Good morning, Lansing.

After a gala honoring his longstanding community ties, the YMCA's Westside branch was renamed Earvin — Magic — Johnson YMCA and will expand later this fall with new sports courts, turf fields, and green space.

A local artist will complete a mural honoring his family by June 2027.

Betty Kellenberger, 80, from Lansing became the oldest woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail when she finished her 2,200-mile trek in Sept. despite injuries and Hurricane Helene — and she plans to return for more adventures.

Michigan apple growers report a strong, early harvest with varieties picked 10 days ahead of schedule and Honeycrisp apples expected by late August; farms statewide are welcoming families as they prepare for fall production.

Lansing will host a series of events this September with Lansing Oktoberfest on Sept.

11-12, Michigan BluesFest from Sept. 16-19, and 517 Hispanic Heritage Weekend on Sept. 17-20. Residents can also visit local sites like the Shigematsu Japanese Garden for a relaxing outing + cultural celebration.

Unity In Music Festival is set for Sunday, Aug.

30 at Fish Ladder Music Park in Old Town where local and statewide DJs will perform + community groups will host a nonperishable food and hygiene drive on-site. The free, all-ages event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Michigan Strategic Fund approved $50 million on Tuesday for Toronto-based Highland Copper’s Copperwood mine in the UP, planned to create 380 jobs over 11 years and begin construction in 2028 (project cost revisions are expected).

The grant covers nearly 10% of a $425 million estimate using defunded SOAR funds.

A Greenville dentist and Spartan alum donated $11 million to advance campus teamwork at Michigan State—funds will build a lobby entrance and plaza at two new buildings as a tribute to his late wife, Celeste.

St. Johns Public Schools opened its new Little Wings Early Learning Center to expand education and child care opportunities for local families.

The center strengthens early learning options in the community.

MSU graduates revealed the hidden life of Sparty, the beloved mascot who pranks students and leads at football games + attends campus events.

Recent mascots Noah Vermeulen and John Morrison balanced secret identities with their studies while creating memorable moments for the university community.

Local first responders trained yesterday to prepare for potential building collapse emergencies and strengthen rescue coordination in the community.

MSU Volleyball finished with an 18-12 record last season, its best since 2017, under coach Kristen Kelsay and now seeks a return to the NCAA tournament as it opens today against Miami.

MSU football enters a new era as coach Pat Fitzgerald (a 17-year Big Ten veteran from Northwestern) leads a revamped roster featuring key transfer players and returning leaders.

The team, coming off a 4-8 season, will look to improve in East Lansing this fall.