cities in creating more housing—offering up to $100,000 for new home construction and $30,000 for repairs if selected zoning reforms are adopted; Lansing mayor Andy Schor said his city is already applying several of these changes.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has set a schedule of ten key football games in Greater Lansing that will feature top teams — including rivals like DeWitt against Haslett on Aug.

28 and contests running through Oct. 24. These games will highlight noted recruits and former playoff teams as local matchups unfold in the coming weeks.

Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith said the offense showed more energy in Saturday's scrimmage but still faces position battles, especially between Brandon Tullis and Makhi Frazier.

The team will focus on improvements before the opener against Western Michigan on Aug. 29—Smith noted that challenges remain even as energy rises.

On Monday, Aug. 18, Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith named its football captains when quarterback Aidan Chiles repeated his role for a second season—joining linebacker Jordan Hall, center Matt Gulbin, defensive end Quindarius Dunnigan, and linebacker Sam Edwards.

The Spartans will start the season on Aug. 29 at home against Western Michigan.

Capital Region Owner2Owner Networking Event

4-6 p.m. — Pickleball Barn — Free entry — Connect with local small business owners while enjoying pickleball and community updates.

Friday Karaoke

9-11 p.m. — The Avenue — Free entry — Enjoy a fun night of karaoke with friends at this lively local favorite.

Fourth Saturday Game Day

2-11 p.m. — Evolution Games — Free gaming — Enjoy an evening of board games in a friendly environment with fellow gamers.

Western Michigan Broncos vs. Michigan State Spartans Football

7-8:30 p.m. — Spartan Stadium — Tickets from $52 — Experience college football action as the Broncos take on the Spartans in East Lansing.

2025 Michigan Chicken Wing Festival

2 PM – 9 PM — Adado Riverfront Park — Admission details not specified — Indulge in various chicken wing flavors and enjoy live music and family activities.

5th Annual Meridian Motorfest

8 AM – 5 PM — High Caliber Karting and Entertainment — Free entry — Enjoy a fun-filled day of sensory-friendly go-kart racing and arcade excitement for all ages.

Friday Karaoke Night

9-11 p.m. — The Avenue — Free entry — Enjoy a lively karaoke night with friends at a local favorite spot in Lansing.

Play Board Games at The Gaming Cantina

1-10 p.m. — The Gaming Cantina — Free gaming — Engage with fellow gamers in a welcoming environment with food and drinks nearby.

2025 MSU Family Weekend

10 AM – 8 PM — Michigan State University — Registration required — Explore campus and connect with your student during a weekend of activities.

Capital City Dragon Boat Race

9 AM – 5 PM — Grand River Park — Free entry — Swing by the Dragon Boat Race and snag some FREE BOOKS!