Good morning, Lansing.

Lyonel Woolley, an adoptive father in Eaton Rapids, spoke on Nov.

25 after finalizing his daughters' adoption and urged others to step up to adopt children. He stressed that more families are needed to give kids a loving home.

Free traditional Thanksgiving meals are offered to anyone in need across Mid-Michigan, with Catholic Charities serving a turkey dinner at Cristo Rey Community Center in Lansing from noon to 2 p.m. tomorrow—other meals will be provided at additional local sites.

Organizers of Lansing’s Annual Toy-A-Thon—sponsored by the Salvation Army and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve—are asking residents to drop off a new, unwrapped toy for children ages 0–18 at Walmart in Eastwood Towne Center and Walmart in Delta Township on Friday, December 5 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Toys For Tots will deliver the toys to families from December 15 to December 17.

The City of East Lansing’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts will host its annual Winter Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec.

6 at the Hannah Community Center — the event offers indoor games, live shows, outdoor ice sculpting and a Winter Farmers Market with a $5 optional donation for photos.

Michigan law does not set a minimum age for children to be home alone, but experts say parents must consider a child’s maturity—children 10 and under are typically not ready for unsupervised time.

Parents are urged to establish clear rules and trial periods, checking in with trusted neighbors if needed, before leaving their kids alone.

On November 25th, the Michigan Supreme Court hosted its 23rd annual Adoption Day event in Lansing.

Two local families finalized their adoptions—an Eaton Rapids couple adopted two daughters while a Delta Township family finalized the adoption of a grandson.

Small Business Saturday is coming on November 29 with local shops, restaurants and makers inviting residents in Lansing and nearby towns to enjoy holiday shopping and dining.

Downtown Lansing Inc. will double the value of Downtown Digital Dollars purchased that day—encouraging local support for small businesses.

Lansing’s former Rite Aid on East Saginaw Street near Frandor will soon host six new businesses—four have signed leases including Wing Stop, Shake Shack, Smoothie King and Batteries Plus—as interior work and new signage move forward.

WKAR is launching a five-part documentary series called Before America that highlights Indigenous resilience in Michigan before the American Revolution—focusing on strategic moments like a lacrosse game takeover near Michilimackinac in 1763 that showcased clever Indigenous planning. The series will offer Michigan residents a fresh look at histories often overlooked in standard accounts.

The Okemos Public Schools board has hired the Michigan Leadership Institute to lead the search for a new superintendent after John Hood announced his retirement earlier this month.

The board will set the candidate profile and interview dates at a meeting on Dec. 8 with interviews planned for January and February and a new superintendent expected to be hired in March, starting between April 1 and July 1.

EdTech companies spent nearly $900,000 lobbying Michigan lawmakers in 2024 and spring to steer school funds to products like iWellness, a tool that asks students about their well-being without proven research.

Lawmakers and school officials now question whether taxpayer money is used wisely — pushing for better checks on these programs.

Lansing Community College and Cleary University signed an agreement that lets students transfer credits from LCC’s business programs to matching courses in Cleary’s Bachelor of Business Administration program — a move designed to ease the transition for future graduates.

The deal will benefit the college’s 10,398 fall-enrolled students by making their education path smoother.

A recent report shows Michigan reading scores remain low as only 38.9% of third graders reached proficiency on the MSTEP, with teacher shortages+chronic absenteeism and cell phone distractions affecting classroom learning.

State funding for teacher training and curriculum changes is expected to help but will take time to impact schools.

Lansing will start Code Blue today at 7 p.m., a plan that lets local shelters extend their hours and serve more people until Dec.

1—officials also urge residents to call ahead for shelter availability during the holiday weekend. The warming center at Letts Community Center will operate overnight from 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., and no electric shutoffs will happen at Lansing Board of Water & Light while the plan is in effect.

5th Annual Downtown DeWitt Turkey Trot

8 AM - 2 PM — 3 legged dog yoga + strength studio — Registration required — Kick off Thanksgiving with a family-friendly 5k fun run through Downtown DeWitt.

Friday Karaoke

9-11 p.m. — The Avenue — Free entry — Engage in a vibrant evening of music and fun at a beloved local karaoke night with great food and drinks.

TUNE IN: December Music Showcase

7:30 PM - 1:30 AM — The Robin Theatre — Donations encouraged — An inclusive showcase for local performers and songwriters of all styles.

Friday Karaoke at The Avenue

9-11 p.m. — The Avenue — Free entry — Experience a lively karaoke night while enjoying delicious food and drinks in a vibrant atmosphere.

Breakfast with Santa 2025

9 a.m. — Dave & Buster's Lansing — $10+ — Experience a magical morning filled with breakfast, games, and a visit with Santa Claus.

60th Anniversary Reunion Celebration

2-5 p.m. — Lansing Center — $60.00 + fees — Celebrate six decades of memories with dinner, entertainment, and historical reflections.

The Wiz Musical Revival

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Wharton Center for Performing Arts — Tickets required — Experience the Tony Award-winning musical with a fresh twist on a classic tale.

World Ballet Company - The Nutcracker

7-9 p.m. — Wharton Center for Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magical ballet adaptation of The Nutcracker with enchanting performances and a classic holiday tale.

Friday Karaoke Night

9-11 p.m. — The Avenue Cafe — Free entry — Enjoy a lively night of karaoke with friends and great food from Ruckus Ramen.

Board Game Social at Summit Comics & Games

2-9 p.m. — Summit Comics & Games — Free entry — Enjoy casual gaming sessions and meet fellow gamers in a friendly environment.